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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...
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Protect your information during the tax-season identity theft boom
(BPT) - Tax season can be stressful, and each year people scramble to send in their tax returns, right down to the deadline. But for those who do a little preparation and avoid procrastinating, it can be significantly less tense. However, whether you’re a last-minute rusher or an ahead-of-the-game planner, you need to t...
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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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Weekend home improvement projects that add value and curb appeal
(BPT) - Weekend warriors rule as 2013 is proving to be the year that the do-it-yourself trend reaches full momentum. If you have a weekend to spare, you have plenty of time to make some home improvements that add value and curb appeal. The key is to choose projects that have a big impact, but only take a few days to com...
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Red carpet tips to make the most of awards season
(BPT) - The Awards race is heating up. The Golden Globes and People’s Choice Awards started the season off with a bang in January, bringing to light some expected (and not so expected) winners in the film and television industry. From the Oscars to the Grammys, it doesn’t matter if you’re a music buff, movie mogul or somewhere in between, there’s an awards show for everyone to watch from home. With so many red carpets rolling out, make the most of the season, and have some fun along the way...
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Keep your office healthy to prevent a flu outbreak
(BPT) - A flu outbreak in your workforce can cause problems in several different areas of your business. The best flu prevention is encouraging and educating workers on how to be proactive at fending off the flu virus. By making sure your employees do the best they can to stay in good health and flu free, you can keep y...
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Tips for avoiding costly errors on your tax return
(BPT) - Making mistakes is one of Americans’ biggest fears at tax time. A single error can delay the processing of your return or even cause it to be rejected by the IRS. If that happens and you’re entitled to a refund, get ready to wait. Today’s sophisticated tax preparation products make doing your own taxes perfect ...
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Score big with a game-day snacking strategy
(BPT) - Upwards of 100 million viewers will tune in to watch a professional sporting event this winter and spring season. As the fans wait for those historic moments of triumph and dramatic play-by-play recaps, they also partake in a celebration of food and feasting at halftime, and throughout the game. Wings, onion ri...
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Stop your relationship rut: 3 simple steps to a fresh start this Valentine's Day
(BPT) - Feeling like you’re in a relationship rut? You’re not alone. Whether you’re single or married, getting stuck in a routine may be normal, but that’s no excuse to keep on down the same path. Take control of your love life and break out of your relationship habits. Relationship expert and author of “Cheat On Your Husband With Your Husband,” Andrea Syrtash, shares three simple steps to help you identify your patterns, make small changes and ultimately decide if this is the right relation...
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Small energy improvements that save big money in the new year
(BPT) - The beginning of the year is a great time to make positive changes in your home. While many will wait until March to embrace “spring cleaning” season and make home improvements, a few simple changes can be made now to help you conserve energy and start saving money right away. Here are some steps that can help l...
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national news
FBI says it uses surveillance drones on U.S. soil

Robert Mueller gestures at the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing about the FBI on Capitol Hill in WashingtonBy David Ingram WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States uses drones for surveillance in some limited law enforcement situations, FBI Director Robert Mueller said on Wednesday, sparking additional debate about President Barack Obama's use of domestic surveillance. The acknowledgement came in response to questions from U.S. senators who said they wanted to know more about the federal government's increasing use of unmanned aircraft. "Does the FBI use drones for surveillance on U.S. soil?" Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa asked during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. ...


2013-06-19 17:19:45 -0500
Murkowski becomes third Republican U.S. senator to back gay marriage

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry sits next to U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski during the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in KirunaBy Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska publicly backed gay marriage on Wednesday, becoming the third Republican senator to do so as she spoke out ahead of potentially landmark rulings from the Supreme Court on the issue. Murkowski, 56, wrote in an essay posted on her Senate website that her decision was swayed, in part, by meeting a lesbian couple from Anchorage, one of whom was in the National Guard, who had adopted four children. "This first-class Alaskan family still lives a second-class existence," Murkowski said in her essay. ...


2013-06-19 15:59:11 -0500
Three U.S. Naval Academy football players charged with rape
By Ian Simpson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three U.S. Naval Academy football players have been charged with raping a female midshipman and making false statements, the school said on Wednesday, the latest in a string of sexual assault allegations in the U.S. military. The midshipmen will face an Article 32 proceeding, similar to a preliminary hearing in civilian law. The hearing will kick off a process similar to a grand jury to determine if a general court-martial is warranted. ...
2013-06-19 17:09:34 -0500
Baby-size burritos lead to unusual photos
America’s problem with portion size has sparked a strange new photo trend, one in which parents set their newborn babies alongside massive burritos on restaurant tabletops. According to the U.K.’s Daily Mail, a Mexican restaurant in Seattle, Wash., is saying that any diners who take photos of their babies next to one of the restaurant's [...]
2013-06-19 15:51:08 -0500