Online Features
All Categories
8IV1_17564348_web.jpg
Spring car shopping? Take care of financing first
(BPT) - Auto shows dotting the country paired with rising temperatures leave many people longing for a new car or truck. But purchasing a new vehicle is a complex process – one that doesn’t start with finding the right car, but with making sure your finances are in order. It’s important to plan ahead so there are no sur...
full story
37EN_17644877_web.jpg
Hiring pros for spring cleaning tasks? What to look for and what it should cost
(BPT) - Some traditional spring cleaning tasks are easily accomplished on your own, like clearing out clutter or rearranging storage areas. Other important tasks such as cleaning air ducts or your carpets may require professional assistance – and that’s where things can get confusing. When you hire a professional to ha...
full story
GN58_17677379_web.jpg
Consumers, be aware: Know the facts when it comes to oil changes
(BPT) - With more than 300 million vehicles on the road today, motor oil is the lifeblood of any engine and can help protect and prolong its life, whether you’re driving a compact car, pickup truck or SUV. However, not just any motor oil will ensure the healthy life of an engine and, unfortunately, discounted deals for ...
full story
A0F0_1761035_web.jpg
Healthy foods and creative recipes provide vitamin D when sunshine is scarce
(BPT) - When days are short and sunshine is scarce, it’s only natural to feel a little out of sorts. The sun is the body’s chief source of vitamin D, and for many Americans, clouds and cold temperatures can lead to deficiencies. Fortunately, there are other sources that provide this important vitamin – some of which com...
full story
9KXA_17608690_web.jpg
Three ways to give your home's curb appeal a boost
(BPT) - Homeowners only get one chance to make a first impression. That’s one chance to impress potential buyers, family, friends and neighbors with the first thing they see: your home’s exterior. From simple upgrades to meticulous landscaping projects and replacing an outdated roof, there are dozens of options to enha...
full story
DW8W_17664457_web.jpg
Popular remodeling trends for spring home improvement
(BPT) - It’s time to think spring which means fresh home updates. Spring home improvement projects will help you update your home, add comfort and save more of your hard-earned paycheck. “You can save time, money and stress by planning ahead,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella Windows and Doors expert. “Seek out expert ...
full story
Four reasons you shouldn't think twice about buying a hybrid
There was a time when buying a hybrid constituted a small leap of faith. Despite all of the potential benefits, you were still buying into a new technology with an unproven track record. Now that hybrids have demonstrated their staying power, many of the original hesitations about buying one no longer exist. If you’ve always admired the potential benefits of owning a hybrid, but haven’t been able to get past some of the perceived drawbacks, it’s time to put your fears to rest. Here are four...
full story
GBYJ_16894208_web.jpg
Foot care tips to keep you moving while on vacation
(BPT) - Decongestant, check. Sunscreen, check. Antacids, check. So you’re going on vacation and your bag is well-stocked with remedies for every illness that could possibly derail your good time – from sunburn to an upset stomach. While you’re taking steps to preserve your good health on vacation, don’t overlook the bod...
full story
How to eat your heart out and lower your heart disease risk
Every day your heart makes enough energy to drive a truck 20 miles . To do this, your heart needs a little help from you. Just like a well-running automobile, your heart needs fuel to keep it chugging along. The good news is the fuel your heart needs isn’t necessarily boring or tasteless. The key is to select foods that taste great and reduce major heart disease risk factors. You can lower your risk simply by fueling your heart with foods that keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at ...
full story
46NR_16595810_web.jpg
Outdoor gear that performs year-round
(BPT) - Rugged camping gear is no longer just for adventurers and niche outdoor sports. High-tech or activity-specific outdoor products are gaining popularity because they also come in handy every day and around the house. “As it turns out, the durability and dependability of gear needed on remote hikes or climbs has m...
full story
Thyroid awareness [Infographic]
Located in the base of the neck, the thyroid produces hormones that travel to all the body’s tissues, influencing the function of virtually every organ. Of the estimated 30 million Americans with a thyroid disorder, an estimated 50 percent are undiagnosed.
full story
G13_17583377_web.jpg
Five environmentally friendly ways to keep your lawn looking great
(BPT) - Maintaining the perfect lawn is easier than you think and with the right tools, you can be both efficient with your yard work and eco-conscious. If it’s lush green turf that you’re after, but you also care about your carbon footprint, there are a few tools and practices that can help you have it both ways. Many...
full story
national news
Boy Scouts of America votes to end century-old ban on gay scouts

Jennifer Tyrrell hugs Pascal Tessier after a resolution passed to allow openly gay scouts in the Boy Scouts in GrapevineBy Marice Richter GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America voted on Thursday to lift a century-old ban on openly gay scouts in a major victory for gay rights activists, but the decision means a sea of change for an organization that depends heavily on faith-based groups. More than 60 percent of the group's National Council, comprised of some 1,400 delegates, voted in favor of ending the ban, effective January 1, 2014, the group said in a statement. A prohibition on openly gay adult leaders remains in place. ...


Thu May 23 21:55:35 UTC 2013
Tornado insured losses estimated at $2 billion-$5 billion

Jason Owen digs through debris as he helps his mother to salvage items from her uncle's home after it was almost destroyed by a tornado in Moore, Oklahoma(Reuters) - Tornadoes that struck the United States from May 18 to May 20 caused anywhere from $2 billion to $5 billion in insured losses, disaster modeling company Eqecat said. The firm said most of the losses were attributed to the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma, last Monday. Eqecat said some 76 tornadoes struck across 10 states over a three-day span. The worst of it was in Moore, where the firm said about 13,000 structures were damaged. ...


Fri May 24 06:18:12 UTC 2013
Truck strike may have caused Washington state bridge collapse, officials says

I-5 Bridge Collapses On Skagit River In WashingtonBy Jonathan Kaminsky OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) - A colliding truck may have triggered the collapse on Thursday of part of a four-lane freeway bridge that sent vehicles and drivers tumbling into a frigid river in Washington state, officials said. A U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into what led part of the Interstate 5 bridge to fall into the Skagit River 55 miles north of Seattle was expected to continue on Friday. Two of the three people rescued from the river were hospitalized with hypothermia, but no one died, officials said. ...


Fri May 24 04:14:46 UTC 2013
Boy Scouts vote to end ban on gay youth members
[Updated at 6:55 p.m. CT] DALLAS – The Boy Scouts of America, one of the country’s largest and oldest youth organizations, decided on Thursday to break 103 years of tradition by allowing openly gay members into its ranks. The controversial move was approved by more than 60 percent of the approximate 1,400 votes cast by [...]
Thu May 23 18:55:38 UTC 2013