Steven Schier, the Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science, offered an analysis of likely Republican presidential nominee John McCain's attempt to reach out to young voters to the Associated Press. "He should not concede these voters, but he can't count on making big headway with them," he says. Schier added that McCain's age and the overall "unpopularity of the GOP" with young voters will be difficult to overcome. The story was picked up nationally.

Steven Schier, the Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science, is quoted in today's USA Today on whether or not apparent Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama needs to heal his fractured party after he all but wrapped up his party's presidential nomination. "The question really is whether identity politics becomes more important than partisan politics," Schier says. "Do you get so upset that a member of your group is not being nominated that you abandon your party?"

Carleton is featured in the Strait Times in Singapore, as it profiles Nazish Zafar's '07 experience on the Northfield campus. Zafar graduated last June with a double major in sociology and anthropology. "Her invigorating undergraduate experience is what liberal arts colleges are known for, and Singapore will be offering the same brand of education through a liberal arts college of its own," writes Sandra Davie, senior writer for the publication. Zafar is currently working in Singapore's ministry of community development, youth and sports before starting her doctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Carleton senior Muna Noor of Minneapolis was featured on WCCO-TV of Minneapolis/St. Paul on Tuesday, April 29 on the 10 p.m. broadcast. Noor, one of the first Somali students admitted to Carleton, is set to graduate this June. Noor, political science and international relations double major, has been extremely active in her community, both in Minneapolis and on the Carleton campus. Elizabeth Ciner, associate dean of the college, also appears in the segment.

Steven Schier, the Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science, is quoted on Politico.com regarding Minnesota U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken's tax error. Franken's corporations owes $70,000 in back taxes in 17 states, his first slip-up in his bid to unseat incumbent and Republican Norm Coleman. “He’s a target-rich environment now, because you have his whole controversial record of his Hollywood past and his record as a comedian,” said Schier. “And now you have his record as a businessman. It’s a free media gift. It’s going to be very easy for Republicans to make credible ads against him.”

The recent edition of the Twin Cities alternative weekly City Pages names Gospel Gossip "Best New Band." Featuring drummer Ollie Moltaji, Carleton alumnus and educational associate in psychology, and lead singer and guitarist Sarah Nienaber '08—along with Northfielders bassist Justin Plank and keyboardist Deanna Steege, the band's popularity continues to grow. With an EP and a full-length release already in their discography, and a West Coast tour behind them, City Pages calls the foursome "the overachieving Bobby Fischers of our musical community."

"Disconnected," the hour-long, student-produced documentary about three Carls going without their computers, received a glowing review from MinnPost's Rob Nelson. "Non-virtual reality — what a concept! This casually ingenious hourlong doc contrives to strip well-wired Carleton College kids of their all-important connections," Nelson writes. "'Disconnected' is consistently funny, philosophical and self-critical, daring to make its subjects appear occasionally pathetic even as we feel their pain." He even grades the film, as the eight Carleton students receive an "A" from Nelson. The film makes its debut at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival on Sunday, April 27.

Steven Schier, the Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science, gives analysis on whether or not the Democratic presidential primary is coming to an end or not in a recent Reuters article. "This is the last chance for voters to redirect the race and take it out of the hands of superdelegates," Schier is quotes as saying. "If you don't get a decisive result in one direction or another it's going to be up to superdelegates to read the tea leaves and decide this. None of the other states are game changers, they are all sort of predictable."

Caitlin Magnusson '09 appeared on Minnesota Public Radio's "Future Tense" to discuss her and her classmates experience in the making of "Disconnected," a feature-length documentary film about three Carleton students going computerless. Magnusson and her classmates, along with visiting instructor in cinema and media studies Melody Gilbert, will debut the film at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival on Sunday, April 27. Audio from Magnusson's interview is available.

Gao Hong, performance activities coordinator in music and adjunct instructor in Chinese musical instruments, was profiled in an April 2008 edition of Minnesota Women's Press. An article entitled "Pipa prodigy" details Gao Hong's compelling life story as a young musical prodigy in China to her current international career as an acclaimed composer and performer.