I remember growing up and getting a sunburn that actually blistered. It hurt like crazy at the time and now I'm wondering if it may do more damage down the road. Doctors now believe that sudden intermittent sun damage is actually worse than getting steady doses over time, like construction workers or farmers.

I bring this up because this is spring break week and kids from all over are heading to sunny locations and more than a few of them will return with peel the skin off sunburns. I know they're probably in Mexico or Florida or California and won't see my story on TV tonight, but I hope they log on to The33TV.com and check it out online, before they get the sunburn of a lifetime.

As for me, so far so good, and I'm hoping it stays that way.

By every account, Mark Austry was an outgoing, energetic go-getter, who loved not only his family, but sports. He sounds like the kind of guy that every parent wants their little boy to grow up to be. But, his life was cut short Sunday when he collapsed after finishing a half marathon in Dallas. There are no answers now about what killed the 32-year old father of two, but his family doesn't believe he had any health problems.

It is such a mystery. What could take the life of seemingly healthy young athlete? It only adds to the agony for those who knew and loved Mark Austry, that now they must wait weeks to see what took the life of this promising man. Watch the emotional interview with his brother at http://bit.ly/DawnStories.

That question is usually reserved for mom. You know, honey did you brush your teeth? You have to brush you teeth before you go to bed! But now researchers at the University of Pennsylvania find that it's a pretty good question to ask pregnant women. The study followed 1,000 women and found those with gum disease were three times more likely to have their baby prematurely. Women who had gum disease and had their teeth deep cleaned greatly reduced their risk of having their baby early.

We talked to an Ob/Gyn who said he closely monitors his patients for gum disease and says a good teeth cleaning is far less expensive than taking care of a premie in the neo-natal unit for weeks.

The bottom line on this one is simple, pregnant women who brush their teeth aren't as likely to have a brush with a premature birth.

The administration has a new plan to head off more foreclosures. The government will pay at risk homeowners to walk away, even if they are underwater on their mortgage. It is an old practice called "short-sale", but it is being revived.

Here's the deal. Do you think that taxpayers who are taking care of their mortgages, who didn't overbuy on a home should have to foot the bill for those who did, or perhaps those who just feel on hard times? There is no debating that more foreclosures will be bad news for the economy, but many think that the bailout shouldn't be on the backs of those paying their bills. Watch my story and weigh in. http://bit.ly/DawnStories

It is every parent's worst nightmare seeing their child horribly injured. That is what happened to the Khader family in Arlington. A suspected drunk driver hit the family last year, critically injuring 3-year old Abdallah. He is brain dead and can not speak, walk or see.

Here is the outrage part for many. The alleged drunk driver who hit the family may get a lighter sentence. He has seven previous DWI's in other states, but because they were misdemeanor offenses, a judge won't allow for them to be considered in sentencing in Texas. Richardson is facing probation to 20 years, max.

Abdallah's mother has started a Facebook page, "Pray for Abdallah". She hopes to rally support and send a message to lawmakers to tighten up the laws. She hopes the judge considering the appeals case will see the images. She wants justice for the little boy who will never be able to just be a child. Watch my story at the33tv.com

It's that time again, Daylight Savings Time. It's time to spring forward, which I like because the day just seems longer, but for some who have sleeping problems it's a real nightmare. Research shows that the Monday after Daylight Savings Time, people average about 40 fewer minutes of sleep. What does that mean you ask? It means more car accidents, trips top the emergency room, more workplace injuries and kids who have a harder time concentrating in class.

In the long run, we get a little more daylight, but for some Daylight Savings Time can be a real nightmare.

Unless you've been living in a cave, not that there's anything wrong with that, you probably have heard that driving while texing or talking on your cellphone can be a high wire act. Imagine having a computer, two-way radio, cellphone, GPS device and a couple of other gadgets at your fingertips. Wouldn't you be tempted to use them while driving? While there is no data that tracks technology related emergency vehicle crashes, police, fire and rescue are now grappling with the same temptations you are.

We talked to a Texas State Trooper who told us Troopers go through three weeks of intense training that allows them to integrate the car and technology. They're supposed to use the cool gadgets only when it's safe, not during a 100 mile-an-hour chase. Ambulance drivers have it a bit easier, they have a co-pilot to navigate and take care of all the radio stuff. They want the driver concentrating on the road, in fact, it's against policy to use a cell phone while driving regarless if they're on a call or not.

Remember, emergency personnel are human and are feel the same temptations we all do. I hope they are more successfu than myself. I admit I chatted on the phone on may way to work this afternoon.  

What better way to celebrate Walt Maciborski's birthday than to Rickroll him?

Walt, of course, felt the need to take it one step further in this video. Parents, you might want to keep your kids away.

Happy birthday, Walt Mac! (And props to Rebecca Miller for making the very creative cake!)

It's no longer found in dark, seedy, scary to visit adult stores.  

These days, products related to sex and sensuality can be found in high-end lines and in upscale stores.  

They have cute names, saucy titles, sleek desi   gns and scents that could leave you better off than where you started!  (Read: that was a tease!)

To learn more (you know you wanna) visit my day @ the33tv.com

Great song, but people suffering from asthma probably hate it. Breathing isn't easy if you have asthma and according to a new study, the asthma rate is rising 0.5% every three years. That may not sound like much but the current rate in America is almost 8%. The number of people expected to have asthma by the year 2025 is a staggering 100,000,000. Scientists admit they don't know why the rate is rising but now are exploring something called the "Hygiene Hypothisis." Basically, we're too clean and our bored immune system decides it has to fight an invader it doesn't need to fight.

The current cost of asthma is about 20 million dollars a year. If you think that's expensive, wait another 15 years.

Some doctors now believe that chewing gum, yes, chewing gum, may cause wrinkles on the lips and around the mouth. It's official, EVERYTHING is bad for you, not that wrinkles will kill you, but who wants unnecessary wrinkles? I talked to a couple of young women who chew gum all day and they will continue to chew gum. According to a Dallas plastic surgeon, that's just fine. Dr. Gregg Anigain says chewing gum has no impact on facial lines. He says sun damage and getting older are the key reasons why we all eventually get lines on our faces.

So there you go, gum may very well be the last thing on earth that doesn't have a negative impact on your body. But then again, maybe not.

It is always a terrific day when I can get to be face-to-face with America's future and today was one of those days.

I spent a little time this morning at Highland Meadow Montessori Academy in Southlake, talking to elementary students about life as a TV Anchor-Reporter. They had so many questions, especially a young man who may be interested in a career in sports. He wanted to know if I knew any sports celebrities. I told him that I met Tony Romo just a couple of weeks ago.

It is so energizing to see young people who are eager to learn and want to hear about possible career choices. I shared with them some of my news encounters. Near Fort Worth, I had to hit the ditch when there was a tornado right in front of me and during Hurricane Ike, I told them how we stowed away on the highest point on Galveston Island.

I hope these youngsters got as much out of our 45 minutes together as I did. I like sharing my TV tales and it seemed like they enjoyed hearing some of the behind the scenes fun that goes on. Who knows maybe I met the next Edward R Murrow. Thanks for being a great  audience, HMMA.  

Could it be?

Girls and guys, listen up!!

It's estimated as few as 1% of people are involved in "open marriages".  It is an umbrella term that covers a lot of different practices, but most simply put--couples are allowed to have sex outside of their committed relationship. 

In a world where half of the US marriages end in divorce and affairs are common, often breaking up families, open marriages get a lot of heat.

Jenny Block is a Dallas wife, mother and the author of Open: Love, Sex and Life in an Open Marriage.

She talks openly with me about open marriages.   

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-open-marriages-story,0,5852423.story

I have been hearing about "chatroulette', but until today it was just a popular new chat site. Who knew that within seconds you can see graphic sexual images. It only took a few moments, for some man to expose himself to me on live web cam.

That is what the site allows you to do, chat with random strangers via web cam, around the world. The trouble is many people want more than a conversation. The Texas Attorney General says the site is too dangerous for young children and is advising parents to keep kids off. The AG says it opens the door for sexual predators. Be sure to weigh in and tell me what you think of "chatroulette". 

I am blessed. I will sleep like a rock tonight, but many Americans won't. According to a new study released by the National Sleep Foundation there are different reasons why some racial groups aren't getting enough sleep.

Asians sleep better than most and use sleep aids less.

African Americans have the highest rate of sleep apnea.

Hispanics are likely to be kept awake by financial and personal concerns.

Whites have the highest rate of insomnia.

We talked to a sleep expert who told us that even though there are different reasons why people can't sleep, the unhealthy results are the same. Not enough sleep is to blame for everything from obesity and diabetes to anxiety and depression.

I think the study on racial sleep issues shines a light on something even more important than sleep. Our conditions and issues may be different, but we are all the same.