News Room

Cursive Handwriting Is On Its Way Out: Will That Affect Our Ability To Read?
- Home & Family
- November 24, 2013
More and more states are taking cursive handwriting out of the curriculum, focusing instead on typing and digital communication. But the benefits of cursive writing can’t be denied. Linden Bateman, an Idaho state representative who is fighting to keep cursive writing in schools, argues, “Modern research indicates that more areas of the human brain are
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Our hero! Batkid saves the day in San Francisco
- Making a Positive Difference
- November 22, 2013
Miles Scott, a 5-year-old who has had leukemia since he was 18 months old, saved the day as a mini-Batman in San Francisco, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Foundation created a day-long event for Miles, transforming San Francisco into a real-life comic book version of Gotham City in honor of the boy’s wish to be a Batkid.
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What are trans fats, anyway, and why are they so bad?
- Environmental Well-Being
- November 16, 2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that trans fats should be removed from the food that we eat, but some consumers may be left wondering why. Trans fats, or trans fatty acids, are used by food manufacturers to extend the shelf life of products.
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Dinovember is a hilarious practical joke with a heart of gold
- Entertainment, Books & Humor
- November 16, 2013
Each November, Refe Tuma and his wife have a special tradition for their daughters called Dinovember. They stage toy dinosaurs in funny positions and scenarios around the house to convince their kids that the toys come to life each night.
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Richard Dreyfuss Opens Up About His Battle with Bipolar Disorder
- Celebrity HealthStyles
- November 16, 2013
Actor Richard Dreyfuss, famous for his roles in movies such as Jaws and Mr. Holland’s Opus, first opened up about his struggle with bipolar disorder back in 2006. Now, he’s continuing to share his story and working to shed a spotlight on depression. “There’s no shame in having depression. By telling my own story, I hope to help remove the stigma. It never should be something to hide,” Dreyfuss says.
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Sticker shock often follows insurance cancellation
- Financial & Workplace Well-Being
- November 16, 2013
After being dropped from their current policy because of the Affordable Care Act, Dean Griffin and his wife were shocked to discover that the other “comparable” insurance policies available to them were way more expensive, with a much higher deductible.
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Childhood music lessons may provide speech benefits for adults
- Home & Family
- November 16, 2013
People who take music lessons as children develop lasting speech benefits as adults because they have a faster brain response, according to a new study in the Journal of Neuroscience. “This study suggests the importance of music education for children today and for healthy aging decades from now,” says Nina Kraus, professor of neurobiology, physiology
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When Being Alone Turns Into Loneliness, There Are Ways to Fight Back
- Lifestyle & Relationships
- November 10, 2013
When does spending time by yourself transition to full-blown loneliness? In her column, writer Elizabeth Berstein explores loneliness and what we can do to prevent feeling lonely.
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Man Meets 5-Year-Old He Risked His Life to Save at Racetrack
- Making a Positive Difference
- November 10, 2013
John Shear, now 92 years old, put his life on the line over two years ago to save a little girl who was in danger of being run over by a stray horse at Santa Anita Park racetrack in California.
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Journaling for emotional and physical health
- Health & Healing
- November 3, 2013
Did you know that keeping a journal can improve your overall well-being? “I’ve found it’s a good way to deal with anxiety. Sometimes, it’s just a good way to dump anger,” explains creative writing teacher Kathleen Coudle-King, who has written in a journal before bed for 20 years. In his book, “Writing to Heal,” social
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Obama administration knew millions could not keep their health insurance
- Financial & Workplace Well-Being
- November 3, 2013
In 2009, President Obama told Americans, “If you like your health plan, you will be able to keep your health plan.” But that isn’t necessarily the case, according to an NBC News investigation, which reports that sources close to the Affordable Care Act estimate that 50-75% of people with individual insurance plans will be dropped because their plans don’t meet the new requirements.
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Pediatricians Set Limits on Screen Time
- Home & Family
- November 3, 2013
How much screen time is too much for your child? A recent survey from Common Sense Media found that 17% of kids aged 8 and under use a mobile device every day, leading the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to revise its recommendations for children’s screen time.“Excessive media use is associated with obesity, poor school
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Too Many Texts Can Hurt A Relationship
- Lifestyle & Relationships
- November 3, 2013
How often do you text your significant other? Sending too many texts may be harmful to your relationship, a new study by Brigham Young University has found.
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The selfie syndrome: Why teens use social media for validation and how parents can counteract it
- Home & Family
- October 28, 2013
Do you find yourself waiting to see how many “likes” or comments you get after posting a picture of yourself? Writer Carolyn Savage, a mom and contributor to Mamaonthefly.com, says, “As the scenario plays out daily, it makes us parents wonder: Why are our children turning to social media for validation?” Teen development specialist Dr.
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Foods Americans eat that are banned around the world
- Environmental Well-Being
- October 28, 2013
Each country has different guidelines on food safety, but some of the foods that we eat here in the U.S. are actually banned in other parts of the world because they may cause health risks.
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