National Institute on Aging study finds that knowing someone who is happy makes you more likely to be happy yourself click here to read more
New Hampshire charges the federal government $67,000 for upgrades to a mobile command van that is in storage; Upgrades included a $5,800 television, a $1,200 satellite television antenna, and a $16,000 satellite television subscription that includes the Game Show Network and the Travel Channel click here to read more
Van’s total cost charged to the federal government will be $412,000; State Liquor Commission Chairman says “In my view, this represents a triumph of bureaucracy over common sense. … we probably spent $100,000 reviewing this.” click here to read more
City council pulls the plug on $2.3 million congressional earmark for a childcare center in an Illinois town that failed to get off the ground click here to read more
17 Missouri trail projects will receive $1,174,393 from the federal Recreational Trails Program click here to read more
Department of Education analysis finds that the $6 billion spent on its Reading First program had had “no impact” on kids’ reading comprehension click here to read more
Federal officials have frozen $25 million in transportation funds intended for North Carolina because the state doesn’t have a management plan showing where the money goes and how it’s spent click here to read more
The American Folk Festival has received $60,000, still organizers are concerned about fundraising for the 2009 festival click here to read more
$500,000 Federal Highway Administration grant will restore Michigan theater to its original 1882 Second French Empire design click here to read more
Delays in NASA’s Mars mission could add $400 million to the price tag, which is likely to top $2 billion click here to read more
Illinois grocery store receives a $10,000 federal grant to pay for its marketing efforts click here to read more
Seattle housing program used public funds to throw a private party that included a $700 tab for hot dogs and chips, $559 for chocolate truffles and alcohol, and nearly $400 for furniture rental click here to read more
