unemployment article

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT ALL TIME HIGH

By: Jen Bundy

Rhode Island doesn’t just hold the title of the smallest state now. In fact, Rhode Island now has the highest job rate in the United States with the unemployment rate at a staggering 8.8% percent. Rhode Island surpassed the nation average of 6.1% along with Michigan, the poster child for unemployment. This recent surge in unemployment within the state, has reached the highest it has been in sixteen years.

The slump in Rhode Island’s job market began years ago when the housing market collapsed within the state, which many financial advisors took as a statewide recession. In nine months Rhode Island lost 12,600 jobs causing the unemployment rate to jump from 5.7% to 8.8%. Today with the whole nation in the midst of an economic recession, Rhode Island is one of the states being hit the hardest. U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin wrote in letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, “This economic situation has taken a toll on our state’s social service centers, food pantries and homeless shelters, and it is clear that the worst is yet to come.” (Langevin wrote the letter to reiterate his support for the federal stimulus package which hopes to relieve some of the economic pressure on Rhode Islanders.)

Recently David Kernell was charged with hacking into the person email account of vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. David Kernell, 20, is the son of Democratic State Representative, Mike Kernell of Memphis. David Kernell entered that not guilty plea upon his indictment of a single count “intentionally accessing without authorization”. According to reports, Kernell, a student at the University of Tennessee, was granted access by resetting the password. Once Kernell read the contents of Palin’s email account, he photographed the screenshots which where then posted on a public website along with the new password.

Police reports claim that the personal information that was hacked included the birth dates, phone numbers, and addresses of family members. Kernell posted this information to aid other potential hackers. However, certain news releases claim David Kernell was a member of “Anonymous”, the group famous for exposing the unethical behavior within the Scientology cult. If convicted, Kernell could face a maximum of five years jail time, a $250,000 fine, and a three-year term of supervised release.

Paul Newman

On September 27th, 2008 Hollywood lost a legacy with the death of Paul Newman at the age of 83. Newman died at his home in Westport, Connecticut due to cancer related complications. As one of the most beloved and talented actors in the Hollywood, Newman will be missed by many including the likes of Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, and John Mayer. The Oscar winner and seven time nominee has received immense praise for roles in blockbusters such as The Color of Money, The Sting, and The Hustler. Unlike many actors in Hollywood, Newman never let the success or fame get to his head. In fact, he preferred the slow life of rural areas like Westport, Connecticut to the hectic pace of Hollywood. Newman philantrophy work was just as impressive as his acting. Newman founded Newman's Own, an organic food company, that donated close to 250 million dollars to thousands of hand picked charities around the country. Newman was extremely generous and easy going, which is uncommon in the crazy world surrounding Hollywood. His wife of fifty years, Joanne Woodward, survives him along with his five daughters. Paul Newman will be missed dearly.