Pay For Grades

Incentives matter they say. Do you support this?

How would you like to be paid cash to read a book, to come to school, or get good grades on tests or in classes? Read this article to see what some are suggesting.

Mr Bill Get's Vetoed, Do You Agree?

President Bush on Wednesday vetoed legislation expanding a children's health insurance program by $35 billion over five years. Do you agree with this decision? Read the article and state your opinion.

Flying First Class

For some this was disturbing news in this morning's headlines. Are you opposed to tax payer dollars being used in fashion, or do you support job perks?

Verizon unveils iPhone

I wonder how many of us carry cell phones? If you do, are you shopping for a new phone? Verizon Wireless unveiled three new cell phones on Wednesday for the holiday season, including a high-end handset named Voyager that will compete with Apple Inc's iPhone. Will you join the craze and purchase this one or is the old one good enough?

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Twice As Many Americans Are Obese Than Europeans

"Meet George Jetson, his son Elroy, daughter Judy, Jane his wife"...... When we think of the future many of us think of one of the most famous cartoons of all time, "The Jetson's". Now think about the issue of obesity in the United States and picture them again in the future. What's up with American's and their health and what does this mean for the cost of health care for the consumer and the government.

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The World Goes To Town

Every wonder what the future will look like? Sometime this year, the majority of the earth's population will be urban dwellers. What kind of impact do you think this will have on the future?

Craving Starbucks? McDonald's Might Be The Answer

Do you start the day off craving a cup of coffee? When we think of speciality drinks for many, the first to come to mind is Starbucks. To keep up with the competition and to try and get a share of the market, McDonald's just recently came out with a Premium Coffee, now they have announced a new plan for '08. McDonald's has a new announcement that you will want to read. Click on the title to read the annoucement.

Not A Typical Election Year

Do you know this man? No, he is not a wrestler; just a guy who likes a good strong image. A what? Yes, a politician. You have to read this one. We studied this country when we talked about types of economic systems. Look and see what changes might be coming.

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And the Number 1 Hottest Concert Ticket Sales goes to........?

Some of you might be shocked on this one. When we think of sold out concerts and number 1 rankings for the year we think of people like The Beatles, Kenny Chesney, Justin Timberlake, etc.... But this article will tell you different. This year the winner might be a surprise to some, but to her faithful television followers, she is one of the most famous 14 year old's around. Guessed it yet? Click on the title and find out who it is.

The Stock Market Did What? And What Does That Mean?

I wonder how many of your parents invest in stocks or mutual funds? I am sure many of us have heard these terms in the news, but do we know what they mean? What is Wall Street? Who or What Is the Dow Jones? What does this mean to us as consumers and investors? Wall Street began the fourth quarter with a huge rally Monday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average above 14,000 and well into record territory for the first time in 2 1/2 months. What does this indicate to stock investors? that growing belief that the worst of the credit crisis has past. So now what?

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What Do You Need To Know About Student Loans?

Worried About The Cost of Student Loans. Look at this article and see how this article might effect you. Click on Title and it will take you to the article.

What Is The Connection With Pumpkins and Economics?

I'm sure you are thinking, "Mrs Rowland what does Pumpkins have to do with Economics?" Great question. Scorching weather and lack of rain this summer wiped out some pumpkin crops from western New York to Illinois, leaving fields dotted with undersized fruit. Other fields got too much rain and their crops rotted.

Pumpkin production is predicted to be down for the second straight year. U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show a slight production decrease from 2005 to 2006 in what the department estimates is a $100 million-a-year industry.

So, if you are a huge fan in decorating with the orange round object, better get going, small crop, higher prices.......great supply and demand lesson.

By the way did you know that northern Ohio, is the nation's top pumpkin state. There you go something to share at the dinner table this week.

Does the shortage concern you? Will a 10 cent increase per pound keep you from buying pumpkins? Does your family typically buy pumpkins, if so how many do you typically purchase? Do you think you will buy less?

Healthier Junk Food. Have You Switched?

You never know this could be the next Jeopardy Winning Question. Who Is the World's Largest Snack Food Producer? Answer.......Frito Lay. $10 Billion worth of sells each year to be exact. So, why would a company like that worry about coming up with something healthy? Health and Junk Food combined? Is there such a thing. Oh come on some of you are saying. Why worry, obvisouly, the fat is selling. Home of Doritos, Fritos, Cheetos and Tostitos, Frito-Lay represents 36 percent of parent company PepsiCo's operating profits. It is vital for a company to continue changing. When you are on top there is only one place to go.....down if you are not careful. Frito Lay has no choice, they to have to show they care about the customers, like so many other companies are trying to do. McDonald's has become the nation's biggest buyer of apples (which it serves with a side of sugary caramel sauce). Coca-Cola recently launched Diet Coke Plus, fortified with vitamins. After several years and 28 recipes, all 4,500 Dunkin' Donuts stores will be using zero-gram trans-fat oil to make the doughnuts.

Flat Earth, a new line of chips from Frito Lay, is hardly health food.

But for adults trying to buy healthier items for their kids..... this is it. Flat Earth veggie and fruit crisps are a step in the right direction.

They're baked, not fried, and have a potato base. A 130-calorie serving provides half a serving of a fruit or vegetable. Plus, they pass the taste test.

The flavors most popular in our informal tasting were Tangy Tomato Ranch, Garlic & Herb Field, and Peach Mango Paradise (although dried mangos are the second-to-last ingredient). The three other flavors are Wild Berry, Apple Cinnamon Grove and Farmland Cheddar.