Saturday, January 7, 2012

Sources: Chiefs plan to keep Crennel as coach

The Chiefs plan to retain interim head coach Romeo Crennel, according to league sources.

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Sources: Chiefs plan to keep Crennel as coach

Who shared Anthony’s video diary?

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Who shared Anthony's video diary?

Penn State's O'Brien is new head of 'family'

After a two-month search to replace legendary head football coach Joe Paterno, Bill O’Brien was formally introduced on Saturday.

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Penn State’s O’Brien is new head of ‘family’

First Read: Can anyone stop Romney?

First Read: The remaining GOP presidential candidates hope to use two debates in the next 24 hours to make a dent in the former Massachusetts governor’s substantial lead in the polls in New Hampshire.

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First Read: Can anyone stop Romney?

Report: Syrian general defects

As Arab League monitors prepared a report on Syria’s compliance with its agreement to halt violence against protesters, a senior general reportedly said on live TV he was defecting from the regime’s army with up to 50 of his soldiers.

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Report: Syrian general defects

Traditional Homebuying Season

If you’re a seller looking to better understand the market, learning about how the traditional homebuying season works is absolutely crucial. Your house may be on the market now and nothing is happening and you’re growing discouraged. Have you considered the fact that it’s winter, the most difficult season to sell a house within the year? Likewise, if you’re looking to buy a house, understanding the homebuying season is also to your advantage. If you dive into the pool just as everyone else is, are you going to get the best price? Buying in the offseason might be advantageous to your bankaccount. Yes, there are ways to avoid the pitfalls of seasonal homebuying trends, but the simple fact remains that most homebuyers are families. And most parents don’t want to upset their children’s school year by uprooting them half way through sixth grade. That’s why, starting in the  spring, there is an influx of homebuyers, ready to get their family settled by September. Traditional Homebuying Season The traditional homebuying season really is between May and July. We all know what it’s like to drive around in spring, when more “For Sale” signs pop up than daffodils. As mentioned above, this is the time that families are looking to relocate– between school seasons. The transference of deeds is through the roof throughout the spring and summer months, but how does that help you now? Of course people can still sell their homes in the other 8 months out of the year. It just goes at a slower pace. If you’re looking to sell your home before the spring/summer surge, keep in mind that it’s entirely possible. You just might need more of a strategy or a whole lot of patience. Traditional Homebuying Season If you’re trying to sell your home in wintery months, consider the following tips. Tame the Snow & Ice Make sure your driveway is well-plowed and that your walkway is shoveled and de-iced. The more in control of the winter elements your home seems, the more likely someone is to consider buying it. Make it Cozy The more your home seems like a refuge from intense weather, the better. When you’re showing your house to a potential buyer, a fireplace should be crackling, soft music should be playing, and the air should smell warm and inviting– cookies and cinnamon are often used by realtors. You want your house to feel like a warm, safe place where someone would want to curl up with a book. Make Sure It’s Clean No clutter, no dust, no wet boot prints across the floors. Advertise It’s Winter Appeal Is your house near a ski-slope? A sledding hill? Is there ice skating nearby? Try to find the best parts of your home’s winter life and make sure it’s either clear in the decor or that you articulate how wonderful the home is in winter because of its location. Traditional Homebuying Season Understanding the traditional homebuying season is advantageous to you as both a buyer or a seller. Not only can it can help you define your strategy, but it will help you get the best house and price available. Related: Best Months to Sell Your House Traditional Homebuying Season

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Traditional Homebuying Season

Financial Goals for 2012

Financial Goals for 2012 The new financial year of 2012 has begun and for many of us, it comes with whole new set of goals. You might be eager to make a difference in your financial standings this year, but unsure of where to start or what kind of goals to set. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to money — there are so many aspects of your financial life to consider. This, however, shouldn’t prevent you from taking the initiative and making 2012 one of the most fruitful years ever. As I’ve mentioned before , there is always some groundwork to do before you can set achievable financial goals. 2012 is no exception– if you want to make this a year that puts you ahead financially, you must take some time to understand your situation. How in debt are you? Are you living paycheck-to-paycheck? What are your monthly expenses and will they change in the near future? The more you understand where you really are financially, the more realistic your goals can be, and the further you can get ahead. Financial Goals for 2012 Let’s take a look at some of the best financial goals you can set for yourself for 2012. Stop Living From Paycheck-to-Paycheck – That is to say, you want to get ahead. Have a financial cushion. This is a reasonable goal to set that is totally achievable within 12 months time. You can either work on increasing your income (which we’ll talk about below) or change your lifestyle to save more money and be ahead in the future. A year of living frugally could help you save thousands of dollars and be better off come 2013. Pay Off Your Debt – Most people have debt, but few make it a goal to pay it off in the short term. It may not be feasible for you to pay off all your debt in one year, but you certainly can make strides. If you’re dealing with credit card debt, it’s often best to consolidate into one source. Many companies are willing to give you 12 months 0% apr, which means 12 months of you NOT having to pay off your debt and some 16% fee. A year to get ahead really. Consider transferring your balance to another company and getting a better rate. Also set a goal as to when you want to be debt free and what kind of payments it will take to get there. Start A Savings Account – You should be eager to start a savings account as it offers endless ways to benefit your future. A vacation. A medical emergency. A house. Retirement. Successfully starting a savings account starts with a few dollars, which is easy enough. Afterwards it takes a bit more effort. You must be willing to put away a certain percentage of your paycheck or get another small source of income that goes exclusively into the account. Set a goal as to how much money you want to save in 2012 and chart it’s progress. Increase Your Income –   Set a goal as to how much more money you want to earn this year and make it happen. You can work hard at getting a raise, making your position more valuable , renting out a room, or getting another part time job. It seems difficult, but the truth of the matter is that anyone can increase their income with research and hard work. Financial Goals for 2012 Make your financial goals come true in 2012! It might be a hard, but you’ll be glad you worked at achieving them come 2013. Financial Goals for 2012

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Financial Goals for 2012

Calgary Mayor Ralph Klein “Bums and Creeps

Calgary Mayor Ralph Klein “bums and creeps” – On this day back in 1982 the Calgary Premier got himself into hot water for statements that could, in this day and age, be considered hateful and almost racist. So what exactly …

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Calgary Mayor Ralph Klein "Bums and Creeps

Pats expected to rehire McDaniels, source says

With offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien agreeing to become Penn State’s next head coach, New England now is expected to hire Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as an offensive assistant coach, according to an NFL source.

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Pats expected to rehire McDaniels, source says

Romney focuses on Obama

Mitt Romney chooses once again on Friday night to keep his laser focus on just one man, President Barack Obama, rather than his GOP rivals.

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Romney focuses on Obama

Iran welcomes U.S. rescue of sailors

Iran on Saturday welcomed the rescue of 13 Iranian sailors by a U.S. Navy ship, calling it a “humanitarian act.”

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Iran welcomes U.S. rescue of sailors

Sudan's al-Bashir visits Libya

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, arrived in Libya Saturday to visit with the country's post-Gadhafi leaders.

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Sudan’s al-Bashir visits Libya

Syria tense as families mourn suicide bomb deaths

Syria is tense as the families of the victims of yesterday’s suicide bombing in the capital Damascus and lethal clashes elsewhere begin to bury their dead.

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Syria tense as families mourn suicide bomb deaths

Luxury Perks of the Rich

I’m not a rich man and I never have been. I have earned well but I have and likely never will be the 1%. Much of this is just attitude, pride in living simple and not focusing completely on how much money I can drag in. That doesn’t mean that I don’t sometimes think about what it would be like to be rich and enjoy of the luxury perks of buying into that lifestyle. Luxury Perks of the Rich I thought it would be a little fun to look into various areas in which paying top dollar or just the merit of being rich gives you access to luxuries and perks that only the rich can get. Travel Luxury Perks of the Rich I have never travelled first class. On all modes of transport you get a bigger seat and often it comes with a full entertainment suite. Wine, beer, tea, coffee and gourmet meals and snacks are brought to you and the experience is just comfortable. Of course going further some people travel private in jets or very fancy vehicles making travel just like being at home! Of course when flying even the rich can’t avoid the TSA security lines or passport control. Luxury hotel services Hotels is one area where perks really come into their own. I only really stayed in an upper level hotel once or twice and immediately the quality of the bed was one thing I noticed. The fully stocked (but not free) mini bar with snacks and 50″ LCD TV are nice additions too. Here are some crazy luxury perks offered by specific hotels: The Ritz Carlton South Beach offers a tanning butler – $449 USD per night The Hard Rock Hotel San Diego supplies a free Fender guitar for guests – $249 per night A white-glove elevator operator can be found at the Carlyle Hotel NY – $450 per night for standard room The Taj Hotel Boston has a fireplace butler. They also have a firewood menu of birch, cherry, maple, oak. Other menus on offer include a bath menu and pillow menu – $249 per night The Rancho Valencia resort San Diego gives a free  Mercedes Benz test drive – $500 per night The Parrot Cay and Como Shambhala retreat offers, Turks and Caicos offers a personal butler service – $605 per night The One Only Palmilla hotel in Los Sabos San Lucas has a yacht for guests - The yacht is available exclusive to guests – $520 per night Food Some foods really are just too expensive for the average Joe. There is no chance of the majority of us trying genuine top grade caviar or being able to dine at the Ivy. The rich can get these kinds of restaurant bookings and afford to do them on a regular basis. Even in the supermarket there are many top-shelf items that are out of my reach! The rich can also source and import, a coffee bean from a monkey’s bum, no problem! Education All the hotel and flight perks in the world don’t bother me but education and what the rich get kind of irks me a little. Education tends to be something that is better amongst the rich because, obviously, from a young age rich people can afford to send their children into the best education. It is completely possible to get through State school though and still be a high-flyer. The real kicker can be college. The rich can often more-or-less buy themselves into Ivy League colleges and are immediately involved in circles that will favor them for the rest of their lives. You often hear about the incompetent rich kid who always seems to hold a high position in various companies. Sadly connections, often a perk of the rich, still have a huge role in modern society. Most presidents of the USA have come from a particular circle! I guess there is no easy way to get rid of the “old-boys-club” mentality so it is something we have to live with! What other perks can you think of that come only to the rich? Luxury Perks of the Rich, So Is It Worth It? If I were to work my ass off I am sure I could clamber my way into the realms of the rich. Certain things I would never get such as the rich circles you get if you grew up rich but I could certainly get the perks that come when you spend your dollars with certain places. For me I don’t think it will be worthwhile. I think I would find just as much pleasure sipping beer from a can on a beach watching the sunset as I would doing the same thing on the balcony of a luxury hotel. I like staying in more local places and generally just need a reasonably comfortable place to lay my head. In general life I think I would live simple if I were very rich or very poor, or somewhere in the middle as I am now. I must admit though, it would be nice to fly business class! Related: Set 2012 Personal Finance and Money Goals Would it be worthwhile and is it a dream of yours?

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Luxury Perks of the Rich

Siena will simulcast Giants game via scoreboard

Siena is making an interesting offer to its college basketball fans: Come see the Saints play on Sunday — and watch the New York Giants, too.

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Siena will simulcast Giants game via scoreboard

The Best Month For Selling a Home

Best Month Selling Home – I am sure you have heard it a gazillion times “the best time to sell your home is in the spring”. Now , this is standard real estate talk now and although it isn’t a phrase without merit, it isn’t exactly looking at all the factors involved and doesn’t localise itself to everyone’s situation. Lets take a look at what does make the spring months good for selling but how you may benefit from selling, or at least listing your home for sale at other times too. The Best Month For Selling a Home The Best Month For Selling a Home Home sales tend to peak between April – July with sales falling in August and into the Autumn. The general belief is that the school holidays provide the perfect time for families to move and the warmer weather makes a general better environment for such activities. However this doesn’t necessarily tell the whole picture. Sure, there are a lot more buyers and your home probably looks spiffing in the wam and fuzzy spring light but everyone and their dog fights to get their home on the market at this time of year so you have to be ready for the fact that competition is very high. That doesn’t mean you can just buck the trend and throw your home up in the Winter either, expecting to have no competition and catch desperate buyers. It may happen but again it depends on many factors. I have read some theories that your home will generally sell quicker in the Spring months but that a September through til November period could yield a slower sale but more serious and higher bidding buyers. Other people are saying February is the time to get the home on the market so that you catch those very first Spring buyers before the market has become saturated. Related article: What Home Buyers Want All very valid thoughts. You also have to factor in a lot of local factors into your thoughts. If you live in an all year warm climate the seasonal weather is more or less a no worry. If you live in a terrible climate then obviously the winter is pretty much off limits for selling. You can’t expect much of people in freezing conditions in general! In Hurricane areas it may be worth waiting until the season is done and dusted, people may be weary knowing a new home could just get damaged as soon as they purchase it! Job patterns and expansion of local industry could tie in well with migration patterns. If you hear a new business is coming to town and bringing xx new jobs it could be worth holding off until that point, if you live in a seasonal area then you may have better luck selling at peak. A ski area may have far more residents in the winter months and a beach area in the summer. Anyway these are just some factors to consider. The right month to sell your home may not always be the most obvious one, sorry we couldn’t give you an exact month, day, time of day and time to the minute! I suggest you check out these articles for further reading:  Lending Tree ; Yahoo ; Forbes .

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The Best Month For Selling a Home

Jets' Tomlinson tells radio station he may retire

Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson has told a San Diego radio station that he is considering calling an end to his 11-year NFL career.

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Jets’ Tomlinson tells radio station he may retire

Ship headed to Alaska hits ice

A Russian tanker carrying fuel for an iced-in Alaska city that without a delivery could run out of crucial supplies before winter’s end encountered ice early Friday in the eastern Bering Sea.

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Ship headed to Alaska hits ice

UK warns of Kenya terror threats

British officials Saturday warned of terror threats in Kenya as the east African nation battles Islamist militants in neighboring Somalia.

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UK warns of Kenya terror threats

Israeli cops pusue 'Santa'

A lay leader of Israel’s Christian minority was stabbed to death during an Orthodox Christmas procession by a person dressed as Santa Claus, his church said.

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Israeli cops pusue ’Santa’

UK breast implant victims want answers

When Rowena Macintosh decided to get implants, she didn't ask about the manufacturer. “When you go to a doctor, you don't say: Who makes your medicine?” Now she fears the worst. CNN's Atika Shubert reports.

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UK breast implant victims want answers

Mandela's ANC marks 100th anniversary

The African National Congress marks its 100th anniversary this weekend, a milestone for the liberation movement that helped end apartheid in South Africa.

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Mandela’s ANC marks 100th anniversary

South Sudan aid effort 'under way' after tribal attacks

A huge aid effort is under way in a remote area of South Sudan to help an estimated 60,000 people who fled their homes to escape roaming fighters, the United Nations says.

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South Sudan aid effort ‘under way’ after tribal attacks

Friday, January 6, 2012

Safety, receiver tweet they're committed to Cal

Top safety prospect Shaq Thompson and wide receiver Jordan Payton both tweeted on Friday that they would be pledging to California.

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Safety, receiver tweet they’re committed to Cal

Casey Anthony video stolen?

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Casey Anthony video stolen?

Semi drives into frozen pond

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Semi drives into frozen pond

Iconic Don Carter, PBA Hall of Famer, dies at 85

Bowling great Don Carter has died at 85.

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Iconic Don Carter, PBA Hall of Famer, dies at 85

Sources: Oregon's James lined up for NFL draft

Oregon junior running back LaMichael James has his agent and plans in order and is in process of formally informing the school that, as expected, he is entering the NFL draft, sources said Friday.

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Sources: Oregon’s James lined up for NFL draft

Jobless rate falls to 8.5 percent

U.S. employment grew solidly last month, adding 200,000 jobs and capping a strengthening trend in the second half of 2011. The jobless rate dropped to near a 3-year low.

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Jobless rate falls to 8.5 percent

Mayweather's 90-day jail stay on hold until June

Undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Friday avoided jail time until June 1 in a Las Vegas domestic violence case involving an attack on his ex-girlfriend while two of their children watched in September 2010.

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Mayweather’s 90-day jail stay on hold until June

U.S. Navy rescues Iranian sailors

U.S. sailors from a carrier strike group whose recent presence in the Persian Gulf drew the ire of Iranian military officials have rescued 13 of the Middle Eastern country's sailors from a hijacked fishing boat, a military spokesman said Friday.

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U.S. Navy rescues Iranian sailors

Raiders will hire Packers' McKenzie as new GM

The Oakland Raiders will hire Green Bay Packers director of football operations Reggie McKenzie as their next general manager, according to a league source.

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Raiders will hire Packers’ McKenzie as new GM

Bears promote Tice as offensive coordinator

Chicago Bears will promote offensive line coach Mike Tice to offensive coordinator, replacing Mike Martz.

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Bears promote Tice as offensive coordinator

Twin models beat odds to live

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Twin models beat odds to live

Mental decline can start young

The brain’s abilities to reason, comprehend and remember may start to worsen as early as age 45, a new study from England suggests.

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Mental decline can start young

Romney's Mexican family talk about ties

It’s a little known fact that there’s a whole branch of Mitt Romney’s family living south of the border. Romney’s great grandfather left the U.S. for Mexico to escape prosecution for polygamy.

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Romney’s Mexican family talk about ties

Local Unemployment Rate

Unemployment has been a huge topic and a huge problem in the last year. As we go into 2012 things seem like they are starting to look up just a little and some of the figures look promising. In December 2011 the unemployment rate dropped below 8.5% nationally which is the lowest in almost 3 years, nothing to be snubbed. Of course there are things that could explain that such as people not claiming unemployment and not being registered in the figures but I think it is best to try and stay positive about it all. Anyway, what are the local unemployment rate figures looking like right now? Local Unemployment Rate – Metropolitan Areas The table below is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the figures are from November 2011. I believe the next update is coming January 24th 2012 so it will be great to see how they perform. Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas Monthly Rankings Not Seasonally Adjusted Nov. 2011 p Rank Metropolitan Area Rate United States 8.2 1 Bismarck, ND Metropolitan Statistical Area 2.8 2 Fargo, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 3.1 3 Lincoln, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area 3.2 4 Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan NECTA 3.7 5 Ames, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3.8 5 Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 3.8 5 Sioux Falls, SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 3.8 8 Logan, UT-ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 3.9 9 Mankato-North Mankato, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.0 10 Grand Forks, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.1 10 Midland, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.1 10 Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.1 10 Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.1 14 Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.2 15 Portsmouth, NH-ME Metropolitan NECTA 4.4 16 Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.5 17 Charlottesville, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.6 17 Dubuque, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.6 17 Rochester-Dover, NH-ME Metropolitan NECTA 4.6 20 Billings, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.7 20 Madison, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.7 22 Manchester, NH Metropolitan NECTA 4.8 23 Lafayette, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.9 23 Morgantown, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.9 23 State College, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 4.9 26 Columbia, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.0 26 La Crosse, WI-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.0 26 Manhattan, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.0 26 Santa Fe, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.0 26 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.0 31 Amarillo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.1 31 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.1 31 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.1 34 Ann Arbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.2 34 St. Cloud, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.2 36 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.3 36 Harrisonburg, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.3 36 Lawrence, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.3 36 Odessa, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.3 40 Cedar Rapids, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.4 40 Corvallis, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.4 40 Ithaca, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.4 40 Provo-Orem, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.4 40 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.4 45 Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.5 45 Lubbock, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.5 45 Oklahoma City, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.5 45 Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, ME Metropolitan NECTA 5.5 49 Casper, WY Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.6 49 Great Falls, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.6 49 Salt Lake City, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.6 52 Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH Metropolitan NECTA 5.7 52 Honolulu, HI Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.7 52 San Angelo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.7 55 Appleton, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.8 55 College Station-Bryan, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.8 55 Eau Claire, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.8 55 Jefferson City, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.8 55 Ogden-Clearfield, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.8 55 Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.8 61 Boulder, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.9 61 Lake Charles, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 5.9 63 Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.0 63 Lebanon, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.0 63 Roanoke, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.0 63 Shreveport-Bossier City, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.0 63 Winchester, VA-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.0 68 Anchorage, AK Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.1 68 Bangor, ME Metropolitan NECTA 6.1 68 Duluth, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.1 68 Lynchburg, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.1 72 Abilene, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.2 72 Alexandria, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.2 72 Fond du Lac, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.2 72 Fort Collins-Loveland, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.2 76 Danbury, CT Metropolitan NECTA 6.3 76 Fairbanks, AK Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.3 76 Farmington, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.3 76 Lancaster, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.3 76 Las Cruces, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.3 76 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.3 82 Charleston, WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.4 82 Green Bay, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.4 82 Jonesboro, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.4 82 Lansing-East Lansing, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.4 82 Longview, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.4 82 Pittsfield, MA Metropolitan NECTA 6.4 82 Tulsa, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.4 82 Victoria, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.4 90 Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.5 90 Cheyenne, WY Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.5 90 Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.5 90 Holland-Grand Haven, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.5 90 New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.5 90 Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.5 96 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Baton Rouge, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Cape Girardeau-Jackson, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Columbus, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Joplin, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Knoxville, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Lawton, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Lewiston-Auburn, ME Metropolitan NECTA 6.6 96 Pittsburgh, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Richmond, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 St. Joseph, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 96 Topeka, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.6 108 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.7 108 Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.7 108 Baltimore-Towson, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.7 108 Sheboygan, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.7 108 Springfield, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.7 108 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.7 108 Wichita Falls, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.7 115 Auburn-Opelika, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.8 115 Bloomington-Normal, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.8 115 Dover, DE Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.8 115 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.8 115 Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.8 115 Worcester, MA-CT Metropolitan NECTA 6.8 121 Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.9 121 Barnstable Town, MA Metropolitan NECTA 6.9 121 Battle Creek, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.9 121 Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.9 121 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.9 121 Missoula, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.9 121 Monroe, LA Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.9 121 Rochester, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.9 121 Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 6.9 130 Columbus, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.0 130 Hot Springs, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.0 130 Idaho Falls, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.0 130 Lewiston, ID-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.0 130 Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.0 130 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.0 136 Bloomington, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.1 136 Corpus Christi, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.1 136 Owensboro, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.1 136 Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.1 136 Waco, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.1 136 Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.1 136 Williamsport, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.1 143 Akron, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Bremerton-Silverdale, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Evansville, IN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Laredo, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 St. George, UT Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Warner Robins, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 143 Wheeling, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.2 155 Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.3 155 Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.3 155 Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.3 155 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.3 155 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.3 155 Lafayette, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.3 155 Springfield, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.3 155 Springfield, MA-CT Metropolitan NECTA 7.3 155 York-Hanover, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.3 164 Bay City, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Bowling Green, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT Metropolitan NECTA 7.4 164 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Dothan, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Erie, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Johnson City, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Trenton-Ewing, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 164 Utica-Rome, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.4 176 Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Bellingham, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Elmira, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Kingston, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Monroe, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Olympia, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Reading, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 176 Tuscaloosa, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.5 186 Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.6 186 Tucson, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.6 188 Binghamton, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Flagstaff, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Gainesville, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Glens Falls, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Jackson, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Sandusky, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 188 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.7 198 Champaign-Urbana, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.8 198 Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.8 198 Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.8 198 Fort Smith, AR-OK Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.8 198 Jackson, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.8 198 Johnstown, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.8 198 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.8 198 Raleigh-Cary, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.8 206 Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.9 206 Decatur, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.9 206 Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.9 206 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Metropolitan NECTA 7.9 206 Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.9 206 Peoria, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 7.9 212 Anniston-Oxford, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.0 212 Gainesville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.0 212 Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.0 212 Pocatello, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.0 212 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.0 212 Sherman-Denison, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.0 212 Springfield, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.0 219 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.1 219 Gadsden, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.1 219 Lima, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.1 219 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.1 219 Spokane, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.1 219 Tyler, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.1 225 Canton-Massillon, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 225 Indianapolis-Carmel, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 225 Montgomery, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 225 Niles-Benton Harbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 225 Norwich-New London, CT-RI Metropolitan NECTA 8.2 225 Racine, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 225 Salisbury, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 225 Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 225 St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 1 8.2 225 Tallahassee, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 225 Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.2 236 Dayton, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.3 236 Eugene-Springfield, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.3 236 New Haven, CT Metropolitan NECTA 8.3 236 New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.3 240 Cleveland, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.4 240 Goldsboro, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.4 240 Janesville, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.4 240 Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.4 240 Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.4 240 Savannah, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.4 240 Toledo, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.4 247 Boise City-Nampa, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.5 247 Danville, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.5 247 Grand Junction, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.5 247 Hattiesburg, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.5 247 Jacksonville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.5 247 Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner, MA Metropolitan NECTA 8.5 253 Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.6 253 Napa, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.6 253 Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.6 253 Valdosta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.6 257 Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.7 257 Colorado Springs, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.7 257 Elizabethtown, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.7 257 Flint, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.7 257 Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.7 257 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.7 263 Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.8 263 Salem, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.8 263 San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.8 266 Gulfport-Biloxi, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.9 266 Hinesville-Fort Stewart, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.9 266 Jackson, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.9 266 Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.9 266 Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 8.9 271 Clarksville, TN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.0 272 Anderson, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.1 272 Mobile, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.1 272 Prescott, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.1 275 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.2 275 Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.2 275 Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.2 275 San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.2 275 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.2 275 Spartanburg, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.2 281 Fort Wayne, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.3 281 Greenville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.3 281 Mansfield, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.3 281 Pine Bluff, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.3 281 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.3 286 Fayetteville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.4 286 Macon, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.4 286 Medford, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.4 286 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.4 290 Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.5 290 Jacksonville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.5 290 Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.5 290 New Bedford, MA Metropolitan NECTA 9.5 290 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.5 295 Burlington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.6 295 Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.6 295 El Paso, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.6 295 Pueblo, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.6 295 Yakima, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.6 300 Albany, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.7 300 Brunswick, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.7 300 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.7 300 Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.7 304 Coeur d’Alene, ID Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.8 304 Kokomo, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.8 304 Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.8 307 Danville, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.9 307 Decatur, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.9 307 Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.9 307 Greensboro-High Point, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.9 307 Michigan City-La Porte, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.9 307 Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.9 307 Terre Haute, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.9 307 Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 9.9 315 Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.0 315 Muncie, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.0 315 Naples-Marco Island, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.0 318 Morristown, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.1 318 North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.1 320 Pascagoula, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.2 320 Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA Metropolitan NECTA 10.2 320 Waterbury, CT Metropolitan NECTA 10.2 323 Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.3 323 Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.3 323 Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.3 323 Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.3 323 Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.3 323 Sumter, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.3 323 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.3 330 Rome, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.4 331 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.5 332 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.6 332 Vallejo-Fairfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.6 334 Longview, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.7 334 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.7 336 Kankakee-Bradley, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.8 337 Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 10.9 338 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.0 338 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.0 338 Salinas, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.0 341 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.1 342 Bend, OR Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.2 342 Brownsville-Harlingen, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.2 344 Elkhart-Goshen, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.3 345 Port St. Lucie, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.6 345 Reno-Sparks, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.6 347 Carson City, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.7 347 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.7 349 Dalton, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.8 349 Ocala, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.8 351 Chico, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.9 351 Rockford, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.9 351 Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 11.9 354 Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 12.4 355 Las Vegas-Paradise, NV Metropolitan Statistical Area 12.5 355 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 12.5 357 Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 12.6 358 Rocky Mount, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area 12.7 359 Redding, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 13.1 360 Bakersfield-Delano, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 13.4 361 Palm Coast, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area 14.0 362 Ocean City, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 14.1 363 Madera-Chowchilla, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 14.3 364 Hanford-Corcoran, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 14.7 365 Visalia-Porterville, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 15.0 366 Modesto, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 15.5 366 Stockton, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 15.5 368 Fresno, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 15.7 369 Yuba City, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 16.8 370 Merced, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 16.9 371 Yuma, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area 23.7 372 El Centro, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area 27.2 p  = preliminary. 1  Area boundaries do not reflect official OMB definitions.  NOTE: Rates shown are a percentage of the labor force. Data refer to place of residence. Estimates for the current month are subject to revision the following month. Table source: BLS So what is the rate in your area and have you seen an effect as result of a rise or fall in unemployment? Has it affected you directly and are you optimistic or pessimistic for the future of jobs in the USA? Related: Most Sought After Skills Thanks for reading and please do take the time to share thoughts and comments. -Local Unemployment Rate

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Local Unemployment Rate

NH eatery: No more politicians!

A New Hampshire restaurant owner says he is so fed up with the flurry of GOP presidential candidates at his Portsmouth eatery that he put up his own 2012 slogan: “No Politicians, No Exceptions.

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NH eatery: No more politicians!

Report: All-SEC RB Dyer released by Auburn

Auburn has released All-Southeastern Conference tailback Mike Dyer from his scholarship, a person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press.

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Report: All-SEC RB Dyer released by Auburn

Fisher to limit job search to Dolphins, Rams

Jeff Fisher said Friday he is considering coaching next season in only two places, Miami or St. Louis, and that he will make his decision next week.

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Fisher to limit job search to Dolphins, Rams

Hornets' Gordon out 2-3 weeks with sore knee

Hornets guard Eric Gordon will miss two to three weeks because of a sore right knee.

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Hornets’ Gordon out 2-3 weeks with sore knee

Clayton: Steelers will go as far as Big Ben can take them

Losing Mendenhall hurts, but Roethlisberger’s lack of mobility may hurt Steelers more

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Clayton: Steelers will go as far as Big Ben can take them

Questions over Anthony video

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Questions over Anthony video

Steelers RB coach Wilson burned in house fire

Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson was hospitalized after sustaining burns to his arms and legs in a house fire early Friday morning.

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Steelers RB coach Wilson burned in house fire

China to U.S.: Don't flex muscle in Asia

The United States should use the “utmost caution” as it makes the Asia-Pacific region a key focus of its newly announced military strategy, China's state-run Xinhua news agency said in a commentary published Friday.

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China to U.S.: Don’t flex muscle in Asia

Cubs' Castro part of sexual assault investigation

Chicago police say they are investigating an accusation that Cubs All-Star Starlin Castro sexually assaulted a woman last fall, but no charges have been filed at this time.

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Cubs’ Castro part of sexual assault investigation

Steelers RB coach Wilson burned in house fire

Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson was hospitalized after sustaining burns to his arms and legs in a house fire early Friday morning.

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Steelers RB coach Wilson burned in house fire

EU: Iran must halt woman's execution

The Europe Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton demanded Friday that Iran halt the pending executions of a woman sentenced to die by stoning and a Christian pastor convicted of apostasy.

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EU: Iran must halt woman’s execution

Michigan receiver Stonum gets 10-day jail term

Michigan wide receiver Darryl Stonum was sentenced to 10 days in jail Friday for violation of his probation stemming from a drunken-driving arrest earlier this year.

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Michigan receiver Stonum gets 10-day jail term

Leafs GM: Fighting decline a 'dangerous' trend

Brian Burke is struggling to come to grips with the evolution of hockey. Specifially, a decline in fighting.

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Leafs GM: Fighting decline a ‘dangerous’ trend

Van der Sloot in murder trial

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Van der Sloot in murder trial

US Navy rescues 13 Iranians

Casting aside current tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. Navy on Friday rescued 13 Iranian seamen being held captive by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Oman.

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US Navy rescues 13 Iranians

Firefighters Pull Back in Fear of Venomous Snakes

Austrian firefighters had to pull back from a blazing building on Tuesday as most were overcome with fear from the venomous snakes inside. Franz Resperger, fire department spokesperson, said that 85 firefighters retreated hastily from a burning barn in East Vienna after being warned by a neighbor about the owner’s menagerie of species kept within. A reptile expert had to be called to the scene to remove some of the creatures inside before the firefighters could put out the fire comfortably. He was able to capture 7 snakes, several of them venomous. There were two Australian taipans and one India cobra over 2 yards long. What’s more, had these snakes bitten the firefighters they would have died. The venom that some of the snakes were packing have no antidotes available in Austria. Perhaps it’s was the firefighters instincts that kept them alive in the sea of snakes and fire. The fear of snakes is a pretty common fear and it’s not hard to see why. The most common fears, I think, have some sort of biological purpose. Heights, snakes, insects, storms– we’re afraid of these things because our instincts are trying to keep us alive. Firefighters Pull Back in Fear of Venomous Snakes So, there are fears that are probably just instinctual and then there are phobias. I think phobias are fears that actually consume people’s minds and prevent them from completing simple tasks. Phobias can ruin people’s lives, which is why it’s important to learn how to control them. No matter how silly you might feel about your phobia, it’s important that you take the proper actions to stop it from having a detrimental effect on your life. I have a friend who found that EFT, or the Emotional Freedom Technique, was particularly effective in curbing her anxieties. The EFT is a way in which you condition yourself to not be afraid. It involves a mantra and tapping in certain meridian spots on your body. There has been documented evidence that  EFT  has been successful in treating severe cases of ablutophobia (fear of water and washing). A lot of skeptics feel that EFT is nonsense, while thousands of people claim that it was entirely effective. However you decide to treat your phobia, just know that trying to overcome it is the most important part. Whatever method works for you, works for you. Firefighters Pull Back in Fear of Venomous Snakes It’s important that we all learn to overcome our obstacles as soon as they arise. It’s too easy to let them fester and grow into greater problems. I personally am trying to take every problem as it arises head on, right away. I’ve found this is much more effective to making me feel better as a whole and keeping me more productive. I like to battle my issues by writing in a journal every day for an hour. Sounds excessive, huh? I suppose it is, but I just use the time I would normally designate for television and it seems to be working out. Self-improvement is a daily effort. I personally believe that we should never be satisfied with how things are but rather, always be aspiring to be better. The firefighters, of course, are brave people who don’t have to work on their fear of snakes. It was just a dangerous situation that was also pretty creepy. I’m not afraid of snakes, but if someone told me that there were 6-foot venomous ones waiting in a burning barn, I probably wouldn’t go running in. Firefighters Pull Back in Fear of Venomous Snakes Related: Oprah’s Fear of Gum Firefighters Pull Back in Fear of Venomous Snakes

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Firefighters Pull Back in Fear of Venomous Snakes

'Saudi hackers' post Israeli data online

A group claiming to be Saudi Arabian hackers is posting the credit card information and other identifying data of thousands of Israelis online, prompting an international investigation.

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‘Saudi hackers’ post Israeli data online

Ex-military chief held over Turkey plot

A civilian court in Turkey has arrested the nation's former top military commander, charging him in a plot to overthrow the government.

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Ex-military chief held over Turkey plot

S. Sudan appeals for aid amid fighting

South Sudan appealed for international aid for a remote region that has been under attack by roaming fighters, as thousands of residents fled into the bush to avoid the violence.

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S. Sudan appeals for aid amid fighting

SEC commits dominate UA All-America Game

The Under Armour All-America Game had a definite SEC feel as players committed to SEC programs stole the show in the White team’s 49-16 win.

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SEC commits dominate UA All-America Game

Nigeria church shooting kills at least 8

At least eight people have been killed in a shooting at a church in northeastern Nigeria, a pastor at the church said Friday.

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Nigeria church shooting kills at least 8

Federer withdraws from Qatar with back injury

Defending champion Roger Federer pulled out of his semifinal match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Qatar Open because of a back injury on Friday.

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Federer withdraws from Qatar with back injury

NYT: Rick Santorum's big money ties

Within months of leaving the Senate, Mr. Santorum joined the board of Universal Health Services, where he collected $395,000 in director's fees and stock options before resigning last year.

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NYT: Rick Santorum’s big money ties

Explosions rock Iraq Army Day parade

At least three explosions struck Friday near Baghdad's Green Zone, where a parade to mark Iraq's Army Day was taking place, according to witnesses.

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Explosions rock Iraq Army Day parade

Police seek help on royal estate murder

The identity of a young woman whose remains were found on the estate of Queen Elizabeth II this week remains a mystery — and police appealed to the public Friday for help to name her.

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Police seek help on royal estate murder

Kevin Pearce rides again

Kevin Pearce, who once harbored Olympic dreams, survived a devastating brain injury and is now back on the slopes.

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Kevin Pearce rides again

Stealth virus hits bank accounts

Red Tape: The best way to protect yourself from an online financial scam is to diligently check your bank accounts. At least, until now.

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Stealth virus hits bank accounts

Clay Aiken Plastic Surgery

Clay Aiken Plastic Surgery – Plastic surgery speculation spreads about Clay Aiken recently. The former American Idol runner-up during the second series released some promotional photos leading to the speculation. Many fans and celebrity experts are wording if Clay Aiken …

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Clay Aiken Plastic Surgery

Republicans focus on New Hampshire

With four days to go until New Hampshire's GOP primary, Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney started his day Friday in South Carolina before heading to the Granite State for a spaghetti dinner with supporters.

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Republicans focus on New Hampshire

Iran to hold military drills in Hormuz

Iran plans to conduct military drills in the Strait of Hormuz in February, state media said Friday.

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Iran to hold military drills in Hormuz

Vet injected teens with heroin?

A 26-year-old Navy veteran who served as a medic in Afghanistan pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he injected two Alaska teens with drugs on separate occasions, giving one of them a fatal dose.

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Vet injected teens with heroin?

Hague holds talks with Suu Kyi

The British foreign secretary held talks with the Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday, expressing hope that she and her party can help move the Southeast Asian country further along the road to democracy.

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Hague holds talks with Suu Kyi

Report: Deadly blast in Syria

An explosion ripped through a police bus in the center of Syria’s capital Friday, killing at least 10 people, a Syrian official and state-run TV said.

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Report: Deadly blast in Syria

Report: Blast hits Syrian capital

A suicide bomber killed and wounded dozens of people in central Damascus, Syrian state TV said Friday. Footage broadcast by Syria Television showed the shattered windows of what appeared to be a police bus.

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Report: Blast hits Syrian capital

State media: Civilians killed as blast hits Syrian capital

A “terrorist” explosion hit a neighborhood in the Syrian capital of Damascus killing and injuring dozens of people, state media in the country says.

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State media: Civilians killed as blast hits Syrian capital

Turkish general held on terrorism charges

A former military chief was jailed Friday, accused of leading a terror organization and plotting to bring down Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, his lawyer said.

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Turkish general held on terrorism charges

Thursday, January 5, 2012

How To Protect Yourself From ID Theft

How To Protect Yourself From ID Theft - Identity theft is a growing problem with thieves getting more and mor tech-savvy and using advanced techniques to steal and use people’s identities for all manner of things. Of course put the old-fashioned ways of stealing on top of that and you’ll see that protecting your identity is more important than ever before. Now, you are not expected to walk around wearing a mask and using code names, instead awareness is the major aspect of protection and learning about all aspects of what you can do to protect yourself and know what to do if you have been compromised. So let’s try to give you the basics and provide some resources to get you up to speed and wearing a metaphorical suit of ID protecting armor. How do thieves steal your identity? How To Protect Yourself From ID Theft Basically they get your information, or just a small piece of it to start their research through various means. Some of the ways can include : rummaging through your trash for things like bank statements, letters from important institutions and anything with your info on; using a device to skim your credit card number from places like ATM’s and card readers in the grocery store; hacking your online accounts , email, mobile phone and anywhere in the online world that has your info; tricking you into giving info over via email, fake websites or even on the phone, known as phishing ; computer viruses that can mine data from your computer; just thieving your personal items like your wallet, social security cards, passport, driving license and anything else they can use. Basically anyway they can to get personal info on you can be used to build your identity they will find a way to exploit. It can happen to any of us, any time and some of our details may have even been compromised without our knowledge. I’m not trying to freak you out, just getting you ready to take the potential seriously. How can I protect myself from the threat of identity theft? General education Just learning about some of the Most Common Identity Theft Schemes and reading through some  Identity Theft Horror Stories should be enough to get you in general terms familiar with how theft operates and what to avoid. Basically just keep alert in the real world and online! At home and in the real world First off you need to shred all your documents. You can sit there cutting them with a pair of scissors or pick up a shredder fairly cheap at Staples or through somewhere like Amazon ( Shredders on Amazon ). Next up you can make sure your mail-box has a lock on it, stealing mail is another way I didn’t mention above and a simple lock or getting mail put through your door fixes that! As for actual theft it can help to know exactly what you carry in your purse or wallet, so you’ll notice if it is gone! I would consider a chain if you carry your wallet in your pocket and if you have a handbag learn to keep an eye on it and get one with an anti-slice handle so it can’t be taken in a ‘cut and run’ theft. When you leave your home it’s also important to make sure it is secure in general. A savvy thief may be able to nip in and steal some stuff without anyone noticing. A piece of paper with certain details on it could be more profitable than any TV! When out and about you should keep your credit cards and ATM cards out of sight, look out for strange activity and learn how to spot ATM skimmers . It’s also worth trying to just be aware of your surroundings and keep your cards in sight at all times when using them. I never let a shop assistant walk off with my card. On your computer and online First off protect your computer from viruses. You must use a good virus scanner and some malware protection. I don’t know if it is enough but on windows I tend to make sure AVG free or Avast is installed along with AdAware . You need to make sure all your online accounts are safe with hard well protected passwords containing multiple unusual characters. Don’t use the same password for everything and certainly don’t use any of the 25 worst passwords of 2011 ! If you receive any emails, even if they look official, asking for details contact the organisation through official sources and tell them about it. Don’t reply to the emails! Also when visiting sites always check the address bar and make sure you are using the right place. Never share your credit card information, social security number or any details that could be used to build your id on websites that are in the public domain. Remember even your mothers maiden name, first pet name, street you grew up in and various other tidbits of info could be used as part of the fraud by a clever scammer. Some people are increasingly advising you hide your birthdate too. On your mobile phone The mobile phone is becoming an increasing target because they are holding more and more data and becoming much more like computers. So protecting them and knowing about certain Smart Phone identity theft risks is useful. It’s helpful to also know if your mobile phone has been hacked . Scammers are also going increasingly old school and calling people up pretending to be financial institutions or a recent scam involves telling people they are calling from Windows. They tell you that you have a virus and they can help you fix it, then they get you to go to a fake virus check website that actually installs bad software on your computer. Very bad! Variations on this or any calls that ask for too much information are likely scams and you should always call the company on the direct number provided on their official documentation. When windows called me it was amusing because I only have a mac! I asked the scammer what computer he was referring to and messed around with them for a while before telling them I knew what they was up to and calling the phone company to inform them of the call. Your credit reports You should always get a report of your credit from each of the major creditors each year anyway. You can get one a year for free and monitor it for any strange information. If you have any fears of a compromise of your security this should always be done right away. More on how to do that can be read here: Check your credit history . How To Protect Yourself From ID Theft….. I hope all that didn’t make you too paranoid! I am sure I didn’t cover everything so I strongly suggest that you review and read over the guidelines provided by the FTC here . If you have been the victim of theft you have to act fast and hopefully our post on What To Do After Identity Theft can help a little with that. Also hopefully some readers will leave comments of any hints, tips, advice and stories below that may be worth reading through. Stay safe, Forest.

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How To Protect Yourself From ID Theft