Behind on the news? Well have no fear, it's the end of the week again. You can get your weekly speed read right here. What's in store this week? Well, Tempe has to make further budget cuts, an important vote on birthright citizenship has been set for next week, and Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak announced he refuses step down. Welcome to The Round Up.
Around ASU
Tempe residents expressed concern over proposed cuts to the transportation budgets. Should the cuts go through, people who use public transit will get less for more. Reductions in bus and light rail hours are expected to occur. Fare increases are also on the table. The Orbit bus route, which is currently free, may soon have a fare.
The U.S. Labor Department is using new tools to help those Americans who are looking for a job. The website, My Next Move, targets people who are graduating from college and are in the younger age demographic. With a simple website design and a simple concept, people are hoping this will help them land jobs easier once they graduate.
An ASU student has helped make the possibility of a Mars mission more likely. Jim Crowell, an earth and space exploration junior, spent time in Utah over Winter Break participating in a simulated Mars mission. Mar Society, a group focused on exploring the planet, conducted the simulation that Crowell participated in.
Around Arizona:
Twenty different chambers of commerce from around the state are urging Congress to take action on immigration reform, writes Luci Scott of The Arizona Republic. The effort, led by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, outlines five different key points that any comprehensive immigration reform must include. These include a plea for stronger border security as well a visa/guest-worker program for undocumented immigrants who are already in the country.
It looks like there is an open Senate seat in Arizona. Republican Sen. Jon Kyl has decided to retire after this Congressional session and will not seek re-election in 2012. Kyl, who has served in the Senate since 1995, holds a powerful position in the Senate as the Minority Whip.
An important vote on birthright citizenship has been set before the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The vote will take place on Tuesday. Presented by Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, originally introduced it to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it would have been voted on earlier in the week on Monday. Fearing he didn't have the votes to pass the bill out of committee, he pulled the bill and it was reassigned to the appropriations committee.
Around the nation/world:
Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak said he will not step down even though there have been protests that have lasted for several weeks now, report Anthony Shadid and David D. Kirkpatrick of The New York Times. This goes against earlier reports that Mubarak would step down and end his three-decade reign. He signaled he will stay in office until September, though he gave Vice President Omar Suleiman more responsibilities.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., spoke earlier this week, reports Emi Kolawole of The Washington Post. After suffering a gunshot to the head at point-blank range on the Jan. 8 shootings in Tucson, she has been making a slow, but sure recovery. Rather than eat the meal she was served for breakfast several day ago, she asked for toast.
Vice President Joe Biden unveiled plans for the development of the high-speed rail. The plan, which will cost $53 billion over six years, is the first down payment on President Barack Obama's goal to have 80 percent of the country covered in high speed rails in 25 years.
New York Republican Rep. Chris Lee has resigned over a suggestive photo sent to a women he met on the Internet, report Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan of Politico. The congressman, who is in his second term, sent a shirtless photo to a woman he met on Craigslist. The website Gawker broke the story on Wednesday morning.
