North American Network

Gas-prices continue to shatter records—prompting more drivers to seek out lower-cost fuel-options. “NASCAR”-champion Austin Dillon says higher blends of bioethanol offer a racecar-worthy solution… “Looking for savings at the pump this summer? While most fuel at the pump contains 10-percent bioethanol, any vehicle 2001 or newer can take advantage of 15-percent-bioethanol blends—otherwise known as ‘...

(These five soundbites are from David Harkey, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s president. For more about the study, visit iihs.org.) “Road-deaths have been climbing—and more than a quarter of them are connected to speeding. As this study shows, combining enforcement, engineering, and education can successfully slow drivers down. However, the results suggest that these efforts need to b...

With schools closed for the summer, kids and teens 18 and under can still get free meals, through “Summer Break-Spot”—a program run by the “Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer-Services”. Nikki Fried [“freed”]—Florida’s “Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer-Services”… “Children need healthy food, all year long—in order to grow, and to learn. During the school-year, many receive free...

“A-A-R-P New Mexico” recently presented Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján with a petition that was signed by over 31-thousand New Mexicans—calling for Congress to act now on unfair drug-prices. Beth Velasquez, of “A-A-R-P”, says that both senators have reaffirmed their commitment to lowering the cost of prescription-drugs… “We’re pleased that finding a solution to high drug-prices remains...

On Sunday, May 29th, P-B-S’ “National Memorial-Day Concert” returns live from Washington, D-C—hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. With all-star musical performances and tributes, the event honors our men and women in uniform; veterans; their families; and all of those who’ve given their lives for the nation. Co-host Gary Sinise discusses this year’s tribute to “Medal of Honor”-recipients… “ONE...

On Sunday, May 29th, P-B-S’ “National Memorial-Day Concert” returns live from Washington, D-C—hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. With all-star musical performances and tributes, the event honors our men and women in uniform; veterans; their families; and all of those who’ve given their lives for the nation. This year’s Concert also includes Gil Birmingham presenting a special segment honoring...

Mississippi has more than 200-thousand military-veterans and active-duty service-members. And, to mark this year’s May-observance of “Military Appreciation Month”, “A-A-R-P” recently launched its online “Veterans Fraud Center”—to help protect veterans, service-members, and their families against scams. Kimberly L- Campbell is “A-A-R-P Mississippi’s” state-director… “Targeting scams at members of t...

On Sunday, May 29th, P-B-S’ “National Memorial-Day Concert” returns live from Washington, D-C—hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. With all-star musical performances and tributes, the event honors our men and women in uniform; veterans; their families; and all of those who’ve given their lives for the nation. This year’s Concert also includes Dennis Haysbert presenting a special segment honorin...

On Sunday, May 29th, P-B-S’ “National Memorial-Day Concert” returns live from Washington, D-C—hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. With all-star musical performances and tributes, the event honors our men and women in uniform; veterans; their families; and all of those who’ve given their lives for the nation. Co-host Joe Mantegna discusses this year’s tribute to “Gold-Star families”… “FOR ME, P...

With Alabama’s primary-election on May 24th, all voters should make their voices heard. That’s according to Bill Hawkins—of “A-A-R-P Alabama”… “All statewide offices are on the ballot—along with legislators, members of Congress, and one U-S Senator. The people [whom] we elect this year will be dealing with issues that are critical to older Alabamians. These include: keeping both Social Security an...

(The updated rankings for all states—plus D.C.—are available at https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/your-hospitals-safety-grade/state-rankings.) -- GENERAL/NATIONAL WRAP (:50) -- Some hospitals are better at protecting their patients than others. That’s why the nonprofit watchdog, “The Leapfrog Group”, issues its “Hospital-Safety Grade”, twice a year; the report features a letter-grade of “A”, “B”...

For the past five years, Florida’s higher-education system has been ranked number-one in the nation—by “U-S News and World Report”. And, during “Florida College System Month”, in April, the state’s “Department of Education” is reminding Floridians about the high-quality programs that are available through state-colleges. Kathy Hebda [“hebb-dah”] is the “Florida College System’s” chancellor… “Our 2...

Over a million “near-retirees”, throughout Washington, will now be covered by the state’s “WA [‘wah’] Cares”-program—thanks to the passage of a bill in this year’s just-concluded legislative-session. The program—which is funded by payroll-contributions—will help Washingtonians pay for long-term-care services at home, and in other settings. Cathy MacCaul [like “McCall”/“McColl”] is the advocacy-dir...

A-A-R-P’s national “Community Challenge”-program awards grants for quick-action projects that promote livable communities—with an emphasis on the needs of older residents. Applications for this year’s grants are still being accepted—until Tuesday, the 22nd. And, last year, nine organizations, throughout Tennessee, received a total of 99-thousand dollars. One of those grantees is “Knowledge Quest”,...

A-A-R-P’s national “Community Challenge”-program awards grants for quick-action projects that promote livable communities—with an emphasis on the needs of older residents. Applications for this year’s grants are still being accepted—until Tuesday, the 22nd. And, last year, nine organizations, throughout Tennessee, received a total of 99-thousand dollars. One of those grantees is “Rebuilding Togeth...

(These seven soundbites are from David Harkey, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s president. For the full list of winners, see iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks.) “We’re recognizing 65 models with the ‘Top Safety Pick – Plus’ award for 2022—as improved headlight-offerings boost more vehicles into the top tier. Another 36 models earn the lower-tier ‘Top Safety Pick’ award—for a total of 1...

New research from “A-A-R-P Nebraska” finds that family-caregivers often struggle to provide quality care to their loved-ones, without sacrificing their own health and financial security: In a survey of registered-voters age-50 or older, 42-percent said that they either are currently a family-caregiver, or have been in the past. Of those, 53-percent reported feeling stressed emotionally, due to the...

(The following statement is from AARP Florida’s state director, Jeff Johnson.) “With ‘Senate Bill 804’ and ‘House Bill 1239’, legislators in both houses are, again, looking to cut nursing-home care, throughout Florida—this time, by a full 20-percent. And, that would definitely endanger the homes’ most-vulnerable residents. Florida’s lawmakers should, instead, stand up to the executives, owners, an...

According to the latest “America’s Health Rankings”-report, South Carolina ranks 45th in the nation—when it comes to cardiovascular diseases. That’s why “United-Healthcare” is reminding residents that it’s never too late—or too early—to make heart-healthy choices. Doctor Lucinda Demarco is the company’s medical director in South Carolina… “More than 11-percent of South Carolina’s adults have been...

A-A-R-P’s “Community Challenge”-program is now accepting applications for this year’s grants. And, A-A-R-P Mississippi’s state-director, Kimberly L- Campbell, encourages all eligible groups—throughout the state—to apply… “We’re thrilled to bring this opportunity back to Mississippi—because we’ve already seen tangible results from previous grantees. The annual ‘Community Challenge’ is part of our n...

FOR “VALENTINE’S DAY”, JEWELRY-GIFTS REMAIN THE ULTIMATE SYMBOL OF WHAT LOVE SHOULD BE—PRECIOUS AND ETERNAL. AMANDA GIZZI, WITH “JEWELERS OF AMERICA”, SAYS THAT FINDING THE RIGHT GIFT IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK… “FOR ‘VALENTINE’S DAY’, ALL JEWELRY-GIFTS ARE APPRECIATED. HOWEVER, JEWELRY THAT HAS A SWEET SENTIMENT—LIKE HEART-SHAPED JEWELRY—REALLY SHINES. COLORED GEMSTONES ARE ALSO VERY POPULAR, RIGHT...

The open-enrollment period for “Florida Prepaid College Plans” is officially underway: The “Florida Prepaid College Board” is offering a new incentive for families to start saving for college this year—the “Cash ‘4’ College”-bonus. The idea is to help Florida-families boost their children’s college-savings. Kevin Thompson is the Board’s executive-director… “We’re very excited to announce a special...

(The following statement is from API’s senior vice-president for communications, Megan Bloomgren. For the full report, visit https://events.api.org/reports/soae-2022.) “People count on U-S natural-gas and oil—for reliable energy, good jobs, and millions of products made with natural-gas and oil, every day. “Over the past decade, through innovation and ingenuity, our industry has driven an American...

The “Florida Prepaid-College Board” has helped more than a million families save, over the last 30 years. And, their newest program is helping individuals with varying disabilities become savers and investors, for the first time. Director John Finch has more… “‘ABLE’-accounts became a reality thanks to a group of parents who were looking for a way to save, for their children with disabilities. ‘AB...

The historic tornados in Kentucky have left tens-of-thousands in distress. That’s why “A-A-R-P” is sharing online disaster-relief resources, for all Kentuckians: If you’ve been directly affected, we offer information on assistance. Or, if you’re looking to help, find out how you can get involved. “A-A-R-P” is here in Kentucky—giving you trusted resources, in these difficult times. For more on disa...