Online Features
Seasonal
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Three beautiful new date-night looks
(BPT) - Getting ready for a date night can be fun, but finding the perfect look can be overwhelming. Going out today can mean so many things – it’s not just dinner and movie anymore, there is a style for everything. Whether it’s a cozy evening at home with your sweetie, a big date night or a night out on the town with y...
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Add some New Orleans flavor to your game day recipes
(BPT) - When it comes to planning for the big football game in New Orleans this year, instead of turning to grease-heavy and heartburn-inducing foods, why not consider some tasty and healthier options that will have everyone giving you a high score for food options? New Orleans-based executive chef Tory McPhail, of the...
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Setting the stage for great game-day watching
(BPT) - When you’re playing a sport, the playing field is a key component of the experience, whether it’s a muddy lot in the neighborhood park or top-quality turf in a pro-style stadium. When you’re watching your favorite sport, the viewing environment is just as much a part of the fun as the field is for game play. As...
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New year, new vision: see clearly in 2013
(BPT) - The beginning of the year is the most popular time for eye exams and a great time to assess if your corrective lenses are the best fit for you. See 2013 clearly with healthy eyes by following these five simple tips from optometrist, Dr. Tamara Dunn.    1. Start with an eye exam Our eyes age and change just lik...
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Homeowners liable for snow and ice control
(BPT) - Whenever it snows, it is a common sight to see workers at shopping centers and business owners out and about clearing pathways, parking spaces and entrances of snow and ice. But this isn’t just good business to help customers get in the door, it is also a liability issue should someone slip and fall and injure t...
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Six tips to keep your new year's resolution to lose weight
(BPT) - It’s probably the most commonly made new year’s resolution: lose weight and get into shape. In early January, the gyms are full, the sports stores run out of equipment, and the streets are teeming with new joggers. Many of us promise ourselves to lose weight to start the new year, and usually, within a month or ...
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Swimming: Not just for summer anymore
(BPT) - It’s dark. It’s cold. Heading to the pool might be the furthest thing from your mind. While summer is the time of year for playing at the beach, pool parties and outdoor water sports, the colder months are actually a great time to start swimming. “Swimming is a low-impact exercise that depending, on the intensi...
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Expert tips for a healthier and happier you this year
(BPT) - Whether you’re resolving to eat healthy, begin an exercise routine, save money or update your wardrobe, many of these resolutions are easier said than done, as people aren’t sure where to start or how to get motivated to make these important life changes. Nearly one third of people who made resolutions in 2012 failed to sick with them, according to a recent survey by MSN and Impulse. Nationally recognized nutrition expert and published author Keri Glassman offers these tips for jump...
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Dreaming of summer fun? Why winter is one of the best times to buy a boat
(BPT) - Post-holiday sales aren’t the only deals to be found during the winter months. Starting in January, and running all winter-long, boat shows take place across the country. They offer some of the best pricing and incentives of the year – a major draw for the 83 million Americans who take to the water each year. Fo...
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Men: Holiday stress? No sweat [Infographic]
Tis’ the season to be jolly … stressed and sweaty? While the holidays are some of the most enjoyable times of the year, they are also some of the most stressful – even for the toughest of men. Giving the perfect gift, entertaining out-of-town guests and completing end-of-the-year projects at work are crucial times for men to remain confident – not self-conscious – about the impression they’re making. However, a recent survey conducted by Gillette Clinical Strength suggests that many men ma...
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How to achieve 4 common financial goals
(BPT) - Whether it’s the new year, a new job, a new baby or simply the right time to get your finances order, the process usually starts with setting some goals. The first step in the process of achieving your financial goals is to recognize what needs to be done to put yourself in the position you want to be in. Once...
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Driving tips for winter weather
(BPT) - Snow, ice, slush and other winter driving challenges can threaten both driver and passenger safety, and adding distractions into the mix only exacerbates the situation. So instead of dashing through the snow in your four-wheeled “sleigh” and ending up o’er the hills, it may be best to simply drive with caution a...
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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
Bridge collapses in Washington state, sending cars into river
By Jonathan Kaminsky OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) - Part of a four-lane freeway bridge over a river in a rural area north of Seattle collapsed on Thursday, sending vehicles and people into the frigid water below, authorities said. The collapse on Interstate 5 over the Skagit River happened at about 7 p.m. local time between the towns of Mount Vernon and Burlington, 55 miles north of Seattle, Washington State Patrol spokesman Trooper Mark Francis said. "I've got reports of vehicles and people in the water," Francis said. He added that he did not know if anyone was injured. ...
Thu May 23 23:23:55 UTC 2013
Magnitude 5.7 quake strikes Northern California: U.S. Geological Survey
(Reuters) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck in Northern California on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the quake was located 2 miles north-northeast of the town of Canyondam, the USGS said. An initial report said the quake was magnitude 5.9. A 5.7 magnitude quake is considered moderate, but has the potential to cause considerable damage. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. (Writing by the Americas Desk)
Thu May 23 23:15:10 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