For at least a decade, Pratt's made a big deal about how its 25-acre grassy campus doubles as a much-needed public oasis for the Clinton Hill community. But the gates to Eden are closing. In June the campus was shut to the public to accommodate a major "beautification" construction project, and when it reopens again in a month only authorized visitors and those with Pratt ID cards will be welcome. Well, outsiders will be allowed to cut through the campus to get from DeKalb to Willoughby, but they're no longer invited to linger. Some wonder whether the change is in response to a perceived crime spike in the neighborhood; last month a Pratt architecture student wound up in a coma after a violent mugging near campus. Whatever the motivation, neighbors are already up in arms, and there's even talk of a petition! But one Pratt student, commenting on The Local, wants the neighbors to know they're not alone—"there are a lot of rules for Pratt students on campus, too. For example, we’re no longer allowed to skateboard." Which reminds us; student sit-in season is almost upon us! more ›

During the second part of his interview with the Republican ticket, NBC News anchor Brian Williams asked Sarah Palin to explain, "Who is a member of the elite?" Palin characterized them as, "Anyone who thinks that they're better than someone else." (Full transcript here) But then McCain chimed in, laughing, that he knew "where a lot of 'em live... in our nation's capital and New York City." The exchange starts at about four minutes in, after talk about Williams Ayers, the washed up terrorist McCain supposedly doesn't care about. more ›