Next American City Publisher Michelle Kuly is Denied Entry to the U.S.
-CBC News

“A Winnipeg woman was stopped Monday from entering the United States to return to her job in Philadelphia. Michelle Kuly went to U.S. Customs at Winnipeg’s James Armstrong Richardson International Airport to catch a flight home and renew her work visa — something she has done in each of the past two years to work at a magazine in Pennsylvania … “I was in a bit of a state of shock. I hadn’t really anticipated what would happen if I was denied because it had gone smoothly two years in a row, [said Kuly].”

All of us here at NAC were shocked to read an e-mail from Michelle telling us that she was denied re-entry to the United States. Michelle has been a driving force for our organization and we miss her very much. If you want to help us out, write the U.S. Border Patrol using this form and ask them why our publisher, who has a full-time job, health benefits, a group of friends and contributes to making America’s cities better, was randomly selected to have her life turned upside-down.

Angry Vandal Beheads Ringo Starr Sculpture After the Beatle Insults Liverpool
-Daily Mail UK

“A foliage statue of the 67-year-old Beatle unveiled just a fortnight ago has been beheaded, though John, Paul and George were left alone. It comes after Starr outraged parts of Liverpool in January when, days after opening the city’s European Capital of Culture celebrations, he said he missed nothing about the city.”

Senators try to broker end to HUD-Philadelphia Housing Authority feud
-Philadelphia Inquirer

“Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators are trying to legislate an end to the feud between the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey yesterday cosponsored an amendment to a housing bill that would spell out a way to prevent Philadelphia from losing as much as $40 million in federal funding.”

Tourists Flock to New Orleans Jazz Festival
-USA Today

“There is nothing else like it,” said singer Aaron Neville, whose performance at the festival this year is his first gig in his hometown since Katrina hit. “It’s one of those things that makes the city what it is.” Before the hurricane, Neville traditionally closed out the second weekend of the festival with his brothers, an addition to doing a turn in the gospel tent. For Neville, New Orleans hasn’t been the same since Hurricane Katrina roared through in August 2005, flooding 80% of the city — including his house.”

Hillary Clinton Vows Rust Belt Revival
-Chicago Sun Times

“Just across the border in Indiana steel mill territory, White House hopeful Hillary Clinton looked for votes Friday and pledged a rust belt revival to 5,000 fans at the Hammond Civic Center. She introduced six mayors endorsing her. “These mayors behind me know: You need money for roads and bridges and water systems and mass transit systems. I believe we could again put thousands of Americans to work rebuilding America,” Clinton said. “I think it’s time we had a president who stood for a comeback for northwest Indiana. I know a little bit about comebacks.”

Seattle’s City and Cultural Leaders Discuss Preserving Art Space
-The Seattle Times

“The meeting will focus on solutions to preserve, create and maintain art space on Capitol Hill. One possibility is creating a cultural overlay district which would give incentives — such as tax breaks, zoning changes or low-interest loans — to encourage artistic activities. “The overarching problem, says co-organizer of the meeting Jim Kelly, executive director of 4Culture, is that this is the “oldest story in the arts. Artists move to a neighborhood nobody wants to be, like Pioneer Square or Capitol Hill, and then transform the neighborhood. This brings in people and money, who are attracted to the neighborhood for its galleries, theaters, and bars that cater to the artists and that lifestyle … Then people move in, prices go up, and the people who defined that attractiveness have to find somewhere else to go.”