Former University of Iowa Doctoral Student Receives Firestorm of Criticism for Newtown Shooting Theories: Iowa City Daily News Links, Jan. 10

Thurrrrsssdayyy. (this week seem like it's going slow to anyone else?)

On to the Links!

Tara Bannow of the Iowa City Press-Citizen writes about a former University of Iowa student and local writer named James Tracy who has written some recent blogs about the Sandy Hook shootings that have received a large amount of negative criticism nationally and internationally. In these blogs, he examines the narratives of the Sandy Hook coverage and critcizes the "corporate media" for smoothing away earlier details such as the possibility of additional shooters. Tracy, now a professor at Florida Atlantic University, has had his views disavowed by the college. 

Mark Carlson of KCRG writes that New Pioneer Co-Op fans are feeling a bit sore about the city council's choice of The Chauncey.

Meet local children's author Sarah Prineas, one of the stars of the One Book, Two Book children's festival being held this weekend in Iowa City. (Press-Citizen)

Loebsack, touring his district in Johnson County, said federal cut backs on food assistance buildings will likely be part of future farm bill talks. The key will be to still try assure funding for food quality, he said. (Press-Citizen)

Adam Sullivan of the Press-Citizen writes that the city is holding several ad-hoc meetings to gather community input on what it terms "growing pains" surrounding diversity and policing in the city.

The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the University of Iowa must release the terms of a release agreement with a departing medical school employee after a freedom of information request by the Associated Press in 2011. (Press-Citizen)

Press-Citizen has its events not to miss this weekend. Little Village has it's weekender recommendations for shows to see.

Iowa City animal services is looking for a small tan labrador retreiver that bit a man on Dubuque Street on Jan. 4.

Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz says his controversial new voter ID laws will move forward despite public criticism. Speaking of Schultz, he may have a challenger for his job who knows the state pretty well.

Daily Links News Excerpt of the Day

In addition, Tracy claims two additional shooters were arrested at the scene of the shooting. He also wrote in his blog,http://memoryholeblog.com, that the Facebook memorial pages of some of the victims were created before the shootings occurred, and that some of the interviews with victims’ parents seemed “contrived.”

“I think it has been conveyed that I’m not being sympathetic or I’m being callous,” Tracy said, “but I think these are simply questions that need to be raised. If there are additional culprits, the public needs to know.”

Although some have criticized Tracy for casting doubt on a tragedy, Tracy said he thinks he’s doing the right thing for the 26 people who were killed that day, including 20 children.

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