The 33 News Blog

Spring vs. Winter

2010-03-21T05:12:30Z

They went head to head today in North Texas. And I am the one who lost!

Now, don't misunderstand me. I love rain, slow and sleet (anything but YOUR Texas summers. Ick.)

But, it was odd today to pull out and put on the long underwear for work today. Just yesterday I was in short sleeves, flip-flops and filling the dogs' outside water bowls 50-billion times an hour.

Rumor has it (okay: Bob Goosmann) the long underwear needs to go in the wash tonight. I might be on weather patrol again tomorrow.

At least, the pups won't be as thirsty tomorrow!! Hopefully the husband will share the couch and make them hot cocoa. (He says 'okay' as long as they do the dishes.)

Heartbreaking Loss For Lady Frogs

2010-03-20T23:45:31Z

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Brittany Wilson scored just before the
buzzer, and eighth-seeded Dayton rallied from an 18-point deficit
to beat No. 9 seed TCU 67-66 Saturday in the opening round of the
NCAA women's tournament.
      Dayton (25-7) trailed by 18 with 13:07 left and took advantage
of TCU (22-9) going cold down the stretch to pull off the
incredible rally in the Flyers' tournament debut.
      Patrice Lalor found Wilson inside with time running down, and
Wilson hit the layup with 1.1 seconds left to start the celebration
at midcourt.
      TCU (22-9) lost for a second straight year to a tournament
newcomer. This time, the Lady Frogs weren't taken down by a
tournament-tying 16 3-pointers as in 2009 in an upset by South
Dakota State. They have only themselves to blame after the Mountain
West regular season champ failed to hold onto a lead that was as
much 52-34.

Who are the riskier drivers: boys or girls?

2010-03-20T00:58:42Z

OK, I know most of you said boys. Everyone knows that teenage boys are risky on the road, right? Well, it turns out that trend may be reversing. A new survey shows that teenage girls are more likely to speed, text and drive aggressively.

The results surprised even the Allstate Insurance researchers who conducted the survey. For years, they have tagged boys as more dangerous. But, some feel that girls are just becoming more competitive overall and that may be spilling over on to their behavior on the road.

Experts say that parents need to sit down with teens and talk about danger on the roads. Check out our website for a contract you can put together with your child.

http://bit.ly/DawnStories

Not your ordinary workout program

2010-03-20T00:18:38Z

And that's good news. It's about time someone took work out of workout. I don't have kids but I hear a common complaint is that kids just aren't getting enough exercise these days. A recent study indicates that 32% of Texas kids between the ages of 10 and 17 are overweight. Parents are correct. Now, what do you do about it? An enterprising young dancer at a local Dallas gym has come up with something brilliant. Hip Hop Kids, it's an hour worth of exercise that's more funout than workout. The teenagers learn all sorts of dance moves to some pretty cool hip hop music and at the end of an hour they have burned about 300 calories without even knowing it.

One mom I had a conversation with said her two daughters always have their headphones on so they might as well get fit at the same time. When 32% of the kids in Texas are considered overweight, mom knows best.

To Cheat or not to Cheat

2010-03-19T02:47:40Z

That is often the question in relationships, if not the action.

The marriages of Tiger Woods and Sandra Bullock are putting infidelity front and center, causing some to ask: how do I prevent it?

Dallas relationship coach and author Nina Atwood (singlescoach.com) offers us advice that is surprisingly simple. which are surprisingly simple. Watch the story here on the33tv.com

Spring not here yet, but allergies are

2010-03-18T22:45:31Z

I grew up in northern California and NEVER suffered from allergies....until I moved to north Texas. It must have been about my second or third year here when I started getting what I though was a cold that never seemed to go away. I toughed it out for a few years and then my wife suggested that I have allergies. I said no way, I don't have allergies! I went to the doctor and he said, wait for it, you have allergies. I joined the crowd.

This allergy season is here sooner than normal. An allergist told me this week was his busiest week in three years courtesy of a wet winter and early bloom.

If you're new to Texas, welcome. Next year I'll welcome you to the allergy crowd.

Happy St. Patty's Day. SERIOUSLY.

2010-03-18T04:30:01Z

The "all about drinking" holiday is causing safety concerns, especially for women.

And with good reason.

History supports the worry.

See why and how to get help.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-st-patricks-day-safety-story,0,559142.story

This would have been a great idea, 20 years ago

2010-03-18T02:37:44Z

The FDA is streamlining some procedures to quicken the arrival of experimental breast cancer drugs. One doctor we interviewed today said there is a lifetime of drugs that need to be tested because of the current system. Twenty hosptitals across the country will start the new trial system this summer. Researchers will start with five drugs and ultimately test twelve. They'll use genetic markers to match a persons makup to the drug that will most likely help. A doctor told me that a woman with stage 4 breast cancer took an oral test drug and is now cancer free.

How many people would that drug have helped if the FDA had streamlined the procedure earlier? Like I said, this is a great idea, but it would have been even better 20 years ago. By the way, UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas is one of the 20 hospitals taking part in the trial.

Rangers' Manager Tested Positive For Cocaine

2010-03-17T19:12:18Z

SI.com is reporting that Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine last season. SI.com says Washington failed the test conducted by Major League Baseball in July. The Web site says Washington has been subject to increased testing since then, and that he has passed every test. SI.com says the Rangers have decided to keep Washington as their
manager. Washington apologized for his mistake and told team management it was a one-time transgression.

Sexual Anorexia?

2010-03-17T05:10:18Z

Like most people, you probably haven't heard of Sexual Anorexia. But, experts say that's no excuse. It's a serious disorder, severe and overwhelming. And probably not what you think.

I made it easy for you and made the link really, really little!

http://tinyurl.com/yknzg5o

Here comes the sun

2010-03-16T19:45:51Z

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.

Family searches for answers

2010-03-16T02:19:07Z

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.

Mom, did you brush your teeth?

2010-03-16T01:33:59Z

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.

Deadly Huffing Hitting 12 Year Olds

2010-03-15T04:57:33Z

It's also called sniffing, dusting or bagging.

It's the abuse of inhalants, many of which are found in your home.

There are an estimated 1,000 products containing the chemical vapors being inhaled by kids who want to get high.

It's cheap, legal and potentially deadly.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-huffing-inhalants-story,0,3120657.story

Who should pick up the tab?

2010-03-15T02:52:09Z

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