The Genius Reason You Should Take a Photo of Your Stove Before You Travel

When I leave for vacation, I check all of the doors. And the windows. About 17 times. I then make sure each knob on the stove is turned to “off” and start the whole process over again just for good measure. Still, inevitably, I will be thousands of miles from home, wake up in the middle of the night, and know without a doubt that I left a burner on and my house (along with my cat) is doomed.

This fear is definitely not uncommon, but luckily, there’s a very simple hack that will change the way you travel forever. Instead of wondering hours or days later if you left the oven on, take a photo of the knobs in the “off” position before you leave! Then you can quiet your anxieties by simply opening up your images – no matter where you are in the world, you’ll have photo evidence that you did, in fact, turn the stove off. Lifehacker shared this genius hack, and it’s so simple but something I’ve never thought to do!

If you’re generally worried about your appliances being left on, take photos not just of your stove, but of your unplugged straightener, you’re deadbolt turned the right direction (burglars won’t be able to waltz on in!), thermostat (you didn’t leave the A/C running!), your unlit candle (no fires!), etc. That gallery of images will give you peace of mind wherever you are so that you can truly enjoy your travels.

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Suicide Rates Rose by Nearly 30 Percent Since 1999 across nation

The Centers for Disease Control reports a nearly 30-percent rise in suicides since 1999 in a newly released report. Only about half of those people had a diagnosed mental health condition. Many who died by suicide had been struggling with substance abuse, finances, stable housing or personal relationships.
(Published Friday, Jun 8, 2018 | Credit: NBC News )

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Ex-CIA officer convicted of spying for China: U.S. Justice Department

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A federal jury on Friday convicted a former CIA case officer on espionage charges for passing classified documents to China, the U.S. Justice Department said.

The jury in Virginia found Kevin Mallory, 61, guilty of delivery of defense information to aid a foreign government and other charges, and he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on Sept. 21, the department said in a statement.

A U.S. official familiar with the case said it was a serious security breach that highlighted aggressive efforts by Chinese intelligence to gather sensitive American secrets.

Texas family sues U.S. for $50 million over church massacre

A couple whose nine relatives were among the 26 people fatally shot in a Texas church massacre in November has sued the U.S. government for $50 million, saying its “institutional failures” played a part in the murders, court filings on Friday showed.

The lawsuit filed this week in federal court in Texas and made public on Friday said the U.S. Air Force acted negligently when it failed to report the criminal record of gunman Devin Kelley to a U.S. database, which could have prevented him from legally purchasing an assault rifle used in the killings.

A Florida city wants more retirees, and is going after them

In Florida, one city is not waiting for retirees to show up but is recruiting them to resettle there.

While older people flock to the state each year, relatively few head to Tallahassee, a tree-lined city in the Panhandle where lawmakers hold forth in the Capitol and streets spill over with students who attend the area’s major universities.

Tallahassee, which is not growing as fast as the rest of the state, is looking to attract new residents, including small-business owners who can generate jobs. A key part of the city’s efforts is expanding its population of retirees, and it has adopted some unusual tactics — including subsidizing a few people to move there.

Lil Kim files for bankruptcy after owing creditors over $4 million

Lil Kim has filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. She owes her creditors over $4 million, and she’s even offering to sell off her mansion in New Jersey to ease her financial pain.

The Blast obtained court documents in which the rapper lists her financial details. According to the docs, she has about $2,573,300 in assets, but she has $4,084,841 in liabilities. In back taxes alone, she owes 1,845,451.

Among her major assets listed is her home, which she values at $2.3 million, a 2000 Mercedes Benz worth $4,200 and a 2005 Bentley Continental GT valued at $52,600. Her jewelry, apparel, electronics and furniture ring in at $60,000. She also says her three entertainment companies are worth in excess of $150,000, The Blast said.

Anthony Bourdain, chef and TV host, dies in France in apparent suicide

Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef and citizen of the world who inspired millions to share his delight in food and the bonds it created, was found dead in his hotel room Friday in France while working on his CNN series on culinary traditions. He was 61.

CNN confirmed the death, saying that Bourdain was found unresponsive Friday morning by friend and chef Eric Ripert in the French city of Haut-Rhin. It called his death a suicide. Bourdain’s assistant Laurie Woolever would not comment when reached by The Associated Press.

Ten long years — that’s the amount of time my two youngest kids had been begging for a puppy. Even though we love dogs, my husband and I had always said “no way” would we bring a four-legged creature into our already busy lives.

For starters, my hubby Earl and I travel a lot, both for work and leisure; having a dog wouldn’t be conducive to our lifestyle, we reasoned. Besides, a dog would require a lot of work. We’d have to clean up after it all the time, potty train it and take it outside for frequent walks.

Charles Krauthammer, the beloved and brilliant Fox News Channel personality who gave up a pioneering career in psychiatry to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning political analyst, on Friday revealed the heartbreaking news that he is in the final stages of a losing battle with cancer.

The 68-year-old’s incisive takes on politics of the day have been missing from Fox News Channel’s “Special Report” for nearly a year as he battled an abdominal tumor and subsequent complications, but colleagues and viewers alike had held out hope that he would return to the evening show he helped establish as must-viewing. But in an eloquent, yet unblinking letter to co-workers, friends and Fox News Channel viewers, Krauthammer disclosed that he has just weeks to live.

“I have been uncharacteristically silent these past ten months,” the letter began. “I had thought that silence would soon be coming to an end, but I’m afraid I must tell you now that fate has decided on a different course for me.”

“This is the final verdict. My fight is over.”

– Charles Krauthammer

Why Is IHOP Changing Its Name? 3 Guesses Why It Wants to Be Called ‘IHOb.’

IHOP announced on Twitter this week that, as of June 11, it’s changing its name to “IHOb.” The original post now has about 5 million views and 25,000 likes. It’s also sparked a couple of obvious questions like, “What does the ‘b’ stand for?” and “Does IHOP really need a rebrand?”

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