Today on CNN Newsroom
Fighting poverty with music
Martin and Anna Smith had an idea – create a music album with the proceeds going to assist very poor communities. They were joined by 11 other songwriters, from which 22 songs were produced. However more than just this album was the result. The charity CompassionArt was born.
You can also preview tracks from their album here, although you do not need to buy the album to support this charity, as they also accept donations.
And to learn more about CompassionArt and other organizations that are making a difference, please visit our Impact Your World page.
Street Violence in Verse
From CNN Producer Emily Kean:
My son Tommy is 7 years old and in first grade. He and his classmates worked on a poetry project this year in which they wrote about their favorite foods. Tommy’s poem was an “Ode to PB and J.”
The kids in Heather O'Reilly’s fourth grade class in Rochester, New York, also worked on a poetry project this spring. But instead of favorite foods, they wrote about the daily violence that they see on the streets of their neighborhoods, the guns they hear in the night, and their own very real fears about the future.
Their words broke my heart. Maureen McGuire of CNN affiliate WROC visited the class.
Passionate advocate for children
This week the GAO presented a disturbing report to Congress about cases of abusive treatment of special needs children. The stories of harsh treatment of these kids by teachers were heart breaking. Then we found Ann Marie Taylor. She gave us hope. She is an award winning educator spending her life advocating for special needs children and training other teachers.
Gas Pains
“Summer’s here. So are higher gas prices.” That’s what CNNMoney.com is saying as we prepare our programming for Saturday morning in the CNN Newsroom.
What will this mean for your travel? And how will you find the cheapest gas on the road?
Our Josh Levs will be reporting on this, showing us important web sites to check, and showing how you can weigh in on where the cheapest gas really is.
Join TJ Holmes and Betty Nguyen weekend mornings in the CNN Newsroom, beginning 6am ET, 3am PT
80 Million Strong
We’ve all heard about the soaring unemployment in America – it stands at almost 9%. Now imagine if it was twice that high. It almost is, among the nation’s youngest workers. A new group is hoping to change that, by pushing lawmakers to fund programs that will create jobs for young people. Tomorrow morning in the CNN Newsroom, our Josh Levs will introduce us to 80 Million Strong, and its 23-year-old co-chairman.
Join TJ Holmes and Betty Nguyen weekend mornings in the CNN Newsroom beginning 6am ET, 3am PT.
Kyra's Choice
After the shows yesterday, I asked Kyra which of her interviews she might want to put up on the blog. "George," she immediately said. "We've gotta put up George."
So here it is... Kyra's Choice for Thursday:
Getting a grip on fees: Pres. Obama to sign credit card reform bill
Feeling powerless over skyrocketing interest rates and fees on your credit card?
Well, come February 2010, you'll gain some significant strength.
President Obama is about to sign into law a bill that will put major restrictions on banks that are raising interest rates and fees on cardholders.
Under the new rules, banks will not be able to increase rates on cardholders' existing balances, until they're more than 60 days late on a payment.
Over-the-limit fees and late charges will also be curtailed.
But the measure doesn't completely rein in banks.
There are still no caps on interest rates and fees.
Should the measure have included stronger protections for Americans who are struggling to pay down large balances ... especially when many of these banks are recipients of taxpayers' bailout money?
Tell us what you think.
By Maegan Ahern
Writer
Who decides your medical treatment?
A 13-year-old Minnesota boy, Daniel Hauser, and his mother vow to resist chemotherapy for his cancer. Last week, a judge ruled that Daniel's parents, Colleen and Anthony Hauser, were medically neglecting him. The court ordered the boy undergo a chest X-ray to assess his Hodgkins lymphoma. His mother disappeared with her son and has missed their Tuesday court hearing. Now, there is a felony warrant out for her arrest.
Does this amount to law enforcement and the courts mandating medical treatment? Does the government have the right to do so? Leave us a comment.
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