Daily Jolt

The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid unveiled the new admissions Green Room in late May, a space focused on creating a polished, friendly experience for visitors and promoting an arts environment on campus, according to a university statement.

The new Green Room is located on the second floor of the Katzen Arts Center and replaces the old Welcome Center in Centennial Hall. (June 18)

Officials expect the District unemployment rate to continue rising in the coming months, providing little relief for the AU class of 2009 as they struggle to find jobs.

The District unemployment rate showed signs of stability at 9.9 percent in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (June 18)

AU will join the Yellow Ribbon Program this fall to help veterans pay for undergraduate and graduate education and law school.

The university will fully support four undergraduate veterans during the 2009-2010 academic year, said Financial Aid Director Brian Lee Sang. (June 18)

A sailor found dead earlier this week at California's Camp Pendleton was shot while standing sentry, and a fire was set in an attempt to cover up evidence, the U.S. Navy said. Although at least one of Seaman August Provost's relatives said she believes he was killed because of his sexual orientation and his race, Navy officials said there was no indication the killing was a hate crime. (July 3)

Sarah Palin said Friday that she will step down as Alaska's governor by the end of the month. She will not seek election to a second gubernatorial term in 2010. As the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, Palin had been considered one of the front-runners for the GOP nomination in 2012. (July 4)

Fans must register online for a lottery to win tickets to Tuesday's Michael Jackson memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, organizers said. People who don't have one of the 17,500 free tickets to be handed out should stay away and watch on TV, officials said. (July 3)