The Associated Press and APME offer a free webinar on explaning the U.S. financial crisis to readers.

From a news release:

"How quickly, easily and effectively the states emerge from the Great Recession will affect the speed and stability of America's recovery overall. Help your readers better understand these complicated issues and get tips for improving your coverage of these important topics.

"The Associated Press, in partnership with Associated Press Managing Editors and The Pew Center on the States, invites you to participate in a webinar that aims to give you new insight and tools to help you cover your state's budget after the legislative session.

"The webinar is presented as part of AP-APME's 'Broken Budgets' series, a yearlong initiative that examines the fiscal crisis facing U.S. states and cities, how state and local governments are dealing with this crisis and how Americans' lives are changing because of it."

The free webinar, with sessions June 23 and 24, includes:

· State Budgets 101: the nuts and bolts of looking at a state budget
· Roles of governors and legislatures in state budgeting and how they differ among states
· The composition of state budgets and where to find your state's budget documents
· Budget trends and creative story ideas
· Challenges facing state legislatures and how they're responding to fiscal pressures

Reserve a spot for the 2 to 3:15 p.m. EDT/1 to 2:15 p.m. CDT Thursday, June 23, session at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/941521226

The Friday, June 24, session is also from 2-3:15 p.m. EDT: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/261527938

Speakers:

· Philip Joyce, Professor of Management, Finance and Leadership at the Maryland School of Public Policy
· Steve Fehr and Pam Prah, senior staff writers for Stateline.org
· Michele Mariani Vaughn, senior research manager, Pew Center on the States