DOT Construction Signs Hacked To Read 'Impeach Obama'

By Todd Walker, Channel 2 News

Several electronic road construction signs around Anchorage were hacked late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Signs that normally display closure and detour information, like the one on Minnesota Drive near 100th Avenue, were changed to read “Impeach Obama.” That particular sign wasn’t fixed until sometime between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Thursday.

It happened because DOT says it doesn't lock the boxes on the signs that hold the message control pad.

Read the entire article here.

Snow Piles Still Tower Over Anchorage in July

Melting Leftovers of Record Winter Requires Extra Work

By Ted Land, Channel 2 News

Bulldozer crews are on the clock this Independence Day, trying to break down mountains of snow, which still tower over some parts of Anchorage after a winter of record snowfall.

At American Landscaping, along C st. in South Anchorage, crews “roll” the surface of their pile every day or so, scraping off a top layer of gravel, which can insulate the snow, slowing its melt.

“I don’t know how high it is now, looks like about 80 feet,” said Glenn Ball, owner of American Landscaping, as he looked up at what he estimated to be about 280,000 cubic yards of leftovers.

Read the entire article here.

Glaxo Agrees to Pay $3 Billion in Fraud Settlement

By Katie Thomas and Michael S. Schmidt, The New York Times

In the largest settlement involving a pharmaceutical company, the British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay $3 billion in fines for promoting its best-selling antidepressants for unapproved uses and failing to report safety data about a top diabetes drug, federal prosecutors announced Monday. The agreement also includes civil penalties for improper marketing of a half-dozen other drugs.

The fine against GlaxoSmithKline over Paxil, Wellbutrin, Avandia and the other drugs makes this year a record for money recovered by the federal government under its so-called whistle-blower law, according to a group that tracks such numbers.

In May, Abbott Laboratories settled for $1.6 billion over its marketing of the antipsychotic drug Depakote. And an agreement with Johnson & Johnson that could result in a fine of as much as $2 billion is said to be imminent over its off-label promotion of another antipsychotic drug, Risperdal.

Read the entire article here.

U.S. Adds Forces in Persian Gulf, a Signal to Iran

By Thom Shanker, Eric Schmitt and David E. Sanger, The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The United States has quietly moved significant military reinforcements into the Persian Gulf to deter the Iranian military from any possible attempt to shut the Strait of Hormuz and to increase the number of fighter jets capable of striking deep into Iran if the standoff over its nuclear program escalates.

The deployments are part of a long-planned effort to bolster the American military presence in the gulf region, in part to reassure Israel that in dealing with Iran, as one senior administration official put it last week, “When the president says there are other options on the table beyond negotiations, he means it.”

But at a moment that the United States and its allies are beginning to enforce a much broader embargo on Iran’s oil exports, meant to force the country to take seriously the negotiations over sharply limiting its nuclear program, the buildup carries significant risks, including that Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps could decide to lash out against the increased presence.

Read the entire article here.

Alaska Healthcare: A Breakdown of the Law and What Happens Next

Lawmakers and policy makers react to Supreme Court decision

By Jason Lamb and Abby Hancock, Channel 2 News

The Supreme Court's landmark ruling on federal healthcare reform still leaves some unanswered questions about what the decision will mean for Alaska.

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Republican Governor Sean Parnell said it is too soon to say how the state will move forward.

"I do not intend to saddle the state's residents with the costs of that if I can allow the federal government to cover the cost for our citizens," said Parnell.

Read the entire article here.

Anchorage, Alaska - One Person Killed in Three-Vehicle Crash

Police say fatal crash happened at Lake Otis Parkway and O'Malley Road intersection.

By Abby Hancock, Channel 2 News

Anchorage police say one person was killed in a vehicle crash in South Anchorage late Sunday night. The crash happened just before midnight at the Lake Otis Parkway and O'Malley Road intersection. The driver of one of the vehicles died at the scene, according to APD.

Police say it is still unclear what led to the crash or which direction each vehicle was travelling.

"We're in the process of speaking with two of the drivers but it sounds as though there was a red light violation that occurred which then resulted in the collision, but we're still trying to sort out which vehicle was travelling which way," said Sgt. Gerard Asselin.

Read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls

Ishtex Textile Products Recalls Children's Pajamas

A violation of the federal flammability standard compels the garment recall
Read the entire article here.

Children's Lounge Pants and Boxers Recalled By Rigo International

The recall is prompted by the violation of federal flammability standards
Read the entire article here.

Exhaust Fans Sold At Lowe's Stores Recalled

A problem with the heater blades could present a fire hazard
Read the entire article here.

Spas Recalled Due To Fire Hazard

There have been nearly three dozen reports of overheating, but no injuries
Read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls

Notus Air Movers Recalled Due To Fire Hazard

The air mover/blower's internal electrical capacitor can fail and overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Read the entire article here.

TBC Recalling SUV Tires

Tread separation raises the risk of a crash
Read the entire article here.

Big Cat Recalls Bicycle Due To Crash Hazard

The possibility of a frame crack poses the risk injury to the rider
Read the entire article here.

Samuel Lawrence Furniture Recalls Sleigh Beds

Failure of the hardware holding the bed together poses a fall hazard
Read the entire article here.

Dole Fresh Vegetables Recalls Limited Number of Salads

There is a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes
Read the entire article here.

Cooper Issues Tire Recall

A tread separation problem could lead to crashes
Read the entire article here.

Del-Nat Recalling Tires

Contaminated rubber used in the tread could lead to a crash
Read the entire article here.

My Son's 15th Birthday!

This is the youngest of my four kids and today is his 15th birthday! Happy Birthday Tate! I love you.

Mom

Blood Pressure Medicine Linked To Severe Gastric Distress

Mayo Clinic doctors find olmesartan can cause nausea, vomiting and weight loss

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com

Olmesartan is a commonly prescribed medication that helps patients control their blood pressure. But Mayo Clinic researchers say it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and electrolyte abnormalities -- symptoms common among those who have celiac disease.

The findings are published online in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Their discovery took shape over a three year period, from 2008 to 2011. Doctors at Mayo Clinic treated 22 patients with symptoms similar to celiac disease who suffered symptoms like chronic diarrhea and weight loss. The median weight loss was 39 pounds, and one patient lost 125 pounds. Fourteen of the 22 were hospitalized because of the severity of their symptoms.

Read the entire article here.

Healthy Choice Recalls All Sizes of Liquid Gold Carrot Juice for Possible Health Risk

From FoodSafety.gov

Healthy Choice Island Blends, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA, is recalling all sizes of LIQUID GOLD CARROT JUICE including 128oz, 64oz, 32oz, and 16 oz, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. Foodborne botulism is a severe type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of foods containing the potent neurotoxin formed during growth of the organism.

Site link here.

Consumer Awarded $65,000 for Bank's Harassing Phone Calls

Bank kept calling even after being advised it was calling the wrong person

By Daryl Nelson, ConsumerAffairs.com

Have you ever received a continuous flow of pre-recorded phone calls? They usually come at the most inconvenient time during your day, and typically have to do with some sort of sales pitch, survey, or debt collection.

Well, a gentleman from Michigan took his annoyance to court, after receiving a slew of harassing phone calls from World Financial Network National Bank (WFNNB).

Dan Harris claimed he received 56 robo-calls to his cell phone about an outstanding debt, but Harris was the wrong person, and although he told the bank it was phoning the wrong person, the harassing phone calls didn't stop.

Read the entire article here.

Wyndham Hotels In Hot Water Over Personal Information Protection

Credit card data of hundreds of thousands of consumers compromised, millions lost to fraud

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

When you go on vacation, the last thing you want to do is be hassled with a credit card problem because someone at your hotel screwed up. But, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), that’s what’s happened to a lot of folks who stayed at Wyndham Hotels.

The FTC has filed suit against global hospitality company Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and three of its subsidiaries for alleged data security failures that led to three data breaches at Wyndham hotels in less than two years.

According to the agency, these failures led to fraudulent charges on consumers’ accounts, millions of dollars in fraud loss and the export of hundreds of thousands of consumers’ payment card account information to an Internet domain address registered in Russia.

Read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls

Bluestem Recalls Fingerhut, Gettington Recliners

The legs contain excessive amounts of lead paint
Read the entire article here.

GM Recalls US-Built Chevrolet Cruze

Engine shield may trap flammable liquids in engine compartment
Read the entire article here.

Notus Air Movers Recalled Due To Fire Hazard

The air mover/blower's internal electrical capacitor can fail and overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Read the entire article here.

TBC Recalling SUV Tires

Tread separation raises the risk of a crash
Read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls

Thomas Lighting Recalls Ceiling Fixtures

Fire and Shock Hazards
Read the entire article here.

Frigidaire Gas Range Recalled

Ranges were sold exclusively at Lowe's
Read the entire article here.

Big Lots Recalls Ceramic Space Heaters

Portable heaters post fire, shock hazards
Read the entire article here.

Portfolio Outdoor Lanterns Sold at Lowe's Recalled

A short circuit can pose a fire and shock hazard
Read the entire article here.

Mercedes-Benz Recalls E350 Models 

Problem with rear suspension
Read the entire article here.

BMW Recalls X5, X6 Models 

Power steering fluid may leak
Read the entire article here.

EDIC Recalls Aqua Dri Air Movers 

The blowers are used to dry floors in buildings
Read the entire article here.

Flushmate Recalls Millions of Toilet Flushers 

A weld seam can break, blowing off the tank lid and shattering the tank
Read the entire article here.

eZip, iZip Adult Tricycles Recalled

The rear axle can break, causing a wheel to detach
Read the entire article here.

Reports Of Mortgage Modification Rip-Offs Increasing

Washington attorney general sees uptick in complaints

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com

Five years into the foreclosure crisis there is no end in sight. After a pause for a now completed settlement with the mortgage industry, the pace of foreclosures is picking up again.

Many homeowners have attempted to negotiate mortgage modifications with their lenders in an effort to keep their homes, but have become frustrated with the process. That's when many turn to a third-party mortgage modification consultant.

"Because I was behind in my mortgage and facing foreclosure, I contacted Britt Processing," Chris, of Reading, Pa., wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post. "They told they work with Wells Fargo as well with many other banks. They guaranteed me they could get me a modification and save my home for me. They told me not to pay my mortgage for two months, instead send them $ 1000.00 a month to get this done."

Read the entire article here.

Traveling? Don't Bring Measles Home With You

Summer Olympics could be an Olympic event for measles

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

With the 2012 Summer Olympics just weeks, people around the world are preparing.

Athletes are putting in their final weeks of training, officials in London are getting the city ready for visitors and spectators are making travel plans. In the U.S., the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to make sure everyone’s healthy for the big event.

One area of concern is measles -- in particular -- unvaccinated travelers contracting the disease while abroad and bringing it back home. Last year, 222 people in the U.S. were reported to have measles -- due mostly to overseas travel.

Read the entire article here.

Knik Glacier Wreckage Is From Military Crash That Killed 52

By Chris Klint, Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska— A military plane crash found near Knik Glacier earlier this month has been identified as a Korean War-era Air Force cargo plane that killed all 52 people on board and was buried by heavy snow shortly after it went down, bringing closure to victims’ families after nearly 60 years.

Army Capt. Jamie Dobson with the Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command says the wreckage discovered on Colony Glacier June 10 by a UH-60 Blackhawk crew with the Alaska Army National Guard is that of a Douglas C-124A Globemaster II that crashed in the area on Nov. 22, 1952.

While evidence collected by the eight-man team is en route to JPAC’s Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii for further analysis, Dobson said the plane was identifiable by materials found at the scene.

Read the entire article here.

Annual List Reveals Dirty Dozen Fruits

"Highly disturbing" level of pesticides found in baby food

By Truman Lewis, ConsumerAffairs.com

You like fruit? See how you feel after reading this:

• Some 98 percent of conventional apples have detectable levels of pesticides.
• Domestic blueberries tested positive for 42 different pesticide residues.
• Seventy-eight different pesticides were found on lettuce samples.
• Every single nectarine USDA tested had measurable pesticide residues.
• Grapes have more types of pesticides than any other fruit, with 64 different chemicals.
• Thirteen different pesticides were measured on a single sample each of celery and strawberries.

These are among the findings of the eighth edition of the Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, published annually by the Environmental Working Group, this year with updated information on 45 popular fruits and vegetables and their total pesticide loads.
Read the entire article here.

BPA Exposure May Last For Generations

Researchers found the chemical in a series of mice generations

By Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com

The debate over the safety of Bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used chemical in plastic containers, will likely continue for some time but the evidence of its effects continues to pile up.

The latest study comes from researchers writing in the journal Endocrinology who say they have found exposure to low doses of BPA during pregnancy had trans-generational effects on mice.

In other words, a female mouse exposed to BPA during gestation had offspring that displayed different social behaviors, previously associated with BPA exposure. The research found the offspring and succeeding generations of offspring all showed the effects of BPA, including anxiety, aggression and cognitive impairments.

Read the entire article here.