June 30, 2010

The site of that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico isn’t in the path of Hurricane Alex, but rough waters are shutting down clean-up efforts and leaving more beaches vulnerable to the sticky mess on the Gulf waters. Skimmer boats are back on shore because waves are too high to continue surface clean-up of the oil. Crews continue to drill a pair of relief wells in hopes of stopping the spill that began over two months ago. Source Link

You can now count gas station operators among those getting compensation for damage to their businesses after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Independent dealers who sell BP products say they’ve been the victims of boycotts by angry drivers who want to punish the company. BP is offering volume discounts and a cut in credit card fees to help dealers make up for the loss in sales. Source Link

That 16-year old girl who failed in her bid to sail solo around the globe is back home in California some two weeks after her dramatic rescue on the other side of the world. Abby Sunderland says there were moments when she was terrified during the five-month voyage that ended when a fierce storm in the Indian Ocean broke the mast of her sailboat. Sunderland says her next goal is on dry land -- where she wants to earn a drivers license. Source Link

June 29, 2010

The U.S. Senate is mourning the death of its longest-serving member. Democrat Robert Byrd of West Virginia was a one-time majority leader and Constitutional expert who fought and lost the battle in the Senate in 2002 to stop the Iraq war. Byrd was also famous for bringing billions in federal money back to his impoverished home state during his 58 years as a member of Congress. Byrd was 92. Source Link

The latest nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court says the justices must recognize the court's  constitutional limits and also respect the choices made by the American people. Confirmation hearings are underway for Elena Kagan, who would become the first justice in 40 years to ascend to the nation's highest court without previous experience as a judge. Source Link

A new luxury resort opening at Walt Disney World boasts private suites for lounging in air- conditioned comfort or relaxing outdoors, it's own water park and lots of activities. But it's strictly for the four-legged set. The new Best Friends Pet Care Resort will accommodate, dogs, cats and even pocket pets like guinea pigs and hamsters that can relax and be pampered while their human counterparts enjoy the Florida theme park. Source Link

June 28, 2010

The first storm of the Atlantic hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico has clean-up teams on-guard at the site of that oil spill off the Louisiana coast. Current forecasts do not put Alex on a track to hit the area where crews are trying to contain the underwater leak and capture crude oil. If Alex would change course and head toward the spill site, the containment effort could be shut down for up to two weeks. Source Link

A group of the nation's governors is appealing to Washington to continue additional federal funding for Medicaid, the state-run program that provides medical services for the poor. A measure that would have continued the funding failed in the Senate last week. Many states begin their 2011 fiscal year this week and had already included the additional federal money in already-tight budgets. Source Link

First, there were DJ's spinning records on the radio. Then, it was the "VJ" introducing music videos on TV. Now, social media is taking its place in the music mix. MTV says it's looking for it's first "TJ" -- Twitter Jockey. The cable music network is asking the public to nominate two people will will be among a pool of 20 hopefuls competing for the job with a six-figure salary to promote the network to its Twitter followers. Source Link

June 25, 2010

As fans mark the first anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson, his earning power continues to grow. The Associated Press reports that Jackson's estate brought in more than $250 million since his death, including $125 million from a deal to sell previously unreleased recordings from the King of Pop. Without the lavish spending that Jackson was famous for, executors are paying down his debt and establishing funds to support his children and donate to charities. Source Link 

New laws that force restaurants to list calories counts for their menus haven't stopped some from continuing to offer diet-busting dishes. The Center for Science in the Public Interest says its Xtreme Eating survey found plenty of heavyweight items, including a Bob Evans pancake breakfast with nearly 1,400 calories; a pasta dish from Cheesecake Factory with four days worth of fat, and a Five Guys hamburger and fries combo that makes lunch nearly a full day's worth of calories. Source Link 

For smokers trying to kick the habit and battle nicotine cravings, the faster the weapon, the better it can work to keep them from lighting up again. That's the idea behind a new nicotine mouth spray that's being tested. Researchers say the mouth spray delivers nicotine two to three times as fast as gum or lozenges, and that's important when cravings come on quickly. The nicotine mouth spray is made by a Swedish company and there's no word on when it will be available in the United States. Source Link 

June 24, 2010

The war in Afghanistan has a new military leader. Army General Stanley McChrystal resigned after a meeting with President Obama. McChrystal was called to the White House to explain his public criticism of the civilian leaders who are shaping policy for the 9-year old war. The general's comments came in a profile that was published in Rolling Stone magazine. McChrystal's boss General David Petraeus will take over command of the Afghan war. Source Link

 

There's no question that the federal homebuyer's tax credit has been propping-up the housing market, but now we know just how much of a difference it made. New home sales dropped 33% in May after the expiration of the tax credit program in April. It's the biggest monthly drop since the government began tracking new home sales in 1963. Sales of existing homes also declined last month without the boost from the tax credit. Source Link

 

From 1960's stand-up comedy to country classics and music from a hip-hop legend, the Library of Congress has selected 25 recordings for preservation. The list of culturally or historically significant items joining the National Recording Registry includes albums from Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn, a rap song from Tupac Shakur, and comedian Bill Cosby's second stand-up album. It's not just performances either; the list also includes a collection of Marine Corps combat field recordings from World War Two. Source Link

June 23, 2010

The federal government has unveiled a new Patient's Bill of Rights as part of the healthcare reform legislation that was signed into law earlier this year. Under new rules that will take effect this fall, children can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, lifetime limits on healthcare coverage will be banned and annual dollar limits for coverage will be phased out. Insurers will also be prohibited from canceling coverage because of an unintentional mistake on an application. Source Link

The economic downturn is sending more people packing in high unemployment states like Ohio and Michigan. The Census Bureau says its latest estimates show that Cleveland, Detroit and Flint, Michigan had the highest percentage of population losses. The Sunbelt isn't immune either; some cities in Florida are losing population as Baby Boomers delay retirement and the move to a warmer climate. Source Link

Is the world's biggest search engine ready to take on the Goliath of online music? The Wall Street Journal says Google is making plans to launch a service that will offer music downloads through its search engine. The move would be a direct challenge to Apple's iTunes and create another face-off between the two companies that are already jockeying for dominance in the world of smart phones between Google's Android system and Apple's iPhone. Source Link

June 22, 2010

The main suspect in a failed plot to explode a car bomb in Times Square last month has pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case. 30-year old Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized U.S. citizen and a native of Pakistan, said he considered himself a Muslin soldier and that the attack was a response to the United States terrorizing Muslim people in Iraq and Afghanistan. Shahzad faces up to life in prison when sentencing takes place in October. Source Link

Two months after an offshore rig exploded, the price tag for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has reached $2 billion. Meanwhile, the man overseeing a $20 billion fund set up by BP says he wants to speed up the payment of emergency claims. Kenneth Feinberg told CNN that many people are in many people are in "desperate financial straits" and need immediate help. Feinberg says BP has paid out over $100 million for claims that have already topped half a billion dollars. Source Link

The summer driving season began on Memorial Day Weekend with unexpected lower gasoline prices, but don't expect the same break if you're hitting the road for July 4th. The latest surveys show gasoline prices are back on the rise toward a national average that's closer to $3 a gallon. Experts say crude oil prices are increasing as fears over the European debt crisis have eased and the demand for for gasoline is expected to rise in China. Source Link

June 21, 2010

It may be a case of, "do as I say, not as I do" for some parents who lecture their teens about texting while driving. A study by the Pew Research Center shows that adults are just as likely to text message while driving as are 16 and 17-year olds. According to the study,  about one-in-four of those behind the wheel are texting and three out of four adults admit to talking on their cell phone while driving.  Source Link

How about this for street music -- beginning today, New Yorkers can tickle the ivories on 60 pianos that have placed in outdoor locations across the Big Apple, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island and Times Square. The public pianos project began in England in 2008 and has also been staged in Brazil and Australia. The program's creators say it's fostered goodwill as people share their musical talents with others or just get their first chance to play a piano. Source Link

Attention Mr. Mom -- there's a new web site that's catering to stay-at-home Dad's and househusbands with homemaking tips for the not-so-gentle sex. Manofthehouse.com is being launched by Proctor and Gamble to reach out to men who may be adding household shopping to their to-do lists. The site's editor says it offers more than home tips and will serve the growing number of men who are doing more around the house in these evolving economic and social times. Source Link

June 18, 2010

The U.S. Justice Department says a crackdown on mortgage fraud has led to over 500 arrests nationwide in schemes to take advantage of the struggling housing market. In one case, the Feds broke up a fraud ring in Detroit that recruited over 100 accomplices to obtain nearly $100 million in mortgages for ghost properties. In all, the various cases that were targeted from coast to coast netted $2.3 billion for the scammers. Source Link

A national survey says most Americans support that new controversial Arizona law that gives police the power to check the residency status of suspected illegal immigrants. But the Washington Post-ABC News poll also shows that most who were surveyed support a program to give illegal immigrants the opportunity to earn legal documentation. More than 8 out of 10 also think the National Guard should be used to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border to keep out illegal immigrants. Source Link

If you were asked to name Michael Jackson's most popular song, what would you "Say, Say, Say"? Billboard Magazine says Jackson's 1983 duet by that name with former Beatle Paul McCartney outlasted "Billy Jean" and the Jackson Five hit "I'll Be There" to rank as the King of Pop's most successful song on the music charts. Billboard is looking back on the Jackson legacy as the world prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of the singer's death. Source Link

June 17, 2010

The same man who ran the compensation fund for victims of the 9/11 attacks will manage a $20 billion escrow fund being set up by BP to pay damages related to that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  The appointment of Kenneth Feinberg was announced after BP officials met with President Obama at the White House. The oil conglomerate is suspending payment of a dividend to shareholders to ensure it has enough money to pay for damages from the spill. Source Link

For the first time in 12 years, Tiger Woods is not the odds-on favorite to win the U.S. Open golf tournament as play begins today at Pebble Beach. Bookmakers were giving Masters tournament champion Phil Mickelson the same odds of winning this year's U.S. Open as Woods, who finished fourth at the Masters and failed to complete two other tournaments this year after a hiatus following a sex scandal and charges of infidelity. Source Link

A new study adds scientific weight to what many parents already knew -- teenage boys can eat you out of house and home. The study showed that boys between the ages of 14 and 17 averaged 2,000 calories for lunch alone. That's a typical full day of calories for children.  Teenage girls eat more in their younger adolescent years but not a much as boys do. While it's bad news for the grocery budget, the good news is that parents need not worry about the extra calories unless boys begin to gain weight. Source Link

June 16, 2010

President Obama told the nation he'll insist that BP compensates all those who have been damaged by that offshore oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Oval Office address came just after an Associated Press poll reported that the same percentage of Americans are blaming Obama for a slow response in the BP spill as did those who criticized President George W. Bush for his efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Source Link

Leaders of a church just off Interstate 75 north of Cincinnati Ohio say they'll rebuild a six-story tall statue of Jesus that was destroyed by fire when lightning struck it. The wood, foam and steel sculpture of Christ with his arms outstretched upwards was nicknamed "Touchdown Jesus" and became a sightseeing attraction after it was erected six years ago. Ohio Highway Patrol units had to be called in to keep traffic moving along the Interstate because so many drivers stopped to see the ruins of the statue. Source Link

The crush of customers who wanted to pre-order the new iPhone 4 was too much for the web sites of ATT and Apple. On the first day of pre-orders, thousands of would-be buyers got error messages and were unable to complete an order to be among the first to get the new smartphone that debuts next week. Some customers abandoned the online effort and went to ATT stores to stand in line in hopes of securing one of the new iPhones. Source Link

June 15, 2010

President Obama is in wrapping up a two-day trip to the Gulf Coast to survey the impact of that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Tonight he'll make a prime-time address from the Oval Office regarding the situation. Meanwhile, BP is being pressed to set up an independent multi-billion dollar escrow fund to pay damage claims resulting from the spill that began nearly eight weeks ago and now threatens fishing and coastal tourism across the Gulf region. Source Link

The so-called "Kennedy Curse" of tragic violent deaths didn't pass over the late Senator Ted Kennedy for lack of threats. The FBI has released thousands of pages of its files on the brother of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy. The records show that Ted Kennedy lived under near-constant death threats for decades after the assassinations of his older brothers. The FBI says the threats came from individuals, anonymous persons and radical groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. Source Link 

The Boston Celtics hope the hometown advantage won't be with the Los Angeles Lakers as the NBA championship battle between the two teams heads west for Game Six tonight. The Celtics carry 3-to-2 series lead into the contest and can take the title with just one more win to deny the Lakers a repeat championship. It would also be the 10th time that the Celtics have defeated the Lakers for the NBA title. Source Link

June 14, 2010

Lunch with a billionaire carries a pretty big price tag. The annual eBay charity auction for a mid-day meal with billionaire Warren Buffett has been won with a top bid of $2.6 million. For that, the winner and seven guests get lunch at a midtown Manhattan steakhouse and conversation with the world's third wealthiest person. Since 2000, Buffett's lunch auction has raised over $8 million for a San Francisco non-profit group that provides meals, health care and job training for the underprivileged. Source Link

Retail sales fell in May for the first decline in eight months, but analysts are cautiously optimistic that the drop isn't a sign of a stumble in the fragile economic recovery. An end to home buyer tax credits in April and fewer household appliance purchases may be one cause for the decline. It's not all bad news, as unexpected lower gasoline prices brought about some of the dip in spending. Core retail sales that closely correspond to typical consumer spending were up for the month. Source Link

New treatments for high blood pressure and cholesterol are being credited for a decline in the rate of heart attacks. Researchers say their study of heart attack cases in California showed a 24-percent drop since 2000, even as rates of obesity and diabetes were increasing. One factor being credited for the decline is the implementation of a public ban on smoking. Better treatment for heart attack victims using clot-busting drugs and stents are also reducing the death rate. Source Link

June 11, 2010

There's a new tentative settlement on the table to close the books on lawsuits filed by over 10,000 workers who say they got sick during rescue and clean-up efforts at Ground Zero after the World Trade Center collapse. Under the new agreement, lawyers will take a smaller fee from the proposed $715 million settlement. Back in March, the federal judge hearing the case threw out an earlier deal, saying not enough of the money was going to the injured workers. Source Link 

It's known as America's sacred ground, but Army officials say there are at more than 200 grave sites in Arlington National Cemetery with remains that have been misidentified. Officials say poor record keeping and misplaced markers were to blame. The two civilians who run America's most famous military cemetery are leaving their jobs in the wake of the controversy. More than 300,000 persons have been buried at Arlington since it opened after the Civil War. Source Link

Reality TV may hand out prizes for losing weight, but a New Jersey woman hopes to win fame for being the biggest gainer. The Reuters news service reports that 42-year old Donna Simpson tips the scales at over 600 pounds and wants to weigh 1,000 pounds and be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The mother of two says she struggled with weight issues all her life until she decided to stop fighting and start eating more. She now takes in up to 12,000 calories a day. Source Link

June 10, 2010

BP officials say they're capturing even more oil from where that offshore rig has been leaking in the Gulf of Mexico. A second containment vessel is being readied, along with a special ship that can burn off some of the oil. Back on shore, there are new questions about whether BP is dragging its feet in settling claims from fishermen and others who say their livelihoods have been shut down by the oil spill that began seven weeks ago. Source Link

High tech will meet big politics in the Golden State this fall, as two former technology company leaders are now officially on the ballot in California after primary election victories. Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman will be the Republican candidate for governor to replace the outgoing Arnold Schwarzenegger. And GOP hopeful and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina will challenge incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer in the U.S. Senate race. Source Link

It's the bad guy in many a diet , but not all saturated fat is the same, and results of a new study suggest that saturated fat from dairy products may protect your heart. Swedish researchers say that those in their study who consumed more milk fat had a lower risk of heart attacks, and benefits were greater for women than men. The research was funded by the U.S. National Dairy Council. Source Link

June 9, 2010

Tears mingled with tributes as the Lake High School Class of 2010 accepted their diplomas Tuesday evening in a ceremony that was postponed after a killer tornado destroyed their building on the eve of graduation last weekend. The high school was a total loss and could take two to three years to rebuild. Five persons were killed when storms destroyed homes and a police station just south of Toledo Ohio, causing $100 million in damages. Source Link

Calling it an anti-terrorism measure, two U.S. Senators have introduced legislation that would require anyone who purchases a prepaid cell phone to provide identification. The pay-as-you-go phones often cannot be traced to an owner and are popular with criminals. Prepaid cell phones have been linked to several terrorism cases, including the recent failed bombing attempt in Times Square in New York. Source Link

There's growing optimism among America's small business owners about the nation's economy, but not enough to put a dent in the unemployment rate. The latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business is showing a second consecutive month of improvement in their "optimism index," but most small business owners are still experiencing weak sales and are not ready to commit to additional spending for job creation. Source Link

June 8, 2010

The government's man in charge of dealing with that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico says it will probably take years to clean all the spots where the oil will foul beaches and marshlands. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says that's because the oil slick from the underwater blowout has broken up into hundreds of thousands of small patches. Allen says the effort now involves a flotilla of some 1,500 boats that are using skimmers to clean up the scattered oil. Source Link

Not many surprises as Apple has officially unveiled its latest iPhone some two months after a prototype was leaked to the Internet. Dubbed the iPhone 4, includes front and near cameras for video conferencing, a sharper display screen and multitasking for applications. The iPhone 4 goes on sale to ATT customers June 24th and there's no word from Apple on whether the iPhone will make its way to other cell phone carriers anytime soon. Source Link

America's favorite talk show host is teaming up with one of television's most successful reality show producers to find the next big talk show star. Oprah Winfrey and "Survivor" and "Apprentice" producer Mark Burnett are holding open casting calls and allowing hopefuls to submit video auditions online for a reality show that will pick a winner who will host a talk show on Winfrey's new cable network. Source Link

June 7, 2010

It'll be a somber graduation for the Class of 2010 of Lake High School near Toledo Ohio.  The school's gymnasium and site of the graduation was destroyed by a deadly tornado late Saturday on the eve of the event. Among seven persons killed was the father of the class valedictorian. A mother and child were also among the dead in the outbreak of storms that damaged dozens of homes and destroyed the local police station. Source Link

As a new capping effort is showing some progress, the top man at BP says he has no plans to step down because of that offshore oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Tony Hayward told the BBC that the company has the financial strength to pay for the clean-up effort, which has already cost BP a billion dollars. The company's stock price has taken a deep hit since a drilling rig exploded nearly seven weeks ago in the Gulf and triggered the biggest oil spill in U.S. history. Source Link

The music industry is seeing album sales hit rock bottom. Billboard Magazine says the latest weekly figures were the worst since advanced tracking began in 1993, and may be the lowest in nearly 40 years. The free fall in album sales began nearly 10 years ago, with the dawn of file sharing, and some think the latest bad news is even more reason why Congress should consider new legislation to force Internet service providers to cut off customers who share pirated music. Source Link

June 4, 2010

Experts have changed their forecast for this year's hurricane season and now expect even more storms that could add to the environmental misery in the Gulf of Mexico. The group from Colorado State University now says there's a 76% change that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U. S. this summer. A major hurricane could disrupt efforts to cap that underwater oil blowout the the Gulf and might spread the sticky spill over a larger shoreline area. Source Link

The old song says, "I get no kick from champagne," but it may also be true of that cup of coffee. A new study claims that your morning dose of caffeine merely brings alertness back to normal levels . British researchers used non-coffee drinkers in a comparison and say the boost you feel after that first coffee of the day is just the reversal of the effects of overnight caffeine withdrawal. Source Link

The greatest entertainment character of the last two decades is a funny guy who hasn't aged a bit since his debut, maybe because he's ink and paint rather than flesh and blood. Lovable cartoon loser Homer Simpson was tops in a poll conducted for the 20th anniversary of Entertainment Weekly magazine. Following Simpson on the "greatest" list is Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tony Soprano and The Joker. Source Link

June 3, 2010

New government rules would give airline passengers more green in their pockets if their seat is taken away because of an overbooked flight. The Department of Transportation wants airlines to increase the maximum cash compensation for involuntary bumping up to $1,300. Overbooking is becoming more frequent as the number of flights are being reduced by airline mergers and cost-cutting efforts to ensure that planes fly at full capacity. Source Link

The exclusive carrier for the iPhone is beginning to phase out unlimited data plans for its smartphones. New subscribers to ATT will choose between two plans that offer a set amount of data usage per month and charge extra for more. The company says 98% of its customers will save money and current subscribers can keep their unlimited plan. The move is seen as a first step to get superusers of smartphones to begin paying more of their share of network costs. Source Link 

A classic match-up is on tap as the Boston Celtics take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the NBA Finals tonight. It's the 12th time that the two teams have tangled for the league crown. The Celtics hope to stop the Lakers from repeating as NBA champions and history might be on their side, as Boston has won 9 of the 11 previous championship face-offs against Los Angeles. The Lakers open the best-of-seven series at home with oddsmakers giving them a slight advantage. Source Link

June 2, 2010

The man who pushed to innovate diving technology to bring the Titanic to the silver screen wants to assist in the effort to cap that underwater oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Film director James Cameron has met with EPA officials along with deepwater experts who are trying to come with a new approach to capping the well. Meanwhile, federal authorities have opened criminal and civil investigations into the nation's worst oil spill. Source Link

One of Washington's best-known couples is calling it quits after 40 years of marriage. Friends say that former vice president Al Gore and his wife Tipper have told them that they'll separate. The split is said to be mutual and amicable. During his two terms as vice president, Gore and his wife were a positive counterpoint to the marital troubles of Bill and Hillary Clinton and Clinton's impeachment after he lied about having an affair with a White House intern. Source Link

Google is pulling the plug on Microsoft Windows on its own computers, blaming the world's most popular operating system for security holes that helped Chinese hackers break into Google computers earlier this year. The Financial Times of London reports that Google will move to using Apple or Linux open source-operated computers. The company is also working on it's own operating system built around the Google Chrome browser. Source Link

June 1, 2010

One out of six cell phone subscribers has been the victim of "bill shock" from unexpected higher charges. The survey conducted for the Federal Communications Commission says 30 million cell phone subscribers had higher monthly charges, some up to $100 more. The FCC is considering a new rule to require the nation's four biggest cell phone companies to notify subscribers as higher charges begin to mount each month. Source Link

A government watchdog is warning older Americans that herbal and dietary supplements are being sold as cures for diseases or replacements for prescription drugs. The undercover investigation by the Government Accountability Office had elderly testers visit stores or make purchases over the telephone. Some were told that supplements can cure cancer or prevent cardiovascular disease. Source Link

When you think of major metropolitan areas with the nation's best quality of life, North Carolina may not come to mind. But a new survey by business web site portfolio.com ranks Raleigh, North Carolina at the top of the list, followed by Washington D.C. and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The survey authors say Raleigh's combination of good-paying and high-tech jobs, new housing stock and a growing population of young adults gives it the best quality of life. Source Link