"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." - Benjamin Franklin -

NY inmate guilty of seeking $890M in tax refunds

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—A jury has convicted a New York prison inmate of falsely filing tax returns seeking $890 million in refunds.

Public Hangings: Bring Em On

We knew the Republicans favored an economic policy that was last used in the 19th Century.  And their treatment of science comes out of the 17th Century.

Herman Cain endorses Newt Gingrich, calls him a patriot who is not afraid of bold ideas

WEST PALM BEACH — One-time Newt Gingrich rival Herman Cain officially endorsed Gingrich Saturday night at the Lincoln Day Dinner at the Kravis Center, calling Gingrich a patriot and saying he’s not afraid of bold ideas. by Andrew Abramso

GOP's Mitch Daniels a Lover of Cleantech Tax Credits?

This is a wonderful post by David Roberts of Grist on a story that, I have to contend, will not end up on FOX News: In a shocking turn of events, Republicans have turned on the very man they chose to speak for them this week in response to Obama’s State of the …

Startup Invents Peel-Off Solar Cell

Astrowatt has developed a new manufacturing technique for solar cells that would enable them to attain the comparably high efficiency of traditional silicon wafer solar panels, but while using the silicon raw material much more efficiently.

Camp Buehring, Kuwait Postmaster Convicted of Stealing $565,000 in Money Orders

HOUSTON—Delmus Eugene Scott, Jr., 34, of Humble, Texas, has pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Four-year-old U.S. boy pulls out marijuana at school

(Reuters) - A four-year-old U.S. boy who announced to his teacher at school snack time that he wanted to share pulled nine bags of marijuana out of his jacket pocket, police said on Wednesday.

Granite City Man Sentenced to More Than 27 Years for Child Pornography Offenses

Christopher H. McCoy, 48, of Granite City, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court in East St.

Aren't the Photos of This 10-Year-Old Girl Way Too Sexy?

Yes, we know things are different in France, but Vogue Paris surpassed some shocking fashion milestones by featuring a 10-year-old female model, Thylane Blondeau.

Head Knocked Off Jesus Statue Outside Dorchester Church (Audio & Video)

DORCHESTER (CBS) – Someone smashed the head off of a statue of Jesus in Dorchester. Carl Stevens

Welfare Drug Testing Bill Withdrawn After Amended To Include Testing Lawmakers [Indiana]

A Republican member of the Indiana General Assembly withdrew his bill to create a pilot program for drug testing welfare applicants Friday after one of his Democratic colleagues amended the measure to require drug testing for lawmakers.

Obama hosts George H.W. and Jeb Bush at White House

Unbeknownst to the press, President Obama met Friday evening with former president George H.W. Bush and his son, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, in the Oval Office. By DONOVAN SLACK

Former ANC Commissioner Pleads Guilty to Fraud; Admits Misuse of More Than $28,000 in Government Funds Community Leader Used Money for Personal Expenses

WASHINGTON—William Shelton, 42, a community leader in Northeast Washington, pled guilty today to a federal charge of access device fraud for using more than $28,000 in District of Columbia government funding, intended for the community, for his own personal expenses. Th …

FBI — Lyme, Connecticut Man Admits Defrauding Investors of $1.9 Million

NEW HAVEN, CT—Christopher Plummer, 50, of Lyme, Conn., pleaded guilty yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W.

Cops Have to Answer for Handling of Dead Suspect

(CN) - Police questioning may have caused the death of a man who had just crashed his truck into a Chicago train station and killed two people, a federal judge ruled.

Underage Beach Sex Case Heads to State Court

ORLANDO (CN) - State court is a better venue for claims that Volusia County and its beach officials fostered an environment where underage lifeguards felt coerced into having sex with their supervisors, a federal judge ruled.

California Investor Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud at Public Real Estate Foreclosure Auctions Ninth Guilty Plea in the Investigation to Date

SACRAMENTO, CA—A real estate investor pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Sacramento to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions held in San Joaquin County, Calif., Sharis A.

5 Fresh Innovations in Solar Technology

It’s true—amazing solar tech innovations just keep coming. Some advances come in the form of new handheld devices and applications. Others promise to elevate solar into a mainstream energy source that may one day replace greenhouse-gas-emitting fossil fuels.

Warren Buffett's Utility Explains Clean Energy Investment: "This Is a Vote for Renewable Energy. It is Not a Bet."

Warren Buffett’s utility subsidiary, MidAmerican Energy Holdings, has made a number of large investments in renewable energy over the past few years. But the famed investor doesn’t exactly make environmentalists jump for joy. Stephen Lacey

Latest clean energy faux scandal engulfs GOP spokesman Mitch Daniels (Video)

n a shocking turn of events, Republicans have turned on the very man they chose to speak for them this week in response to Obama’s State of the Union address — Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Jon Stewart on Gingrich's Lunar Base Plan: Newt Wants To Divorce Feverish Earth For Younger, Healthier Moon (Video)

So Newt Gingrich has promised to build a lunar base by the end of his second term (sic … or is that sick?).  Why?  Jon Stewart believes the answer is global warming: Joe Romm

Mom says 11-year-old boy with gun on MAX harassed her

PORTLAND, Ore. – The mother on her way home from visiting the zoo with her son Thursday night said the 11-year-old boy who flashed a gun at her on a MAX train was harassing her. By Emily Sinovic

School suspends cancer survivor over long hair he plans to donate

Burton— Not long ago, J.T. Gaskins was honored on his high school's "Wall of Fame" for perfect behavior. Now he's doing school work from home after being suspended by the governing board of his charter school over the length of his hair.

Cooter From Dukes Of Hazzard Really, Really Hates Newt Gingrich

Ben Jones played Cooter and also ran against Gingrich for a seat in Congress. He's the latest 90s figure to come out of the woodwork to stop Newt Rosie Gray buzzfeed.com