10 Stories: 3/25/2009

Good morning.  It is Wednesday and I have the day off work.  So I am happy about that.  Perhaps now I can get my taxes done.  I know I need to do that.  Last year, it was done by this time.  

Now, time for today's 10 stories:

1)  After 8 days on the International Space Station, the NASA crew is departing to come back home.  Story from WSLS-TV - Roanoke, VA.

2)  Now a update to a story I linked yesterday on Lance Armstrong.  Looks like today is the day he will undergo surgery.  Details from The Washington Times - Washington, DC.

3)  With a new President and administration doing what they can to help the economy, I hate to stew on the past.  But claims like this should not be ignored.  Looks like former VP Dick Cheney had talk of creating a 'executive assassination' teams. Story from alternet.org.  This needs to be explained promptly.

4)  Looks like Philadelphia Eagles are holding tryouts for new cheerleaders soon.  Details from WTXF-TV - Philly.  Ahh, the Eagles cheerleaders ... Well, they are not the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders (the best), but I think they are probably the best part of the team.  Since the Eagles don't do much anyway.

5)  Fargo, North Dakota is bracing for high flood waters.  But looks like one of the great lakes is showing increased water levels as well.  The Army Core of Engineers report that the water level increased 13 inches in the past year.  Story from WWMT-TV - Kalamazoo, MI.

6)  The former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich just can't keep his mouth shut.  After he was impeached, he got a book deal.  Now, yesterday, he filled in for WLS Radio host and he said that he was 'hijacked' out of office.  Details from WBAY-TV - Green Bay, WI.  Hijacked?  Seriously?

7)  FOXNews.com reports an interesting story here.  How long does it take men to fall in love??? Amazingly, less than 10 seconds.  Humm ...

8)  The Patriot-News in Harrisburg has announced furloughs for all of it's full-time employees, and changes to their retirement savings plans.  But it's not all doom-and-gloom.  WGAL-TV in Lancaster, PA reports on a alternative MONTHLY newspaper that is striving.  As much as I love WGAL, I think they need to stress more that being a MONTHLY newspaper is MUCH different than a daily paper.  So, of course advertising papers would come in.  No brainer.

9)  Al Gore is putting the final touches on the heavily awaited follow-up book to 'An Inconvenient Truth'.  It was supposed to come out a year ago, but now it will come out this fall.  Story from The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, CA.

And finally ...

10)  Looks like China has blocked YouTube.  There is no reason for this, but rumors are spreading.  Details from CNN World.

Also ...

Remember that American Idol is on tonight, starting at 8.  I should have live twittering of the whole event tonight.  So make sure you watch or go to my Twitter page.  Tonight's theme is Motown.  Should be a great night.

-- matt