National US News @ Anderson Free Press

INDIANA - Top Toys Blog (another website by kpaul media) has released a preview video of Toy Fair 2010 featuring The Toy Guy, Chris Byrne. The Toy Guy will also be live in Hasbro’s studio on February 11th and 15th, where he will give people an inside view of what children will be asking for in 2010 for birthdays and even Christmas 2010. Each day will consist of a different set of toys ranging from hot sneak previews to fair favorites.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Dollar General, announced on February 3, 2010, a voluntary recall of Special Forces and Police SWAT Toy Gun Sets. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of State has launched the first Information Technology Intern Exchange program. The Iraq Information Technology (IT) Intern Program is the first IT exchange program bringing six Iraqi information technology professionals to work and study in the U.S. from January 24 to April 27.

The six Iraqi technology interns will spend 12 weeks working with some of the leading technology firms in the country, acquiring critical IT and entrepreneurial skills that they will use to help develop the technology industry in Iraq.

MARYLAND - Researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions discovered last week the third in a sequence of genes that accounts for previously unexplained forms of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic condition that weakens bones, results in frequent fractures and is sometimes fatal.

MIAMI, FL - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin interdicted 630 pounds of marijuana Tuesday December 8, 2009, while on patrol in the Caribbean Sea.

The Dolphin crew conducted a boarding of an 18-foot, Florida-registered pleasure craft about nine miles west of Bimini, Bahamas, and located 12 duffel bags and three trash bags filled with bricks of marijuana.

The Dolphin crew transferred the marijuana, the suspected smugglers and their boat to the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Chandeleur.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating the case.

Milblogs Go Silent Across the Internet

CYBERSPACE - On Wednesday, December 16 2009, many military blogs (milblogs) have decided to go silent for the day, while others are choosing to go silent for a longer period of time. This is happening because milblogs are facing an increasingly hostile environment from within the military.

After being shuttered due to censorship threats, A Soldier's Perspective returns as a leading blog for candid military commentary.

CHESTERFIELD, MO - Cat5 Commerce, a niche online retailer, has acquired A Soldier's Perspective, a top military blog currently at the epicenter of a controversial free-speech battle.

Des Moines, Iowa - Hon. Randall T. Shepard, Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, has been selected as the recipient of the Sixth Annual Dwight D. Opperman Award for Judicial Excellence.  Chief Justice Shepard was chosen by a three-member panel: Hon. Judith S.

WASHINGTON - Many of the extra 30,000 U.S. forces deployed to Afghanistan in the coming months will confront continued enemy threats in the country's southern and eastern regions, the U.S. military's senior officer told Capitol Hill legislators here today.

COB BASRA, IRAQ - Few things put a smile on a Soldier's face faster than getting a care package during a deployment.

For Soldiers, these boxes are a reminder of home, a wanton luxury, a treasure chest filled with cookies and cakes and treats.

While many boxes come from family and friends, some boxes hail from unfamiliar addresses, from men and women back home who chose to adopt and supply Soldiers they do not know.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The remains of a U.S. paratrooper reported missing since early this month in western Afghanistan was recovered on November 29, 2009 according to military officials.

The body of Army Sgt. Brandon Islip was recovered from the Bala Murgahab River in Badghis province after a local Afghan resident provided information on his whereabouts, officials said.

At a time of year when many seemed to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, cleaning and more shopping. One creative company is appealing to families to 'calm things down' and spend some valuable time together. Growing Great Families has developed an unique and inspirational Advent Calendar and their concept is getting noticed. 

2009 Hess Race Car and Racer Kicks Fun and Innovation into High Gear

CHESTERFIELD, MO - MilitaryBoots.com unveiled its Military Boots For Life Contest last month. The contest gives boot lovers in the United States and Canada a chance to win a lifetime supply of Converse military boots.Their website states:

Your boots have endured everything you've thrown at them. Drilling. Marching. Combat. Miles upon miles through never-ending plains, scorching deserts, and urban jungles. Whatever your boots' story may be, we want to see 'em.

Secretary Rokita to outline concerns about H.R. 1719, the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2009

WASHINGTON, DC -  Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita will testify before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Elections today at 1 p.m. in room 1310 of the Longworth House Office Building. As Indiana’s chief elections officer, Secretary Rokita will provide expert testimony on H.R. 1719, the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2009.

MUNCIE, IN - According to various news sources, reports of the death of Kanye West have been greatly exaggerated.  While RIP Kanye West is trending up in Twitter (or was at the time of this report), a San Franciso blog post, the Examiner and many other reputable media sources have squashed the rumor. No word from Kanye West himself about this, although someone

Washington, DC - As the only grassroots political movement recognized by various media outlets throughout the country to appeal to mainstream voters of all political stripes, the Modern Whig movement has taken another step in its national development with the reconstitution of the Whig National Committee. The first public act of the WNC is to announce that two more viable, common sense advocates have filed to run for Congress under the revived Whig Party banner.