FCC Approves Transfer of Control of Direct TV to Liberty Media Subject to Conditions

FCC Approves Transfer of Control of Direct TV to Liberty Media Subject to Conditions
Four years ago, I strenuously dissented to the Commission's decision to allow News Corp. to acquire DirectTV.  At the time, I said that the consolidation of so many media properties under News Corp.'s control could not be good for localism, diversity and competition.

Preventing Foreclosure: Consumer Workshops on Preventing Foreclosures

Preventing Foreclosure: Consumer Workshops on Preventing Foreclosures
The State and Consumer Services Agency and Business, Transportation and Housing Agencies are pleased to present a series of Consumer Workshops Focusing on Preventing Foreclosures. Credit counselors, loan servicers and lenders will offer on-site assistance and information on available options with your mortgage.

Going Green: FTC Announces Workshop on Green Guides and Packaging

Going Green: FTC Announces Workshop on Green Guides and Packaging

The Green Guides and Packaging workshop will provide a forum for the discussion of topics such as: 1) trends in packaging and the resulting environmental packaging claims; 2) packaging terms currently covered by the Green Guides and whether the perception of these terms has changed over the past decade; 3) new green packaging terms not currently addressed in the Green Guides; 4) claims based on third-party certification and consumer perception of such claims; 5) the impact of scientific and technological changes, including the use of new packaging materials and their impact on the environment; 6) the current state of substantiation for green packaging claims; and 7) the need for new or updated FTC guidance in these areas.

Online Extortion: The FBI Reports

Online Extortion: The FBI Reports

Learn about the "hit-man" e-mail scam that continues to circulate. The scam e-mail, which first appeared in December, threatens to kill recipients if they do not pay thousands of dollars to the sender, who purports to be a hired assassin.

New crash tests of SUVs: Nissan Murano is Top Safety Pick

New crash tests of SUVs: Nissan Murano is Top Safety Pick
The best overall performer in front, side, and rear tests of nine 4-door midsize SUV models is the redesigned 2009 Nissan Murano, which earns the Top Safety Pick award. The tests were recently conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Home Evacuation Plan: When Is the Time for You and Your Family to Prepare a Home Evacuation Plan? Now!

Home Evacuation Plan: When Is the Time for You and Your Family to Prepare a Home Evacuation Plan? Now!
There is no time like the present when it comes to sitting down with your family and preparing for the day when you may be forced to evacuate your home, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

A To-Do List for Fine-Tuning Your Finances

A To-Do List for Fine-Tuning Your Finances Any time is a good time to prioritize your financial goals and begin taking steps to achieve them. Here are suggestions to consider for your financial to-do list.

Spring Break 2008 and International Travel Safety Information for American Students

As spring and summer breaks approach, many students are getting ready for a trip abroad. The following information will help students plan a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Planning a Winter Getaway? Insurance Is Available in the Event of a Disaster

Planning a Winter Getaway? Insurance Is Available in the Event of a Disaster: "Before sailing off on a cruise or hitting the slopes, make sure that you have adequate insurance to protect your financial investment in a pre-paid vacation, said the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). “Vacations can sometimes cost thousands of dollars, so it is important to have travel insurance to provide financial protection in case you have to cancel your trip due to illness or some type of disaster listed in policy,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I. “Some insurers also offer the option of adding a ‘cancel-for-work reasons’ endorsement to a travel insurance plan.”"

Tony Hawk Foundation Grants for Public Skateparks: Deadline March 1

Tony Hawk Foundation Grants for Public Skateparks: Deadline March 1: "The Tony Hawk Foundation is accepting applications for its grants to support building high-quality, free, public skateparks in low-income areas or areas with a high population of ‘at-risk’ youth in the United States."

Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams: Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams

Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams: Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams: "Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, and has ranked as one of the top consumer concerns for the past several years. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has produced a multimedia presentation to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft. The presentation provides information on steps consumers should take to secure their computer and protect themselves from identity theft, as well as actions consumers should take if they become a victim of identity theft. Financial institutions are encouraged to make the link available to their customers from their websites. This presentation is hosted by Vodium."

Mortgage Foreclosure: FTC Testifies on Efforts to Stop Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue Fraud

Mortgage Foreclosure: FTC Testifies on Efforts to Stop Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue Fraud: "Noting an estimated 75 percent increase in foreclosure filings from 2006 to 2007, Peggy Twohig, Associate Director of the FTC’s Division of Financial Practices, told the committee about the Commission’s enforcement efforts and its work to educate consumers about scams in which borrowers typically pay thousands of dollars but end up losing their homes and the money."

Consumer Fraud: FTC Releases List of Top Consumer Fraud Complaints in 2007

Consumer Fraud: FTC Releases List of Top Consumer Fraud Complaints in 2007: "The FTC today released the list of top consumer fraud complaints received by the agency in 2007. The list, contained in the publication “Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data January-December 2007,” showed that for the seventh year in a row, identity theft is the number one consumer complaint category. Of 813,899 total complaints received in 2007, 258,427, or 32 percent, were related to identity theft."

Tornado Victims: HUD Announces Disaster Assistance For Arkansas Tornado Victims

Tornado Victims: HUD Announces Disaster Assistance For Arkansas Tornado Victims: "President Bush declared Baxter, Conway, Independence, Izard, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, Union, and Van Buren Counties a major disaster area. This presidential declaration triggers a variety of federal assistance including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster."

Foreclusre Help: FHA Reaching Out To 850,000 At-Risk Homeowners

Foreclusre Help: FHA Reaching Out To 850,000 At-Risk Homeowners: "Beginning this week, HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is mailing hundreds of thousands of letters to at-risk homeowners who need a more affordable alternative to the high-cost mortgages they are currently paying. The first round of 280,000 letters was sent this week with another 570,000 letters to be sent through September 2008."

Prostate Cancer: Outcomes Vary for Prostate Cancer Patients

Prostate Cancer: Outcomes Vary for Prostate Cancer Patients: "Patients who undergo complete prostate removal are less likely to experience urinary incontinence or other complications if the operation is done by an experienced surgeon in a hospital that does many of the procedures, according to a report funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)."

FEMA Helping States Recover From Tornado Outbreak

FEMA Helping States Recover From Tornado Outbreak: "FEMA liaisons are in the state emergency operations centers in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi, and the Atlanta-based Federal Incident Response Support Team deployed at midnight and is now in Lafayette, Tenn., 60 miles northeast of Nashville"

New Air Traffic Tower Simulators Will Improve Controller Training

New Air Traffic Tower Simulators Will Improve Controller Training: "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will deploy new air traffic tower simulators to 19 locations around the country to help train thousands of new air traffic controllers in an operational environment that is interactive and provides realistic scenarios. The new simulators will be deployed over the next 18 months at the following towers: John F. Kennedy (NY); Los Angeles; Oakland (CA); Washington Reagan National; Dallas Fort-Worth; Atlanta; Denver; Philadelphia; Cincinnati; Cleveland; San Antonio; Memphis (TN); Honolulu; Orlando (FL); Charlotte (NC); Minneapolis; Boston; and Newport News (VA.). The FAA will install an additional six simulators at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City."

New Passport Fee Schedule Starting February 1, 2008

New Passport Fee Schedule Starting February 1, 2008: "Beginning February 1, 2008, the Department of State will institute a new fee schedule for passport services. At this time applicants will also have the option of pre-ordering a new Passport Card, a low cost, limited use (land and sea only) alternative to the Passport Book designed for those living along the border. In addition, the age for which both parents must appear and sign a passport application on behalf of a child will increase from 14 to 16 years old."

IRS Offers New Online Help Tools for 2008 Tax Filers

IRS Offers New Online Help Tools for 2008 Tax Filers: "WASHINGTON -- Things have gotten easier for taxpayers who need help preparing their federal returns this year. The IRS has enhanced both Publication 17 and Where’s My Refund?, two key electronic tools available on this Web site, IRS.gov, the official Web site of the IRS. These improvements will help any taxpayer with Internet access find answers to tax questions quickly, prepare returns accurately and file on time."