Kansas.com: News2Use

Gorilla dies at Topeka Zoo amid controversy

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:26 CST

A 17-year-old Lowland gorilla has died at the Topeka Zoo.

And a medical examination is planned to determine the cause of death for M'Bili. He hadn't been showing any outward signs of illness or distress before being found dead Saturday morning in his night quarters.

Lowland gorillas typically live between 40 and 50 years in captivity.

Serious injury could hurt your financial stability

Dan Serra — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:03 CDT

When putting together a financial plan to ensure a secure future, many people think about investments for tomorrow and life insurance to protect their family if tomorrow doesn't come.

A piece of the puzzle missing is what's in between: What if a serious injury ends the ability to work and therefore reduces income?

Most people that find themselves in that situation have only Social Security to help them.

Study finds stroke risk from anemia drugs

MARILYNN MARCHIONE — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:03 CDT

A new study raises fresh safety concerns about widely used anemia medicines, finding that the drug Aranesp nearly doubled the risk of stroke in people with diabetes and chronic kidney problems who are not yet sick enough to need dialysis.

The study is the largest ever of these blood-boosting drugs and the only one that compared them with a dummy treatment. The medicines have become blockbuster sellers because they lessen the need for transfusions, but their ability to prevent heart attacks, kidney failure or other problems has not been proven.

Over the past two years, the federal Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly strengthened warning labels on Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit as concerns rose that they may worsen survival in certain cancer patients, especially at higher doses. Amgen Inc. of Thousand Oaks, Calif., makes all three drugs, although New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson sells Procrit.

Breach reveals scrutiny of more than 30 lawmakers

Ellen Nakashima and Paul Kane — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:08 CDT

WASHINGTON — House ethics investigators have been scrutinizing the activities of more than 30 lawmakers and several aides in inquiries about issues including defense lobbying and corporate influence peddling, according to a confidential House ethics committee report prepared in July.

The report appears to have been inadvertently placed on a publicly accessible computer network, and it was provided to the Washington Post by a source not connected to the congressional investigations. The committee said Thursday night that the document was released by a low-level staffer.

The ethics committee is one of the most secretive panels in Congress, and its members and staff members sign oaths not to disclose any activities related to its past or present investigations. Watchdog groups have accused the committee of not actively pursuing inquiries; the newly disclosed document indicates the panel is conducting far more investigations than it had revealed.

Tips on how to get great hairstyles for less

Ashley Grimaldo — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:04 CDT

I'm sick of paying $45 for a trim. If that isn't a rip off, I don't know what is. And I'm the low-maintenance kind of gal who doesn't color, highlight, or whatever else.

Because I'm so cheap I only get my haircut once every four months and opt for styles that grow out well.

Every time I leave the salon I ask my stylist when I should come back — inevitably she laughs at me, knowing that I'd never return within the "recommended" eight weeks. All men have to do is waltz into a barber shop (no appointment necessary) and walk out 20 minutes later for just $15.

Asian carmakers still lead pack, but Ford is competing

TOM KRISHER — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:05 CDT

DETROIT — Asian automakers are still building the most reliable cars and trucks, with eight of the top 10 brands from Japanese and Korean companies, according to an annual survey by Consumer Reports.

But several models from Ford Motor Co. are now consistently scoring above Honda and Toyota, the perennial leaders.

While Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand finished first for the second year in a row, several Ford models, including the midsize Ford Fusion and its cousin, the Mercury Milan, consistently have been at or near the top of their classes, a trend that led Consumer Reports editors to declare that Ford is now making some vehicles with world-class reliability.

Buy air tickets early for holiday travel, experts suggest

Eileen Ambrose — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:47 CDT

The holidays will be here before you know it, and if you haven't made arrangements to fly home for Grandma's pumpkin pie, do so as soon as possible.

Airfare experts say you have until the end of October to book Thanksgiving flights to lock in a favorable price and get a seat on the flight you want.

"You have another 10 to 15 days in November to make Christmas and New Year's purchases before things get really crazy," said Rick Seaney, chief executive of FareCompare.com.

Recession sends 60-somethings into new careers

DARRELL SMITH — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:06 CDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —She's not even sure it's a word, but Allison Sabraw has a term for her life's latest chapter:

"I'm re-careering," Sabraw said. "At this stage in my life, it's the most exciting, challenging thing that's come to me in a long time."

For nearly 30 years, Sabraw's life was the world of sales and marketing. The Sonoma, Calif., native began her career as a rarity, landing a Sacramento sales job at then-male-dominated beer giant Anheuser-Busch.

Some tax credits left for car buyers

Associated Press — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:09 CDT

NEW YORK — Missed out on Cash for Clunkers? Uncle Sam still has a few bones to throw your way if you buy a car before the end of the year.

Both tax credits and deductions are available on new-car purchases made before Dec. 31.

The tax relief won't rival what you might have received if you traded in your gas guzzler, but it can help lower your tax bill — or boost your refund — when you file your return in April.

Studying plants can teach about nanotechnology

Dr. E. Kirsten Peters — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:04 CDT

I don't think about the world from the point of view of plants very often. I mostly consider our friends in the plant kingdom as the stationary green stuff around me when I'm outdoors, and possibly the makings of salad in the summers.

But plants are also teaching me a thing or two as I grow older. I've taken to planting trees in middle age, I guess because of the emotional connection between trees and spans of time that are beyond those of a human lifetime. Nothing quite satisfies me as much as planting a hardwood.

Plants have still more to teach. They are experts in nanotechnology, it turns out. I'm trying to learn more about that realm — so I have good reason to pay attention to the lessons that can be drawn from plants' tiny pieces.

Windows 7 launches in uncertain tech environment

SHARON PIAN CHAN — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:09 CDT

SEATTLE — With Windows 7, Microsoft may have found its mojo again. Reviewers are giving the new operating system the thumbs-up, this after the technical and marketing blunders the company was unable to shake with the predecessor, Vista.

Still, even though Windows 7 has been lauded as everything Vista should have been, Microsoft is launching its flagship product Thursday into a vastly different and more uncertain technology landscape. While a billion people still use Windows today, the personal computer no longer reigns supreme as computing migrates to different devices and platforms.

Where people once relied on PCs for e-mail, for instance, many now get their messages on smartphones and Web browsers through services like Hotmail or Gmail. Developers are putting their juice into making iPhone apps rather than PC software, or into so-called cloud applications, which run online instead of in Windows.

Be wary of the details in offers of 'easy' credit

Ashley Grimaldo — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:09 CDT

Don't get sucked into "easy" credit — there's no such thing! Keep a wary eye out for these deceptive credit strategies that will nickel and dime your account to death:

1. No interest on furniture loans

Impressed by those "no interest until 2015" ads? Before you sign off on a mound of debt there are several surprises hiding inside the fine print. If you qualify for a loan term with no interest, you must pay back the entire balance within the specified period. If by the end of your term you still carry a balance for your furniture, all the interest since the beginning of the loan will be added. Even if you owe only $20. Plus, if you're a minute late making a payment, interest will kick in for the entire loan. What seems like a good deal can quickly sour if your bill arrives late or if the billing department "somehow" didn't receive the bank draft. Your best bet is to save up cash for your furniture and avoid sleepless nights.

Career coach can help job-seekers move up

MARCIA HEROUX POUNDS — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. —After 14 months of looking for work, Mark Dean of Coral Springs, Fla., decided a career coach might be worth the expense.

A marketing executive, Dean has thought he was close to snagging a job three times, but lost out when the jobs were either frozen or filled internally. So he recently joined Miami career coach Jeannette Kraar's accelerated job search program.

"If something is not working from a messaging standpoint, you have to step back and take a look at it. I needed professional help," says Dean, a marketing executive.

Dilemma for couples: Merge or split money?

EILEEN AJ CONNELLY — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

NEW YORK — If you need a legitimate reason to pay attention to the tabloid tribulations of reality show couple Jon and Kate Gosselin, follow the money.

A court last week ordered Jon Gosselin to return $180,000, out of a total $230,000 his estranged wife accused him of looting from their joint bank account.

While the numbers for TV stars may have more zeros, this part of their bitter divorce fight reflects a big concern for couples from all walks of life: Is it better to mingle money or to keep finances separated?

Don't skimp on tire replacement

TOM KRISHER — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

DETROIT — If you're cutting corners by canceling cable or clipping coupons, it might seem natural to skip replacing your tires, too. Don't.

Worn treads can be dangerous, especially when they lose their grip as you're trying to brake or steer around danger. It's true that replacement tires are pricier than in the past because they've grown taller and wider. But it's still prudent to put new rubber on the road before treads wear down too much.

Here are four tips on how to get the most for your money when shopping for replacements:

Many moms use late-night hours to play catch- up

CINDY KRISCHER GOODMAN — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

It's nearing 11 p.m., my home is quiet, and I'm online, shooting off e-mails and responding to friend requests on Facebook.

My husband isn't particularly thrilled with my late-night computer habits. But he's sleeping now, and I have plenty of company. Working mothers across the country are online, too.

Today, working motherhood means putting in a full day, eating dinner, helping with homework, tucking kids into bed and logging on. When I polled about a dozen women about whether they're on their computers between 8 p.m. and midnight, my inquiries consistently elicited the same response: "Of course."

Can't make student loan payments? There are options

CANDICE CHOI — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

NEW YORK — You have a $120,000 college degree and no job. That won't stop your student loan bills from arriving.

The six-month grace period on student loans for the class of 2009 is about to expire, meaning this year's graduates will soon start getting their monthly statements. It could be a problem for those who have yet to find full-time work. Others who graduated earlier may also be struggling.

One option for anyone in a financial squeeze is deferment or forbearance, which allow for the postponement of payment under select circumstances.

Use of social media at work still a gray area

JEFF ELDER — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:05 CDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —More than half of employers say they completely prohibit social media use by workers, according to a new survey of about 1,400 large U.S. companies. But what if the CEO is in her office using LinkedIn, your boss just invited you to become a fan of the company Facebook page, or your competitors are connecting with your clients on Twitter?

Welcome to one of the toughest issues facing employers: Is social networking a valid part of our work life today, or is it "social not-working"?

"It's a blurry line," says Gary Henning, Charlotte-based district director for Robert Half Technology, which conducted the survey. "People are getting their arms around best practices, and there are a lot of concerns. This is a big topic for employers."

Questions, answers to ponder about your health insurance

David S. Hilzenrath — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:07 CDT

WASHINGTON — Confused by your insurance options this year, especially now that Congress is getting in on the act?

Her are some answers for some of the most pressing questions.

Which trends should I take into account when deciding which health insurance plan to sign up for this fall?

Many moms use late-night hours to play catch- up

CINDY KRISCHER GOODMAN — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:07 CDT

It's nearing 11 p.m., my home is quiet, and I'm online, shooting off e-mails and responding to friend requests on Facebook.

My husband isn't particularly thrilled with my late-night computer habits. But he's sleeping now, and I have plenty of company. Working mothers across the country are online, too.