Alcoholism Assessment and Treatment

Alcoholism Assessment and Treatment: "This study will provide evaluation and treatment of a broad range of people with drinking problems. The program consists of a state-of-the-art clinical work-up and uses outpatient counseling treatment approaches. "

FOUR GUILTY IN $24 MILLION MEDICARE BILLING SCAM

FOUR GUILTY IN $24 MILLION MEDICARE BILLING SCAM: "An Orange County man who was one of the ringleaders of a large-scale durable medical equipment ('DME') scheme that defrauded Medicare out of millions of dollars was sentenced yesterday to ten years in prison."

Bipolar Disorder Exacts Twice Depression’s Toll in Workplace

Bipolar Disorder Exacts Twice Depression’s Toll in Workplace: "Bipolar disorder costs twice as much in lost productivity as major depressive disorder, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has found. Each U.S. worker with bipolar disorder averaged 65.5 lost workdays in a year, compared to 27.2 for major depression. Even though major depression is more than six times as prevalent, bipolar disorder costs the U.S. workplace nearly half as much — a disproportionately high $14.1 billion annually. Researchers traced the higher toll mostly to bipolar disorder’s more severe depressive episodes rather than to its agitated manic periods."

OCC Publishes Newsletter Covering Revisions to the Community Reinvestment Act

OCC Publishes Newsletter Covering Revisions to the Community Reinvestment Act: "WASHINGTON - National banks invested $638 million to revitalize and stabilize communities in the second quarter of 2006 just one year after revised Community Reinvestment Act regulations took effect, according to a new Office of the Comptroller of the Currency publication."

New FluChip Test Enables Quick Diagnosis of Flu Strains

New FluChip Test Enables Quick Diagnosis of Flu Strains: "Laboratories across the U.S. can perform some basic tests on an influenza (flu) virus within several hours. However, only the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a handful of other labs around the world have the high-level biosafety facilities needed to perform specialized tests that can reveal critical details about a virus such as its geographic origin. A new test may change that, allowing labs across the country to diagnose influenza infections and learn more about the viruses causing illness."

Advanced HIV Drug Approved for Resistant Infections

Advanced HIV Drug Approved for Resistant Infections: "For years, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, has frustrated drug developers. The virus rapidly mutates and, as parts of its structure change, it becomes resistant to treatment. But doctors will soon have a potent new tool in their arsenal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Prezista (darunavir), the first antiviral drug designed to treat drug-resistant strains of HIV. "

IRS Announces Standard Amounts for Telephone Tax Refunds

IRS Announces Standard Amounts for Telephone Tax Refunds: "The Internal Revenue Service today announced the standard amounts that most long-distance customers can use to figure their telephone tax refund. These amounts, which range from $30 to $60, will enable millions of individual taxpayers to request the telephone tax refund without having to dig through old phone bills. "

Sumatran Tiger Cubs' Debut on September 2

Sumatran Tiger Cubs' Debut on September 2: "The National Zoo and FONZ will celebrate the official public debut of the Zoo's three Sumatran tiger cubs on September 2. Come to the Great Cats exhibit to enjoy special talks by Zoo keepers, arts and crafts for kids, giveaways, and discovery tables where kids can see and touch tiger artifacts and objects such as a tiger skull, claws, and pelt, and the big, rubber 'boomer balls' the tigers play with. "

SEC Small Business Forum to Focus on Interactive Data and Capital Formation

SEC Small Business Forum to Focus on Interactive Data and Capital Formation: "The Securities and Exchange Commission's annual Forum on Small Business Capital Formation at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, at its Washington, D.C., headquarters, will focus on the advantages filing interactive data with the SEC can give smaller public companies and on capital formation challenges facing small business. "

New How-To Guide for Removing Data from Storage Media

New How-To Guide for Removing Data from Storage Media: "Before ditching or donating that used computer, CD or other data-storage media, sensitive or personal information should be properly “sanitized,” according to a new guide from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Information systems store information using a wide variety of media, including “hard” copy, such as paper printouts and facsimile ribbons, and electronic media, including cell phones, CDs or DVDs, and hard drives. Even if stored data supposedly has been deleted, in many cases residual data can be retrieved and reconstructed"

U.S. Passports: Vacation Memories A Snap With A Passport Purchased At U.S. Post Offices

U.S. Passports: Vacation Memories A Snap With A Passport Purchased At U.S. Post Offices: "Now, the U.S. Postal Service makes applying for passports a little more memorable for customers. Get a Passport, Travel the World,' a two-month promotional partnership between the Postal Service and Shutterfly, allows customers who apply for a new passport at select Post Office locations to qualify for a free, customer-designed, 20-page Classic Photo Book through Shutterfly (www.shutterfly.com)."

Labor Day 2006: Statistics on the American Worker - Strong, Competitive and Growing

Labor Day 2006: Statistics on the American Worker - Strong, Competitive and Growing: "On Labor Day 2006, our nation's economy is strong and growing. Unemployment is low, job opportunities are expanding, and compensation is rising. But more still needs to be done to keep America's workforce the most competitive and innovative in the world. "

Verizon And Bellsouth Eliminate Imposed DSL Fees: FCC Statement

Verizon And Bellsouth Eliminate Imposed DSL Fees: FCC Statement: "I am pleased that both Verizon and BellSouth have eliminated fees recently imposed on their DSL customers. Consumers should receive the benefits of the Commission's action last summer to remove regulations imposed on DSL service. The continued deployment of broadband at affordable prices for consumers remains my top priority as Chairman.'"

Obesity in Men Linked to Infertility

Obesity in Men Linked to Infertility: "Men with increased body mass index (BMI) were significantly more likely to be infertile than normal-weight men, according to research conducted at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the National Institutes of Health"

U.S. Labor Department Sues Houston Drywall Firm to Recover over $500,000 in Back Wages for Employees Working on Mississippi Gulf Coast

U.S. Labor Department Sues Houston Drywall Firm to Recover over $500,000 in Back Wages for Employees Working on Mississippi Gulf Coast: "The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has sued Benitez Drywall LLC, a Houston-based drywall company, and its owners for alleged violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division following an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Back wages are expected to exceed $500,000 for more than 500 construction workers. Also named in the department's lawsuit are Ruben Benitez, president of the company and Hoguer Benitez, vice president."

FDIC Makes Public July Enforcement Actions against Banks and individuals

FDIC Makes Public July Enforcement Actions against Banks and individuals: "The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today released a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in July. No administrative hearings are scheduled for September."

FEMA Warns Of Inland Flooding From Tropical Depression Ernesto

FEMA Warns Of Inland Flooding From Tropical Depression Ernesto: "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns that Ernesto still remains a threat and residents should be aware of inland flooding and other dangers after the storm passes. Federal and state officials remind people in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and other states along the East Coast to continue to monitor weather forecasts."

Fraud Alert: Hurricane Season and Phishing Sites

Fraud Alert: Hurricane Season and Phishing Sites: "Phishing emails may appear as requests for donations from a charitable organization asking the users to click on a link that will then take them to a fraudulent web site that appears to be a legitimate charity. The users are then asked to provide personal information that can further expose them to future compromises."

Teen drivers' crash rates go down significantly under provisions of California's graduated licensing law

Teen drivers' crash rates go down significantly under provisions of California's graduated licensing law: "The main finding of a new evaluation of graduated licensing is a 23 percent overall reduction in the per-capita crash involvement rate of 16-year-old drivers in California. Crashes went down more in the high-risk situations specifically addressed by graduated licensing — nighttime crash rates went down 27 percent, and crash rates with teen passengers decreased 38 percent. The study was conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety"

Race Discrimination: Retailer Target Corporation Must Face Trial on Race Discrimination Charges

Race Discrimination: Retailer Target Corporation Must Face Trial on Race Discrimination Charges: "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago has reversed a lower federal court in Milwaukee and ruled that an U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) race discrimination suit against the giant retailer Target Corporation should go to trial. The appeals court found that the EEOC had presented sufficient evidence -- that Target refused to hire four African American applicants for entry-level management positions because of their race -- to require a full trial. The court also held that a trial was required on the issue of whether Target had destroyed employment applications in bad faith, and whether its changed policies with respect to retaining records were sufficient. "

Obesity Surgery Complication Rates Higher Over Time

Obesity Surgery Complication Rates Higher Over Time: "Four of every 10 obesity surgery patients develop a complication, such as a hernia, within 6 months of leaving the hospital, according to a new study by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The study is the most extensive to date on post-surgical complications from obesity operations based on insurance claims data."

Tribal Leaders Face Arraignment on Theft, Tax and Obstruction of Justice Charges

Tribal Leaders Face Arraignment on Theft, Tax and Obstruction of Justice Charges: "Attorney General Bill Lockyer and U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan today announced seven former officials of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians will be arraigned Wednesday on 39 federal counts of theft and misuse of tribal casino funds, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, tax evasion and failure to file tax returns."

Strattera Treatment in Adults With ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) NOS

Strattera Treatment in Adults With ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) NOS: "This is an open-label study with daily doses up to 144mg/day Strattera in the treatment of adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. We hypothesize ADHD symptomatology in adults with ADHD NOS will be responsive to Strattera treatment and Strattera treatment (in doses of up to 120 mg / day or 1.5 mg/kg/day, whichever is less) in adults with ADHD NOS will be safe and well tolerated. "

Warning: Identity Thieves Target Young People, Too

Warning: Identity Thieves Target Young People, Too: "You've probably heard or read about 'identity theft,' which happens when someone learns enough private information about another person to be able to withdraw money from a bank account or obtain a new credit card in that other person's name and use it for purchases that will not be paid for. But did you know that adults aren't the only people whose identity is being used by ID thieves?"

Low Carbohydrate Diet Compared to Calorie and Fat Restricted Diet

Low Carbohydrate Diet Compared to Calorie and Fat Restricted Diet: "This study is designed to address the hypothesis that in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), a low carbohydrate diet not specifically restricted in calories compared to low fat, caloric restricted diet over 24 months will cause 5% greater reduction in body weight in patients with obesity and type 2 DM, be safe, and will not have any detrimental effects on serum lipid concentrations. "

Author Outlines Strategy for Landing Scholarships

Author Outlines Strategy for Landing Scholarships: "Charles J. Phillips went to college for free. Now he shares the secrets of just how he did it in his new book, College: Why Should You Pay for It? I Didn’t"

Order Prohibits Debt Reduction Companies from Operating Without A License

Order Prohibits Debt Reduction Companies from Operating Without A License: "Companies must lawfully operate to serve more than 3,100 debt-ridden customers in California "

Travel Alert: Israel, the West Bank And Gaza Travel Warning for American Citizens

Travel Alert: Israel, the West Bank And Gaza Travel Warning for American Citizens: "This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on the general security environment in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and to reiterate threats to American citizens and U.S. interests in those locations. The security situation in northern Israel has improved, with a halt to rocket firing into Israel from southern Lebanon following the August 14 cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizballah as called for by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. While the cessation of hostilities largely has been honored by both sides, the situation remains tense and a possible resumption of sporadic violence cannot be ruled out. "

Travel Alert: Israel, the West Bank And Gaza Travel Warning for American Citizens

Travel Alert: Israel, the West Bank And Gaza Travel Warning for American Citizens: "This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on the general security environment in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and to reiterate threats to American citizens and U.S. interests in those locations. The security situation in northern Israel has improved, with a halt to rocket firing into Israel from southern Lebanon following the August 14 cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizballah as called for by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. While the cessation of hostilities largely has been honored by both sides, the situation remains tense and a possible resumption of sporadic violence cannot be ruled out. "

SAMHSA and Ad Council Launch New Ads to Offer Mental Health Services to Hurricane Survivors

SAMHSA and Ad Council Launch New Ads to Offer Mental Health Services to Hurricane Survivors: "The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council today launched a series of new national public service print and billboard ads to encourage individuals who may be experiencing psychological distress from last year’s hurricanes to seek mental health services. The PSAs, the latest ads created for the Hurricane Mental Health Awareness Campaign, are being distributed to media outlets nationwide this week to coincide with the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina"

EEOC Settles Sex And Race Suit Against S & Z Tool & Die - $940,000 Settlement To Be Shared Among Class of African Americans and Women Denied Hire

EEOC Settles Sex And Race Suit Against S & Z Tool & Die - $940,000 Settlement To Be Shared Among Class of African Americans and Women Denied Hire: "The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Friday that it had resolved its lawsuit charging that S & Z Tool & Die Co. discriminated against African American and female applicants in hiring due to their race and sex."

Helping Teens Get Good Grades in Money Management: A How-To Guide from the FDIC

Helping Teens Get Good Grades in Money Management: A How-To Guide from the FDIC: "For teens, saving money may not be as much fun as spending it, but putting dollars aside for their future and learning how to be smart consumers are still important things to do. Teens have access to more money than ever before thanks to allowances, gifts and, for many, income from jobs. Teens also are becoming more responsible for making decisions about everything from small, everyday purchases to saving for college or a car. That's why the latest issue of FDIC Consumer News, published by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, is a special guide to help teens (and many pre-teens) learn how to make good decisions about their money, right from the start. Although the new guide is written for teens, it also can be used by parents and teachers to help them talk about money management with young people."

Justice Department Seeks to Bar Former Jackson Hewitt

Justice Department Seeks to Bar Former Jackson Hewitt: "Civil Suit Alleges California Tax Firm Manager Prepared Returns Claiming False Tax Exemptions During 2005 Tax Filing Season"

Free Asbestos Medical Screening Offered to Workers and Their Families Exposed to Asbestos at former Zonolite|W.R. Grace site in Hamilton, New Jersey

Free Asbestos Medical Screening Offered to Workers and Their Families Exposed to Asbestos at former ZonoliteW.R. Grace site in Hamilton, New Jersey: "ATLANTA – The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will offer free medical screening to former workers who might be at risk for past exposure to asbestos during their employment at the former Zonolite/W.R. Grace site in Hamilton, New Jersey from 1948 to 1991."

OSHA Adds Flexography Module to Printing Industry Ergonomics

OSHA Adds Flexography Module to Printing Industry Ergonomics: "WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today launched a new Flexography Module as part of its interactive web-based training tool Ergonomics in the Printing Industry eTool. The module and the eTool are products of the agency's Alliance with the Graphic Arts Coalition."

Start Smart: Money Management for Teens

Start Smart: Money Management for Teens - " Saving money may not be as much fun as spending money, but it's still important to do. When you save your money, you can use it later to buy fun things (DVDs, video games, clothes) as well as pay for serious things like college or a car. FDIC Consumer News, published by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, has produced this guide to help teens get good grades in money management."

NOAA Unveils Hurricane Katrina Web Site Capturing The Storm’s Power And Aftermath

NOAA Unveils Hurricane Katrina Web Site Capturing The Storm’s Power And Aftermath: " A year to the day after Hurricane Katrina became the most destructive hurricane ever to strike the United States, NOAA launched a new Web site detailing the development of the storm, its power and destruction. The site also highlights NOAA’s multi-faceted response to the storm’s aftermath, including floods, testing fisheries, clearing waterways, identifying and cleaning up oil spills. In addition, there are dozens of photos and satellite images that capture Hurricane Katrina’s march into the Gulf of Mexico and its subsequent landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast"

Foreclosures of Subprime Mortgages in Chicago: Analyzing the Role of Predatory Lending Practices," by Morgan Rose.

Foreclosures of Subprime Mortgages in Chicago: Analyzing the Role of Predatory Lending Practices," by Morgan Rose.: " dramatic rise in subprime foreclosures over the past several years has led to calls for restrictions of, or prohibitions against, a range of lending practices loosely termed 'predatory.' Several cities and states have enacted legislation or regulations aimed at eliminating predatory practices, and some advocacy groups have endorsed action nationally. This working paper uses data from the Chicago metropolitan area to examine the impact of two frequently cited predatory lending practices, long prepayment penalty periods and balloon payments, on the probability of foreclosure on subprime refinance and home purchase mortgages."

New Identity Theft Legislation:Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Help Law Enforcement Track, Fight Identity Theft

New Identity Theft Legislation:Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Help Law Enforcement Track, Fight Identity Theft - Governor Schwarzenegger has signed SB 1390 by Senator Poochigian (R-Fresno) that will help law enforcement agencies spot trends of identity theft and more effectively combat the growing crime.

Procedures for Submitting Amendments/Corrections to Trademark Applications After Publication

Procedures for Submitting Amendments/Corrections to Trademark Applications After Publication To improve the tracking and disposition of amendments and requests for corrections to trademark applications submitted after publication, the Office is providing the following recommended procedures. Once an application has been “approved for publication” by the examining attorney, all amendments and requests for corrections are processed as amendments/corrections after publication.

FEMA Prepares For Tropical Storm Ernesto Landfall

FEMA Prepares For Tropical Storm Ernesto Landfall: "The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is ready and supporting state officials as they prepare for Tropical Storm Ernesto, the fifth named storm of the 2006 hurricane season. FEMA continues to closely monitor the storm with the Hurricane Liaison Team at the National Hurricane Center and is coordinating with state and local officials as they make decisions for their communities on evacuations and response activities. "

VA Employee Admits Violating Hatch Act

VA Employee Admits Violating Hatch Act: "The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has settled a complaint for disciplinary action against Eric Foster, a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee in Columbus, Ohio, for violating the Hatch Act. "

Prudential to Pay $600 Million in Global Settlement of Fraud Charges in Connection With Deceptive Market Timing of Mutual Funds

Prudential to Pay $600 Million in Global Settlement of Fraud Charges in Connection With Deceptive Market Timing of Mutual Funds: "Commission Also Charges Four Individuals with Fraud- PEG has been ordered to pay a total of $600 million pursuant to a global civil and criminal settlement with the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, the Commission, the Massachusetts Securities Division, NASD, the New Jersey Bureau of Securities, the New York Attorney General's Office and the New York Stock Exchange. "

Starting a Business in DC? Let the Online Resource Center Guide You Through the Process

Starting a Business in DC? Let the Online Resource Center Guide You Through the Process: "Resources and How to Guides for starting a business in Washington DC"

Adoption Scams Bilk Victims, Break Hearts - The FBI Reports

Adoption Scams Bilk Victims, Break Hearts - The FBI Reports: "The couples all had their hearts set on adopting a child. They were eventually introduced to an Indiana woman who agreed to provide a healthy baby from Russia…for a price. They started to get excited when they saw a picture of their promised child for the first time. Then, they anxiously waited for the day when they could finally meet the new member of their family. "

Army Engineers Make Preparations for Ernesto

Army Engineers Make Preparations for Ernesto: "WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Aug. 28, 2006) – In anticipation of Hurricane Ernesto making landfall along the gulf coast, the South Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency and hurricane response operations."

Governor Schwarzenegger Reaches Agreement to Provide Significant Prescription Drug Discounts to Millions of Uninsured Californians

Governor Schwarzenegger Reaches Agreement to Provide Significant Prescription Drug Discounts to Millions of Uninsured Californians: "Recognizing that bringing down the costs of prescription drugs is a component to addressing overall health care affordability, Governor Schwarzenegger today announced a deal with lawmakers to bring down the costs of medications for millions of uninsured Californians"

New Study Seeks to Lower Diabetes Risk in Youth

New Study Seeks to Lower Diabetes Risk in Youth: "The HEALTHY study will determine if changes in school food services and physical education (PE) classes, along with activities that encourage healthy behaviors, lower risk factors for type 2 diabetes, an increasingly common disease in youth."

Clandestine Drug Labs: potential health and environmental dangers of chemicals found in meth labs

Clandestine Drug Labs: potential health and environmental dangers of chemicals found in meth labs: "The clandestine synthesis of methamphetamine (meth) and other illegal drugs is a growing public health and environmental concern. For every pound of meth synthesized there are six or more pounds of hazardous materials or chemicals produced. These are often left on the premises, dumped down local septic systems, or illegally dumped in backyards, open spaces, in ditches along roadways or down municipal sewer systems"

New York Flood Aid Tops $98 Million, Registration Deadlines Extended To October 2

New York Flood Aid Tops $98 Million, Registration Deadlines Extended To October 2: "ALBANY, N.Y. -- State and federal emergency management officials remind New Yorkers that the registration deadlines for all state and federal assistance have been extended. October 2, 2006 is the new deadline for all programs. Families, individuals, and business owners who were adversely affected by the late June severe storms and flooding have received more than $98.9 million in assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration, and the State of New York."

CAlifornia Issues Cease and Desist Warning to Geneva World Banc

CAlifornia Issues Cease and Desist Warning to Geneva World Banc: "A warning to cease and desist from doing business in California without a license from the Commissioner of Financial Institutions was issued to Geneva World Banc, 34145 Pacific Coast Highway, #338, Dana Point, California 92629. "