Los Angeles Officials Vow to Spend $200Mil on Helping Homeless
L.A. city leaders have declared homelessness a public emergency and are doubling spending over the next year to help people who are on the streets.
Government
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American Millionaires Rewrite Their Own Image
A group called Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength came to Washington, DC this week to ask the debt reduction Super Committee to raise taxes on millionaires so that everyone can pay their fair share. Emphasizing community responsibility over greed, 200 millionaires signed a letter that calls for Bush-era tax cuts to end for those earning more than a million dollars a year.
Doctor Geek Saves Thousands for UK Health System Making Plastic Bones
A trainee surgeon, who is also a self-confessed 'technology geek,' has figured out a way to save the U.K. National Health program a lot of money by taking advantage of 3D-printer technology.
101-Year-old Woman Gets Her House Back Thanks to Author Mitch Albom
Texana Hollis, 101, was evicted from her Detroit home of 60 years. Good Samaritans took her in and hoped to get the foreclosed property back. Unfortunately the building was in bad condition and condemned as not fit to live in, especially for a wheelchair-bound great-grandmother. But, now her house is being given back to her – in better shape than ever – thanks to Detroit resident Mitch Albom, the best selling author of Tuesdays with Morrie.
Police Clown Units in Mexico Befriend Youth to Prevent Crime
In Tultitlán, Mexico, where the police officers are considered some of the most corrupt in Latin America, children who are victims of domestic violence, susceptible to drug sales and bullying, are being helped by cops with big smiles and red noses.
Alabama's New Education Standards Praised for Being Pro-Science
Alabama schools are updating science standards, including once controversial topics and focusing on more hands-on work for students.
Chrysler Sales Up 30 Percent, Ford and GM Post Big Gains
U.S. auto sales remained an economic bright spot in May, with Chrysler reporting US sales up 30 percent. Meanwhile, a monthly survey of consumer confidence showed American sentiment at its highest level in four-and-a-half years, partly because gasoline prices have dropped.
CIA Plays the Hero for a Change in True Life Film Thriller, Argo
CIA spies are the good guys for a change in Argo, Ben Affleck's shrewd reconstruction of a heroic real-life mission aimed at retrieving six Americans from Tehran during the 1979-1980 Iran hostage crisis. There's not a single gunshot fired over the course of the film and Affleck delivers an uplifting portrait of one mind-blowing chapter of the Agency's legacy.
Health Plans Will Pay $1B Obamacare Rebate For Not Spending Enough On Care
More than $1 billion is headed to consumers and employers this summer from their insurance companies thanks to a part of the federal health law that requires a rebate from plans that don't spend at least 4 of every 5 premium dollars on medical care.
Today is 'Drug Take-Back Day' to Safely Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs
The Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to take place at thousands of sites around the U.S. today. During the third Drug Take-Back Day in 2011, Americans turned in more than 188.5 tons of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal. The 5,327 drop off locations were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Big Banks Agree To Pay $8.5 Billion To Homeowners After Foreclosure Abuse
Ten of the nation's major banks, such as Bank of America and Citibank, have agreed to pay $8.5 billion after an investigation into the abuse of homeowners during foreclosures on mortgages during the recent housing crisis. According to the Fed, $3.3 billion of the settlement will be direct payments to eligible borrowers and $5.2 billion will go toward other assistance, such as loan modifications and forgiveness of deficiency judgments.
Mauritania Fights to End Racism
Since it gained its independence from France in 1960 Mauritania has struggled with ethnic tension between Arab and Afro-Mauritanians, but a new democratically-elected government is trying to heal the pattern of ethnic division.
Peru Passes 10-Year Ban on Genetically Engineered Foods
Despite pressure from multinational agribiz corporations such as Monsanto and Dow, the Peruvian Environment Minister announced this week that the government has approved a new regulation imposing a moratorium on the production and entry of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), into the country for the next ten years. The government said it wanted to to preserve the biodiversity of native crops when it sided with 6000 or more farmers, some growing the famous and colorful Peruvian potato varieties, who pushed for the ban.
Endangered Woodpeckers Protected by Paper Company
Endangered Woodpeckers Protected, Red-Cockaded Protection Plan
Jolie Inspires Man to Quit Entertainment Career to Join Peace Corp
Angelina Jolie is to blame, really. Because of something she said to me in India four years ago, I have quit my 13-year career as an entertainment journalist, have given away almost everything I own, and at 43, have joined the Peace Corps.
Surprise! U.S. Economy Improving Better Than Anyone Expected
The economy is improving more than professional forecasters anticipated. It isn't only the federal government's Bureau of Labor Statistics that is issuing surprisingly good news about the U.S. economy these days… It's also auto dealers, real estate agents, the Federal Reserve and corporate America's 96-year-old Conference Board.
Hospitals Make 17% Fewer Mistakes, Saving Lives and Money
A report released by the US Department of Health and Human Services this week shows an estimated 50,000 fewer patients died in hospitals, and approximately $12 billion in health care costs were saved, as a result of a reduction in hospital error over the last three years.
Rate of Uninsured Hits New Low as More Americans Get Health Coverage
A recent survey shows the percentage of American adults without health insurance hit a low of 11.4%, according to the latest quarterly Gallup poll.
Mayor Turns his Personal Parking Space into a Mini Park
The 25 year-old mayor of Ithaca, N.Y., has taken his exclusive downtown parking spot, which is reserved for the mayor, and he turned it into a mini park, with flowers and benches.
Laughter is Contagious - Even in the Israeli Knesset
While making a speech in front of the Israeli parliament, the education minister burst into a laughing fit that went viral on Tuesday on Israeli websites. Hearing the opening sentence for the first time, Shai Piron, who is also a rabbi, could not get past the word penetration regarding a proposed law about smuggling cell phones into prisons. The giggling began to spread in the chamber, with other members wiping their eyes and grinning.
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