College graduates' literacy declines, according to test

The average American college graduate's literacy in English declined significantly over the past decade, according to results of a nationwide test to be released today. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy, given in 2003 by the Department of Education, is the nation's most important test of how well adult Americans can read.

The test also found steep declines in the English literacy of Hispanics in the United States, and significant increases among Blacks and Asians.

Full Story at AzCentral

Shrinking water supply spurs states' creativity

Seeding clouds. Pulling weeds. Desalting sea water. Diverting flow from rivers two or three states away.

Is this where Western water management is headed, to the realm of last-resort ideas?

Maybe. The water managers prefer to call them creative strategies, but there's no denying that the seven Colorado River states are looking beyond traditional approaches as they try to stretch ever further a water supply weakened by population growth and persistent drought.

Full Story at AzCentral

Wheezing? Burning eyes? It's in the air

The Valley of the Cough is crouching beneath a cloud of the dirtiest air in years, and the area's harried doctors say we all should take some precautions.

People with respiratory problems should be particularly careful, but all of us may experience some symptoms, including burning eyes, a runny nose and some wheezing.

Like Daniel Cook, 72, of Phoenix. He said he suffers from allergies year-round, but since the brown cloud influx his throat has been "raw and burning" most of the time. "When I awaken in the morning, my mouth feels like what I would imagine the Utah Salt Flats must feel like," he said.

Full Story at AzCentral

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