The 33 News Blog

Find out what The 33 News Team is really thinking

9:20PM | posted by Barry Carpenter | comments: 0

Every breath you take

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.

9:42PM | posted by Barry Carpenter | comments: 0

Chewing gum? Really?

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.

9:41PM | posted by Desmond Purnell | comments: 0

UNT... Put on your dancing shoes!

Everyone is in awe of The Mavericks 12 game winning streak but UNT's 11 game winning streak is more impressive. Tonight The Mean Green beat Troy to win the Sun Belt Title. Josh White's shot from near the free-throw line with 22 seconds remaining gave North Texas a 66-63 win over Troy on Tuesday night in the Sun Belt tournament championship game. UNT now gets an automatic bid into The NCAA Tournament. It's only their third trip to The Big Dance in school history. GO MEAN GREEN!!!
9:06PM | posted by Dawn Tongish | comments: 0

What will they be? ... Anything, they want!

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.  

8:45PM | posted by Shana Franklin | comments: 0

The New GSpot

Could it be?

Girls and guys, listen up!!

Pay your partner a compliment. Leave him or her a note on the bathroom mirror. Thank the love of your life or the person you just met FOR ANYTHING.

It's called Gratitude. And Dallas Author & Life Coach Michele Wahlder says it can lead to satisfaction.

Check it out on the33tv.com

10:25PM | posted by Shana Franklin | comments: 0

Open Marriages

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

9:34PM | posted by Dawn Tongish | comments: 0

OK, This did surprise me

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". 

9:09PM | posted by Barry Carpenter | comments: 0

Must...get...more...sleep..

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.

12:19AM | posted by Shana Franklin | comments: 0

High Water Levels & Rising Concerns

Some North Texans are watching area waterways carefully these days.  Among them is the close, family friend of a Dallas boy who drown Saturday night.

She says five- year old Sebastian Rodriquez was smart and warned to stay away from the creek behind his house.  

She ponders if he could drown with such little water in the creek, what about other area children when the creek rises in this rain.

It's a tragedy that was unfortunately part of my day.  My thoughts are with those who knew and loved the boy gone too soon.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-rain-concerns-story,0,3823060.story
8:42PM | posted by Dawn Tongish | comments: 0

What to do with your tax refund?

For years, Americans have been saving their tax refunds or using the free cash to pay off debt. But, not this year. It seems that more people are willing to open their wallets and splurge using their refunds.

According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, people feel a little more at easy spending their refunds this year. An Irving real estate agent told us he will use his 3-grand to buy his son a new truck. Another woman told us she will use her housing credit to furnish her new house. 

All of that is welcome news to retailers who are hoping to see a leap of tax refund money coming in the doors. We'll see!  

9:45PM | posted by Shana Franklin | comments: 0

Oscar Contender: Big & Beautiful. But healthy?

That's what some people in Tinsel Town and North Texas are saying about Gabourey Sidibe.

The 26-year old, untrained actress was nominated for an Academy Award in her first movie, "Precious".

At 300 pounds, she is far from being considered a traditional beauty, but she's being called beautiful and a role model, nonetheless.

See what she, a Dallas MD and others say about her confidence and health.

Come on over. Your mouse knows how to find me.

9:44PM | posted by Dawn Tongish | comments: 1

Police Misconduct?

You can not take your eyes off the image of a UP Railroad agent arresting a young man in a watery tunnel near downtown Dallas. The agent uses foul language and at one point grabs the suspect and threatens to kill him.

There is no dobut that law enforcement officers have a difficult and scray job and have to take every precaution. But, did this officer go too far in making the arrest. He is on administrative leave and is under investigation. UP says he will be disciplined if he violated policy.

Watch the video at the33tv.com and tell me what you think.  

12:59AM | posted by Shana Franklin | comments: 0

Bite me!

C'mon, you know it and I know it.  There's something super sexy about vampires.  Don't pretend you haven't been just a little bit drawn to the dangerous, brooding, yet vulnerable Men of the Night.  You're not alone.  

Young girls might see them as the "cool kids" who can wear all black and don't have a curfew.  Adult women might also be sucked by the fantasy, the desire to be taken care of, even controlled sexually.

But one Plano family counselor has seen the darker side of the phenomenon.  

What is it?  Work for it!!  p.s.  Watch your neck!

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-vampire-sex-appeal-story,0,2528535.story
9:47PM | posted by Shana Franklin | comments: 0

Hump Day Isn't Always Sexy

Wednesday has a reputation of being the least sexy day of the week. It doesn't have to be that way, according to Dallas Life Coach Lori Darley. She sees it as a chance to exercise mind over matter.

Darley recommends you take a deep breath and get "present". Notice your thoughts and choose an empowering one: a thought that gives you energy. Then reconnect to what's important, something you value.

Lori Darley says about Wednesdays and other outside forces, "When we get connected to why we're here and where we're going, then it seems like there's a lot less that bothers us."

Peace out.

12:09AM | posted by Shana Franklin | comments: 0

Modern Sex Education

For many past generations, "the talk" was held around a kitchen table between an uncomfortable child and a maybe even more uncomfortable child.  

But these days, millions of young adults are not getting the message about sex education.  A Public Health Department in Ontario Canada is taking a very untraditional approach in trying to combat steadily increasing cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea.  It's launched an online game called Adventures in Sex City.

It won't make it into North Texas schools, but it's making area parents uncomfortable nonetheless.

Check it out here online at the33tv.com  
10:18PM | posted by Dawn Tongish | comments: 0

What will KBH do?

After getting a scolding from Kay Bailey Hutchison's press secretary not to ask a question, of course I did. After her concession speedh, I asked her what her plans are now that she has lost the republican primary. Senator Hutchison refused to answer the question. Even when a supporter asked her what her next step was. She refused to say.

That is the question now. Will KBH stay in the senate or resign as she promised when she started the campaign for governor. Some, no doubt, would like to see the senior senator stay in Washington, but I'm sure she has family and friends who would like to see her retire and take it easy. 

Stay tuned because only one person can answer this: will she stay or will she go?

7:58PM | posted by Dawn Tongish | comments: 0

Historic Gun Debate

Some believe that it will be a court ruling for the ages. The US Supreme Court will take up a controversial Chicago gun ban tomorrow and it could have sweeping implications, even in Texas. 

Do cities and states have the right to make law regarding the Second Amendment? That is the heart of the issue and one the court will likely decide.

You can bet that many, many gun owners will be watching this one.

8:46PM | posted by Dawn Tongish | comments: 0

Identity Theft and Your Kids

Here is a great article I found from CNET News about how to protect not only your children, but youself when it comes to identity theft. I know I learned a few tips:

 

Enjoy Adults are increasingly aware of the risks of identity theft, but how many of us think about protecting our children's identities? This is an issue that we should be thinking about from birth, when baby registries, online birth announcements, and even the "Stork News" sign in the front yard expose kids' personal information--name gender, date of birth, and home address--to the wider world.

Children who get their identities stolen may not know for years, until they grow up and go to apply for a job, student loan, or credit card themselves. You can imagine what a mess that would be. It is important to periodically monitor our kids' credit reports to make sure there is not any strange activity going on.

The South Carolina Now website has a good article on this topic, with links to many resources.

One of the experts in the article points out that parents often use their child's identity because of their own bad credit. Strangers pilfer identifying information through mail, trash, and poorly secured forms (say, at a school or doctor's office).

Some basic precautions start with the idea of paying attention, investigating unusual occurrences such as a young child receiving loan or credit card offers in the mail, and building in precautions like investing in a home office shredder.

Everybody should review their credit reports with the three major credit bureaus, which you can do free once year.

We need to watch what others are saying about us online, and what information we are giving out. Many websites, even legitimate ones, are not in compliance with COPPA, the law that requires verifiable parental consent to collect personal information from kids under age 13. I am researching this topic in greater depth for a separate post, but in the meantime, it makes sense for us require our kids to ask permission before registering for any web site. If you feel uncomfortable sharing the information, don't. The extent of data mining, and how that information is used, is not fully known yet.

Identity theft creates yet another issue for parents to add to their list of important tasks, but this is definitely a case where an ounce of prevention is well worth the effort.

9:38PM | posted by Barry Carpenter | comments: 0

The eyes no longer have it, it's now the lips

Move over Angelina Jolie, now everyone can have lips like yours. They're called PermaLip and they're made of silicone. Think breast stuff for the lips. Doctors numb the mouth, then make tiny incisions in the corners and slide the fillers through. They come in small, medium and large. If you go small and want big, they can be removed. If you don't like them at all, they can be removed. The doctors who invented PermaLip practice in Plano. The device is FDA approved as a facial filler and will soon likely gain approval as a permanent lip filler. I'm told it will be the only one of it's kind.

The device is already approved in Europe as a permanent lip filler and you just watch, when it gets final approval here, it will get big. Big as Angelina Jolie's lips.

8:18PM | posted by Barry Carpenter | comments: 0

Baby fat. Here to stay?

Obesity is a huge issue in this country. One in five kids is considered obese. I'ts been called a future medical care mushroom cloud. Diabetes, heart disease and other killers are associated with obesity. Now comes a study that if you can weight as an infant, as early as three months, you may wind up overweight. Researchers tracked 111 kids who had BMI's 85% above average and found that half of them were considered overweight by the time they were 5 and 90% were considered overweight by the time they were 5. Here's the kicker: ALL were considered overweight when they turned 10. A pediatrics group now believes BMI checks should be considered for kids as young as 3 months old. Since nothing else seems to work, I say why not.