CHICAGO REPLACES CINCINNATI AS ORKIN’S NUMBER ONE BED BUG CITY

03/08/2014

Bed bug business up more than 32 percent nationwide

Pest control leader Orkin today announced its top 50 bed bug cities for 2012. Last year, Orkin’s parent company, Rollins, which operates eight pest control brands nationwide, saw a nearly 33 percent increase in bed bug business compared to 2011. The following cities are ranked in order of the number of bed bug treatments Orkin performed from January to December 2012 along with their shift, if any, in ranking compared to January to December 2011.

1. Chicago (+1)
2. Detroit (+1)
3. Los Angeles (+2)
4. Denver
5. Cincinnati (-4)
6. Columbus, Ohio
7. Washington, D.C. (+1)
8. Cleveland/Akron/Canton (+5)
9. Dallas/Ft. Worth (-2)
10. New York (-1)
11. Dayton, Ohio (+4)
12. Richmond/Petersburg, Va. (-2)
13. Seattle/Tacoma (+14)
14. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose (-2)
15. Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville, N.C. (+4)
16. Indianapolis (+15)
17. Omaha, Neb. (+11)
18. Houston (-7)
19. Milwaukee (+13)
20. Baltimore (-2)
21. Syracuse, N.Y. (+2)
22. Boston (-8)
23. Colorado Springs/Pueblo, Colo. (+2)
24. Lexington, Ky. (-2)
25. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (-1)
26. Hartford/New Haven, Conn. (+10)
27. Knoxville, Tenn. (+11)
28. Buffalo, N.Y. (+1)
29. Atlanta (-8)
30. Louisville, Ky. (+5)
31. Charleston/Huntington, W. Va. (+18)
32. San Diego, Calif. (-6)
33. Cedar Rapids/Waterloo, Iowa (+12)
34. Minneapolis/St. Paul (+12)
35. Phoenix (-1)
36. Pittsburgh (-6)
37. Honolulu (-19)
38. Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo, Mich. (+1)
39. Grand Junction/Montrose, Colo. (-1)
40. Nashville, Tenn.
41. Lincoln/Hastings/Kearney, Neb. (+7)
42. Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y. (+2)
43. Charlotte (-10)
44. Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.
45. Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, Calif. (-4)
46. Las Vegas (-30)
47. Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville, S.C.
48. Champaign/Springfield, Ill.
49. Portland, Or.
50. Sioux City, Iowa

Seattle/Tacoma jumped 14 spots in 2012. Other cities making significant jumps include Indianapolis, Omaha, Milwaukee, Hartford/New Haven, Knoxville, Charleston/Huntington, Cedar Rapids/Waterloo and Minneapolis. Atlanta, Honolulu, Charlotte and Las Vegas all dropped significantly. The Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. area was not on Orkin’s top 50 bed bug cities list last year, and neither were Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville, Champaign/Springfield, Portland or Sioux City. Philadelphia; Des Moines/Ames, Iowa; Salisbury, Md.; Salt Lake City and West Palm Beach/Ft. Pierce, Fla., were on the 2011 list, but are no longer in the 2012 top 50 bed bug cities.

“This list shows that bed bugs continue to be a problem throughout the U.S.,” said Orkin entomologist and Technical Services Director Ron Harrison, Ph.D. “Based on the diversity of cities on the list, we all need to be very cautious when we travel — whether it is business or pleasure, or to visit family, friends or vacation. We need to be vigilant wherever we are and take the proper precautions.”

Sanitation is not a factor when it comes to the development of the tiny bloodsuckers. Other common misconceptions are that they can only be found in bedrooms, when, in fact, in your home they can be found in kitchens and bathrooms. Not only are residential homes a potential risk, but they can also be found in hospitals, movie theaters, planes and gyms. People may believe bed bugs transmit diseases, but according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, bed bugs can carry more than 30 different human pathogens, but there is no evidence that bed bugs can transmit diseases.

New research from the University of Minnesota has also suggested bed bugs are attracted to dirty clothes, so keep them in a sealed bag or container when you travel.

Bed bugs can multiply quickly, so early detection is critical to preventing a larger infestation. And since infestations can be difficult to control, Orkin advises vigilance.

“Education and prevention are key,” said Dr. Harrison. “Inspect your bedroom regularly, and be cautious when traveling. Adult bed bugs resemble apple seeds in size and color, while newly-hatched babies can be about the size of a pinhead and pale in color. Check mattress seams, sheets and furniture, behind baseboards, electrical outlet plates and picture frames.”

Finally, while you may want to take on a bed bug infestation yourself, it is a complicated process and not recommended for do-it-yourselfers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Pest Management Association advise you hire a pest control company that has a great deal of experience treating bed bug infestations to treat your home for a bed bug problem.

source

Tax Funded Education News: Parma High substitute teacher and students charged in attack on developmentally challenged teen

03/08/2014


PARMA, OH - A substitute teacher accused of allowing a developmentally challenged teen to be bullied in gym class will be arraigned on March 19.

Gregg Mellinger is charged with endangering children. Five students in the class also face charges of assault and disorderly conduct.

The incident happened at Parma Senior High School on Feb. 28. According to police, a 14 year-old boy repeatedly threw a volleyball at the victim from close range, striking him on the head.

Enough force was used that the victim eventually fell to the floor.

A 13-year-old girl was seen laughing and encouraging the bullying and assault on the victim. The disoriented victim staggered back to his feet, at which point the girl kicked him in the groin, causing him to fall to the floor again.

Mellinger walked over to the victim, who was still lying on the floor. He then dispersed the group of students, who had gathered around to watch, before walking over to another corner of the gym to continue instructing class while the victim was still face down on the floor.

The teacher remained in the gym while another pair of students approached the victim and began sliding into the victim as he was still lying on the floor. A 14-year-old boy also dragged the victim face down by his feet across the gym floor. A 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy squatted over the victim and simulated lewd acts near the victim's head while he lay motionless on the gym floor.

The victim's family told Reporter Brian Duffy they have no comment, but at some point, will speak out about the allegations.

STATEMENT FROM PARMA SCHOOLS:

There was an incident in a Physical Education class being conducted by a substitute teacher at one of our schools. The substitute was not a district employee and the private company that provides substitutes for the District was immediately notified to ensure that the individual cannot return to the Parma City School District.  

Upon learning of the incident, school officials immediately notified the Parma Police Department and fully cooperated with their investigation. After the investigation, the Parma Police Department has indicated that it arrested five juveniles and one adult (who is not a District employee).

In addition to any potential legal consequences from the Police Department, the District is conducting its own school investigation and will take any necessary steps consistent with district policy. This type of conduct is unacceptable and our district remains committed to ensuring that all of our students are provided a safe learning environment. We will continue cooperating with the proper authorities in this matter.​

source

The Uninsured Like Obamacare Less and Less

03/08/2014

By Peter Suderman - One of the most interesting public opinion phenomenons of the last several months has been the rapid shift against the president's health care law amongst the people it was supposed to help the most—the uninsured. Unfavorable views of Obamacare continued to rise amongst those who lack insurance this month, according to the latest health tracking poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Shortly after the law passed in 2010, a 57 percent majority of the uninsured said they approved of Obamacare. And views of the law were divided fairly evenly as late as last fall. But since the rollout of the exchanges began last October views have become far less favorable amongst those without coverage. The Kaiser poll now finds that amongst the non-elderly uninsured, 54 percent say they do not approve of the health law while only 22 percent say they favor it, a split of 34 points.

Kaiser Family Foundation

source

News Behind the News - Global Gun Rights Battle

03/08/2014

News Behind the News - Global Gun Rights Battle

  

















source

W Va: Country Roads now official state song

03/08/2014

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s likely the only song which every resident of the state knows the words. It’s played in honky tonks and hip hop bars with equal appreciation. The song “Take Me Home Country Roads” by John Denver has long been considered the unofficial anthem of West Virginia. Friday, it became official. Lawmakers passed House Resolution 40 which declares Country Roads the fourth official state song of West Virginia.

The idea was first suggested by Dreama Denver who lives in Mercer County. Dreama is the wife of the late actor Bob Denver who was the star of Gilligan’s Island. Speaking on the MetroNews Morning News Friday, Dreama said the idea started when she played the song on her morning radio show and a caller asked if it was the official state song.

“I told them I didn’t think so, so I Googled it and of course it was not,” she said. “The idea was born then. It should be. Let’s make it so.”

Dreama, who incidentally is no relation to singer John Denver, called on her local Del. Marty Gearheart for assistance. He agreed to sponsor the resolution, which they hoped pass last year during the state’s Sesquicentennial. It passed the House of Delegates but didn’t’ pass the Senate.

“I told them, fine I’ll be back every year until it does pass.”  Dreama said.

A year later, Dreama joined Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in celebrating “Take Me Home Country Roads” as the fourth official state song. The others are “The West Virginia Hills,” “West Virginia My Home Sweet Home,” and “This is My West Virginia.”

“Take Me Home Country Roads” was written as a collaboration by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff. The tune is recognized worldwide.

source

Of Utmost Importance: State lawmaker proposes bill to ban orca shows. Meanwhile California drowns

03/08/2014

LOS ANGELES — State Assemblyman Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, Calif., introduced a bill Friday that would ban killer whales at theme parks.

source

SHOCKER: Affordable Care Act could challenge NC budget

03/08/2014

Just state agencies though. Right?

RALEIGH, N.C. — State agencies are trying to determine how best to meet the Affordable Care Act mandate to begin providing health coverage to all employees who work 30 hours or more each week without breaking their budgets.

According to state records, about 8,350 non-permanent employees in state government meet the threshold for coverage but don't qualify for the State Health Plan, meaning North Carolina would have to pay for some sort of health insurance for them under the federal health care law.

With a $5,400 average cost state employee health insurance, that would bring the potential cost to the state to about $45 million.

"It's one reason we're asking every department that reports to me and every department throughout the state to give us several scenarios because we don't know the (budget) forecast, primarily because of the health care act," Gov. Pat McCrory said.

Agencies could curtail work hours to move employees under the 30-hour weekly trigger for health coverage, officials said.

"Large employers of all types are having these conversations," said Don Taylor, an associate professor of public policy at Duke University.

The University of North Carolina system is forecasting an even larger budget hit from the health care law, at more than $46 million.

Under the law, businesses with more than 100 employees must offer coverage to 70 percent of their full-time employees in 2015 and 95 percent in 2016. Employers have to certify that they didn't lay anyone off to avoid providing coverage.

Taylor said managers must first determine how many of the non-permanent employees may be on their spouses' insurance, which could lessen the impact.

Cutting back on work schedules could hurt both workers and customer service, he said.

"It's not so simple just to say you're never going to be able to work more than 29 hours a week because somebody's got to be working," he said.

Large businesses have to pay an Employer Shared Responsibility penalty of $2,000 per uninsured employee after the first 30 employees, as well as a fee for employees who receive a subsidy through the online health exchanges.

Taylor said he thinks President Barack Obama's administration will eventually compromise on the penalty to lessen the burden of the law.

"I think the discussion is important, but I suspect the big sword hanging over everyone's head doesn't ever drop," he said.

source

"Illaffordable Healthcare Action Update: National expert tells Pittsburgh providers to expect a cost crisis in cancer care

03/08/2014

Employers and health care providers must overhaul how they prevent and fight cancer to head off an expensive crisis in treating the disease, a top national health adviser said Friday.

“The trick here is not simply to cut costs. It's cutting costs intelligently — reducing costs without impairing quality,” said Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg, president of the Institute of Medicine, speaking to a private Downtown gathering hosted by insurer Highmark Inc.

The price for treating all cancer cases in the United States could climb 39 percent this decade, a staggering trend that could burden patients, families and the medical system unless health leaders rethink their practices, Fineberg said.

A fast-growing elderly population, more costly treatments and a shrunken oncology workforce could exacerbate the cancer problem, according to analysts at the institute. Part of the United States National Academies in Washington, the nonprofit group warned in September that the incidence of cancer could jump 45 percent to 2.3 million new diagnoses annually by 2030.

Several challenges could emerge within that boom, the institute wrote in a report. Too few qualified workers might be available to care for patients, whose increasingly complex treatment decisions are often not based on the best information available, analysts found.

Meanwhile, Fineberg said a quarter of cancer patients surveyed believed clinicians did not share relevant details with others involved in their care. He argued the medical system and employers can do more to prevent the disease, saying the country lags other developed nations in investing in prevention.

Highmark CEO Dr. William Winkenwerder built on Fineberg's visit to ask other local employers to help prevent cancer, including through employee wellness programs. The company's Allegheny Health Network is using findings by the national group as “essentially our playbook” at its own Cancer Institute, said institute Chairman Dr. David Parda.

“The patient has all the answers. We just need to listen better,” Parda said.

Fineberg was the keynote speaker as the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a national executive group, honored Highmark with Gold Standard accreditation. The award recognizes Highmark for encouraging its employees to reduce their cancer risk.

UPMC shares the worries the Institute of Medicine aired, said Dr. Peter Ellis, a deputy director at UPMC CancerCenter.

He said UPMC developed multimillion-dollar methods to identify the most cost-effective therapies to treat cancer and other ailments.

“There are some costs we can't avoid because there are genuine improvements,” Ellis said, calling that “the price of success.”

source

Seriously Twisted: Squirt gun suspect charged with eight counts of child abuse

03/08/2014

Updated: 03/07/2014 5:38 PM 

A man accused of squirt gun assaults on Albuquerque kids is in jail Friday night – accused of much more serious crimes than misusing a water pistol.

35-year-old Kevin Jaramillo is charged with kidnapping, aggravated indecent exposure and eight counts of child abuse. Police say he is the man who has been telling kids he was shooting a church video or raising money  to save puppies, asking them to let him squirt them and shoot video of the event.

One of his victims – an 18-year-old girl – said she demanded to know what was in the water in the squirt gun – and he told her it was semen. That happened on Feb. 27 near Eubank and Comanche.

The day before, five kids said Jaramillo sprayed them with fluid from a spray bottle while they were playing in the courtyard of an apartment complex at 6350 Eubank NE. One of the kids – a nine-year-old girl – said Jaramillo took her behind a dumpster, said he was going to “squirt something” – and then exposed himself to her. She ran away screaming to tell her parents.

On Feb. 28, police say Jaramillo shoved a ten-year-old girl to the ground at an apartment complex on Osuna near Eubank, and used his squirt gun to spray her face.

With Jaramillo behind bars, parents can feel a little safer about their kids – a little safer anyway.

“We always thought it was pretty safe here,” said Nancy Hubbard, out walking dogs with her daughter and grand daughter in Academy Hills Park just off Eubank and Spain. “But when something like this happens – I’m just glad they’ve got him caught and taken care of.”

“I can say in front of my child that I’m glad she is not able to know what he was doing,” said Hubbard’s daughter Brenda Kobs. “I know that she knows to stay away from strangers – that’s good.”

“I don’t know,” said  Kim Gordon. “I don’t feel confident letting any kid on their own out and about any more because there are a lot of creeps.”

“Somebody like that does need to be put behind bars,” said Michelle Garza. “Children are innocent. They shouldn’t be exposed to that. It can cause trauma which they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Police said all of the victims complained of burning eyes and stomach pain. They said they worried about the squirt gun creep’s increasing level of aggression over just a few days.  All along, for an entire week, they presented the case to the news media as a sort of lightweight mystery. Disturbing? Yes. Dangerous? No, not really. Reporters did not learn of the semen angle – or the forcible squirting – or the indecent exposure – until Friday, when Jaramillo was safely behind bars.

source

Open Season on Republicans begins in S.C:

03/08/2014

while millions go unnoticed to democratic campaigns,

S.C. ethics commission asks Wilson to return $200 in donations

Commission attorney Cathy Hazelwood said she sent letters Thursday to Attorney General Alan Wilson and former state Rep. Joyce Hearn, who gave $150 to his campaign in November 2009 and $50 in March 2010. State law bars legislators and statewide officers from taking money from lobbyists, and Hearn was a registered lobbyist for the South Carolina Credit Union League both years.

The prohibition "goes both ways. A lobbyist can't give, and a candidate can't receive," Hazelwood said.

Her letter gives Wilson's campaign 10 days to fix the problem.

Wilson's political consultant, Richard Quinn, said Friday the campaign was unaware Hearn was a lobbyist then.

But Hazelwood said it doesn't matter when Hearn's lobbying job ended. Lobbyists can't make a donation at any time during a year they lobby the Legislature, even if the job lasts only a day, she said.

"The termination of the relationship does nothing," she said.

Hearn, a House member from 1975-1989, worked as a lobbyist for the credit union league from January through May of 2009 and 2010, corresponding with the January-to-June legislative session. She continued lobbying for the league through June 2013, according to her disclosures with the ethics commission.

Hearn did not immediately return a message from the AP. Her donations were first reported by the Charleston Free Times.

Last March, Wilson's campaign corrected his filings after a review by an independent accountant found $134,000 in previously unreported donations and expenses surrounding his 2010 win. His campaign chairman attributed the 68 donations and 16 payments to human error.

As attorney general, Wilson's job includes prosecuting criminal violations of ethics law.

Asked whether errors in Wilson's own campaign filings affect his ability to do that, John Crangle of Common Cause said it points to a needed change in the system. Crangle has long argued the attorney general's race should be publicly funded. Any attorney general taking private money from special interest groups is "fundamentally an invitation to corruption," Crangle said.

"It shows at a minimum that some campaign staffer fumbled the ball," he said. "It does cast a cloud."

Wilson's investigation into former GOP Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resulted in Ard resigning and pleading guilty in 2012 to misdemeanor ethics violations. That came nine months after Ard paid a $48,000 fine to the state Ethics Commission.

In January, Wilson announced he'd sent ethics allegations against House Speaker Bobby Harrell to the grand jury, a month after receiving a report from the State Law Enforcement Division. Harrell, R-Charleston, maintains he's done nothing wrong and said the announcement's timing, a day before the legislative session started, appeared to be aimed at hurting him politically.

Wilson, also a Republican, is seeking a second term this year. As of his January ethics filing, he had nearly $635,000 cash available. Democrat Parnell Diggs opened his campaign in January with $500, according to his initial filing with the ethics commission.

source

Freedom Of Expression Under Assault

03/08/2014

Daughter of Okla. governor defends headdress photo

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The daughter of Oklahoma's governor, who is part of a punk band and has posed for revealing photos at the state mansion, defended herself Friday after posting a photo of herself in a Native American headdress that critics called insensitive.

Christina Fallin, who is not Native American, wears a red-and-white feathered headdress in the post, which includes the phrase "appropriate culturation." The post says the photo was taken at Remington Park, a racetrack and casino owned by the Chickasaw Nation, one of the state's most powerful tribes.

The photo was posted Thursday to Fallin's Instagram account and the Facebook page for her band, but was later replaced with a statement saying she felt the "deepest respect" for Native American culture and asking people to forgive her for wearing beautiful things.

Fallin, the daughter of Oklahoma's first female governor, Mary Fallin, made headlines in 2011 after a photo shoot at the governor's mansion. A local magazine focused on 20-somethings posted videos from the session, showing her strolling around the mansion property in avant-garde fashions.

Those videos were removed from the magazine's website after some people said they were distasteful. Christina Fallin issued a statement at that time saying she was thrilled to be a part of the magazine.

The 26-year-old Fallin is currently a marketing consultant for and appears in another local magazine that features fashion trends, health tips and beauty advice. She is also part of a local band that describes itself as "electronic-punk."

In the past few weeks, she's also posted several photos from events with her mother: first one from the State of the State speech at Oklahoma's capitol and others from Washington, D.C., while at the National Governor's Association meeting.

The picture of the headdress quickly drew negative comments on Fallin's social media profiles, many of which were then deleted. Headdresses, historically worn by Native American warriors who received feathers for heroic deeds, are considered sacred items and are still used for some ceremonies.

Christina Fallin said in a statement that growing up in Oklahoma, she has been in contact with Native American culture her whole life.

"With age, we feel a deeper and deeper connection to the Native American culture that has surrounded us," she said. "Though it may not have been our own, this aesthetic has affected us emotionally in a very real and very meaningful way."

Before it became a state, part of Oklahoma was known as Indian Territory and was the landing spot for thousands of Native Americans forced to relocate there. There are 39 tribes based in Oklahoma, only some of which historically wore headdresses.

A spokesman for the governor had no comment. Scott Wells, president and general manager of Remington Park, said in a statement that facility officials were not aware Fallin posed for the photo and don't believe she meant any disrespect.

After previous cases in which retailer Victoria's Secret and the band No Doubt have apologized for using Native American dress, some say Fallin should have known better.

"Not only tribal headgear, but tribal wear at all is usually very sacred to Native Americans and usually part of ceremonial (events)," said Louis Fowler of Oklahoma City, who is Choctaw. "The fact that Christina Fallin even titled it `appropriate culturation' means that she kind of knew what she was doing. There's a big difference between doing it stupidly and doing it knowingly."

Oklahoma ranks second in the nation in the total number of Native American residents, and Native American culture is deeply embedded in the history and politics. The state flag includes Native American symbols and a warrior statue sits atop the Oklahoma capitol dome.

Mary Fallin, a Republican who became governor in 2011, has been at odds with some tribes in the past, including in a lawsuit over water rights and the signing of an extradition order for a Cherokee Nation member. She has worked to build and improve those relationships since becoming governor, and has appointed a liaison for Native American affairs to her office.

source

Endocrination Effect: Half of millennials more likely to lean Left

03/08/2014


WASHINGTON — Most of America's young adults are single, don't go to church and while half say they have no loyalty to a political party, when pushed they tend to swing further left politically than those before them.

A new Pew Research Center survey out Friday showed that half of America's young adults, ages 18 to 33, consider themselves political independents, identifying with neither party. But asked which way they lean politically, half of the so-called millennials say they lean toward the Democratic Party, the highest share for any age group over the last decade.

In addition, young adults seem to be turning away from their predecessors' proclivity for religion and marriage. Almost two-thirds don't classify themselves as "a religious person." And when it comes to tying the knot: Only about 1 in 4 millennials is married. Almost half of baby boomers were married at that age.

The new survey shows how the millennial adults are "forging a distinctive path into adulthood," said Paul Taylor, Pew's executive vice president and co-author of the report.

This can especially be seen when it comes to politics. Only 27 percent said they consider themselves Democrats and 17 percent said Republicans. The half of millennials who say they are independent is an increase from 38 percent back in 2004.

"It's not that they don't have strong opinions, political opinions, they do," Taylor said. "It's simply that they choose not to identify themselves with either political party."

The number of self-described independents is lower among their predecessors. Only 39 percent of those in Generation X said they were independents, along with 37 percent of the boomers and 32 percent of the Silent Generation.
Pew describes Gen Xers as those from age 34-49, boomers as 50-68 and the Silent Generation as those 69-86.

When the self-identified Democratic millennials are combined with the self-described independents who lean Democratic, half — 50 percent — of the millennials are Democrats or Democratic-leaning while 34 percent are Republicans or Republican-leaning.

"They don't choose to identify, but they have strong views and their views are views that most people conventionally associate with the Democratic Party," Taylor said. "They believe in a big activist government on some of the social issues of the day — gay marriage, marijuana legalization, immigration. Their views are much more aligned with the Democratic Party."

Taylor said they don't know whether millennial voting trends will stay the same as they get older.
"People can change over the course of their lifetimes," he said. "At the same time, the behaviors, attitudes, the voting patterns and experiences that generations sort of encounter as they come of age in their late teens and early 20s are important."

Millennials also haven't bought into the idea that they should go to church or get married early.

Only 36 percent of the millennials said the phrase "a religious person" described them very well, compared with 52 percent of the Gen Xers, 55 percent of the baby boomers and 61 percent of the Silent Generation. And they're significantly less religious than their immediately predecessors, the Gen Xers. When they were the same age, almost half of the Gen Xers — 47 percent — identified themselves as religious.

The 64 percent of the millennials who say that they are not religious "is the highest for any age group we've ever measured," Taylor said.

The millennials were far less inclined toward marriage than the groups that preceded them. Only 26 percent of the millennial adults are married. When they were the same age, 36 percent of the Gen Xers, 48 percent of baby boomers and 65 percent of the Silent Generation were married.

The report also found:

— 68 percent of young adults favor allowing gay marriage, compared with 55 percent of the Gen Xers, 48 percent of the boomers and 38 percent of those in the Silent Majority.

— The support for legalizing marijuana at 68 percent for millennials. The next highest percentage was the Gen Xers at 53 percent and the boomers at 52 percent.

— A majority of the millennials — 55 percent — say people living in the United States illegally should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship.

The Pew study was based on interviews with 1,821 adults by cellphone or landline from Feb. 14-23. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.


source

Kansas high court says state's school funding unconstitutional

03/08/2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court said Friday the state's current public school funding levels are unconstitutional.

In the much-anticipated ruling, the court said Kansas' poor school districts were harmed when the state made the decision to cut certain payments when tax revenues declined during the Great Recession.

The Supreme Court also sent the case back to district court for more review to "promptly" determine what the adequate amount of funding should be, but didn't set a deadline for a hearing. It did, however, set a July 1 deadline for legislators to restore money for two funds aimed at helping poorer districts with capital improvements and general school operations.

The case has broader implications beyond the classroom: Kansas enacted sweeping cuts to income taxes in 2012 and 2013 championed by Gov. Sam Brownback that have reduced the amount of available resources to comply with a court order.

The lawsuit was filed in 2010 on behalf of parents and school districts who argued the state had harmed students because spending cuts resulted in lower test scores. State attorneys maintained that legislators did their best to minimize cuts to education.

Friday's decision has been in the works since the state appealed after a three-judge panel in Shawnee County District Court said in January 2013 that the lawsuit was valid. Because no issues involving the U.S. Constitution were raised, there's no appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the lawsuit, attorneys representing four school districts and parents alleged that Kansas reneged on promises made in 2006 to provide a certain level of funding the Kansas' public schools, namely that the failure to provide money for classroom instruction has harmed the state's education system — including programs aimed at helping poor and minority students.

In recent years, school districts have trimmed their staffs, cut after-school programs and raised fees for parents. Classrooms became more crowded.

State attorneys had said legislators did the best they could to maintain education spending among the reduced available revenues during the recession, pointing to efforts to raise the state sales tax rate in 2010 and the reliance on federal stimulus funding to keep spending stable.

Legislators delayed any decisions on school funding until the high court made a final judgment.

source

Church Distributes Flier with Photo of AR-15, ‘My Peace I Give to You’

03/08/2014

By AWR Hawkins

Grace Baptist Church, Troy, New York AR-15 Flyer

AmmoLand Gun News

Washington DC - -(Ammoland.com)-  Grace Baptist Church in Troy, New York is passing out fliers with a photo of the legally-modified AR-15 they’re raffling off and a quote from Jesus, “My peace I give to you.”

According to News Channel 13 in Albany, NY, “the church is in the district of Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin (R-Melrose), who will be speaking at the [gun give away] event.”

Although the church is requiring that “any applicants” for the gun to go through a background check and is reserving the right “to disqualify people of questionable character,” some area churches are up in arms over the giveaway.

Troy-area pastor Willie Bacote said, “I don’t believe the church should serve in that capacity of arming people in any particular way, except through the word of God.”

Assemblyman McLaughlin countered: “It’s a legal product. Churches raffle off items all the time. My church has a $10,000 raffle every single year. I mean, I don’t know how it’s a controversy, quite honestly, that law-abiding, church-going citizens of New York that are legal gun owners are taking part in a raffle to raise funds for a church.”

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.

About:
AWR Hawkins writes for all the BIG sites, for Pajamas Media, for RedCounty.com, for Townhall.com and now AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.

His southern drawl is frequently heard discussing his take on current events on radio shows like America’s Morning News, the G. Gordon Liddy Show, the Ken Pittman Show, and the NRA’s Cam & Company, among others. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal (summer 2010), and he holds a PhD in military history from Texas Tech University.

If you have questions or comments, email him at awr@awrhawkins.com. You can find him on facebook at www.facebook.com/awr.hawkins.

 Distributed to you by - AmmoLand.com – The Shooting Sports News source.

Read more: http://www.ammoland.com/2014/03/church-distributes-flier-with-photo-of-ar-15-my-peace-i-give-to-you/#ixzz2vMG6F400
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
Follow us: @Ammoland on Twitter | Ammoland on Facebook