States to Motorists: Hang Up

Scientists say any kind of phone use makes for risky driving

(NEWSER) - California motorists are now banned from using cell phones, but scientists say the move won't make the freeways any safer, reports the Los Angeles Times. Research shows that it is the lack of attention rather than occupied hands that impacts safety, and that drivers chatting on phones with both hands on the wheel may be just as much of a hazard. More»

Hundreds of thousands without power after powerful Northeaster

(AP) - Last month, the Northeast was smothered by blizzards. Now, it's waterlogged by torrential rains. The region mopped up today following a weekend storm complete with high wind and heavy rains that uprooted trees, downed power lines, and flooded some creeks and rivers. Five people died in storm-related accidents, and hundreds of thousands in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut lost electricity at the peak of the storm, which carried wind gusts of up to 70 mph. More»

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

(NEWSER) - The South is gaining population and power at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, according to Census Bureau estimates released yesterday. If House seats were distributed based on the estimates, which are believed to be a strong predictor of the 2010 census results, Texas would be the big winner, gaining three seats, with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington each adding one. More»

(NEWSER) - It’s not easy being an elected official in a time of crisis, but a select few governors are having a particularly tough time. And some of them are even trying to get reelected. Politico looks at the 5 worst-off states:

• California: No surprise here. The state's issuing of IOUs is just the one item on "a list of maladies longer than its famed coastline." At least Arnold Schwarzenegger can't run for another term.

City's drivers are angriest in the US

(NEWSER) - New York drivers are the most aggressive and angry in the US, an annual road rage survey finds. Gotham cut off Miami, which had zoomed to the top of the list the past 4 years, Reuters reports. "New Yorkers were most likely to wave their fists or arms," honk their horns, and "make some sort of obscene gesture," said a rep for the company that ordered the survey. More»