Topic: USA TODAY

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.
Bullish on jobs? These 10 cities are.

Our list of the 10 metro areas that saw the most job growth in 2011 might surprise you.
What Wisconsin says about labor unions' clout in America

Here are seven questions the Wisconsin union protest raised about the role of unions in the US.
Reagan's 100th birthday: 10 defining moments

American's 40th president, Ronald Reagan, would have turned 100 on Sunday.
Trick or treating? These seven firms can add some scare.

Americans are expected to dole out a total of $5.8 billion on Halloween, an increase of nearly a billion dollars over last year, according to the National Retail Federation. This represents a return to 2008’s Halloween spending levels and marks an opportunity for Halloween-themed businesses to wring some dollars from trick or treating before the scary season gives way to Christmas carols and gift-giving. Here's what seven 'scary' firms have to offer:

All Content

Saving Money
Buying and selling timeshares: eight tips

In the current market, finding and buying a timeshare is easy. Selling one is a different story. Here are four tips for each that could help.
Mark Zuckerberg's IPO challenge: A company that can 'friend' the 99 percent

Will the new publicly traded Facebook cater singularly to its wealthy shareholders? Mark Zuckerberg must strive to include ‘we the users,’ who made such a megabillion dollar concept possible, in his corporate model. He can start by offering a free share to each Facebook user.
The Entrepreneurial Mind
What the next generation of entrepreneurs will look like

'Generation Z' – the children of Generation X –  will be driven, high achievers for whom the constantly connected, social media world is ubiquitous. And the older generations will have to get used to their multi-tasking personalities
Gay marriage issue: Who does it hurt most, Obama or Romney?

Gay marriage is not a campaign subject either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney really needed, and it could present difficulties for both candidates as the election nears.
What Mitt Romney should be saying to women voters this Mother's Day

Polls show Mitt Romney trailing President Obama among women voters. This Mother's Day, to close the gender gap Romney will need to do more than flag Obama's failed economic record. He needs to push policies that appeal to women, like more workplace flexibility and better child care.
Modern Parenthood
Proms and princesses: The Disney generation grows up

Proms and princesses: The Disney generation grows up and goes to high school, but the desire to look and feel like a princess does not necessarily go away. Savvy marketers have capitalized on the trend, and parents are paying for it.
What Rick Santorum's lukewarm endorsement of Mitt Romney means (+video)

Nearly a month after exiting the presidential race, Rick Santorum endorsed Mitt Romney in the 13th paragraph of an e-mail sent to supporters late Monday. That's not exactly a show of enthusiasm for the Republican standard-bearer.
Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.
Obama's lead over Romney shrinks in 12 swing states

A new Gallup/USA Today poll shows President Obama with 47 percent support in the 12 states and Mitt Romney with 45 percent. But Obama supporters are more enthusiastic about their candidate.
Horizons
Facebook IPO poised to be America's biggest ever

Facebook could be valued at up to $96 billion when it goes public this year. 
Saints 'bountygate' suspensions: Is Roger Goodell fighting football itself?

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell came down hard on four current and former New Orleans Saints for participating in a bounty program to injure opponents. But some say he's going too far.
Horizons
Black Ops 2 brings the Call of Duty franchise crashing into the future

Black Ops 2, set for launch this fall, will take place partially in 2025, in an America overrun by deadly drones. Can Black Ops 2 continue Call of Duty's record-breaking streak? 
As LA remembers race riots, Trayvon Martin's name is invoked

Twenty years ago this weekend, South Central Los Angeles erupted after four police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King. On the anniversary of the riots, some are drawing parallels to the Trayvon Martin shooting.
Secret Service and US military: Why prostitution can end careers

It’s only quite recently that prostitution has been specifically addressed in military law. It also violates the Secret Service code of conduct. That's why last week's scandal in Colombia is damaging careers and ending some while raising questions about human trafficking.
Mitt Romney, President Obama woo women (politically speaking)

President Obama enjoys a clear gender gap in key swing states, especially among younger women. Romney is fighting back with an emphasis on how women are doing economically.
No grand jury: What does that mean for George Zimmerman? (+video)

Special prosecutor Angela Corey will not convene a grand jury in the Trayvon Martin case, she announced Monday. So far, George Zimmerman hasn't been charged with any crime.
Poll: Trayvon Martin case divides US by race, age, wealth, and politics

New polls show a distinct split in how Americans view the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Some groups, including blacks, women, and Democrats, are more likely to see race as a key factor.
Focus
Gender gap daunting for GOP: Why women's vote is key

The gender gap for the next election is daunting for Mitt Romney as President Obama leads the likely GOP nominee among women in major polls. With simply more women voters, can he overcome it between now and November?
Alicia Silverstone taps long tradition of pre-chewing baby food

Alicia Silverstone: Birds do it, our ancestors did it. Pre-chewing baby food is a long human tradition not invented by Alicia Silverstone, whose video of her premasticating her toddler's food is grossing out people on the Internet.
Health-care reform: Main issue after 2 years is, will it survive?

Health-care reform law is extolled by the White House for improving lives and is the object of scorn from the GOP. But the looming Supreme Court battle overshadows the partisan debate.
Saints' Sean Payton suspended for 2012 NFL season over player bounties

The NFL has ruled that New Orleans head coach Sean Payton must sit out all of next season. Gregg Williams, his former defensive coordinator and bounty instigator, is suspended indefinitely.
Horizons
The new iPad: a review roundup

Apple launches its latest iPad this week. So how does the device compare to the iPad tablets of yore? 
Horizons
iPad pre-order stock is already depleted, says Apple

Want the new iPad? Get ready to line up or sit on your hands – Apple says it has already sold out of online pre-order stock. 
Super Tuesday: Churches that embrace Santorum, Gingrich drive youth away

Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich (both Catholic) make regular campaign stops at evangelical churches and are often met with raucous applause. But such displays of partisan faith are partly responsible for the recent mass exodus of young people from Christian churches.
Lack of enthusiasm? It's the Democrats who have a problem.

Plenty of Republicans are unhappy with their choices for president. But Republican and Republican-leaning voters are still more enthusiastic about voting in November than their Democratic counterparts.