Obama Offers $900 Million in Turnaround Grants to Schools
President Barack Obama is offering $900 million in grants to public schools, but those receiving the money have to adopt one of the following models: turnaround, school closure, restart or transformational model. The administration plans to work with states to identify schools that are graduating less than 60 percent of their student bodies. According to the White House, 1.2 million students drop out of school every year, and only 70 percent of students graduate from their high schools. [Washington Post]

Curfew Instituted in Chile
Over the weekend, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake thrashed Chile. More than 700 people have been pronounced dead, and 300,000 have been displaced. Authorities expect the number of dead to increase as relief workers continue to search through the rubble. A curfew (from 9 p.m.-6a.m.) has been issued for all non-emergency workers. [AP]

Blacks, Hispanics More Likely to Be Obese Due to Habits
In a new study that has just been released, blacks and Hispanics are shown to have a higher risk of obesity than their white counterparts even before they are born. From the ages of 2 to 19, 20 percent of black and Hispanic kids will be obese, while 15 percent of white children will be obese. Researchers cite eating and sleeping habits to be one of the major problems, as well as mothers who smoke while pregnant. [Yahoo News]

Mexican Drug Gangs Responsible for 'Supersized' Marijuana Farms
In California, Mexican drug gangs have taken public parks, such as the Sequoia National Forest, and turned them into supersized marijuana farms, using smuggled Mexicans to maintain them. The farms are also outfitted with trip wires and armed guards to keep the drugs secure. [CBS News]


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