"The money is just not flowing the way it used to":  the words of a father whose son, a valedictorian, chose to go to The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) over Boston College.  The reason is an increasingly common one:  The student wants to save money.  He says that four years at TCNJ cost less than one year at Boston College.

Some of you are headed to college in the fall; some of you are planning where you'll go in the years ahead.  Has the recession affected your college plans?

Carl Azuz, Anchor

At a cafe in St. Louis, the prices aren't what you have to pay; they're suggestions!  If you don't have enough money, you pay what you can.  If you have extra, you can leave it to help the company stay in business.  And if you have no money at all, the managers say you can offer to wipe tables or help clean up.

It's an interesting idea that you don't see done too often - especially at a time when so many people don't have jobs.

Would it work where you live?

Carl Azuz, Anchor

As much as 40 percent of America's commercial seafood is harvested from the Gulf of Mexico, and the oil spill is already hurting the industry:  Fishermen and women - people who've had to rebuild their lives and careers after hurricanes - are once again out of work, their boats sitting idle at dock.  

Meanwhile, "plumes" of oil may be drifting through the water.  Marine life is in danger; tourism is threatened as travelers look for other beaches; satellite photos show a swirling slick meandering around the Gulf.  And though some progress has been made in containing the oil, much of it continues to stream out of the faulty well and into the sea. 

With so many things affected by the spill, we'd like to get your opinion on what the worst part of it is - what you think will be impacted the most by this disaster.

Carl Azuz, Anchor

In a recent speech at Hampton University, President Obama said that in a 24/7 media environment with iPads, iPods, Xboxes and PlayStations, "information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment rather than a tool of empowerment..."  And he said that puts pressure on students, the country and the democracy.

We know from previous posts that a lot of you text, play video games, and know what's on TV, what's in the news and at the movies.  You're aware of media like no generation before you.  So we'd like to hear whether you agree with the president that all of these technologies are distracting, or whether you think they help you.

Carl Azuz, Anchor

All of us have had a teacher or two who inspired us, influenced us, or changed our lives.  Mrs. Dalessandro gave me endless laughs and equipped me with the skill to type out the reports I do today.  Mrs. Feldman made me more self-confident and got me comfortable in speaking to crowds.  Mrs. Long gave me a compliment that still inspires me to write. And my mom, a social studies teacher, has taught me more lessons than I can count...

This Teacher Appreciation Week, pay tribute to your favorite teachers.  Give them cards or compliments; tell them what a good job they're doing.  And talk to us about how they've changed your life.

Carl Azuz, Anchor