2014 Long-Term Projections for Social Security: Additional Information

"In fiscal year 2014, spending for Social Security benefits totaled $840 billion, or almost one-quarter of federal spending; OASI payments accounted for about 83 percent of those outlays, and DI payments made up about 17 percent.2 Each year, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) prepares long-term projections of revenues and outlays for the program. The most recent set of 75-year projections was published in July 2014.3 Those projections generally reflect current law, following CBO’s 10-year baseline budget projections through 2024 and then extending the baseline concept for the rest of the long-term projection period.  This publication presents additional information about those
projections..."
Social security projections

Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll Summary Report: 2013

"This report presents data on state and local government employment and payroll based on information collected by the 2013 Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll for the month of March. Data are published in tables at the federal, state, and local levels. Tables
describing state- and local-level activities are compiled into national, as well as individual state totals. Employment estimates are available for full- and parttime workers, as well as full-time equivalent employees. Total payroll amounts are also available separately for
full- and part-time employees..."
Public employment

U.S. Immigration Policy: Chart Book of Key Trends

"This report is a chart book of selected immigration trends that touch on the main elements of comprehensive immigration reform (CIR). Most policymakers agree that the main issues in CIR include increased border security and immigration enforcement, improved employment eligibility verification, revision of legal immigration, and options to address the millions of unauthorized aliens residing in the country. The report offers snapshots of time series data, using the most complete and consistent time series currently available for each statistic. The key findings and elements germane to the data depicted are summarized with the figures. The summary offers the highlights of key immigration trends..." 
Immigration

The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11

"With enactment of the FY2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act on January 1, 2014 (H.R.
3547/P.L. 113-73), Congress has approved appropriations for the past 13 years of war that total $1.6 trillion for military operations, base support, weapons maintenance, training of Afghan and Iraq security forces, reconstruction, foreign aid, embassy costs, and veterans’ health care for the war operations initiated since the 9/11 attacks.

Of this $1.6 trillion total, CRS estimates that the total is distributed as follows:
• $686 billion (43%) for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) for Afghanistan and
other counterterror operations received;
• $815 billion (51%) for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation New Dawn
(OND);
• $27 billion (2%) for Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), providing enhanced security
at military bases; and
• $81 billion (5%) for war-designated funding not considered directly related to the
Afghanistan or Iraq wars.,,: 
Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan and other wars

EPA Tips for Building a Cleaner Fire this Holiday Season

"Across the country this holiday season, families and friends will gather around fires in woodstoves or fireplaces. But how you build that fire – and what you burn – can have a significant impact on air quality and health, both inside your home and out.

Whether you’re using a woodstove, pellet stove, or your fireplace, seeing smoke from your chimney means your fire isn’t burning efficiently or cleanly as it could.

Woodsmoke contains fine particles – also called fine particle pollution or PM_2.5 -- which can harm the lungs, blood vessels and heart. People with heart, vascular or lung disease, and older adults and children are more at risk..."
Fire and holidays

Switching to Farming Made Human Joint Bones Lighter

"Sending more time sitting on our butts isn't just a problem for obesity and heart disease. The shift to a more sedentary lifestyle has probably been bad for our bones, too. A pair of papers published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggest that humans evolved lighter joint bones relatively recently in our evolutionary history as a response to changes in physical activity.
One study pinpoints the origin of these weaker bones at the beginning of the Holocene epoch roughly 12,000 years ago, when humans began adopting agriculture. “Modern human skeletons have shifted quite recently towards lighter—more fragile, if you like—bodies. It started when we adopted agriculture. Our diets changed. Our levels of activity changed,” says study co-authorHabiba Chirchir, , an anthropologist in the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program..."
Farming & human joint bones

2013 National Incident-Based Reporting System Statistics

"Today, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program released its third annual compilation of statistics from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), providing expanded data on more than 4.9 million criminal incidents reported to law enforcement in 2013..."
Incident based statistics

Presidential Task Force Issues Recommendations to Level Playing Field for U.S. Fishermen

"Earlier today, the U.S. government took additional steps to level the playing field for legitimate U.S. fishermen, and ensure the vitality of marine fish stocks. The Presidential Task Force on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud, co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce, released 15 recommendations to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud and increase consumer confidence in the sustainability of seafood sold in the U.S...:
Fishermen & fish industry

The Fraudster Who Faked His Own Death: Inside the Aubrey Lee Price Case

"When a federal judge recently sentenced Aubrey Lee Price to 30 years in prison for bank fraud, embezzlement, and other crimes, it closed a chapter on the once successful businessman’s sensational criminal saga.

Price went from a devout Christian minister and trusted financial adviser to a schemer who wiped out many of his clients’ life savings and then faked his own death to avoid taking responsibility for what he had done. When a routine traffic stop in Georgia resulted in his arrest on New Year’s Eve in 2013—nearly 18 months after his disappearance—Price acknowledged that he had become a drug dealer..."
Aubrey Lee Price

Cancer Prevention in the Workplace

"Employers can help reduce workers’ cancer risk by addressing—

• Harmful exposures in the workplace. Asbestos, diesel exhaust, and radon are examples of harmful substances that may be present in workplace settings. These substances can increase a person’s risk for certain types of cancer and should be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Smoke from other people’s cigarettes (secondhand smoke)increases cancer risk in workers who don’t use tobacco themselves, and tobacco-free workplace policies can help protect workers. Outdoor workers are often exposed to the sun for long periods of time, which increases their risk for skin cancer. Providing shade and protective gear to outdoor employees can help them stay sun-safe on the job...:
  Cancer & workplace

Raw (Unpasteurized) Milk

"Raw milk can carry harmful germs that can make you very sick or kill you. If you're thinking about drinking raw milk because you believe it has health benefits, consider other options.

Developing a healthy lifestyle requires you to make many decisions. One step you might be thinking about is adding raw milk to your diet. Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized (heating to a specific temperature for a set amount of time to kill harmful germs). Germs include bacteria, viruses, and parasites..."
Raw milk

Hospital-Based Emergency Departments: Background and Policy Considerations

"Hospital-based Emergency Departments (EDs) are required to stabilize patients with emergent conditions regardless of the patients’ ability to pay as a requirement of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Given this requirement, EDs play an important part in the health care safety net by serving the uninsured, the underserved, and those enrolled in Medicaid. Open 24 hours a day, EDs provide emergency care, urgent care, primary care, and behavioral health care services in communities where these services are unavailable or unavailable after hours. EDs also play a key role during emergencies, such as natural disasters..."
Hospitals

Work Experience of the Population: 2013

"A total of 157.0 million persons worked at some point during 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The proportion of the civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over who worked at some time during 2013 was 63.5 percent, little different from 63.8 percent in 2012. The number of persons who experienced some unemployment during 2013 decreased by 1.5 million to 20.9 million..."
Work experience

Climate Resilience Toolkit

"The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit provides scientific tools, information, and expertise to help people manage their climate-related risks and opportunities, and improve their resilience to extreme events. The site is designed to serve interested citizens, communities, businesses, resource managers, planners, and policy leaders at all levels of government..."
Resilience climate toolkit

Rape and Sexual Assault Victimization Among College-Age Females, 1995–2013

"For the period 1995–2013, females ages 18 to 24 had the highest rate of rape and sexual assault victimizations compared to females in all other age groups. Within the 18 to 24 age group, victims could be identified as students enrolled in a college, university, trade school or vocational school or as nonstudents. Among student victims, 20% of rape and sexual assault victimizations were reported
to police, compared to 32%  reported among nonstudent victims ages 18 to 24.."
Sexual assault and college students

Consumer credit reports: A study of medical and non-medical collections

"Roughly half of all collections tradelines that appear on credit reports are reported by debt
collectors seeking to collect on medical bills claimed to be owed to hospitals and other medical
providers. These medical debt collections tradelines affect the credit reports of nearly one-fifth
of all consumers in the credit reporting system.
This paper describes characteristics of the medical and non-medical collections tradelines on
consumers’ credit reports and the processes by which they appear and disappear. It draws on
analysis of data contained in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Consumer .."
Consumer credit

Legislation to Facilitate Cybersecurity Information Sharing: Economic Analysis

"Data breaches, such as those at Target, Home Depot, Neiman Marcus, and JPMorgan Chase,
affecting financial records of tens of millions of households seem to occur regularly. Companies
typically respond by trying to increase their cybersecurity by hiring consultants and purchasing
new hardware and software. Policy analysts have suggested that sharing information about these
breaches could be an effective and inexpensive part of improving cybersecurity. Firms share
information directly on an ad hoc basis and through private-sector, nonprofit organizations such
as Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) that can analyze and disseminate
information..."
Cybersecurity

Avoid Fetal "Keepsake" Images, Heartbeat Monitors

"Ultrasound imaging is the most widely used medical imaging method during pregnancy.

Fetal ultrasound imaging provides real-time images of the fetus. Doppler fetal ultrasound heartbeat monitors are hand-held ultrasound devices that let you listen to the heartbeat of the fetus. Both are prescription devices designed to be used by trained health care professionals. They are not intended for over-the-counter (OTC) sale or use, and the FDA strongly discourages their use for creating fetal keepsake images and videos..."Heartbeat monitors

A Change in Circumstances: Family and Household Transitions and Child Well-Being

"Change is inevitable, but how often things change can matter for the well-being of children. A new report, A Child’s Day: Living Arrangements, Nativity, and Family Transitions: 2011, uses multiyear data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation to understand how often children experience family and household transitions.

The new report examines three types of transitions that children potentially face. A family structure transition occurs if the child experienced a change in family structure due to a parent getting married, divorced or cohabiting with a new partner. An employment transition occurs if either parent in the household lost or gained a job. Lastly, a residential transition occurs if the child moved at any point..."Households

2014 National Population Projections

"The Population Projections Program produces projections of the United States resident population by age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and nativity. The 2014 National Projections are based on the July 1, 2013 population estimates, which are based on the 2010 Census, and provide projections of the population for July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2060. The projections were produced using a cohort-component method and are based on assumptions about future births, deaths, and net international migration..."
Population projections

35 U.S. hospitals designated as Ebola treatment centers

"An increasing number of U.S. hospitals are now equipped to treat patients with Ebola, giving nationwide health system Ebola readiness efforts a boost.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state health officials have identified and designated 35 hospitals with Ebola treatment centers, with more expected in the coming weeks.

Hospitals with Ebola treatment centers have been designated by state health officials to serve as treatment facilities for Ebola patients based on a collaborative decision with local health authorities and the hospital administration..."
Ebola hospitals

Ethanol Market Concentration

"This Report presents the Federal Trade Commission’s (“Commission” or “FTC”)
concentration analysis of the ethanol production industry for 2014.  Section 1501(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires the FTC each year to “perform a market concentration analysis of the ethanol production industry using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index to determine whether there is sufficient competition among industry participants to avoid price-setting and other anticompetitive behavior.”  The statute also requires the FTC to consider all marketing arrangements among industry participants in preparing its analysis.3
 The FTC must report its findings to Congress and to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) by December 1..."

Ethanol

Hate Crime Statistics, 2013

"Today, the FBI released its annual Hate Crime Statistics report, which revealed that 5,928 hate crime incidents involving 6,933 offenses were reported by our law enforcement partners to the Bureau’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program in 2013. These hate crime incidents impacted a total of 7,242 victims—which are defined as individuals, businesses, institutions, or society as a whole. The number of reported hate crimes last year is down slightly when compared to 2012 UCR figures—5,928 in 2013 versus the 2012 figure of 6,573..."
Hate Crime
Hate crime

Lead Hazards in Some Holiday Toys

"The holiday season is here, and that means many children will be given toys as gifts. While new toys are a holiday tradition, you  should be aware of potential lead hazards associated with some toys, including toy jewelry. Review these important facts to keep your children safe this holiday season.

Lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell. Children may be exposed to it from consumer products by simply handling the product normally. Because children often put toys, other objects, and their fingers in their mouths, they can be exposed when they do this as well..."
Lead inToys

Building Trust Between Communities and Local Police

"Recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and around the country have grabbed the attention of the nation and the world, and have highlighted the importance of strong, collaborative relationships between local police and the communities that they protect.

Today, the Administration announced new steps we’re taking to strengthen the relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they are obligated to protect and serve, including:

• Advancing the use of body worn cameras and promoting proven community policing initiatives
• Creating a new task force to promote expansion of the community-oriented policing model, which encourages strong relationships between law enforcement and the communities that they serve as a proven method of fighting crime
• Reforming how the federal government equips state and local law enforcement – particularly with military-style equipment.." 
• Communities and local-police

Are Today’s Young Adults Better Off Than Their Parents? Yes and No

"Compared with prior generations, young people today, those 18 to 34 years old, are more educated and, in some parts of the country, earn more. However, they are also less likely to be employed and more likely to live in poverty than their counterparts were in 1980..."
Todays young 
 

The increased supply of underutilized labor from 2006 to 2014

"The supply of labor and worker productivity are major sources of a nation’s long-term growth in

economic output. The supply of labor depends on the size of a country’s population and the country’s labor force participation rate.

A country’s population size can be affected by its fertility rate, life expectancy, and international migration. In 2012, the fertility rate in the United States was the lowest since data collection began in 1920.

But life expectancy at birth has been rising for a century or more, while the population has increased because of international migration.

In the United States, the labor force participation rate for men has been falling for several decades. The participation rate for women increased for several decades until 1999, but has fallen since..."

Undeveloped labor supply

EPA Proposes Smog Standards to Safeguard Americans from Air Pollution

"Based on extensive recent scientific evidence about the harmful effects of ground-level ozone, or smog, EPA is proposing to strengthen air quality standards to within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb) to better protect Americans’ health and the environment, while taking comment on a level as low as 60 ppb. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review the standards every five years by following a set of open, transparent steps and considering the advice of a panel of independent experts. EPA last updated these standards in 2008, setting them at 75 ppb..."
EPA, air pollution,  smog standards

Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted

"The FBI’s annual Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) report that was released earlier this week details in chilling narratives and statistics how 76 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2013.
While the LEOKA report offers a stark reminder of the dangers police face every day, the main reason for gathering the comprehensive data about line-of-duty fatalities, assaults, and accidents is to prevent them from occurring in the future. In addition to collecting details about the critical aspects of fatal confrontations and assaults, the FBI’s LEOKA program conducts extensive research on the data that eventually gets incorporated into the officer safety awareness training the FBI provides for partner agencies..."

Law enforcement officers killed

AskEnergySaver: Weatherization

"Home heating and cooling account for about 48 percent of the average homeowner’s utility bill. As the weather gets colder, it’s important to weatherize your home in order to save money while staying cozy. And while we have lots of great tips for saving on heating and cooling, we know there are always more questions to be answered.

This month we asked you to share your questions about weatherization. To answer them we turned to Ely Jacobsohn, Program Manager of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR in the Department’s Buildings Technology office..."

Weatherization

Fact Sheet: Fixing Our Broken Immigration System Through Executive Action

"The President asked Secretary Johnson and Attorney General Eric Holder to undertake a rigorous and inclusive review to inform recommendations on reforming our broken immigration system through executive action. This review sought the advice and input from the men and women charged with implementing the policies, as well as the ideas of a broad range of stakeholders and Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. Our assessment identified the following ten areas where we, within the confines of the law, could take action to increase border security, focus enforcement resources, and ensure accountability in our immigration system..."
Immigration

World AIDS Day, 2014

"On December 1, people throughout the world observe World AIDS Day, an opportunity for the global community to honor those living with HIV; the families, friends, caregivers, and communities who support them; and those who have lost their lives to AIDS. The theme for 2014 – "Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation" – reflects the drive to focus on interventions that work and partner with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve control of the epidemic and move closer to an AIDS-free generation..."
World Aids Day

Overview of FDA Labeling Requirements for Restaurants, Similar Retail Food Establishments and Vending Machines

"This page provides information on the menu and vending machines labeling requirements.

• Menu Labeling Requirements At-A-Glance
• Vending Machines Labeling Requirements At-A-Glance

For more information see, Menu and Vending Machines Labeling Requirements Main Page..."

FDA labeling

Climate Change Indicators in the United states, 3rd ed., 2014

"The Earth’s climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events—like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures—are already  taking place. Scientists are highly confident that many of these observed changes can be linked to the climbing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which are caused by human activities.
The climate change indicators in this report look at the composition of the atmosphere, fundamental measures of climate, and the extent to which several climate-sensitive aspects of the oceans, snow and ice, human health, society, and ecosystems are changing. Together, these indicators present compelling evidence that climate change is happening now in the United States and around the world..."
Climate change

Intelligence Authorization Legislation for FY2014 and FY2015: Provisions, Status, Intelligence Community Framework

"An Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Years (FY) 2014 and 2015 (H.R. 4681) was considered in May 2014 and passed by the House but not by the Senate. Instead, both chambers passed, and the President signed an IAA for FY2014 (P.L. 113-126) in July 2014. At this time, an IAA for FY2015 (S. 2741) is under consideration by the Senate. If it passes, it will be referred to the House. This report examines selected provisions in the legislation (those summarized below) and provides an intelligence community framework in the Appendix..."

Intelligence authorization

U.S. gasoline prices this Thanksgiving are the lowest since 2009

"U.S. retail regular-grade gasoline prices continue to decline, averaging $2.82 per gallon (gal) as of November 24. This average is 47 cents lower than a year ago, and the lowest price heading into a Thanksgiving holiday since 2009. Traditionally, the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most traveled times of the year in the United States, and much of that travel is by car. AAA estimates that during this Thanksgiving holiday weekend (November 26-30), 41.3 million people in the United States will travel more than 50 miles from home by car. This level of travel, 4.3% higher than the same time last year, is the highest number of travelers by car for Thanksgiving in seven years and the third highest since AAA began publishing the data in 2000..."
Gas prices

Sexual Violence at Institutions of Higher Education

"In recent years, a number of high-profile incidents of sexual violence at institutions of higher education (IHEs) have heightened congressional and administration scrutiny of the policies and procedures that IHEs currently have in place to address campus sexual violence and how these policies and procedures can be improved. Campus sexual violence is widely acknowledged to be a problem. However, reported data on the extent of sexual violence at IHEs varies considerably across studies for a variety of methodological and other reasons. Victims of sexual violence may suffer from a range of physical and mental health conditions including injuries, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidality, and substance abuse. College students who are the victims of sexual violence may experience a
decline in academic performance, and they may drop out, leave school, or transfer.."
Sexual violence on campus

Federal Policies and Innovation

"Innovation is a central driver of economic growth in the United States. Workers become more productive when they can make use of improved equipment and

processes, and consumers benefit when new goods and services become available or when existing ones become better or cheaper—although the transition can be disruptive to established firms and workers as new products and processes supersede old ones. Looking ahead, innovation will continue to be important for economic growth, in part because the supply of workers to the economy is expected to increase at a much slower rate in the future..."

Federal policies and Innovation

In the Shadow of the Great Recession: Experiences and Perspectives of Young Workers

"Young adults in the United States have experienced higher rates of unemployment and lower rates of labor force participation than the general population for at least two decades. The Great Recession exacerbated this phenomenon. Despite a substantial labor market recovery from 2009 through 2014, vulnerable populations—including the nation’s young adults—continue to experience higher rates of unemployment..."

Young workers and recession

2013 Annual Services Report

Find the latest data on the Services Industry featuring reports on Employer and Nonemployer Firms, Expenses for Employer Firms, Sources of Revenue for Employer Firms, End of Year inventories,
 E-Commerce Revenue, etc .
Annual Services Report

Executive Summary of the White House Breach

"This week the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a report titled: "Executive Summary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Report on the White House Incursion of September 19, 2014." This report discusses Omar Gonzalez's recent White House breach on September 19, 2014. On this day Gonzalez breached White House security and was able to gain access to the "north lawn" and the interior of the mansion. The incident sparked a national and congressional debate about the competency of the forces guarding the President's residence, and whether a more lethal approach to the current rules of engagement (ROE) is appropriate..."
White House Breach

A Toolkit to Help Communities Respond to a Changing Climate

"It’s been a big week for the United States’ efforts on climate change. On November 12, President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced historic actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, we’re announcing important steps that the Administration is taking here at home to help communities respond to and prepare for a changing climate.

Today, the State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience – a group of leaders from across the country who are working to boost resilience efforts in their communities – released recommendations on ways in which the federal government can support actions to address the impacts of climate change.

In response to early input from the Task Force, the Administration has developed the Climate Resilience Toolkit, a website that provides centralized, authoritative, easy-to-use information, tools, and best practices to help communities prepare for and boost their resilience to the impacts of climate change..."

Climate change

Six Steps to Protect Your Brand

"A trademark is an essential part of a brand, helping to distinguish a business’s unique products and services from what another business offers. It can be a word, slogan, logo, symbol, design or even a sound. The following six steps from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provide a useful guideline on what to consider before registering a trademark and during the application process. Have an invention? Make sure to protect that too..."
Trademarks

Gather and Share Your Family Health History

"If you are concerned about a disease running in your family, collect your family health history and talk to your doctor at your next visit. A doctor can evaluate all of the factors, including family health history, that may affect your risk of diseases and can recommend ways to reduce that risk.

Knowing Your Family Health History Can Benefit You At Any Age

The holiday season offers many opportunities for your family to share a meal—and your family health history. You and your family members share genes, and you may also have similar behaviors, cultures, and environments, each of which may affect your risk of developing health problems. Family health history takes all of these factors into account. Everyone in your family can benefit from knowing your family's health history and sharing this information with his or her doctor..."

Family Health History

Managing Your Diabetes During the Holidays

"Having diabetes shouldn't stop you from enjoying holiday celebrations and travel. With some planning and a little preparation, you can stay healthy on the road and at holiday gatherings with friends and family.
Preparation is the most important step in managing diabetes during holiday travel and festivities. Know what you'll be eating, how to enjoy a few traditional favorites while sticking with a healthy meal plan, how to pack necessary supplies for a trip, and you're ready to celebrate!.."

Diabetes Management

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

"Learn how reducing, reusing, and recycling can help you, your community, and the environment by saving money, energy, and natural resources. Recycling programs are managed at the state and local level—find information on recycling in your community..."
Recycle

3 Ways to Get Your Loan Out of Default

"You didn’t pay your federal student loan for several months, and now a collection agency is calling you telling you your loan has defaulted. If you’re like many borrowers in this situation, you are probably freaked out and don’t know what to do.
Don’t worry — you still have options to remedy your situation. You don’t have to run from your debt; you can face it head-on and we can help you..."
Student loans

How Much Energy Does Your State Produce?

"Here at the Energy Department, we take energy data and try to make it easily digestible for Americans everywhere. We’ve looked into how much you spend on energy and how much energy you consume, and now we’re back with a map showing how much energy each state produces. Let’s take a look.

How Much Energy Does Your State Produce?

Our new map shows you not just which state produces the most energy, but also what kinds of energy are produced in each state. The size of each circle represents the volume of the energy produced in that state. As a frame of reference, 1 trillion Btu is equal to about 51,000 tons of coal. If you want to learn more about understanding energy volume comparisons, check out this graphic..."

Energy production

Great American Smokeout: Your Quit Day

"If you're a smoker, quitting is the single most important step you can take to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. Smoking causes immediate damage to your body, and it threatens your future with increased risks for cancer, heart attack, lung disease, and early death. Many people have probably urged you to quit smoking already, but we all know that quitting can be hard.

That's where the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout can help. This event takes place on November 20 and encourages smokers to quit or to use the day to make a quit plan. Free help is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and at 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) (for Spanish speakers)..."

Smoking

Executive Discretion as to Immigration: Legal Overview

"President Obama announced in June 2014 that he would seek “to fix as much of our immigration

system as I can on my own” through administrative action. Although the Obama Administration has not yet announced the specific immigration actions it intends to take, the President has stated that they will occur before the end of the year. It seems likely that such actions will prompt heated legal debate concerning the scope of the Executive’s discretionary authority over immigration matters, including with respect to the enforcement of immigration-related sanctions and the granting of immigration benefits or privileges. Such debate may be similar to that which followed the 2012 launch of the executive initiative commonly known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), under which certain unlawfully present aliens who were brought to the United States as children may be granted “deferred action” (a type of relief from removal) and work

authorization. While some have argued that DACA constitutes an abdication of the Executive’s duty to enforce the laws and runs afoul of specific requirements found in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), others have argued that the initiative is a lawful exercise of the discretionary authority conferred on the Executive by the Constitution and federal statute..."

Executive discretion and immigration

CDC’s New VetoViolence Website

"VetoViolence is CDC's online source of free violence prevention trainings, tools, and resources. Check out the VetoViolence website to learn how to stop violence, before it happens.

Are you a violence prevention practitioner who is busy, short on time, doing more with less, and looking for ways to maximize your resources? CDC's VetoViolence website offers free, online, interactive, and engaging violence prevention tools, trainings, and resources based on the best available evidence and research. The tools, trainings, and resources provide practical knowledge and skills to assist and enhance the work of violence prevention practitioners..."

Veto violence
Video violence

Computers and Internet Use in the United States: 2013

"This report provides household and individual level  information on computer and Internet use in the United States...
In 2013, 83.8 percent of U.S. households reported computer ownership, with 78.5 percent of all
households having a desktop or laptop computer, and 63.6 percent having a handheld computer.
In 2013,  74.4 percent of household reported internet use, with 73.4 percent reporting  a high-speed connection..."
Computers & Internet Use

2015 Fuel Economy Estimates

Find here the 2015 fuel economy/gas mileage estimates for cars and trucks.
Fuel Estimates

Veterans Day, November 11, 2014

"Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary marking 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 Arlington, Va..."
Veterans Day 2014

Employment Status and Occupations of Gulf War-Era Veterans

"The focus of this analysis is on veterans who served on  active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces only from August  1990 or later.
Gulf War-era veterans who served since 1990 are the  most recent cohort of wartime veterans and make up  about 35 percent of the current working-age veteran  population (see Figure 1).2 They are also a large and  growing segment of the veteran population, making  them a cohort of particular interest, but about which  minimal economic research has been done. Much of  the past research on post-military economic outcomes  of wartime veterans focused on Vietnam-era and  World War II veterans. Very few, if any, World War II and  Korean War veterans are still in the labor force—none  are in the working-age population defined here—and  the majority of the Vietnam-era veterans are nearing
retirement age..."
Veterans employment

Crime Statistics: 2013

"The FBI released Crime in the United States, 2013 today, which shows that the estimated number of violent crimes in 2013 decreased 4.4 percent when compared with 2012 figures, and the estimated number of property crimes decreased 4.1 percent. There were an estimated 1,163,146 violent crimes reported to law enforcement last year, along with an estimated 8,632,512 property crimes.

The crime statistics report, issued by the Bureau’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, contains voluntarily submitted data from 18,415 city, county, state, tribal, campus, and federal law enforcement agencies on specific crimes brought to their attention. They include the violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, and the property crimes of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson..."

Crime statistics

Detecting Air Leaks

"For a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage in your home, hire a qualified technician to conduct an energy assessment, particularly a blower door test.

You may already know where some air leakage occurs in your home, such as an under-the-door draft, but you'll need to find the less obvious gaps to properly air seal your home.

For a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage in your home, hire a qualified technician to conduct an energy assessment, particularly a blower door test. A blower door test, which depressurizes a home, can reveal the location of many leaks. A complete energy assessment will also help determine areas in your home that need more insulation.
Without a blower door test, there are ways to find some air leaks yourself..."
Air leaks

National Prematurity Awareness Month

"Learn more about premature birth, risk factors, and what you can do.

What is Premature Birth?

It is a birth that is at least three weeks before a baby's due date. It is also known as preterm birth (or less than 37 weeks—full term is 40 weeks). Important growth and development occur throughout pregnancy—especially in the final months and weeks.."
Premature birth

Epilepsy in Children

"The term epilepsy is a broad term used for conditions that affect the brain and cause recurring seizures. More than 450,000 children have epilepsy in the United States.1 Picture a school with 1,000 students—that means at least 6 students would have epilepsy.

A CDC study showed that students aged 6–17 years with epilepsy were more likely to miss 11 or more days of school in the past year compared with students who had health concerns other than epilepsy. Also, students with epilepsy were found to be more likely to have difficulties in school, use special education services, and have activity limitations such as less participation in sports or clubs.."
Epilepsy and children

Frequently Asked Questions: Lighting Choices to Save You Money

"Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about the new lighting efficiency standards. Learn more about your lighting choices and find out how to shop for lights by lumens, not watts.
Download our Lighting Myths and Facts fact sheet to learn more about your lighting choices and the new lighting standards..."

Lighting choices

Selecting a new water heater

"When selecting a new water heater for your home, choose a water heating system that will not only provide enough hot water but also that will do so energy efficiently, saving you money. This includes considering the different types of water heaters available and determining the right size and fuel source for your home. Check out the Energy Saver 101: Water Heating infographic to learn more about the different types of water heaters and how to select the right model for your home..."
Water heater

Virtual Kidnapping

"Jose Ramirez, a retired New York police officer and ultra-fit triathlete, is an unlikely victim. But last December in Cancun, Mexico, after completing an Ironman competition, he was tricked into believing his life was in danger. Like an increasing number of U.S. citizens on both sides of the border, Ramirez was the target of an extortion scheme known as virtual kidnapping.

Unlike traditional abductions, virtual kidnappers do not intend to physically detain their victims. Instead, through various deceptions and threats of violence, they coerce individuals to isolate themselves from their families—or make families believe that their loved ones are being held—all to extract a quick ransom before the scheme falls apart..."
Virtual kidnapping

Iraq: Politics, Governance, and Human Rights

"Since the 2011 U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq, sectarian and ethnic divisions have widened,

fueling a major challenge to Iraq’s stability and to Iraq’s non-Muslim minority communities. Many of Iraq’s Sunni Arabs have sided with radical Sunni Islamist insurgents as a means to reduce Shiite political domination. Iraq’s Kurds have been separately embroiled in political disputes with Baghdad over territorial, political, and economic issues, particularly their intent to separately export large volumes of oil produced in the Kurdish region. The political rifts—which were contained by the U.S. military presence but escalated after late 2011—erupted in December 2013 into a sustained uprising led by the extremist group Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)..."

Iraq

When the clocks change, so do road safety conditions

"So, you've spent your Sunday setting the clocks in your home back an hour. Now, it's time to think about the road safety consequences of the time change and the onset of less and less daylight as fall turns to winter.
Generally, evening hours are the deadliest time on the road, so drivers and pedestrians should be on guard with the end of Daylight Saving Time when we essentially add an hour of evening..."
Time change

Interior Department Releases Climate and Sustainability Plans

"As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the Department of the Interior today released its plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate change impacts such as flooding, sea level rise, severe weather and temperature extremes.

The release of Sustainability Plans and Climate Adaptation Plans by federal agencies coincides with the fifth anniversary of President Obama’s 2009 Executive Order on Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance, which set aggressive energy, climate and environmental targets for agencies..." 
Climate and sustainability

Diabetes and Pregnancy

"Diabetes can affect women during their childbearing years. Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should."
Diabetes and pregnancy

National Family Caregivers Month

"November is National Family Caregivers Month. Over the course of our lifetime, many of us will find ourselves taking care of a loved one with a disease or disability who may need temporary or long-term assistance with daily activities. Being a caregiver, or what is often referred to as a "care partner," can be fulfilling by offering the opportunity to provide a loved one, friend, or neighbor with needed help and reassurance. However, this role can also affect the life of the care partner in significant and often.."
National Caregivers Month

Social Security: Cost-of-Living Adjustments

"To compensate for the effects of inflation, Social Security recipients usually receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Benefits will be increased by 1.7% in 2015, following an increase of 1.5% in 2014. Social Security COLAs are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), updated monthly by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The COLA equals the growt h, if any, in the index from the highest third calendar quarter average CPI-W recorded (most often, from the previous year) to the average CPI-W for the third calendar quarter of the current year. The COLA becomes effective in December of the current year and is payable in January of the following year. (Social Security payments always reflect the benefits due for the preceding month.)..."

Social security

What Drives U.S. Gasoline Prices?

"Crude oil is the main input cost in the production of gasoline, and changes in crude oil price, along with changes in gasoline market conditions, drive changes in wholesale and retail gasoline prices. EIA estimates that about two-thirds of the price of gasoline at the pump is attributable to the refinery cost of crude oil. When the price of crude oil changes, the price of wholesale gasoline adjusts concurrently to reflect the increased refinery input cost, other market factors being equal..."
Gasoline prices

Health Insurance Open Enrollment begins November 15, 2014

"Open Enrollment for 2015 coverage starts November 15, 2014. Until then, you can get ready by learning about the Marketplace, seeing if you may qualify for savings, downloading an application checklist, and more.

Plans and estimated prices for 2015 coverage will be available in early November..."
Health insurance Enrollment

Fisheries of the United States: 2013

Find the latest data on the fish population and industry in the United States
Fisheries

Mapping U.S. Agriculture

"Agricultural data are valuable for analysis, and thanks to the Census of Agriculture and other surveys, NASS has plenty of data available. As a cartographer, however, I obviously prefer to present the data in map form. A map gives anyone a chance to visualize data for multiple geographic areas as a cohesive image, providing a graphic overview of the agricultural phenomena. It also allows map readers to visually compare regions, and discern patterns and relationships in the data across regions, topics, and time.
When it came to the ag census, for each of the past eight editions, NASS produced an atlas of thematic (statistical) maps illustrating various aspects of U.S. agriculture. While great for their time, with the evolution of digital technology, these paper maps are no longer sufficient on their own. The component missing from them is the data behind the maps, so what better way to depict and also convey a myriad of county-level statistics than through a web map application?
To address this issue, we decided to add a new web tool – Ag Census Web Maps application – which features numerous 2012 Census of Agriculture Atlas maps and also provides access to the data associated with the maps, along with an API for developers. This web map application enables users to interact with the maps – navigate to an area of interest, print a map or save an image of the area, select a county to view and extract its data, and download a spreadsheet containing all of the data for the maps..."
Agriculture mapping

Experts identify easy way to improve smartphone security

"Smartphones and tablets used by today's consumers include many kinds of sensitive information," says Ninghui Li, a professor of Computer Science at Purdue University in Indiana.
The apps downloaded to them can potentially track a user's locations, monitor his or her phone calls and even monitor the messages a user sends and receives--including authentication messages used by online banking and other sites, he says, explaining why unsecured digital data are such a big issue.
Li, along with Robert Proctor and Luo Si, also professors at Purdue, lead a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project "User-Centric Risk Communication and Control on Mobile Devices," that investigates computer security. The work pays special attention to user control of security features in mobile systems..."
Smartphone security

World Stroke Day, Oct. 29th

"October 29 is World Stroke Day.  Increase your awareness of the signs and symptoms of a stroke.  You could save a life, including your own!
Stroke is the second-leading cause of death for people aged 60 years or older worldwide.¹ Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death and is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States.² Women have a higher lifetime risk for stroke than men because they live longer, on average. Women also are more likely to die from a stroke..."

Stroke

The Appointment Process for U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations

"In recent decades, the process fro appointing judges to the U.S.Circuit courts of  appeals and the

U.S. district courts has been of continuing Senate interest. The responsibility for making these appointments is shared by the President and the Senate. Pursuant to the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, the President nominates persons to fill federal judgeships, with the appointment of each nominee also requiring Senate confirmation. Although not mentioned in the Constitution, an important role is also played midway in the appointment process by the Senate

Judiciary Committee..."

Circuit and District courts

Census Bureau Releases Industry Series Report on Accommodation

"The U.S. Census Bureau today released additional national-level data from the 2012 Economic Census Industry Series reports for the accommodation and food services sector of the economy. This release includes new statistics on the nation’s 63,896 accommodation businesses (NAICS 721), which reported sales of $195.4 billion and employed nearly 2.0 million people in 2012..."
2012 Census of  Economics - Accommodations

Fragile X Syndrome

"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers, in collaboration with the agency's partners, are building a foundation of public health data for fragile X syndrome. FXS is the most common known cause of intellectual disability that can be inherited. Individuals with full mutation FXS may have a range of complex health challenges from anxiety, sensory integration issues, mood disorders, and autism, to ear infections, sleep disturbance, seizures, and gastrointestinal problems..."
Fragile-x

National Lead Poisoning Week

"Young children often place their toys, fingers, and other objects in their mouth as part of their normal development. This hand-to-mouth activity may put them in contact with lead paint or dust.

The most common sources of lead exposure for children are chips and particles of old lead paint.."
Lead poison

Is it Strep Throat?

"Many things can cause that unpleasant, scratchy, and sometimes painful condition known as a sore throat. Viruses, bacteria, allergens, environmental irritants (such as cigarette smoke), chronic postnasal drip and fungi can all cause a sore throat. While many sore throats will get better without treatment, some throat infections—including strep throat—may need antibiotic treatment..."
Strep Throat

Coresident Grandparents and Their Grandchildren: 2012

"American households include a variety of living arrangements. Recent trends in increased life expectancy, single parent families, and female employment, increase the potential for grandparents to play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. Increases in grandparents

living with grandchildren are one way that the grandparent role has changed.

This report explores the complexity of households in which grandparents and grandchildren live together. It uses data from the 2010 Census, the American Community Survey (ACS), the Current Population Survey (CPS), and the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). It

capitalizes on the strengths of each of these data sources to provide a more complete picture of households containing grandparents and grandchildren.."

Grandparents

Executive Order --Improving the Security of Consumer Financial Transactions

"Given that identity crimes, including credit, debit, and other payment card fraud, continue to be a risk to U.S. economic activity, and given the economic consequences of data breaches, the United States must take further action to enhance the security of data in the financial marketplace. While the U.S. Government's credit, debit, and other payment card programs already include protections against fraud, the Government must further strengthen the security of consumer data and encourage the adoption of enhanced safeguards nationwide in a manner that protects privacy and confidentiality while maintaining an efficient and innovative financial system..."
Consumer financial transactions

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): Resources for Frequently Asked Questions

"The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended) has numerous provisions affecting private health insurance and public health coverage programs. Many of these provisions take effect in 2014. This report provides resources to help congressional staff respond to constituents’ frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the law. The report lists selected

resources regarding consumers, employers, and other stakeholders, with a focus on federal sources. It also lists CRS reports that summarize ACA’s provisions..."

Affordable Care Act

Female self-employment in the United States: 2012

"After seeing considerable increases in the 1970s and the 1980s, the share of women in self-employment and the female self-employment rate leveled off in the 1990s and remained relatively unchanged through 2012. While this recent 20-year trend may not be remarkable, the characteristics of female business owners have changed considerably over time.."

Women employment

Cybercrime: An Overview of the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Statute and Related Federal Criminal Laws

"The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), 18 U.S.C. 1030, outlaws conduct that victimizes computer systems. It is a cyber security law. It protects federal computers, bank computers, and computers connected to the Internet. It shields them from trespassing, threats, damage, espionage, and from being corruptly used as instruments of fraud. It is not a comprehensive provision, but instead it fills cracks and gaps in the protection afforded by other federal criminal laws. This is a brief sketch of CFAA and some of its federal statutory companions, including the amendments found in the Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act, P.L. 110-326, 122 Stat. 3560 (2008)..."

Cybercrime

EPA Releases Guidance to Improve Schools’ Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency

"Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new guidance to help school districts protect indoor air quality while increasing energy efficiency during school renovations.

“This guidance provides common-sense solutions for improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality in schools across the country,” said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “By using these guidelines, school districts can cut their energy bills and help ensure that students have a healthy and safe learning environment.”

Both energy management and protection of indoor air quality (IAQ) are important considerations for school facility management during energy upgrades and retrofits, and schools can protect occupant health by addressing both goals holistically. These renovation and construction activities can create dust, introduce new contaminants and contaminant pathways, create or aggravate moisture problems, and result in inadequate ventilation in occupied spaces. EPA’s Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades offers opportunities to prevent and control potentially harmful conditions during school renovations..."
Schools’ Indoor Air Quality

Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care

"When cared for properly, contact lenses can provide a comfortable and convenient way to work, play, and live for the more than 30 million people in the U.S. who wear them. While contact lenses are usually a safe and effective form of vision correction, they are not entirely risk-free—especially if they are not cared for properly. To reap the benefits of wearing contact lenses, it is essential to practice healthy habits..."
Contact lens

Safeguarding the Personal Information of All People...

"The United States is committed to protecting the personal information of all people around the world, regardless of their nationality. Indeed, it is our longstanding practice to conduct signal intelligence(SIGINT) activities only for authorized foreign intelligence and counterintelligence  purposes, and to safeguard information obtained through such means from unauthorized acess or disclosure. On January 17,  2014, the President issued Presidential Policy Directive (PPD), 28, Signals Intelligence Activities, which "articulates principles to guide why, whether, when, and how the United States conducts SIGINT activities for authorized foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes.""
personal information security

Energy for growing and harvesting crops is a large component of farm operating costs

"The U.S. agriculture industry used nearly 800 trillion British thermal units (Btu) of energy in 2012, or about as much primary energy as the entire state of Utah. Agricultural energy consumption includes energy needed to grow and harvest crops and energy needed to grow livestock. Crop operations consume much more energy than livestock operations, and energy expenditures for crops account for a higher percentage of farm operating costs..."
Energy for crop production

Federal and State Quarantine and Isolation Authority

"In the wake of increasing fears about the spread of highly contagious diseases, federal, state, and

local governments have become increasingly aware of the need for a comprehensive public health response to such events. An effective response could include the quarantine of persons exposed to infectious biological agents that are naturally occurring or released during a terrorist attack, the isolation of infected persons, and the quarantine of certain cities or neighborhoods.

The public health authority of the states derives from the police powers granted by their constitutions and reserved to them by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The authority of the federal government to prescribe quarantine and other health measures is based on the Commerce Clause, which gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce..."

Quarantine law