News March 5

Snowstorm Causes Delays and Closes Schools in Northeast
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/nyregion/03storm.html
A huge snowstorm has swept across the northeastern coast of America. The storm has stretched from Virginia to Maine and into Quebec. Then whole New York City public school system, which is the largest in the country, had to announce a snow day for its 1.1 million students. This is the first time in five years that this has happened. Staten Island Ferry had to delay service for an hour because of white out conditions. Their spokesman said “We can’t remember the last time,” that they had to delay. Varying amounts were received across the coast, going from 14 to18 inches with blizzard and white out conditions. And at least six deaths are being blamed on this storm.
Impact lede

U.S. offers $900 million to Palestinians
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/02/mideast.clinton/index.html?eref=rss_world
"By providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, we also aim to foster conditions in which a Palestinian state can be fully realized." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated Monday. She said this about the U.S. offer of more than $900 million to help the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza. This U.S. aid package has yet to be approved by Congress. This package has been designed in coordination with the Palestinian Authority to make sure the money does not end up in the wrong hands. This package has caused problems with the ruling Hamas who are bitter rivals of the Palestinian Authority. Though President Obama has not ruled out peace talks with the Hamas, he says they must renounce violence, recognize Israel, and abide by previous agreements with the Israelis, which may be harder than he hopes.
Quote lede

‘Tidal wave’ of homeless students hits schools
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29356160/
How many school students are now homeless in San Diego California? According to a recent poll the area about 35 miles north of San Diego the population of homeless kids is almost 2,542. This is about 9 percent of the student body and nearly 10 times the number that it was just two years ago, according to Rebecca Benner, the district’s homeless liaison. “It was supposed to be one small piece of my day,” Rebecca said of her role as the homeless liaison, “…Now it’s almost insurmountable to get to the bottom of the phone messages.” This rush of homeless students has been labeled a “tidal wave” which is overwhelming many California schools.
Question lede

Is it finally time to use the dreaded D-word?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29469826/
Lots of people have confirmed that America is in a recession, but is it a depression? No one seems to be able to decide. Apparently a recession has set standards and definite terms. But depression seems to be just about anything corporate America says it is. Drops in economic output and rises in unemployment help to define just exactly what is depression and what is not. So far one definition is that it’s a downturn of three years or more, with a 10 percent drop in economic out put and unemployment above 10 percent. So far this has yet to happen. Though we are not in a depression yet many people fear that it is inevitable and will soon be upon us.
Question lede