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Idaho Replaces Mile Marker 420 with 419.9 to Thwart Stoners

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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — If you’re looking for milepost 420, you won’t find it in Idaho.

Idaho transportation officials say the mile marker has been replaced with 419.9 signs to curb thieves eager to own a number associated with marijuana enthusiasts.

It turns out, Idaho isn’t alone in this problem. States like Washington and Colorado have also replaced 420 signs with 419.9 after consistently having to replace them after thefts by supposed sticky-fingered stoners.

Adam Rush of the Idaho Transportation Department says officials have replaced the old sign along U.S. Highway 95 with “MILE 419.9,” just south of Coeur d’Alene.

Rush added that this is the only 420 sign the department has replaced. Most highways don’t cover more than 400 miles.

The number “420” has long been associated with marijuana, though its origins as a shorthand for pot are murky.

Study: Teen E-Cigarette Use Linked to Later Smoking

ecigaretteCHICAGO (AP) — A study at 10 Los Angeles high schools links e-cigarettes with later tobacco use.

University of Southern California researchers found that 14-year-olds who’d ever tried e-cigarettes were more likely than others to later try other tobacco products.

The study doesn’t prove that electronic cigarettes are a “gateway drug” but some doctors say it bolsters arguments that the devices need to be strictly regulated.

The government-funded study was published in Tuesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association.

National data show e-cigarettes have become more popular among teens than regular cigarettes.

The Food and Drug Administration has proposed rules that would ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and would add the devices to the list of tobacco products it regulates.

Government Investigating Headlight Failure in Ford Sedans

NHTSADETROIT (AP) — The government is investigating reports of headlight failure in older Ford and Mercury sedans.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Ford has received 3,092 complaints of headlight failure on Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis sedans from the 2003-2005 model years. The government has also received 605 complaints of headlight failure in those vehicles.

Fifteen crashes and one injury related to the problem have been reported to Ford and to the government. In one case, a driver reportedly struck a deer after the headlights went off without warning.

The government started investigating after receiving a petition from the North Carolina Consumers Council. NHTSA investigations often lead to recalls.

Ford says it’s cooperating with the investigation.

‘Star Wars’ Themed Land Planned at Disney Parks

disney-star-warsANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Disney CEO Bob Iger says “Star Wars” is getting its own themed land at Disney parks.

Iger announced at Disney’s D23 Fan Expo on Saturday that the 14-acre attraction will be built at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It represents the largest parks expansion ever.

Iger says the “Star Wars” land will be “every bit as thrilling as the films” and will include attractions and entertainment in an area populated by aliens and droids. There will also be a Cantina and the chance to take control of the Millennium Falcon.

Disney parks have previously only had the Star Tours ride as their “Star Wars” themed attraction. More comprehensive park integration has been expected since Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012.

Kids with Cancer Get Futuristic Chance at Saving Fertility

Medical-ChartCHICAGO (AP) — Baby-making is probably not on most families’ minds when young children get cancer. But at some pediatric centers, doctors bring it up soon after diagnosis because cancer or its treatment can cause infertility.

In children as young as infants, they’re trying a futuristic approach — removing and freezing ovaries and testes, with hopes that by time kids reach adulthood scientists will figure out how to make the tissue work.

It has worked in adults; more than 30 babies have been born to women who had ovarian tissue removed and frozen in adulthood. But no one knows yet if it will work in kids treated before puberty.

Patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are among kids involved in the research.

Diet Pepsi Gets Rid of Aspartame, But Will Customers Return?

diet-pepsiNEW YORK (AP) — A revamped Diet Pepsi without aspartame is popping up on store shelves. So will people start flocking back to the soda?

PepsiCo says its new Diet Pepsi should be available nationally this week. In response to customer feedback, the company said earlier this year that it would replace the aspartame in the drink with another artificial sweetener that has less baggage.

Now, the rollout of aspartame-free Diet Pepsi will test the theory that the sweetener is to blame for fleeing customers, or if other issues might be at play.

Other diet sodas that still have aspartame include Diet Coke, Diet Dr Pepper and Fanta Zero.

14-Year-Old Charged with Killing His Grandparents

police-lights-redCONWAY, Ark. (AP) — Police say a 14-year-old boy shot and killed his grandparents during a robbery and murder scheme hatched while he and two other friends were held in a juvenile jail.

Justin Staton was charged as an adult with murder Friday along with 17-year-old Hunter Drexler in the July 22 deaths of Robert and Patricia Cogdell in Conway, Arkansas. Police say the pair shot them and dumped their bodies in a nearby wooded area.

A police affidavit said Staton acknowledged the crimes and that he had told a relative Drexler was involved.

According to the affidavit, a 17-year-old girl who was at the house at the time said something should be done because the grandfather didn’t die immediately. Staton walked over to his grandfather and shot him once or twice more.

Mazda Recalls 193,000 SUVs to Fix Front Suspension

mazdaDETROIT (AP) — Mazda is recalling its biggest SUV to fix suspension parts that can rust and come loose, causing a loss of steering control.

The recall covers more than 193,000 CX-9 SUVs in the U.S. from the 2007 through 2014 model years.

The company says in documents filed with U.S. safety regulators that front ball joints can rust from water leaks and separate from the suspension. Ball joints allow the wheels to pivot when the steering wheel is turned.

Dealers will replace the joints on both sides. When parts become available, owners of older vehicles in states where salt is used to clear roads in winter will get repairs first.

The recall comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the problem in June. When the investigation was started, no crashes or injuries had been reported.

Only Small Increase in US Girls Getting Cervical Cancer Shot

vaccinationNEW YORK (AP) — More U.S. girls are getting a controversial vaccine, but the increase last year was only slight.

A national survey released Thursday found 60 percent of adolescent girls received at least one of three doses of the vaccine against human papillomavirus, or HPV. It was 57 percent in 2013.

For boys, the rate was 42 percent, up from 34 percent.

The vaccine has been available to girls since 2006 but has been recommended for boys since 2011. It protects against cervical cancer and genital warts. The shots are recommended at age 11 or 12, to protect youths before they start to have sex.

Health officials say not enough pediatricians are strongly recommending HPV shots. Vaccination rates against other diseases like whooping cough are much higher.

Teen Accused of Suffocating Newborn Then Going Shopping

police-lights-redNEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say a teenager suffocated her just-born baby before taking his body with her on a trip to Victoria’s Secret in New York City.

Eighteen-year-old Tiona Rodriguez pleaded not guilty Thursday to a murder charge stemming from the shopping trip two years ago. Prosecutors say she was arrested on a shoplifting charge at the store, and her 8-pound newborn was found dead in a bag she was carrying. The shoplifting charge was later dropped.

Prosecutors say Rodriguez intended for weeks to kill the infant and sent a text message about plans to “dig a hole” and “put it somewhere.”

Defense lawyer Earl Ward says Rodriguez’s term of pregnancy was unclear. He says Rodriguez didn’t know she was pregnant and she had a stillbirth. He says she acted out of confusion.

 

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