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EPA proposes tougher air pollution rules for power plants

EPA proposes tougher air pollution rules for power plants

Newly proposed national standards for mercury, arsenic and other toxic air pollutants from power plants could prevent as many as 17,000 premature deaths and 11,000 heart attacks a year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The proposed standards, released Wednesday by the EPA in response to a court deadline, could also prevent 120,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and 11,000 cases of acute bronchitis among children each year; avert more than 12,000 emergency room visits and hospital admissions annually; and lead to 850,000 fewer days of work missed due to health problems.

Bad job may be worse for mental health than no job at all

Bad job may be worse for mental health than no job at all

Having a bad, short-term or poorly paid job can harm your mental health as much as having no job, according to a new study.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 7,000 people of working age in Australia and were not surprised to find that those who were unemployed had poorer mental health overall than those with jobs.

Betting during March madness may make the game less fun

Betting during March madness may make the game less fun

Watching this year's NCAA March Madness basketball tournament may not be much fun for those who bet on the games, one expert suggests.

Though the current popularity of office pools, online betting sites and spoiler message boards seems to suggest that predicting the outcome of games increases enjoyment, that's not the case, according to Stephen M. Nowlis, a marketing professor at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis.

Plant fined by OSHA

Plant fined by OSHA

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Imperial Aluminum's Scottsboro smelting plant for 20 safety violations following an October 2010 inspection. Proposed penalties total $76,500.

OSHA cited 17 serious safety violations, including failing to use lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources, guard open-sided floors and platforms, provide standard railings for fixed stairways, mark doorways or passages along an exit route, ensure fire extinguishers were readily available, provide machine guarding, remove a front end loader from service when repairs were needed, perform periodic inspections of crane hoists, keep aisles clear and free from debris, protect electrical conductors from abrasions, ensure unused openings in electrical panels were effectively closed and provide covers for junction boxes.

Jackson County unemployment

Jackson County unemployment

2,640 people are without a job in Jackson County with an unemployment rate of 10.1% for January of this year. 

College kids often feel guilty about texting in class: survey

College kids often feel guilty about texting in class: survey

Guilt might be a common side effect of texting while you're in class, but that doesn't stop students from doing it, researchers have found.

In a survey of 1,043 college students at the University of New Hampshire, almost half said they feel guilty about texting during class when it's not allowed. Even so, texting is quite common: 65 percent said they send at least one text message during a typical class.

Microsoft excell 2007

Microsoft excell 2007

On Wednesday, February 23rd, the Impact Learning Center will be holding a "Microsoft Excel 2007" computer class.  If you are unemployed, or know someone who is, they might be eligible for free classes, otherwise the class is $50.  The class is from 8:30am until noon.  Fore more information call 256-218-2236.