The Week by the Numbers: December 29, 2013 – January 4, 2014
By Matt Phifer
Almost 30 – Percent gain in the stock market in 2013
2013 was the best year on Wall Street since 1997 with investors seeing a nearly 30 percent gain on investment. It was a record-breaking year with the Dow Jones closing on highs 52 times despite various issues like the turmoil in Egypt, the Boston Marathon bombings and speculation of a change in Federal Reserve policies. The Dow Jones closed the year with a new record high of 16,576.66. The S&P 500 saw 45 new highs and went up 29.6 percent, the biggest gain in 16 years. The Nasdaq returned to a level not seen since September 2000.
1,058 – Candidates have made the short list to be part of a Mars colony
Mars One, which launched in 2011 and has the goal of beginning a colony on Mars by 2025, has narrowed its candidate list to 1,058 possible Martian colonists from over 200,000 applicants. The applicants will have to undergo rigorous tests including simulations of life on Mars as well as isolation tests in order to determine who will make the final cut. Only 24 of the 1,058 will be selected to make the mission, which Mars One hopes to accomplish in 2025.
Over 1 million – People have signed up for Obamacare
Over 1 million Americans signed up for Obamacare in the month of December, pushing the total number of enrolled citizens to roughly 1.1 million by the end of 2013. The majority of those who signed up did so in the week before the deadline to have coverage in January. The numbers still fall far short of the Obama administration’s initial projections that 3.3 million people would be signed up for healthcare through the federal and state exchanges by the end of the year.
The Week by the Numbers: December 22-28, 2013
By Matt Phifer
1 – Day extension to the deadline to sign up for Obamacare in order to be covered by January 1
On Monday December 22, the Obama Administration extended the deadline for people to sign up for Obamacare by one day to December 23. People who signed up by that date would be covered by January 1. This is the second extension to the Obamacare sign-up deadline after the original December 15 date was extended to December 22 following the issues with the HealthCare.gov rollout.
51 – Touchdowns thrown by Peyton Manning this season, a new single season NFL record
On December 21, Peyton Manning threw four touchdowns vs. the Houston Texans on his way to setting the new NFL single season passing touchdown record by one touchdown. Manning previously held the title from 2004 to 2007 when Tom Brady took the record with 50 touchdown passes. UPDATE: Peyton Manning threw four more touchdown passes in the last game of the season vs. the Oakland Raiders to finish the regular season with 55 touchdown passes.
71 Degrees – Temperature recorded in New York City’s Central Park on December 21, a new record
Sunday December 21 saw a myriad of weather across the United States including an ice storm in upstate New York and New England as well as powerful storms and tornadoes in the southeast. But in New York City and other Mid-Atlantic cities the story was the unseasonably warm weather. The weather service confirmed a high of 71 degrees in New York City’s Central Park, breaking a 1998 record of 63 degrees. It was the second straight day a record temperature was recorded in Central Park after the thermostat topped out at 65 degrees on December 20, breaking the 2011 record of 62 degrees. The warm weather was also felt in Philadelphia, where temperatures reached 68 degrees on December 21.
The Week by the Numbers: October 27-November 2, 2013
By Matt Phifer
2 Years – Amount of Time Served by Michael Jackson’s Former Doctor, Conrad Murray
Conrad Murray, who was sentenced to four years in jail for contributing to Michael Jackson’s death by prescribing him the powerful anesthetic propofal as a sleeping aid was released from jail after serving only about two years of his sentence. A change in California law allowed the duration of Murray’s incarceration to be decreased. Murray has appealed his conviction. His medical license has been revoked or suspended in three states.
6 Weeks – Extension to the Obamacare Sign-Up Deadline
The Obama administration announced that uninsured Americans will have six more weeks to sign up for Obamacare. That means that Americans will have to possess health insurance by March 31, 2014 or pay a tax for failing to be covered by health insurance. The administration admitted that it would be unfair to penalize people using the original deadline after the Healthcare.gov technical glitches that have caused problems for Americans trying to sign up for health insurance.
100 Feet – The Estimated Height of the Wave Ridden by Surfer Carlos Burle
On October 28th, Brazilian surfer Carlos Burle rode what some believe to be the largest wave ever ridden off the coast of Portugal. Burle rode a wave estimated by some to be over 100 feet. The current world record is held by Garrett McNamara, who rode a 100 foot wave off the Portuguese coast in January.
$59.7 Million – Total of Penn State’s Settlements with 26 of Jerry Sandusky’s Victims
On October 28th, Penn State University announced that it had reached settlements with 26 men who say they were sexually abused by former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. The total of the settlements paid will be $59.7 million. Sandusky is currently serving a 30 to 60-year sentence for abusing at least 10 boys.
The Week by the Numbers: September 22-28, 2013
By Matt Phifer
7.7 – Magnitude Earthquake that hit Pakistan
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Pakistan on Wednesday, killing over 300 people. The earthquake was so strong that a new island rose out of the sea off the coast of Gwadar. Many scientists believe the roughly 100 foot wide island may be a mud volcano.
21 Hours 19 Minutes – Length of Ted Cruz’s Speech on the Senate Floor
Texas Senator Ted Cruz spent over 21 hours on the floor of the Senate speaking out against the Affordable Care Act. Cruz’s stated goal was to block debate on legislation that would defund Obamacare. Cruz did not accomplish this, but did raise his profile as a possible 2016 presidential contender. Cruz even took time during his speech, which was technically not a filibuster, to read Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” to his children from the Senate floor.
70 – Fewer Calories in Burger King’s New Satisfries
Burger King unveiled news Satisfries on their menu on Monday September 23. The new fries are supposed to be a healthier alternative to the chain’s typical french fries, which contain 340 calories and 15 grams of fat. The new alternative only contains 270 calories and 11 grams of fat.
$40 Million – Payout by EA Sports and the Collegiate Licensing Company to former College Athletes
EA Sports and the Collegiate Licensing Company agreed to a $40 million settlement with former college players suing the company for using their likeness in college football and basketball video games. Between 200,000 and 300,000 players will receive compensation for the use of their likeness. Current college players will also be eligible for the payments, although it is unknown how the NCAA, which prohibits players to accept financial compensation, will rule on that issue. EA Sports has also announced that it will not produce its NCAA Football franchise in 2014.