Has the Recession Hit Your School?
Utah's government is considering making high school senior year optional. Some systems in Georgia are thinking of going to a four-day school week; other districts in America are canceling bus routes or charging a bus fee. And teachers nationwide are being furloughed, meaning they're forced to take some days off without pay.
It's all because of the recession. States have less money to give to schools, so schools are cutting programs, classes and activities to make do with the money they do have. What we'd like to know is whether you've seen any of this: Have you had field trips canceled? Are your classes getting bigger? What kind of toll has the economy taken on your school?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Why Do Some People Ignore Seat belts?
It's not every day that a public service announcement (PSA) goes viral on the Internet. But on Tuesday, you're going to see a powerful PSA that did, and it's about wearing seat belts. The video isn't particularly graphic; it doesn't show anyone actually getting hurt. But it gets the point across very clearly that all drivers should wear seat belts - if not for themselves, then for those who love them.
You've seen PSAs like this before and heard TONS of statistics on why you should buckle up, so I'm not gonna lecture you about it. But I do have a question: Why do you think that, despite the danger, some people still don't wear seat belts?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Has the Stimulus Worked?
Instead of "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," it's easier just to say "stimulus package." What's not easy to say is whether the controversial plan has been a success; it really depends on whom you ask.
Well, we're asking you. President Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus plan exactly one year ago (its price was recently recalculated at $862 billion). Its goals included saving or creating jobs, keeping the economy from getting worse, and helping the economy grow down the road.
Has it worked?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Childhood Obesity
The government says that about one-third of American children are overweight or obese. Suggestions on how to get young people to slim down: Make food labels easier to read, make school lunches healthier, limit the amount of TV kids watch, and reduce the size of the portions that kids eat.
Tell us what you think would be the most effective way to reduce childhood obesity, whether it's listed here or you have your own ideas.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
What Is Art (and What's It Worth)?
The most expensive piece of art EVER SOLD AT AN AUCTION is a bronze, stick-figure-like statue you can see by clicking right here. It went for $104.3 million - the price of a lavish estate, a fleet of private jets, your very own Caribbean island chain...
What's even more interesting is that the sculpture wasn't expected to fetch that much money; in fact, $104.3 million was almost three times the price that Sotheby's expected to get for it. It begs the questions: What do you think is art? And how much would you pay for your favorite piece of artwork?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Making a Difference
Principal Steve Perry's school, Capital Prep, sends 100 percent of its graduates to college. Part of what makes the school so successful: the high expectations to which Dr. Perry and his faculty hold their students. Another part: the love - sometimes, tough love - that students get at Capital Prep.
The interview that we show you on Tuesday as part of our Black History Month coverage is an excellent example of how someone can make a positive difference in his community. Are there people you know who've inspired others in your neighborhood or city? Tell us what they've done and how they've done it.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Weigh Less, Pay Less?
Everyone who works for Whole Foods gets 20 percent off his or her groceries, but people who want to participate in a new discount plan can save even more - if they qualify. On Thursday, you hear the details about it and the extra benefits it gives to employees who are in extra-good shape.
Some folks say the extra discount is encouraging; some say it discriminates. What do you say?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Your Thoughts: Don't Ask, Don't Tell
The controversial "don't ask, don't tell" military policy actually started as a compromise. In the early 1990s, President Clinton tried to get rid of the military's ban on gays and lesbians, but he was met with a great deal of disagreement from some members of Congress and the American people. So "don't ask, don't tell" was eventually put in place, which allowed gays and lesbians to serve as long as they didn't openly discuss their orientation.
Now, President Obama feels they should be able to serve openly, so he wants the "don't ask, don't tell" policy repealed. As you can imagine, people have some very strong feelings about this issue, and we'd like to hear what you have to say about it.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
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