– This afternoon, law enforcement officials are meeting to discuss a serial rapist who has been striking on the eastern seaboard since 1997.  The Washington Post has the bulletin about the meeting here – the timing seems interesting.  If something important comes out of this meeting, we’ll post an update on the blog.

– During the recession, benefits were often the first thing companies jettisoned to save money.  The loss of family-friendly job benefits like flex time impacted women the most.  This blog takes a look at how that might change as we come out of the recession.

The latest news, analysis and opinion on the state of low-income women and their families from Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, a national foundation-led initiative, is excited to collaborate with The Women’s Foundation to bring you the latest news and analysis on women and poverty.  Spotlight is the go-to site for news and ideas about fighting poverty.

One in eight households in the District of Columbia struggled with hunger during the 2006-2008 period according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture[1].  Nationally, more than 49.1 million people lived in households that were food insecure– the federal government’s term for being hungry or at risk of hunger[2] in 2008 – up from 36.2 million in 2007.

– This Washington Post article explores why the teenage daughters of Salvadoran immigrants got themselves pregnant on purpose.

– A judge has ruled that the state of Maryland has broken the law by not providing people in need with food stamps and other public services as quickly as federal and state law require.  The state has 45 days to fix the problem.  Meanwhile, thousands of people have been affected.  Click here to read more.

– A 15-year-old Montgomery County girl punched and ran off a pervert who touched her inappropriately while she was walking two dogs last night in Chevy Chase.  Click here to read about what happened.

– Four Marylanders, including a Montgomery County man, have died from hypothermia since the temperatures dropped.  Click here for more.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and now the holiday season is upon us.  Neighbors hang lights and decorations on their houses and in their windows.  Stores fill with shoppers buying gifts for their loved ones.  Bing Crosby croons “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” on nearly every radio station.  But this year, hundreds of D.C. families won’t be home for Christmas because they have no home at all.

– According to this Washington Post article, the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants are twice as likely to face poverty as other kids.

– U.S. Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) has written an op-ed for the New York Times about the controversial Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts amendment in the House healthcare reform bill.  You can read what he has to say by clicking here.

• Final exams aren’t the only tests homeless college students face during this time of year.  Click here to read about their struggles.
• Should food stamp recipients focus on buying cheap food or healthy food?  A variety of people weigh in on the New York Times op-ed page.  Click here to find out what they think.  Then tell us what you think by leaving a comment below.

Happy Monday!

• George Washington University students fear the loss of GW’s only all-female dorm next year.  Click here to find out what’s happening.
• How & why should you become a philanthropist?  This Huffington Post blog post has the answers!