Laura Guikema

WRT 216 – Radio Headlines

February 28, 2011

ANNR: Good morning, and thanks for listening to HOME dot ef em. It is eight thirty seven on this beautiful

sunny morning with a temperature of forty-five degrees. Today’s forecast includes a thirty percent chance

of snow moving in later this afternoon, but it should be a relatively clear day. I’m Laura, here with your

news headlines for this Thursday morning:

 Rescuers fanned out into unchecked areas of New Zealand, which was affected by the six point three

magnitude earthquake earlier this week. They are looking for any remaining life in the rubble. The

death toll has risen to ninety-eight with fear that many of the two hundred twenty-six people still

missing are dead.

 In Florida this morning, the space shuttle Discovery is poised to make its last flight. NASA began

fueling the shuttle earlier today. The weather outlook has improved to ninety percent "go" for the

four fifty p.m. liftoff. Discovery will head to the International Space Station with a crew of six, as well

as supplies and a robot. This will be the thirty-ninth flight for Discovery.

 Consumers Energy has announced a donation of one million dollars to the Salvation Army to fund a

three-year program in order to help customers who can’t pay their utility bills. The money will be

used to hire managers who will work with clients to prepare a household budget and manage

finances.

 In other news, according to RealtyTrac Incorporated, the gap between the average sale price of a

foreclosed home and the sale price of other properties grew wider last year, giving big discounts to

homebuyers who snapped up foreclosed homes. This trend is expected to continue.

 Finally, Toyota recalled two point one seven million vehicles in the United States today because of a

problem with the accelerator pedals. The pedals could become entrapped in floor mats or jammed in

the driver's side carpeting.

That wraps up your headlines for this morning. Next up, we have “Say” by One Republic, here on one oh six

point nine, HOME dot ef em.