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Do Your Research When Hiring a Contractor – Or Else
After filing eight legal actions involving home improvement contractors, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane shared some consumer tips and recommendations. The contractors were ordered to pay a total of more than $130,400 in consumer restitution and civil penalties, for lack of compliance with Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). The attorney general’s most…
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More Homeowners Are Rejecting Large Houses in Favor of New
It’s almost surprising that it took over six years of living in a recession for many American families to reject cookie-cutter homes in expansive housing developments; nevertheless, the “tiny home” movement seems to be picking up and gaining popularity among many middle-class American individuals and families. An avid TV watcher may already be aware of A&E’s new…
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Women Using Nicotine Patches During Pregnancy More Likely to Have Children With ADHD
Could quitting smoking during pregnancy increase the risk of a child developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? According to a new study from the Aarhus University of Denmark, there is a link between women using nicotine replacements during pregnancy, and children developing ADHD. Previous studies have indicated that smoking during pregnancy leads to a higher risk of children…
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Airline Fees Are Racking Up, and Your Cargo Could Still be in Danger
Airfare costs always seem to be increasing, but the rising prices are not just ticket prices. Airports are raking in money hand over fist in ancillary fees charged to passengers for a variety of reasons.According to a survey conducted by CarTrawler and IdeaWorksCompany, airlines took in $31.5 billion last year from extra fees, up nearly 1200 percent…
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North Carolina Tops Nationwide Rankings for Car Repair Costs
For North Carolina residents, taking their car to the mechanic puts a little more strain on the budget than anywhere else in the country.According to a recent CarMD study, the average cost for car parts and labor in North Carolina amounted to $426.45 in 2013. The national average for the year was $392.49, according to a June 21 WGHP…
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Germany’s Pounding of Brazil Makes Anti-Gambling Ad Look Like a Joke Among Soccer Fans
After a poorly timed anti-gambling ad from Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling, the country received an outcry of heckling and humorous flack from fans of soccer around the world. No one is arguing that gambling, when not kept in check, can cause considerable problems to individuals and families; however, the last line of the TV…
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America’s Lack of Resources for People with Mental Illness Has Lasting Impact
For 20 years, Tracy Love, who lives near Rochester, NY, struggled with mental illness before deciding to seek help. As a result, she spent many years coping with panic attacks and suicidal tendencies. Her struggle led her to drink, do drugs, engage in abusive relationships, and receive a felony conviction. The first time Love attempted…
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Congressman Juan Vargas Pushing Bill That Would Allow Better Veteran Access to Dental Services
Congressman Juan Vargas has submitted a bill to Congress that will ensure that veterans can access restorative dental services. The bill is known as H.R. 5022, or the Enhanced Dental Care for Veterans Act of 2014. The bill will also provide dental education, and start up a pilot program that makes use of community clinics for…
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A Call to Arms: Rethinking Learning Disability Education
UK news media outlets have reported on the death of Connor Sparrowhawk, a learning disabilities student who was a resident of a small, highly staffed, specialist assessment and treatment facility. Although the unit was highly staffed, Connor, also known as Laughing Boy, was unsupervised and unnoticed when he had a sudden epileptic seizure and drowned to…
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Tempers are Heating Up as Central Air Conditioning Ordeal Continues
Conditions are boiling over at the Villa Oaks Townhomes in Houston, Texas this week as the entire complex is without air conditioning. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the heating and cooling industry will expand 21% from 2012 to 2022, mostly due to rising average temperatures throughout the United States and a higher demand for central air…