Bill Chappell

Google Reportedly Faces FTC Antitrust Probe Over Display Ads

Bill Chappell — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:39:50 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission is in the early stages of opening an antitrust probe into how Google runs its online display advertising business, according to a report by Bloomberg News, citing sources who want to remain anonymous because the FTC has not announced the probe.

Google took the lead in the growing display ad market in 2012.

Study Is First To Chart Amphibian Populations' Decline In U.S.

Bill Chappell — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:52:45 +0000

Populations of frogs, salamanders and other amphibians are declining at an average rate of 3.7 percent each year, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study released this week.

Oklahoma Tornado: Finding Aid, Giving Aid

Bill Chappell — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:17:54 +0000

Residents of Moore, Okla., are searching for survivors and coming to terms with a massive tornado that left dozens of people dead and injured more than 200 others Monday afternoon. As aid and recovery groups search for victims and try to reunite loved ones, they're also seeking donations and coordinating housing:

The American Red Cross of Oklahoma City offers several ways to help, online or by phone.

Publisher Threatens Librarian With $1 Billion Lawsuit

Bill Chappell — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:35:52 +0000

A scholarly publisher has issued a warning to Jeffrey Beall, a librarian who writes about what he calls "predatory" practices in the scholarly publishing industry, threatening him with a $1 billion lawsuit for his blog posts criticizing the company.

Beall is an academic librarian at the University of Colorado; he writes about the journal industry on his personal blog, Scholarly Open Access.

More specifically, Beall identifies and lists journals that he says prey on academics' need to publish their research.

Colorado Lawmakers Set Taxes And Rules For Marijuana Sales

Bill Chappell — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:48:02 +0000

Colorado is set to become the first U.S. state to regulate and tax sales of recreational marijuana, after lawmakers approved several bills that set business standards and rules. Legislators expect enforcement of the rules to be paid for by two taxes on marijuana — a 15 percent excise tax, and a 10 percent sales tax.

Other measures included in the package set limits on how much marijuana visitors to Colorado can buy (a quarter of an ounce), as well as a limit on how many cannabis plants a private citizen can grow (six).

Gov.

Israel Reportedly Attacks Syrian Facility, In An Escalation

Bill Chappell — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:50:32 +0000

Israeli warplanes attacked a military research center near Damascus early Sunday, according to intelligence reports and Syrian state media.

Obama And O'Brien Take Jabs At Politics And Media (Highlights)

Bill Chappell — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:37:30 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON2XWvyePH8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIgSgLFwEMs

Suspect In Ricin Letters Case Could Face Life In Prison (Updated)

Bill Chappell — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:57:01 +0000

Federal agents who are investigating poison-laced letters that were sent to President Obama and others have arrested Everett Dutschke, of Tupelo, Miss. The Daily Journal of Tupelo reports that the arrest occurred around 1 a.m. Saturday.

In addition to the president, letters containing the poison ricin were sent to Sen. Roger Wicker and a Mississippi state judge.

Update at 11:55 a.m. ET.

Midwest River Towns Ready Themselves For Cresting Floodwaters

Bill Chappell — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:32:22 +0000
Towns in Missouri, central Illinois and at least four other Midwestern states are under a flood warning, as heavy spring rains swell the Mississippi and other rivers to dangerously high crests. In some areas, rivers have already hit record flood levels.
In places where residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, the American Red Cross has set up shelters at schools and other facilities.
From St.

Miranda Rights And Tsarnaev: Ex-U.S. Attorney General Weighs In

Bill Chappell — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:21:21 +0000
Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has not yet been questioned — but officials' decision not to read him his Miranda rights before interrogation is the subject of much debate.
The Miranda warning, which informs suspects of their rights, including the right to remain silent and to have legal counsel, is being withheld from Tsarnaev for now under the public