Show 10 latest posts only from users with contributors role

you can use the author parameter of WP_Query here is a simple function to get you going with a hook to a shortcode and another hook to render this shortcode inside a simple text widget: function ten_latest_of_contributers($atts = null){ global $post; //store the current post data $temp = $post; $contributors = get_users(array(‘role’=> ‘contributor’)); //then create … Read more

Get current taxonomy and display query accordingly

I think you’re on the right path with splitting some of your categories out to separate taxonomies. Have a look at the Query Multiple Taxonomies plugin that will give visitors a widget interface for filtering posts: Query Multiple Taxonomies Widget http://s.wordpress.org/extend/plugins/query-multiple-taxonomies/screenshot-1.png