Life and Health

Spring-like temperatures bring out mosquitos

SACRAMENTO - There are four weeks left of winter, but the spring-like temperatures have people noticing more mosquitos than in years past.

Radiation detected 400 miles off Japanese coast

SALT LAKE CITY - Radioactive contamination from the Fukushima power plant disaster has been detected as far as almost 400 miles off Japan in the Pacific Ocean, with water showing readings of up to 1,000 times more than prior levels, scientists reported Tuesday.

DAILY DEAL: 50% off breakfast at Jim Denny's

SACRAMENTO--  $20 worth of food for only $10! Enjoy breakfast or brunch at this Sacramento eatery any weekday for half price!

As tobacco sales fall, state budget suffers

SACRAMENTO - A major bond rating agency sounded an alarm this month, saying California may have borrowed more than $4 billion against tobacco settlement money that might never materialize.

Lack of primary and preventive care sends thousands to hospitals

SACRAMENTO - Better access to primary health care and prevention programs could have kept thousands of California adults out of hospitals, according to a new statewide analysis.

DAILY DEAL: Save 50% from Vanilla Bean Bistro

SACRAMENTO-- Get dinner for two, which includes two salads, soups or appetizers (limit $10 each) and two entrees (limit $20 each) for just $26.

FDA to review inhalable caffeine

BOSTON - U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials plan to investigate whether inhalable caffeine sold in small canisters is safe for consumers.

Firefighters Fill the Boots for Burns Drive kicks off Friday

SACRAMENTO - Firefighters from Sacramento kick off their annual "Fill the Boot for Burns Boot Drive" in support of the Firefighters Burn Institute.

Group calls for closure of Heart Attack Grill

LAS VEGAS - A Washington, D.C.-based anti-meat advocacy group is asking the owner of a Las Vegas restaurant that prides itself on unhealthy meals to shut down after a customer suffered a medical episode and was hospitalized.

Autistic brains show changes months before symptoms, study finds

Researchers have detected changes in brain development in autistic babies as young as 6 months old - half a year or more before parents typically begin to notice symptoms of the condition.

Expect smaller candy bars (but the same price??)

Snickers bars are going on a diet.

Stuck on hold? How to get help from a real person

SACRAMENTO - Struggling to get an answer from a live person when you call customer service? Now, you can connect to a real, live person with little or no waiting.

Curb the car dashboard technology, government asks

WASHINGTON - Auto dashboards are becoming an arcade of text messages, GPS images, phone calls and web surfing, the government says, and it's asking carmakers to curb those distractions when vehicles are moving.

DAILY DEAL: Dinner for two for $26 from Monsoon Cuisine of India

SACRAMENTO-- Choose your favorite food a la carte and pay just $15 for $30 worth of dishes or get two entrées and two glasses of wine for $26 at Monsoon Cuisine of India!

Food trucks could be banned from schools

SACRAMENTO - In an effort to fight obesity, California public schools have spent the past few years banning junk food on campus and bringing in healthier choices for kids as mandated by national standards.

Watch the Oscars with your friends -- with an APP

ConnecTV is a new app for your iPad, PC and Mac where you can watch your favorite shows with friends any time, any place.

15-minute-old newborn gets pacemaker for heart

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Jaya Maharaj was just that, as she became one of the smallest-ever recipients of a pacemaker when she was 15 minutes old.

UC Davis researchers to examine revamp of public health

As California continues to forge ahead implementing health reform, state Medi-Cal leaders and UC Davis researchers announced an agreement to examine public health system transformation efforts that may serve as models for the nation.

Sex best remedy for headaches

Love letters: Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett

The famed love letter collection between 19th Century poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett is being released online today.

White House attacks contraception bill

WASHINGTON - Press secretary Jay Carney took aim Monday at a bill by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia that would allow any employer to deny birth control coverage if it runs counter to their religious or moral beliefs.

DAILY DEAL: 51% off fresh produce

SACRAMENTO-- You've heard of restaurants serving farm-to-table, but now's your chance to have the farm delivered straight to your own kitchen for $17, a $34.99 value!

REVIEW: Should you see The Artist?

Review of The Artist

Bad economy increases lottery sales in California

SACRAMENTO - California lottery tickets are hot these days.
So hot, the state is on pace to set a record by the end of the fiscal year in June: $4 billion in sales, the highest ever in its 26 year history.

Doctor: 'Sleep texting' is growing problem

GOLDEN VALLEY, MN - Texting while asleep is being reported more often.

DAILY DEAL: 79% Off 2 Lipo-Laser Sessions

ROSEVILLE-- 2- 40 minute laser sessions and 15 minutes of Whole Body Vibration Exercise for $139 (regular price $666)

2 Sacramento nursing homes get 1-star ratings

A USA TODAY analysis of government ratings for more than 15,000 nursing homes over the last three years shows a higher percentage receiving top ratings, although more than 500 homes have remained stuck at the lowest rating during that time.

Parents want answers in Elk Grove illness outbreak

ELK GROVE - Elk Grove parents are asking for more information about an apparent virus outbreak that may have sickened hundreds of children and parents.

Obama birth control policy divides Democrats

WASHINGTON - Democrats are deeply divided over President Barack Obama's new rule that religious schools and hospitals must provide insurance for free birth control to their employees.

Scholarship plan could reduce tuition at public universities

SACRAMENTO - Assembly Democrats introduced a middle class scholarship plan that would cut tuition at California's public universities by two-thirds.

DAILY DEAL: 78% off boudoir portrait session for Valentine's Day

EL DORADO-- Private boudoir portrait session with LGBoudoir, a division of Lynn Greene Photography for $79, a $375 value!

Grant helps Sacramento YMCA fight childhood obesity

SACRAMENTO - The Sacramento YMCA is using grant money from United Healthcare to fight childhood obesity.

Sierra resorts get dusting of snow

DONNER SUMMIT - Sierra ski resorts got a break from snow-making as a wave of wintry weather dropped up to several inches of new snow.

Appeals court expected to rule on Prop. 8 Tuesday

SACRAMENTO - The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals expects to rule Tuesday if Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

Feds reject Brown's plan of Medi-Cal copayments

SACRAMENTO - Federal health officials say California cannot force Medi-Cal recipients to make a co-pay for doctor visits and prescription drugs, a decision that brings relief to low-income patients but complicates the state's effort to close a $9.2 billion budget deficit.

Push for family input to detect dementia earlier

WASHINGTON-- Dementia can sneak up on families. Its sufferers are pretty adept at covering lapses early on, and spouses are sometimes there to compensate.