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DIY Halloween costumes that won't spook your budget
As the leaves turn, children of all ages begin their quest for this year's "it" Halloween costume. With many families continuing to feel the economic pinch, an average of 18.9 percent of consumers will make costumes instead of purchasing them this year. What to do if you're not an expert sewer or crafter? Here are some D...
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Dual-enrollment programs jump-start students' careers
In today's globally competitive economy, a college degree is increasingly becoming a critical factor in attaining career success. Dual-enrollment programs allow high school students to jump-start their postsecondary education and career by enrolling in college courses before they graduate, earning both high school and co...
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Holiday party in minutes: Three gourmet cheese plate pairings guaranteed to impress
Whether you're gathering with friends, colleagues or family this holiday season, entertaining with appetizers is the perfect way to have fun without the stress of creating a multi-course meal. And when the question of what to serve arises and you need an easy-yet-impressive solution, cheese plates are an ideal way to bri...
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Fire-proof your home this season
'Tis the season for at-home entertaining - food, friends, family, fun and yes, even fires. Many home fires occur in cold weather months as more people bring warmth into their homes with things like traditional candles or holiday lighting. Fire-proof the holiday season with these tips that safeguard your family and your h...
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Clean Water Act celebrates 40 years of water improvements
The Clean Water Act was established 40 years ago with the goal of protecting waterways and ensuring homes and offices receive clean drinking water. As the legislation marks its 40th anniversary, water officials and water consumers alike are looking back on the accomplishments and planning for new ways to continue water q...
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Confidence is key when driving in winter weather
Harsh winter conditions can have crippling effects for drivers in locations often affected by snowy and icy weather during the cold months. Hauling the kids to hockey practice or even a quick trip to the grocery store could prove to be a difficult task, especially if a vehicle is not ready for challenging conditions that...
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Tips for elevating the traditional holiday meal
If preparing the holiday feast falls upon you, the pressure is on to get it just right. Whether you're faithfully replicating treasured family recipes, or want to put a new creative spin on seasonal culinary customs, achieving success with the food you offer can define a happy holiday experience for all.
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Stress-free holiday gatherings
Entertaining during the busy holiday season can vary from one extreme - like Halloween with grab-and-go snacks - to another - like Thanksgiving with a sit down formal dinner. And there's a good chance your family will be very busy hosting parties and gatherings well into 2013 with New Year's and the big football games.
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Small improvements indicate Americans taking steps toward better credit
When you're struggling with thousands of dollars of debt, saving a few bucks here or there may seem like a drop in the bucket. Yet in financial terms, those drops add up, and can ultimately create a more positive overall picture. That seems to be the case for the country, as evidenced by a recent report on credit scores ...
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Halloween decor - more treat than trick
While displaying ghosts and goblins is great for the kids and the standard for Halloween decor, how about getting into the spirit but with a bit more sophistication this year? If you are throwing a Halloween party for those adults who are kids at heart, a spooky holiday theme can still be part of the festivities, but wit...
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Green living project: Revamp your kitchen pantry to avoid waste and save money
For a basic green living project with benefits to your wallet and the environment, consider revamping the kitchen pantry. The cupboard is the starting point for most kitchen activity and is more than just a storage space. Develop good buying habits and build a strong foundation and you can avoid the waste of food and mon...
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Your health: 9 tips to protect your rights as a patient
Many Americans put a great deal of trust in our country's health care system and the health care professionals who tend to their medical needs. But from time to time, a medical procedure doesn't go according to plan. When a procedure goes wrong, here are nine things to remember.
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national news
Whole neighborhoods razed by Oklahoma tornado that killed 24

People look at the destruction after a huge tornado struck Moore, OklahomaBy Carey Gillam and Ian Simpson MOORE, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Rescuers went building to building in search of victims and thousands of survivors were homeless on Tuesday, a day after a massive tornado tore through a suburb of Oklahoma City, wiping out whole blocks of homes and killing at least 24 people. The death toll was lower than initially feared, but nine children were among the dead, including seven who died at Plaza Towers Elementary School, which took a direct hit in the deadliest tornado to hit the United States in two years. ...


Tue May 21 16:59:02 UTC 2013
Moore shows that as cities grow, tornado damage grows with them

Rescue workers look through the rubble at Plaza Towers Elementary school in MooreBy Ben Berkowitz and Julie Steenhuysen (Reuters) - Moore, Oklahoma, has had the bad luck of being hit by two highly destructive tornadoes, both in the month of May, 14 years apart. But the Moore that got struck on Monday is not the same as in 1999. Like a lot of towns across America and in the so-called "Tornado Alley," rapid growth has made it a bigger target, vulnerable to more damage. The tornado, with winds that may have topped 200 miles per hour, killed at least 24 people and injured hundreds more, with many of the casualties children from two schools that were destroyed. ...


Tue May 21 15:34:25 UTC 2013
Peace Corps says same-sex couples can apply to serve together
(Reuters) - The Peace Corps said on Tuesday it will start accepting applications next month from same-sex couples who want to volunteer together as part of the overseas service program. But not all of the 76 countries that host the program established by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961 will be open as assignments for those couples, an agency spokeswoman said. "The Peace Corps is only going to consider placement for same-sex couples in countries where homosexual acts are not criminalized," spokeswoman Shira Kramer said. ...
Tue May 21 16:28:14 UTC 2013
Man watched tornado destroy his home: ‘I just felt totally helpless’
OKLAHOMA CITY—Anthony Connel was sitting in traffic off of South 149th Street, about a mile from his home, when he saw it happen: A dark black cloud, so ominous and wide that it didn’t even look like a tornado, dropped to the ground—and headed straight for his house. Connel, a sales manager at Anheuser-Busch, had [...]
Tue May 21 15:58:37 UTC 2013