In the Know

A new national report from the Allstate Insurance Company shows that Austin drivers are 35 percent more likely to be in an accident than the national average – over ten percent more likely than drivers in Houston, Dallas or San Antonio. Allstate looked at insurance claims for the 200 largest cities in the country and compared it to the national average. The report also showed that Austin drivers have accidents most frequently among other Texas drivers – an average of one collision every 7.4 years.
—–

Those of you who don’t exercise while listening to In The Know, take heed! The Texas Department of State Health Services says that students’ fitness levels decline with each year they spend in public schools. A recent survey finds that 35 percent of Texas students are obese. Younger grades tested relatively better than the older ones, with 32 percent of girls and 28 percent of boys in third grade considered in the best shape among their peers. Those numbers drop by 12th grade, where 8 percent of girls and 9 percent of boys share that same distinction. The Austin Independent School District aims to combat these figures with more structured physical activity required in all levels of schooling.
—–

The Capital Metro board approved a policy Monday that would allow for transit to Austin suburbs. The plan would give suburban commuters more transportation options with the rising price of gas and would require each city to pay for the full cost of any buses and rail provided by CapMetro.
—–

Apparently that smell around campus, yeah, it isn’t pot.

An assessment conducted by the American College Health Association this spring shows that nearly 13 percent of students polled admitted to smoking marijuana occasionally over the course of a month. Almost one percent of those asked said they smoked pot every day.

But U-T-P-D Officer William Pieper says although marijuana is commonly seen on campus, alcohol is more prevalent.

According to police reports, there have been ten drug-and alcohol related citations and arrests made within the past couple of weeks.
—–

Joe Horn was acquitted earlier this week for shooting and killing two burglars who were robbing his neighbor’s home. Horn, an AT&T retiree, saw two men breaking into his neighbor’s home in November. Horn called 911 and then ran out with a shotgun to confront the burglars as they headed towards his home.

The two men were identified as Houston residents Hernando Torres and Diego Ortiz, two convicted criminals from Columbia who had entered the country illegally. They were found with a sack containing $2,000 and jewelry taken from Horn’s neighbor’s home.

Members from Horn’s Pasadena community wanted him to face charges for the shootings. Supporters said Horn was legally protected under the Texas Penal Code, which justifies the use of deadly force to protect property. After looking at the evidence and hearing testimony, a Grand Jury cleared Horn of all charges.
—–

Attention all college students with loans: put away your Ramen!

It was announced this week that the interest rate for Stafford loans has decreased from 6-point-8 percent to 6 percent.

Rates will continue to decrease over the course of four years until they hit 3-point-4 percent.

The new cuts are a part of a piece of legislation signed into law by W last year.

In order to fund the interest rate cuts, Congress will slash federal subsidies to private lenders who provide loans and grants.

The Stafford Loan is one of the more popular need-based loans that students can take out.

The law also increases the Pell Grant by 490-dollars. Nearly 5 million students are awarded that grant every year.

—-
Watermelon. A cheaper Viagra? Is that why Mom said we weren’t supposed to eat the black seeds? Well, hold the Bar B Q Sauce and Pass the watermelon, boys. Researchers are saying that watermelon has an amino acid called citrulline in it. Citrulline relaxes and dilates blood vessels. Just like Viagra. How it works: citrulline is converted into arginine which is a precursor for nitric oxide which dilates the blood vessels. Sha-wing!
Four ounces of watermelon has about 150 milligrams of citrulline. That means it would probably take about three-eight ounce glasses daily of melon juice for three weeks to see a difference in performance. So this Fourth of July, if you’re munchin’ on watermelon, expect to see fireworks in the sky… not your pants.

—

Now, despite the fact that this show is our Ode to America show, we’d like to keep you up to date with what’s going on around the world. Fasten your seat belts, because we’re going around the world in 80 seconds. Courtesy of CNN…

Europe
· Prince William aids $80m drug smuggling bust
· UK waits for Parliament to ban Hezbollah supporters
· Russian president unveils anti-corruption plan

Asia
· State of emergency declared in Mongolia
· Police seize 9 terror suspects in Indonesia
· Japan’s stock index, Nikkei, in longest downward slide since 1965

Middle East
· Stones vs. water cannons at Egypt-Gaza border
· Hezbollah agree to prisoner swap with Israel
· Jordan’s king to visit Iraq
· Iraq: Deal would end contractors’ immunity

Americas
· General opposed to Chavez slogan released
· McCain talks trade in Colombia
· Cuba says U.S. behind protests for July Fourth
· Police ‘torture’ videos cause uproar in Mexico

Africa
· Namibia to sell black rhinos, other wildlife
· Defiant Mugabe blasts West, tells Britain to ‘hang’
· Nigeria pushes talks to halt oil attacks
· Zimbabwe overshadows Africa summit