National
The Federal Food and Drug Administration expanded the romaine lettuce recall to 23 states, including Georgia, which may have received E. Coli-contaminated products from distributors, Freshway Foods and/or Imperial Sysco.
Almost 20 cases of food-borne illness have been confirmed in Ohio, Michigan and New York. Another six are under investigation. The shredded lettuce grown in Arizona and shipped through Oklahoma was purchased by restaurants and other food service facilities and is not available directly to consumers; however, Kroger has pulled all grab-and-go salads which may have been made from the tainted greens. All lettuce originating from that farm and marked with “best if used by” dates of May 12 or earlier are being targeted.
Graduating seniors should rejoice: The U.S. Labor Department reports that new hirings and job openings edged up in March, a small indication that the jobs market is improving. The Small Business Optimism Index inched up to its highest rate since September 2008.
State
Armstrong Atlantic State University reported today that its Center for Professional and Continuing Education will most likely be cut as part of the across-the-board budget reductions being considered by the University System Board of Regents. The program widely used by the greater Savannah community includes classes for paralegals, SAT preparation, EKG technician certification, dancing and beginning computer, among others.
Local
Traffic officers will be out in full force on the Truman Parkway—today’s radar hot spot.
