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A new Nielsen poll finds smartphones are becoming less of a luxury and more of a so-called necessity — at least for younger people.

Nielsen gathered data to learn more about the age, income and demographics of the typical US smartphone user. Specifically, the firm wanted to know if lower prices are making the devices more popular among those who earn less money.

Turns out more than half of people between 18 and 24 who make less than $15,000 per year are smartphone owners, compared to 43 percent of those aged 25 to 34 and just 31 percent of folks between 35 and 44 years old.

While researchers don’t know if the people surveyed, especially those in the younger group, have outside financial help (parents, spouses, etc.), it’s clear that even the respondents on limited budgets are making room for smartphone ownership.

But what researchers found most interesting is that although the younger set deems the devices a necessity, older people consider them more of a luxury — which is valuable information for developers, publishers and advertisers.

[TechCrunch]

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A group of protesters affiliated with Occupy Wall Street plan to elect 876 “delegates” from around the country and hold a national “general assembly” in Philadelphia over the Fourth of July.

The 99% Declaration Working Group said in a statement Wednesday delegates would be elected online in early June from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The delegates will meet in Philadelphia to draft and ratify a “petition for a redress of grievances.”

The group plans to convene during the week of July 2 and hold a news conference in front of Independence Hall on the Fourth of July.

The Occupy Wall Street movement began in New York City and spread across the country last year, with protesters denouncing corporate excess and economic inequality.

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Federal health officials are warning that deaths from the liver-destroying hepatitis C virus are on the rise, and that baby boomers are especially at risk.

It is estimated that two-thirds of those with hepatitis C were born between 1945 and 1965. So some experts are recommending boomers get a one-time blood test to check for the virus — one that can otherwise go undetected and cause damage for decades.

Needle-sharing during illegal drug use is the biggest risk factor for becoming infected with the blood-borne hepatitis C virus, but before 1992, when widespread testing of the blood supply began, it was often spread through blood transfusions.

“One of every 33 baby boomers are living with hepatitis C infection,” Dr. John Ward, hepatitis chief at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Associated Press. “Most people will be surprised, because it’s a silent epidemic.”

Officials are urging testing in light of two new drugs that have the potential to provide a cure. Research published Monday by the CDC indicates the cost of testing millions of middle-aged people would be worth it, since thousands of lives could be saved in the process.

The CDC study analyzed a decade of death records and found the 15,000 deaths related to hepatitis C in 2007 were higher than previous estimates. What’s more, they even surpassed the nearly 13,000 deaths caused by HIV/AIDS virus.

“Mortality will continue to grow for the next 10 to 15 years at least unless we do something different” to find and treat the silent sufferers, Dr. Ward said.

Source: TheCheckup.com

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Home sales rose in January to the highest pace in nearly two years, flashing signs of health ahead of the spring-buying season.

The National Association of Realtors says home sales increased 4.3 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.57 million. That’s the highest level since May 2010.

Sales have risen in three of the past four months. But they remain well below the 6 million that economists equate with a healthy market.

First-time buyers, who are critical to a recovery, are increased slightly to 33 percent of sales. In healthy markets, first-time buyers make up at least 40 percent.

Homes at risk of foreclosure made up 35 percent of sales last month, up from 32 percent in December.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Labor unions are gearing up to spend more than $400 million to help re-elect President Barack Obama and back other Democrats at the federal and state level in a fight for labor’s survival.

Union leaders say they have little choice as they try to beat back GOP efforts to curb collective bargaining rights or limit their ability to collect dues.

The nation’s largest public employee union has already spent $1 million on television ads aimed at weakening GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, the candidate they expect to win the nomination.

But union resources are being spread thin after they spent millions last year to fight anti-union measures in Ohio, Wisconsin and other states. They are also spearheading a recall of Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Here’s a look at this year’s nominees in the major categories. Let your voice be heard and tell us who you think will win!

‘Hugo’ leads the way with 11 nominations. Will it end the evening with the most wins? You tell us:

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Officials allege 21-year-old Lance C. Chase of Gillette and 25-year-old Christopher C. Chase of Bismarck, N.D., trespassed on a Converse County property where a dead buck was found in November.

They say Christopher Chase must pay fines of $5,500 and lose hunting privileges for five years for being an accessory to taking an antlered deer out of season or without a license, illegal transfer of a license and hunting in the wrong area.

Lance Chase faces $5,680 in fines and restitution plus lost hunting privileges for seven years for allegedly taking an antlered deer out of season or without a license, trespassing and being over the limit for deer for his license.

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JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A second attempt to retrieve a search and rescue helicopter that crashed last week in northwest Wyoming has been called off.

Bridger-Teton National Forest spokeswoman Mary Cernicek says high winds stopped the second attempt on Tuesday. She says poor weather conditions this week may mean crews will have to wait until Friday for a third try.

The helicopter crashed Feb. 15th in a remote area of the forest northeast of Jackson while responding to snowmobile accident in which a man died. One volunteer rescuer died while the pilot and another rescue volunteer were hurt.

The pilot reported losing control of the helicopter, but the helicopter must be retrieved so investigators can determine whether mechanical failure was a factor.

Snowy weather stopped the first attempt to retrieve it last Friday.

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State lawmakers in Indiana were recently presented with a resolution to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts organization and honor the positive influence the group has had on American women. Representative Bob Morris, a Republican from Fort Wayne, was the only representative to refuse to sign, citing a belief that the Girl Scouts is a “radicalized organization.”

The Indiana lawmaker sent a letter to his colleagues saying he plans to pull his daughters from their Girl Scout troop after he found information online claiming that the group “sexualizes” girls and promotes homosexuality. One source he cited was a conservative “news” website called World Net Daily.

In his letter, he claimed to have found allegations that the Girl Scouts are actually a tactical arm of Planned Parenthood that encourages the girls to have sex. He continued to say that the people who the Girl Scouts consider to be role models are all “feminists, lesbians, or Communists.”

He also mentioned an allegation that the organization allows transgender females to join. This misstatement of the facts was most likely based on a situation that arose last fall when a transgender male child was refused membership in a Colorado troop, but then allowed to join by the national organization, which encourages inclusiveness.

The scouts have received criticism for this inclusiveness and many groups and websites have been working very hard to “expose” them. Diane Tipton, president of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital said in response, “Misinformation is passing as fact. The Girl Scout organization does not take a position on abortion or birth control, and these topics are not part of the Girl Scout program or our materials. We believe these matters are best discussed by girls with their families.”

At this time, the Girl Scouts are not planning any changes in policy, but they have released a statement explaining where they stand on sensitive issues.

[via Huffington Post]

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Radioactivity from Japan’s power plant disaster has been detected as far away as almost 400 miles offshore in the Pacific Ocean.

Scientists say ocean water showed readings of up to 1,000 times prior levels of the substance cesium-137 from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

But they say the new readings are far below the levels that are generally considered harmful, either to marine animals or people who eat seafood.

The results are from water samples taken in June, about three months after the disaster caused by a powerful earthquake and the tsunami that followed. Researchers also sampled fish and plankton and found cesium-137 levels well below the legal health limit.

They were reported Tuesday at a scientific meeting in Salt Lake City.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says on its website that it started investigating last week because the air bags may not inflate in a crash.

The problem has caused recalls of more than 2,700 vehicles, but that could grow if more automakers used the bad parts.

Recalled vehicles include 427 Toyota RAV-4s; 974 Honda Accords, Civics, Crosstours and Acura MDXs; 381 Subaru Legacys and Outbacks; and 976 Nissan Altimas and Versas.

Safety regulators say the vehicles may have an incorrect mixture of the gas that inflates the side curtain air bags in a crash. So far no one has been hurt.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A once-powerful Washington figure himself, Newt Gingrich says he’d shrink the role of the nation’s capital if sent back as president.

The Republican presidential candidate wrapped two days of Oklahoma campaigning Tuesday by addressing the state Legislature. He asked lawmakers for input on regulations to roll back and other steps to, in his words, “get the federal government out of your hair.”

The former House speaker says he’d focus most on regulations he thinks are hindering energy development and on giving states greater flexibility to implement Medicaid programs for the poor.

Gingrich praised House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s ideas for turning more Medicaid funds into block grants to states. Gingrich drew conservative blowback last May for suggesting Ryan’s plan for Medicare for seniors constituted “right wing social engineering.”

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DAYTON, Texas (AP) — Texas authorities have removed 11 children from a home after finding some restrained by harnesses and discovering other signs of abuse.

Child Protective Services spokeswoman Gwen Carter says 10 adults also were living in the one-story, 1,700-square-foot home in Dayton, about 30 miles northeast of Houston. The children ranged in age from 5 months to 11 years.

Carter says they are related, but she isn’t sure how many are siblings.

Dayton Police Sgt. Clinton O’Quinn says he saw some children in harnesses that allowed limited movement.

The children were removed last month and have been placed in foster homes. O’Quinn says authorities are looking into criminal charges.

Several residents of the home declined to comment on the removal or allegations of abuse.

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Facing huge budget shortfalls, the United States Postal Service has proposed solutions including closing hundreds of post offices and eliminating Saturday deliveries. Now it may be considering jacking up the price of stamps, too.

The popularity of internet services like online bill pay have led in part to a 1.7 percent decline in mail volume, causing the USPS to anticipate losing $14.1 billion in 2012 — with bigger losses expected in the years to come.

In response, postal officials sent a letter to Congress last Thursday in which they recommended several changes, including the possibility of increasing the price of a stamp from its current 45 cents up to 50 cents. While stamp prices have gone up four times since 2006, chief financial officer Joe Corbett said, “Clearly, we’re [still] underpriced [and] would like the ability to move that price up.”

The USPS says the extra nickel, which would likely be added in one or two-cent increments until 2015, would raise revenues by $1 billion annually. Although taxpayers don’t foot the bill to keep the postal service running, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe told Congress that failing to help the organization limit its losses would result in a “long-term burden to the American taxpayer.”

[Time]

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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Interstates 80 and 25 in southeast have reopened to traffic but portions remain closed to light trailers because of strong winds.

Blowing snow hampered motorists in many other areas of the state Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says winds gusts up to 65 mph are expected in southeastern, southwestern and central Wyoming through Wednesday evening.

The northwest flow bringing the wind to the state is also bringing snow to the western mountains. The National Weather Service says the Tetons could get up to 4 feet.

Winter storm warnings were posted for a large area of western Wyoming as well as the mountains in northern and southern Wyoming.

For a complete list of roads affected, CLICK HERE

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With the winter firmly upon us, many people treasure this time to take part in outdoor activities such as ice fishing.  One of the most popular ice fishing locations in the state is Goldeneye Reservoir near Casper, and with the amount of people hoping to do some ice fishing on the reservoir in the coming weeks, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department wants to help anglers understand ice fishing regulations at Goldeneye Reservoir and throughout the state.

Much of the reason Goldeneye Reservoir needs distinct explanation of regulations, is because the reservoir is under the Special Winter Ice Fishing Provision. This provision allows anglers to use up to six lines during the ice-covered period, but only when the angler is fishing through the ice. Otherwise, general creel and possession limits apply at Goldeneye, as well as all other general regulations. 

Anglers should be aware that just because Goldeneye is under the Special Winter Ice Fishing Provision, it does not mean live baitfish can be used as bait. In fact, live minnows are prohibited at Goldeneye, but dead minnows may be used as bait at the reservoir; additionally, the use or possession of live baitfish is prohibited on all waters – including Goldeneye – except those listed on pages 22-33 of the 2012-2013 Wyoming Fishing Regulations.

The information specialist for the Casper Game and Fish Office, Robin Kepple says, “Anglers need to pay close attention to areas where live baitfish are allowed and where they are prohibited.”

The use of live baitfish is a special regulation for a body of water, and the water must specifically be listed in the regulations as allowing live minnows in order for an angler to legally use a live minnow for bait.”

Many – but not all – of the waters with the special winter ice fishing provision have a special regulation allowing live baitfish. “Anglers should not make the mistake of assuming that live baitfish may be used at a body of water just because that water is managed under the special Winter Ice Fishing Provision,” Kepple said.

The Game and Fish Department attempted to manage Goldeneye for walleye several years ago, but at that time, it was managed under the Special Winter Ice Fishing Provision. Today, changes in habitat conditions and the current management of the reservoir as a trout fishery has present nongame fish. “Game and Fish has kept the Special Winter Ice Fishing Provision in place, but do not want additional nongame fish to be accidentally introduced by anglers using live baitfish,” says Kepple.

For more information, please refer to the 2012-2013 Wyoming Fishing Regulations, available wherever fishing licenses are sold, or on the Game and Fish Department web page.

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Attorneys for country duo Sugarland say the injuries fans suffered in a deadly stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair were “their own fault.”

Sugarland’s attorneys say some or all of the injuries happened because fans failed to take steps to ensure their own safety before high winds toppled stage rigging onto the crowd awaiting the band’s Aug. 13 concert.

Seven people died and 58 were injured.

In a Feb. 16th response to a civil suit filed in November, they also say fair officials and stage rigging builder Mid-America Sound Corp. were responsible for the stage setup. They call the wind that toppled the structure an “act of God.”

Sugarland’s attorneys are seeking a jury trial.

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In a season that has had it’s share of ups and downs, the Cowgirls basketball team has had a remarkable run in conference play.  While much of the attention has been given to Kayla Woodward as a two-time conference player of the week as only a Freshman, contributions in this surprising season have come from many names on the roster.

Of all the player you’ve seen or heard contribute for the Cowgirls this season, which one is your favorite?  For some, this could mean who has had the greatest direct impact on wins or losses, while others might vote for the Cowgirl who hustles the most during the game.  Whatever your leading factor in determining your favorite Cowgirl, let us know who has been your favorite all season long!

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About 21-percent of Wyoming households are not prepared to weather a storm financially if unexpected big bills pop up.

The nonprofit Corporation for Enterprise Development has issued a report showing that Wyomingites make about seven thousand dollars less per year than the average American worker, and carry an average credit card debt of 76-hundred dollars. Don Baylor with the Center for Public Policy Priorities says that’s a precarious situation.

“They’re essentially a job loss away from having zero assets.”

The report recommends a state tax credit for working families and state support for savings-match programs for low-income families.

Baylor says low college graduation rates play into the picture as well, because quality education equals expanded earnings and savings.

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FORT LEE, N.J. (AP) — Prosecutors say a New Jersey man angry that his girlfriend was trying to break up with him struck her with his car and repeatedly backed over her body.

The Bergen County prosecutor’s office says 26-year-old Charles Ann is charged with murdering 25-year-old Aena Hong. Both lived in Fort Lee.

Ann was arrested early Tuesday at a friend’s apartment in Flushing, N.Y. Authorities say he was carrying a large amount of cash and his passport. They say they believe Ann might have been trying to flee to his native South Korea.

He’s being held on $3 million bail. It isn’t clear if he has a lawyer.

Hong was struck Monday night in a Fort Lee intersection. Witnesses saw her walking and arguing with the driver of the car that hit her.