Un(der)reported News, Sunday Edition

Administrative law judge finds Bank of America discriminated against African-American job applicants
A protracted case that started with a U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) investigation has resulted in an administrative law judge’s (ALJ) recommended ruling that Bank of America discriminated against African-American job applicants for entry level positions in Charlotte, N.C., in 1993 and from 2002 to 2005.

Dept of Labor improves online job search tools after public input
Today’s posting is the culmination of an eight-week effort to offer members of the public an opportunity to weigh in on their favorite career sites and to provide the sites themselves with a chance to raise awareness about the tools they offer. Government agencies, private companies, nonprofit organizations and many other entities came together to make the project a success. The full list of all sites that entered the challenge can be accessed through http://www.dol.gov/challenge.

January employment numbers
In January, the economy lost 20,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent.

Secretary Clinton discusses peace process in Northern Ireland
“Northern Ireland has taken another important step toward a full and lasting peace. Its political leaders have agreed on a roadmap and timeline for the devolution of policing and justice powers, and they’ve taken other productive steps as well. The accord they announced today will help consolidate the hard-won gains of the past decade. ”

International Violence Against Women Act introduced
Fifteen years ago, the UN Fourth World Conference on Women placed this global challenge before the world. Despite the gains we have made, we have much more to do. If we are to effectively address the growing problem of sexual and gender-based violence, we need a comprehensive plan that involves interagency and multilateral partners and addresses all aspects of violence against women, from prevention to protection and prosecution of these cases.

Obama Administration Announces enhancements for TARP Initiative for Community Development Financial institutions
Under this program, CDFI banks, thrifts and credit unions – which have been certified by Treasury as targeting more than 60 percent of their small business lending and other economic development activities to underserved communities – would be eligible to receive capital investments at a dividend rate of 2 percent, compared to the 5 percent rate that was offered under the Capital Purchase Program (CPP).

Shinseki commits to ending homelessness among veterans
Secretary Shinseki, along with 600 other volunteers – many of them VA employees – attended the Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down, an event which brings VA services and 80 community agencies together to provide a full day of support for homeless Veterans. More than 400 Veterans attended the Stand Down seeking health care, employment, education and housing services in a welcoming and safe environment.

Obama budget places priority on assisting homeless vets
WASHINGTON – To expand health care to a record-number of Veterans, reduce the number of homeless Veterans and process a dramatically increased number of new disability compensation claims, the White House has announced a proposed $125 billion budget next year for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Our budget proposal provides the resources necessary to continue our aggressive pursuit of President Obama’s two over-arching goals for Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “First, the requested budget will help transform VA into a 21st century organization. And second, it will ensure that we approach Veterans’ care as a lifetime initiative, from the day they take their oaths until the day they are laid to rest.”