Judge for Westminster Dog Show Dismisses Doubts About Fairness 
This is Part II of our deeper look at the Westminster dog show, where I’ll be spending all day tweeting and reporting. For this story, we spoke to a judge about potential conflicts of interest.
Safety Concerns Stoke Criticism of Kennel Club
My colleague Susanne Craig and took a deep look at the American Kennel Club, the governing body for dog shows in the U.S., as we prepare for Westminster here on Monday. We found surprising criticism of the AKC’s lobbying and inspection practices. The story is open for comments. Eager to hear yours.
Read in print in Sunday’s NYT or online here.
Warm Weather Forces Changes Ahead of Iditarod Race
It’s been an unusually warm winter for dog mushers, so I went to Willow, Alaska, to find out what the deal was. In today’s paper, you’ll find out why Alaskan huskies are being bred with thinner coats and wearing bootees more often.
It also turns out I can shoot video while on a sled.
New to Most Fans, IGF-1 Has Long Been Banned as a Performance Enhancer
For those following the ensuing A-rod/Lewis PED news this week, Gina Kolata and I took a closer look at IGF-1, the alleged substance tied to deer antlers.
Education Dept. Orders Sports Access for Disabled
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights clarified legal obligations Friday for school districts in providing access to sports for students with disabilities. (See previous on A1.)
Forging Path to Starting Line for Younger Disabled Athletes
On today’s front page, we look at some young, disabled athletes who are having their own Oscar Pistorius moments and are suing for their right to participate in sports.
Seau Suffered From Brain Disease
In the latest chapter of what has become one of the biggest sports stories of a generation, yet another NFL player, Junior Seau, has tragically killed himself and has been diagnosed with CTE, a progressive, degenerative brain disease. In today’s paper, Belson and I report on the science of the Seau findings, but the comments from readers also provide interesting insight into the broader conversation surrounding football and head injuries.
Assembling a literary care package for awesome 6th grade nephew. He’s already burned through Potter, Hunger Games, Narnia, Scott Pilgrim. How did I do? #books #literature #ya #adolescence #middleschool
Musburger Criticized for Remarks About Star’s Girlfriend During Title Game
One of sports broadcasting’s more bizarre moments.
Drug-Testing Company Tied to N.C.A.A. Stirs Criticism
From Kansas City, reportage on the world of collegiate drug testing. Since 1999, the positive rate for the NCAA’s drug testing program has never been above 1 percent. Also in Sunday’s Sports section, a follow-up on all of the high school drug testing programs that went into place a few years ago.
Previously, middle-school drug testing.
Auto Racetrack Owners Keep Coveted Tax Break
How motorsports secured an extension of a coveted tax break as part of the fiscal cliff deal.
Inmates Find Health and Solace in Yoga
Last week, I traveled to Richmond, Virginia to visit a jail and learn about yoga. You can read all about it in today’s A section, or online here. Don’t miss the slideshow or reader comments!
Namaste.
’04 Drug Retest May Give U.S. Olympic Gold
On today’s A1, Adam Nelson may have won the gold medal in the men’s shot put from the 2004 Athens Games while driving his Mazda3 hatchback on Wednesday.
Ah, The Atlantic. You explain why the name Mary has fallen out of favor. I knew the writing was on the wall when I got that invite to that Facebook group about having an “old lady name.”
Rock on, fellow Marys!
