(NNPA)—Two years ago, residents in much of the Southeast underwent an utter revamping of their lifestyle. Instead of blindly showering water across their lawns and leaving faucets running on end, they were forced to self-ration their own usage, and in many cases eliminate certain activities.

In North Carolina, Gov. Michael Easley urged his constituents to cease using water for all purposes not essential to public health and safety while the nearly five million inhabitants of the Atlanta metropolitan area faced fines upwards in the thousands for violating certain water restrictions.

(NNPA)—As Congress and the nation focus on the passage of comprehensive health care reform, the latest jobs numbers show that our economy also remains in bad health. And while overall unemployment is now at 10.2 percent, African-American joblessness has reached a 28-year high of 15.7 percent, compared with 13.1 percent for Latinos and 9.5 percent for Whites.

Black unemployment has risen to over 20 percent in states like Michigan and South Carolina. There are now more than 15.7 million Americans out of work and virtually every sector, from construction to retail, is hemorrhaging jobs.

(NNPA)—One of the biggest decisions of the young administration of President Barack Obama will be made a few days after this is written on the strategy of the war in Afghanistan. A CNN poll has just come out that suggests the decision will be confronted by a public—of which I am one—that opposes the war by 62 percent and that support for his new strategy to send more troops is split 50-49 percent.

While the split decision may not stay that way due to what CNN calls the “rally effect” of a president’s ability to mount a campaign, still it tells us that the margin for error in this decision will be slight going forward.

Evan Frazier recently announced he will leave the Hill House as executive director to join Highmark. We asked Pittsburghers what they thought, and here’s what you said.

“He’s proven to be a leader and everyone has gained from his leadership. We are sorry to see him go. We wish him well in his new job opportunity.”
Ken Nesbit
Highland Park
Site coordinator

KEN NESBIT, WILL MOODY, DON McEACHERN