Both presidential campaigns – and many citizens – are concerned with the state of America’s economy. Urban Institute researchers are as well, and MetroTrends this week published three blogs related to economic recovery and security for those struggling most.

• We excerpted the latest Brookings Institution MetroMonitor: read about how the unemployment rate fell in 90 of the top 100 metros in the year to March 2012
• Elsa Falkenburger described innovative summer programs for low-income youth to combat the summer slide
• Sarah Benatar summarized a San Mateo County case study suggesting that Obamacare Medicaid expansion could benefit millions

Next week we’ll write about crime, low-income children and off-the-wall government revenue schemes – don’t miss out.