Preventing Dating Violence Though Education
(CBS)
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Read all posts by Clifden Kennedy in Couric & Co.
December 4, 2009 5:00 PM Lindsay Ann Burke was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2005. Her mother, Ann wrote the blog below.
November 13, 2009 7:20 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: Friday the 13th
Logophiles, listen up. Here's a big, complicated word for a very simple superstition.
Triskaidekaphobia - the fear of the number 13. It's the reason why so many buildings don't have a thirteenth floor.
No one knows the origins of the phobia for sure. It could date as far back as the Last Supper, when Judas was the thirteenth guest at the table.
If you are a triskaidekaphobe, you're in good company. The AP reports that Henry Ford, Napoleon and FDR all suffered from it. Fortunately for them, they didn't have to endure 2009 - which has had three Friday the thirteenths - the most possible in any given year.
But despite the slasher films by the same name, there is little evidence that today is any more dangerous than any other day. In fact, a Dutch research firm found that accidents decrease on Friday the thirteenth.
That's probably because all the triskaidekaphobes are home - hiding out until Saturday the 14th rolls around.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
Triskaidekaphobia - the fear of the number 13. It's the reason why so many buildings don't have a thirteenth floor.
No one knows the origins of the phobia for sure. It could date as far back as the Last Supper, when Judas was the thirteenth guest at the table.
If you are a triskaidekaphobe, you're in good company. The AP reports that Henry Ford, Napoleon and FDR all suffered from it. Fortunately for them, they didn't have to endure 2009 - which has had three Friday the thirteenths - the most possible in any given year.
But despite the slasher films by the same name, there is little evidence that today is any more dangerous than any other day. In fact, a Dutch research firm found that accidents decrease on Friday the thirteenth.
That's probably because all the triskaidekaphobes are home - hiding out until Saturday the 14th rolls around.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
August 18, 2009 7:48 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: End of Life
Benjamin Franklin famously wrote that nothing is certain except death and taxes.
The health care reform proposal involves both of those boogey-men -two realities that Americans have never really embraced.
The plan calls for voluntary end-of-life counseling. Medicare would reimburse doctors for having that talk with patients every five years and lawmakers now have the unenviable task of explaining this doesn't mean rationing health care or deciding who lives or dies.
Experts say the government could save as much as 90 billion dollars in 10 years by preventing over-treatment for the dying. But others wonder why it's necessary to pay doctors for something they should be doing anyway and worry that when cost is connected to care, the latter will suffer.
While we do not have to go gently into that good night, there's no reason not to have a reasonable conversation with your family and doctor about the quantity of care you want and the quality of life you'll have.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
The health care reform proposal involves both of those boogey-men -two realities that Americans have never really embraced.
The plan calls for voluntary end-of-life counseling. Medicare would reimburse doctors for having that talk with patients every five years and lawmakers now have the unenviable task of explaining this doesn't mean rationing health care or deciding who lives or dies.
Experts say the government could save as much as 90 billion dollars in 10 years by preventing over-treatment for the dying. But others wonder why it's necessary to pay doctors for something they should be doing anyway and worry that when cost is connected to care, the latter will suffer.
While we do not have to go gently into that good night, there's no reason not to have a reasonable conversation with your family and doctor about the quantity of care you want and the quality of life you'll have.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
July 17, 2009 10:59 AM 
When you trip on the sidewalk, do you get mad at yourself?
Or do you get mad at the sidewalk?
The 92-year-old woman in tonight's Assignment America gets mad at the sidewalk -- or, more specifically, she gets mad at "the bastards" at the city who didn't properly maintain the sidewalk.
Kathleen Harris has been giving those city officials an earful for years and tonight she brings her bluntness to the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
Of course, there are a lot of seniors who have unkind words for their elected officials (look no further than my father), but what makes Kathleen different is what she has done to make the "SOBs" accountable.
A few years ago, after she tripped on a sidewalk in her hometown of Oswego, NY, and nearly broke her nose, Kathleen tried to get the city to pay her doctor bill. The city refused -- citing a New York State law that says a city can't be held liable for a sidewalk problem unless someone notified the city, in writing, about the problem before the accident.
It's a good out for the city because, really, who in their right mind is going to go to the trouble of documenting every single crack on every singe sidewalk in town?! No one! -- but Kathleen Harris, of course.
Kathleen has now completed the 4 year project. She now knows every piece of pavement that isn't flush to within a quarter of an inch. And she has turned her log sheets over to the city -- all 10,000+ entries.
So what is the city going to say next time someone trips over a sidewalk and wants to sue? I don't know, the city attorney isn't returning my phone calls. But if I hear from her this afternoon I'll be sure and report it in tonight's broadcast. If not, you'll still hear from Kathleen. And believe me, she's worth tuning in for all by herself.
Assignment America Preview
(CBS)
Or do you get mad at the sidewalk?
The 92-year-old woman in tonight's Assignment America gets mad at the sidewalk -- or, more specifically, she gets mad at "the bastards" at the city who didn't properly maintain the sidewalk.
Kathleen Harris has been giving those city officials an earful for years and tonight she brings her bluntness to the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
Of course, there are a lot of seniors who have unkind words for their elected officials (look no further than my father), but what makes Kathleen different is what she has done to make the "SOBs" accountable.
A few years ago, after she tripped on a sidewalk in her hometown of Oswego, NY, and nearly broke her nose, Kathleen tried to get the city to pay her doctor bill. The city refused -- citing a New York State law that says a city can't be held liable for a sidewalk problem unless someone notified the city, in writing, about the problem before the accident.
It's a good out for the city because, really, who in their right mind is going to go to the trouble of documenting every single crack on every singe sidewalk in town?! No one! -- but Kathleen Harris, of course.
Kathleen has now completed the 4 year project. She now knows every piece of pavement that isn't flush to within a quarter of an inch. And she has turned her log sheets over to the city -- all 10,000+ entries.
So what is the city going to say next time someone trips over a sidewalk and wants to sue? I don't know, the city attorney isn't returning my phone calls. But if I hear from her this afternoon I'll be sure and report it in tonight's broadcast. If not, you'll still hear from Kathleen. And believe me, she's worth tuning in for all by herself.
July 16, 2009 7:45 PM 
Consider these statistics for a moment. 62 percent of college seniors have four or more credit cards. That's not a typo. Four or more. Crazy, right? With an average balance on these cards of more than $4,000 these seniors are entering the real world already saddled with hefty credit card debt.
For our Children of the Recession piece airing tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, I interviewed Shanetta Francis, a recent graduate of Trenton High School in New Jersey who could not wait to get her hands on plastic.
"Because I heard so much about credit cards and how they raise your limit and you can get black cards and gold cards or platinum cards and I was like I cannot wait until I turn 18," she told me.
Virtual Finance 101
(CBS)
For our Children of the Recession piece airing tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, I interviewed Shanetta Francis, a recent graduate of Trenton High School in New Jersey who could not wait to get her hands on plastic.
"Because I heard so much about credit cards and how they raise your limit and you can get black cards and gold cards or platinum cards and I was like I cannot wait until I turn 18," she told me.
July 16, 2009 5:30 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: Crocs
We've all heard that urban legend - a pet alligator that gets too big too fast - and winds up flushed down the toilet.
Well, it turns out the story is true, but it's not about Gators. It's about Crocs.
It seemed for a while you couldn't cross the street without catching a glimpse of those plastic clogs - like a rainbow army of Muppet feet all around you.
More than 100,000,000 of them were sold, and the company borrowed millions of dollars to produce more.
Trouble is, the shoe that was flying off the shelves two years ago became well, very two years ago.
Now, the Washington Post reports that the company has until September to pay the money back - and the Croc is in serious danger of going the way of the Earth shoe.
But we now know how that urban legend ends: it grows and comes back with a vengeance. Maybe Crocs can, too. Perhaps they'll re-emerge after going underground or in this case, spending some time in the back of the closet.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
Well, it turns out the story is true, but it's not about Gators. It's about Crocs.
It seemed for a while you couldn't cross the street without catching a glimpse of those plastic clogs - like a rainbow army of Muppet feet all around you.
More than 100,000,000 of them were sold, and the company borrowed millions of dollars to produce more.
Trouble is, the shoe that was flying off the shelves two years ago became well, very two years ago.
Now, the Washington Post reports that the company has until September to pay the money back - and the Croc is in serious danger of going the way of the Earth shoe.
But we now know how that urban legend ends: it grows and comes back with a vengeance. Maybe Crocs can, too. Perhaps they'll re-emerge after going underground or in this case, spending some time in the back of the closet.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
July 16, 2009 4:06 PM 
I visited the camp for our "Children of the Recession" story which airs tonight on We wanted to explore whether the recession has prompted more parents and teachers to start teaching kids Finance 101.
At least 50 eight and nine year olds were seated on the floor in front of me and I asked them questions such as: why is it important to save, what's a credit card, etc. but then I wondered if any of them actually knew someone who lost a job so I asked.
I never expected such a huge response.
Easily, three-quarters of them raised their hands.
The ABC's of Saving
(CBS)
At least 50 eight and nine year olds were seated on the floor in front of me and I asked them questions such as: why is it important to save, what's a credit card, etc. but then I wondered if any of them actually knew someone who lost a job so I asked.
I never expected such a huge response.
Easily, three-quarters of them raised their hands.
July 15, 2009 7:17 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: Court History
Like Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, the High Court itself had humble beginnings in New York City.
It was the nation's capital when Chief Justice John Jay convened the first session in 1790.
While the Constitution created the Court, it left the organizational details to Congress.
The Court first exercised the power to declare a law unconstitutional in 1803 in Marbury versus Madison.
While the Senate has the power to confirm or reject Supreme Court nominees, it didn't hold the first hearing until 1916, when Woodrow Wilson nominated Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish justice. And while some nominees testified at their hearings, that wasn't the norm until 1955.
The Court is constant but it is not static. It evolves and continues to bring those "firsts" that indicate - as one law professor so eloquently stated - even "if it's not in touch with the weather of the day, it's in touch with the climate of the age."
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
It was the nation's capital when Chief Justice John Jay convened the first session in 1790.
While the Constitution created the Court, it left the organizational details to Congress.
The Court first exercised the power to declare a law unconstitutional in 1803 in Marbury versus Madison.
While the Senate has the power to confirm or reject Supreme Court nominees, it didn't hold the first hearing until 1916, when Woodrow Wilson nominated Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish justice. And while some nominees testified at their hearings, that wasn't the norm until 1955.
The Court is constant but it is not static. It evolves and continues to bring those "firsts" that indicate - as one law professor so eloquently stated - even "if it's not in touch with the weather of the day, it's in touch with the climate of the age."
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
July 14, 2009 7:48 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: Cursing
There's a saying in the Marine Corps: pain is weakness leaving the body.
Perhaps it takes a strong man or woman to endure physical pain in silence. But a new study says there may be a better way: swearing.
Researchers at Keele University in England asked more than sixty people to submerge their hands in icy water and repeat a favorite curse word. They then stuck the other hand in the water and repeated something more family friendly. When they cussed a blue streak every one of them could endure the cold for longer.
It may have something to do with the fight or flight mechanism in our brains - a rush triggered by the use of those swear words.
So the next time you stub your toe, or burn your finger on a hot pan, provided there are no kids around, maybe it's okay to use those four-letter words.
If you get horrified looks from your friends, tell them a little weakness just left your body.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
Perhaps it takes a strong man or woman to endure physical pain in silence. But a new study says there may be a better way: swearing.
Researchers at Keele University in England asked more than sixty people to submerge their hands in icy water and repeat a favorite curse word. They then stuck the other hand in the water and repeated something more family friendly. When they cussed a blue streak every one of them could endure the cold for longer.
It may have something to do with the fight or flight mechanism in our brains - a rush triggered by the use of those swear words.
So the next time you stub your toe, or burn your finger on a hot pan, provided there are no kids around, maybe it's okay to use those four-letter words.
If you get horrified looks from your friends, tell them a little weakness just left your body.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
July 10, 2009 5:20 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: Blackberry Etiquette
We've all seen them: those busy fingers typing away on blackberries like squirrels gnawing on acorns.
It's bad enough at the dinner table, but how about in the conference room?
A new poll from Yahoo HotJobs found that a third of office workers check their blackberries while their colleagues are talking.
It's become a ubiquitous practice in all kinds of professions. During President Obama's speech to the Joint Sessions of Congress lawmakers were using their pda's to post messages on Twitter.
If the President can't command attention, your company's V-P of sales is up a creek.
The New York Times reports that some offices are banning blackberry use in meetings, and one management firm found that more than 30 percent of bosses say it's never ok to click away when someone is speaking.
You don't want the habit to cost you your job. After all, you'll need the health insurance to treat your blackberry thumb.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
It's bad enough at the dinner table, but how about in the conference room?
A new poll from Yahoo HotJobs found that a third of office workers check their blackberries while their colleagues are talking.
It's become a ubiquitous practice in all kinds of professions. During President Obama's speech to the Joint Sessions of Congress lawmakers were using their pda's to post messages on Twitter.
If the President can't command attention, your company's V-P of sales is up a creek.
The New York Times reports that some offices are banning blackberry use in meetings, and one management firm found that more than 30 percent of bosses say it's never ok to click away when someone is speaking.
You don't want the habit to cost you your job. After all, you'll need the health insurance to treat your blackberry thumb.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
Ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy 