July 30, 2010

Crews are poised to begin what could be the final step to end that offshore oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico once and for all. The so-called “static kill” may take place this weekend. The move involves pumping heavy mud into the top of the well. Then mud and cement would be pumped into the bottom through a relief well. A temporary cap has kept oil from leaking for over two weeks now. Source Link

The number of mismarked graves at Arlington National Cemetery could be in the thousands. That admission from Arlington's former superintendent who told a Senate panel that the paper records used to keep track of grave sites were not reliable. When the scandal surfaced earlier this summer, it was believed that only a few hundred graves at America’s largest national cemetery were effected. Source Link

There’s new evidence that breathing secondhand smoke can put your health at risk in more ways. A British study shows that non-smokers exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke have double the chance of dying of heart disease. The study confirmed what others have found, that secondhand smoke triggers inflammation in the body, a known risk factor for heart disease. Source Link

July 29, 2010

A federal judge has blocked enforcement of Arizona's tough new law that would require police to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws. The ruling also blocks parts of the law that made it illegal for undocumented workers to look for work in public places as day laborers. The state will appeal the ruling, setting up a legal battle that may go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

For 20 years, the Americans With Disabilities Act has worked to improve access in the everyday world, and now there’s a move to spread that accessibility to the World Wide Web. The Justice Department is considering new rules to require more features on web sites to help the deaf and blind. Officials say self-regulation has not kept pace with a growing web experience that the disabled may be missing. Source Link

There’s new hope for more than 2 million Americans who suffer from the leading cause of blindness in older adults. The FDA has approved an implantable mini-telescope for the eye. The device that’s the size of a pea could help restore central vision in those who suffer from advanced macular degeneration that makes it difficult to read, watch TV or recognize faces. Source Link

July 28, 2010

General Motors has put an official price tag on the long-awaited Chevy Volt.  The electric car will have a base price of $41,000, but is also eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500. GM dealers in California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and Washington DC can take pre-orders now for delivery beginning later this year. The Volt is expected to go over 200 miles on a gallon of gas. Source Link

The economy is looking up for those ready to equip America’s youngsters for their return to the classroom. Nearly three out of 10 consumers surveyed say  they plan to spend more this year on back-to-school shopping as compared with last year. About one in three say they’ll shop using smart phones and social networking sites to locate bargains for back-to-school. Source Link

Could America’s most popular television show be poised to replace its entire cast? That’s the rumor getting more traction as a former executive producer of “American Idol” is returning to the show for the next season. “Idol” is looking for someone to fill the seat of former judge Simon Cowell, but producer Nigel Lythgoe has previously said he’d like to see the entire panel of judges replaced to spice up the show. Source Link

July 27, 2010

An American could be the new face of BP. U.S. executive Bob Dudley is said to be in line to replace Tony Hayward, the British CEO of BP who was criticized for his public mishandling of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. BP stock has lost nearly half its value since the spill began back in April. Crews are still at least a week away from completing a relief well to permanently cap the leak. Source Link

From first to worst, Nevada and Florida have lost the most jobs in the last five years, according to a study published by Portfolio.Com. The two states were atop the list for job growth in 2005. Researchers say the collapse of the housing market hit Florida and Nevada the hardest. North Dakota and Alaska are now numbers one-and-two in job growth, thanks in large part to energy exploration. Source Link

He was the first sitting President to guest on a late-night TV talk show, and now Barack Obama will become the first commander-in-chief to chat it up on TV in daytime. Mr. Obama will be a guest on ABC’s “The View” on Thursday. The network says the President will be interviewed by co-host and show creator Barbara Walters in a segment to be recorded on Wednesday. Source Link

July 26, 2010

Crews are getting back on the scene to put an end to that underwater oil well leak in the Gulf of Mexico. The passing of Tropical Storm Bonnie called a halt to the drilling of a relief well over the weekend. A temporary cap put in place more than a week ago has so far prevented any further oil from leaking, but it still could be mid-August before the well blowout is permanently sealed. Source Link

Personal scandals have not prevented golfer Tiger Woods from leading the list of America’s top earning athletes. A new Sports Illustrated survey says Woods was number-one with just over $90 million in earnings. But that’s a 40-percent decline since 2008. Fellow golfer Phil Mickelson, NBA star LeBron James, New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez, and quarterback Peyton Manning are also in the Top 10. Source Link

They keep Hollywood sets moving, but now thousands of unionized drivers have authorized a strike that would put the brakes on production of movies and the new fall television season. The Teamsters members are negotiating a new contract with producers who say they can’t afford the same 3-percent raise that was given to other unions before the recession hit. Source Link

July 23, 2010

Jobless benefits will be extended for about two and a half million unemployed Americans who lost their checks in a funding face-off between Republicans and Democrats in Congress. The continued payments for the chronic jobless are all that’s left of a move to extend last year’s economic stimulus package. Efforts failed to send more aid to state governments and to provide funds to avoid teacher layoffs. Source Link

Once again, rough weather is interfering with cleanup efforts at the site of that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A storm that’s racing across the Gulf is forcing crews out of the spill area and stopping work on a relief tunnel that will be used to permanently plug the leaking well. It could be nearly a week before skimmer boats can return to the Gulf waters to continue the oil cleanup. Source Link

Your annual vaccination may become a one-shot deal if a new flu vaccine passes the test. The two-step flu vaccine would eliminate the need to create new versions every year to combat the latest strain of flu. Researchers say in animal tests, the vaccine protects against over 70 years of flu strains. Human testing has begun, but widespread trials could be three to five years away. Source Link

July 22, 2010

Calling it the strongest consumer protections in history, President Obama has put his signature on a financial reform law that creates a new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to regulate products ranging from credit cards to mortgages. The measure is also designed to put new limits on some of the financial practices that dragged the nation into recession, but it’s unclear whether it will win points from voters still concerned about unemployment and high deficits. Source Link

BP is turning some of its assets into cash to help foot the bill for the clean-up of that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The company will get $7 billion from the sale of exploration and production facilities in North America and Egypt.  BP says it’s already spent nearly $4 billion on the oil spill that began three months ago when an offshore rig exploded in the Gulf, killing 11 persons and rupturing an underwater well. Source Link

As the Atlantic hurricane season moves into full gear, a private weather forecaster says it expects slightly fewer named storms. WSI Corporation now predicts 19 named storms, but says the East Coast from the Carolinas to Maine will stand the same risk as does Florida and the Gulf coast, with record warm water temperatures and wind conditions that are ideal for creating hurricanes. Source Link

July 21, 2010

A new poll says that half of all Americans who use social networking sites are worried about their privacy while sharing with their friends. The survey by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion says women are more anxious about online privacy than men, and people over the age of 60 are the most concerned. It’s estimated that four out of ten Americans are now using a social networking sites such as Facebook, My Space or LinkedIn. Source Link

For the first time in over a dozen years, U.S. automakers have scored higher overall than foreign car companies in a closely-watched annual survey of customer satisfaction. The J.D. Power & Associates survey ranks 33 car brands. Domestic automakers averaged a higher score than imports, helped by top ratings for a handful of Ford vehicles and good scores for the new Chevy Camaro and Avalanche truck. Source Link

From movie star to star jail inmate, the saga of troubled actress Lindsay Lohan continues. The 24-year old is behind bars in a Los Angeles County women’s lock-up to begin a 90-day sentence for violating probation on misdemeanor drug charges. Because of rules that cut inmate sentences to reduce jail overcrowding, Lohan will likely spend much less than the 90 days under lock and key. Source Link

July 20, 2010

The cap atop that leaking underwater oil well in the Gulf of Mexico will stay closed for now. Government officials say there is some oil and gas seeping from the well and there are concerns that the pressure may rupture the sea floor and spread the leak.  BP wants to keep the cap fully shut down to prevent any more oil spilling into the Gulf until a relief well can be completed to permanently plug the leak. Source Link
 

Despite all the preaching and teaching about the dangers of skin cancer, the message about using sunscreen isn’t sinking in for many Americans. A new poll says four out of ten people admit they never use sunscreen. About one-third say they use sunscreen a few times a year. About one in five use it regularly, but only 9% say they use sunscreen daily. Source Link

The home with Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad and their kids is making a comeback. A study by the Pew Research Center says about 16-percent of American homes have two generations of adults living there. The trend has been growing since the 1980's.  Researchers say economic forces are a factor and that adult children are marrying later and living at home longer.Source Link

July 19, 2010

An ocean tanker refitted to be a super oil skimmer has flunked its test in the cleanup effort in the Gulf of Mexico. Coast Guard officials said the Taiwanese ship named “A Whale” collected virtually no oil during a tryout on the waters near the oil rig blowout. The ship’s operators say the spilled oil is too dispersed to be collected by the large vessel that was modified with openings on the sides to take in contaminated water and strip out the oil. Source Link

Millions of owners of the hot new Apple iPhone 4 are in line to get free protective cases as a fix for a problem with antenna interference when the smart phone is held a certain way. Apple CEO Steve Jobs has downplayed the problem but admitted the company isn’t perfect. The free case offer came after critics blasted the company for the design flaw and Consumer Reports declined to recommend the iPhone 4 because of it. Source Link

Does ditching the pen and pad in favor of electronic prescriptions cut down on errors? A study from New York state says "yes." Mistakes declined from nearly half of all prescriptions to less than one in ten when doctors used electronic systems instead of hand-written orders for medicine. Only about 13% of doctors nationwide now offer e-prescriptions, but the changeover is expected to spread under provisions of the health care reform that call for more electronic record keeping. Source Link

July 16, 2010

Less time in front of the tube might mean more attentiveness for kids in class. A study says that children and young adults who spend more than two hours a day watching TV, using the computer or playing video games were twice as likely to have attention problems in school. The study looked at teacher reports for elementary and college students. Scientists are searching for causes for the major jump in attention-deficit disorder that’s been seen in the past 20 years.  Source Link

 

The latest ranking of America’s most popular places to shop shows some key changes that reflect the impact of the nation’s economic downturn. The National Retail Federation says Wal-Mart remains the America’s most popular store, but discount chains like Dollar General, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar are moving up quickly in the Top 100 List. Along with Wal-Mart, the top five retailers include Kroger, Target, Walgreens and Home Depot. Source Link

Here’s a great trade-off -- scientists say tests show that ten minutes of exercise yields an hour’s worth of health benefits to your body. They looked at what level of exercise was needed to trigger changes in your blood that produce chemicals to break down fat and and reduce levels of stress.  While the positive effects are there for anyone who exercises, the more fit you are, the longer the benefit. Source Link

July 15, 2010

A drink or two a day could mean less chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers say moderate drinkers have better odds of beating the fastest growing form of diabetes than heavy drinkers or even non-drinkers. Scientists looking at the connection between alcohol and diabetes say healthy lifestyles alone do not explain the lower levels. Moderate drinking is a drink per day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Source Link

There could be sky-high savings if the federal government  would move to “cloud” computing, but privacy and security issues are still grounding the effort. Allowing government offices to store programs on centralized servers rather than desktop computers could cut hardware costs and save energy by allowing more telecommuting. But lawmakers want assurances that a new system would be safe from malicious attacks, snooping enemy governments or theft by criminal organizations. Source Link

When it comes to garbage, it doesn’t get much worse than a discarded cigarette butt. But even this most common form of trash  may  be turned into a treasure. Chinese scientists say they’ve discovered that chemicals derived from soaking cigarette butts in water can be used to protect steel pipes from rusting.  It’s estimated that the Chinese consume about one-third of the 4.5 trillion cigarettes that are smoked worldwide each year. Source Link

July 14, 2010

One of America’s most trusted sources for product reviews says it cannot recommend the new Apple iPhone 4. Consumer Reports says that signal problems related to the new wraparound antenna in the iPhone 4 are to blame. The magazine says ATT service is not the issue, because it tested the iPhone 4 along with earlier Apple iPhones and other brands of smartphones that did not have the signal problems. Source Link

Measuring whether kids are at-risk of becoming obese could be a simple as checking their neck size. A study says that measuring neck circumference can as accurate a gauge as measuring waist size or calculating the body mass index of height and weight. The technique would also make health screening much easier in schools and could even pinpoint youngsters who may be at risk for sleeping disorders. Source Link

The man who helped build the New York Yankees into a modern dynasty has died. George Steinbrenner was the outspoken owner of the flagship Major league Baseball team since 1973, paying top dollar for the best talent and famously feuding with players and firing managers on the way to 11 American League pennants and 7 World Series championships. Steinbrenner was 80. Source Link

July 13, 2010

The Pentagon is formally surveying troops for their thoughts about serving with gay or lesbian soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines. The 100-question survey that’s been sent to 100,000 active-duty and reserve service members is drawing fire from critics who say military policy should not be based on opinions of the rank-and-file. The White House and the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have said the ban on gays serving openly in the military should end. Source Link

A presidential panel set up to probe the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is using it’s first public hearings to focus on response to the spill and the cost of clean-up. Members of the National Oil Spill commission are meeting in New Orleans to hear from oil executives, experts and the general public, and a senior vice president of BP was not asked about possible causes for the oil rig explosion back in April that triggered the spill. Source Link 

The “PC” side of the personal computer faceoff isn’t ready to surrender to the Mac team behind the Apple iPad. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says nearly two dozen manufacturers plan to unveil slate computers that run on Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system, including versions with keyboards that can run Microsoft Office. Since it debuted three months ago, the iPad has quickly cornered the new market for portable touchscreen computing. Source Link

July 12, 2010

That underwater oil well has been leaking full-blast into the Gulf of Mexico as crews use robotic submarines to put a new tighter cap on the leaking pipe. If successful, the new cover could capture every bit of the oil that’s spewing from the ruptured well and pump it to tankers to be positioned above where the oil rig exploded and began leaking nearly three months ago. Source Link

Police in the Bahamas say they’ve captured an American teenager known as the “Barefoot Bandit.” The odyssey of 19-year old Colton Harris-Moore ended on the Caribbean island chain after a string of burglaries there. Harris-Moore is suspected in a cross-country crime spree of break-ins and thefts that began in the Pacific Northwest and included stolen cars and an airplane that was taken from Indiana and flown to the Bahamas last week. Source Link

If it seems like nearly everyone has a cell phone these days, you’re almost right. New estimates show there are now 5 billion mobile subscriptions in the world.  And each day, 2 million more lines are added. That number could grow to 50 billion by 2020 as more wireless Internet-connected devices like smart electric meters and appliances become more common in homes worldwide. Source Link

July 9, 2010

Shades of the Cold War in the new millennium as 10 Russian agents accused of spying in America will be exchanged for four persons who are jailed in Russia for spying for the West. The ten pleaded guilty to espionage charges and were sentenced to time served and deported. The prisoner exchange could help ease tensions between the two countries after the arrests last week put U.S-Russian diplomacy on the rocks. Source Link

Gulf coast residents are cautiously optimistic amid reports that a relief well being drilled to stop that offshore oil leak could be finished weeks ahead of schedule by the end of July. If all goes well and the weather cooperates, crews could reach the leaking pipe within a week to 10 days. Then drilling mud and cement will be pumped in to try to stop the leak that’s been spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico for over two and a half months. Source Link

The NBA’s King James will not be holding court on the shores of Lake Erie next season. During a prime-time special on ESPN, LeBron James announced that he’ll be joining Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.  The Akron-born James is leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers after spending the first seven years of his career with his hometown club. James was considered the top prize in this year’s class of NBA free agents. Source Link

July 8, 2010

The big cities of the Eastern seaboard are among those suffering the most as a heat wave continues to pump up temperatures. Places like Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia have been baking with highs over 100 degrees for several days, with little relief in sight until the weekend. Densely populated areas with lots of concrete and buildings absorb heat and cool down slower at night, adding to the misery. Source Link 

It’s deja vu all over again for weather watchers and weary residents as the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season is taking aim for Texas and Mexico. Bonnie is on a similar track to that of Hurricane Alex, which came ashore last week south of the U.S.-Mexico border. Some areas received more than seven inches of rain from Alex, and a wide swath of the western Gulf coast could see rain from Bonnie. Source Link

The “Summer of Oil” continues to keep beachgoers away from the shoreline in the Gulf of Mexico. Cleanup crews are dealing with tar balls floating ashore in Florida. Meanwhile, BP says it plans to do a deep cleaning of beaches after the offshore oil leak has been capped, but that’s little comfort now for a Gulf shores tourist industry that’s been hard hit by cancellations because of the oily mess. Source Link

July 7, 2010

From Maine to Texas, a heat wave is gripping the eastern half of the United States, sending temperatures into the triple digits in some spots and straining power providers trying to keep up with demand from air conditioners that are running full blast. A high pressure system that’s moving slowly east in the mid-Atlantic region is to blame for the hot, humid air that’s causing misery and may threaten lives in some of the nation’s biggest cities. Source Link

The U.S. Justice Department is suing the state of Arizona over its new law that targets illegal immigrants. The lawsuit claims that the nation's toughest immigration law is unconstitutional, claiming that the federal government is the final authority in regulating immigration. The law allows police to stop suspected illegals immigrants and ask for documentation. The lawsuit aims to stop the Arizona measure from taking effect later this month. Source Link

The price of a first-class postage stamp is poised to go up again. Postal officials say they want to add two cents to the price and make it 46 cents to mail a letter. Rates would also go up for advertising mail, periodicals, packages and other services. Facing a $7 billion loss next year, the Postal Service also wants to eliminate Saturday delivery to save money, but that plan needs the approval of Congress. Source Link

July 6, 2010

New homeowners who were racing last week to close on their house purchases in order to qualify for a federal tax credit are getting some extra time to seal the deal. President Obama has signed a measure that extends the closing deadline until September 30th for sales contracts that were signed by April 30th. It’s believed that thousands of homeowners were unable to complete their closings in time to earn the tax credit that’s worth up to $8,000. Source Link

Is there a roadmap to a long life that’s hidden in our genes? Scientists think they’ve found a clue to how people can live to age 100 after examining more than a thousand centenarians. The genetic patterns point to late onset of aged-related diseases like dementia, but they don’t guarantee a super-long life, because lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking and overeating can still trump genetics. Source Link
 

While the words "sunny" and "storm" don't usually go together, a solar storm can mean big trouble. It's when sunspots erupt, sending charged particles into space that can damage satellites and power grids on Earth. Scientists now say they expect more solar storms in the coming years and they're gearing up for it. Special satellites that monitor the Sun's surface can provide early warnings to allow equipment to be shut down and prevent damage as the space storms pass the Earth. Source Link

July 2, 2010

The BP oil spill is officially the biggest such disaster in the history of the Gulf of Mexico. The leak that began on April 20th has now dumped more oil than a spill that occurred in Gulf waters off the Mexico coast back in 1979. The BP spill has brought new misery to beaches on the U.S. Gulf coast, thanks to high winds from Hurricane Alex that pushed oily water ashore. Source Link 


Suspects charged in connection with a Russian spy ring operating in the United States will be staying behind bars for now. Ten persons have been arrested for their part in what prosecutors call a long-term, deep-cover operation to steal U.S. government secrets. An 11th suspect who was arrested on the island of Cyprus disappeared after posting bail that was set by a local judge. Source Link 


The National Basketball Association is holding its collective breath as the game’s biggest star ponders his playing options for next season. All-Star LeBron James is the prize pick in this year’s class of free agents. James is expected to meet with a handful of teams, including overtures from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles before deciding whether to make a move or stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Source Link

July 1, 2010

The U.S. automaker that didn’t ask for a government bailout is taking a big step toward paying off more of its debt. Ford Motor Company is paying nearly $4 billion in cash that it owes to a health care trust fund for its union workers. The move will save the company half a billion dollars a year in interest payments. Ford has the best performance of U.S. automakers, posting a profit for four consecutive quarters. Source Link

The government is taking a new approach to combating the piracy of movies on the Internet. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency has seized nine popular Internet web addresses where investigators say first-run feature films were being shown illegally. Prosecutors say the effort will protect jobs, income and tax revenue that disappears when organized criminals traffic in stolen movies. Source Link

A new survey of doctors supports what many say is a key reason why the cost of healthcare is rising. Nine out of ten doctors surveyed say they perform more tests than patients need in order to protect themselves against the risk of being sued. The same study shows that an overwhelming majority of physicians also support tort reform to decrease malpractice lawsuits. Source Link