Archive for the ‘National News’ Category

Labor Department Releases More Green Jobs Training Grants

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Labor Department Releases More Green Jobs Training Grants

More than three dozen organizations – including several community colleges and youth-serving agencies – will split $150 million in “green jobs” grants released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The grants – dubbed Pathways out of Poverty grants and part of a larger, $500 million green jobs initiative under the Recovery Act – are meant to help disadvantaged communities “gain access to the good, safe and prosperous jobs of the 21st century green economy,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said in a statement announcing the grants.

The labor secretary said green jobs offer “tremendous opportunities” for those who are prepared to work them.

That’s where youth-serving agencies and organizations such as CNY Works Inc. – one of 38 organizations to be awarded the grants – come in. (more…)

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr. has now been dead longer than he lived. But what an extraordinary life it was.

At 33, he was pressing the case of civil rights with President John Kennedy. At 34, he galvanized the nation with his “I Have a Dream” speech. At 35, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. At 39, he was assassinated, but he left a legacy of hope and inspiration that continues today.

This Web site, first created by The Seattle Times in 1996, contains the story of a remarkable man, images of a tumultuous time, and perspectives of politicians, academics, students and the many, ordinary citizens whose lives he touched. We invite you to explore it.

West Attends Crime Prevention Conference in New York

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

New York CityMeaghan West and Julian House of M. H. West & Co., Inc. attended the National Network for Safe Communities‘ 1st Annual Conference in New York City. The conference attracted more than 300 people from 24 states and 5 different countries. David Kennedy, Director of the Center for Crime Prevention and Control at John Jay College of Criminal Justice discussed his work to combat drug markets. He focused on the success of the High Point Intervention, an innovative program that is now being replicated in at least 25 cities including: Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Baltimore, San Francisco, Washington DC and Pittsburgh.

The conference brought together jurisdictions from around the country that are currently implementing the gang violence and/or the drug market strategy. The participating groups shared best practices and addressed common issues such as; providing a supportive community of practice for new jurisdictions and working to make these strategies standard practice across the United States.

Some of the best minds of the criminal justice system and youth welfare were at the conference. Innovative programs like David Kennedy’s Ceasefire, provided a sense of optimism to conference participants that crime reduction was possible when a solid plan is implemented.

50 Most Powerful Women in Business

Friday, September 11th, 2009

FORTUNE’s Annual Ranking of America’s Leading Businesswomen

50 Most Powerful Women

Perhaps the only thing more challenging than the business environment this year was the criteria for making the list, which, with eight newcomers, was the most competitive yet.
View The Full List

Study: Older Americans Staying Put in Jobs Longer

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Older Americans will make up virtually all of the growth in the U.S. work force in the coming years as a nearly unprecedented number hold onto jobs and younger people decide to stay in school.

The study by the Pew Research Center, an independent research group, highlights a rapidly graying labor market due to longer life spans, an aging baby boomer population and a souring economy that has made it harder to retire.

Pew’s survey and analysis of government data, found the share of Americans ages 55 and older who have or were seeking a job rose to 40 percent this year, the highest level since 1961. In contrast, people 16 to 24 who were active in the labor market decreased to 57 percent, down from 66 percent in 2000. (more…)

Unemployment Rises to 9.7 Percent; 216,000 Jobs Lost in August

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Searching for Employment on ComputerThe job market continued its long, steep decline in August, with the jobless rate soaring to 9.7 percent and employers continuing to shed jobs, albeit at a slower rate than expected.

Analysts generally believe that economic output began rising by late summer. But new Labor Department data released Friday morning shows that that improvement isn’t yet flowing through to the job market, as employers remain highly reluctant to add staff.

The rise in the unemployment rate rose to 9.7 percent in August, from 9.4 percent in July, resumed a steep upward path that has been only rarely interrupted since the recession began in December 2007. Employers shed 216,000 net jobs, significantly better than the revised 276,000 jobs lost in July and less than the 230,000 decline that forecasters expected. (more…)

Sotomayor Sworn As First Hispanic on Supreme Court

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Sotomayor ConfirmationWASHINGTON (Reuters) – Judge Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in on Saturday as the first Hispanic associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

With her left hand on a Bible held by her mother, Sotomayor swore to “administer justice without respect to persons and do equal right to the poor and to the rich.”

The oath was administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, who read the text from a piece of paper.

It was the second swearing-in of the day for Sotomayor, whose rise from an impoverished childhood in New York City to become only the third woman to serve on the high court was a key narrative of her confirmation hearings in Congress. (more…)

Fed Says Economy Is Leveling Out

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Fed Says Economy Is Leveling OutWASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday the U.S. economy was showing signs of leveling out two years after the onset of the deepest financial crisis in decades and it moved to phase out one emergency measure.

The U.S. central bank also kept its benchmark short-term interest rate steady near zero and said it would likely stay there for an extended period to guide the way to recovery.

The Fed made its clearest statement to date that it sees the recession nearing an end and that shattered financial markets are healing. (more…)

New to Elementary Lesson Plans: Gang Prevention

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Chesapeake Expands Gang Prevention Education to Elementary SchoolsHigh schoolers in Chesapeake are referred to guidance counselors. Middle schoolers get the lesson in health class: how to spot gangs, what gangs do, and how to stay away. Now Chesapeake wants to extend these lessons to elementary school students, and eventually even kindergartners. Starting this fall, students in grades three to five will have gang prevention and awareness classes. (more…)

OSHA Offers Tips on Working Safely in Hot Weather

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Those hot, hazy days of summer are here. The heat especially can be harmful for those who work outdoors in direct sunlight or in hot environments, making them susceptible to heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress, heat exhaustion or the more serious heat stroke.

“Working in extreme temperatures is not only uncomfortable, it can be life-threatening,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. “As we move into the summer months, it is important for workers and their employers to minimize the chances of heat-induced illnesses, and imperative that they recognize the signs of heat stress and take proper precautions to reduce the chances of illness or death.” (more…)

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