Online Features
All Categories
BN4T_17660196_web.jpg
Simple tips to save water, money and the environment
(BPT) - There are a number of ways to save water and they all start with you.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American uses about 50 gallons of water per day at home. That means a family of four uses approximately 6,000 gallons a month. The following tips can help you save water, mon...
full story
3G2S_17851863_web.jpg
Deck DIY: Five tips to upgrade your outdoor living space for summer
(BPT) - From grilling and dining to simply relaxing, your home’s deck is frequently the center of family life during warm weather months. That’s why there’s no better time to give your outdoor living space the upgrade it deserves. Whether you’re building a dream deck from scratch – or sprucing up an existing space – he...
full story
6KJR_17834410_web.jpg
Extend your car's longevity with these spring cleaning tips
(BPT) - The open road lies in front of millions of drivers who are ready to lower the windows and feel the warm breeze. Nothing curbs the excitement of a spring drive more than car issues that could have been avoided by simple maintenance to combat the lasting effects of driving through winter. Many people consider spr...
full story
7P4H_16222441_web.jpg
Tips for optimizing small spaces
(BPT) - The trend toward smaller, more efficient homes is still in full swing, with new home builders offering floor plans that lower square footage while amping up usability. If your home is older, however, or you live in an apartment, your smaller space may just feel ... well, small. Being short on space doesn’t mean...
full story
785E_17586863_web.jpg
Traveling made simple: easy, convenient snacks to tag along on your next trip
(BPT) - With family vacation time nearly here and plans for road trips underway, it’s tempting to give in to quick, unhealthy solutions while packing snacks for the road. Here are some creative ways to revitalize your family’s snack routine and help you enjoy delicious and nutritious snacks on the go. Crunch time Crun...
full story
B4DY_17045410_web.jpg
Expecting dinner guests? Tips for managing different diets
(BPT) - With food allergies and gluten intolerance on the rise, it takes more than seating flexibility and a vegetarian option to host a successful dinner party these days. Hosts today need to be able to accommodate a variety of dietary needs, from providing kosher foods to gluten and nut-free items. “For many people, ...
full story
82OG_17671432_web.jpg
Five tech tools that can help you get into a new home faster
(BPT) - Just 10 years ago, homebuyers would have started the purchasing process with a phone call to mortgage broker or real estate agent, a drive through a desirable neighborhood and a perusal of the classifieds. In 2013, however, buying a house is a high-tech affair, with technology making it easier than ever to find ...
full story
EYED_17581593_web.jpg
From metropolis to countryside, the top 5 things to see on a China tour
Defining China succinctly is a difficult, if not impossible, task. Perhaps that’s what travelers love so much about it: a trip to China can be virtually anything you want it be. The country’s incredible range of landscapes, from rice paddies to river gorges, and cultures, from ultra-modern to fiercely traditional, ensur...
full story
6RG9_17405979_web.jpg
Bridal trends transform grandma's china from vintage to vogue
(BPT) - New brides are transforming something old into something new. That’s according to the latest bridal tabletop trends. While in recent years brides have been registering for casual dinnerware, lately industry experts are seeing brides returning to fine china. Sales indicate they’re opting for porcelain and bone c...
full story
6VF1_17861542_web.jpg
How to host a healthier happy hour
(BPT) - Going out with co-workers or friends after work is a great way to relax, but when you host a happy hour at home, you have full control over the guest list, atmosphere, music and, most importantly, the menu. Use these simple tips to entertain your friends, and your home may just become the new happy hour hot spot...
full story
4KXG_17774441_web.jpg
Snacking on the go: perfectly portioned snacks made simple and stylish
(BPT) - In today’s busy world, snacking on the go is a fact of life. However, delicious and balanced snacks don’t need to be boring; or become bruised and forgotten items at the bottom of your purse. Here are some creative ways to spice up your snack routine and help you savor perfectly portioned and portable snacks to ...
full story
2013 tax season tips
(BPT) - It’s tax season and, as always, there are many new rules that can create traps for the unwary. But with a few tips and tricks, you can help minimize your taxes and maximize your overall long-term financial position. Consider the following five tax tips from Robert Fishbein, vice president and corporate counsel, Prudential Financial , who has more than 25 years of experience in tax law. 1. Last minute retirement funding - You can still make a $5,000 2012 contribution to your tradit...
full story
national news
U.S. says surveillance thwarted NYSE attack, Somali funding

A street sign for Wall Street hangs in front of the New York Stock ExchangeBy John Shiffman and Mark Hosenball (Reuters) WASHINGTON - U.S. intelligence officials on Tuesday identified two of the more than 50 classified cases in which they say National Security Agency eavesdropping helped thwart terrorist plots including a planned attack on the New York Stock Exchange. The other, a San Diego money laundering investigation tied to financing for a Somali militia, is among the 27 cases cited in a Reuters report Tuesday [ID:nL2N0ET0PZ] in which the U.S. government filed public notice that it used a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant. ...


2013-06-18 15:37:00 -0500
Mother in upscale New York suburb indicted as marijuana dealer
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A mother of three in an upscale New York suburb was indicted on Tuesday on charges she ran a sophisticated marijuana operation, federal law enforcement officials said. A federal grand jury indicted Andrea Sanderlin, 45, of Scarsdale, New York, a suburb 20 miles outside of Manhattan, said Loretta Lynch, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and other officials in a media release. Law enforcement agents seized 2,800 marijuana plants and a large quantity of dried marijuana worth an estimated $3 million from a Queens warehouse. ...
2013-06-18 16:45:05 -0500
Jury selection moves to second phase in Trayvon Martin murder case

George Zimmerman stands as the judge leaves the courtroom in SanfordBy Barbara Liston SANFORD, Florida (Reuters) - A Florida judge ordered 40 prospective jurors who passed an initial vetting to return to court on Wednesday to start the second and final round of questioning in the murder trial of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. Zimmerman's defense team estimates the second round will be completed in two days, with opening statements as soon as Monday, followed by witness testimony. ...


2013-06-18 16:28:34 -0500
The money mattress: A Spanish invention stores cash in beds
For Spanish businessman Paco Santos, the safest place to keep money is still under a mattress—or rather, inside it. Santos, according to NPR, who was laid off from Spain’s largest mattress manufacturer three years ago, is the inventor of the Caja de ahorros Micolchon, or “My Mattress Safe." It's a plush, padded mattress with a [...]
2013-06-18 16:12:55 -0500