Test your knowledge of economic issues with KQED's You Decide quizzes.
With an economy larger than most countries in the world, how can the state of California be in so much financial trouble? NPR is taking an in-depth look at how the Golden State went broke, and what’s being done to dig out with a series called California in Crisis.
San Francisco’s KQED has a collection of economic coverage that tracks the California situation, including reports on how small businesses are coping and whether the downturn is actually creating opportunity for the state’s tech hubs in Silicon Valley.
And NewsHour talked to Patchwork Nation’s Dante Chinni about the foreclosures in monied burbs — a key community in struggling California.
Listen to the interview here: Foreclosures in Monied Burbs? and read the full report.
It may be summer vacation for students, but public schools around the country are in the headlines, as they are usually among the first to feel the impact of budget cuts. Already strapped for cash, some are coming up with new ideas to make the most of what they have, both in terms of staff and resources.
In Oakland, California, budget cuts have bred creativity – as well as several species of creatures. Cultivating their own insects and small animals like crayfish for science projects, rather than buying them from suppliers, has saved the district over $200,000.
Youth Radio reports on this unique approach.
In Seattle, teachers are seeing cutbacks beyond classroom resources as layoffs loom. Teacher seniority is the traditional way that layoffs are conducted in the school system. KPLU reports on a group of teachers that is pushing for a merit-based system that retains the best – rather than those who’ve been there longest. But the idea is facing criticism from both the union and the school system.
It’s not just elementary and high school education that are at risk due to the economic downturn. Students have faced increased costs at universities, among them the University of California system. This week, KQED’s California Report spoke with UC President Mark Yudof.
“The budget leaves us hurting badly…it leaves us somewhat less competitive for faculty and staff.”
Listen to The California Report interview with Yudof.
If you’re finding the healthcare debate hard to keep up with, you’re not alone. Here are some helpful recent stories to start making sense of it all:
Capitol News Connection talks to Brooks Jackson of FactCheck.org to separate fact from fiction in the healthcare legislation and explains what impact the debate will have on the economy.
KQED’s Forum weighs the current healthcare legislation options with experts Alain Enthoven, professor emeritus of public and private management at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, Richard Scheffler, distinguished professor of health economics and public policy at UC Berkeley, and Victoria Colliver, health care reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle.
NewsHour’s Paul Solman answers a tough question from a viewer about why medical costs vary from state to state.
Where are you getting your news about the healthcare crisis?
Chicago holiday train/Credit: Flickr user Morydd
The holiday season is off to a rocky start, as many families have less money for gifts and travel. But things are starting to look up in some parts of the country, and even hard-hit areas are taking a glass-half-full approach to the new year.
At WEKU in Kentucky, Charles Compton reports that maybe we’ve had Scrooge wrong all these years. While he wasn’t happy, he might not have been as miserly and mean as meets the eye.
“Citing research done by the Ghost of Christmas Past, psychologist Susan Mathews concludes Ebenezer Scrooge was in pain.
“The longer that I work with people and the more I encounter people who have had life struggles or who are currently in pain, the more I realize that people tend to do the things they do for a reason,” she said. “I find that life experiences absolutely shape our actions, whatever they may be.”
If you’re feeling Scrooge-like and want some inspiration to get out of the funk, a new Michigan Public Radio project hosted by Jennifer White has a collection of stories about how Americans are dealing with the recession.
In Ohio, one church is having a Blue Christmas, offering a place for its community members who are feeling down this year, WYSO reports.
“Collins says that the holidays can bring up memories of those that have passed away. Also, families are facing more financial hardships than in years past.
“The thing about Christmas or any holiday, it kind of brings up all of those losses and hurts and anxieties. If you’re going to hurt, that’s the time you’re going to feel that pain,” says Collins.
Collins felt that Blue Christmas was a way to help people share their grief. During the service, each person is asked to light a candle to commemorate a loss. He says all of the lit candles act as a visual reminder for people, so they’ll know they’re not alone.”
Things are looking slightly better in California, one of the hardest hit job markets in the country, where there was some good holiday news today. KQED reported that the economy will be slowly lifting out of recession, according to a forecast from Beacon Economics.
And to start off your weekend on a holiday note, NPR Music has compiled its annual list of holiday music. Enjoy!
From Twitter NPR: Economy Nightly Business Report Marketplace Business Desk WNYC: Economy Economy Story: Featured VideosReporters and producers from around the country are attending "economy bootcamps" to understand the current downturn.
A map of the nation that aggregates data-rich content on the economy.
Find timely economy-related public radio content from local stations, independent producers, and news sources.
Resources to help young people understand and navigate the changing economy.
Allows citizens to provide the questions that journalists ask lawmakers.
Get a global perspective on the economy with podcasts and resources for understanding the impact of the recession.
