NEWS & FEATURES

Budget cuts to environmental programs are putting ordinary citizens in danger. Deirdre Fulton reports.

Dan Kennedy says that despite studies that show public radio’s audience is diverse and its news coverage bias-free, the White House’s hatchet man threatens our most vital source of broadcast news.

Adam Reilly asks, "Who wants to be a Democratic candidate for governor?" Also, Mitt Romney’s mysterious abortion shift, and Democratic lieutenant-governor candidate Deborah Goldberg starts fast.

The administration has delayed and defused privacy-oversight efforts until Bush’s pet projects are in place. By then, says David S. Bernstein, any oversight will be beside the point.

The New York Times goes slumming: Chris Lehman explains how the paper’s allegiance to the ruling elite distorts its look at class in America.

Turning her back on the major labels, former 'Til Tuesday frontwoman and boxing aficionado Aimee Mann puts out an indie concept album and takes on all comers. Tamara Wieder talks with her.

In "Out There," Kris Frieswick says that if you think it’s hard dating someone with kids, try being one of the kids.

Dan Savage on sex.

In the Phoenix editorial: Mark Felt’s final service to his country may have been in reminding us what journalism is supposed to be for.

Letters to the editor

Moon Signs

Plus, this just in:

MUSIC

Best Music Poll 2005 - the results are in! See who took tops in national and local categories.

Electrelane's Mia Clarke explains to Michael Alan Goldberg that there's a method to her band's madness

Mikael Wood talks with the Killers' Brandon Flowers about how his band went from neo-new-wave hopefuls to Top 40 superstars "overnight,"

Matt Ashare tries to find out just what "New York rock" is by talking to Robbers on High Street and listening to the very New York-like LA band Louis XIV

Mikael Wood says Spoon find less is more on Gimme Fiction.

Franklin Soults talks to Stephen Malkmus.

In Cellars By Starlight: Ted Drozdowski discovers the perverse pleasures of Tunnel of Love, plus news and notes.

In Out: Will Spitz sees Gorillaz at Bill’s; a guitar shop throws a DJ battle.

Chris Rucker hears Crash and Burn and Bane turn up the heat.

In Download: A megamix renaissance.

And in Roadtripping, Team Sleep awakens, plus Pinback at the Paradise and more.

Live reviews of: The Decemberists, Snow Patrol and U2

Also, short reviews of:

THEATER

Carolyn Clay reviews the Huntington Theatre production of William Finn's Falsettos and Robert Reich's Public Exposure at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater

Liza Weisstuch looks for "Fringe Benefits" in Duplex and Forget Herostratus!

DANCE

Marcia B. Siegel reports on Paul Taylor and Prometheus Dance.

BOOKS

Nina Maclaughlin says John McManus moves from stories to the novel.

TELEVISION

Joyce Millman eyeballs Lisa Kudrow in The Comeback, Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer, and the season finale of Lost.

HOTDOTS: TUESDAY 7 9:00 (44) Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers: Hot Times in Alaska. Despite what your federal government will admit, fossil-fuel emissions are causing global warming and we're all going to die and there's nothing we can do about it. By Clif Garboden

FOOD