Poor Mojo's Newswire

At ready.gov, FEMA recommends that people pre-plan for emergencies. The government's recommended preparedness steps include having a supply kit that that can last at least a few days, establishing a plan beforehand and staying informed. Nowhere does it suggest buying products from a private company. But Food Insurance, whose "The Essential" kit goes for $199.99 and provides enough food for an adult for two weeks, argues "why not make sure you and your loved ones are prepared with enough food and water to survive the ever-increasing number of disasters in the world?" "The Essentials" kit feeds one person, and comes in a sleek backpack, for when you have to survive on the move. On the high end, for $9,599.99, you can buy the plan that feeds a family of five for 12 months (plus they throw in a free drink mix combo, "Emergency Plus" kit and "Essentials" kit). The company's website touts the many perks of food insurance, not least of which is the "gourmet quality" of the products. While your neighbors are struggling to find food, you will be dining on lasagna, beef stroganoff, and a variety of other delicious entrees. What's more, this food will retain its nutritional value and freshness for up to ten years.

MYFOXNY.COM - Just after seven o'clock Thursday morning, Katherine O'Connor and her boyfriend were walking home from a McDonald's in Garwood, New Jersey, when she suffered an asthma attack. "It has been happening every day for the past four or five days," she said. Her inhaler was at home. The couple was near there, but a CVS on North Avenue, near Cedar Street, was closer. They went in and found the pharmacist on duty. "I had exactly a twenty-dollar bill. It came to twenty-one and change," Jack Brown said. "I offered him my cell phone, my wallet. I said i live right around the corner. I come in here all the time." He was told the inhaler with tax would cost just over $21. He was short a dollar and change. "I said 'Can you just give her the pump. She's on the floor wheezing," Jack said. "I didn't know if an ambulance would get there on time. He said there was nothing he could do for me." "He said there's nothing I can do. I was just blown away," Katherine said. . . .

The cities, counties and authorities of New York have promised more than $200 billion worth of health benefits to their retirees while setting aside almost nothing, putting the public work force on a collision course with the taxpayers who are expected to foot the bill. . . . Only a few places have tried to rein in their costs, by billing retirees for a portion of the premiums, for example. Retirees have responded with lawsuits, but ratings agencies and municipal bond buyers have shrugged off these warning signs. . . .

The big question: why would someone do this? Police tell Ron Savage they have been called to this street before, dealing with long-standing "family-feud" issues. A member of Kathleen's family says the bad blood started about two-years ago after the two families had a falling out over a birthday party at the Rose house. At the party kids were using a "bounce-house" and playing games in the front yard. The source says that Jennifer Petkov texted someone in the Rose family, asking if her kids could come to the event. A response to the text did not come quickly enough and it angered Jennifer. According to the Rose family, she's been harassing them ever since.