Brrr! It's Cold Reality Week here in Weekly Wire's news section.

f the media is only a reflection of society, then the media's response to the recent race relations conference at Fisk University (in Tennessee) shows how confused society still is about the Cold Realities of race. A cover story offers an in-depth look at both the conference itself (where rapper Chuck D. raised eyebrows with his "We got to kill some people" speech) and the press's inconsistent reactions to the proceedings. Weekly Wire has included articles on the Fisk event twice previously (last week and the week before that) -- check them out for a fuller perspective. And for further evidence of how the press often misrepresents race, read about some reporters who flubbed statistics regarding local gang membership.

peaking of ongoing news stories, way back in the July 2-8 issue we ran an article about some mysterious lights over Phoenix that left onlookers shouting "U.F.O.!" Now it appears the case has been solved -- the F.O. I.D.'ed, if you will -- as this story explains. One case that may never be solved, but is far more grounded in Cold Reality, involves finding a viable cure for AIDS. For some victims of the brutal disease, new anti-viral drugs called protease inhibitors are the next best thing, bringing back both energy and immunity. But are these expensive, time-intensive medications more trouble than they're worth? An article explores the resulting dilemma over "quality of life."

ife-and-death issues also receive focus in our editorials this week. Jeff Smith's rant about the ongoing investigation of last year's TWA disaster suggests that maybe we should just let things lie, if you'll pardon the pun. Captain Opinion has basically the same take on a different question: whether to put up a Holocaust memorial in a public park. Gruff though they may be, both Smith's and Mr. Opinion's views carry the Coldly Realistic weight of common sense. So does this Helter Shelter column berating half-assed solutions to home repair needs. That's a lot of Cold Reality, but don't say we didn't warn you. Brrr!

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Without Consensus
Reflecting on the dialogue that took place at the Fisk Race Relations Institute's recent national conference. [2]
Margaret Renkl

Case Closed?
The mysterious lightshow over Phoenix appears to have been a routine training exercise. [3]
Jim Nintzel and Julian Grajewski

Epidemic Change
Protease inhibitors, a miracle drug for AIDS victims, has decreased the percentage of deaths. But has it increased their quality of life? [4]
Maureen Zent

High Tech, Low Priority?
Contrary to conventional wisdom, computers in schools may not necessarily produce better students. [5]
Roseana Auten

Fright Pattern
The true conspiracy behind the crash of TWA Flight 800. [6]
Jeff Smith

Memorial Multiplication
Will Downtown's proposed Holocaust Memorial rob us of a prime loitering spot? [7]
Cap'n O

Odds & Ends
Timed-release news capsules from the flipside. [8]
Devin D. O'Leary

Desperately Seeking the News
The Tennessean angers Latino community with irresponsible reporting. [9]
Henry Walker

Follow the Signs
Walter says, when it comes to home repair, don't do a half-assed job. [10]
Walter Jowers

New Orleans News Items
Short news items from in and around New Orleans. [11]

Now What?
A Web link page chock full of resources, recommendations, and staff picks pertaining to the subject of this section. [12]

Captain Opinion
Tobacco should be treated no differently than any other product. [06-06-97]
Cap'n O

Odds & Ends
Around the news in seven days. [06-06-97]
Devin D. O'Leary

Brave New World
World Wide Web links from a fevered mind. [07-08-97]
David O. Dabney