Video: Remembering the Tuscon Shooting Tragedy, One Year Later

Remembering the Tuscon Shooting Tragedy,

One Year Later

By: Ryan Duncan

Yesterday was the anniversary of the horrific shooting in Tucson, Arizona, which wounded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, killed six, and injured 13 more. In a new video, survivors talk about how that day has affected their lives, and the strength they've found in the days since. It's hard to believe it's only been a year since this terrible tragedy. Especially hard to believe how far Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has come in her recovery since then. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all effected by this event.

One Year Later: Hopes Washing Away

One Year Later: Hopes Washing Away

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the catastrophic BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill that killed 11 workers, devastated animal life and heavily altered the lives of Gulf Coast residents. The despair remains. Many Gulf residents' fishing, food or tourist industry businesses were lost to one of the largest oil spills on record.  Seasonal incomes that typically forecast one year's wages are gone—claims still await processing by BP. Hopes of recovering what used to be, are washing away. Groups most impacted according to the NAACP Climate Justice Department are people of color on numerous fronts, including: health, housing and jobs.  Given that people of color are already disproportionately affected by challenges in these three areas, how do we realistically restore hope?

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, April 20, 2011:
"Gulf Coast Is Still Hurting"

By: Cynthia Gordy On the one-year anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, President Obama released a statement marking the occasion. Noting his administration's efforts to hold BP accountable for the catastrophic damage wreaked on the Gulf Coast, he admitted that the job is far from done.

Lessons from Japan: US Leaders, Forget Special Interests and Protect Our Future

Lessons from Japan: US Leaders, Forget Special Interests and Protect Our Future

A USA Today article brings attention to an important message from the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan: the infrastructures in many earthquake-prone cities in this country are not strong enough to withstand large-scale natural disasters. As our nation’s leaders continue to engage in a tug-of-war over tax cuts for the wealthy and limiting rights for union workers,  systems that will protect our schools, dams and nuclear plants and create jobs continue to take a back seat. It’s time to turn our attention away from special interests and to focus on proactive planning that will prepare a holistically secure future for all Americans.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, March 14, 2011:

"Japanese earthquake sends sobering message for USA"
Of all the disasters that can wreak havoc, earthquakes stand out for not being entirely natural. To a farmer in a field, a quake is a strange and frightening occurrence, but probably not life threatening. In cities, however, the man-made structures that provide shelter from other disasters can turn into a lethal enemy. Add a tsunami, and farmer and city dweller alike could be swamped.

A Horrible Tragedy, A Moment of Silence and Reflection

A Horrible Tragedy, A Moment of Silence and Reflection

We join our President and First Lady, in a moment of silence for the victims of the Tucson, Arizona shooting. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was targeted in the attack. We hope this tragedy can be used as an opportunity for our nation to unite against the increasingly corrosive and hateful language that has emerged in our political rhetoric, as of late. Also, may this tragedy shine a light on the need to reevaluate gun regulation in our country.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, January 10, 2011:

Evidence Points to Methodical Planning

Marc Lacey

TUCSON — As President Obama led the nation in a moment of silence Monday, Jared L. Loughner, a troubled 22-year-old college dropout, was set to appear before a magistrate judge in Phoenix…