Morning Media Summary

Tech:

Driver using two cell phones gets 12 month driving ban:
“This guy is the poster boy for why cell phone usage in cars should be banned in more places.”

Record Industry Braces for Artists’ Battles Over Song Rights:
“Since their release in 1978, hit albums like Bruce Springsteen’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” Billy Joel’s “52nd Street,” the Doobie Brothers’ “Minute by Minute,” Kenny Rogers’s “Gambler” and Funkadelic’s “One Nation Under a Groove” have generated tens of millions of dollars for record companies. But thanks to a little-noted provision in United States copyright law, those artists — and thousands more — now have the right to reclaim ownership of their recordings, potentially leaving the labels out in the cold.”

Global Warming / Environment / Energy:

Further snowfalls expected tonight:
“The bitterly cold blast that has hit New Zealand this week should ease off over the coming days, but heavy snow is still expected overnight in many areas, including Wellington and Christchurch.”

Insurance / Gambling:

Starved Budgets Inspire New Look at Web Gambling:
“The District of Columbia is not thrilled that its residents are traveling to Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to gamble in casinos. Starved for cash, like states across the country, the district wants some of the millions in revenue that gambling generates each year.”

Health / Safety:

Competition makes health insurance better:
“For those who need health insurance, the marketplace will offer better access, more choices and fair prices. Middle-class Americans and small-business owners will be able to leverage their collective-buying power and drive down costs.”

Economics:

Euro-Area Economy Seen Almost Stalling:
“Economic growth in the euro area fell more than expected in the three months through June, according to official figures released Tuesday, as growth in Germany came almost to a standstill.”

Moody’s Lowers Economic Growth Outlook:
“Moody’s Analytics said its near-term outlook for the U.S. economy has fallen significantly in the past month wake of the debate over the U.S. debt ceiling and the downgrade of the nation’s credit ratings by Standard & Poor’s .”

Legal:

Oakland Officer Shoots Public Urination Suspect After Scuffle:
“A police officer shot a male suspect in Oakland Friday night after he allegedly attacked officers when they attempted to detain him for urinating in public, police said.”

Labor:

City workers union backs Yee – and Avalos:
“The press release I got from Leland Yee’s campaign made it sound as if Yee had won a major victory over progressive supervisor John Avalos:”

Transportation/ Land Use:

High-Speed Railway Continues To Worry Lakewood Folks:
“The Point Defiance Bypass high-speed railway proposal continued to draw the ire of residents and concerns of Lakewood city officials during a project update at Monday’s City Council meeting.”