Free Republic

WASHINGTON (AP) — The jobs crisis has left so many people out of work for so long that most of America's unemployed are no longer receiving unemployment benefits. Early last year, 75 percent were receiving checks. The figure is now 48 percent — a shift that points to a growing crisis of long-term unemployment. Nearly one-third of America's 14 million unemployed have had no job for a year or more. Congress is expected to decide by year's end whether to continue providing emergency unemployment benefits for up to 99 weeks in the hardest-hit states. If the emergency benefits expire, the...

A Costa Mesa firefighter got an award of $39,590 because his work boots hurt Another firefighter twisted his knee in 1991 by walking downstairs and turning left. The bill: $96,919. A recreation leader who felt pain in the neck while shooting a basketball costing the city $7,325. claims that get compensation and reimbursement, from uncomfortable boots to stump-grinder accidents to "cumulative trauma" shows up at retirement time. New Police Chief Tom Gazsi, Fire Chief Kirk Dominic did not return calls A maintenance worker picking up trash on a slope with wet grass at a park when he slipped, straining his...