Newsweek May 6th
National News
By KRUI News Reporter Bryce Fratzke
A Series of explosions has rocked the Boston Marathon leaving 2 dead, and 23 people believed to be injured. According to NPR.org, a 2 explosions near the finish line occurred just before 3 pm eastern time. Police have since found two more bomb in the area, and a 3rd explosion has been confirmed at the John F. Kennedy memorial library, just blocks away. According to NPR’s Peter Sagal, who had just finished the race, emergency personnel quickly descended on the scene, and the FBI has sent counter terrorism officials to the area, the white house has also gotten involved in emergency efforts, President Obama has been in contact with officials on the ground, and has pledged full support from his administration. A further investigation is underway as officials continue to find more explosives throughout the city. It is still not clear who is responsible for these explosions.
The age of food service employees is on the rise in the United States. According to a report filed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in an article from NBCNews.com, nearly 42% of restaurant workers are over the age of 25, in an industry that used to be reserved for entry-level teens. The study also indicates that many of these people have at least some college and many have at least a bachelors degree. Fast food workers are the lowest paid portion of the employed public, with the national minimum wage being set at $2.13, per hour for tipped employees. Many, who work 24 hours a week, earn an average wage of nearly $18,000 per year, and don’t work as many hours as they would like to. This is cause for alarm, as many find themselves staying in these jobs longer trying to stay on top of college loan, credit card, and other forms of debt. According to Saru Jayaraman, the author of “Behind the Kitchen Door” and director of the Food Labor Research Center at the University of California at Berkeley, many of these individuals have to piece together several part time jobs to earn full time wages, and many of these individuals do not receive health or retirement benefits at these jobs. She believes that the National Restaurant Association, is the cause of this, as they have lobbied to keep the minimum wage for tipped workers at the same levels since the 1980‘s. This is seen as another huge roadblock in the way improving the economic outlook for the fresh crop of college students and graduates.
Updates continue to pour in from yesterdays bombings at the Boston marathon. Several outlets including, the New York Times, Boston Globe, Npr.org are reporting, that the death toll has risen to 3 while the count of injured has risen to 176, with 17 being reported in critical condition. Officials have still not named a suspect as of yet, while FBI, State and Local Police, and various other agencies continue to investigate the explosions. New details are being reported as to the type of the bombs that were used, according to officials they were pressure cooker type bombs, believed to be filled with ball bearings and on a timer system. So far no groups have claimed responsibility for the bombs, the white house released a statement last night officially calling this an act of terrorism, cautioning the attackers that they will be found and feel the full force of justice. This information comes as many are celebrating the efforts of the first responders, who ran to help the wounded in the initial seconds after the explosions, and quick actions saved dozens of lives, a true testament to the resiliency of the city of Boston.
Downtown Iowa City saw a change of the parking meters on several blocks. The City Downtown District released a statement notifying citizens of testing for new modernized parking meters that accept cash, change, and a credit card. One city employee I spoke with said that there were several options for the city to choose, based on durability and ease of use for the citizens, he also noted that the change might be a little rough at first but with time everyone will catch on. The testing will continue through the 26th, and afterwards citizens can share their opinions on which system of meter they like best.
State News
By KRUI News Reporter Ashley Duncan
MidAmerican Energy plans to add up to 656 wind turbines here in Iowa. This will be a $1.9 billion project, which will offer 460 construction jobs over two years and 48 permanent jobs as a result. Currently, most of the wind power comes from Western Iowa. The locations of the turbines will be announced in the coming weeks and will be in place by 2015. These new turbines will add 1,050 megawatts of wind generation. The company is predicting that 40% of energy supplied to Iowa homes will come from wind. This will ultimately save Iowans more money, and the rate will not increase due to the new investments.
The Department of Education Director for Iowa, John Glass, is one of three finalists for a super intendant position for Eagle County School District in Colorado. Glass was chosen by Branstad to focus Iowa’s education reform efforts. Glass has worked in the Eagle County School District previously as director of human resources. In the new position, he could make $175,000. His currently salary in Iowa is $147,000. It is unsure what will happen, for there are two other finalists for the job. If he does receive and take the new position, however, there will have to be some big decisions to be made by Branstad concerning a new director for the Department of Education.
Entertainment News
By KRUI News Reporter Ashley Duncan
Hollywire speculates Farrah Abraham may be trying to make money in the same fashion as Kim Kardashian after signing a $1.5 million deal with Vivid Entertainment to release her sex tape. Kim Kardashian built her multi-million dollar empire after the release of her sex tape, and Farrah seems to be trying to do the same. After selling her sex tape, she has now signed an endorsement deal with a diet pill company. It is said that the deal is in the low six-figure range. The product is called Raspberry Tones, and even gave Farrah her own signature formula. TMZ was told that Farrah loves the idea of endorsing a health product and feels it can be a good way to quickly move past her sex tape scandal. Only time will tell.
Matt Groening, creator of “The Simpsons,” is mourning the loss of his 94-year-old mother, Margaret. Margaret was the inspiration of the mother role in “The Simpsons”, as Marge Simpson. Found in the Groening family obituary were a few other recognizable names, such as Homer, Lisa, Maggie, and Patty. Also interesting is that Margaret’s maiden name was Wiggum, a name also used for characters in the show. Groening’s mother, the inspiration for Marge Simpson, passed peacefully in her sleep on April 22nd.
Sources: The Washington Post, VOA News, CBS News, The New York Times, The Des Moines Register, CNN, MSNBC, The Iowa City Press Citizen, HuffingtonPost, NBC News, HollyWire, TMZ