Recession Briefing 7.1

An increasing number of parents are trying to get their babies into the modeling business in the U.K., and baby-modeling agents  posit that parents might be doing this to earn extra money in the recession. (New York/Daily Intel)

Home prices were down 18%, year-over-year, in April. (Associated Press)

If a nationwide trend seen since January holds true, more than 300 businesses will file for bankruptcy — today alone. (USA Today)

The recession hasn’t spared pro athletes, and increasing numbers of them are finding themselves in dire financial straits. (Fanhouse)

The Detroit metro area continues to have the highest unemployment rate of large cities, with 14.9%. (CNN/Money) Another example of how the downturn has hit every area differently. (Recessionwire)

A recent Gallup poll indicates that drinkers don’t seem to care that there is a recession. (Baltimore Sun)

During the building boom, hundreds of thousands of homes were built, often with shoddy construction.  Now, many of the owners of these almost-new homes need repairs that they can’t afford. (Wall Street Journal)

Carlos Watson is concerned that the economy’s course will resemble a “W” — dropping precipitously, beginning to recover, then dropping again before ultimately climbing. (The Stimulist)

41 percent of women who snack claim their snacking habits have been affected by the slowing economy. (Washington Post)

Did homeowners really cause the Great Recession? (Forbes)

Tags: alcohol consumption, baby modeling, building boom, detroit, eating, housing prices, pro athletes in bankruptcy, recession, subprime mortgages, unemployment