The Week by the Numbers: August 4-10, 2013
By Matt Phifer
16 – Medal of Freedom honorees announced
The White House announced 16 people who will be honored with the Medal of Freedom, the highest award that can be bestowed upon a civilian. Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Arturo Sandoval, Ernie Banks and Richard Lugar will be among the 16 who receive the award, which was started 50 years ago by President John F. Kennedy.
18 – States saw significant declines in obesity among low-income preschoolers
According to a CDC report there were declines in childhood obesity among low-income preschoolers in 18 states. The states with the largest absolute decreases in obesity were in Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey and South Dakota, all of which had decreases of at least one percent. The data was determined by collecting the height and weight data from 11.6 million children in federally-funded maternal and child nutrition programs.
$250 Million – The price Jeff Bezos is paying to buy The Washington Post
Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos announced on August 5th that he would be buying The Washington Post and its affiliated newspapers for $250 million. The Washington Post reported that the company’s own newspaper division lost 44 percent in its operating revenue over the past six years.
$448.4 Million – Powerball jackpot that will be split among three winners
$448.4 million will be split among three winners in the third largest jackpot in Powerball history. One ticket was sold in Minnesota, while the other two were sold in New Jersey. The winning numbers were 05, 25, 30, 58 and 59. Sixteen workers from New Jersey bought one ticket together, while Paul White, a project engineer from Ham Lake, Michigan bought the Minnesota ticket.