Poverty Dispatch - December 11, 2008

IRP compiles and distributes Poverty Dispatches, links to Web-based news items dealing with poverty, welfare reform, and related topics twice a week. Each Dispatch lists links to current news in popular print media. Persons wishing to receive Poverty Dispatches by e-mail should send a request to irppubs@ssc.wisc.edu.

Today's Topics in the News:

• Census Bureau Release: American Community Survey (ACS)
• ACS: Income, Poverty, and Unemployment
• ACS: Housing and Rents
• ACS: Education
• ACS: Ethnic Diversity
• Unemployment and Joblessness
• Food Assistance Programs and Increasing Need
• State Budgets, Medicaid, and Health Insurance Plans
• Kids Count Report - Texas
• Homelessness and Housing
• Access to Higher Education
• Home Energy Assistance Programs
• Poverty and Welfare Reform - Canada, UK
• Poor Countries, Climate, and Energy
• Zimbabwe Cholera Outbreak
• Prisoner Re-entry Programs

Today's Articles:

Note: All links are external; some links may require a free registration at the host site (e.g., New York Times, Chicago Tribune).
Article links will open in new browser window.

Census Bureau Release: American Community Survey (ACS)

Census Bureau counts on a new approach. Read Article
By Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times. December 8, 2008.
 

Economic troubles reached most of nation's cities long before current financial crisis. Read Article
By Stephen Ohlemacher (Associated Press), Newsday. December 9, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

ACS: Income, Poverty, and Unemployment

Smaller communities lose economic ground. (OHIO) Read Article
By Paula Schleis and David Knox, Akron Beacon Journal. December 9, 2008.
 

Athens, Oxford rank poorly in poverty survey. (OHIO) Read Article
By Dana Wilson and Jim Phillips, Columbus Dispatch. December 10, 2008.
 

Smaller communities in Nebraska and the nation have fared better since 2000. (NEBRASKA) Read Article
By Cindy Gonzalez, Omaha World-Herald. December 9, 2008.
 

Economic data tell tales that conflict. (COLORADO) Read Article
By Jessica Fender, Denver Post. December 9, 2008.
 

Poverty a growing problem. (COLORADO) Read Article
By Douglas Crowl, Loveland Connection. December 9, 2008.
 

Incomes rise in three growth areas, but poverty rate spikes in two towns. (NEW JERSEY) Read Article
By Thomas Barlas, Press of Atlantic City. December 9, 2008.
 

Census: Housing stagnates, poverty rises in Shoals. (ALABAMA) Read Article
By Trevor Stokes, Florence Times Daily. December 9, 2008.
 

More make do with less. (OKLAHOMA) Read Article
By Curtis Killman, Tulsa World. December 9, 2008.
 

Household income on decline in Michigan. (MICHIGAN) Read Article
By Kristi Tanner, Detroit Free Press. December 9, 2008.
 

Census shows midsized suburbs reeling from Michigan crisis. (MICHIGAN) Read Article
By Mike Wilkinson, Detroit News. December 9, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

ACS: Housing and Rents

Rents rising beyond reach. (DELAWARE) Read Article
By Mike Chalmers, Wilmington News Journal. December 9, 2008.
 

Rent makes 40% rise on Coast. (MISSISSIPPI) Read Article
By Melissa M. Scallan, Sun Herald. December 9, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

ACS: Education

Learning gap puts future work force at risk. (CALIFORNIA) Read Article
By Lori Weisberg and Danielle Cervantes, San Diego Union-Tribune. December 9, 2008.
 

Poverty hits home in southern New Jersey classrooms. (NEW JERSEY) Read Article
By Diane D'Amico, Press of Atlantic City. December 11, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

ACS: Ethnic Diversity

In biggest U.S. cities, minorities are at 50%. Read Article
By Sam Roberts, New York Times. December 8, 2008.
 

Census data shows minority increase in small communities. (MINNESOTA) Read Article
By Ambar Espinoza, Minnesota Public Radio. December 8, 2008.
 

Census shows growing diversity in New York City. Read Article
By Sam Roberts, New York Times. December 9, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Unemployment and Joblessness

A tattered safety net for US unemployed. Read Article
By Dan Murphy, Christian Science Monitor. December 11, 2008.
 

States seek jobless funds. Read Article
By John Seewer (Associated Press), Chillicothe Gazette. December 9, 2008.
 

New unemployment claims surge unexpectedly. Read Article
Associated Press, Los Angeles Times. December 11, 2008.
 

S.C. unemployment fund sucked dry. (SOUTH CAROLINA) Read Article
By Molly Parker, Charleston Regional Business Journal. December 8, 2008.
 

Missouri done converting to debit-card unemployment payment system. (MISSOURI) Read Article
By Diane Stafford, Kansas City Star. December 9, 2008.
 

Who pays for unemployed workers? Read Article
By Dennis Conrad (Associated Press), Orlando Sentinel. December 9, 2008.
 

Unemployment: Gray skies over Greensboro. (NORTH CAROLINA) Read Article
By Nanette Byrnes, BusinessWeek. December 10, 2008.
 

The economy sent me to the basement. (Commentary) Read Article
By Dave Schechter, CNN.com. December 5, 2008.
 

Losing jobs in unequal numbers. Read Article
By Robert Gavin, Boston Globe. December 5, 2008.
 

The macho stimulus plan. (Opinion) Read Article
By Randy Albelda, Boston Globe. November 28, 2008.
 

Where are the new jobs for women? (Opinion) Read Article
By Linda Hirshman, New York Times. December 9, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Food Assistance Programs and Increasing Need

In tough times more students feed on free lunches. Read Article
By Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press), Contra Costa Times. December 11, 2008.
 

Use of food stamps rises. (IOWA) Read Article
By Cindy Toopes, Ottumwa Courier. December 9, 2008.
 

Florida swamped by food stamp need. (FLORIDA) Read Article
By Anna Scott, Herald Tribune. December 10, 2008.
 

Cry for food overwhelms charities, state staff. (FLORIDA) Read Article
By Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel. December 10, 2008.
 

New state system eases process as hunger for food stamps grows. (FLORIDA) Read Article
By Jennette Van Dien, Treasure Coast Palm. December 10, 2008.
 

More West Virginians receiving food stamps. (WEST VIRGINIA) Read Article
Charleston Daily Mail. December 10, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

State Budgets, Medicaid, and Health Insurance Plans

Ohio's budget woes could stall Medicaid expansion for kids. (OHIO) Read Article
By Joan Mazzolini, Cleveland Plain Dealer. December 10, 2008.
 

Health care for kids is go, but is money? (OHIO) Read Article
By Catherine Candisky, Columbus Dispatch. December 8, 2008.
 

DHH secretary: State needs to rethink Medicaid formula. (LOUISIANA) Read Article
The News Star. December 11, 2008.
 

State, Medicaid accord seen near. (RHODE ISLAND) Read Article
By Steve Peoples, Providence Journal. December 9, 2008.
 

Crist, critics clash on health plan. (FLORIDA) Read Article
By Josh Hafenbrack and Aaron Deslatte, Orlando Sentinel. December 11, 2008.
 

Florida's low-cost health insurance coverage to start Jan. 5. (FLORIDA) Read Article
By Bob LaMendola and Josh Hafenbrack, South Florida Sun-Sentinel. December 11, 2008.
 

Plan provides low-cost health coverage to state's uninsured. (FLORIDA) Read Article
By Jim Saunders, News-Journal. December 11, 2008.
 

50 states, 50 holes. (Editorial) Read Article
Editorial, St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 7, 2008.
 

Medicine for the job market. (Opinion) Read Article
By Jonathan Gruber, New York Times. December 4, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Kids Count Report - Texas

Poverty hurts performance of kids in school. (TEXAS) Read Article
By Brandi Grissom, El Paso Times. December 11, 2008.
 

Kids Count report. (TEXAS) Read Article
Temple Daily Telegram. December 11, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Homelessness and Housing

Homeless: Rising tide, nowhere to go. (MINNEAPOLIS, MN) Read Article
By Randy Furst, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune. December 8, 2008.
 

Federal mandate requiring school districts to assist homeless students benefits families, but strains budgets. (FLINT, MI) Read Article
By Kristin Longley, Flint Journal. December 8, 2008.
 

Homeless turn foreclosures into shelters. (MIAMI, FL) Read Article
By Rick Jervis, USA Today. December 10, 2008.
 

Upgrading from a cardboard box for the homeless. Read Article
By Martha Groves, Los Angeles Times. December 10, 2008.
 

You can become homeless in L.A. even if you pay your rent on time every month. (Commentary) Read Article
By Kay Ebeling, Los Angeles Examiner. December 8, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Access to Higher Education

College-eligible students rising amid crunch. (CALIFORNIA) Read Article
By James P. Sweeney, San Diego Union-Tribune. December 10, 2008.
 

Gates Foundation to study 'cash for grades.' Read Article
By Gale Holland, Los Angeles Times. December 9, 2008.
 

Gates grants aim to help low-income students finish college. Read Article
By Sara Rimer, New York Times. December 8, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Home Energy Assistance Programs

Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund needs more donors to help others pay heating bills. (WISCONSIN) Read Article
By Pat Schneider, Capital Times. December 10, 2008.
 

Energy assistance program brimming. (WASHINGTON) Read Article
By Rebecca Nappi, Spokane Spokesman-Review. December 9, 2008.
 

Arizonans get more money to help pay utility bills. (ARIZONA) Read Article
By Dianna M. Náñez, Arizona Republic. December 11, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Poverty and Welfare Reform - Canada, UK

Hardship of welfare getting harder. (CANADA) Read Article
By Laurie Monsebraaten, Toronto Star. December 10, 2008.
 

Welfare incomes fail to meet basic needs: Report. (CANADA) Read Article
By Clint Thomas (Canadian Press), Winnipeg Sun. December 10, 2008.
 

Uniform poverty measure urged. (CANADA) Read Article
By Jamie Komarnicki, Calgary Herald. December 11, 2008.
 

Something for something. (UNITED KINGDOM) Read Article
The Economist. December 11, 2008.
 

Labour to tighten rules on benefits. (UNITED KINGDOM) Read Article
By Patrick Wintour, The Guardian. December 11, 2008.
 

Recession will not stop welfare reform, vows minister. (UNITED KINGDOM) Read Article
By Philip Webster, The Times. December 10, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Poor Countries, Climate, and Energy

Poor countries 'need carbon cuts.' Read Article
By Richard Black, BBC News. December 9, 2008.
 

The petroleum and poverty paradox. (Commentary) Read Article
By Dick Lugar, Christian Science Monitor. December 11, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Zimbabwe Cholera Outbreak

Cholera is raging, despite denial by Mugabe. (ZIMBABWE) Read Article
By Celia W. Duggar, New York Times. December 11, 2008.
 

Zimbabwe president says cholera outbreak is over. (ZIMBABWE) Read Article
By Karin Brulliard, Washington Post. December 11, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Prisoner Re-entry Programs

Monitoring ex-cons closely helps keep them out of jail. (NEW JERSEY) Read Article
By Matthew Reilly, Star-Ledger. December 11, 2008.
 

U.S. struggles to integrate inmates as prison ends. (Column) Read Article
By Rubén Rosario, Pioneer Press. December 10, 2008.
 

Employers find former inmates can fill jobs . (RHODE ISLAND) Read Article
By Mary Lhowe, Providence Business News. December 8, 2008.
 

Return to top of page
 

Note: All links are external; some links may require a free registration at the host site (e.g., New York Times, Chicago Tribune).