"The day after a criminal complaint was
unsealed in federal court in New York charging three Brooklyn residents
with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq
and the Levant (ISIL), FBI Assistant Director Michael Steinbach briefed
a congressional subcommittee on the dynamic threat posed by foreign
fighters traveling in support of ISIL and the continued threat to
America posed by homegrown violent extremists.
According to Steinbach, the conflict in
Syria and Iraq is currently the most attractive overseas theater for
Western-based extremists who want to engage in violence. The Bureau
estimates upwards of 150 Americans have traveled or attempted to travel
to Syria to join extremist groups, and it also has to consider the
influence of groups like ISIL on individuals located in the U.S. who
could be inspired (particularly through the Internet and social media)
to commit acts of violence. “It is this blending of homegrown violent
extremism with the foreign fighter ideology that is today’s latest
adaptation of the threat,” said Steinbach..."
Isil and domestic-terrorism
Friday, February 27, 2015
Medical Tourism
""Medical tourism" refers to
traveling to another country for medical care. It's estimated that up to
750,000 US residents travel abroad for care each year. Many people who
travel for care do so because treatment is much cheaper in another
country. In addition, a large number of medical tourists are immigrants
to the United States returning to their home country for care. The most
common procedures that people undergo on medical tourism trips include
cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and heart surgery..."
Medical Tourism
Medical Tourism
2015 White House Coference on Aging
"I am deeply honored to serve as the Executive Director of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging
and welcome you to our website. This website provides a regular blog,
updates on recent events, and opportunities for you to get involved.
Here you will also find information on key issues that we will explore
in the 2015 White House Conference on Aging. The coming months will be a
time for us to engage in a dialogue and build a shared vision on how to
continue to maximize the contributions of Americans as we age, and how
to advance priorities such as healthy aging, a secure retirement,
accessing the services and supports older Americans need to remain in
their communities, and protecting older Americans from financial
exploitation, abuse, and neglect..."
Conference on Aging
Conference on Aging
Eleanor Roosevelt Resignation from DAR
View a copy of Eleanor Roosevelt's resignation letter to the Daughter of the American Revolution on their refusal to let Marian Anderson sing at Constitutional Hall.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Housing Vacancies and Ownerships:2014
"The Housing Vacancies and Homeownership provides current information on
the rental and homeowner vacancy rates, and characteristics of units
available for occupancy. These data are used extensively by public and
private sector organizations to evaluate the need for new housing
programs and initiatives. In addition, the rental vacancy rate is a
component of the index of leading economic indicators and is thereby
used by the Federal Government and economic forecasters to gauge the
current economic climate..."
Housing vacancies
Housing vacancies
Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers
"The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax
help to people who generally make $53,000 or less, persons with
disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who
need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified
volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with
electronic filing to qualified individuals.
In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see Publication 3676-B for services provided and check out the What to Bring page to ensure you have all the required documents and information our volunteers will need to help you. *Note: available services can vary at each site due to the availability of volunteers certified with the tax law expertise required for your return.
Find a VITA or TCE Site Near You
Free Tax Preparation
In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see Publication 3676-B for services provided and check out the What to Bring page to ensure you have all the required documents and information our volunteers will need to help you. *Note: available services can vary at each site due to the availability of volunteers certified with the tax law expertise required for your return.
Find a VITA or TCE Site Near You
Free Tax Preparation
Monday, February 23, 2015
Every kid in a park initiative
"From sea to shining sea, our country is home to gorgeous landscapes,
vibrant waterways, and historic treasures that all Americans can enjoy.
But right now, young people are spending more time in front of screens
than outside, and that means they are missing out on valuable
opportunities to explore, learn and play in the spectacular outdoor
places that belong to all of them.
President Obama is committed to giving every kid the chance to explore America’s great outdoors and unique history. That’s why, today, he launched an Every Kid in a Park initiative, which calls on each of our agencies to help get all children to visit and enjoy the outdoors and inspire a new generation of Americans to experience their country’s unrivaled public lands and waters. Starting in September, every fourth-grader in the Nation will receive an “Every Kid in a Park” pass that’s good for free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters -- for them and their families -- for a full year..."
Kids in a park
President Obama is committed to giving every kid the chance to explore America’s great outdoors and unique history. That’s why, today, he launched an Every Kid in a Park initiative, which calls on each of our agencies to help get all children to visit and enjoy the outdoors and inspire a new generation of Americans to experience their country’s unrivaled public lands and waters. Starting in September, every fourth-grader in the Nation will receive an “Every Kid in a Park” pass that’s good for free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters -- for them and their families -- for a full year..."
Kids in a park
Flag Raising on Iwo Jima, 02/23/1945
"On February 23, 1945, during the battle for Iwo Jima, U.S. Marines
raised a flag atop Mount Suribachi. It was taken down, and a second flag
was raised. Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured this
second flag-raising. Now part of U.S. Navy records, it is one of the
most famous war photographs in U.S. history..."
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
The Measles: Background and Federal Role in Vaccine Policy
"The earliest accounts of measles date back over 1,000 years. This report presents basic
information about this infectious disease, its history in the United States, available treatments to prevent individuals from contracting measles, and the federal role in combatting measles—from funding, to research, to the authority of the federal government in requiring mandatory childhood vaccinations. The report provides additional resources for information on measles and
recommendations for vaccination against the disease.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person.” It is transmitted through coughing and sneezing, and it can live for up to two hours on a surface or in an airspace where an infected person coughed or sneezed. Someone who is not immunized against measles and comes into contact with the virus has a 90% chance of becoming infected..."
MeaslesHow Social Security Benefits Are Computed: In Brief
"With about $900 billion in benefit outlays projected to be made in 2015, Social Security is the
Social security benefits
largest program in the federal budget. It provides monthly cash benefits to retired and disabled workers and their family members as well as to the family members of deceased workers. Currently, there are about 59 million beneficiaries. Under current law, Social Security’s revenues are projected to be insufficient to pay full scheduled benefits after 2033.
Monthly benefit amounts are determined by federal law. Social Security is an issue of ongoing interest both because of its role in supporting a large portion of the population and because of its long-term financial imbalance, and policy makers have considered numerous proposals to change its benefit computation rules..."
Social security benefits
Saturday, February 21, 2015
The Presidential Libraries Act and the Establishment of Presidential Libraries
"The Presidential Libraries Act (P.L. 84-373; 69 Stat. 695), as originally enacted in 1955, sought to create a system of government “preservation and administration ... of papers and other historical materials of any President or former President of the United States.” Pursuant to the law, the General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) Administrator could, among other actions, accept ... the papers and other historical materials of any President or former President of the United States, or of any other official or former official of the Government, and other papers relating to and contemporary with any President or former President of the United States. (P.L. 84-373)
Amid concerns about growing costs of the libraries, the act was substantially amended in 1986 (P.L. 99-323; 100 Stat. 495) to “shift the burden of
on-going building operations costs of future libraries from the taxpayer to endowment funds.”
Through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the federal government currently operates and maintains 13 presidential libraries, and is currently engaging with representatives seeking to construct a presidential library for President Barack Obama..."
Presidential librariesThursday, February 19, 2015
President Obama Announces a Trio of New National Monuments
"The neighborhood of Pullman, Ill., is home to the first planned industrial town
in the U.S. The town, then just south of Chicago, drew visitors from as
far away as Europe after the first resident moved in on January 1,
1881. Residents worked for George Pullman’s eponymous railroad car
company. It’s now known for its historic buildings and today, President
Obama announces that it will join three other sites as as the newest
National Monuments.
The other two new monuments will be in Colorado and Hawaii, reports On Earth, bringing President Obama’s monument creation count up to 16 so far..."
National monuments2015 Economc Report of the President
Find the latest in the Annual Reports of the President along with the Council of Economic Advisors Report.
Economic Report of President
Economic Report of President
Becoming a U.S. Citizen: what you need to know?
Becoming a U.S. citizen: what you need to know?
How to Become a U.S. Citizen: Know the Basics
The process of becoming an American citizen requires planning and time. Knowing in advance what to do will help move things along a lot smoother.
The video featured in this blog highlights some general requirements that you must meet in order to become a U.S. citizen, such as:
How to Become a U.S. Citizen: Know the Basics
The process of becoming an American citizen requires planning and time. Knowing in advance what to do will help move things along a lot smoother.
The video featured in this blog highlights some general requirements that you must meet in order to become a U.S. citizen, such as:
- Meet the minimum age requirement
- Be a permanent resident of the United States and remain in the country while your naturalization is being processed. Note: your marital status may affect how long it takes to process your application.
- Be able to read, write, and speak English
- Have basic knowledge of U.S. history and government
- Be a person of good moral character
- Take the oath of allegiance to support and defend the United States and the Constitution
Choosing a Tax Professional
"A tax return preparer is trusted with your most personal information.
They know about your marriage, your income, your children and your
social security numbers – the details of your financial life.
Most tax return preparers provide outstanding service. However, each year, some taxpayers are hurt financially because they choose the wrong tax return preparer.
Anyone can be a paid tax return preparer as long as they have an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and they sign and enter it on all returns they prepare. However, tax return preparers have differing levels of skills, education and expertise.
Choose wisely when selecting a paid tax return preparer. For assistance see:
Most tax return preparers provide outstanding service. However, each year, some taxpayers are hurt financially because they choose the wrong tax return preparer.
Anyone can be a paid tax return preparer as long as they have an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and they sign and enter it on all returns they prepare. However, tax return preparers have differing levels of skills, education and expertise.
Choose wisely when selecting a paid tax return preparer. For assistance see:
- Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications -- NEW!
- Which tax preparer is right for me? Explaining enrolled agents, CPAs, attorneys, and others.
- Do some tax return preparers belong to professional organizations?
- IRS tips for choosing a tax preparer.
- Watch a video on choosing a preparer.
- When, and how, do I file a complaint about a tax preparer?.."
U.S. Department of State and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Launch Innovative International Air Quality Program
"Secretary of State
John Kerry and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy signed a statement of
intent today to launch a new air quality partnership between the U.S.
Department of State and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The effort will provide U.S. citizens and government personnel with
better information on air quality at select embassies and consulates
around the world to reduce health risks from outdoor air pollution, and
will offer greater opportunities for the United States to create
partnerships on air quality with other nations..."
International air quality
International air quality
Teen Dating Violence: Prevention through Raising Awareness
"February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
Learning how to spot the signs of an abusive relationship can make a
dramatic impact on the lives of teens suffering from dating violence –
and could also save lives.
According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), teen dating violence includes the physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional violence that may occur within a relationship. In many cases, teens in abusive relationships experience severe psychological conflict which can lead to changes in their behavior. Some warning signs to watch out for include increased levels of aggression, isolation from family and friends, and erratic mood swings. If you suspect a teen is experiencing an abusive relationship or are unsure of the warning signs, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline will offer immediate and confidential support.."
Teen dating
According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), teen dating violence includes the physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional violence that may occur within a relationship. In many cases, teens in abusive relationships experience severe psychological conflict which can lead to changes in their behavior. Some warning signs to watch out for include increased levels of aggression, isolation from family and friends, and erratic mood swings. If you suspect a teen is experiencing an abusive relationship or are unsure of the warning signs, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline will offer immediate and confidential support.."
Teen dating
FTC Challenges Proposed Merger of Sysco and US Foods
"The Federal Trade Commission today filed an administrative complaint charging that the proposed merger of Sysco and US Foods would violate the antitrust laws
by significantly reducing competition nationwide and in 32 local
markets for broadline foodservice distribution services. The FTC alleges
that if the merger goes forward as proposed, foodservice
customers, including restaurants, hospitals, hotels, and schools, would
likely face higher prices and diminished service than would be the case
but for the merger.
The FTC also authorized staff to seek in federal court a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent the parties from consummating the merger, and to maintain the status quo pending the administrative proceeding..."
Sysco & US Foods
The FTC also authorized staff to seek in federal court a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent the parties from consummating the merger, and to maintain the status quo pending the administrative proceeding..."
Sysco & US Foods
2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Submits Report
"The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a group of prestigious
outside experts, submitted its recommendations to Health and Human
Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack,
in order to inform the 2015 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans. Today, the Secretaries have released the advisory committee's
recommendations report online, making it available for public review
and comment. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and
Agriculture (USDA) will consider this report, along with input from
other federal agencies and comments from the public as they develop the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015, to be released later this year.
The public is encouraged to view the independent advisory group's report and provide written comments at www.DietaryGuidelines.gov for a period of 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. The public will also have an opportunity to offer oral comments at a public meeting in Bethesda, Maryland, on March 24, 2015. Those interested in providing oral comments at the March 24, 2015, public meeting can register at www.DietaryGuidelines.gov. Capacity is limited, so participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis..."
Dietary guidelines
The public is encouraged to view the independent advisory group's report and provide written comments at www.DietaryGuidelines.gov for a period of 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. The public will also have an opportunity to offer oral comments at a public meeting in Bethesda, Maryland, on March 24, 2015. Those interested in providing oral comments at the March 24, 2015, public meeting can register at www.DietaryGuidelines.gov. Capacity is limited, so participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis..."
Dietary guidelines
Snails’ Teeth Beats Spider Silk As Nature’s Strongest Material
"Marine snails, commonly called limpets, cling tenaciously to rocks as waves batter them. They can clamp on with a force of 75 pounds per square inch,
using their muscular mollusk "foot" and a chemical secretion. But even
that feat isn’t as stunning as their ability to grind down rock as they
feed, using a tooth-studded tongue called a radula. Now the snails have
upped their tough-guy street cred with help from engineers based in the
U.K., who discovered that these snails’ teeth are made of the strongest
natural material out there.
Spider silk, often compared to kevlar, has wowed with its tough yet flexible powers. But when tested, the tooth material was, on average, about five times stronger than most spider silk, reports BBC News.
This makes it the strongest natural material on Earth. Tests in the lab
revealed that it can withstand pressure that would turn carbon into
diamond. That’s comparable to a single strand of spaghetti holding up
about 3,300 one-pound bags of sugar, the study’s lead author, Asa Barber
of the University of Portsmouth, told the BBC..."
VFC Program
"The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers vaccines at no
cost for eligible children through doctors enrolled in the program.
Find out if your child qualifies. Vaccinating on time means healthier
children, families and communities.
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program helps provide vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. This helps ensure that all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule. These vaccines protect babies, young children, and adolescents from 16 diseases (see the list).
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program helps provide vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. This helps ensure that all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule. These vaccines protect babies, young children, and adolescents from 16 diseases (see the list).
Who Is Eligible for the VFC Program?
- Medicaid-eligible
- Uninsured
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Underinsured if receiving VFC vaccines at a Federally Qualified Health Center or Rural Health Clinic..."
- Vaccines
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Executive Order Promoting Private Sector Cybersecurity Information Sharing
"Today[2/15/15], President Obama will sign an Executive Order to encourage and
promote sharing of cybersecurity threat information within the private
sector and between the private sector and government. Rapid information
sharing is an essential element of effective cybersecurity, because it
enables U.S. companies to work together to respond to threats, rather
than operating alone. This Executive Order lays out a framework for
expanded information sharing designed to help companies work together,
and work with the federal government, to quickly identify and protect
against cyber threats..."
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity
2013 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis
"Tens of thousands of chemicals are used by industries and businesses
in the United States to make the products on which our society depends,
such as pharmaceuticals, clothing, and automobiles. Many of the
chemicals needed to create these products are toxic, and while the
majority of toxic chemicals are managed so that they are not released
into the environment, some releases of toxic chemicals are inevitable.
It is your right to know what toxic chemicals are being used in your community, how they are being disposed of or otherwise managed, and whether their releases to the environment are increasing or decreasing over time. The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is an EPA program that tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. This information is submitted by thousands of U.S. facilities on over 650 chemicals and chemical categories under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)..."
Toxics release inventory
It is your right to know what toxic chemicals are being used in your community, how they are being disposed of or otherwise managed, and whether their releases to the environment are increasing or decreasing over time. The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is an EPA program that tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. This information is submitted by thousands of U.S. facilities on over 650 chemicals and chemical categories under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)..."
Toxics release inventory
Friday, February 13, 2015
Hard Truths: Law Enforcement and Race
"FBI Director James B. Comey called on the
nation’s law enforcement personnel and the citizens they serve to
participate in a frank and open conversation about the disconnect that
exists in places like New York City and Ferguson, Missouri—and many
communities across the country—between police agencies and many
citizens, particularly in communities of color..."
Law enforcement & race
Law enforcement & race
Thursday, February 12, 2015
The Authorization of Military Force Against ISIL Terrorists: What You Need to Know
"Right now, America’s armed forces are working with some 60 nations to
degrade and destroy ISIL, a terrorist group that has committed
countless barbaric atrocities and poses a grave threat to the people and
territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, regional stability, and the
national security interests of the United States and its allies and
partners. Coalition air strikes have been instrumental in disrupting
ISIL’s command and control and supply lines and taking out their
commanders and fighters.
The mission is a difficult one, but make no mistake, our coalition is on the offensive, ISIL is on the defensive, and ISIL is going to lose.
Although the President already has the legal authority he needs to take action against ISIL, he has noted that we are strongest as a nation when the President and Congress work together. A bipartisan authorization of the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL would provide a clear and powerful signal to the American people, to our allies, and to our enemies that the U.S. is united behind the effort to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL.."
Authorization of Military Force
The mission is a difficult one, but make no mistake, our coalition is on the offensive, ISIL is on the defensive, and ISIL is going to lose.
Although the President already has the legal authority he needs to take action against ISIL, he has noted that we are strongest as a nation when the President and Congress work together. A bipartisan authorization of the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL would provide a clear and powerful signal to the American people, to our allies, and to our enemies that the U.S. is united behind the effort to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL.."
Authorization of Military Force
Labels:
ISIL,
military_authorization,
President_Barack_Obama
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Clothes Dryers for Consumers
"ENERGY STAR certified dryers use 20 percent less energy than conventional models
without sacrificing features or performance. They do this using
innovative energy saving technologies, such as moisture sensors that
detect when clothes are dry and automatically shut the dryer off. Many
ENERGY STAR dryers also include convenient features, such as steam
cycles that can help save time on ironing clothes by preventing
wrinkles..."
Clothes dryers
Clothes dryers
National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking
"The National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking establishes guiding principles and strategic priorities for U.S. efforts to stem illegal trade in wildlife. This Strategy positions the United States to exercise leadership in addressing a serious and urgent conservation and global security threat. It calls for strengthening the enforcement of laws and international agreements that protect wildlife while reducing demand for illegal wildlife and wildlife products. It affirms our Nation’s resolve to work in partnership with governments, local communities, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and others to strengthen commitment to combating wildlife trafficking.."
Wildlife trafficking
Wildlife trafficking
The Economics of Chocolate
"Look at a graph of cocoa prices since
Valentine's Day 2014, and you'll see a jagged line as ragged as a broken
heart. It looks sort of like the crack you'd imagine in a broken heart.
The price line includes plenty of peaks and valleys, but the
sharpest came last September. The line jerked suddenly upward, plateaued
at cocoa's highest price in several years, and then plummeted to its
original level. It left an ascending spike of almost perfect symmetry.
That spike was Ebola, converted into cocoa prices. (And the most recent
drop resulted from declining demand for chocolate.)
Cocoa makes a long and winding journey from bean to bar. The crop starts in the farms of tropical nations, especially in West Africa, and travels through ports, shipping containers and processing plants. But before they can reach your bag of M&M's, cocoa beans also travel through an intangible dimension—the financial world of price graphs, futures contracts and commodity ETFs. Ever since the New York Cocoa Exchange was founded in 1925, cocoa has been bought and sold in abstract form..."
Chocolate
Cocoa makes a long and winding journey from bean to bar. The crop starts in the farms of tropical nations, especially in West Africa, and travels through ports, shipping containers and processing plants. But before they can reach your bag of M&M's, cocoa beans also travel through an intangible dimension—the financial world of price graphs, futures contracts and commodity ETFs. Ever since the New York Cocoa Exchange was founded in 1925, cocoa has been bought and sold in abstract form..."
New Guidelines on Cholesterol: Eggs Are Ok, Butter's Still Bad
"The story of cholesterol isn’t as cut-and-dried as advice originally proffered in the 1970s might
make it seem. And, after years of experts developing a more complicated
understanding of how eating habits lead to high levels of blood
cholesterol, the official U.S. Dietary Guidelines are finally getting a
revamp that includes dropping the warnings over high-cholesterol foods.
Cholesterol
This doesn’t mean that heaps of bacon and gobs of
fried foods are back on the table. Eggs, organ meats, lobster and other
seafood don’t deserve the scorn they’ve gotten for being
high-cholesterol. But foods high in saturated fats remain on the list of
things to limit.
The new guidelines aren’t out yet, but
some changes, including the cholesterol revision, were previewed at
the December meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the
group that assesses scientific knowledge and makes recommendations to
the Agriculture and Health and Human Services Department about changing
the official guidelines.."
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Lynchings Were Even More Common in the South Than Previously Thought
"Between 1877 and 1950, lynching was all
too common in the segregated South. But even previous accounts of
thousands of lynchings did not document the full extent of this
practice. Now, in a new report, a group of criminal justice reformers, led by Bryan Stevenson, has
enumerated hundreds more lynchings than previous work had counted, in
states including Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia.
The new report, by the Equal Justice Initiative, counts 700 cases
of lynchings that were not previously reported, bringing the death toll
to nearly 4,000..."
Lynchings
10 Reasons To Get Vaccinated
"Many adults in the U.S. are not aware of vaccines recommended for
them – and that means they are not taking advantage of the best
protection available against a number of serious diseases. According to
the 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS):
- Only about 1 out of 5 (21%) adults 19-64 years old with certain high-risk medical conditions had received a pneumococcal vaccination.
- Only about 1 out of 4 (24%) adults 60 years and older, had received a shingles vaccination.
- Only about 1 out of 6 (17%) adults 19 years and older, had received a Tdap vaccine in the last 8 years to provide protection from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough)..."
- Adult vaccinations
Make Blood Pressure Control Your Goal
"This American Heart Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Million Hearts®–a
national effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the
United States by 2017–are encouraging Americans to know their blood
pressure, and if it's high, to make control their goal.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure[469 KB] is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. In fact, more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure.1 People with high blood pressure are 4 times more likely to die from a stroke and 3 times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with normal blood pressure...."
Blood pressure
Uncontrolled high blood pressure[469 KB] is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. In fact, more than 67 million Americans have high blood pressure.1 People with high blood pressure are 4 times more likely to die from a stroke and 3 times more likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with normal blood pressure...."
Blood pressure
National Security Strategy - 2015
"In a young century, opportunities for America abound, but risks to our security remain. This new
National Security Strategy positions the United States to safeguard our national interests through strong and sustainable leadership. It sets out the principles and priorities to guide the use of American power and influence in the world. It advances a model of American leadership rooted in the foundation of America’s economic and technological strength and the values of the American people. It redoubles our commitment to allies and partners and welcomes the constructive contributions of responsible rising powers. It signals our resolve and readiness to deter and, if necessary, defeat potential adversaries. It affirms America’s leadership role within a rules-based international order that works best through empowered citizens, responsible states, and effective regional and international organizations. And it serves as a compass for how this Administration, in partnership with the Congress, will lead the world through a shifting security landscape toward a more durable peace and a new prosperity.."
National securityBeyond Traffic: Trends and Choices 2045
"In the enabling legislation that gave rise to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Secretary
Traffic trends
of Transportation is vested with the responsibility to report on current and future conditions of our transportation system. With the nation’s transportation system experiencing repeated trauma due to inaction in the public sphere, such a report could not come at a more crucial time.
Beyond Traffic : Trends and Choices 2045 has been developed over the course of a year. U.S. DOT assembled a team of internal and external experts to conduct a comprehensive examination of our
nation’s transportation system. This team shared key findings and solicited feedback in six public webinar sessions that drew 1,300 participants. These participants included engineers, researchers,
transportation planners, pilots, truck drivers, transit operators, safety advocates and disability rights advocates, among others..."
Traffic trends
IRS Launches Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers; Online Tool Offers New Option to Help Taxpayer
" The Internal Revenue Service today announced the launch of a new,
online public directory of tax return preparers. This searchable
directory on IRS.gov will help taxpayers find a tax professional with
credentials and select qualifications to help them prepare their tax
returns.
The directory is a searchable, sortable listing featuring: the name, city, state and zip code of attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents and those who have completed the requirements for the voluntary IRS Annual Filing Season Program. All preparers listed also have valid 2015 Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN).
Taxpayers may search the directory using the preferred credentials or qualifications they seek in a preparer, or by a preparer’s location, including professionals who practice abroad. Tax return preparers with PTINs who are not attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents or Annual Filing Season Program participants are not included in the directory, nor are volunteer tax return preparers who offer free services..."
Directory of Federal Tax Preparers
The directory is a searchable, sortable listing featuring: the name, city, state and zip code of attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents and those who have completed the requirements for the voluntary IRS Annual Filing Season Program. All preparers listed also have valid 2015 Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN).
Taxpayers may search the directory using the preferred credentials or qualifications they seek in a preparer, or by a preparer’s location, including professionals who practice abroad. Tax return preparers with PTINs who are not attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents or Annual Filing Season Program participants are not included in the directory, nor are volunteer tax return preparers who offer free services..."
Directory of Federal Tax Preparers
Snapshot of reverse mortgage complaints December 2011 – 2014
"Reverse mortgages are a special type of loan that allows homeowners,
62 and older, to borrow against the accrued equity in their homes.
Reverse mortgages can help some older homeowners meet financial needs,
but they can jeopardize retirement security if not used carefully.
We’ve heard many complaints from consumers who have experienced problems with reverse mortgages. Today we are releasing a report on those complaints.
This Snapshot provides an overview of consumer complaints submitted to the CFPB involving reverse mortgages from December 2011 through December 2014. The most common reverse mortgage complaint is about difficulty with changing the loan terms, and problems communicating with loan servicers..."
Reverse mortgage
We’ve heard many complaints from consumers who have experienced problems with reverse mortgages. Today we are releasing a report on those complaints.
This Snapshot provides an overview of consumer complaints submitted to the CFPB involving reverse mortgages from December 2011 through December 2014. The most common reverse mortgage complaint is about difficulty with changing the loan terms, and problems communicating with loan servicers..."
Reverse mortgage
Congress.gov Offers Users New Alert System
"The free legislative information website Congress.govoffers
users a new optional email-alerts system that makes tracking
legislative action even easier. Users can elect to receive email alerts
for tracking:
- A specific bill in the current Congress: Receive an email when there are updates to a specific bill (new cosponsors, committee action, vote taken, etc.); emails are sent once a day if there has been a change in a particular bill’s status since the previous day.
- A specific member’s legislative activity: Receive an email when a specific member introduces or cosponsors a bill; emails are sent once a day if a member has introduced or cosponsored a bill since the previous day.
- Congressional Record: Receive an email as soon as a new issue of the Congressional Record is available on Congress.gov..."
- Congress.gov
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Measles Cases and Outbreaks
"From January 1 to January 30, 2015, 102 people
from 14 states were reported to have measles*. Most of these cases are
part of a large, ongoing multi-state outbreak linked to an amusement park in California. On January 23, 2015, CDC issued a Health Advisory
to notify public health departments and healthcare facilities about
this multi-state outbreak and to provide guidance for healthcare
providers nationwide. For more information see CDC Press Briefing
Transcript: Measles in the United States, 2015, January 29, 2015.
The
United States experienced a record number of measles cases during 2014,
with 644 cases from 27 states reported to CDC's National Center for
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). This is the greatest
number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000..."
Measles
* CDC will update this data weekly on Mondays.
Measles
Data on Drug Poisoning Deaths
"Recent Trends
- Since 2000, the age-adjusted drug poisoning death rate more than doubled, from 6.2 per 100,000 in 2000 to 13.1 per 100,000 in 2012.
- In 2012, 41,502 deaths were due to drug poisoning; 80 percent of these deaths were unintentional, 13 percent were suicides, and 7 percent were of undetermined intent.
- In 2011, opioid analgesics were involved in 41 percent of drug poisoning deaths (16,917 deaths); in 2012, that decreased to 39 percent (16,007 deaths).
- The age-adjusted rate for deaths involving opioid analgesics more than tripled from 1.5 per 100,000 in 2000 to 5.4 per 100,000 in 2011, then declined to 5.1 per 100,000 in 2012..."
Drug poisoning
NCHS Obesity Data
"More than one-third of U.S. adults (34.9 percent) were obese in
2011-2012. This includes 33.5 percent of men and 36.1 percent of
women. There was no significant change in the prevalence of obesity
among all men or all women between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012.
- The prevalence of obesity among middle aged adults aged 40-59 (39.5 percent) was higher than among younger adults aged 20-39 (30.3 percent) or older adults aged 60 and over (35.4 percent) in 2011-2012.
- The prevalence of obesity in women aged 60 years and older increased between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012.
Obesity
NCHS Data on Arthritis
"Arthritis includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions
affecting joints. The most common types are osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis.
- Arthritis affects more than 1 in 5 adults aged 18 and over.
- Approximately 50 million adults have physician-diagnosed arthritis; an additional 35 million have experienced pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint in the last month.
- Among adults aged 18 and over, arthritis affects a larger percentage of women (25.9%) than men (18.6%). For each age group, women were more likely to report a diagnosis of arthritis than men. Arthritis prevalence increases with age for both men and women..."
- Data on Arthritis
Wage Data by Area and Occupation
Find wage data by occupations for the United States, regions, states, and local metropolitan areas.
wages and occupations
Railroads: old industry still vital in today’s economy
From the January 2015 issue of the Monthly Labor Review comes an article entitled "Railroads: old industry still vital in today's economy..."
Railroad industry
"In the early 20th century, annual revenues of
railroads constituted the largest industry in America. This is no longer
the case, but because of both economic growth and population growth
railroad revenue exceeded $70 billion last year, and railroad employment
rose to approximately 180,000, according the Association of American
Railroads (AAR).
In Tracking the economy: an old industry chugs along (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, EconSouth,
May–August 2014), writer Charles Davidson describes how railroad
companies are adapting to modern technologies and shipping techniques.
Using new technology, the intermodal terminal shipping system—which
transports cargo via multiple modes of transportation such as trains,
trucks, and ships—tracks containers through the use of GPS. There are
dozens of intermodal terminals in the Southeast and hundreds across the
country, with CSX Transportation—one of two major railroads in the
eastern United States—having more than 60.
There are double-container stacked freight trains
more than a mile long crossing the country carrying coal, gas, and every
commodity imaginable. After severe financial difficulties in the 1960s
and 1970s, regulatory reforms helped railroads become more competitive.
In the 1980s railroads were freed from the requirement of providing
service where it didn’t pay. By discarding miles of unprofitable track,
railroads now operate 140,000 miles of track, less than half as much as
in the mid-1960s. Railroads also consolidated from 106 Class I, or
major, companies in 1960 to 7 now. Today, five of those seven companies
generate almost 90 percent of total railroad revenue..."
Railroad industry
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Vital Signs: Disparities in Nonsmokers’ Exposure to Secondhand Smoke — United States, 1999–2012
"Prevalence of SHS exposure in nonsmokers declined from 52.5% during 1999–2000 to 25.3% during 2011–2012.
Second hand smoke
During this period, declines were observed for all population subgroups, but disparities exist. During 2011–2012, SHS was highest among: children aged 3–11 years (40.6%), non-Hispanic blacks (46.8%), persons living below the poverty level (43.2%), and persons living in rental housing (36.8%). Among children aged 3–11 years, 67.9% of non-Hispanic blacks were exposed to SHS compared with 37.2% of non-Hispanic whites and 29.9% of Mexican Americans.
Overall, SHS exposure in the United States has been reduced by half since 1999–2000. However, 58 million persons were still exposed to SHS during 2011–2012, and exposure remains higher among children, non-Hispanic blacks, those living in poverty, and those who rent their housing..."
Second hand smoke
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Japan Country Analysis: 2015
"Japan has a limited domestic energy resources that have met less than 9% of the country's total primary energy use since 2012, compared with about 20% before the removal of nuclear power following the Fukushima plant accident. It is the third largest oil consumer and net importer in the world behind the United states and China. Furthermore, it ranks as the world's largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and second largest importer of coal behind China"....
Japan
Japan
Second Hand Smoke
"Make your home and vehicles smoke free for cleaner air and a healthier heart and lungs.
More than 58 million nonsmokers in the United States are still exposed to secondhand smoke, even though cigarette smoking rates are dropping and many states prohibit smoking in public places such as worksites, restaurants, and bars. In all, about 1 of every 4 nonsmokers is exposed to the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke..."
Second hand smoke
More than 58 million nonsmokers in the United States are still exposed to secondhand smoke, even though cigarette smoking rates are dropping and many states prohibit smoking in public places such as worksites, restaurants, and bars. In all, about 1 of every 4 nonsmokers is exposed to the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke..."
Second hand smoke
Monday, February 2, 2015
The President's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget
Find information on President Obama's 2016 federal budget of the United States as issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
federal_budget
Women and Heart Disease
"Get Informed: Facts on Women and Heart Disease
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing nearly 422,000 each year.
- Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a "man's disease," around the same number of women and men die each year of heart disease in the United States. Following a heart attack, approximately 1 in 4 women will die within the first year, compared to 1 in 5 men.
- Some conditions and lifestyle choices increase a person's chance for heart disease, including diabetes, overweight and obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use.
- Among women, black women are at highest risk of dying early from heart disease and stroke followed by American Indian/Alaska Native, White, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander women.
- High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. Lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol and not
- smoking will reduce your chances for heart disease..."
- Women and Heart Disease
Taking Action to Protect Communities and Reduce the Cost of Future Flood Disasters
"Across the country, extreme weather and other impacts of climate change
are threatening the health, safety, and prosperity of our communities.
This month, NOAA and NASA announced
that 2014 was the hottest global year on record. And as the planet
continues to warm, impacts like rising sea levels, intensified storms,
and heavy downpours are contributing to an increased risk of flooding.
President Obama is committed to ensuring that American communities
thrive in the face of a changing climate. That is why, today, the
President signed an Executive Order establishing a flood standard that
will reduce the risk and cost of future flood disasters by requiring all
Federal investments in and affecting floodplains to meet higher flood
risk standards..."
Floods
Floods
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