U.S. Government News

Home Equity Loans: Tips for Trying to Fix a Clogged or "Frozen" Home Equity Line

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:55:28 PST

For years, homeowners have turned to home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) as a way to borrow against their home's value to pay for college tuition, home improvements, medical bills and other major expenses. (A home's equity is the market value minus what is owed on the mortgage. If you owe $100,000 on your mortgage but your home is worth $250,000, your equity is $150,000.)

What Happens If a Bank Fails?

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:34:07 PST

Here's important information about what the FDIC pays and when if an FDIC-insured bank or savings institution is closed by its federal or state government regulator.

18 California Hospitals Receive $25,000 Fines.

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:31:21 PST

SACRAMENTO –The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that eighteen California hospitals have been assessed administrative penalties of $25,000 per incident from the state of California after a determination that the facilities’ noncompliance with requirements of licensure has caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.

CDC Launches CDC-TV On-Line Video Resource

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:38:15 PST

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched CDC-TV, a new online video resource available through www.cdc.gov . CDC-TV videos will cover a variety of health, safety and preparedness topics.

Loan Modification Program for Distressed Indymac Mortgage Loans

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:35:16 PST

IndyMac Federal Bank, FSB (“Indymac Federal”) will implement a new program to systematically modify troubled mortgages. The program is designed to achieve affordable and sustainable mortgage payments for borrowers and increase the value of distressed mortgages by rehabilitating them into performing loans. This in turn will maximize value for the FDIC, as well as improve returns to the creditors of the former IndyMac Bank and to investors in those mortgages. The new program will help IndyMac Federal improve its mortgage portfolio and servicing by modifying troubled mortgages, where appropriate, into performing mortgages.

Methadone Poisoning: SAMHSA Grant Program Will Help Address Methadone Poisoning

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:32:50 PST

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced a three-year cooperative agreement grant award totaling $1.5 million to the American Society of Addiction Medicine to train physicians and other health professionals on the appropriate use of methadone in the treatment of pain and opioid addiction.

Airborne Effervescent Health Formula Settles for 30 Million

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:48:05 PST

Airborne Health, Inc., the Bonita Springs, Florida maker of the popular Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, an effervescent tablet marketed as a cold prevention and treatment remedy, has agreed to pay up to $30 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it did not have adequate evidence to support its advertising claims

Tuna Salad Recall Expanded

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:20:25 PST

Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) advises consumers that a Massachusetts-based company, Home Made Brand Foods, has voluntarily recalled approximately 5,000 pounds of “Ready-to-Eat Tuna Salad”. Routine sampling has identified the potential for contamination with listeria.

Escape a Date, Escape from a Meeting via Free Callback Service

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:13:44 PST

Getmooh is an automated call back service. It is designed to help you escape a variety of situations by calling you automatically on your phone at a pre-specified time and playing you a recording which will either instruct you on what to say to elude your tormentor(s), or which will simply give a convincing sense of you being on an important call.

Moving Expenses Related to a New Job May Be Tax Deductible

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:07:02 PST

Did you recently move to another city for a new job or because your old job is now at a new location? A tax break may be coming your way.

Nissan Maxima is GOOD for frontal crash protection

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:11:52 PST

Latest Institute ratings for the Nissan Maxima . Verification ratings are based on 40 mph frontal offset crash tests conducted by manufacturers for vehicles meeting requirements established by the Institute

IRS Revises Voluntary Correction Program for Retirement Plans

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:10:29 PST

The Internal Revenue Service today issued updated guidance on the voluntary correction program for employee retirement plans – the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS).

Dollars and Sense for Sending Your Child to College

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:37:54 PST

Do you have a child about to embark on the exciting adventure of college life? As many parents learn during this transitional time, there are a lot of decisions that extend beyond the classroom and selecting a major. Here are some tips to help you make smart decisions that work for both you and your college student.

MORTGAGE FRAUD: How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:34:34 PST

Sub-prime loans. Foreclosures. Government bailouts. You can’t read a newspaper or watch the evening news these days without seeing stories about the current mortgage crisis and the fraud that goes along with it.

California Sues Brown Sues To Topple Online Pyramid Scheme

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:26:07 PST

California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a lawsuit against YourTravelBiz.com for operating a "gigantic pyramid scheme" that recruited tens of thousands of members with deceptive claims that members could earn huge sums of money through its online travel agencies.

Red Flags for Casinos and Card Clubs: FinCEN Issues Guidance

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:23:42 PST

This guidance is intended to assist casinos and card clubs¹ with the reporting of suspected money laundering, terrorist financing and related financial crimes. This guidance contains examples of circumstances or "red flags" - based on actual reports, the observations of examiners and the experience of law enforcement - that may indicate the presence of money laundering, terrorist financing, and related financial crimes.

Contractors State License Board Issues Double Warning about Illegal Contracting In Mariposa County Wildfire Zone

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:15:47 PST

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is warning illegal contractors to stay away from the wildfire zones in Mariposa County and other parts of California. Illegal operators face serious prison time if caught working or trying to get contracting work over $500 in a declared disaster or State of Emergency area. The CSLB is also cautioning fire victims to beware of unscrupulous or unlicensed operators who may try to take advantage of them.

Prostate Cancer: Task Force Says Men Age 75 and Older Should Not Be Screened for Prostate Cancer

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:08:55 PST

Men age 75 and older should not be screened for prostate cancer, and younger men should discuss the benefits and harms of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test with their clinicians before being tested, according to a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The recommendation and accompanying evidence summary appear in the August 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

NIOSH Update: Respiratory Protection Recommendations for Airborne

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:02:41 PST

This document describes the NIOSH policy for respiratory protection against airborne exposures to crystalline silica.

Don't be Left Out! Three Months to ShakeOut

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:17:05 PST

Three months from today, at 10 a.m. on November 13, millions of southern Californians will drop to the ground, take cover under a table or desk, and hold on. An earthquake prediction? No. But it is certain that the Great Southern California ShakeOut is on track to being the largest earthquake drill in United States history