Obama: Voter anger could hurt Dems
WASHINGTON - Facing big Democratic losses in November, President Barack Obama blamed Republicans and election-year politics last week for thwarting his efforts to do more to spur a listless national economy. He challenged Congress to quit squabbling and quickly approve "what we all agree on" - a reprieve for expiring tax cuts for the middle class. More »
Obama commemorates 9/11 with appeal for tolerance
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama appealed to an unsettled nation Saturday to honor the memory of the Sept. 11 attacks by hewing to the values of diversity and tolerance. "We will not sacrifice the liberties we cherish or hunker down behind walls of suspicion and mistrust," the president declared. Speaking at the Pentagon, where nine years ago a hijacked plane smashed into the west side of the building and killed 184 people, Obama conjured a solemn remembrance of that horrible day but also spoke strongly in defense of religious freedom. More »
Report: More grandparents raising grandkids
NEW YORK - The number of U.S. children being raised by their grandparents rose sharply as the recession began, according to a new analysis of census data. The reasons, while somber, were not all economic. These grandparents often give themselves high marks as caregivers, but many face distinctive stresses as they confront unanticipated financial burdens and culture shock that come with the responsibilities of child-raising. More »
Over one-third of Mass. students are overweight
More than one-third of the students in 80 Massachusetts school districts are overweight or obese according to a report released last week by state public health officials. The study of more than 100,000 students by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health found that 17.3 percent were obese and 16.9 percent were overweight. More »
