Poor Mojo's Newswire

That is the message of a new report being released today by the National Endowment for the Arts, based on an analysis of data from about two dozen studies from the federal Education and Labor Departments and the Census Bureau as well as other academic, foundation and business surveys. After its 2004 report, “Reading at Risk,” which found that fewer than half of Americans over 18 read novels, short stories, plays or poetry, the endowment sought to collect more comprehensive data to build a picture of the role of all reading, including nonfiction.

In his preface to the new 99-page report Dana Gioia, chairman of the endowment, described the data as “simple, consistent and alarming.”

Rowan Trezise, 33, has been left behind in England while her husband Richie, 35, has already made the move down under leaving her desperately trying to lose weight.

When the couple first tried to gain entry to the country they were told that they were both overweight and were a potential burden on the health care system.

For five years, environmentalists and the media have highlighted the danger to Chinese workers who dismantle much of the world's junked electronics. Yet a visit to this southeastern Chinese town regarded as the heartland of "e-waste" disposal shows little has improved. In fact, the problem is growing worse because of China's own contribution.

China now produces more than 1 million tons of e-waste each year, said Jamie Choi, a toxics campaigner with Greenpeace China in Beijing. That adds up to roughly 5 million television sets, 4 million fridges, 5 million washing machines, 10 million mobile phones and 5 million personal computers, according to Choi.

"Most e-waste in China comes from overseas, but the amount of domestic e-waste is on the rise," he said.

Officials initially said Amon Paul Carlock apparently died Friday from a medical condition.

But the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office later explained that the Springfield man began having problems after a correctional officer Tased him during a struggle.

Carlock was arrested last month on charges of sex tourism and possession of child pornography.

He had several jobs involving contact with kids, including performing as "Klutzo the Clown."

Organized gangs of thieves were swiping the pants from shelves, hustling them to waiting cars and whisking them to a couple of homes in the San Fernando Valley. The hot jeans were then sold in Los Angeles' garment district.

In the end, 30 people were arrested for what Mervyns estimates was more than $1 million in losses.

Shoplifting has gone big-time. Groups of thieves armed with store floor plans and foil-lined bags to evade security sensors are making off with vast quantities of merchandise.