GOOD DAY FOR: Curbing workaholism, after the city council of South El Monte, Calif., imposed a curfew on Mayor Blanca Figueroa, known for working late into the night. Over Figueroa’s objections, the council voted, 4-1, to ban its members—including the mayor—and city staff from using City Hall past 11 p.m. most nights. The council cited safety and liability concerns. (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
BAD DAY FOR: Safety in houses, after the real estate website Zillow reported Monday that U.S. homes lost $1.9 trillion in value in the first three quarters of the year and are on track to shed well over $2 trillion for all of 2008. Home values nationwide had dropped 8.4 percent so far this year, compared with 2007, and the decline is highest in Stockton, Calif., which has seen a 32.3 percent plummet. In all, 11.7 million U.S. households—14.3 percent—owed more on their mortgage than their houses are worth. (Reuters)
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
5 explosively funny cartoons about the 4th of JulyCartoons Artists take on liberty and justice for all, a terrifying firework, and more
-
Jeff in Venice: a "triumph of tackiness"?In the Spotlight Locals protest as Bezos uses the city as a 'private amusement park' for his wedding celebrations
-
Crossword: July 5, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
