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The Two-Way
2:17 pm
Tue July 3, 2012

Fewer Fireworks This July 4th; Wildfires, Drought And Derecho To Blame

Credit Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks over the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2008. Photo taken from hear the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va.
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The Two-Way
2:05 pm
Tue July 3, 2012

IMF Dims U.S. Outlook, Warns Against Dramatic Spending Cuts

Credit Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde speaks during a news conference on Tuesday in Washington.
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Like the Federal Reserve before them, the International Monetary Fund lowered its growth projections for the U.S. economy. The Los Angles Times says that in its annual report, the IMF calls the U.S. recovery "tepid" and warns U.S. lawmakers that hitting the brakes too hard on spending and tax cuts could threaten the weak recovery both at home and abroad.

The Times reports:

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U.S.
2:00 pm
Tue July 3, 2012

Illinois Services Threatened As Pension Hole Grows

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Credit Seth Perlman / AP
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says the pension system is putting a grip on the state's budget. As a result, other services may lose funding.
Credit Seth Perlman / AP
Illinois pensions have amounted to billions that the state can't readily afford. American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees rally against proposed pension legislation on May 23.
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Originally published on Thu July 5, 2012 1:16 pm

Fallout from the recession continues to hobble state finances, particularly in states crippled by pensions they can't afford to pay.

Chief among them is Illinois, which has racked up the largest unfunded liability in the nation. Politicians there pledge to fix it.

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A Blog Supreme
1:58 pm
Tue July 3, 2012

Heavy Rotation: George Benson, 'Naima'

Credit Concord Jazz
George Benson.
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Originally published on Tue September 18, 2012 4:28 pm

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NPR Cities: Urban Life In The 21st Century
1:55 pm
Tue July 3, 2012

Oakland Turns A Corner As Calif. Faces Budget Woes

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Credit Laura Morton for NPR
Ryan Curtis leans in for a kiss from Love Kovtun on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland's Uptown neighborhood in April. New businesses and investment have helped revitalize the city's downtown over the past decade.
Credit Laura Morton for NPR
A performance artist dances on 23rd Street in Oakland as First Friday Art Walk attendees pass by.
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Originally published on Thu July 5, 2012 1:17 pm

The city of Oakland, Calif. has long been associated with crime, poverty, urban decay and, more recently, violent protests tied to the Occupy movement.

So it may have been a surprise to New York Times readers when the newspaper listed Oakland as No. 5 among its top "places to go" in 2012.

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