Beech Tree News Network

I watch and read the news because I like to know a little about world events. Some things I filter out – I don’t want to know any more. But, some recent news items caught my attention. A few of those are below.

Economic Impact.  The Daily News recently reported some thought-provoking information.
•    Monica Spees (2015, April 18, pp. 1A, 6A) stated that the average price for a one-bedroom apartment in Kentucky is $580 per month. The average price for a one-bedroom apartment is: $660 in Louisville, $610 in Lexington, and $520 in Bowling Green.
•    Laurel Wilson (2015, April 25, p. 1A) said that the WKU Board of Regents approved tuition and fee increases for the next school year. As a result of the increases, the 2015-16 resident undergraduate tuition will increase to $4,741 per semester (up 3.1%), and resident graduate tuition will increase to $545 per hour. Students will also see an increase in fees charged at WKU.
•    Danielle Paquette (2015, April 29, p. 7A) reported, “Between 2007 and 2012 – just before and right after the recession – birth rates among American women in their twenties declined by 15 percent….” A study from the Urban Institute attributed their choice to delay parenthood to our uncertain economy.
•    Jonnelle Marte (2015, April 29, p. 9A) explained that many people plan to delay retirement. But, those who retire earlier than planned often do so because of illness, the need to care for a family member or a company downsize. Retirement may no longer mean a full exit from the workforce; it may mean working fewer hours or giving up leadership roles to work on specific projects in a part-time capacity.

A New Princess.  A baby girl was born to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a few days ago: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. She is the sister of 21-month-old Prince George. The baby princess is fourth in line to the throne. Of course, Elizabeth II is the sovereign. Her heir is her eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales. Second in line is Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales's eldest son. Third in line is 21-month-old Prince George of Cambridge, the son of the Duke of Cambridge. Fourth in line is the recently-born princess, the daughter of the Duke Cambridge. And, fifth in line is Prince Harry, the younger son of the Prince of Wales (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succession_to_the_British_throne).

Family.  The May 3, 2015, Parade magazine included an article about 75-year-old journalist Tom Brokaw. Although he has visited all seven continents, written several best-selling books, won many broadcast journalism awards and is a cancer survivor, I was interested to learn that Brokaw has been married for 52 years to his wife Meredith. They have three daughters and five grandchildren. Considering the pressures both likely felt because of his career, the Brokaw marriage must have a very solid foundation. I admire them.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV) says, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” And, Tracy Morgan said, “Bad news travels at the speed of light; good news travels like molasses” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/tracymorga636698.html#9QY871S...).
Though I agree, many of us still want to know the good or bad of what’s going on in the world. And, with technology, we have more ways to access news.