ctpp-news February 2001

ctpp-news@mailman.chrispy.net

14 participants
19 discussions

Re: [CTPP] A question on combining NPTS and Census Data

by Liss, Susan <FHWA>

Hello Elif, FHWA Planning developed a report on how to convert the "usual/last week" data from CTPP to a "yesterday" measure typically used in household travel surveys. The report uses NPTS to do the conversion, so I would imagine it would be a useful source for you. I believe the name of the report is "Conversion Factors for CTPP Data" or something like that. I would contact Sheldon Edner at 202-366-4066 or someone on his team. I believe his email is sheldon.edner(a)fhwa.dot.gov, and I am copying him on this. Susan Liss 202-366-5060 >>> ekarsi(a)usc.edu 02/26/01 10:16PM >>> Hi all, I'm interested in combining npts and census data for 1990. Can anyone direct me to studies or sources on this? studies that have done this or sources that explain how to do it- I appreciate your input. Elif School of Policy, Planning and Development University of Southern California On Mon, 15 Jan 2001, Hoekstra, Jay wrote: > Will the data fields for Stf 1, data by block level, be the same as they > were in the 1990 census? Or can anyone tell me where to find out. I have > looked through the Census web site. >

23 years, 9 months

Stp 1 - Block level data

by Hoekstra, Jay

Will the data fields for Stf 1, data by block level, be the same as they were in the 1990 census? Or can anyone tell me where to find out. I have looked through the Census web site.

23 years, 10 months

Census 2000 NEWS ALERT (long post warning)

by ed christopher

From: Census2000 <Census2000(a)ccmc.org> Commerce Secretary Reclaims Final Say Over Adjustment Decision, As Census Bureau Issues; Preliminary Undercount Estimates; Plus: Census Monitoring Board Presidential Members Discuss Undercount Consequences; House Census Subcommittee Gets New Members; And More. Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans on Friday rescinded a federal rule giving the Census Bureau director final authority to decide whether to release statistically corrected census numbers to the states for redistricting and other purposes. In a statement quoted by the Associated Press, the Secretary said, "I believe the decision-making authority for the 2000 Census should reside with the person selected by the President, approved by the U.S. Senate and accountable to the people." A formal announcement of the Secretary's action has not yet been published in the Federal Register. Relying on an opinion it sought from the Justice Department, the Commerce Department did not provide a formal notice and comment period for the new rule because it said the changes only addressed internal organizational matters. The rule, proposed last spring and put in place last October after a 45-day public comment period, established a committee of twelve "distinguished senior career [Census Bureau] professionals" to review the operational and technical aspects of the procedures for measuring census accuracy and correcting under- and overcounts in the first set of population numbers. The Executive Steering Committee for A.C.E. Policy (ESCAP) was charged with issuing a written report, which would be made public, recommending whether the director should release statistically adjusted data. If the director declined to adopt a committee recommendation in favor of adjustment, the rule required the Census Bureau to release the adjusted data. "A.C.E." is the Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation program, which includes a quality-check survey of 314,000 households. A Commerce Department spokesperson said Secretary Evans would seek advice from experts at the Census Bureau before deciding in early March whether to release adjusted numbers. It is unclear if the Bureau will give the Secretary a written report, or if its recommendation will be made public. However, under the new rule, the Census Bureau would not reveal the adjusted numbers if the Secretary decides against their use. Five former Census Bureau directors supported delegating the adjustment decision to the head of the Bureau. Dr. Barbara Everitt Bryant, who led the agency during the 1990 census during the first Bush Administration, noted last summer that despite the move to paid advertising and efforts to simplify the questionnaires, it is "not possible to count everybody" without the use of sampling. In proposing the rule, the Census Bureau said the adjustment decision "turns entirely on operational and methodological implementation within the expertise of the Bureau of the Census," and that review by the Commerce Secretary would "create the appearance" that "non-scientific considerations" played a role in the adjustment decision. In 1980, the Commerce Secretary formally delegated a similar decision on whether to use sampling methods to correct the census undercount to the Census Bureau director. That delegation of authority was rescinded before the 1990 census, when controversy over an adjustment led to a lawsuit by the City of New York and dozens of other localities. In 1991, Commerce Secretary Robert Mosbacher decided not to adjust the 1990 census counts, despite a recommendation to do so by Director Bryant. Legislators and representatives of stakeholder organizations who support the use of scientific methods to correct undercounts in the census criticized the Bush Administration for revoking the delegation of decision-making authority. Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO), the House Minority Leader, called on President Bush to meet with congressional leaders to discuss the Administration's position on census adjustment. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), a member of the House census oversight subcommittee, said President Bush "has chosen to prioritize politics over people." Gilbert F. Casellas, co-chair of the eight-member Census Monitoring Board who was appointed by President Clinton, said he was "appalled" by the decision. "If we allow the substitution of sound science for the calculus of partisan advantage, we will rob millions of Americans of their basic civil rights," Mr. Casellas said in a statement. Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, said that if the Secretary overrules the recommendation of the Census Bureau's professional staff, "it would mark a triumph of politics over fairness." However, Rep. Dan Miller (R-FL), chairman of the House census panel, told the Associated Press that he strongly supported the Secretary's decision "to revoke the illegal rule that attempted to bypass the Congress...". Census Bureau releases preliminary A.C.E. results: The Census Bureau has released preliminary results from its Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation survey, giving a first though sketchy glimpse of Census 2000 accuracy. The preliminary findings show low and high estimates of net undercounts or overcounts in percentages for selected groupings, including race and ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino), gender, age, and owner or renter status. In testimony before the House Census Subcommittee on February 14, Acting Bureau Director William Barron said the early A.C.E. findings "indicate that the census was not only an operational success but was also successful in improving coverage of the population and in reducing the undercounts for some population groups." He emphasized that Bureau staff are still reviewing detailed information to evaluate the quality of the census and the A.C.E. survey, and determine if a statistical adjustment would improve the accuracy of the data. The early A.C.E. results show that the net national undercount ranges from 0.96 percent to 1.40 percent, below the 1.6 percent net undercount measured by the 'post enumeration survey' in 1990. However, the Bureau did not release information on the number of people actually missed or erroneously included in the census, or on the geographic distribution of those miscounts, figures that would indicate the full extent of the undercount and its geographic impact. While the net undercount (or overcount) estimates also indicate improved coverage of many race and ethnic groups over 1990, the disproportionate undercount of people of color (called the "differential undercount") appears to have persisted. Following historic patterns, Census 2000 was far more likely to miss renters than homeowners. The net undercount of children (under age 18) was lower than in 1990, but breakdowns by race were not reported. Dr. Barron recounted several factors that he said "contributed to a significant improvement in coverage" in Census 2000, including an extensive marketing and advertising campaign, successful hiring and retention of temporary staff, timely quality check programs, and state-of-the-art data processing technology. He also praised the American people for their cooperation and the efforts of census workers and partner organizations. In a written statement, Commerce Secretary Evans said the estimates "confirm" that Census 2000 was the most accurate in history. Subcommittee Chairman Dan Miller (R-FL) called the preliminary A.C.E. results "good news" that negated the need for a statistical adjustment of the census. Census 2000, he said, is "the best census ever." Rep. Carolyn Maloney cautioned against drawing conclusions about the accuracy of the count without knowing how many people were missed and where they live. "They think that missing millions of Americans is good enough," she said of sampling opponents. "It shouldn't be and it's not." The preliminary A.C.E. results can be found on the Census Bureau's web site at: <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01cn03.html>. Census Monitoring Board update: The Presidential Members of the Census Monitoring Board held a forum in Washington, DC on February 20 to discuss a series of reports they commissioned on the consequences of a census undercount. The authors of several of the studies joined three of the Board's four Presidential appointees to present the highlights of their findings at the National Press Club. Using data from the 1990 census, which was not adjusted using scientific methods, the researchers evaluated the policy implications of the undercount in areas such as transportation planning, access to health care and hospital location, assistance for poor children, urban planning, and services for American Indians. "These studies," Board Co-Chair Gilbert Casellas said, "present overwhelming evidence that the undercount, if not corrected, will have damaging effects at every level of our society." Presidential Board Member Lorraine Green said the accuracy of the census affected both representational rights and the fair allocation of federal funds. Commenting on recent suggestions by some sampling critics that statistically corrected census numbers should be used to distribute program funds but not for congressional and legislative redistricting, Ms. Green said, "[A]ny suggestion that adjusted numbers are somehow more accurate for one purpose, but not another, is nothing more than a modern day separate-but-equal solution." Board Member Everett Ehrlich, Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs in the Clinton Administration, warned of "a stolen census" if Commerce Secretary Evans declined to correct the census numbers in the face of a recommendation to do so by Census Bureau staff. The eight-member Census Monitoring Board was established in 1997 to monitor preparations for and implementation of the 2000 census. The congressional Republican leadership, and President Clinton, in consultation with Democratic leaders in Congress, each appointed four members. The Board will operate through September 2001. The studies commissioned by the Presidential Members are available on their web site at www.cmbp.gov <http://www.cmbp.gov>. The Board's Congressional Members maintain their own web site at www.cmbc.gov <http://www.cmbc.gov>. New assignments on House Census Subcommittee: The House Committee on Government Reform has assigned members to its Subcommittee on the Census for the 107th Congress. The panel's line-up features several new members on both sides of the aisle: Subcommittee on the Census Committee on Government Reform 114 O'Neill House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Tel: 202-226-1973 (107th Congress Membership) Republicans Dan Miller (FL), Chairman Chris Cannon (UT) Mark E. Souder (IN) Bob Barr (GA) Democrats Ranking Minority Member Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) William L. "Lacy" Clay, Jr. (MO) Danny K. Davis (IL) Rep. Clay is a freshman legislator who won the St. Louis district vacated by his father, William L. Clay, a former chairman of the now-defunct Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, which had jurisdiction over the census. Rep. Maloney relinquished the senior Democratic position on the panel to take the ranking slot on a Financial Services subcommittee. Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) continue in their respective roles as chairman and ranking minority member of the full Committee on Government Reform. Census Advisory Committee meetings set for March: The Census Bureau's Race and Ethnic Advisory Committees will meet on March 14, 2001 (11:30 am - 5:00 pm) to review Census 2000 evaluations and convene working group discussions on plans for the 2010 census and the American Community Survey. On March 15 (8:30 am - 5:15 pm), the five committees will meet jointly with the Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations and the Commerce Department's Decennial Census Advisory Committee, to discuss the findings of the Census Bureau's Executive Steering Committee on the Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation Policy (ESCAP). The Decennial Census Advisory Committee will continue its meeting on March 16 (8:30 am -- 1:30 pm), with presentations by Bureau staff on Census 2000 evaluation plans and working group sessions. All of the meetings will take place at the Doubletree Hotel, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA, and are open to the public. Census data products update: In response to requests from data users, the Census Bureau has decided to release housing unit counts for functioning governmental units (states, cities, American Indian reservations, etc.) during May 2001. The Bureau had planned the first release of housing unit counts as part of Summary File 1 (SF-1), which will be available on a flow basis from June through September 2001 on the Internet. SF-1 will provide data down to the census block or tract levels, and will include occupancy status and owner/renter status, among other population and housing characteristics. Questions about the information contained in this News Alert may be directed to Terri Ann Lowenthal at 202/484-2270 or, by e-mail at <mailto:terriann2k@aol.com>. For copies of previous News Alerts and other information, use our web site www.census2000.org <http://www.census2000.org>. Please direct all requests to receive News Alerts, and all changes in address/phone/fax/e-mail, to the Census 2000 Initiative at <mailto:Census2000@ccmc.org> or 202/326-8700. Please feel free to circulate this information to colleagues and other interested individuals. -- Ed Christopher Bureau of Transportation Statistics U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street SW Washington DC 20590 202-366-0412

23 years, 10 months

South Africa Survey Conference

by Peter Stopher

More details of this upcoming conference, together with registration details and forms, can now be found at our website at www.its.usyd.edu.au/conferences_main.htm Please visit the site and complete the registration materials if you are planning on attending. Registration deadline is May 1. Please let me know if you have any questions about the conference that are not answered on the web site. Peter Stopher * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Prof. Peter Stopher Professor of Transport Planning Institute of Transport Studies, C37 The University of Sydney NSW 2006 AUSTRALIA e-mail: peters(a)its.usyd.edu.au internet: http://www.its.usyd.edu.au Phone: +61 (0)2 9351 0010 Fax: +61 (0)2 9351 0088 Mobile: +61 (0)4 3864 4430 Home address: 3 Torrens Place Cromer, NSW 2099 AUSTRALIA e-mail: peter.stopher(a)bigpond.com Phone: +61 2 9972 9283 Office/Fax: +61 2 9981 1284 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

23 years, 10 months

Census Question on Departure Time from home-to-work

by Chuck Purvis (MTC)

TO: CTPP listserv recipients: Your IMMEDIATE help is needed! At the meeting of our Transportation Research Board (TRB) Subcommittee on Census Data for Transportation Planning (A1D08-1) this past month, we discussed issues relating to keeping, deleting, or adding new questions to the 2003-and-beyond versions of the American Community Survey (ACS) questionnaire. As many of you are aware, the ACS is intended as the eventual replacement to the decennial census long form. One of the census questions, that is being questioned (i.e., congressmen have apparently heard complaints that the question is intrusive or threatening), is item #24a on the current long form: "What time did this person usually leave home to go to work LAST WEEK?" (Question #24b is "How many minutes did it usually take this person to get from home to work LAST WEEK?") The "time-of-departure" question first appeared on the 1990 Census long form. The "work trip duration" question has been with us since the 1980 Census. The focus of our current inquiry is the time-of-departure question, *NOT* the work trip duration question. At our subcommittee meeting, I volunteered to assemble either a "white paper," "discussion paper" or "point/counterpoint" discussion on the use and value of the census time-of-departure question in transportation planning. Rather than clutter up this valuable listserv with detailed responses to this issue, I would ask that folks "reply" to me (cpurvis(a)mtc.ca.gov) and I will compile responses and re-send all responses to this listserv (which may, in turn, set off a new round of dialogue?) (Unsigned responses will be considered anonymous, if you prefer.) Questions regarding this "time-of-departure-from-home-to-work" are: 1. Who used this particular data from the 1990 Census, and how and why it was used? 2. Are there questions that could be substituted that would be less "intrusive" (e.g., time-of-arrival-at-work?) 3. What are the implications of deleting this question of time-of-departure? 4. What other questions should be added (or deleted) to the American Community Survey to meet the needs of transportation analysis? (Generally I would prefer that we ask the last question -- new questions to ask in the Upcoming Census -- at our typical mid-decade Census-Transportation Conference that we've had in 1973, 1984, 1994 and 1996. This type of conference is very useful for face-to-face discussions of census issues important to the transportation planning & data community. We may agree or disagree on issues, but at least we have a forum to discuss adding, deleting, or modifying census questions in the hopes of gleaning better information. Unfortunately, the tenor at the Census Bureau and Congress is apparently towards restricting and constricting the ACS form, rather than improving or expanding it. Content determination is based more on politics and what's written into law rather than what's needed. This is my perspective from way out here on the West Coast. End of soapbox.) I am uncertain when our subcommittee's "white paper" on this census departure time question is needed. Our need is to provide this information to our colleagues at the US Department of Transportation and the Census Bureau to understand some of the voices of the transportation community. I would hope to have this somewhat rushed effort completed by 2/28/01. MANY THANKS for your help in advance! Chuck Purvis, Metropolitan Transportation Commission & Chair, TRB Committee on Urban Transportation Data & Information Systems. ******************************************************* e-mail: cpurvis(a)mtc.ca.gov Chuck Purvis, AICP Senior Transportation Planner/Analyst, Planning Section Metropolitan Transportation Commission 101 Eighth Street, Oakland, CA 94607-4700 (510) 464-7731 (voice) (510) 464-7848 (fax) WWW: http://www.mtc.ca.gov/ MTC DataMart: http://www.mtc.ca.gov/datamart/ MTC FTP Site: ftp://ftp.abag.ca.gov/pub/mtc/planning/ *******************************************************

23 years, 10 months

Re: [CTPP] County Population totals for 2000

by ian.millett＠census.gov

Population totals by County and lower levels of geography will be released during March in the Census 2000 Redistricting (Public Law 94- 171) Summary Files. Data from these files will be available in the American FactFinder on the Census Bureau's internet home page (www.census.gov). What you may have seen on the home page are the population counts by State. The Census 2000 Product Overview and Schedule http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/products.html details when, and in what format, the various data will be released. If you have any questions on availability of Census 2000 data products, please contact Customer Services at 301-457-4100. Ian Millett Geographic Areas Branch Geography Division US Census Bureau "Gardner, John F" <GardnerJF(a)dot.st To: "'ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net'" <ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net> ate.sc.us> cc: Sent by: Subject: [CTPP] County Population totals for 2000 owner-ctpp-news@c hrispy.net 02/14/2001 09:49 AM Can anyone tell me where to find County population totals for 2000? Have they been released yet? We've looked and can't find it on the census website. I thought I had seen these numbers release.

23 years, 10 months

RE: [CTPP] population of urbanized area

by Lori.Kelsey＠mail.state.ky.us

I'm sure Jay found what he was looking for by now, but for anyone else needing data for Census urbanized areas, it is available on the American Factfinder. At the Factfinder main page, click on "Data Sets". Then choose one of the Decennial Census data sets (of course, right now only the 1990 STF1 & STF3 are available). This brings up a window which allows you to see a list of available tables or to enter the table number directly. The next screen prompts for the geography. In the "Select the type of area" pulldown menu, urbanized area is one of the choices. Hope this is helpful to someone. Lori A. Kelsey Transportation Planner Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA) 11520 Commonwealth Drive Louisville, Kentucky 40299 Phone: (502) 266-6084 Fax: (502) 266-5047 E-mail: Lori.Kelsey(a)mail.state.ky.us Agency WWW site: http:\\www.kipda.org > -----Original Message----- > From: Jay Hoekstra [SMTP:jhoek@gvmc.org] > Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 10:24 AM > To: ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net > Subject: FW: [CTPP] population of urbanized area > > Here are some of the replies to my question about the source for the > population of urbanized areas. These areas are not the standard > metropolitan statistical areas, but the areas in and contiguous to cities > where the population is 1000 people per square mile or more. (i hope that > it is people not households). Sometimes it includes areas which are > contiguous but do not have that population density, but are urbanized in > other ways, for example an industrial district. And sometimes there may > be > a nearby noncontiguous area with that population density which is included > also. We have an area like that in our metropolitan area. I am speaking > from the memory of a generalist planner, so folks should check the > official > census definition which is fairly easy to find at the census website. > > > STF1 has that data element. You were at the right place "census.gov". > __________________________________________________________________________ > > Please go to > http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro-city/ma99-03b.txt . The > file shown can be down loaded to your disk. > __________________________________________________________________________ > __ > __ > Jay - > > We eventually were able to track our urbanized area data through the > Amercian Fact Finder site. The steps are not immediately obvious. > > __________________________________________________________________________ > __ > _______ > Jay, try this site at Census. > http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet > __________________________________________________________________________ > __ > __ > > STF1 has that data element. You were at the right place "census.gov". > > __________________________________________________________________________ > __ > _ > Jay: > > The total population for the MSA is 688,399. > > The total population for the Grand Rapids Urbanized Area is 436,336. > > (I'm reading this from an old MTC publication based on the 8/16/91 > Census Bureau press release on Urbanized Area rankings. If I can > find the e-versions of these old "Data Releases" I'll slap'em up on > some web site. ) > > Other data for all MSAs on my own web site at: > http://home.earthlink.net/~clpurvis/metrodat/index.html > http://home.earthlink.net/~clpurvis/metrodat/metroa1.htm > > Grand Rapids, MI MSA 688,399 > __________________________________________________________________________ > __ > _____ >

23 years, 10 months

County Population totals for 2000

by Gardner, John F

Can anyone tell me where to find County population totals for 2000? Have they been released yet? We've looked and can't find it on the census website. I thought I had seen these numbers released.

23 years, 10 months

FW: [CTPP] population of urbanized area

by Jay Hoekstra

Here are some of the replies to my question about the source for the population of urbanized areas. These areas are not the standard metropolitan statistical areas, but the areas in and contiguous to cities where the population is 1000 people per square mile or more. (i hope that it is people not households). Sometimes it includes areas which are contiguous but do not have that population density, but are urbanized in other ways, for example an industrial district. And sometimes there may be a nearby noncontiguous area with that population density which is included also. We have an area like that in our metropolitan area. I am speaking from the memory of a generalist planner, so folks should check the official census definition which is fairly easy to find at the census website. STF1 has that data element. You were at the right place "census.gov". __________________________________________________________________________ Please go to http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro-city/ma99-03b.txt . The file shown can be down loaded to your disk. ____________________________________________________________________________ __ Jay - We eventually were able to track our urbanized area data through the Amercian Fact Finder site. The steps are not immediately obvious. ____________________________________________________________________________ _______ Jay, try this site at Census. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet ____________________________________________________________________________ __ STF1 has that data element. You were at the right place "census.gov". ____________________________________________________________________________ _ Jay: The total population for the MSA is 688,399. The total population for the Grand Rapids Urbanized Area is 436,336. (I'm reading this from an old MTC publication based on the 8/16/91 Census Bureau press release on Urbanized Area rankings. If I can find the e-versions of these old "Data Releases" I'll slap'em up on some web site. ) Other data for all MSAs on my own web site at: http://home.earthlink.net/~clpurvis/metrodat/index.html http://home.earthlink.net/~clpurvis/metrodat/metroa1.htm Grand Rapids, MI MSA 688,399 ____________________________________________________________________________ _____

23 years, 10 months

FW: [CTPP] population of urbanized area

by Jay Hoekstra

Someone asked me to forward to the listserv the responses I received to my question. Thank you to you all for your many responses. I did receive the exact number from some of you. Others suggested places at the census website where I might find the number. I tried searching some of those but still couldn't find it there. I will forward an agglomeration of some of those suggestions next. Nevertheless the US Census provides. See the attached excel file from Ryan Short which you may save for future reference. -----Original Message----- From: Ryan Short [mailto:rshort@geo.census.gov] Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 2:36 PM To: Valerie Murdock; Hoekstra, Jay Subject: RE: [CTPP] population of urbanized area I have enclosed an Excel spreadsheet that contains 1990 UA code, name, population, area measurement, and population density figures. The Census Bureau will be releasing its 2000 UA data in 2002. -----Original Message----- From: Valerie Murdock [mailto:vmurdock@geo.census.gov] Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 1:41 PM To: jhoek(a)gvmc.org Cc: Ryan L Short Subject: RE: [CTPP] population of urbanized area Jay, I am forwarding your message to Ryan Short who is the UA person for Geography Division. He will answer your question. Thanks Val Murdock Geographic Areas Branch Geography Division Bureau of the Census Washington, DC 20233 (301) 457-1099 vmurdock(a)geo.census.gov -----Original Message----- From: owner-ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net [mailto:owner-ctpp-news@chrispy.net]On Behalf Of Jay Hoekstra Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 12:07 PM To: ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net Subject: [CTPP] population of urbanized area I don't like to ask for information that I can find by just looking, but I have looked all over the US Census web site and the BTS website for the - population of urbanized areas, specifically the Grand Rapids, Michigan urbanized area, 1990 But I cannot find it. Can anyone direct me to a source? Thanks. Jay Hoekstra

23 years, 10 months

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

ctpp-news February 2001