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Maggie Clark of Stateline writes: In recent years, federal funding for state homeland security efforts to respond to emergencies has been gutted.Federal grant spending on state and local homeland security is at an all-time low. In Massachusetts, funding from the state homeland security grant program is down 76 percent in the last five years, to $4 million in fiscal 2012, according to Federal Funds Information for States. The state ranked 34th in per capita spending in homeland security grant funding, at $1.20 per person. more »

"It should not be surprising that students find poetry a useful tool for accessing these mathematical ideas: the language of poetry is precise and exact, as is the language of math. In both idioms words are heavy with meaning, and word choice is crucial. A well-constructed poem will in this manner be like a well-constructed proof." more »

Two from Scout Project: Use "Explore the Map" to create a customized map displaying a wealth of data from recent Census surveys including counties with most beauty shops, auto repair and residential construction. Born amidst the cultural backdrop of the Italian Renaissance, Commedia dell'Arte is an art form that continues to inspire theatrical groups around the world. Los Angeles County, CA 3,513 Cook County, IL 2,929 King County, WA 1,890 Suffolk County, NY 1,743 San Diego C… more »

What's Next? Medicaid Women's Health Program and Title X Family Planning? "Planned Parenthood is hitting the road on the 'Women’s Health Express,' crisscrossing the state to make sure Rick Perry gets our message: stop playing politics with women's lives"  more »