New Boom Reshapes Oil World, Rocks North Dakota

Breakthrough technology is allowing previously untapped oil to be drilled in the U.S., Canada and South America. And experts say that's moving the global energy supply's center of gravity away from the Middle East and toward the Americas. In a decade, they say, that could make the U.S. a bigger oil producer than Saudi Arabia. Small towns like Williston, N.D., are reaping the benefits ? and bearing the burdens ? of the boom.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140784004/new-boom-reshapes-oil-world-rocks-north-dakota?ft=1&f=1007

bill clinton

Engineers Survey Damage Of Washington Monument

The Park Service is undertaking a painstaking inspection of the Washington Monument to assess damage from the Aug. 23 earthquake that hit the area. The temblor opened up cracks in the 555-foot obelisk, and the Park Service says it will remain closed indefinitely while repairs are made. There are no serious structural problems, but concerns remain that debris could cause a safety hazard.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/27/140854977/engineers-survey-damage-of-washington-monument?ft=1&f=1007

john mccain

Strauss-Kahn Asks N.Y. Court To Dismiss Maid's Suit

Attorneys for the former head of the International Monetary Fund argued that he has diplomatic immunity. They urged the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the hotel maid who says he sexually assaulted her. The criminal case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn fell apart after questions about his accuser's credibility.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/26/140825792/strauss-kahn-asks-n-y-court-to-dismiss-maids-suit?ft=1&f=1003

hillary clinton

How State Lawmakers Pump Up Their Pensions

Tom Frank, USA Today
Most workers must retire from their jobs before getting retirement benefits. But Thomas used a one-sentence law that he and his colleagues passed in 2002 to let legislators receive a taxpayer-funded pension instead of a salary after serving for 30 years.Thomas' $32,390 annual retirement benefit — paid for the rest of his life — is more than triple the $10,400 salary he gave up. His pension exceeds the salary because of another perk: Lawmakers voted to count their expenses in the salary used to calculate their pensions.

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2011/09/23/how_state_lawmakers_pump_up_their_pensions_264105.html

nancy pelosi