Around the Nation

The Minnesota Daily, Feb. 27, 2007
"Legislature might boost U organic research funding"
The University might become a little greener and more natural.
The Legislature is considering giving the University more than $2 million to research organic agriculture.
The appropriation would create ongoing funding for new staff positions, graduate assistantships and equipment to research organic agriculture at the St. Paul campus, UMore Park and outreach centers in Lamberton, Waseca, Morris and Crookston.
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University of Delaware Daily, Feb. 27, 2007
"Small business innovation expo set March 13"
Technology companies throughout the state are invited to attend Delaware's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Expo, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, at UD's Clayton Hall Conference Center.
The event is sponsored by the Delaware Small Business Development Center and its technology assistance program. The center is a partnership of UD's Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, the Delaware Economic Development Office and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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The Casper (Wyoming) Star Tribune, Feb. 27, 2007
"Utah legislature announces huge K-12 budget increase"
Legislative leaders announced an agreement Friday to raise funding for public education by $450 million, by far the biggest increase ever for Utah's crowded schools.
Senate and House Republicans said the new money -- which boosts state aid to elementary and secondary schools to $2.6 billion, up nearly $1 billion since 2003 -- will build more schools, expand all-day kindergarten, hire more teachers, raise their salaries and buy more computers, books, supplies and materials for classrooms.
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USA Today, Feb. 27, 2007
"States consider tobacco tax hikes"
More than a dozen states are considering higher tobacco taxes this year, most often to help millions of uninsured people get health coverage.
Four of the most closely watched proposals call for tax hikes of $1 per pack or more, an increase attained by only four states in the past. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle wants a $1.25 increase. Iowa, Maine and Maryland are considering $1.
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The Houston Chronicle, Feb. 21, 2007
"Houston learning lessons on WiFi"
As Houston embarks on the nation's largest municipal wireless Internet project, experience elsewhere raises an important question: Will it really work?
Skepticism is justified, considering the problems with service quality that cities much smaller than Houston have experienced after spending big bucks on wireless systems. Some networks haven't met expectations, providing spotty service, weak connections or signals that users can't access indoors.
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FCW.com, Feb. 21, 2007
"City uses energy auction to save money"
The city of Worcester, Mass., expects to save more than $870,000 on electricity it acquired through an online energy auction.
The city tapped World Energy Solutions’ online auction platform to buy electricity for more than 400 accounts, including all city buildings, public schools, streetlights and the convention center. World Energy conducts reverse auctions in which multiple sellers submit bids to supply a commodity specified by the buyer.
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