Jeff Vaughn's Blog

Will Starbucks Soon Be an Index Tool?

JeffVaughn — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:11:00 GMT

Economists use "index tools" to forecast the economy. McDonald's is one of them, and soon Starbucks may join the burger chain. The Big Mac index, named by The Economist, remains a great way to measure if a currency is under, or over weight.

Simply put, and According to Armada's Strategic Global Intelligence Report, Starbucks is a good way to determine if consumers are saving money for necessary items. I know, many say they can't survive without a non-fat, no foam, soy chai latte. But at $4.80 do you really need it?

Probably not, and that is why some are calling specialty coffee drinks a luxury item. Having the coffee giant as an index will show if people are spending money on unnecessary items. And they aren't--as much. That is why Starbucks has announced they are closing 600 stores, four here in Kansas City.

By the way, I am not a non-fat, no foam, soy chai latte kind of guy. I order the biggest cup of regular coffee I can find. This usually sets me back about $1.65, but this is a necessary purchase. Afterall, I get up at 2am to do NBC Action News Today.

See you on the air!

Save Your Marriage, Go To A Ballgame!

JeffVaughn — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:57:00 GMT

Baseball, hotdogs, and staying together.

This morning on NBC Action News Today, I mentioned that sports can make you a better mate. It was part of "My Morning Headline" we feature each Thursday.

According to a USA Today article, cities with major league teams have a 28 percent lower rate of divorce. Why?

Couples need something to relate to and rooting for the Chiefs or Royals can be a great way to start a conversation with your spouse. The article shows we are talking less and less with our loved ones. Blame computers, cell phones, work, TV, video games, school… etc., etc.

So, go on a date! The Royals begin a seven day home stand starting July 21st. It may save your marriage!

Who's the Biggest Beer Maker Now?

JeffVaughn — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Budweiser may always remain the "King of Beers"--they brew 160 million barrels of beer a year, but who will take the top spot in American beer after Inbev buys out Anheuser-Busch.

Good Question.

According to the Brewers Association, Boston Beer Company will soon be the largest American brewer. Boston Beer brews Samuel Adams. Second place goes to Sierra Nevada. They make a self-titled Pale Ale. New Belgian brewery rounds out the top three. New Belgian makes Fat Tire.

Kansas City's own Boulevard Beer is currently the 8th largest domestic beer brewer in the US. Boulevard makes a number of beers, including a Bully Stout. Boulevard expects to brew around 140,000 barrels of beer this year.

Got a Good Question, email me at goodquestion@nbcactionnews.com.

Good Question:What is Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae?

JeffVaughn — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:04:00 GMT

Two financial institutions have been in the news a lot lately and that has led to many Good Questions: What are Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae? How did they get their name? Who runs them? Are Freddie and Fannie affiliated with the government? How large are they, and how much money do they have? Good Questions.

George Mason University reports the Federal National Mortgage Association, nicknamed Fannie Mae was created in 1938. Fannie was established in order to provide local banks with federal money to finance home mortgages in an attempt to raise levels of home ownership following the Great Depression.

Freddie, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, was founded in 1970. According to its website, Freddie Mac is a corporation chartered by Congress to increase the supply of funds that mortgage lenders, such as commercial banks, mortgage bankers, savings institutions and credit unions, can make available to homebuyers and multifamily investors.

Both Fannie and Freddie operate as government sponsored enterprises (GSEs). This means that, although the two companies are privately owned and operated by shareholders, they are protected financially by the support of the Federal Government. Together, they account for approximately $5 trillion of America's $12 trillion in mortgage lending.

As for the faces behind Fannie and Freddie, Freddie Mac's CEO is Richard F. Syron. Syron oversees 5,000 employees based out of McLean, Virginia. Fannie Mae is run by CEO Daniel Mudd. Fannie employees 5,700 employees and is based in Washington D.C.

Kickin' For Kids

JeffVaughn — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:05:00 GMT

I interviewed Brian Van Norman on NBC Action News Midday regarding the Kickin' For Kids soccer tournament to benefit the Children's Miracle Network of Greater Kansas City.

If you would like to get a team together, go to www.kfkkc.com to register.

The tourney features boys, girls and adult open divisions and will be held at Tiffany Springs Park in Kansas City, Mo. The deadline to register is July 15th. The event will be held July 19th.

Good Question:New (and Old) Olympic Events

JeffVaughn — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I have received a number of Good Questions about this summer's new Olympic events. Each year events are added, and dropped. What has been added for 2008? Good Question.

The Beijing Olympics committee has added a few new events for this summer's games, which begin August 8th on NBC Action News.

They are, according to the International Olympic Committee:

Men and Women’s Individual BMX

Men and Women’s 10k Marathon Swim

Women’s 3000m Steeplechase

Women’s team Sabre and Foil (fencing)

Team Table Tennis (replaces doubles)

At the Beijing Olympics there will be 302 (165 men’s, 127 women’s and 10 mixed) events in total consisting of 28 sports. The number of women’s events will be increased from 125 to 127.

What are the discontinued events from Olympics past? Good Question. According to the Associated Press, they are:

Rope climb (1896, 1904, 1924, 1932): Using only their hands, competitors try to see how fast they can get to the top of the rope.

One-hand weightlifting (1896): Similar to the modern snatch event, but athletes were only allowed to use one hand.

Tug-of-war (1900-1920): Two teams of eight try to pull a rope six feet; if neither team reaches the mark after five minutes, the team that pulls the farthest wins.

Standing high jump (1900-1912): Same as the traditional high jump, only without a run-up.

Standing broad jump (1900-1912): The long jump without a run-up.

Standing triple jump (1900-1904): Also known as the hop, step and jump; started from a stationary position.

Underwater swimming (1900): Swimmers were awarded points for how far they went and how long they stayed under water.

Swimming obstacle race (1900): Racers had to swim through the River Seine, climb up and down a pole, then go over and under several boats.

Live pigeon shooting (1900): The birds were released and shooters tried to kill as many as possible.

Equestrian high jump (1900): Riders see who can jump the highest on horseback.

Equestrian long jump (1900): Long jumping on horseback.

Basque pelota (1900): A form of handball played mostly on the border of Spain and France.

Rugby union (1900, 1908-24): One of the most popular team sports in the world still waiting to get back into the Olympics.

56-pound weight throw (1904, 1920): A 56-pound weight affixed with a handle that's thrown over a pole vault bar.

All-around dumbbell contest (1904): Competitors performed 10 different lifts with dumbbells over two days.

Club swinging (1904): Similar to rhythmic gymnastics, only the competitors swing clubs around their bodies.

Plunge diving (1904): From a standing position, divers see how far they can go without taking a stroke.

Duelling pistol (1906): Shooters fired at mannequins wearing frock coats and bull's-eyes on their chests.

Motor boating (1908): Three categories of races in boats; IOC later decided against allowing anything with a motor.

Jeu de paume (1908): Similar to squash, only competitors use their hands instead of a racket to strike the ball.

Plain high diving (1912-24): Divers were not allowed to do any acrobatic moves; they just dove straight into the water.

Tumbling (1932): Athletes do flips and twists along a two-foot-wide strip; now part of the modern gymnastics floor exercise.

Solo synchronized swimming (1984-92): Swimmers were awarded points based on routines synchronized to music.

How Many Local Athletes are Going to Beijing?

JeffVaughn — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:01:00 GMT

NBC Action News is proud to air the Summer Olympics from Beijing starting August 8th.

Being the Good Question guy around here, I have received many emails from viewers asking how many local athletes will be going for the gold. Good Question.

Here's a list from the NBC Action Sports department.

Nickesha Anderson: 4x100 relay team, current KU sprinter

Ben Askren: Wrestler; former Mizzou Tiger

Christian Cantwell: Shot put; former Mizzou Tiger

*Ivana Hong: Gymnast; Blue Springs native

Max Jaben: Swimmer; Blue Valley High School

Muna Lee: Track; KC Central High School

Tom Pappas: Decathlon; current K-State Wildcat assistant track coach

Scott Russell: Javelin; former KU Jayhawk

Christian Smith: Track, Former K-State Wildcat

Matt Tegenkamp: Track; Lee's Summit High School

Aarik Wilson: Track; KU volunteer coach

*Hong is not yet an Olympic qualifier, but is expected to make the team following selection camp July 14th. We'll keep you updated on her progress at nbcactionnews.com.

If you would like more info on the Olympics, go to our online Olympics page.

Good Question: Who Uses the Alaska Pipeline Oil?

JeffVaughn — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:35:00 GMT

NBC Action News viewer Ricardo Burton of Harrisonville, Missouri wants to know where all the billions of barrels of crude flowing through the Alaska pipeline goes? Good Question, Ricardo.

According to the state of Alaska, as of May 2007, more than 15 billion barrels of oil have flowed through the Trans-Alaska pipeline. It is delivered mostly to California. If any remains it is then sold on the open market to Americans first before being exported. A state and petroleum company agreeement allows the oil to be exported if the profits benefit the US.

Many private companies and state and local governments own and operate the pipeline that spans over 800 miles from the North slope of Alaska to Valdez. For more facts, click here.

My Headline: Police Crackdown on Saggy Pants

JeffVaughn — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:47:00 GMT

I talked about the below Free Press article on NBC Action News Today. Go to this link to see the description of what is considered indecent exposure by the Flint, MI police department.

By Ben Schmitt, Detroit Free Press

Flint residents now have to watch their butts because Police Chief David Dicks is on the lookout.

Dicks, who took over the department last month on an interim basis, announced that his officers would start arresting people wearing saggy pants that expose skivvies, boxer shorts or bare bottoms.

"Some people call it a fad," Dicks told the Free Press this week while patrolling the streets of Flint. "But I believe it's a national nuisance. It is indecent and thus it is indecent exposure, which has been on the books for years."

On June 27, the chief issued a departmental memorandum telling officers: "This immoral self expression goes beyond freedom of expression."

The crime, he says, is disorderly conduct or indecent exposure, both misdemeanors punishable by 93 days to a year in jail and/or fines up to $500.

Dicks, 41, broke down his interpretation of the laws as such: Pants pulled completely below the buttocks with underwear showing is disorderly conduct; saggy pants with skin of the buttocks showing is indecent exposure, and saggy pants, not completely below the buttocks, with underwear exposed results in a warning.

The American Civil Liberties Union is already scrutinizing the enforcement, something Dicks fully expected. But he said he's not backing down until the pants stop falling down.

Still, as of Tuesday, no one had been arrested for saggy pants.

"We want to put the word out before we take aggressive action," he said.

On Monday, a Free Press reporter and videographer rode with the chief as he confronted teens sporting the sag look. He issued verbal warnings to several people and said the style also gives police probable cause to search those wearing no-rise jeans.

As he drove through Flint's north and east sides, he flipped on the flashing lights of his departmental-issued Chevy Tahoe as he stopped a shirtless young man walking in the street with saggy shorts and exposed boxers.

"Did you hear about the law?" the chief asked.

"I heard about it the other day," the man responded.

"I'm gonna issue a warning. I need you to get a belt because it's indecent exposure," the chief said to the twentysomething man on Delaware and N. Franklin. "Spread the word, put your shirt on and don't expose your underwear."

During another stop, Dicks marveled at the steps a man took to wear his pants low.

"This guy had a belt on but he'd rather have his belt on around his thighs than above his waist," he said. "If no one tells him it's against the law, he'll never know."

Different opinions

Flint is often called one of the most violent cities in America, however, in recent years, it has seen a drop in homicides.

A city of about 120,000, dwindling jobs and a dwindling population have left an aging, retired sector, older blue-collar workers, a few middle-age professionals and youths. And depending on who you talk to about sagging, those within each generation don't necessarily put their pants on the same way.

"If I pay for my pants, I should be able to wear them how I want to," said 16-year-old Montez Phifer, taking a break from playing hoops in the city Monday. "Everyone thinks it's gangster, but it's a fashion. Nothing more."

His friend, Lorenzo Johnson, 14, said his mother warned him about the chief's stance on sagging.

"I pulled them up to respect her," he said. "When she left I pulled them back down."

Another friend, Senita Abrams, 18, said: "I think it's cute when boys sag."

Down the street, 32-year-old Saneka Nichols weighed in.

"The sagging is out of control," she said. "It went from a style to a disruption. The chief has a good idea. I'm not saying people should go to jail, but maybe they should do community service.

"If you don't want to pick up your pants, pick up for the neighborhood. How's that sound?"

Greg Gibbs, a lawyer and chair of the ACLU Flint chapter, said the crackdown sounds like a "vast waste of resources."

"We are concerned that the enforcement of the chief's memo may lead to some constitutional violations on a case-by-case basis due to the failure of his memo to define what constitutes indecent exposure," Gibbs said. "From a First Amendment standpoint, I still have to crack the books to find out what the courts have said on this issue."

Flint's not the first city to take a look at policing the exposure of underwear. Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Atlanta and cities across the nation have debated the issue. But Dicks makes the assertion that wearing pants below the waist is a crime and can give police probable cause to search saggers for other crimes, such as weapon and drug possession.

The sagging style

Dan Henson knows all about the style of sagging. He's a manager at Mr. Alan's clothing store in Hamtramck and a former sagger himself. He said customers frequently come in to buy large-fitting pants that sag.

"I stopped when I was around 21," he said of wearing his pants low. "But this style has been around for a long time. I think the rap videos and music industry have a lot to do with it. I don't think this style is going anywhere."

Michigan ACLU Executive Director Kary Moss said race could become an issue if the chief aggressively enforces the law.

"We will wait and see if this new policy is enforced before we decide to take action," she said in a statement. "We will be concerned if the policy disproportionately affects African Americans."

Dicks also scoffed at any suggestions that any enforcement unfairly targets black men and teens.

"This is not a black issue. This is an issue that's all walks of life," said Dicks, who is black. "Many people from different ethnic backgrounds and races are doing this fad."

Contact BEN SCHMITT at 313-223-4296 or bcschmitt@freepress.com.

Good Question:How is Priceless Art Transported?

JeffVaughn — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:47:00 GMT

Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is gaining national attention for its large-scale photographs on display. Human/Nature: Recent European Landscape Photography opens June 28th through October 5th and features ten artists.

How do they get the art from Europe to Missouri? Good Question.

April Watson, associate curator, tells NBC Action News some of the money raised to bring the artwork to KC is used to deliver it, carefully to Missouri. Movers specializing in artwork pack and crate the large photos for shipping via air, rail, and road.

Watson adds many of the works of art, like the exhibits photographs from Germany must go through customs before arriving to the US.

Take Fido to a Flick

JeffVaughn — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:26:00 GMT

I talked about this event on NBC Action News Today, so here's the information on "Hollywoof--Dog Movie Night at Penn Valley Park."

Kansas City MO Parks & Rec, the Friends of Penn Valley Park and DIG present"

TAKE YOUR DOG TO THE MOVIE NIGHT

Thursday, July 10
Penn Valley Park, 29th & Wyandotte

6pm-8pm Play in the off-leash park
8pm Fashion Show by City Pets & Ponds
8:30 Dog Talent Contest & Games
9pm "Best in Show" movie

Hit the red carpet at Penn Balley Park, aka Hollywoof, for a big night out with your best friend!
Arrive early so your dog can burn off some energy in the off-leash park. Stick around for a show featuring the latest canine fashions and showcase your dog's talent for prizes.
Finally relax with your pooch as you enjoy a screening of "Best in Show" in our outdoor theater. It's an event not to be missed as Hollywoof comes to Kansas City!

More information:

816 513 7527
www.kcmo.org/parks

Medical Tourists Coming to America

JeffVaughn — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:57:00 GMT

Europeans looking for a face lift or other physical enhancements are coming to America. "Medical Tourists" are using the weak dollar as an opportunity to get plastic surgery in the US. Most European state sponsored health programs only allow traditional medical procedures, so many are coming here to go under the knife--and they are paying cash.

Good news for the economy, as for the past several years a large number of American patients seeking medical treatments have travelled to India, Brazil, Mexico or Thailand for cheaper medical procedures. Now, it seems the weak dollar is benefitting the US medical industry.

However, Dr. Carla Braxton with the University of Kansas Medical Center tells me the training for US and foreign doctors are not the same, and US doctors are still at risk for a malpractice lawsuit if the patient is not satisfied. And the level of oversight can be different in another country and courts could use the foreign laws to judge a US medical case.

A KU Med spokeman told me they aren't seeing a lot of Europeans, yet, but have noticed a spike in Canadian medical tourists. Canada's dollar is stronger than the US dollar.

"The Insider" Motivates Me

JeffVaughn — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:07:00 GMT

I love journalism, but sometimes I lose focus.

To get me back on track, I pop in The Insider DVD and it gives me the necessary kick-in-the-pants to re-evaluate my mood. After the movie I am motivated and refocused on why I love this business.

The real-life drama featuring actors Al Pacino and Russell Crowe is based on the whistle blower case against big tobacco. Dr. Jeffrey Wigand was the central witness in the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi and other states that were eventually settled for $246 billion. Wigand's interview on "60 Minutes" eventually broke the case wide open.

Without the media and gutsy people like Dr. Wigand, the American people would be without a voice. Sure, lawyers did the work, but without Wigand they had no case. The movie doesn't portray the media in the best light, in real life "60 Minutes" bungled the story, but an equally gutsy producer Lowell Bergman made sure the truth came out.

(L-R: Wigand, Crowe, Pacino, Bergman)

Al Pacino portrays Bergman, and Crowe is cast as Dr. Wigand. In the movie, Bergman's tenacity is intoxicating and Wigand's portrayal of courage is beyond definition. If you haven't seen The Insider, I recommend it.

I got a chance to sit down with Dr. Wigand after a recent interview on NBC Action News Midday. He was in town as part of an Anti-Smoking campaign.

Dr. Wigand worked as a scientist for Brown & Williamson and was hired to develop a safer cigarette, but when he found out the company wanted no part of making smokes healthier, he quit. I don’t want to give away the plot of the movie, so I will stop here.

But I did get a few insights into the movie and Dr. Wigand’s life. The Q & A follows.

Q: What was the "straw that broke the camel's back" moment for you while working for big tobacco?

A: It came in 1993 when I realized tobacco companies were smuggling Brazilian grown tobacco into the US so they could get around nicotine levels here. The companies would send tobacco to Brazil to be grown and re-imported with dangerously high levels of nicotine. I couldn't face my family. My moral compass told me to quit.

Q: When did you decide to "blow the whistle?"

A: I don't call myself a "whistle blower, but a "truth-teller". When faced with threats I felt like I had to reveal the true mission of the company. With three thousand children each day becoming addicted to cigarettes, I had to go public. I am a parent and I could not tell my children Daddy works for a company that kills people.

Q. Actor Russell Crowe played you in the movie. Was his portrayal accurate? What is he like?

A. Russell visited me while researching the movie and spent and entire day with me. He arrived at my home early and said, “Just be yourself. I’ll observe”. And he did. We talked, had lunch and played golf. Crowe is a terrible golfer. I thought he did a great job in the movie. We talked several times via phone during the filming and I was invited with the cast to the Academy Awards. Crowe is just a nice, easygoing guy.

Dr. Wigand continues to fight tobacco today and lectures around the world. He has a non-profit organization called Smoke-Free Kids, Inc. For more info, go to jeffreywigand.com.

Are You A Good Citizen? Take The Test

JeffVaughn — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:32:00 GMT

It's Independence Day and I thought it would be fitting to see if I have what it takes to be an American citizen. I was born in Kansas, so I am a natural born citizen. But what if I wasn't US born, could I pass the citizenship test?

When immigrants want to become Americans, they must take a civics test as part of their naturalization interview before a Citizenship and Immigration Services (INS) officer. The questions are usually selected from a list of 100 sample questions that prospective citizens can look at ahead of the interview. Some are easy, some are not.

To take the test, go to this MSNBC website. After taking the quiz, they tell you if you are a good citizen or not.

I got 80% correct! That's makes me a good citizen.

Of course, I could have failed and nothing would happen to me because I was born in the USA, but it was nice to know I knew most of the answers. I credit my KSU degree in political science for helping me, and my high school civics teacher, Mr. O'Hara.

Happy 4th of July.

Is Obama A Patriot?

JeffVaughn — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:45:00 GMT

Monday, Senator Barack Obama travelled to Independence, Missouri and gave a speech on patriotism called "The America We Love." Why? Was it because it was a few days before the Independence Day holiday? Probably not.

Obama has been called unpatriotic for not always wearing an American flag lapel pin and not always covering his heart or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Some call that unpatriotic. I must admit, it's a little odd for a politician to not do those things, all the time. Most candidates want as many votes as possible and would not make a stand against the red, white and blue. However, Obama has prompted a thought provoking debate about patriotism.

In a poll, conducted by USA Today/Gallup, those surveyed said reciting the Pledge is saying "a great deal" about a person's patriotism. The poll also reveals Americans like to show their support and disdain for the USA, but it is somewhat divided by party. Six in ten surveyed say sporting an American flag pin is important. Republicans see it as more important than Democrats, according to the survey.

Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain routinely wears the US flag on his lapel because "I'm proud of the American flag."

Democrats are nearly twice as likely as conservatives to see protest as patriotic.

So, what does this mean? Nothing really. It means McCain and Obama are acting like their respective political party members. No big deal. It would be a big deal if Obama and McCain decided NOT to vote. Almost everyone polled sees that as unpatriotic