Clear Channel axes over 200 employees

11/08/11 00:04 AM

By Katie Tufts / Big D Blog
 ktufts@smu.edu Clear Channel Radio is joining the media layoffs in a large way. On Oct. 27, they laid off over 200 employees across the country. These layoffs were mostly DJs and program directors, according to the Dallas Observer. What many don’t realize is that radio DJs and programs are not coming from the local stations anymore and that stations are playing nationally syndicated radio programs from somewhere else. Dallas stations are buying syndicated programs, like Ryan Seacrest’s (played in Dallas on KDMX-FM), and playing them across the U.S., without any local DJs. This allows companies like Clear Channel to “reallocate resources” (save money) and say that it will help listeners to not have so many voices...

Beer, entrepreneurship and independence meet in Deep Ellum brewery

11/07/11 23:52 PM

By Joe Richardson/ Big D Blog joeyr@smu.edu A river of beer will run through Dallas. Deep Ellum will become the land of beer and bands on Saturday, November 12. Dallas Beer Week kicks off on Saturday with an all day party being thrown by the Deep Ellum Brewing Co. The party will be held at Franconia Brewing. The Deep Ellum Brewing Co. is currently the only brewing house in Dallas. Breweries from all over the country will be participating in the weeklong celebration of booze. Dallas Beer Week will be a series of events hosted by local bars and restaurants. The cost of participating will vary from place to place. For more info you can visit the Facebook page. Just look for J.R. Ewing. Big D is a digital journalism class blog produced independently of The Daily...

Dry Bar Opens Second DFW Location in Plano

11/04/11 06:49 AM

By Caroline Foster /Big D Blog cfoster@smu.edu It’s almost the holiday season, which means countless formals and parties are right around the corner. The easiest way to make sure your hair looks its best is to put it in the hands of an expert. That’s where the drybar comes in. At drybar you make an appointment (you can even do it on your iPhone) and  go in ready to have your tresses tamed. You can choose from five different styles of blow outs, from the curly “Cosmopolitan” to the straight “Straight up” look there are plenty of options to choose from. Next just relax and they take care of the rest while you watch chick flicks. Does life get any better? Before you know it you will have beautiful, shiny locks ready for any...

UP Recycling Sets Record

11/02/11 07:09 AM

By Anna Kiappes/Big D akiappes@smu.edu According to the November University Park Newsletter, the city has collected almost 3000 tons of recycled material. The city began giving out bins to residents in 2008. Since then, “UP residents increased their efforts of recycling by 112%.” This not only helped the environment but also helped the budget. The newsletter states that the fees received from the recycling center have helped keep sanitation rates down. The Park Cities also held a shredding event last month. This resulted in the disposal of 11 tons of paper products and nine tons of electronic equipment like VCRs, computers, and TVs.  Do you participate in the recycling programs at SMU? If so, why? Big D is a digital journalism class blog...

New LGBT Bill Helps Same-Sex Parents Adopt

11/01/11 14:07 PM

  By: Logan May/ Big D Blog ljmay@smu.edu Primetime shows like Modern Family and Desperate Housewives have put a new spin on the modern day household—same sex parents. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has ended, progress is being made, and more same sex couples are looking to start families. Times have changed, and so have we. New York Sen. Kristin Gillibrand introduced a new bill entitled “The Every Child Deserves a Family Act”on Friday. This new bill will prohibit adoption discrimination based on sexual orientation. In a statement, Gillibrand said, “by removing all barriers for LGBT families to serve as foster parents, New York State has increased its foster parent pool by 128,000 prospective parents. This legislation would open...