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What do you think about the tax increase on cigarettes and cigars?

Effective April 1st the tax on cigarettes and cigars goes up, marking the largest Federal tobacco increase in history. How do you feel about the increase? Let us know in this Action News blog!

How have your visits to the DMV been as of late?

The DMV right now is about 150 employees short and that's making for some longer wait times for customers. Have you been to the DMV lately? Did you wait long? Let us know how your experience was by leaving a comment below!

Oh no, Steve - O!

As usual, yes I have to start out by saying I was right again! It was bye, bye Denise Richards. This week was a little bit of a switch for me. Gilles Marini who normally I think dances like a woman did a very sexy Argentian Tango and got a perfect score and rightfully deserves so. Meanwhile, Shawn Johnson did the Lindy Hop and with all her gymnastic ability I thought she would get a perfect score as well but didn't because she was very heavy on her feet. Although, my favorite Melissa Rycroft got almost a perfect score with a 29 doing the Lindy Hop. Lil' Kim also stole the show by getting the first 10 of the season although she only ended up with a 27. The lowest score of the night went to Steve Wozniak with a 12 but I think he is still safe. My pick for leaving this week will be Holly Madison with a 16 and Steve - O with a 15.

Bailout Blog

The CEO of GM says he was pressure by the White House to step down.  Today, the Obama administration told both GM and Chrysler to present elaborate restructuring plans to receive more bailout money.  Both companies have already received billions in federal bailout funding. So what do you think?  Should the government have a say about whether leaders of bailed out companies should step down?

IRS REFUND HOTLINE

IF YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A TAX REFUND THIS YEAR, I BET YOU EAGER FOR THAT MONEY.

I AM POSTING THE 1-800 NUMBER SO YOU CAN CHECK ON YOUR RETURN STATUS.  1-800-829-1954

CONTACT 13 WANTS TO REMIND YOU.... THERE'S AN EASY WAY TO TRACK YOUR REFUND THIS TAX SEASON!

YOU CAN GO TO I-RS -DOT- GOV.... AND CLICK ON.... WHERE'S MY REFUND.

Debit and Credit Card Skimming

If you've watched our newscast, then you saw the big bust here in Southern Nevada on debit or credit card.  Here are some things that you need to know from Contact 13 if you are the victim of this kind of scam.

HERE'S THE LATEST ON DEBIT AND CREDIT CARD SKIMMING....

THERE IS NO RECOURSE.... FOR DEBIT CARD SKIMMING... YOU ARE JUST OUT THE MONEY.

HOWEVER...

CONSUMERS ARE PROTECTED UNDER FEDERAL LAW.... FOR -CREDIT CARD SKIMMING-....

 

IF YOU'RE A VICTIM OF SKIMMING...

YOU CAN ONLY BE HELD LIABLE.... UP TO -50- DOLLARS... REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT CHARGED ON THE CARD.

MANY CARD ISSUERS WAVE THIS FEE....

AND....

SIMPLY REMOVE THE FRAUDULENT CHARGES.

THE MERCHANTS BEAR THE LOSS.

THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WILL ONLY INVESTIGATE FRAUD.... OVER THE -2-THOUSAND DOLLAR LIMIT.

Do you have toxic drywall in your home?

An investigation is underway by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to see whether drywall imported from China could be leeching toxic gases into homes across the US, including in Nevada. America's Watchdog believes the toxic drywall entered in the US in major ports of entry in Oakland and Long Beach during the housing boom between 2004 and 2006. Do you think you have this drywall in your home? Let us know in this Action News blog!

Three way tie

I was right again when I said Belinda Carlisle would be the one who is going home. This week I'm kind of up in the air. There was a three way tie with Shawn Johnson, Gilles Marini and Melissa Rycroft who all got a 27. Shawn Johnson to me has an advantage being a gymnast. Gilles still dances like a girl if you ask me, but he was very good this week. Melissa looked terrific, danced great and has the hearts of America right now because of her break up. I think they will be the last three standing and I think that's easy to tell this early in the season already.

Alright now -- the worst. Steve Wozniak, who I think is adorable, only got a 10. While Steve - O, who is in pain from being hurt last week only got a 15. Even though their scores are bad, people aren't going to get rid of Steve Wozniak because they want their computers to work right and Steve - O has a large fan base. So I think it will be between two girls to go home this week -- Holly Madison and Denise Richards. Both danced very stiff. It's almost as if they were counting the steps as they were performing.

I think there may be one more wild horse who will come from behind and that is Chuck Wick. I don't think Julianne Hough will let him be anything but perfect.

Is CityCenter's opening critical to turning around the Las Vegas economy?

CityCenter on the Las Vegas strip is set to open in only 9 months. The $10 billion project could be in danger because of a lawsuit against MGM Mirage. So Action News wants to know, is CityCenter's opening critical to turning around Las Vegas' economy? Let us know in this Action News blog!

How do you think the CCSD should handle the situation surrounding the trip to Mexico?

A school trip to Mexico months in the making has now been canceled over safety concerns. The school district is telling parents there are no refunds, but they can still use the tickets. How do you think the Clark County School District should handle the situation? Let us know in this Action News blog!