Journalist’s Resource:Research on today’s news

Journalist’s Resource Research on today’s news

Early lead exposure tied to behavioral issues in teens The dangers of lead exposure are well established: It can cause renal disease, permanent neurological damage and even death. Recent crises over contaminated drinking water in Flint, Michigan and other cities highlight continued problems in the 21st century. Researchers at Harvard University probed another area in which lead exposure might bear long-term effects. They found a link between childhood blood lead levels and antisocial behavior in adolescence. http://bit.ly/2I9xsQ1 Do mayors run for higher office?  A number of high-profile public leaders began their political careers as mayors. But do mayoral posts live up to their reputations as a fast track to a political career? A new study suggests few mayors seek higher office and that female mayors are less likely to view positions such as governor or U.S. senator as appealing. http://bit.ly/2sSpUNI More minorities see doctors after Medicaid reform In Oregon, 18 percent of white women did not have a regular health care provider in 2011 and the proportion was nearly twice as high for minority women — over 35 percent. Also, life expectancy for white Oregonians was two years longer than for their minority peers. The state overhauled its Medicaid program in 2012 with the goal of reducing these disparities through the use of coordinated care organizations. A new study indicates the reforms are achieving their desired results. http://bit.ly/2oWsmOU Income tax returns: IRS filing costs keep rising Filing income tax returns can be a stressful, time-consuming process, especially for those who want to itemize deductions such as mortgage interest and property taxes. A recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that the cost of filing federal returns has risen steadily since the 1980s, partly because Americans are filing more forms with their returns. The aggregate cost rose from an estimated $150 billion nationally in 1984 to $200 billion in 2006. http://bit.ly/2G5hbe9 Visit us at JournalistsResource.org!

Betsy DeVos Watch: Deconstructing the 60 minutes Interview

She’s not stupid. Her answers, sadly, actually reflect her intents and purposes.

Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy

The following interview by 60 Minutes with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, aired on Sunday, March 11, 2018.

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is a devout Christian grandmother from Michigan — who has spent most of her life trying to improve the quality of education for poor kids. So how in the world did she become one of the most hated members of the Trump Cabinet? [How media people frame things is important. Lesley Stahl states as a matter of fact that Betsy DeVos has spent most of her life trying to improve the quality of education for poor kids, yet there is no evidence presented to substantiate this claim.]

She is dedicated to promoting school choice [School choice is code for undermining public education and promoting charter and private schools.] but her critics say she really wants to privatize the public school system that she once called…

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