Tuesday, July 31, 2007

CSAP scores released today

The Colorado School Assessment Program (CSAP) scores were released this morning. The Denver Post states "results of the annual Colorado Student Assessment Program released today showed scores in key academic areas were flat for most of the state's public school students" (from "CSAP Progress on Pause").

Want to see the data? You can either view it from the Denver Post web site or the Colorado Board of Education site (which has reports back to 1997).

Still want more education resources? Check out the library's guide.

Congressional Research Service reports found this week

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency for the U.S. Congress and writes reports at their request. This is NOT a complete list of recent reports, only members of Congress have access to a complete list, but these are reports requested from Congress by members of the public, like you. If you want to request a report, just talk to your local Representative or Senator. This week brings us the following series of CRS reports, courtesy of Secrecy News and OpenCRS:
Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Friday, July 27, 2007

NASA report on medical and behavioral health

The title of this report sounds a bit uninteresting, but the content itself is very revealing. NASA formed a committee to look into medical and behavioral health services at Johnson Space Center after the arrest of former astronaut Lisa Nowak. This committee looked at a number of issues (from the opening remarks): delivery of medical and behavioral health care for NASA astronauts, development of an astronaut code of conduct, structure of the Astronaut Office, and alcohol use by astronauts before flight.

You can read the full report, as well as associated fact sheets from the NASA web site.

Finally, if you want to skip the report and just read a summary, check out the Washington Post's "NASA Ignored Warnings of Drunk Astronaut."

Want more resources on space? Check out the library's guide.

GAO Reports for the week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as agriculture, forests, and retirement. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports
Special Reports
  • Public Transportation: Survey of Project Sponsors on Their Transit Projects and Experience with the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts and Small Starts Programs. GAO-07-927SP, July 27. [Internet only]
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-927SP
Correspondences
Testimonies
Guidance

The United States and the European Union Sign Agreement for Passenger Name Record Data Sharing

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) signed an agreement with the European Union (EU) that will allow the Department of Homeland Security to continue using Passenger Name Record (PNR) data as "an essential screening tool for detecting potentially dangerous transatlantic travelers." The 2007 PNR Agreement allows the DHS to collect 19 types of PNR data. This data will be kept in an active file for seven years, and in a dormant file for eight additional years. PNR data includes names, addresses, credit card information, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, itineraries, and hotel and rental car reservations.

Read the statement by Homeland Security Michael Chertoff about the agreement here. Read about the May 2004 International Agreement on transfer of Passenger Name Records (PNR) here.

Want more information about the agreement? Check out the Washington Post's Travelers Face Greater Use of Personal Data: Pact Covers Passengers Flying From Europe to U.S., and US, EU Sign Deal on Air Passenger Data from the New York Times.

Want more information? Check out the library's guides on European Union Resources, Homeland Security, Travel Information, and the War Against Terrorism.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors

The President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors released their final report on care for returning veterans. They released this report after briefing President Bush this morning.

This report contains recommendations on how to improve the transition from wounded soldier to civilian. The commission's web site also has information on the commissioners and other fact sheets related to the report.

Want to read more about the report? Check out the Washington Post's "Commission calls for changes to military health system."

Want more information on the military? Check out the library's guide.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

From the Congressional Research Service

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency for the U.S. Congress and writes reports at their request. This week brings us reports on the military, China, Middle East, agriculture and much more. This is NOT a complete list of recent reports, only members of Congress have access to a complete list, but these are reports requested from Congress by members of the public, like you. If you want to request a report, just talk to your local Representative or Senator. Or you can check out these reports from OpenCRS and Secrecy News:
Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Minimum Wage Increase

The minimum wage will increase for the first time in 10 years tomorrow. Taking effect on Tuesday, July 24th, the minimum wage will rise from $5.15 an hour to $5.85 an hour. This is the first step in a three year process. Over the next two years the wage will gradually rise 70 cents each summer until 2009 when all minimum wage jobs must pay $7.25 per hour. The increase is a result of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 (H.R. 2). It was signed into law by President Bush on May 25, 2007.

Want to read more about the wage increase? Check out "Federal Minimum Wage to Rise by 70 Cents" from the Washington Post. Curious about what advocates and critics think of the act? Check out "Minimum wage boost first in 10 years" from CNN.

See current state minimum wage laws from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Want more information on legislation? Check out the library's guide. Want more information on labor and employment? Check out the library's guide.

Ice Cream, I need some Ice Cream

On July 23rd, 1904 (103 years ago today), Charles E. Menches of St. Louis claims to have come up with the idea of putting ice cream in a cone. Now there are other claims to this title, but all of them come from the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. Anyway you look at it on hot days like today a cone that keeps all the ice cream from dripping is definitely a plus!

Want to read more about the invention of ice cream cones and ice cream itself? Check out the Library of Congress's Today in History. Where not only will you find Thomas Jefferson's recipe for Vanilla Ice Cream, but you will also find links to pictures of children eating ice cream and other treasures from the American Memory collection.

Want more information on food? Check out the library's food supply guide.

Friday, July 20, 2007

GAO Reports for the week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as Iraq, transportation, and health care. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports
Testimonies
Correspondence
Presentations by the Comptroller General
  • "Our Nation's Long-Term Fiscal Challenge: State and Local Governments Will Likely Face Persistent Fiscal Challenges in the Next Decade," by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. GAO-07-1113CG, July 18.
    http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071113cg.pdf
  • "Saving Our Future Requires Tough Choices Today", by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States on the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour in Nashville, Tennessee. GAO-07-1116CG, July 16.
    http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071116cg.pdf

Thursday, July 19, 2007

World Drug Report

Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, announced that "recent data show that the run-away train of drug addiction has slowed down" (from the press release). He made this announcement at the release of the World Drug Report.

This report analyzes the consumption, capture, and production of drugs across the world. It even has information on the prices of drugs across the world. If you want to watch some special video reports on what this report can state, check out the right side of the report page.

Want more information on this topic? Check out the library's alcohol, drug and tobacco use guide.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Senate pulls an all-nighter

For those of us on college campuses, the summer is generally our time off from all-nighters. (Unless you are taking a summer course.) Last night the Senate stayed open all night to debate the defense authorization bill (H.R. 1585). This bill had an amendment to have troops start returning in 120 days and complete the withdrawal by April 30, 2008. This amendment failed this morning on a 52-47 vote, which meant it couldn't overcome a Republican filibuster.

Want to read about the vote? Check out "Senate Scuttles Troop Withdrawal Bill" from the Washington Post. Interested in what was said overnight? Check out their "Slumber Party Politics on the Hill: The Democrats Take the Iraq War Strategy to the Mattresses."

The transcript from the debate last night won't be up until tomorrow, but you will be able to read it in the daily issue of the Congressional Record (it will be the July 17th Senate debates).

Want more information on Congress? Check out the library's guide. Want more information on Iraq? Check out the library's guide.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

National Intelligence Estimate

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a new report today, "National Intelligence Estimate: The Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland." Declassified key findings report that the United States will face a "persistent and evolving" terrorist threat in the next three years from Islamic terrorist groups and cells. Al-Qaida "is and will remain the most serious terrorist threat" to the US.

National Intelligence Estimates (NIEs) are the ODNI's most authoritative written judgments concerning national security issues. They contain the coordinated judgments of the Intelligence Community regarding the likely course of future events.

Read more about this in the Washington Post's "Intelligence Report Warns of al-Qaeda's Capabilities" and "Al-Qaida Likely to Attack US, Intel Says."

Want more information on intelligence? Check out the library's guide.

CRS reports this week

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency for the U.S. Congress and writes reports at their request. This week brings us reports on the military, China, war powers and much more. This is NOT a complete list of recent reports, only members of Congress have access to a complete list, but these are reports requested from Congress by members of the public, like you. If you want to request a report, just talk to your local Representative or Senator. Or you can check out these reports from OpenCRS and Secrecy News:
Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Monday, July 16, 2007

North Korea shuts down nuclear reactor

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that North Korea has shut down their nuclear reactor. This is after a five-year standoff over the nuclear actions of the North Korea. You can view reports from the agency, UN actions and photos on the IAEA and DPRK web site.

Want to read more about this? Check out the Washington Post's "IAEA Says North Korea Has Shut Reactor."

Want more information on North Korea? Check out the library's guide.

Friday, July 13, 2007

GAO releases this week

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as the child welfare, environment, and military. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports
Testimonies
Correspondence

Thursday, July 12, 2007

White House report on Iraq

The White House released the Initial Benchmark Assessment Report (html and pdf) today. This report discusses the progress the government of Iraq has made in reaching benchmarks outlined in Section 1314 of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 110-28). The President conducted a press conference on the report this morning, which you can read or listen to on the White House web site.

Want to read about the media's reaction to this report? Check out the Washington Post article "White House Gives Iraq Mixed Marks on Report."

Want more on the Iraqi government? Check out the library's guide.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Court limits use of race in school admissions

On June 28, 2007 the Supreme Court limited the use of race when assigning students to public schools. The court split, 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts announcing the court’s judgment.

The petitioners (parents in Seattle, WA and Louisville, KY) filed suit against the Seattle and Louisville school districts contending that classifying and assigning students to schools based on race violated the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection guarantee.

Read more about the two cases and the Supreme Court's decision in CNN's article "Divided court rejects school diversity plans" and "Divided Court Limits Use of Race by School Districts" in the Washington Post.

To read the Supreme Court's decision click here. To read the decision from Brown v. Board of Education (1955) click here.

Want more information on the Supreme Court? Check out the library guide.
Want more information on Affirmative Action and Civil Rights? Check out the library guide.
Want more information on Black History? Check out the library guide.

CRS reports this week

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency for the U.S. Congress and writes reports at their request. This week brings us reports on the climate change, agricultural subsidies, foreign policy, and much more. This is NOT a complete list of recent reports, only members of Congress have access to a complete list, but these are reports requested from Congress by members of the public, like you. If you want to request a report, just talk to your local Representative or Senator. Or you can check out these reports from OpenCRS and Secrecy News:
Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

Monday, July 09, 2007

14th amendment to the Constitution

On July 9th, 1868 (139 years ago today), the Civil Rights amendment to the Constitution was ratified. This amendment, the 14th, extended rights and liberties to former slaves. It gave the right to freedom and, for all males over the age of 21, the right to vote. While this amendment grants this freedom the carrying out of this amendment was spotty at best.

Want to view the original handwritten copy of the amendment? Check out the National Archives web page.

Want more information on historical and archival documents? Check out the library's guides.

Friday, July 06, 2007

GAO releases this week

Due to the forth of July holiday, there are fewer releases this week. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as the port security, immigration, and housing. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports
Correspondence
Presentation by Comptroller General
  • "How Key National Indicators Can Improve Policymaking and Strengthen Democracy" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before OECD's Second World Forum on Statistics, Knowledge, and Policy, in Istanbul, Turkey. GAO-07-1069CG, June 26, 2007. [Text]
    http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071069cg.pdf

Thursday, July 05, 2007

UN Millennium Development Goals

The United Nations developed a set of eight goals for the first fifteen years of the new millennium. You can read these goals as well as view a progress chart on the UN web site. The UN released the mid-term report on the millennium development goals today. The report shows mixed success at meeting the eight goals.

Want to see the regional releases? Check them out off the Newsroom page.

Want to know more about the United Nations? Check out the library guide.

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

CRS reports now available online

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a research agency for the U.S. Congress and writes reports at their request. This week brings us reports on the climate change, agricultural subsidies, foreign policy, and much more. This is NOT a complete list of recent reports, only members of Congress have access to a complete list, but these are reports requested from Congress by members of the public, like you. If you want to request a report, just talk to your local Representative or Senator. Or you can check out these reports from OpenCRS and Secrecy News:

Interested in historical CRS reports? If you are here at the Boulder campus, check out the LexisNexis Congressional database, which has reports back to 1916.

Not on campus, but still want access to additional reports? The library has a guide linking to various additional sources of CRS reports.

President Bush grants clemency for Libby

Yesterday, President Bush used his pardon powers to grant clemency to I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, after the appeals court turned down his request to avoid jail until his appeals were complete. The President left in place the two years of probation and the $250,000 fine, but granted clemency on the jail term.

The president has released a statement explaining this decision, as well as a copy of the grant of clemency.

We posted on the jury's decision before on this blog, check out that entry.

Want to read more about reaction to and the lead up to this decision? Check out the Washington Post's "A Decision Made Largely Alone."

Want to read the section of the constitution that gives the President this power? Check out Article II, Section II of this online transcript from the National Archives.

Monday, July 02, 2007

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George W Bush Meet

Yesterday Russian President Putin arrived yesterday to meet with President Bush at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. This is a more informal meeting to discuss issues such as missile defense and Kosovo independence.

You can read more about the details of the meeting in the Washington Post article "Bush, Putin aim to mend relations."

To read more about this visit from the White House you can read the discussion of what they are going to eat from the President's Q and A. You can also view photos from the visit.

Want more information on the presidency? Check out the library's guide.

GAO Reports for the week

I was off in the land of no internet this Friday and you missed your GAO reports from last week, so here they are just a little late. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is often called the investigative arm of Congress. This week they investigated a variety of issues, such as the homeland security, federal workplace, and wetlands. If you would like to know more about the GAO, check out the library's guide.

Reports
Testimonies
  • Higher Education: Challenges in Attracting International Students to the United States and Implications for Global Competitiveness, by George A. Scott, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, House Committee on Foreign Affairs; and the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, House Committee on Education and Labor. GAO-07-1047T, June 29.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1047T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071047thigh.pdf
  • Millennium Challenge Corporation: Progress and Challenges with Compacts in Africa, by David B. Gootnick, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. GAO-07-1049T, June 28.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1049T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071049thigh.pdf
  • Homeland Security: Transforming Departmentwide Financial Management Systems Remains a Challenge, by Keith Rhodes, chief technologist, and McCoy Williams, director, financial management and assurance, before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-07-1041T, June 28.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1041T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071041thigh.pdf
  • Forest Service: Vegetation Management Projects Approved during Calendar Years 2003 through 2005 Using Categorical Exclusions, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, House Committee on Natural Resources. GAO-07-1016T, June 28.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1016T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071016thigh.pdf
  • Homeland Security: Prospects For Biometric US-VISIT Exit Capability Remain Unclear, by Randolph C. Hite, director, information technology architecture and systems issues, before the Subcommittee on Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-07-1044T, June 28.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1044T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071044thigh.pdf
  • Military Construction: Observations on Mismanagement of the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center, by Gregory D. Kutz and Bruce A. Causseaux, managing director and senior level specialist, forensic audits and special investigations; and Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-07-1039T, June 28.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1039T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071039thigh.pdf
  • Workforce Investment Act: Additional Actions Would Further Improve the Workforce System, by Sigurd R. Nilsen, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, House Committee on Education and Labor. GAO-07-1051T, June 28. (1:30 p.m.)
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1051T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071051thigh.pdf
  • Implementation of the Beach Act of 2000: EPA and States Have Made Progress, but Additional Actions Could Improve Public Health Protection, by Anu K. Mittal, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality, Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works. GAO-07-1043T, June 27.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1043T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071043thigh.pdf
  • Wildland Fire: Management Improvements Could Enhance Federal Agencies' Efforts to Contain the Costs of Fighting Fires, by Robin M. Nazzaro, director, natural resources and environment, before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. GAO-07-922T, June 26.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-922T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07922thigh.pdf
  • Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of June 27, 2007, by Terrell G. Dorn, director, physical infrastructure issues, before the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, House Committee on Appropriations. GAO-07-897T, June 27.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-897T
  • 2010 Census: Census Bureau Is Making Progress on the Local Update of Census Addresses Program, but Improvements Are Needed, by Mathew J. Scire, director, strategic issues, before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. GAO-07-1063T, June 26.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1063T
    Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071063thigh.pdf
  • End-Stage Renal Disease: Medicare Should Pay a Bundled Rate for All ESRD Items and Services, statement for the record by A. Bruce Steinwald, director, health care, before the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-07-1050T, June 26.
    http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1050T
Correspondences

Presentations by the Comptroller General
  • "Transparent Government and Access to Information: A Role for Supreme Audit Institutions" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Seventh Global Forum on Reinventing Government, in Vienna, Austria. GAO-07-1068CG, June 26, 2007. [text]
    http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071068cg.pdf
  • "Economic Insecurity Challenges" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Rockefeller Foundation Trustees and Executives Dinner on Economic Insecurity in America, in New York, New York. GAO-07-1060CG, June 20, 2007. [Text]
    http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071060cg.pdf
  • "The Challenges and Opportunities of Demographic Change in America" by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before the Center for Productive Longevity's National Conference on the New Human Resources Frontier: Utilizing Older Workers for Competitive Advantage, in Washington, D.C. GAO-07-1061CG, June 7, 2007. [Slides]
    http://www.gao.gov/cghome/d071061cg.pdf
Guidance