Saturday, November 26, 2011

Estimates of the Legal Permanent Resident Population in 2010

"This report presents estimates of the legal permanent resident (LPR) population living in the United States on January 1, 2010. The LPR population includes persons granted lawful permanent residence, for example, “green card” recipients, but not those who had become U.S. citizens. The estimates are shown for the total LPR population and the LPR population eligible to apply to naturalize by country of birth, state of residence, and the year LPR status was obtained. Data for the estimates were obtained primarily from administrative records of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The methodology used for the 2010 estimates is similar to that used in previous DHS estimates (see Rytina, 2010).

In summary, an estimated 12.6 million LPRs lived in the United States on January 1, 2010. 8.1 million of those LPRs were eligible to naturalize..."

Small Business Cyber Planner

"The FCC is launching the Small Biz Cyber Planner, an online resource to help small businesses create customized cybersecurity plans. This is the result of an unprecedented public-private partnership between government experts and private IT and security companies, including DHS, NCSA, NIST, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The Chertoff Group, Symantec, Sophos, Visa, Microsoft, HP, McAfee, The Identity Theft Council, ADP and others. The online tool is available at cyberplanner..."

Probation and Parole in the United States: 2010

"During 2010, the number of adults under community supervision declined by 1.3% from 4,954,600 at the beginning of the year to 4,887,900 at yearend (figure 1). The community supervision
population includes adults on probation and adults on parole or any other post-prison supervision. (See text box on page 2.) This represented the second consecutive decline in the number of adults under community supervision..."

Caregiving for Adults

"In the 2009 Caregiving in the U.S. report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, it was estimated that approximately 48.9 million men and women in the United States provided unpaid care to someone older than age 18. These caregivers represented an estimated 28 million households (24% of all U.S. households). The one-year economic value of this unpaid labor force was recently estimated to be $450 billion (Feinburg, et. al, 2011).

If current trends continue, by 2030 the number of Americans aged 65 years and older is estimated to be 71.5 million— more than double what it is now. Offering policies that provide legal protections as well as programs that support caregivers' needs is necessary now and in the future..."

Layaways and Fees

"As Black Friday draws near, thoughts turn to holiday shopping, and how to get the items you want for a price you can afford. If you choose to buy using layaway, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, has a few holiday tips for you:

First, get all the details about the retailer’s layaway plan in writing before you shop. Look for the terms of the plan — including the time you have to pay for your items, the store’s refund policy for layaway items, minimum payments, and layaway charges or other fees.

Second, it’s useful to compare the costs of using layaway versus using credit. Add up the total amount in fees you will pay at a specific store before you get your item(s) out of layaway. Then, if you have a credit card, determine how much money in interest you would pay if you charged the same item(s).

Third, be sure to check out the store, including online retailers, before you shop there at all. Your state Attorney General’s Office (www.naag.org), local consumer protection agency (www.consumeraction.gov), and your local Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) can tell you if consumers have filed complaints against the retailer or online service..."

Managing Diabetes During the Holidays

"The most important step in managing diabetes during holiday travel and festivities is preparing. Know what you'll be eating, how to enjoy a few traditional favorites while sticking with a healthy meal plan, and how to pack necessary supplies for a trip, and you're all set to celebrate!

Feasts and Parties
Before you go, take these steps to make sure you stick to your healthy meal plan.

Eat a healthy snack to avoid overeating at the party.
Ask what food will be served, so you can see how it fits into your meal plan.
Bring a nutritious snack or dish for yourself and others.

You don't have to give up all of your holiday favorites if you make healthy choices and limit portion sizes. At a party or holiday gathering, follow these tips to avoid overeating and to choose healthy foods..."

White House Internshio Program

"The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public service opportunities..."

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

FTC Adds New Protections for Consumers Seeking to Work from Home

"The Federal Trade Commission has approved changes to its Business Opportunity Rule that will ensure that consumers have the information they need when considering buying a work-at-home program or any other business opportunity. The changes simplify the disclosures that business opportunity sellers must provide to prospective buyers. The simplified disclosures will help prospective purchasers assess the risks of buying a business opportunity, while minimizing compliance burdens on businesses.

In addition, the Final Rule, which will be effective on March 1, 2012, applies to business opportunities previously covered under the Rule, as well as work-at-home offers such as envelope stuffing and craft assembly opportunities. The final Rule requires business opportunity sellers to give consumers specific information to help them evaluate a business opportunity..."

Presidential Policy Directive 8 and the National Preparedness System: Background and Issues for Congress

"Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness (PPD-8) was signed and released by
President Barack Obama on March 30, 2011. PPD-8 and its component policies intend to guide
how the nation, from the federal level to private citizens, can “prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from those threats that pose the greatest risk to the security of the Nation.” These threats include terrorist acts, natural disasters, and other man-made incidents. PPD-8 evolves from, and supersedes, Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8, which was released under President George W. Bush. PPD-8 is intended to meet many
requirements of Subtitle C of the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-295,
6 U.S.C. §741- 764)..."

Document Your Family's Health History

"Family health history can help your child's doctor make a diagnosis if your child shows signs of a disorder. It can reveal whether your child has an increased risk for a disease; if so, the doctor might suggest screening tests. Many genetic disorders first become obvious in childhood, and knowing about a family health history of a genetic condition can help find and treat the condition early..."

Helping Your Child Manage Diabetes at School

"You may already have bought the basic school supplies for sending your child back to school. But if your child has diabetes, you need to make additional preparations.

A person with diabetes must manage this chronic illness all the time, including during the school day. Staff such as nurses, teachers and coaches can work with you and your child on managing diabetes. This assistance may include helping your child take medications, check blood sugar levels, choose healthy foods in the cafeteria, and be physically active..."

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among High School Students — United States, 2010

"A diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk for many chronic diseases and some cancers (1), and can aid in weight management (2). Current daily fruit and vegetable recommendations for adolescents who participate in <30 minutes of physical activity daily are 1.5 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables for females and 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables for males (1) (1 cup is approximately equal to one medium apple, eight strawberries, 12 baby carrots, or one large tomato).* However, recently published data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003--2004 revealed that consumption was considerably below these levels (3). To assess fruit and vegetable consumption among high school students, CDC analyzed data from the 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study (NYPANS). This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated that, in 2010, the median number of times per day that high school students consumed fruits and vegetables was 1.2 for both. For vegetables, the median number of times per day was lower for non-Hispanic black students (1.0) and Hispanic students (1.1) than non-Hispanic white students (1.4). Overall, 28.5% of high school students consumed fruit <1 time daily, and 33.2% of high school students consumed vegetables <1 time daily..."

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Attorney General’s Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence

"This Task Force is part of the Attorney General’s Defending Childhood Initiative, a project that addresses the epidemic levels of exposure to violence faced by our nation’s children. Based on the testimony at four public hearings, on comprehensive research, and on extensive input from experts, advocates, and impacted families and communities nationwide, the Defending Childhood Task Force will issue a final report to the Attorney General presenting its findings and comprehensive policy recommendations in the fall of 2012. The report will serve as a blueprint for preventing children’s exposure to violence and for reducing the negative effects experienced by children exposed to violence across the United States..."

National Traffic and Road Closure Information

Find traffic, road conditons, weather for the 50 states in the union.

John F, Kennedy Assassination (November 22, 1963)

Historical resources from the Library of Congress on President John F. Kennedy's assassination

Lock it Up: Medicine Safety in Your Home

"Every year thousands of children are hospitalized—and some die—after taking medicine not meant for them. Teens share stolen prescription drugs at "pharm parties" and toddlers are tempted by colorful pills that look like candy. In this Consumer Update video, FDA pharmacist Connie Jung explains how you can prevent harm by locking your medicine up..."

The White Population:2010

"This report provides a portrait of the White population in the United States and discusses its distribution at the national level and at lower levels of geography.1 It is part of a series that analyzes population and housing data collected from the 2010 Census..."

The Black Population: 2010

"This report provides a portrait of the Black population in the United States and discusses its distribution at the national level and at lower levels of geography.1, 2 It is part of a series that analyzes population and housing data collected from the 2010 Census..."

New Home Movies Resurrect Endangered American Indian Language

"University of Minnesota Duluth education professor Mary Hermes says saving an endangered language goes beyond just enriching the people who speak it.

"I think people have got to get beyond thinking it's just for the Ojibwe people, that we want to save their Ojibwe language. There's 10,000 years of human evolution and knowledge in that language," she says.

With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Hermes is combining the skills of native speakers with video technology to help others, young and old, learn the language in the most natural way. She's doing it by videotaping short movies of everyday situations, from going to a rummage sale to planting a garden to helping out a sick relative..."

New Projection Shows Global Food Demand Doubling by 2050

"Global food demand could double by 2050, according to a new projection reported this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The analysis also shows that the world faces major environmental challenges unless agricultural practices change.

Scientists David Tilman and Jason Hill of the University of Minnesota (UMN) and colleagues found that producing the amount of food needed could significantly increase levels of carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the environment, and may cause the extinction of numerous species..."

The World Factbook Is Changing

"With unrest sweeping the Middle East and economic problems in Europe, The World Factbook is trying to help readers identify the factors that may underlie these social, political, and economic changes. Accordingly, the Factbook is adding new categories of societal data, which—along with other demographic and economic entries—offer additional insight into a country’s economic strength, internal stability, and impact on the environment. After a comprehensive search for datasets that are current and regularly updated, nine new fields have been added, with the World Health Organization and the World Bank providing most of the information..."

Employees in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2010, and Salaries of Full-Time Instructional Staff, 2010–11

"This First Look presents findings from the Human Resources (HR) Component of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) winter 2010-11 data collection. The HR component consists of the following three sections: Employees by Assigned Position (EAP) and Fall Staff for fall 2010 and Salaries for academic year 2010-11. Only the EAP and Salaries sections of the HR component were required for the winter 2010-11 collection; the Fall Staff section was optional. The HR data were collected through the IPEDS web-based data collection system..."

Reported Tuberculosis in the United States: 2010

"In 2010, the reported number of TB cases decreased slightly from the previous year. In 2010, there were 11,182 reported TB cases (3.6 cases per 100,000 persons) compared to 11,537 reported TB cases from 2009. TB case totals are now at the lowest number recorded since national reporting began in 1953. Yet, even though reported TB cases reached all-time lows in the United States, there are still disproportionately higher rates of TB among racial/ethnic minorities, especially U.S.-born blacks. TB rates are higher for some racial and ethnic groups, probably because a greater proportion of people in these groups have other risk factors for TB..."

Friday, November 18, 2011

Get Smart About Antibiotics



Video giving tips on safe and effective use of antibiotics

Maternity Leave and Employment Patterns of First-Time Mothers: 1961-2008

"Fifty-one percent of working women who had their first birth between 2006 and 2008 received paid leave (i.e. maternity leave, sick leave, vacation) compared with 42 percent between 1996 and 2000, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

This finding comes from Maternity Leave and Employment Patterns of First-Time Mothers: 1961-2008 [PDF], a report that analyzes trends in women's work experience before their first child, identifies their maternity leave arrangements before and after the birth and examines how rapidly they returned to work..."

Small businesses have new tools in choosing health insurance

"We’ve added a new service to further help small businesses find the right health care coverage for their employees.

In addition to featuring information about new benefits in the law, HealthCare.gov also has a health insurance finder tool, which displays information about insurance plans with estimated base rates, doctor choices, number of applications that were denied, and other details that allow consumers to compare options. And as of today, this insurance tool includes private coverage options for small businesses: http://finder.healthcare.gov/..."

The Veteran Labor Force in the Recovery

"Veterans are an honored part of the United States labor market. In this report, veterans are defined as men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were civilians at the time of their participation in the Current Population Survey (CPS).1 In 2010, there were 11.8 million veterans working or looking for work, accounting for 7.7 percent of the U.S. labor force. Veterans are a broad population spanning from those who served in World War II (WWII) to recent veterans who were on active duty during the post-9/11 period known as Gulf War-era II.2 Although most veterans are men, women are a growing part of the veteran population, accounting for 8.1 percent of all veterans in 2010..."

Hate Crime Statistics: 2010

"Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released Hate Crime Statistics, 2010 based on information submitted by law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. These data indicate that 6,628 criminal incidents involving 7,699 offenses were reported in 2010 as a result of bias toward a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity/national origin, or physical or mental disability..."
view full report

Electric Power Annual: 2010

"Presents 12 years (1999-2010) of National-level data on electricity generating capacity, electricity generation and useful thermal output, fuel receipts, consumption, and emissions..."

Fuel Economy Guide 2012

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) produce the Fuel Economy Guide to help car buyers choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets their
needs. The Guide is published in print and on the Web at www.fueleconomy.gov..."

90+ in the United States: 2006–2008American

"This report presents an overview of the population aged 90 and over in the United States and a comparative analysis of selected characteristics between the 90-and-older and other older age groups. Data for this report primarily come from the 2006–2008 and 2008 American Community Surveys (ACS)..."

The Newly Arrived Foreign- Born Population of the United States: 2010

"Forty million foreign-born people lived in the United States in 2010, according to the American Community Survey (ACS).1 The majority (83 percent) of the foreign born reported entering the United States prior to 2005. Using 2010 ACS data on the period of entry of the foreign-born population, this report focuses on the “newly arrived” foreign born, defined here as those who came to live in the United States in 2005 or later..."

Child Poverty in the United States 2009 and 2010: Selected Race Groups and Hispanic Origi

"Poverty is a critical indicator of the wellbeing of our nation’s children. Changes in child poverty rates over time can provide an evaluation of a particular antipoverty initiative and help to identify people and groups whose most basic economic needs remain unmet. Children who live in poverty, especially young children, are more likely than their peers to have cognitive and behavioral difficulties, to complete fewer years of education, and, as they grow up, to experience more years of unemployment..."

Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Receipt in the Past 12 Months for Households by State: 2009 and 201

"As households continue to face uncertain economic times, food stamp/SNAP participation continues to increase in the United States. This report presents data on food stamp/SNAP receipt for the past 12 months at the national and state levels based on the 2009 and 2010 American Community Surveys (ACS). The data in this report are for households, not individuals. If any person living at the sample address at the time of the interview received food stamps/SNAP, the household is included in the count. Respondents were asked to report any spells of food stamp/SNAP receipt for the past 12 month..."

School-Aged Children With Disabilities in U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 201

"Of the 53.9 million school-aged children (aged 5 to 17) in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population, about 2.8 million (5.2 percent) were reported to have a disability in 2010. For many of these children, the kinds of disabilities they experience may require special approaches to providing education or other accommodations..."

Education and Synthetic Work-Life Earnings Estimates

"The relationship between education and earnings is a long-analyzed topic of study. Generally, there is a strong belief that achievement of higher levels of education is a well established path to better jobs and better earnings.1 This report provides one view of the eco-nomic value of educational attainment by producing an estimate of the amount of money a person might earn over the course of their working life, given their level of education..."

Thursday, November 17, 2011

2010 Statistics on Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted

"According to information released today by the FBI, 56 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty last year; 72 officers died in accidents while performing their duties; and 53,469 officers were assaulted in the line of duty. The 2010 edition of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted released today provides comprehensive tabular data about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks..."
view complete report

2011 National Gang Threat Assessment

"According to the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment released by the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC), approximately 1.4 million gang members belonging to more than 33,000 gangs were criminally active in the U.S. as of April, 2011. The assessment was developed through analysis of available federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and corrections agency information; 2010 NDIC National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) data; and verified open source information..."
view complete report

Geographic Mobility: 2011

"The percentage of people who changed residences between 2010 and 2011 ─ 11.6 percent ─ was the lowest recorded rate since the Current Population Survey began collecting statistics on the movement of people in the United States in 1948, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. The rate, which was 20.2 percent in 1985, declined to a then-record low of 11.9 percent in 2008 before rising to 12.5 percent in 2009. The 2010 rate was not statistically different than the 2009 rate.

This information comes from Geographical Mobility: 2011, a collection of national- and regional-level tables from the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement. The tables shed light on movement of people within the United States from one location to another during the year prior to the survey.."

Friday, November 11, 2011

Economic Growth and the Unemployment Rate

"A persistently high unemployment rate is of concern to Congress for a variety of reasons,
including its negative consequences for the economic well-being of individuals and its impact on
the federal budget (i.e., deficit growth due to lower revenue and higher expenditures). The
unemployment rate was 9.5% when the economy emerged from the 11th postwar recession in June
2009, and it climbed further to a peak of 10.1% in October 2009. The unemployment rate very
slowly declined in 2010. It settled at about 9.0% during the first three quarters of 2011..."

Thursday, November 10, 2011

President Richard Nixon's Grand Jury Testimony, June 1975

"WASHINGTON—For the first time, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is providing public access to the transcripts of President Richard Nixon’s Watergate grand jury testimony. NARA and the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) have a long-standing collaborative relationship in publishing the Federal Register and in keeping with this relationship, will be supporting NARA in providing electronic access to the transcripts of the Nixon grand jury testimony on GPO's Federal Digital System (FDsys). GPO will be one of the sites that host the transcripts.

NARA is opening 26 files from its Records of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force collection including transcripts of President Nixon’s grand jury testimony of June 23-24, 1975. This is as a result of the July 29, 2011 order by Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia Royce C. Lamberth
that the transcript of Nixon’s testimony and the “Associated Materials” to that testimony be released to the public following the review of these documents for any information that must be redacted as required by law. This is the first time the public will have access to this historic collection..."
direct link to GPO site
direct link to NARA site

Teen to Teen:Magnet Talk

"High-powered magnets are a deadly safety risk to children age toddler through teen. Swallowing incidents are on the rise and can result in surgery."

Smokers underutilize proven treatment and services for quitting

"Most American adults who smoke wish they could quit, and more than half have tried within the past year, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report says 68.8 percent of current American adult smokers say they want to quit and 52.4 percent of adult smokers tried to quit within the past year. The report says 48.3 percent of smokers who saw a health professional in the past year recalled getting advice to quit and 31.7 percent used counseling and/or medications in the past year. The use of these effective treatments can almost double to triple rates of successfully quitting..."

National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry

"...The goal of the National ALS Registry is to collect information to help scientists learn more about ALS. To get the best information, it is important to get as many PALS as possible to take part. Although you will not directly benefit from taking part in the National ALS Registry, your information could help PALS in the future. We hope that after you learn more about the National ALS Registry you will decide to join..."

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Needles and Other Sharps (Safe Disposal Outside of Health Care Settings)

Safely dispose of needles and other sharp object beyond the health care environment.

Nicotine Dependence and Its Risk Factors Among Users of Veterans Health Services, 2008-2009

"Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and is disproportionately higher among veterans than nonveterans. We examined the prevalence of nicotine dependence and its associated risk factors among veterans who used health services in the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system..."

Exploring the Digital Nation - Computers and Internet Use at Home

"This report updates and expands last year’s report, Exploring the Digital Nation: Home Broadband Internet Adoption in the United States, based on data from the Census Bureau’s most recent Current Population Survey (CPS) School Enrollment and Internet Use Supplement. The report also provides additional information augmenting the February 2011 research preview, Digital Nation: Expanding Internet Usage, and includes new findings on computer and Internet use in the United States. For example, we use regression analysis to help explain some of the disparities in broadband Internet adoption that exist between demographic and geographic groups. The analysis reveals that, by holding constant certain factors such as household income, education, or age, the adoption disparities may decrease significantly..."

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Travelers' Health

Pick a country and find out information on how to stay healthy while in that country --vaccinations, diseases, clinics, specific groups and settings, etc.

Safe and Healthy Winter

"Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous, but if you plan ahead, you can stay safe and healthy. Prepare your home and cars. Keep emergency kits stocked. Be ready for power outages. Wear appropriate clothing. Check on children, the elderly and pets..."

World Pneumonia Day is November 12

"What Is Pneumonia?

Chest x-ray of patient with pneumonia.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages. Signs of pneumonia can include coughing, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing or shortness of breath, chills, or chest pain. Certain people are more likely to become ill with pneumonia. This includes adults 65 years of age or older and children younger than 5 years of age. People up through 64 years of age who have underlying medical conditions (like diabetes or HIV/AIDS) and people 19 through 64 who smoke cigarettes or have asthma are also at increased risk for getting pneumonia..."

Diabetes & Pregnancy

"...How can diabetes affect my health?
Controlling blood sugar is hard, especially during pregnancy, but it is important work at it. When blood sugar is high most of the time in a woman with diabetes, she might have certain health problems.

A woman with gestational diabetes whose blood sugar stays high has an increased chance of:

Preeclampsia (high blood pressure, protein in urine, increased swelling)
Preterm birth (baby born before 37 weeks)
C-section.."

Wisconsin Blue Book, 2011-2012

Digitized versions of the Wisconsin Blue Book going back to 1995-1996 are now available. Earlier versions of the Wisconsin Blue Book going back to 1853 are available at the Wisconsin Digital Collection.

Polling Places - Wisconsin

In addition to providing polling places for Wisconsin citizens, the Wisconsin Government Accountably Board includes information on campaign finance, election results, new voter ID law, recall campaigns, voter registration, etc.

Monday, November 7, 2011

More Young Adults are Living in Their Parents' Home, Census Bureau Reports

"Between 2005 and 2011, the proportion of young adults living in their parents' home increased, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The percentage of men age 25 to 34 living in the home of their parents rose from 14 percent in 2005 to 19 percent in 2011 and from 8 percent to 10 percent over the period for women.
(See Figure 1.)

These statistics come from America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2011, a series of tables from the 2011 Current Population Survey providing a look at the socioeconomic characteristics of families and households at the national level..."

Amerian Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month: November 2011

"As of the 2010 Census, the nation’s population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race. They made up 1.7 percent of the total population. Of this total, 2.9 million were American Indian and Alaska Native only, and 2.3 million were American Indian and Alaska Native in combination with one or more other races..."

Veterans Day 2011: Nov. 11

V"Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day honors military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia..."

The Subprime Crisis: Is Government Housing Policy to Blame

"A growing literature suggests that housing policy, embodied by the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and the affordable housing goals of the government sponsored enterprises, may have caused the subprime crisis. The conclusions drawn in this literature, for the most part, have been based on associations between aggregated national trends. In this paper we examine more directly whether these programs were associated with worse outcomes in the mortgage market, including delinquency rates and measures of loan quality..."

Wisconsin Digital Archives - Historical Documents

Views significant historical publications in the Wisconsin Digital Archives database

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the US

"Deaths from prescription painkillers* have reached epidemic levels in the past decade. The number of overdose deaths is now greater than those of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. A big part of the problem is nonmedical use of prescription painkillers—using drugs without a prescription, or using drugs just for the "high" they cause. In 2010, about 12 million Americans (age 12 or older) reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year..."

About Quality E-learning

"Information on quality e-learning is presented to help new or experienced instructional designers create compelling, accessible, and effective e-learning. A background in education, adult learning practice or instructional design is recommended for those who intend to use this content..."

Under Armour Recalls Chin Straps for Football Helmets Due to Laceration Hazard

"The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the retailer named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: UA Defender Chin Straps

Units: About 541,000

Retailer: Under Armour, Inc., of Baltimore, Md.

Importer: JR286, Inc., of Redondo Beach, Calif.

Hazard: The metal snap that connects the chin strap to the helmet has sharp edges, posing a laceration hazard when the user’s metal snap comes into contact with another player.

Incidents/Injuries: Under Armour has received six reports of injuries that required stitches.

Description: This recall involves all UA Defender Chin Straps. They were sold in the following colors: white and black, red, midnight, navy and royal and have a hard nylon shell, a padded chin area and a plastic strap with “Under Armour” printed on it. The chin straps have metal clasps that tighten the straps and attach them to the helmet.

Sold at: Sporting goods stores and Under Armour outlet stores nationwide and at www.underarmour.com from January 2008 through September 2011 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chin straps and contact Under Armour for a free replacement chin strap."

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

2010 Surgeon General's Report—How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease

"In 1964, the first Surgeon General’s report on the effects of smoking on health was released. In the nearly 50 years since, extensive data from thousands of studies have consistently substantiated the devastating effects of smoking on the lives of millions of Americans. Yet today in the United States, tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of death and disease for both men and women. Now, this 2010 report of the Surgeon General explains beyond a shadow of a doubt how tobacco smoke causes disease, validates earlier findings, and expands and strengthens the science base. Armed with this irrefutable data, the time has come to mount a full-scale assault on the tobacco epidemic..."

Faces of Distracted Driving

U.S. Department of Transportation's campaign against distracted driving.

Introduction to Adoption (November is National Adoption Month)

"Adoption is the social, emotional, and legal process in which children who will not be raised by their birth parents become full and permanent legal members of another family while maintaining genetic and psychological connections to their birth family. Adoption has many facets and touches people in different ways—depending on their role and perspective. In this section, find information on the history of adoption in the United States, definitions and the use of language in adoption, and core issues in adoption, as well as links to related resources and information..."

Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil

"Why Do You Need to Be Concerned About Lead?

Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in paint and other products found in and around our homes. Lead also can be emitted into the air from industrial sources and leaded aviation gasoline, and lead can enter drinking water from plumbing materials. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children six years old and under are most at risk

U.S. Natural Gas Imports & Exports: 2010

"Net imports of natural gas into the United States fell 3 percent to 2.6 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) during 2010. Continued growth in natural gas exports from the United States and falling imports of natural gas to the United States during 2010 accounted for the decline in net imports, which fell despite a 6-percent growth in domestic natural gas consumption during the year..."

Recent Development Efforts for Military Airships

"During the past decade’s operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. military has come to rely heavily on the continuous or nearly continuous presence overhead of both manned and unmanned aircraft to support ground troops. Unmanned aircraft that
remain aloft in particular locations (or “orbits”) have been primarily used to provide timely information about activities on the ground and to attack ground targets on short notice. Most prominent among these aircraft are the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) fleets of unmanned Predators, Reapers, and Global Hawks; however, satellites and manned conventional aircraft, including fighters and long-range bombers, have also contributed..."

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Holiday Shopping Tips

"Whether your gift list is ready or you're wondering how long you can wait to start your holiday shopping, the Federal Trade Commission has online tips to help you get the best deals. The bottom line: Some extra research can really pay off:

Set a Budget. Create a gift list and check it twice to help you stay on track and not overspend.

Decide What Matters. Especially if you're buying gadgets, know what your "must-have" features are vs. those that are just nice to have.

Use Search Engines. Type a company or product name into your search engine with terms like "review," "complaint" or "scam" to find out more about it.

Read Reviews Online. Reviews from other people, experts, and columnists can give you an idea of how a product performs. But don't put all of your trust in one review.

Consider Reputation. A brand's reputation for quality and good customer service can really pay off.

Check Comparison Shopping Sites. They connect to many retailers selling the same product, sometimes at significantly different prices. Keep shipping costs in mind.

Consider Coupons. Some companies offer discounts via e-mail, and some websites collect and list codes for free shipping and other discounts. Search for the store with terms like "discount," "coupon" or "free shipping."

Read Return Policies. Not all stores have the same rules. Some charge fees for return shipping or restocking things like electronics.

Decide How to Pay. When you shop online, credit cards can offer extra protections.

Look for a Secure Checkout. Does the website start with https (the "s" stands for secure) when you're checking out?..."

State and Local Government Revenue: 2009

"In 2009, state and local governments brought in nearly $2.1 trillion, a 22.1 percent ($587.5 billion) decrease from 2008, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Most tax revenue categories saw declines except property tax, which saw a 3.7 percent increase to $424.0 billion.

These findings come from the 2009 Annual Surveys of State and Local Government Finances, which include statistics on revenues (including taxes), expenditures, debt and assets (cash and security holdings) for state and local governments.

Revenue from the federal government increased 12.3 percent from $478.0 billion to $536.8 billion between 2008 and 2009..."