By Mike M. Ahlers and Jeanne Meserve Washington (CNN) — The number of traffic fatalities continued its welcomed downward trajectory last year, falling 3% to its lowest levels since 1949, and a 25 percent drop from 2005, according to U.S. Department of Transportation estimates released Friday. Preliminary figures show that 32,788 people died in traffic accidents last year, down … Read more
Car And Driver Magazine investigates just how dangerous it is to text while driving. The results are staggering. BY MICHAEL AUSTIN If you use a cell phone, chances are you’re aware of “text messaging”—brief messages limited to 160 characters that can be sent or received on all modern mobile phones. Texting, also known as SMS … Read more
If you still receive a paper check for your Social Security or other federal benefit payments, you are out of compliance with the law. The Treasury Department requires federal benefit payments to be made electronically. Switch to Electronic Payments Today! You can choose to get your payments by direct deposit to a bank or credit union account … Read more
Gauge Your Level of Distraction With This Texting and Driving Simulation From The New York Times. New studies show that drivers overestimate their ability to multitask behind the wheel. This game measures how your reaction time is affected by external distractions. Regardless of your results, experts say, you should not attempt to text when driving. … Read more
By a 5-3 majority, the court ruled that people who sue the government for invading their privacy can only recover out-of-pocket damages. By NPR PEOPLE: CARRIE JOHNSON The Supreme Court has dealt privacy advocates a huge setback. By a 5-3 majority, the court ruled that people who sue the government for invading their privacy can only … Read more
Do you think of your smart phone as an extension of your brain? Check out this interesting piece in the Huffington Post on the work of Amber Case, an anthropologist studying how we integrate interactive technology like cell phones and the internet into our lives. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beckley-mason/texting-while-driving-is-_b_1190470.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=2564572,b=facebook Read the full paper here: Cell Phones and Their Technosocial … Read more
ATLANTA — Rent-to-own giant Aaron’s said it has settled a lawsuit brought by a former associate alleging she was sexually harassed by a former co-worker in 2006. The Atlanta-based company said it settled for $6 million – much less than an earlier verdict that was turned back by the court. The female employee won the … Read more
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Justice Department is “committed to using every tool in its arsenal” to combat bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and has already made strides in bringing more prosecutions in that area, Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday. “I’m proud to say this Department of Justice has never been more committed … Read more
Most of us know some basics about Social Security. We understand retirees can start taking retirement benefits at age 62. We realize we’ll get a bigger monthly check if we wait a few years more until our normal retirement age to tap benefits. And who hasn’t heard thatSocial Security has a long-term financial problem that Congress needs to address? … Read more
Paul Davidson USA TODAYPublished 4:00 a.m. ET March 5, 2018 | Updated 9:26 a.m. ET March 5, 2018 Julie Propp landed her first-ever job about 18 months ago — at age 55. A part-time retail helper at a Kwik Trip convenience store in Marshalltown, Iowa, Propp cleans and ensures coffee cups and other items are well-stocked. … Read more