Indicators

LEARNING MECCAS The top metro areas for educational opportunity, judged by such criteria as pupils per classroom and college-level continuing-education courses

1 Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill 2 Boston 3 Albany-Schenectady-Troy 4 St. Louis 5 Chicago 6 Rochester 7 Austin 8 San Francisco 9 Washington 10 Dayton-Springfield 11 Portland 12 Cincinnati 13 Des Moines 14 Kansas City 15 Milwaukee-Waukesha

Source: Places Rated Almanac

GOVERNMENT More than half of Americans say they trust their local government but think it can do better. They remain troubled by their inability to reach the proper channels for information on services

--What is the most frustrating thing about dealing with your local government?

GETTING THE RUNAROUND 31% UNSURE OF WHAT OFFICE TO CONTACT 24% TOO MANY FORMS 14% HRS./LOCATIONS 10% WEB* 3% ALL ABOVE 7% NONE ABOVE 11%

*Lack of new technology and Web information From interviews with 1,005 adults nationwide by Peter D. Hart Research

EXECUTIONS Since the death penalty was reinstated, 611 people have been put to death*, most by relatively "humane" lethal injections

--Executions since 1976

Lethal injection 450 Electrocution 145 Gas chamber 11 Hanging 3 Firing squad 2

*Through Feb 11, 2000 Source Death Penalty Information Center

FINANCIAL WORRIES Most Americans are optimistic that the economy will keep growing but have plenty of anxiety about their financial situation

--Percentage who said they fear:

1. The Social Security system will falter or fail before their retirement 56%

2. A catastrophic illness will wipe out their savings 50%

3. Outliving their savings 42%

4. They won't be able to provide adequately for spouse or children upon death 39%

5. Underestimating amount of life insurance needed to meet actual financial needs 32%

6. Losing retirement savings by bad investment choices 28%

7. Being sued 22%