Monday, March 27, 2017
A Park In China Uses Facial Recognition to Prevent Toilet Paper Theft!
STUDY: Women Who Undergo Facelifts are Perceived as More Attractive, Healthy and Successful
Virginia Police Arrest Sword-Wielding Man Dressed as The Joker!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean vies to keep his title against previous winners Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood in 2017. Florida Georgia Line and Keith Urban both have a chance at their first win in the category.
Luke and Male Vocalist nominee Dierks Bentley will host the show Sunday, April 2, live from the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The rest of the nominations will be announced shortly.
Here's the first round nominations for the 52nd Annual ACM Awards:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Thursday, February 2, 2017
America's Bacon Reserves Haven't Been This Low Since 1957!
That's right, there may be a...I shudder to even think it..bacon shortage!
As of December, there were 17.8 million pounds of frozen pork belly, which is made into bacon, in US reserves, according to the Department of Agriculture. That might seem like a lot of bacon, but it's actually the lowest level since record-keeping began in January 1957.
As the Cincinnati Enquirer puts it, "there are literally not enough little piggies going to market." Pig farmers are actually "producing more pigs than ever," says Rich Deaton of the Ohio Pork Council, "yet our reserves are still depleting."
The Enquirer notes foreign buyers may be responsible; 26% of pork produced in the US is exported.
Apart from being amazed that a bacon reserve exists, consumers appear terrified by the prospect of a bacon shortage. But Deaton says the "pork industry will not run out of supply." Consumers should, however, expect to pay more for bacon at grocery stores. Prices have already spiked 20% last month. As for when we were most flush with frozen pork belly, that would be 1988, when there were 113.1 million pounds on hand.
As of December, there were 17.8 million pounds of frozen pork belly, which is made into bacon, in US reserves, according to the Department of Agriculture. That might seem like a lot of bacon, but it's actually the lowest level since record-keeping began in January 1957.
As the Cincinnati Enquirer puts it, "there are literally not enough little piggies going to market." Pig farmers are actually "producing more pigs than ever," says Rich Deaton of the Ohio Pork Council, "yet our reserves are still depleting."
The Enquirer notes foreign buyers may be responsible; 26% of pork produced in the US is exported.
Apart from being amazed that a bacon reserve exists, consumers appear terrified by the prospect of a bacon shortage. But Deaton says the "pork industry will not run out of supply." Consumers should, however, expect to pay more for bacon at grocery stores. Prices have already spiked 20% last month. As for when we were most flush with frozen pork belly, that would be 1988, when there were 113.1 million pounds on hand.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
IRS to Delay Tax Refunds in Attempt to Fight Fraud
The tax filing season starts Jan. 23. But a new law requires the IRS to delay tax refunds for people claiming these credits until Feb. 15. Processing times will delay most of the refunds until the end of February, Koskinen said.
The delay is designed to give the agency more time to screen the returns for fraud. The IRS estimates that it issued $3.1 billion in fraudulent tax refunds to identity thieves in 2014. The year before, the agency says, it paid out $5.8 billion in fraudulent refunds. Over those two years, the IRS says it blocked nearly $47 billion in fraudulent refunds. The earned income tax credit is one of the federal government's largest anti-poverty programs. It has also been plagued by billions in improper payments each year, including overpayments, underpayments and fraud. The delayed refunds are part of a broader effort by the IRS to fight identity theft and fraud on refunds, which has mushroomed into a multibillion industry. Two years ago, the IRS started partnering with the major tax-preparation services and with state tax agencies to combat identity theft.
"All of the players in the industry are sharing information against the common enemy, which is organized crime," Cobb said. Koskinen said the agency is making progress. Last year, the number of people reporting to the IRS that their identities were stolen dropped by 50 percent, to 275,000 taxpayers, Kosinen said.
However, a new report by an agency watchdog says stepped up screening by the IRS is also delaying legitimate refunds, forcing taxpayers to spend weeks or months proving their identity to the tax agency. Last year, about 1.2 million legitimate refunds — worth $9 billion — were delayed an average of more than 30 days, according to a report released Tuesday by Nina E. Olson, the National Taxpayer Advocate. Olson runs an independent office within the IRS.
Koskinen said the IRS has had to get more aggressive in screening tax returns because the crooks have become increasingly sophisticated. "We're talking about international organized crime syndicates," Koskinen said.
"All of the players in the industry are sharing information against the common enemy, which is organized crime," Cobb said. Koskinen said the agency is making progress. Last year, the number of people reporting to the IRS that their identities were stolen dropped by 50 percent, to 275,000 taxpayers, Kosinen said.
However, a new report by an agency watchdog says stepped up screening by the IRS is also delaying legitimate refunds, forcing taxpayers to spend weeks or months proving their identity to the tax agency. Last year, about 1.2 million legitimate refunds — worth $9 billion — were delayed an average of more than 30 days, according to a report released Tuesday by Nina E. Olson, the National Taxpayer Advocate. Olson runs an independent office within the IRS.
Koskinen said the IRS has had to get more aggressive in screening tax returns because the crooks have become increasingly sophisticated. "We're talking about international organized crime syndicates," Koskinen said.
So does this affect you? How do you feel about having your refund delayed?
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
And My Picks Are....
Now on to the voting! Here are my picks for the winners in the 9 categories in our CMA Vote 2016 contest:
Entertainer Of The Year: Garth Brooks. He's had an incredible year, and you might say it's a sentimental favorite, but so be it!
Male Vocalist: Chris Stapleton. This guy can do no wrong.
Female Vocalist: Kelsea Ballerini. Taken country by storm, here's her reward.
Group Of The Year: Little Big Town. Stiff competition from Rascal Flatts and Old Dominion, but these guys are so well-loved in Nashville. If not them, then Old Dominion.
Duo Of The Year: How do you not give it to Florida Georgia Line? Maybe you give it to Joey + Rory out of respect for the loss of Joey Feek. Plus Dan + Shay have had a great year. This one I may be wrong on, we'll see.
New Artist: Kelsea Ballerini. All the nominees here have had a great year, and it's weird to see Cole Swindell in this category, but I just think Kelsea has created the most buzz.
Musical Event Of The Year: "You Are My Sunshine" - Morgan and Chris Stapleton. This is one of those categories that always has nominees in it that you've never heard of but made a big impact in Nashville. Chris Stapleton is just The Man these days, and he and his wife will take this one home.
Musician Of The Year: Most country music fans have no idea who these folks are, but they are the ones who really make the hits what they are. My choice: guitarist Brent Mason. As a musician myself, I'm just a huge fan.
Video Of The Year: Gotta give this one to Tim McGraw for "Humble and Kind". Awesome song, awesome video. He's a master.
OK, now it's your turn. Get over to our contest page and cast your vote. You could win 2 Reserved Seat passes to Country USA in Oshkosh next June! Here's the link.
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