Patriot News

Ongoing safety review of Botox, Botox Cosmetic and Myobloc taking place

February 8, 2008 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today notified the public that Botox and Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum toxin Type A) and Myobloc (Botulinum toxin Type B) have been linked in some cases to adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death, following treatment of a variety of conditions using a wide range of doses.    » read more »

Feb. 7, 2008, WASHINGTON — As some taxpayers begin to prepare their paper tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service notes that some may be sending their returns to a different service center than last year. Those who received a tax instruction booklet from the IRS in the mail and use the labels included with the booklet can be assured that their tax returns will go to the correct address. Taxpayers who e-file are not affected by these changes.    » read more »

Feb. 6, 2008, 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.    » read more »

Los Angeles, California, February 11, 2008 -- Doug Morris, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world\'s leading music company, has been named the 2008 recipient of the Spirit of Life® Award by City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry Group. The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious philanthropic honor and recognizes individuals who have committed their time and resources to helping those in need. Spirit of Life Award honorees are selected for their notable contributions to their community and profession.    » read more »

Washington, D.C., Feb. 8, 2008 -- Seven winning communities and government agencies from around the country are the recipients of the first-ever new Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging award. This program recognizes outstanding community planning and strategies that support active aging and smart growth, thereby improving the quality of life of older residents.    » read more »

Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2008 -- Today EPA is announcing a revised Energy Star specification for televisions. Effective Nov. 1, 2008, TVs that carry the Energy Star label will be up to 30 percent more efficient than conventional models and will save energy while they are on and when they are off. The new modifications are expected to prevent greenhouse gas emissions while offering U.S. consumers the very best in terms of feature-rich, high-quality TVs.    » read more »

Advance Payment Scams Starting

Jan. 30, 2008, WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to beware of several current e-mail and telephone scams that use the IRS name as a lure. The IRS expects such scams to continue through the end of tax return filing season and beyond.    » read more »

Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2008 -- Five states and non-profit organizations in Ohio, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, and Texas were recently awarded more than $500,000 in federal grant funds to educate health care providers and women of child-bearing age on environmental health risks. The EPA grants will focus on environmental health issues that include exposure to mercury, lead, environmental tobacco smoke, chemicals, pesticides, drinking water contaminants, and indoor and outdoor air contaminants.    » read more »

January 28, 2008, Washington, D.C. – NPR News reports that Army officials instructed the Department of Veterans' Affairs at a military base in upstate New York to stop assisting injured veterans with their military disability paperwork, which is used to determine annual disability payments. The report, from NPR Justice Correspondent Ari Shapiro, is airing tomorrow, Tuesday, January 29 on NPR News’ Morning Edition.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not condone any actions that would prevent an employee or contractor from expressing an opinion about how FEMA has handled the formaldehyde concerns. The health and safety of residents has been and continues to be our primary concern.    » read more »

Live Coverage to Include Democratic Response

Thursday, January 24, 2008 -- ABC News will broadcast President George Bush's final State of the Union address live on MONDAY, JANUARY 28. Coverage will begin at 9:00 p.m., ET and will also include the Democratic response.

Charles Gibson will anchor ABC's coverage from Washington, DC. He will be joined by "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos, Chief White House Correspondent Martha Raddatz and ABC News commentator George Will. Dan Bartlett, former Counselor to President Bush, will also contribute.    » read more »

Coverage Begins 9:00PM (ET)

Washington, D.C.; January 24, 2008; – NPR News will offer live, comprehensive broadcast and webcast coverage of President George W. Bush’s final State of the Union Address and the Democratic response on Monday, January 28m beginning 9:00PM (ET).

The program will air on NPR member stations around the country, and can be heard online at www.NPR.org.    » read more »

January 22, 2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan. The NRF, which focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which our nation prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The NRF is responsive to repeated Federal, State, local and private sector requests for a streamlined document that is less bureaucratic and more user-friendly.    » read more »

- The Growing Trend Of Eating Disorders Among Older Women -- Many Of Them Moms -- And An Intimate Look At One Woman's Struggle To Overcome Anorexia, On ABC News' "20/20," Friday, January 18
- Also: A Mayor's Racy Photos on MySpace Page Stirs Up Controversy; Safety on Planes; All Inclusive Resorts

Boston, January 15, 2008 -- This week EPA recognized the accomplishments of a New England landfill methane partner that is generating renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.    » read more »