Culture and Arts

"Today the situation is much improved. While the economic fallout has been real and widespread, the worst was avoided by swift and vigorous action — from Congress and the Federal Reserve, from across government and cities and towns, and from individuals, communities, and the private sector. More people held on to their jobs, more businesses kept their doors open, and more incomes were saved. But the recovery is far from complete, so, at the Fed, we will continue to provide the economy the support that it needs for as long as it takes... However, the sectors of the economy most adversely affected by the resurgence of the virus, and by greater social distancing, remain weak, and the unemployment rate — still elevated at 6.2 percent — underestimates the shortfall, particularly as labor market participation remains notably below pre-pandemic levels." more »

Ferida Wolff writes: "As our communities become more urbanized, the natural features around us tend to get pushed into the background and often go unnoticed. In Ferida’s Backyard, I look at the details of nature locally, from a neighborhood perspective, frequently from a backyard vantage point. It excites me to share what I see. An awareness of the natural connection can beautifully enhance our lives...I was invigorated by the tree hug and went along with a bounce in my step. It helped me to be more aware of what I was seeing now, even if I had seen it all before." more »

With comforting and challenging) content, the Ilkley Literature Festival's Be All Write portal is a wonderful resource for literature enthusiasts. Dr. Chris Martine created and hosts the channel, bringing together his interests and expertise in biodiversity, botany, and ecology. OER TOOLKIT Educators looking for guidance as they expand the role of open educational resources (OERs) in their classrooms can turn to this resource. Open-source data projects provide valuable access to research, and NEXTSTRAIN harnesses this data to promote public health through its "real-time snapshot of evolving pathogens." The Feminist Art Coalition (FAC) brings together arts institutions rooted in social justice and structural change, working "to generate cultural awareness of feminist thought, experience, and action." Spanning the 16th through 20th centuries, 500 YEARS OF WOMEN IN BRITISH ART shows the evolution of how women were represented in art and art history, both as muses and makers. Created by Natasha Moura (an independent writer, art curator, and educator), Women'n Art is "committed to the role of women in the arts and culture." This involves highlighting women artists and depictions of women in art. more »

Since 1988, DOT has regulated the process by which employers in the different transportation industries (aviation, trucking, rail, transit, pipeline, and maritime) are required to test their employees for drug and alcohol use. Employers must self-report these test results annually to DOT or when requested by DOT. In a 2018 statute, Congress required DOT to publish the aggregate drug and alcohol testing data on DOT's website and included a provision for GAO to review the website and these data. This report examines: (1) how DOT uses drug and alcohol testing data, (2) how DOT verifies that data are reliable, and (3) whether DOT follows key actions for transparently reporting drug and alcohol testing data. more »