Stuff to Blog About and More: In the news April 12

Good morning.
In the news today....Saturday, April 12 2006.
April weather havocs the US. The nation is suffering from a cold spell. Portions of the upper midwest have received blizzard like conditions. Another round of severe weather raked the storm-weary South with rain, hail and high winds Friday. In Tennessee and Kentucky homes were damaged and people were injured .

In NYC, a car hurtled up the courthouse steps made famous by "Law & Order" on Friday, injuring six people, one of whom was pinned beneath the vehicle and had to be freed by firefighters.

In LOS ANGELES - A jury acquitted a man of smuggling endangered iguanas in his hollowed-out prosthetic leg but convicted him of concealing and possessing the endangered species.

In LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- A 26-year-old entrepreneur from Texas was named Miss USA on Friday, besting 50 other beauty queens for the coveted crown.
Crystle Stewart, of Missouri City, Texas, runs a party-planning and motivational speaking company, and models professionally. She says she wants to dedicate her life to international philanthropy.

In STERLING, Conn. -- State agriculture officials seized 43 dogs and one cat from a breeder in Sterling on Friday.Officials said the animals had fur matted by feces and urine, and two appeared to have minor injuries.

In Florida- One of eight teens accused of taking part in the notorious videotaped "animalistic" beating of another Central Florida teen snickered while a judge issued bail on Friday. The girl giggled and attempted to hold in her laughter as she was told that she was being held on $36,000 bond . It's not known why she giggled. Gotta wonder if she will still be giggling when she meets up with certain elements in jail.

A judge set bails ranging from $30,000 to $37,000 for each during their first court appearances.

In WILMINGTON, N.C. - Traffic was backed up and police were called to control the crowd after a Wilmington gas station accidentally set the pump price at 35 cents a gallon.

Photo of the day-

FTC: Your Rights: Credit Reporting

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free Credit Reports, explaining your rights under the FCRA and how to order a free annual credit report.

A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

How do I order my free report?

You can order your free annual credit report online at annualcreditreport.com, by calling 1-877-322-8228, or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

When you order, you need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. To verify your identity, you may need to provide some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.

A Warning About "Imposter" Sites

The FTC advises consumers who order their free annual credit reports online to be sure to correctly spell annualcreditreport.com, or link to it from the FTC's website to avoid being misdirected to other websites that offer supposedly free reports,but only with the purchase of other products. While consumers may be offered additional products or services while on the authorized website, they are not required to make a purchase to receive their free annual credit reports.

For more information on free annual credit reports, read Your Access to Free Credit Reports.