A Long, Idle Summer for America's Youth

Guest host Sara Terry looks at the summer job situation and why prospects for job seekers under 25 are so grim. At 17.3 percent youth unemployment is higher than the national average of 9.1 percent. That figure rises even higher among minorities, to 41.6 percent for African American youth. In addition to the overall economic outlook, the problem is compounded by federal, state and local budget cuts that have affected popular summer job-training programs. What's the cost personally and for society? Also, the Supreme Court rejects the Wal-Mart discrimination suit. On Reporter's Notebook, fancy a little light reading from the 18th century? Google and the British Library will be bringing thousands of texts to a computer near you soon.

Banner image: Unemployed Americans search for work in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images