Raleigh – Raleigh commuters wasted approximately 18.2 million hours of additional time on the roads, and 11.7 million gallons of additional gas as a result of traffic congestion in 2005. The additional wasted time and fuel cost the public an equivalent of $346 million, according to the federally sponsored Urban Mobility Report released today by the Texas Transportation Institute. The findings underscore the need for additional transit in the region.

In one year, 22 million Americans who rely on free over-the-air analog broadcasting – including many elderly and other vulnerable populations will be at risk of losing access to TV which for many a primary source of news and emergency information as well as entertainment.

Hazardous toys are still sold in stores across the country, according to the 22nd annual toy safety survey released today by the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group.

One of those stipulations was that KB Home cannot include in its warranties mandatory arbitration of repair disputes that are binding on the consumer. Additionally, consumers cannot be charged a fee or deposit for the arbitration. In 1995, the DOJ filed a complaint in U.S. District Court alleging that KB Home violated this and other provisions of the 1979 consent order. KB Home paid $595,000 in civil penalties as a result of the complaint. And then again, in 2005, the FTC has fined KB Homes $2 million dollars for violating the same 1979 consent order.

RALEIGH—In response to rising concerns over public health, Representatives Jennifer Weiss and Rick Glazier introduced legislation that will ban smoking in all state government buildings. Furthermore, the legislation overturns a law preventing local governments, such as municipalities and counties, from enacting comprehensive indoor smoking bans.