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Struggling Atlantic City Airport is subject of future ownership study

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

Steps to throw New Jersey's struggling Atlantic City Airport a lifeline have taken a step forward with the appointment of a consultancy firm to further study whether the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) should take over the facility. Situated inland of the Atlantic coast gambling resort and its famous Boardwalk, Atlantic City Airport was founded as a Naval Air Station in 1942 and at present is served by only one carrier — Spirit Airlines, which flies to leisure destinations in Florida on a few daily flights.

2020’s recommended countries to visit include sustainability-loving…

Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

During the last two decades, the travel industry has grown both globally and regionally. That growth, however, has seen some downsides, most important of which is the negative environmental impact caused by travelers. From the slopes of Mt. Everest to the beaches of Hawaii, we are now witnessing terrible acts of pollution and damage to nature and property. The travel and tourism industry is closely following ongoing climate talks so that stakeholders can implement eco-friendly steps. The countries on this list are closer to achieving desired sustainability goals than others.

Survey: Over 40% of job candidates say ‘bye’ if employers won’t…

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

We're currently at or close to full employment, and companies need to be more flexible if they want to snag desirable job candidates. According to a recent Robert Half survey, applicants aren't afraid to walk away when companies aren't willing to negotiate — and not just on salary. In the survey, 43% of respondents said they lost interest in a job offer because the company was unwilling to negotiate elements beyond salary. So, what are the other areas that job applicants want to negotiate?

Can Common Core ever really work?

Patrick Gleeson Education

An embarrassing failure in U.S. education has been the persistent underperformance of K-12 students in matchups with students in other countries. After more than a decade of intense efforts, U.S. students remain firmly in the middle of the pack worldwide. The most recent 2018 cross-national PISA test, administered to 15-year-olds every three years, found U.S. students ranked 37th in math, 18th in science and 13th in reading. This comes after 18 years of costly federal programs that have resulted in minimal improvement. What's gone wrong here?

US payrolls add 266,000 jobs; unemployment rate falls to 3.5%

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

In November, total U.S. nonfarm payrolls added 266,000 new hires, as the unemployment rate dipped to 3.5%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate has been under 4% for 21 straight months. Unemployment among major worker groups changed scantly last month, as did the number of people out of paid work at 5.8 million. Additionally, GM workers returned from being on strike. Wage growth, however, is not as robust as job increases, according to economist Elise Gould of the Economic Policy Institute.

Houston ISD schools face state takeover, growth in charters

Michelle R. Matisons Education

As the national wave of education labor successes, which include a rejection of charter school expansion and school budget freezes, continue, the state of Texas has decided to take over the Houston Independent School District in an effort to improve student performance. The takeover tactic has an infamous history in U.S. education circles, requiring serious educator efforts to mitigate the worst effects of this awkward — even hostile — move.

Are you ready for these payroll changes in 2020?

Grace Ferguson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As we embark upon 2020, numerous payroll changes await. Among them are FICA taxes, Form W-4, state taxes, employee benefits, minimum wage, overtime, paid sick leave, and the quadrennial leap year. For example, in 2020, employers and employees must each pay Social Security tax at 6.2%, up to the taxable wage base of $137,700 — increasing from $132,900 in 2019. Furthermore, at least 20 states are expected to undergo minimum wage hikes in 2020.

One more time: Why we hate performance evaluations

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

They are the subject of jokes, disliked by employees and employers alike, deemed "untrustworthy," and yet they continue to be a staple for how people are managed. As I work with employers and employees across North America, I hear horror story after horror story about how much people dislike the annual ritual of performance evaluations. Here are my unofficial top 10 reasons why people loathe performance appraisals and what must be fixed to make them effective.

Exploring diversity in preschools, K-12 schools

Bambi Majumdar Education

At a time when education leaders and policymakers are focused on tackling growing racial segregation in public schools, a new Urban Institute study states that early-childhood programs are more segregated than K-12 settings. The study compared the variety of learning arrangements for children five and under and K-12 schools. The Northeast was most lacking in integration according to the numbers, while the Midwest showed the most promise when it came to reducing segregation. Most urban and rural areas showed more segregation than suburban areas.

Historic inmate commutation in Oklahoma calls for new approach after release

Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

Early November saw conservative Oklahoma release 462 people serving sentences for non-violent and drug offenses in the largest commutation in U.S. history. This is a case study, if you will. These former inmates are now working residents, sharing demands with people in the working class: fair wages; the right to unionize; affordable housing/healthcare/child care; quality public education/scholarships; and continuity of safety-net services, among others. There are competing visions of prison reform that render post-release obstacles part of a fledgling "release/rehabilitation state-industrial complex" of sorts.

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