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Poverty commentary. Fighting poverty - not each other (Cal Thomas, Bob Beckel, USA Today) "Two men of faith - a conservative former Bush speechwriter and a liberal Christian activist - team up to help the poor in America. Cal and Bob applaud their detailed plan that puts people ahead of politics."
Foreclosure aid. U.S. Sets Big Incentives to Head Off Foreclosures "The Obama administration on Wednesday began the most ambitious effort since the 1930s to help troubled homeowners, offering lenders and borrowers big incentives and subsidies to try to stem the wave of foreclosures." U.S. Launches Wide-Ranging Plan to Steady Housing Market "The Obama administration today released guidelines of its massive foreclosure prevention program and it includes a refinancing program for homeowners with little equity in their homes." Obama lends a little help to homeowners who face foreclosure "The Obama administration on Wednesday detailed its ambitious $275 billion plan to halt soaring foreclosures nationwide, outlining the financial incentives it's offering investors, lenders and their bill collectors to lure them into modifying distressed mortgages to keep Americans in their homes."
Charities. Charities Say Government Is Ignoring Them in Crisis "Like many for-profit companies, charities are seeking help from the government, and they are upset that policy makers do not understand how much the recession has hurt them."
Police cuts. Cities cutting police work "Deep budget cuts are forcing urban police departments to wipe out gang units, trim detectives from investigation teams, pull back on community outreach, and eliminate specialized patrols, as cities pare back to the most basic form of police work: putting uniformed officers in cruisers for patrol and 911 response." Budget cuts mean fewer eyes on streets "But with its funding from the city cut by more than 60 percent in the latest budget, the Crime Patrol will have fewer members on the street starting in April."
Vets brain injuries. 360,000 vets may have had brain injuries "Pentagon officials estimated for the first time Wednesday that up to 360,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may have suffered brain injuries."
Hispanic school children. Hispanic growth in school enrollment points to rapid U.S. diversification, surge in population "Roughly one-fourth of the nation's kindergartners are Hispanic, evidence of an accelerating trend that now will see minority children become the majority by 2023."
Same-sex marriage suit. California Court to Weigh Gay Marriage Ban "Under intense pressure from both sides in the debate over same-sex marriage, the California Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday on the ballot initiative passed by voters last November that outlawed such unions." Gay marriage advocates aim to make presence known as Calif. court hears Prop. 8 challenges "Same-sex marriage advocates are pinning their hopes on California's highest court as it prepares to hear arguments on a trio of lawsuits seeking to overturn the state's voter-approved ban on gay unions."
L.A. Mayor re-elected. Villaraigosa reelected "Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa secured a second four-year term in Tuesday's election
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