Susan Smith-Harmon
Gov't fiscal outlook improving - but only for now
Tuesday, 12 March 2013 02:34 Published in National News
WASHINGTON (AP) — In spite of budget wrangling and finger-pointing by U.S. policymakers, the government's short-term fiscal picture isn't all that bad. It's actually getting better — at least for now.
Washington is borrowing about 25 cents for every dollar it spends, down from over 40 cents just a few years ago.
And the budget deficit is dropping to $845 billion after topping $1 trillion for four straight years. The Congressional Budget Office says the deficit will keep shrinking — to $430 billion by 2015.
That's the good news.
But without a fix, the government's finances will start to worsen again as the three major "entitlement" programs — Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — become more and more expensive and unmanageable under the increasing weight of retiring baby boomers.
Washington is borrowing about 25 cents for every dollar it spends, down from over 40 cents just a few years ago.
And the budget deficit is dropping to $845 billion after topping $1 trillion for four straight years. The Congressional Budget Office says the deficit will keep shrinking — to $430 billion by 2015.
That's the good news.
But without a fix, the government's finances will start to worsen again as the three major "entitlement" programs — Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — become more and more expensive and unmanageable under the increasing weight of retiring baby boomers.
FDA head says menu labeling 'thorny' issue
Tuesday, 12 March 2013 02:25 Published in Health & Fitness
WASHINGTON (AP) — Diners will have to wait a little longer to find calorie counts on most restaurant chain menus, in supermarkets and on vending machines.
The head of the Food and Drug Administration says writing a new menu labeling law "has gotten extremely thorny" as the agency tries to figure out who should be covered by it.
The 2010 health care law charged the FDA with requiring restaurants and other establishments that serve food to put calorie counts on menus and in vending machines. The agency issued a proposed rule in 2011, but the final rules have since been delayed as some non-restaurant establishments have lobbied hard to be exempt.
The FDA has said the rules may come out this spring, but the agency may not meet that deadline.
The head of the Food and Drug Administration says writing a new menu labeling law "has gotten extremely thorny" as the agency tries to figure out who should be covered by it.
The 2010 health care law charged the FDA with requiring restaurants and other establishments that serve food to put calorie counts on menus and in vending machines. The agency issued a proposed rule in 2011, but the final rules have since been delayed as some non-restaurant establishments have lobbied hard to be exempt.
The FDA has said the rules may come out this spring, but the agency may not meet that deadline.
Witness sought after car reported in Meramec River
Tuesday, 12 March 2013 01:54 Published in Local News
Authorities in Franklin County want to talk to a woman who reported seeing a car drive into the Meramec River Monday evening. Sheriff's deputies say the woman had reported it to a park ranger at Meramec State Park around 5:30 p.m.
The park ranger attempted to locate the car, but couldn't find it. He also lost touch with the woman who'd made the report.
She's described as a white woman driving a white, Chevy Malibu.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Franklin County Sheriff's department.
The park ranger attempted to locate the car, but couldn't find it. He also lost touch with the woman who'd made the report.
She's described as a white woman driving a white, Chevy Malibu.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Franklin County Sheriff's department.
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