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HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- The Great Housing Rout of 2008!

Jamie Davis — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:52:41 -0400

This week, the June home sales figures were released showing even a worse month than had been anticipated. Home sales and home prices both showed significant declines with no end in sight. Congress' homeowner and mortgage company bailout may be too little too late and even a hike in the minimum wage is being considered a joke. It's time for the roundup!

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HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Dancing with Fannie and Freddie

Jamie Davis — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:02:29 -0400

This past week, while there were rumors of troubles with mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve issued an extened line of credit to the two foundations of the U.S. mortgage system. The federal government also issued announcements about proposed lending restrictions and rules to help curb future subprime lending practices.

Some experts also point to indicators that the U.S. government is not likely to make any more major bailouts of Wall Street financial companies. I'd still like to see what is being done to bailout the thousands of U.S. borrowers who are facing the loss of their homes due to their own poor decisions.

Either way, this a good topic for this week's roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- I Saw Salmonella Live in Vegas!

Jamie Davis — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:00:00 -0400

With the great salmonella scare of 2008 entering week 3 and beyond with no answers in sight and nearly 1,000 people infected, the Headliner News Roundup team looks at the facts so far and also the hysteria surrounding the myths. Also, follow this link for more information about the disease, salmonella, and how to protect yourself without the hysterics!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- I'll Take My Everglades With Less Sugar

Jamie Davis — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:00 -0400

A landmark deal took place this week that is one of the largest government land buy-backs in history. The state of Florida spent 1.7 billion dollars to buy out U.S. Sugar's corporate holdings on 300 square miles of land. This land will be reclaimed as wetlands in an effort to stabilize the fragile everglades nearby.

This is a great topic for this week's roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Rescue Me, My Confidence is Slipping

Jamie Davis — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:13:07 -0400

This week, a report was released stating that U.S. consumer confidence levels have reached a 16 year low. This amidst turmoil in the finacial markets and congressional consumer lending bailouts and threatened presidential vetoes.

Will the recession level out and the economy begin to recover or are continued hard times on the way? I think it's time for the round-up!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Campaign Finance Money Refused

Jamie Davis — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:18:42 -0400

Barrack Obama stunned some observers last week by refusing to use the public campaign funds set aside for the general election. He had previously stated he would not do so. Now, campaign finance experts say that this points to the underlying problem in the current campaign funding environment and why serious reform is needed to promote a fair general election. McCain denounces move.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Too Little Babies and Health Care

Jamie Davis — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:18:02 -0400

This week's Headliner News Roundup looks at a report that points to an alarming trend in low birth weight babies in the United States. The report also points out that the U.S. has a health care system that is near the bottom of the list for the world's industrialized nations. Scary reports in an election year when health is likely to be among the key issues in the coming years with so many Americans uninsured and no reliable health care available.

This is definately a good topic for the roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Big Gas Price, Big Food Price, Big Headache

Jamie Davis — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:58:33 -0400

This week the United Nations held a summit on world hunger and an interesting topic dominated some of the key discussions there, the way that biofuel investment is driving up the cost of staple food goods. That's right, the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel is not just driving up the cost of transporting food around the world, it is also making the wholesale prices for basic food items higher because of their use as a biofuel ingredient.

Other side effects of the high price of gas includes the grounding of the SUVs of the skies, the Boeing 737 and 747 fleets are being grounded in favor of smaller and lighter aircraft. Of course the price of new cars is heavily influenced by the cost of the fuels needed to make that car go, too.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Buffett's Recession Buffet

Jamie Davis — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:00:00 -0400

While the White House continues to preach good economic times ahead, some movers and shakers in the financial markets are starting to the use the "R" word openly. Warren Buffett said we are already in a recession in a recent interview.

Despite continued economic bad news the federal government continues to hold the line that we should spend more to bolster the economy. Will that bail us out? The Federal Reserve committee members have used uncharacteristically blunt wording to say no more rate cuts, so that avenue of rescue is out.

Summer is on the way, a time of vacations and housing construction -- or is it? At least one report states that gasoline prices aren't the only thing consumers will have to contend with this summer. Almost all prices are predicted to increase -- from basic food items to cleaning products. This is definately a good week for the Headliner News Roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Making the World Safe for Pirates

Jamie Davis — Thu, 22 May 2008 06:00:00 -0400

With so much of the world's attention focused on the Iraq war and the continued conflict in Afghanistan, there is not much pressure to deal with other hot spots. Off the Eastern Coastline of Africa, the world shipping industry is having to deal with modern day pirates. That's right! I said Pirates! What are we going to do about issues like this?

The U.S. and France issued a resolution to allow member nations of the U.N. to have the authority to police these waters directly. The U.K. offered a resolution to increase support and numbers for the U.N. forces in Somalia in an effort to support that government's internal security forces. Which option offers the best solution?

I think it's time for the roundup!

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- More Oil Not Solution to High Oil Prices

Jamie Davis — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:09:26 -0400

This week, the price of oil jumped to a new high again. Now at $128 dollars a gallon, the increases show no signs of slowing. Even the announcement that the Saudi's would increase production by a moderate 300,000 barrels a day did little to slow the increase.

President Bush, in the middle of a Middle East trip, met with King Abdullah to discuss how the price of oil was hurting the U.S. economy. He noted that we still had untouched reserves in the U.S. that were under disputed protection by federal environmental rules.

Treasury Secretary Paulson talked about a stabilization of the economic and financial markets despite the continued rise in energy prices.

A lot of issues here and certainly a good topic for the round-up!

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Oh My, My, Myanmar!

Jamie Davis — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:27:49 -0400

This past week's devastating storm hits Myanmar with reports of more than 60,000 people dead or missing. This country desparately needs help but the military government is playing footsie with the world aid community and won't let the aid get to the people in the most need on the coastline. The world community, including the U.S. military is questioning the value of giving aid when it won't go where it's most needed. I think this news item is a good one for the roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- The Rising Prices of War

Jamie Davis — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:44:27 -0400

President Bush sent an invoice for an additional $70 billion to Congress this week in hopes to stabilize the war spending long enough for the next president to get their bearings before having to deal with the problem. All of this while the jobless rate continues to climb along with the price of gas.

I think it's time for the roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Abstinence Only Ed Only Works for Parents

Jamie Davis — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:48:56 -0400

This week medical and educational experts testified to congressional lawmakers about the failings of abstinence only sex education. They urged democrats in the house and senate to cut funding for these programs. Sex education without abstinence only focus --- Blasphemy!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- No Games Around Polygamy

Jamie Davis — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:41:52 -0400

With all of the uproar last week in the taking of 416 children from their parents in a Texas polygamist sect compound amidst allegations of child abuse, I would have thought that there was some substance to the allegations, right?

Even Texas, with its express lane checkout for the death penalty, should have some consideration for probable cause. But, as the judge begins to hear the State's case for retaining custody of these children, there is still no complaining witness despite initial claims of a 16 year old child bride who called for help.

I think this is a great item for this week's roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Fly Friendly (but slightly less safe) Skies!

Jamie Davis — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:34:26 -0400

Just a few weeks after the latest financial scare on Wall Street, another major U.S. industry is likely to be in need of a bailout. Will the Federal government have to move in and prop up the airlines without telling them that they don't have to fix their planes? I think it's time for the roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Bernacke's Recessionless Recession

Jamie Davis — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:00:00 -0400

This past week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernacke spoke to a joint Congressional Committee for the economy. He laid out his outlook for the coming year and the future looks a bit bleak. If his expected economic slow down occurs, the possibility of a recession may well become reality.

This is all happening while the nation's foreclosure rate continues to climb, with some areas experiencing 10 to 20% forclosure rates in certain low income communities. Many of these people bought homes for the first time a few years ago when the sub-prime lending boom was in full swing.

The Commerce Department also is offering gloomy news, with a recent report detailing U.S. factory orders down double what was expected. The two months now reported in 2008, January and February are both significantly down.

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Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Canada Says Bring NATO or We Go!

Jamie Davis — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0400

The 2500 Canadian troops in the southern part of Afghanistan are awaiting some long expected help from NATO forces as a condition of their remaining there. This is all amidst a new Taliban spring offensive. Listen to this episode of the Headliner News Roundup to find out more.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Financial Crunchies - Eat it while it's hot!

Jamie Davis — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:52:01 -0400

Last week I looked at the Bear-Stearns bailout by the Fed and JP Morgan Chase bank. Now the bailout has turned into a buy out with the price for Bear Stearns set at just $2 per share. The Fed responded to the news with another interest rate cut amid other items of bad economic news on jobs and housing growth. Looks like it's time to bone up on the reasons for the credit crunch.

Credit Crunch for Dummies Article

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HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Stearn Lessons for Bear Stearns

Jamie Davis — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:31:07 -0400

After spending a week denying they were in trouble, Wall Street investment bank Bear-Stearns announced that they had liquidity issues related to their investments in the sub-prime mortgage market. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced that they would back a loan from JP Morgan Chase Inc. to provide short term relief. More fall out from the sub prime lending debaucle of last year.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Chavez' Columbian Standoff

Jamie Davis — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:00:00 -0500

Following a strike into Ecuador against a rebel encampment by Columbian military units, Ecuador and Venezuela have engaged in some saber rattling in a show to defend their borders against what they are calling a U.S. initiated move to destabilize their governments. Read some more on this story here.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Bob Gates' Recipe for Turkey Baiting

Jamie Davis — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0500

While the Iraqi situation seems to be stabilizing, at least around Baghdad. Muqtada al Sadir's militia has agreed to another 6 month extension of the cease fire between their rebel factions and U.S. and government troops.

However, incursions by Turkish troops into the northern, Kurdish portion of Iraq have caused tensions to rise again. Kurdish forces have claimed to have shot down a Turkish attack helicopter. Now U.S. secretary of defense Robert Gates has chimed in cautioning Turkey to not use military responses to terrorism but to use economic and political means to win support among the Kurdish separatist rebels in the southern part of Turkey.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Baking in the Balkans

Jamie Davis — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:49:28 -0500

This week we are reminded that the Middle East is not the only war torn ethnically diverse region in the world. With Kosovo's declaration of independence this past week and the official recognition of them by the U.S. and Western European governments, the Balkans heated up again with Russia chiming in on the side of Serbian nationalists.

The U.S. embassy was pared down to a minimal staff until the region quieted down. Families and non-essential officials are being evacuated by the State Department.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- Protect America Act Through Fear

Jamie Davis — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:20:00 -0500

President Bush has brought out the fear stick again, bashing The House of Representatives for failing to renew the Protect America Act tonight. He claims that the country is now in greater danger because of this.

The Democrats point out that they wanted to enact a short term extension while they reviewed the constraints and limitations of the bill. That extension was refused by the White House in their typical "all or nothing" approach to compromise.

Read about it here.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup -- It's Baath Time for Iraq

Jamie Davis — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0500

This past week, the Iraqi presidency council passed into law the first of the 18 key benchmark laws required by President Bush to begin reconciliation between shiite and sunni arabs and the kurdish minority there. This law allows Baath party members to return to government jobs or receive retirement benefits if they have gotten old enought to retire.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - No License for Pablo

Jamie Davis — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:00:00 -0500

Leaving only 7 states behind, Michigan joins the majority by refusing to allow illegal immigrants to get drivers licenses. The article I refer to focuses on the announcement.

For the Roundup though, I focus on the repercussions of this type of reform. Who's going to do all of the work that is getting done by illegals now? I don't support the belief that illegals are taking jobs away from Americans and I don't buy into the whole idea that they are taking services for which they don't pay taxes.

Listen to the Roundup for the details and my commentary. I'll check back in later this week with a blog post over at TheNewsRoundup.com here at PCN with more on that story.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Shhhh! Don't say the R Word

Jamie Davis — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:51:53 -0500

The Congress and the White House finally got together on something. They announced a compromise tax rebate plan for approximately 117 million families in the U.S. in an effort to pump money back into the economy.

Here's a news article link.

I'm not sure it's going to accomplish what it sets out to and I don't think it gets to the heart of the recession that has already arrived, in my opinion. Listen to the show here and check back later this week for more on why I think this is too little, too late, and misdirected.

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - National ID Tears Fabric of American Life?

Jamie Davis — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:15:00 -0500

New rules were released last week to put into place the new requirements for driver's licenses to include security measures and sharing of data between the states and federal agencies. The new ID model was one of the initiatives recommended by the 9/11 commission as a necessary security measure to avoid easy access for criminals and terrorists. Civil libertarians are crying foul and say that the new joint databases are just another easy way for our information to be accessed by identity thieves. The ACLU even went as far as to say that the new program will "damage the fabric of American life."

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Beating The Bush for Mideast Peace

Jamie Davis — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:44:09 -0500

This week's trip to the Middle East by President Bush kicks off the final year of his presidency. The purpose of the trip is to promote a peace deal that was initiated during last year's summit in Annapolis, Maryland in the United States. Bush is using stronger language in his comments to the press than he has used in the past, calling the Israeli hold on contested lands "occupation."

Is this too little too late for the president to have something positive on his final report card as president or will this new peace plan have the desired effect? I think it's time for the roundup!

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Huckabee, Obama Whoa Mama!

Jamie Davis — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:58:05 -0500

The Iowa caucus has shaken things up a bit in both the Democratic and Republican presidential races. In a bit of a surprise, Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee finished first in the Iowa Caucuses seemingly sending a message for a need for an "outsider's" viewpoint in Washington. Former front runners Mitt Romney (R) and Hillary Clinton (D) finished out of first place with Romney nine points behind in second place and Clinton finishing third, edged out for second place by John Edwards. I think this is a great story for the Roundup!

Podcast resource links:

Iowa Results

Changes for New Hampshire finish?

Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - The EPA's Mercury Sandwich

Jamie Davis — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 08:00:00 -0500

This week I look at a recent court case surrounding the Environmental Protection Agency's 2005 ruling on trading of emissions credit among power plants. Does this violate the 1990 clean air act? I think it is time for the roundup. Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - CIA Tapes or No Tapes?

Jamie Davis — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:00:00 -0500

This week I look at a recent CIA report that tapes of 2002 interrogations of two top terrorism suspects have been destroyed following approval of the questionable techniques used in the questioning. Congressional officials questions the destruction. I question the stopping of taping any interrogations. It is time for the roundup! Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - The Land of Free EMT Spies

Jamie Davis — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:00:00 -0500

This week I look at a news item that has the Department of Homeland security training EMTs and firefighters to spy on people in their homes when responding to emergencies. I guess it seems like a good idea until someone needs medical help and decides to not call because they tinker with electronics and own things that look like bomb supplies. I think this is a good one for the roundup! Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Doctor Doctor, Give Me The News

Jamie Davis — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:35:31 -0500

This week I look at a survey of 1600 Physicians in the U.S. about what they would, should, and have done regarding medical errors they witness or for which they are responsible. This comes at the same time a celebrity's twin babies have been injured by a medication error in the hospital. Does this all mean that the U.S. healthcare system is falling apart at the seams? I think it's time for the roundup! Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Citigroup's New Turban

Jamie Davis — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:29:23 -0500

This week I look at the news surrounding Citigroup's recent financial troubles and the investment of 7.5 billion dollars by a private Abu Dhabi investment fund. Is this an Arab take over or just good business? I think it's time for the roundup! Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

Notes From the Northwest

Lesley Lotto — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:35:03 -0500

A toddler whose body washed up inside a box on the beach may have been identified after several months. Another Republican U-S Senator says c-ya! A former cheerleader/reality TV star is busted for Battery, so much for her 15 minutes of fame!

PodOmatic.com

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Abstinence Makes the Heart Fonder

Jamie Davis — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:00:00 -0500

This week I look at two reports to a convention of national health officials that both look at the effectiveness of differing sex education programs. At the heart of the issue is whether abstinence only programs work or not. There's over $140 million dollars in abstinence education money riding on it and I think this is a great topic for the roundup! Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Land of the Free 6 Year Old Terrorists

Jamie Davis — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:00:00 -0500

This week I look at the unexpected fall out of our increased travel security. More than 15,000 names are on terrorism watch lists but many people don't know why - or how to clear their names. Plus, the missing witness that could clear a Gitmo detainee. I think it is round up time! Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Oils Well That Ends at an Oil Well

Jamie Davis — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:25:57 -0500

This week I look at rising oil prices, the stock and general economic downturn and the prospect of expensive holiday travel costs. I think it is Round up time! Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.

HeadlinerNews Roundup: News Roundup - Likes Rats on a Sinking SCHIP

Jamie Davis — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:31:42 -0400

The embattled Children's Health Insurance Bill has returned, like a creature rising from the grave this Halloween. Despite the President's veto of the previous version, House Dems are working on a compromise that would bring on a veto-proof majority. I think it is Roundup Time! Thanks to GoToMeeting.com for sponsoring the show. Visit GoToMeeting.com/podcast for a free 45 day trial.