Don't root for the bad guy, because although he may have several spacious New York City apartments, a closet full of natty suits, and a beauty-queen wife (and treat his momma right), he's still a cold-blooded killer. Ridley Scott's American Gangster — based on a New York magazine article profiling Frank Lucas, a real-life drug kingpin in 1960s and '70s Harlem — makes sure we understand that Lucas (Denzel Washington) is responsible for unleashing deadly, near-pure heroin (imported directly from Southeast Asian sources at the height of the Vietnam War) onto American streets. Paralleling Lucas's rise to power, with far less glamour, is the story of cop Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), who's also a lawyer (thanks to night school) and a man of unimpeachable character — to his detriment, as it turns out, since every other officer on the force is totally dirty and won't work with him.

Hoffman Will Propose Bill To Shield Counties From RAGBRAI Liability

As the Legislature gets to work, in Des Moines, RAGBRAI officials, county supervisors and bike riders will be watching to see if legislation emerges that could help shape the future of Iowa's great bicycle ride. One western Iowa lawmaker says he'll propose a bill that would provide "immunity" for counties where riders roll. "I think its important we get this immunity for counties," said Rep. Clarence Hoffman, (R) Charter Oak. Hoffman represents the corner of Crawford County where Kirk Ullrich died almost four years ago. He lost control of his bike after it hit a crack in a county road. His widow sued. And, last fall, she settled with Crawford County for $355,000 dollars. County supervisors then passed a resolution banning the annual bicycle ride from its roads. "If we have to fix our roads, and get them into the shape, so that they're gonna be good for bicycles in every situation, then the money for "Time 21" needs to be doubled," Hoffman said.

Death of Reform, Birth of Reform: Clinton Democrats Face the Obama ...

Obama is poised to win eight straight primaries in the week since Super Tuesday, with only Virginia a bit uncertain at this point. In their staggering spin, the Clinton forces are denying that these eight states matter in comparison with California and New York. This spin will be challenged when and if Obama wins Wisconsin and Hawaii on the 19th, for ten victories in a row. Coming out of Super Tuesday ahead in 14 states to Clinton's eight (some are still counting), that would mean Obama finishes February with 24 states to eight against the former First Lady and a former president popular with Democrats. The delegate totals in those 24 states are more than Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania combined, and even if the Clintons win in those three big states they still stand to lose in the 14 states remaining.

Overpass targets walkers, bikers

Robert Walton can't wait for construction of the new Mason Corridor project to begin.

An avid cyclist, he is interested in the new bike lanes the city said will be added to make it easier for cyclists to travel north and south through Fort Collins.

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CHANGE @ WORK: Widening your Web

Essentially, your presence is about establishing visibility in the online world and making connections that could prove valuable later.

For that to work, you need to put some effort into it.

In your online profile, for instance, if "you have just two sentences there, it shows you don't take this seriously," Pollak says. "You're not going to get the most benefit if don't make the most of your profile."

So consider adding links and mention previous employers, special skills, buzzwords for your industry, even your "30-second elevator pitch" - especially if one motivation is the desire to hear from job recruiters. Pollak says her fiance's profile on LinkedIn was so compelling that even though he wasn't looking for a new job, an employer sought him out and offered him one.