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Family Living
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Boarding your four-legged family member
(BPT) - Whether traveling for business or fun, it’s not always practical to take along a four-legged family member. Arranging care of a beloved pet for an extended absence can be daunting. Knowing what to look for in a kennel, and what to look out for, can help you choose wisely. Ask around “Family and friends can be ...
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Travel: cruising 101
(BPT) - If you’re thinking of taking a cruise, there are a lot of options to consider, from the cruise line and style to the destinations, vacation length and types of on-board amenities. Cruising is a fun (and economical) way to see several places in a relatively short amount of time without having to unpack and repack...
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There's more to Girl Scout cookies than what's in the box
The skills a girl develops in the Girl Scout Cookie Program help her to do amazing things. She learns that, by putting her mind and energies into something, she can overcome any challenge. There are no limits to what a girl can do. See what Girl Scouts across the country are achieving through their participation in the Cookie Program. Find your cookies and download the new Girl Scout Cookie App at www.girlscoutcookies.org .
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Who has time for sick days? Tips to fight the cold, cough and flu this year
(BPT) - People who have gotten sick report their cold and flu symptoms lasted up to six days, according to the Vicks Second Annual Global Cough and Cold Survey. While health experts advise sick workers to stay home to avoid spreading germs, few of us can afford to take that many sick days off from work or home life. Fo...
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Frequent spring allergy questions answered
(BPT) - Spring is in the air – and that means pollen, mold spores and other airborne allergens are going to bring on sneezing and wheezing for an estimated 40 to 50 million Americans. The spring season can be especially bothersome with so much conflicting information on how to find relief. To help you better understand...
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Medicine cabinet makeover tips for people with high blood pressure
(BPT) - If you’re among the 68 million Americans who have high blood pressure, you may feel that taking your medicine, getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy diet means you’re doing everything you can to manage your condition. But with cold season in full swing and many areas of the country recording record num...
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Money advice for expectant and new parents
(BPT) - Have you ever heard the saying that “babies don’t come with owner’s manuals”? It’s true that no matter how many books you read, classes you take, or experienced parents you talk to, you can never be completely prepared for the challenges and joys of parenthood. You can, however, prepare yourself for the costs of...
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How to find the right vet for your pet
(BPT) - Pet owners have many responsibilities, and keeping your pet healthy with veterinary care is a significant one. To help make sure your pet receives high quality medical care, several veterinarians offer advice on how to find the right vet for your pet. Ask for recommendations “A good way to begin your search for...
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How classroom technology can benefit your child's education
(BPT) - Historically, the term “digital divide” has referred to the gap in technology levels between developing and first world countries; however, it’s truly the divide between the more affluent and the underprivileged. While the divide has a worldwide reach, it’s important to remember that the gap is growing in Americ...
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Don't let these myths rain on your retirement party
(BPT) - Do you dream of the day you can retire, but aren't sure how to get there? You're not alone. Many people find it easier to avoid reality when it comes to planning for retirement. "That can lead to big mistakes in their retirement income planning ," says Zachary Gipson, vice president of retirement and wealth planning at USAA. Here's a look at five common myths that could derail your expectations for income when you retire. Myth 1: You won't be around long enough to go through your...
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Easy Asian recipes for everyday and entertaining
(BPT) - Preparing a meal that will please everyone at the table is something that every host strives for. The vibrant flavors of Asian food are surprisingly easy to create at home – particularly when you have the right ingredients – and so versatile that they can be dressed up or down to fit any occasion. “There’s a pe...
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Grow your tax refund with savings bonds
(BPT) - Expecting a tax refund this tax season? If so, you may be interested in a convenient savings option offered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Taxpayers may buy paper Series I Savings Bonds, in amounts ranging from $50 to $5,000, with their annual tax refund by completing the “Allocation of Refund (Includin...
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national news
Rescuers search Oklahoma tornado town ruins as recovery starts
By Carey Gillam and Ian Simpson MOORE, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Rescue workers with sniffer dogs picked through the ruins of an Oklahoma town on Wednesday to ensure no survivors remained buried after a deadly tornado left thousands homeless and trying to salvage what was left of their belongings. "Yesterday I was numb. Today I cried a lot. Now I'm on the victory side of it," said Beth Vrooman, who hid in a shelter in her garage during Monday's storm in Moore, Oklahoma. When the winds died down, she realized a car was blocking her exit. ...
Wed May 22 10:31:09 UTC 2013
FBI says man shot dead while being questioned about Boston bombings

FBI Agent Kills Man After Questioning Him About the Boston Marathon BombingBy Barbara Liston and Mark Hosenball ORLANDO, Fla./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An FBI agent shot and killed a Florida man who turned violent while being questioned about the Boston Marathon bombings early on Wednesday, the bureau said. A friend of the dead man identified him as 27-year-old Ibragim Todashev of Orlando, a Chechen who had previously lived in Boston, the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando television stations reported. Two brothers named by the FBI as suspects in the April 15 bombings were also ethnic Chechens with roots in Russia's volatile North Caucasus region. ...


Wed May 22 10:48:37 UTC 2013
Chicago school board to vote on mass school closing

File photo of demonstrators marching during a Chicago Teachers Union protest in ChicagoBy Mary Wisniewski CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Chicago Board of Education is due to vote on Wednesday on a controversial proposal to close 54 schools in the country's third-largest public school district in what would be the largest mass school closing in the nation. The district's plans to close 53 elementary schools and a high school this year, mainly in Hispanic and African-American neighborhoods, has been met with protests by parents and union leaders who say the closings will disrupt communities and put children in danger with longer walks through troubled areas. ...


Wed May 22 06:01:05 UTC 2013
Found after tornado: Web attention might reconnect dog with owner
Rescuers scouring the devastation after a huge tornado tore through Moore, Okla., on Monday tweeted a photo of one furry find that has since gone around the Web, receiving more than 52,000 likes on Facebook. The Oklahoma County Sheriff's office posted the photo of the mud-spattered pup with the description, “Scared, but this little pup [...]
Wed May 22 09:25:04 UTC 2013