Today's Top Story

May 30, 2008

Report on Climate Change "Eye-Opening"  (May 30)

The federal government wanted to find out the impact that global warming was having on the United States.  Thirteen federal agencies came together to sponsor a study for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program.  Thirty-eight scientists were involved in the study. (Full Story and Blog)

 

ELECTION 2008 NEWS

 

Another Split Decision for Obama and Clinton (May 22)

 

For Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the finish line for the Democratic nomination for president is in sight.  On Tuesday, the two candidates split victories again.  Mr. Obama won in Oregon 59 to 41 percent and Mrs. Clinton took Kentucky 65 to 30 percent. (Full Story and Blog)

 

Obama Wins North Carolina; Clinton Wins Indiana (May 7)

 

Yesterday was the last big day in the Democratic race for the presidential nomination and both candidates came up winners.  Barack Obama won the North Carolina primary by a margin of 56.2 percent to 41.5 percent. Hillary Clinton won in Indiana by a narrow margin of 50.9 percent to 49.1 percent. (Full Story and Blog)

 

Obama Beats Clinton in Guam by 7 Votes (May 5)

 

You have probably heard someone say that the reason you should always vote is that “every vote counts.”  On Saturday, that saying was never truer.  In Guam Barack Obama defeated Hillary Clinton by only seven votes, 2,264 to 2,257. (Full Story and Blog)

  

NATIONAL NEWS

Gas Prices Soar: Americans Drive Less (May 28)

Did you stay home Memorial Day weekend?  Are you planning to travel this summer?  For many Americans travel plans are on hold and the reason is simple—gas prices. (Full Story and Blog)

Too Good to Play in the League (May 27)

When is a player too good for the competition?  In Oregon, a 6’ 1” 12 year-old is averaging 30 points and can hit three point jump shots with ease.  In fact, Jaime Nared is so good that the league has banned her from competition. (Full Story and Blog)

Should the Bible be Studied in Public Schools?

A Harris poll in April found that the Bible was the favorite book of all American adults no matter what gender, ethnic group, geographical area or education level.  So, should the Bible be studied in school? (Full Story and Blog)

Should Polar Bears Be on the Endangered List?

May 15 is a big day for polar bears.  A federal judge in Oakland has ordered the federal government to decide on May 15 if the polar bear should be placed on the endangered species list. (Full Story and Blog)

Student Suspended for Pledge of Allegiance (May 13)

Bishop Edens is a 14 year-old student at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Junior High School in Dilworth, Minnesota.  Bishop was suspended from school on Friday because he would not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.  (Full Story and Blog)

U.S. Finishes Last in Environmental Study (May 12)

How green is your lifestyle? One thousand people in 14 different countries were asked 100 questions on their lifestyle and consumer choices as part of a National Geographic Society study.  The countries received a “greendex” rating as a result of the responses. (Full Story and Blog)

Pennies, Nickels Cost More Than They're Worth (May 8)

The economy continues to be one of the biggest issues for all Americans, but now it seems that even pennies and nickels are causing us trouble.  (Full Story and Blog)

First-Borns Get 3,000 Hours More Attention (May 6)

Do you think that your birth order in the family has anything to do with how you are treated and how well you do in life?  A new study out of Brigham Young University found that first-born children get more education, make more money, and score higher on IQ tests than other children in the same family. (Full Story and Blog)

Survey: Teens Who Blog Write More (May 2)

A couple of days ago this blog reported on a study conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Institute.  The headline of that story was that most students are using informal writing in their school work, but there was another important finding. (Full Story and Blog)

Florida Considers Religious License Plates (May 1)

If you are one of those people who looks at license plates when you are in the car, you have probably seen all kinds of vanity plates that tell something about the driver.  Some plates have names, organizations, or favorite teams.  The purpose is obvious; the plate is supposed to tell anyone who sees it what the owner of the car cares about. (Full Story and Blog)

WORLD NEWS

France Child Obesity Rates Leveling Off (May 16)

 

Childhood obesity is a problem in Europe just as it’s a problem in the United States.  In 2007, it is estimated that three million Europeans were obese with 85,000 more children becoming obese every year.  But, the big news yesterday was that the childhood obesity problem in France is leveling off. (Full Story and Blog)

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Japan Worried About Kids' Cell Phone Use (May 29)

Are elementary and middle school students addicted to Internet-linking cell phones?  Japanese government officials think that is the case in their country, and they have made several recommendations to safeguard Japanese children. (Full Story and Blog)

Is Global Warming Making Hurricanes Worse? (May 20)

Have you noticed how stories about violent weather seem to be in the news every day?  Why are we getting so much violent weather?  Why do our hurricanes seem worse than in the past?  Ever since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many climate experts have blamed global warming for the severe weather conditions. (Full Story and Blog)

Was There Ever Life on Mars? (May 19)

Was there ever life on Mars?  That’s a question scientists have debated for centuries and they are hoping that the Phoenix will bring back the answer. (Full Story and Blog)

Platypus Helps Scientists Understand Past (May 9)

Glennie is a female duck-billed platypus that lives in New South Wales, Australia.  She was the subject of a research project that included scientists from the United States, Australia, England, Germany, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and Spain. (Full Story and Blog)

HEALTH NEWS

Peanuts and Bullies Do Not Mix (Apr 18)

Sarah VanEssendelft is a 14 year-old middle school student in Mastic, New York.  Sarah suffers from a serious peanut allergy, a condition that she has had since she was a young child.  Many of the girls and boys in her class have known about her allergy since elementary school. (Full Story and Blog)

LIFE IN AMERICA

When is a Zero Really a 50? (May 21)

 

Here’s a math problem for you to solve.  In 7th grade math class John gets a score of 70 on his first three math quizzes but on the fourth quiz, he gets a zero. What grade should John get?  If you answered an F because he has an average of 52.5, you would be right in some schools.  But, in other schools John would get a D because he has an average of 65. (Full Story and Blog)

 

Do the Arts Make You a Better Student? (Mar 11)

 

Do the arts make people smarter or do smarter people spend more time with the arts?  For years scientists, psychologists and educators have researched this question. (Full Story and Blog)