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While Latinos are gaining in political clout, they are also falling down the economic ladder, new Census numbers show.
Latinos poverty rates climbed to 28 percent after the census reconfigured its algorithm to take into account medical costs and government programs. The Hispanic poverty level rose after the government took into account safety-net programs such as food stamps and housing, which have lower participation among immigrants and non-English speakers.
Overall, the ranks of America's poor edged up last year to a high of 49.7 million, based on the new census measure.
The portrait of poverty broken down by state notably changed. California tops the list, hurt by high housing costs, large numbers of immigrants as well as less generous tax credits and food stamp programs to buoy low-income families. It is followed by the District of Columbia, Arizona, Florida and Georgia.
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President Obama's reelection didn't just put a bounce in his step. It appears that it also erased his gray hair.
Appearing in the East Room Wednesday for his post-election press conference, the chatty Obama displayed a head of rich, black hair. Photos and even the White House live stream of the session showed no more gray.
But just a week ago, at the end of his campaign, the president had a head of salt and pepper hair with lots more gray.
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A Key West resident who police say was distraught over the presidential election results and worried about his business has apparently killed himself.
Police say they found Henry Hamilton’s body in his bedroom Nov. 8, along with a living will with handwritten words "Do not revive! (expletive) Obama!" Two empty prescription empty pill bottles were in the dining room.
Hamilton’s partner Michael Cossey told Key West police he last saw Hamilton when they watched the election results together. According to the police report, Hamilton was upset and said, "If Barack gets re-elected, I’m not going to be around."
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An all-you-can-eat Burger King sounds like dangerous fast-food insanity. (Un)Fortunately, Burger King Japan seems to think that unlimited burgers and fries are just the thing to celebrate their fifth year return (all BKs in Japan were closed in 2001, then reopened in 2007).
The special burger buffet will, thankfully, be offered for only a limited time. Anyone ordering a black burger meal deal between November 17 and 21, from 2 pm to 11 pm will be invited to gorge on endless burgers, plus fries or onion rings for 30 minutes.
However, beware: The 30-minute ticker starts right after you pay and receive your receipt for the black burger, meaning you have to finish that before you can start your endless nomzfest. Also, you’ve got to finish everything — no leftovers here, and bring every single empty wrapper up to the register in order to redeem your all-you-can-eat special. If they catch you trying to cheat, such as sharing your free meals with your pals, you’ll have to cough up money to pay for all the food.
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Marijuana doesn't help disaster victims.
Money and supplies do.
It's a simple connection made by a pot dealer in Brooklyn, N.Y., who donated half of his proceeds made over two days last week to victims of Hurricane Sandy.
The dealer said he didn't care about the implications of turning drug money into supplies for
victims in the Rockaways, N.Y. some of whom are still without power. He just wanted to help out, and raised $700 for the cause.
The college-educated weed dealer said he saw the devastation in Breezy Point -- where some
80 homes flooded and burned to the ground -- and decided it was time to make some green for the victims. He alerted his clientele last Monday that he would be donating, and the calls started coming in.
He's no Pablo Escobar, but the dealer claims he did make $1,400 in those two days, amounting to $700 that will go toward hot meals, diapers, formula, clean water and other supplies that people on the Rockaway Peninsula still desperately need. Gives new meaning to the phrase "This Bud's for you".
