Online Features
Business & Careers
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Five tips to get the best deal on the right tax software
(BPT) - Finding the right tax software can be just as important to ensuring the best possible return as making sure you have all the necessary documents and information. And when you factor in all the different tax software products available and the associated costs, finding the right program can be just as complicated...
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Let technology make this holiday season and 2013 the happiest of all
(BPT) - If you run a small business, you know that the holiday season is a busy but exciting time of year. It’s a time to reflect on the past year’s successes while considering ways to improve your processes for the coming year. As you look forward, it makes sense to take some time to consider how making a few technolog...
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Small-business owners show cautious optimism about 2013
(BPT) - There’s no doubt that small businesses are a driving force in the American economy. And because they feel the shifts in the economy so acutely, the insight of small business owners can provide a real-time picture of what’s going well and where potential problems lie. The semi-annual Bank of America Small Busines...
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Three-year degree programs shorten the path to rewarding careers
(BPT) - Three-year bachelor’s degree programs are gaining popularity as many students look for ways to enter the workforce faster. Though these programs are common in Europe and Canada, condensed programs are now attracting greater interest in the United States as students and education providers realize the unique bene...
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Seven big trends for small businesses in 2013
(BPT) - Today, if you tell someone you’ll be in touch, he or she may not only ask when, but how. Modern technology has dramatically changed the way we communicate, providing multiple ways to stay connected at any time. For small and medium-sized businesses, this means big opportunities to stay competitive, provided that...
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Top communities providing support for returning veterans
(BPT) - When veterans return home from serving overseas, the support found in family, friends and the community can make a huge difference for a smooth transition. Pittsburgh ranks as the top place in the nation for veterans to transition from combat boots to civilian shoes, according to a study commissioned by USAA and Military.com. The “ Best Places for Veterans” list identifies U.S. metro areas that offer America's most recent veterans more opportunities to find a job or go to college ...
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Christmas gift ideas for corporate sponsors
Share in the holiday spirit and show your appreciation to corporate sponsors with meat and cheese gift baskets , personalized gifts and more to say thank you for their hard work and dedication. With simple tips and proven crowd-pleasers, it is easy to show your gratitude to corporate sponsors that help your organization accomplish all of its goals.   Fruit and nut gift baskets No matter the number of corporate sponsors you would like to give gifts to this year, you can find the perfect f...
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Seven things employers must provide reservists returning from military service
Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 800,000 reservists and national guardsmen have been called to leave their civilian life to serve the military full-time, with more than 250,000 pressed into active duty more than once.
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Six ways to use social media in your job search
Resume? Check. Cover letter? Check. Now you're ready to begin that job search, right? Wrong. There may be some very important things you're forgetting about that could dramatically enhance your job search.
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Joining the Navy Reserve lets Sailors balance everyday life and Navy life - and have careers in both
Family obligations, changing career aspirations and personal commitments are many of the factors that discourage Sailors and civilians from pursuing active duty service in the United States Navy. Did you know that Navy Reservists are able to serve their country while also working as professionals in their respective care...
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Three tips for mastering new media and multimedia
New technology and digital media like Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Twitter are changing the way people communicate both at home and in the workplace. They're also contributing to a generation gap. For example, users under age 30 are significantly more likely to use social-networking sites when compared to other adult age groups, according to research from the Pew Internet Project.
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Veterans growing as entrepreneurs
Veterans returning home face many challenges that weren't present when they were serving in the armed forces. Between adapting to civilian life, reacquainting with family and friends, and finding employment, the adjustment can be a difficult process.
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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
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
Magnitude 5.7 quake strikes Northern California
(Reuters) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Northern California on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the quake was 6 miles northwest of the town of Greenville, and near the smaller community of Canyondam, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Allen Shephard, a hunting and fishing guide at Quail Lodge at Lake Almanor in Canyondam, said the quake knocked him "right off the couch and onto the floor." The floor of the lodge was littered with broken dishware, and cabinets were in disarray, said Shephard, 62. ...
Fri May 24 01:53:09 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