Smart people are everywhere, and so are people who have common sense. That’s why we’re looking high and low to bring readers the highlights of the week just post. Got a suggestion? Send it to [email protected] Christie pulls enviros’ leash
Recommended Stories
1| More realistic green goals
The details: New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie is scaling back the state’s goal of using renewable energy for 30 percent of its power needs by 2021. Instead, he is setting it at (still likely unrealistic) 22.5 percent, a tenfold increase compared with the present.
Immigration reform
2| Texas takes up hot issue
The details: Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry put immigration reform on the state legislature’s agenda for its special session, including measures to have state officials check a person’s immigration status when they apply for a driver’s license and when arrested.
No skin off my back
3| Two skin cancer drugs proven effective
The details: In the biggest skin cancer breakthrough since the 1970s, two drugs, vemurafenib and Yervoy, successfully treated late-stage patients with melanoma, a deadly skin cancer. The drugs were designed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Roche.
Obamacare on the ropes
4| Circuit judges express concern about law
The details: In a Wednesday hearing, three 11th Circuit Court of Appeals judges seemed receptive to claims that Obamacare is unconstitutional. The judges inquired about the individual mandate and asked where congressional power would end if this mandate were put into effect.
Paying it down
5| U.S. household debt falls
The details: The Federal Reserve reported Thursday that debt in U.S. households shrank by 2 percent in the first quarter. Net household worth rose by 1.7 percent. Meanwhile, business and federal government debt continue to rise.
Petition power
6| Referendum builds momentum
The details: Supporters of a grassroots petition drive to halt enactment of Maryland’s version of the Dream Act, which grants illegal immigrants in-state tuition, are close to getting the required number of signatures to put the issue to public referendum next year.
Most grads
7| Montgomery tops in diplomas
The details: Montgomery County’s 85.7 percent graduation rate was the highest among large school districts nationally for the third year in a row, according to Education Week’s annual report. Fairfax County came in second, awarding diplomas to 85.1 percent of its high school seniors.
Bowl boost
8| Military Bowl brings in ca$h
The details: College football fans attending Washington’s annual Military Bowl spent double the amount in 2010 than the year before, mostly because of 26,000 spectators from out of town — more than the entire attendance in 2009. Total economic impact: almost $18 million.
Heroes honored
9| Gala raises record amount
The details: A Night of Heroes gala for military personnel and their families sponsored by the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation raised a record $700,000. The funds will go for building a free hotel for wounded service members in California.
Cheetah babies
10| National Zoo welcomes litter
The details: Five cheetah cubs were born last week at the Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. Cheetah births in captivity have decreased significantly, and this is the only one so far this year in North America.
