Census Projects US Population of 292 Million by Jan. 1, 2004
onsidering births, deaths and immigration, the United States grows by one new person every 12 seconds, according to Census Bureau analysts, who are now predicting a total U.S. population of 292,287,454 by Jan. 1, 2004. USDA Bans Use of 'Downer' Cattle as Food
The USDA has announced it is immediately banning the use of "downer" cattle -- animals unable to walk at the time slaughter -- from being used a food for human beings. The ban was just one of several new USDA actions taken in response to the confirmed case of mad cow disease discovered in Washington State on Dec. 23. FDA to Ban Sale of Ephedra
Stating that the diet supplement is unsafe, and can trigger strokes and heart attacks, the Food and Drug Administration has stated its intention to ban the sale of ephedra. “The totality of the available data showed little evidence of ephedra's effectiveness except for short-term weight loss, while confirming that the substance raises blood pressure and otherwise stresses the circulatory system,” stated the FDA in its announcement. USDA Expands Mad Cow Beef Recall
On Dec. 28, 2003, the USDA has expanded to eight U.S. states and the territory of Guam the recall of beef related to the recent discovery of one case of mad cow disease in Washington State on Dec. 23. The recall now extends to stores in Washington State, Oregon, California, Nevada, Alaska, Montana, Hawaii, Idaho and Guam. Mad Cow Disease Victim? US Blood Supply
As renewed fears of a Mad Cow disease outbreak in the U.S. grow, the nation's chronically low supply of donated blood is likely to remain the only actual victim. USDA Says Mad Cow Came from Canada
The USDA has determined that the dairy cow found to be infected with BSE -- mad cow disease -- slaughtered on December 9 at Vern's Moses Lake Meats in Washington State, had been imported into the U.S. from Canada in 2001. VA Surveying Health of Gulf War Veterans
Veterans of the first Gulf War recently received a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) asking them to take part in a survey about their health. Top Ten Dot Cons
Con artists have gone high-tech, using the Internet to defraud consumers. Whether they're using the excitement of an Internet auction to entice consumers into parting with their money, applying new technology to peddle traditional business opportunity scams, using email to reach vast numbers of people with false promises about earnings through day trading, or hijacking consumers' modems and cramming hefty long-distance charges onto their phone bills, scam artists are just a click away. State Quarters Program to Hit Halfway Mark
By far the most popular commemorative coin offering in the history of the U.S. Mint, the 50 State Quarters® program will reach the halfway mark with the release of the Arkansas coin on January 26, 2004. Firm Recalls Beef After Mad Cow Confirmed
Verns Moses Lake Meats, a Moses Lake, Wash., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 10,410 pounds of raw beef that may have been exposed to tissues containing the infectious agent that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. U.S. Meat Industry Responds to Mad Cow Case
American Meat Institute President J. Patrick Boyle issues a statement on the single case of mad cow disease confirmed in a cow slaughtered in Washington State. Bush On: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa
In one joyous swoop, President Bush delivered his best wishes for persons observing any or all of our three major wintertime holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
About Federal Flood Insurance
Since 1978, the federal flood insurance program has paid out over $11.6 billion in claims. Up to 25 percent of that went to owners of flood damaged property located outside of designated "flood prone" areas. Read on for the basics of the federal flood insurance program. In Time for Valentine's Day - Candy Hearts Stamps
Candy hearts -- a Valentine's tradition for more than a century -- adorn the latest stamp in the U.S. Postal Service Love series bearing the sweet message I LOVE YOU. The Love: Candy Hearts stamp will be made available for the first time on Jan. 14 at a ceremony at the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO), in Revere, Mass. The stamp will be available nationwide the following day. Terrorist Threat Level Raised to Orange
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge has announced the national terrorist threat level has been raised to Orange, or "High," from Yellow, or "Elevated." Bush Praises Volunteers in Holiday Address
In his first weekly radio address of the holiday season, President Bush stressed the importance and success of volunteer programs, like the USA Freedom Corps, created by his administration. "Over 75,000 service organizations now work with USA Freedom Corps, and a growing percentage of Americans have answered the call to service," he said. "This holiday season, I ask every American to look for a challenge in your own community, and step forward to lend a hand." U.S. Tuna Fishermen Challenge FDA Warning
In reaction to the FDA's recent warning to women on the dangers of eating seafood, US albacore tuna fishermen have demanded that the FDA immediately implement a formal program to systematically test hundreds of albacore fishing community members, including women and children, for any effects caused by methylmercury. FTC Warns of Envelope Stuffing Schemes
The ads promise easy money for simply stuffing envelopes, but according to Howard Beales, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, "Stuffing is fine for turkeys and stockings, but envelope-stuffing scams deserve a lump of coal." Learn how to keep from being taken for a work-at-home ride. Saddam Hussein: Capture and Prosecution
Here you will find links to the latest news surrounding the capture and prosecution of Saddam Hussein.
Homeland Security Calls for Focus on Agro-terrorism
Imagine terrorists tainting America's food supply at its very source -- the farm. Vast fields of amber waves of grain paints a pretty picture, but consider how totally unprotected those fields are. The Department of Homeland Security is well aware of the vulnerability of our farms and ranches and is now seeking grant proposals from colleges and universities to perform research into methods to "combat agro-terrorism." Bush Addresses Nation on Saddam Hussein Capture
President Bush addresses the nation on the Dec. 13, 2003 capture of Saddam Hussein near his home town of Tikrit, Iraq.
DOT Proposes Major Traffic Control Changes
Fluorescent pink signs to alert drivers to traffic crashes, large print on road signs for older drivers, and "animated eyes" to caution pedestrians at intersections are among the improvements federal highway engineers are recommending states consider to make travel safer and easier. HHS Says 250,000 More Flu Shots On the Way
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the purchase of 250,000 doses of flu vaccine today. The first shipment of 100,000 adult doses are being distributed to state health departments based on the state's population and should arrive over the weekend. Prosecution of Gun Crimes Jumps 68 Percent
Attorney General John Ashcroft announces that since 1999, federal gun crime prosecutions nationally have increased by 68 percent. FDA Warns Women of Seafood Dangers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its first definitive consumer warning concerning fish and shellfish consumption for persons at risk from exposure to high mercury levels, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, women who may become pregnant, and young children. | 