When flying, people are requested to arrive at least two hours before their actual flight, to make sure there is plenty of time to make it through security. Airport security expects this from the travelers, so is it so much for the travelers to expect to be safe on their flight?

This sense of safety was once again shaken on Christmas Day, when Umar Farouq AbdulMutallab, a passenger on Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam, Netherlands, attempted to detonate an explosive device just outside of Detroit, Michigan. This attempt was unsuccessful and resulted in a fire aboard the plane, which was quickly put out resulting in the apprehension of AbdulMutallab by the passengers and flight crew. He was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers after the plane landed in Detroit.

After 2 long years of campaigning, we finally have picked the next person to be our leader. On November 4th, Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th President of the United States of America.

After announcing his candidacy in February of 2007, Illinois Senator Barack Obama launched an extensive grass-roots campaign, which effectively utilized the Internet for small contributions, advertising, and voter education. Encouraging the average person to donate what they could afford led to the largest campaign budget in United States history. The combination of unmatched funds, a message of change, and unsurpassed oratory skills allowed Senator Obama to easily win the election.

Injured Darfur Citizen

Darfur, a region within Sudan, has known nothing but one thing, bloodshed. Darfur has been involved in many conflicts, but one holds itself over the rest. The current conflict is so important because it shows how much more work needs to be done before a whole world can stand united in equality. The Sudanese government is accused of many inhumane and genocidal acts. They defend themselves, labeling the many groups that are against the government as rebels.

Pint for a Pound

"1 hour of time + 1 blood donation = your impact on the lives of 7 people in need."

Memorial Blood Centers partnered with Second Harvest Heartland this holiday season for the second annual pint for a pound fundraiser. For every pint of blood donated at Memorial Blood Centers and other blood drives throughout Minnesota they will donate a pound of food to Second Harvest Heartland food shelves in Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. This promotion ran from November 11 to January 11th. Last year Memorial Blood Center donated more than 22,000 pounds of food last year and are hoping to beat that record this year. As of January second they have raised 13,006 pounds of food and are hoping for a lot more. The holiday season is tough especially on food banks and with the current economic standings it has only made things harder. One pound of food can be a life saving gift for any family in the area.

Donating blood is safe, convenient, and only takes about an hour. The blood itself can help three people and the pound of food can feed a family of four, so you can effect as many as seven people with one donation. To donate you must be at least seventeen years of age or sixteen with parental permission. You must weigh at least 110 pounds and be five feet tall. You should eat a good meal in the six hours before donating and have had adequate sleep in the past 24 hours.

Michael Vick has looked sharp zipping uncontested passes to open receivers and racing past defenders who aren't allowed to touch him in practice.

Now he'll see what it's like to face 11 guys going after him again.

Herman Edwards says the biggest thing for Michael Vick is to act appropriately off the field. Herm likes how Mark Sanchez was able to come back after making a mistake.