Grumpy Editor

STRUGGLING NEWSPAPERS FIND FINANCIAL AID HARD TO FIND

Newspapers, struggling for survival, are finding it difficult to get financial aid to curb layoffs and payroll cuts, observes Grumpy Editor.

The Wall Street Journal, citing data from the Alliance for Audited Media, reports, “Papers representing more than 80 percent of U.S. circulation are disqualified from the government’s Paycheck Protection Program because of the way their companies are structured.”

 

The Journal adds, “The issue has prompted a bipartisan push in Congress to either amend PPP rules to make an exception for local news, or get news organizations other forms of aid in the next stimulus bill.”

 

The Paycheck Protection Program features loans designed to provide direct incentives for small businesses to keep workers on payrolls. The Small Business Administration will forgive loans if all employees are kept on payrolls for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities.

 

However, some news outlets are ineligible for PPP loans because parent companies own large businesses unrelated to news.

 

University of North Carolina research finds the U.S. has lost 2,100 newspapers in the past six years, leaving 1,800 communities wirthout a news source.

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…

 

MOST FEEL TRUMP SLOW IN CORONAVIRUS ACTION.   Pew Research Center finds nearly two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) say President Donald Trump was too slow to take major steps to address the threat to the U.S. when coronavirus cases were first reported in other countries.

 

FOX BUSINESS VIEWERS UP.  Fox Business Network total viewers jumped 80 percent in April, attracted by news about the economy and stock market in uncertain times.

 

CLOSED NEWSPAPER REVIVED.  The Los Angeles Times-owned Glendale (Calif.) News-Press which closed last month, will be revived by the publisher of the nearby La Canada Outlook.   Established in 1905, lack of advertising forced the News-Press to stop the presses.

 

PBS'S JIM LEHRER HONORED.  PBS NewsHour plans the Jim Lehrer Journalism Fellowship "in honor of award-winning, longtime PBS NewsHour anchor and co-founder Jim Lehrer.”   Lehrer passed away at age 85 in January. The award-winning newsman co-anchored "PBS NewsHour" alongside Robert MacNeil for two decades before anchoring the program solo for nearly 16 years.

NO CITIZENSHIP PROOF NEEDED.  A federal appeals court panel rules Kansas cannot require voters to show proof of citizenship when registering.

NON-THEATER FILMS OKAYED FOR OSCARS.  Eligibility for the next Oscars — set for Feb. 28, 2021 — is expanded to include films that were not release in theaters because of the nationwide shutdown. 

 

MORE LOCUSTS SWARM EAST AFRICA.  Another wave of locusts, 20 times larger than the first, are expected to swarm across East Africa, resulting in slashing agricultural production and mass food shortages.

Surcharge on phone bill boosts ‘ObamaPhones’ usage

Grabbing attention over the past few days, especially on talk radio: coverage of the so-called ObamaPhone, including audio from a video of a happy user, notes Grumpy Editor.

While the regular phone user-funded program --- intended as a landline phone service for low-income Americans --- was created under the George W. Bush administration, it zooms ahead with cell phones in recent months under the Obama administration.

Yet, little is seen in print media about the bargain cell phones being widely dispensed.

Bloomberg News reports the current 12.5 million nationwide accounts via the program compares with 7.1 million four years ago. 

In Ohio, for example, one of the biggest battleground states in this year’s election, the subsidized phone service nearly doubles this year to more than a million people. 

See the video here of a happy Cleveland area cell phone (aka ObamaPhone) user. 

“Keep Obama as president,” the woman proclaims on the video.  “He gave us a phone.” 

The video is drawing attention to the subsidized phone program as a national debate unfolds on entitlements and the growing percentage of Americans who pay no income taxes and get federal benefits. 

And who pays for the service? 

Take a look at your monthly phone bill.  Among the higher “fees, surcharges and taxes” --- the Universal Service Fund surcharge goes toward footing the bill on "ObamaPhones." 

The number of people eligible for the Lifeline service is estimated at between 20 million and 30 million, according to Universal Service Administrative Co., that administers the program.

 

 

 

 

Easier loans? Bloomberg News, WSJ differ on report

So are banks making it easier to obtain loans?

Well, yes and no, depending on the news source --- which makes the situation confusing for loan seekers, finds Grumpy Editor. 

Bloomberg News, in pointing out “banks are lending the most since the recession ended in June, 2009,” said yesterday the latest Federal Reserve quarterly loan officer survey showed U.S. banks “continued to report having eased their lending standards across most loan types over the past three months.” 

Bloomberg noted banks cited “stronger demand for auto and credit card loans.” 

Bloomberg also quoted an investment strategist saying, “banks are lending, people are borrowing, housing prices are going up and a sense of normality is returning.” 

Sounds encouraging.

But then The Wall Street Journal, working off the same Fed survey, yesterday reported “despite the increase in mortgage demand, lenders were keeping standards tight for mortgage borrowers, as well as for small business loans.” 

The Journal added that among loan officers surveyed, 93 percent said standards for approving mortgages to those with strong credit “were unchanged from the prior quarter” and 95 percent said standards for businesses with under $50 million in annual sales also were unchanged.

 

U.S.’s $2 billion clean air package story mostly buried

With most editors focused on a flurry of Washington developments plus problems connected with a tropical storm and expanding wildfires, many missed a $2 billion clean energy package that the U.S. announced during a three-day United Nations conference in Rio de Janeiro attended by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, notes Grumpy Editor. 

Editors who drive to work dodging growing roadway potholes, not fixed because of lack of funds, should be concerned on $2 billion more going in the form of grants, loans and loan guarantees for programs to advance the adoption of clean energy solutions in developing countries. 

"In the 21st century, the only viable development is sustainable development,” said Clinton to delegates from 192 nations.  “The only way to deliver lasting progress for everyone is by preserving our resources and protecting our common environment." 

Earlier, a State Department spokesperson mentioned, “The UN Secretary General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative represents an important opportunity for the international community to address issues critical to the future of sustainable development, energy access and economic growth.

“Expanding the use of efficient and clean energy technologies is a priority of the Obama Administration, domestically and internationally, and increasing energy access is a central challenge facing the world.”

With all this going on in Brazil, lacking in news reports from current heavy flooding from a tropical storm in Florida and major wildfires in several states, including Colorado, affecting many thousands of residents, was any mention of financial aid including assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

Editors miss First Lady in Vegas; $100 million to Tunisia

Two interesting stories --- especially to taxpayers finishing up income tax returns and wondering how their money will be spent --- somehow escaped most print and broadcast editors’ attention late last week:  First Lady Michelle Obama, with her two daughters, visited Las Vegas one week after President Barack Obama made it to Sin City, and the United States plans to give $100 million in cash to Tunisia, observes Grumpy Editor. 

Mrs. Obama’s trip, not announced to media, came to light following a Las Vegas reporter’s query on a special closure at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. 

Her Wednesday-Thursday visit with daughters Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10, was noteworthy because the president shot arrows at Las Vegas twice in recent years, scaring off tourist and convention activity.  

In February, 2009, aiming at business gatherings, he declared:  “You can’t take a trip to Las Vegas or down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayers dime.” 

Then a year later, he warned:  “You don’t blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you’re trying to save for college.” 

A sour economy followed, resulting in thousands of casino workers’ jobs lost plus Las Vegas rising to first place in the U.S. with home foreclosures. 

Last year’s  unemployment in Las Vegas, at 13.3 percent, was among the highest in the nation. 

Meanwhile, most editors also missed Thursday’s announcement from the Obama administration that $100 million, subject to congressional approval, will go to Tunisia for short-term fiscal relief --- to help improve its economy. 

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the funds would allow Tunisia to “use this money for its priority programs, accelerating economic growth and job creation.” 

In addition, the U.S. is negotiating a separate package that would offer loan guarantees to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for Tunisia.

 

U.S. pays $50,000 each for Afghans killed March 11

Many newspapers yesterday reported the U.S. promptly paid $50,000 in compensation to relatives for each of 17 Afghans killed two weeks earlier in a shooting rampage said to be carried out by an American soldier, observes Grumpy Editor. 

The unusually large payout may have buzzed over the heads of most editors, accustomed to U.S. life insurance policies. 

But in Afghanistan that amount turned out to be a whopping number.

Average annual income there is equal to about $425. 

That means each $50,000 payment corresponds to 118 years worth of average annual income in Afghanistan, based on current figures. 

The Wall Street Journal reported one farmer lost 11 family members in the shootings. 

“Such payments are customary in Afghan culture when a wrong like this is done," The Journal quoted a U.S. official. 

The U.S. also paid $11,000 for every injured villager in the March 11 incident. 

Also paying family members was the Afghan government.  But the amount was much smaller: $2,000 for each person killed and $1,000 for each injured. 

An Associated Press story on the compensation mentioned, “The families were told the money came from President Barack Obama.”

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Money woes put U.S. military families in bind 

Meanwhile, on the same day the unusually high Afghan payouts were reported, an Associated Press story told how money woes have been hitting U.S. military members and families. 

It pointed out financial struggles stemmed from multiple deployments, frequent relocations, mounting credit card debt, strain in paying bills and difficulty spouses have in getting and keeping jobs. 

“The stress factors with the families is just unbelievable,” AP quoted Roger J. Mealey, a Vietnam veteran who runs a website to aid struggling military families.

 

Editors should note FEMA aid denial to 5 Illinois counties

Editors in hurricane, earthquake, tornado and flood-prone areas should be concerned about how five southern Illinois counties and especially Harrisburg, Ill, recently smacked by a 170-mph twister that damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, are being nixed for assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), advises Grumpy Editor. 

The “no help” should spark editorials because the same thing could happen in the areas they serve. 

Denial of aid comes despite the stated mission of FEMA, with about 7,500 employees, that is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:

“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

Denying aid means residents of the region will not be eligible for federal funds to assist in repairing or replacing damage from a mighty Feb. 29 twister.

Eric Gregg, mayor of Harrisburg, where the tornado killed seven residents, said, “I want to know how this decision was reached and why because frankly, I don't understand it.”  He estimated damage to his community at “tens of millions.” 

Gregg hoped President Barack Obama will visit southern Illinois to see the devastation first hand. 

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said he was “extremely disappointed that FEMA denied our request for federal assistance that is needed to help people in Harrisburg, Ridgway and the other communities.  After personally surveying the damage and talking to many residents who lost their homes, I firmly believe federal assistance is crucial to help them begin the recovery process." 

The governor hoped to get the FEMA decision appealed.

A FEMA spokesman said agency officials determined assistance from state and local agencies, combined with volunteer groups and private insurance, would be enough for the five counties to rebuild on their own.

 

Connecticut Senator seeks federal funding for diapers

While much of the U.S. is focused on creating jobs, lowering taxes, improving education, thwarting terrorism, avoiding foreclosures and observing pre-election action, Connecticut continues to get to the bottom of things, dwelling on --- diapers, finds Grumpy Editor.

On the heels of last Thursday’s Diaper Need Awareness Day, observed solely in Connecticut after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy issued a declaration, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) yesterday introduced legislation, adding child-care services funding to purchase diapers and diapering supplies.

At the Oct. 27 diapers event in New Haven, activists and advocates gathered for a panel discussion on diapers as a public health issue.  It was followed by a fundraiser.

As explained by Pete Kasperowicz, writing in The Hill, Blumenthal’s bill, S. 1778, would amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to allow diapers and related supplies to be bought with grant money provided to states. 

A summary of Blumenthal's bill, Kasperowicz added, indicated it would "include the provision of diapers and diapering supplies among the activities for which funds may be employed to improve the quality of and access to child care." 

Diaper makers Pampers, a Procter & Gamble Co. product, and Huggies, manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Corp., should be delighted by the move.

 

Presto! August Social Security payments flow on time

Following several weeks of scary-to-seniors dire warnings --- from President Barack Obama to national print and broadcast media --- that more than 45 million Americans may not get their August Social Security payments if the debt-ceiling crisis was not resolved, lo and behold, just minutes after the debt-ceiling vote passed in Washington, the Social Security Administration issued a news release saying benefits will be paid on time, notes Grumpy Editor. 

Whew! 

Imagine this miraculous speed:  With the green light and to meet the next-day (Aug. 3) dissemination, the U.S. Treasury Department immediately cranked up its check-printing presses or geared for direct deposits to millions of recipients.  Then, for the mailed checks, the U.S. Postal Service took over for following-day distribution around the country --- a delivery process that usually takes two days to mail boxes. 

Hard to believe? 

Not even usual eyebrow-raising investigative reporters were stirred by this magical, super-fast federal government action, equal to pulling a rabbit out of a hat. 

Strangely, with millions of Americans concerned, few print and broadcast media reported the announcement that Social Security benefits would be paid as usual and on time. 

The Aug. 2 news release from the Social Security Administration announced “payments for August 3 will be made on time and as scheduled.  Payments for August 10, 17 and 24 also will be made as scheduled.” 

The three-paragraph news release also reminded that “current beneficiaries must switch to electronic payments by March 1, 2013.” 

That should provide another “crisis” for media, focusing on recipients who do not have bank accounts.

 

Seniors focus on third quarter CPI for 2012 COLA clue

For Social Security recipients looking for an upward cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2012 monthly payments, last month’s consumer price index (CPI) may provide a clue as to how this year’s third quarter will wind up, observes Grumpy Editor.

Figures from July, August and September will be averaged out to determine the COLA for next year. 

As the Social Security Administration explains it: “The Social Security Act provides for an automatic increase in Social Security and SSI benefits if there is an increase in the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the last year a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was determined to the third quarter of the current year.” 

So it’s interesting to note that Friday-released consumer prices, as tallied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)  fell 0.2 percent in June from a month earlier for the first time in a year.

“Lower Inflation in June” proclaims headlines in newspapers and in broadcast reports. 

However, less emphasized:  Excluding volatile fuel and food costs, core inflation rose 0.3 percent, making it the second straight monthly gain and the largest back-to-back increase since summer, 2008. 

Watchful Social Security recipients will be focusing attention on the July CPI tally from BLS, due to be announced on Aug. 18, followed by August figures on Sept. 15 and September numbers on Oct. 19. 

Four months ago, Social Security trustees projected a 1.2 percent COLA for senior recipients while President Barack Obama envisioned under one percent (0.9 percent, to be exact).