2008 Woodie Awards
Week in Review
Brett Corrigan '09
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: World
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Local
Food stamp program not being utilized
According to new reports, many Rhode Islanders are not taking advantage of their eligibility to receive food stamps.
In fact, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank reports that "only 36 percent of the client households served through the Food Bank's network of member agencies receives Food Stamps. This is down from 46 percent in 2001 and 49 percent in 1997."
Many legislators and employees of the food stamp initiative argue that the problem lies in the lack of awareness among the poor of the services available to them.
According to a study by the federal government, Rhode Island ranks above only four states for levels of food stamp use among those who are eligible.
Each state receives federal funding to pay for the food purchased with the debit card known as the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), and states also receive funding for half the cost of the implementation of the program.
According to the Rhode Island Food Bank, if Rhode Island's food stamp participation grew at the same rate as the national average, this would amount to more than a $30-million gain for the local economy on an annual basis.
National
News leak prompts jury barring
A new development has unfolded in the Scooter Libby trial, in which the former White House aide is being accused of lying and obstructing FBI officials in the leak of CIA agent Valerie Palme's cover.
According to an Associated Press report, a member of the jury was barred from the case Monday after she was accused of leaking information regarding the case over the weekend. While the U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton removed her from the case and did not elaborate on the information that was exposed. He classified the discrepancy as a misunderstanding. The trial will continue as normal, however, with the 11 remaining jurors who began their deliberations last Wednesday, Feb. 21.
International
Food stamp program not being utilized
According to new reports, many Rhode Islanders are not taking advantage of their eligibility to receive food stamps.
In fact, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank reports that "only 36 percent of the client households served through the Food Bank's network of member agencies receives Food Stamps. This is down from 46 percent in 2001 and 49 percent in 1997."
Many legislators and employees of the food stamp initiative argue that the problem lies in the lack of awareness among the poor of the services available to them.
According to a study by the federal government, Rhode Island ranks above only four states for levels of food stamp use among those who are eligible.
Each state receives federal funding to pay for the food purchased with the debit card known as the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), and states also receive funding for half the cost of the implementation of the program.
According to the Rhode Island Food Bank, if Rhode Island's food stamp participation grew at the same rate as the national average, this would amount to more than a $30-million gain for the local economy on an annual basis.
National
News leak prompts jury barring
A new development has unfolded in the Scooter Libby trial, in which the former White House aide is being accused of lying and obstructing FBI officials in the leak of CIA agent Valerie Palme's cover.
According to an Associated Press report, a member of the jury was barred from the case Monday after she was accused of leaking information regarding the case over the weekend. While the U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton removed her from the case and did not elaborate on the information that was exposed. He classified the discrepancy as a misunderstanding. The trial will continue as normal, however, with the 11 remaining jurors who began their deliberations last Wednesday, Feb. 21.
International