January 22, 2009 / Features

The 'McMansion' Trend In Housing Is Slowing

Economic hard times, plus shifting neighborhood and urban values, are key factors
By Patrik Jonsson STAFF WRITER OF THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

ATLANTA - Complete with an Oval Office and Lincoln Bedroom, the Atlanta White House became a symbol of developers reshaping the urban landscape by tearing down modest ranches and bungalows and plopping Mc- Mansions in their place. More...

Rendell Says Estimated Pa. Budget Gap Has Grown

By Marc Levy ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's 2008-09 budget shortfall could be as high as $1.9 billion as the national recession continues to take its toll on state tax collections, Gov. Ed Rendell said Thursday. More...

The Big Barrier To A Clean Kitchen

By Margrita Jager THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

Hectic and hardworking, my kitchen tends to attract stuff, lots of stuff - things I love and cannot seem to let go. More...

Pa. Turnpike Taking On New Debt At Difficult Time

By Mark Scolforo ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Even before gas prices spiked and the economy turned sour last year, the Pennsylvania Turnpike was saddled with daunting financial challenges. More...

Jeanette Krebs Tapped For Patriot-News Editor Job

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The former Statehouse bureau chief for The Patriot-News of Harrisburg has been named editor of the newspaper's editorial and opinion pages. Jeanette Krebs starts in her new job Feb. 1. More...

Home Repossessions Nearly Doubled In Pa. Last Year

By Marc Levy ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The number of Pennsylvania homes repossessed from homeowners who fell behind on their mortgage payments nearly doubled in 2008 as more people lost their jobs, businesses and nest eggs. New figures from RealtyTrac Inc. More...

Schools Tap '21st-Century Skills'

To prepare students for a fast-changing future, teachers are reaching beyond the R's
By Stacy Teicher Khadaroo STAFF WRITER OF THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

For decades, the emphasis in public education has been on making sure that students can read, write, and do math. But can they apply those skills in a realworld scenario, such as designing a bridge? More...