SHFW | Scripps Howard Foundation Wire -

New study says college education is declining

jbeck — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:37:31 -0400

Click on photo to enlarge or download: Herbert London, president of Husdon Institute, and Anne Neal, president of ACTA, discuss what they call the decline of higher education at a news conference in Washington. SHFWire photo by Shea NorthcutWASHINGTON - Economics, U.S. history, intermediate-level foreign language, mathematics and literature - these subjects are not required at a majority of American liberal-arts universities, according to a study released Monday.

Conservation removes damage, preserves artists’ work, provokes controversy

jbeck — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:14:02 -0400

Click on image to enlarge or download: “Ernest Hemingway” by Waldo Peirce, 1928, was mended and dry-cleaned after old repairs and stains were removed. Photo courtesy of the National Portrait GalleryClick on image to enlarge or download: Conservators removed discolored varnish and a non-original layer of paint in “Self-Portrait with Rita” by Thomas Hart Benton, 1922. Photo courtesy of the National Portrait GalleryWASHINGTON - They restored thousands of paintings and manuscripts after the 1966 Florence flood that destroyed millions. They brought new light and awareness to the Sistine Chapel in the 1980s and 1990s. They repaired objects in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and they are working in Haiti to save hundreds of damaged artworks.

Dupont Circle a place for chess, community, history and homeless people

jbeck — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:19:38 -0400

Click on photo to enlarge or download: Richard Turner, 61, spends most of his time at Dupont Circle, playing chess to relieve his mind from stress that comes with homelessness. SHFWire photo by Neel AroraWASHINGTON - Orange rays from a fading sun glisten on knights and bishops, kings and queens and what remains on the 10 or so chessboards of Dupont Circle.

Analysis: Constitutional amendment denying citizenship to some could make them stateless

jbeck — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:59:06 -0400

Editor's note: SHFWire reporter Neel Arora wrote about people living in the Unites States who do not hold citizenship in any country - they are stateless. In this column, he explores another way the issue might affect people.

WASHINGTON - There's been a lot of talk around Washington about changing the part of the 14th Amendment that makes anyone born on U.S. soil a citizen. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and other members of the GOP argue that this right encourages illegal immigrants to cross the border and give birth here, the so-called anchor baby theory, to allow them the benefits this country has to offer.

Government agencies using social media to communicate with public

jbeck — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:58:24 -0400

Click on image to enlarge or download: This montage shows the Twitter pages of the White House, President Barack Obama, the Department of Energy, the National Security Agency and the U.S. Army as of Friday morning. SHFWire illustration by Alejandra MatosWASHINGTON - Cammie Croft is paid to communicate with people in 140 characters or fewer.

Unmarried women make up 63 percent of unemployed women, report says

jbeck — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:25:36 -0400

WASHINGTON - Unmarried women have been disproportionately affected by the recession compared to married women, according to a report from the Center for American Progress.

Indiana woman recognized for work with rape victims

jbeck — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:14:27 -0400

Click on photo to enlarge or download: Kathy Boyd of Elberfield, Ind., attends a dinner in Washington where she and 125 other people from around the country were honored for their community service work. SHFWire photo by Cameron GloverWASHINGTON, June, 22 - A two-time survivor of sexual assault, electrician Kathy Boyd of Elberfield, Ind., gave everything she had to the construction and coordination of her community's support center for victims like herself.

Education jobs bill passes despite Republican opposition

jbeck — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:55:56 -0400

Click on photo to enlarge or download: Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, says his state is unfairly singled out in a bad amendment to a bad bill. The bill, which passed, will send millions of dollars to local schools. Reps. Ted Poe, left, and behind Conaway, Louie Gohmert, both Texas Republicans, also oppose the bill. SHFWire photo by Jay BalagnaWASHINGTON - Texas Republicans affirmed their opposition to an amendment to the education jobs bill the House passed Tuesday, though their protests changed nothing.

Author describes Civil War’s ‘Topsy-Turvey’ effect on Southern children

jbeck — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:06:10 -0400

WASHINGTON - A new program will allow minority-owned construction companies to compete in the world economy by using international ties, such as language, family, culture and an understanding of certain customs.

Census comes in $1.6 billion under budget

jbeck — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:24:02 -0400

Click on photo to enlarge or download: Census Bureau Director Robert Groves emphasizes the phrase “Well Done America” for helping the 2010 census come in $1.6 billion under budget. Census data will be made public Dec. 31. SHFWire photo by Shea NorthcutWASHINGTON - Census officials announced Tuesday that the 2010 survey is $1.6 billion under budget because of strong citizen participation.

Kids read, play at Dept. of Education ‘Let’s Read, Let’s Move’ event

jbeck — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:50:15 -0400

WASHINGTON - The plaza at Department of Education transformed into an outdoor classroom and playground Aug. 3 for the sixth and final "Let's Read, Let's Move" event of the summer.

Iraq more concerned about forming government than next phase in U.S. plan

jbeck — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:19:33 -0400

WASHINGTON - Iraq is more concerned about forming a new government than the end of the U.S. combat mission and subsequent transition from military to civilian-led engagement at the end of the month.

Obama congratulates Super Bowl champs New Orleans Saints at White House

jbeck — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:45:56 -0400

Click on photo to enlarge or download: President Obama says he can relate to the ups and downs of the New Orleans Saints’ history. He congratulates coach Sean Payton, standing left, and owner Tom Benson, right, on defying many hardships to earn its first Super Bowl victory. SHFWire Photo by Cameron GloverWASHINGTON - It was a Southern-style celebration in the White House Monday as President Barack Obama hosted the 2009 Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints.

Library of Congress junior fellows present unique artifacts

jbeck — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:51:14 -0400

WASHINGTON - Presentations about Civil War photographs, 1870s tobacco and liquor advertisements and a former congressman's professional football helmet culminated a summer's effort of research and diligence by 41 undergraduate and graduate students.