Poor Economy Defers Small Idaho Town’s Dream
Unemployment is especially stubborn in rural places. Drawing good jobs to small towns is not easy, and once jobs leave, they’re hard to bring back. In central Idaho, the recession has left one small town, Fairfield, struggling for survival. Not long ago, it was poised for growth, but this summer, unemployment topped 16 percent. A [...]
How Europe’s Troubles Could Become Ours, Too
This week, European leaders will huddle in intense meetings, trying to work out a comprehensive plan to solve crushing debt problems. Higher stakes are hard to imagine. If all goes well at a summit in Brussels, the political leaders will make an announcement Friday, spelling out their long-term commitment to a plan to loosen a [...]
Migrants Say They’re Unwilling Mules For Cartels
Mexican drug cartels have found a new source of labor to backpack marijuana into the United States: illegal immigrants. Federal agents, prosecutors, defense attorneys and migrants themselves say that traffickers have begun recruiting undocumented immigrants at the border, both voluntarily and forcibly. Now, U.S. courts along the border have to decide what to do with [...]
A Look Back: The Beginning Of The War In Iraq
December marks the beginning of the end of the U.S. war in Iraq. The withdrawal has already begun as hundreds of U.S. troops are leaving Iraq every day; military vehicles, personnel and weapons are being shipped out of the country, and by Dec. 31, all U.S. troops will be gone after a conflict that started [...]
Campaign Over, Cain Vows To Go With ‘Plan B’
It wasn’t supposed to end this way for Herman Cain. His improbable run for the GOP presidential nomination should have served to burnish his CEO credentials, sell his books and enhance the fee the Baptist lay minister charges for motivational speeches and appearances. This fall, the simplicity of Cain’s 9-9-9 tax-reform plan propelled him to [...]
5 ‘Lowlights’ Of Herman Cain’s Campaign
He added 9-9-9 to the national lexicon and slipped lyrics from a Pokemon movie into his stump speeches. Now that Herman Cain has suspended his presidential campaign, we look back at just a few of its most memorable — and excruciating — moments: 1. His brain freeze on Libya. His editorial meeting with the Milwaukee [...]
Behind Unemployment Figure, A Nuanced Outlook
The U.S. unemployment rate took a big tumble in November, from 9 percent to 8.6 percent, according to the government’s monthly jobs data. Still, it’s probably too soon pop the champagne corks. A combination of forces caused the big drop, some good and some bad. Getting a big fall in the unemployment rate is always [...]
Gingrich’s Popularity: A Winning Boost?
Newt Gingrich is now the focus of the race to become the GOP presidential nominee — and with that comes the heat. His main opposition, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney went on the attack Friday, but Gingrich insists he’ll stay positive. The big question is whether the former House Speaker can sustain his surge in [...]
White House Decks The Halls In Military Brass
A group of more than 100 volunteers helped decorate the White House this year, covering the mansion in Christmas trees, cookie ornaments and several versions of the Obamas’ dog, Bo. The real stars, however, were the military families who joined the celebration. [Copyright 2011 National Public Radio]
5 Things You May Not Know About Ron Paul
Everybody knows that Ron Paul is a doctor from Texas. Born in Pittsburgh in 1935, he graduated from Gettysburg College and Duke University’s medical school. He was a flight surgeon in the Air Force. His wife’s name is Carol. He has served as a Republican congressman for years and years. And everybody knows that Paul [...]
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