For campaigners across the country, this week will decide whether months of hard work paid off. For the rest of us, this week will finally provide some relief from the inundation of political ads. Don't get me wrong. I'm a political news junkie. I just can't stand to watch anymore meaningless negative ads.

Powerhouse tours featuring two prominent musical acts are no rarity, but when artists from distinct genres join forces to entertain the nation, a closer look is needed. Such is the case when considering the spring 2007 tour of alt-rock legends Red Hot Chili Peppers and R&B phenomenon Gnarls Barkley.

Dr. Edward Halperin took over as dean of the University of Louisville School of Medicine last Wednesday after being formally named to the position in August. "I am looking forward to starting the teaching part of my job and my job as a doctor who takes care of children with cancer.

I hate to put a damper on the party, but I feel I must. Besides, why be positive when you can be negative? Louisville football is going to get screwed right out of the national title game. And what I mean by the word "screwed" is that the Cards are going to do everything they need to do but still get left out.

Kentucky Rep. Stan Lee (R.), pre-filed legislation earlier last month that would banish domestic partners benefits at post-secondary institutions, including the University of Louisville. Now other State Representatives and organizations want to strike this piece of legislation down.

More schools lose students to credit card debt than they do to bad grades, said Ken Rollins, Customer Care Supervisor of Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. Borrowing money now in the form of credit cards and loans can take away from future earnings.

1) Pittsburgh Panthers ÑLast year: 25-8 (10-6 Big East) ÑKey returning players: Sr. C Aaron Gray, Soph. PG Levance Fields ÑKey departures: Carl Krauser ÑNewcomer(s) to watch: Gilbert Brown: 6-foot-6 SF ÑPanther quick hits: With the seven-footer Gray returning for his senior year, it puts the Panthers right in the mix for the Big East crown.

Change has to start somewhere, and thanks to the University of Louisville Trustees, it started in July 2006 when they moved to begin offering health benefits to unmarried domestic partners of faculty and staff members. The motion supports the university's stance on diversity by affording all faculty and staff members the same benefits, regardless of whether or not their partners fit the cookie-cutter definition of marriage.

I went to a party last week. There were drinks, appetizers and good friends. But it wasn't a birthday, a bachelor party or any of the normal fun things that we are accustomed to doing. It was a going away party for a friend. He's not moving for a job or going away to school, he's going back to Iraq.

The University of Louisville men's basketball team welcomes back a core group of players from last year's NIT squad. But to fill the void left by last year's deparitng seniors, a young and excited group of freshmen join Terrence Williams, Brandon Jenkins, Tello Palacios and David Padgett to shore up this year's roster.