Video Game Sales Decline 42% in April on Fewer Releases

   Retailers rang up $292.1 million last month, that's down from $503.2 million a year earlier.  Companies churned out fewer releases in April 2011 than April 2012.  Sales of game consoles also took a hit, falling 32% to $189.7 million.  Sales of other accessories, such as extra game controllers, held steady at $148.6 million in April.  See full story, http://www.nytimes.com/.

2020 Will Show Less Weather Satellites

   Low budgets and several rocket accidents are the cause of the predicted decline.  These satellites would have been operating for up to ten years each.  For example, a global climate change satellite that launched from Vandenburg Air Force base in California ignited its first and second stage rockets, but somehow crashed into the south pacific ocean  near Chile, enroute to an antarctic rendevous.  Accidents like this, along with downsized budgets at NASA, is predicted to lower the number of United States satellites watching the Earth.  A study recently published by the nations top science advisers, estimated that the fleet of science satellites operated by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), would decline from a peak of 110 in 2011, to fewer than 30 in 2020.  See full story, http://www.nytimes.com/.

Silicon Valley Technology Companies Tout Healthy Websites and Healthy Bodies

   After twenty-something billionaires like Dustin Moskovitz and Mark Zuckerberg gained the Facebook 15 (15 pounds) a nutritionist was hired and health foods became the normal cuisine at its Silicon Valley headquarters.  Things like ergonomic treadmill workstations that allow you to work while exercising, a seven person bicycle that provides an alternative to piling into conference rooms  for meetings, food that implies healthiness, and tricky new gadgets that measure performance  are all helping to increase creativity and productivity in the digital fitness age at some Tech firms in Silicon Valley.  See also, http://www.latimes.com/.

K-Pop...Butt Kicking Import

   The sprawling genre commonly known as K-Pop has operated outside the American pop lime-light.  But now, A-list producers like Kanye West, are lining up to work with South Korean artists.  K-Pop comes alongside a tide of Korean filmmaking and culinary interest in Los Angeles and the United States.  The fan scene in America has been largely centered on major immigrant hubs like Los Angeles and New York. That some K-Pop stars are American born or raised influences their personalities and deepens their connection to United States audeiences.  2012 may be the year a K-Pop artist makes an American pop crossover.  See also, http://www.billboard.com/.

California's Top Lobbyist is AT&T

   When it comes to state government, AT&T spends more money, in more places, than any other company.  This year AT&T  is part of a coalition of telecom and high-tech companies seeking to strip state regulators of authority over some basic telephone services.  AT&T has shown the power to exercise political power on an unprecented scale.  Ken McNeely, president of AT&T California, said his company is active in Sacramento, California because of its large presence in California.  "We have about 40,000 employees, we have about 50,000 or so retirees, millions of customers, and millions of shareholders in the state," said McNeely.  Many of the company's victories have come at the California Public Utilities Commission, a five-member panel appointed by te governor that oversees the telecommunications industry.  See also, http://www.wired.com/.

President Barack Obama at the 2012 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Comedic President Barack Obama

   There were no punches held during this years White House Correspondents Association Dinner.  The president saved his most pointed jokes for the presumtive  Republican presidential nominee, rattling off a series of one-liners aimed at the former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney.   See also, http://www.nytimes.com/.