Article Source: USA Today

NEW YORK — Thanks to better-than-expected economic data in the past two weeks, investors have downgraded the odds of the dreaded double-dip recession, paving the way for rallies in seven of the first eight trading days in September — historically the worst month for stocks.

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Article Source: CNN

Rockwell, a father of two, became frustrated when he took his kids to traditional playgrounds. He found that these play areas lacked creativity.

"Traditional playgrounds are geared toward gross motor skills and linear play ... they are largely made of fixed equipment: seesaws, slides, monkey bars, swings," Rockwell said. "They are fantastic places to build gross motor skills." So he decided to design a playground that focused on building imagination by letting the kids build the playground themselves.

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Article Source: CNN

Chelsea's Law is awaiting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature after unanimously passing the Senate and Assembly in a rare display of bipartisanship.

Formally known as AB 1844, the bill creates mandatory sentences of life without parole for violent sexual offenses against children. Another major provision of the 62-page bill is lifetime parole for people who commit certain sex crimes against minors.

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Article Source: CNN/AP

NEW YORK — American shoppers, taking advantage of deep discounts and tax-free holidays, opened up their wallets a little more for back-to-school spending, giving retailers surprisingly solid gains for August.

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