(CNN) — The most recent advice from the CDC is that non-essential travel to Mexico should be avoided.

1. Hasn’t swine flu been around for a while?
Yes. Swine flu was first identified in 1930 when researchers isolated the virus in a pig. In 1976, more than 200 soldiers at Fort Dix, New Jersey, got swine flu. [...]

By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com senior writer

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The U.S. economy shrank at a pace of 6.1% in the first quarter — almost as much as it did in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a government report Wednesday.

The drop was much worse than expected. According to economists surveyed by Briefing.com, expectations were [...]

Courtesy of CNN
Q: Why is it more deadly in Mexico than anywhere else it’s surfaced?
CNN: The short answer is investigators don’t know. The deaths have occurred in healthy people, as opposed to those usually most at risk from the flu: the young, the old and those with compromised immune systems. The same thing happened [...]

-Since 1785 Bristol has been home to the country’s longest running, unbroken series of Fourth of July celebrations.
-Prior to 1854, Rhode Island had five capitals, one in each county, and the government rotated between them. In 1854 the number was cut down to two (Providence and Newport) and then Providence became the sole seat of [...]

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
-Lao Tzu
How does this apply to Rhode Island??

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There seems to be general agreement that the steep slide in the global economy and financial markets is slowing down. There’s little consensus, though, on what happens next.
Has the stock market [...]

DES MOINES, Iowa - Your first quarter 401(k) statement arrived in the mail, but it remains unopened because you’re afraid to see how much more you’ve lost. You’re not alone.
“Investors are going to see that they’ve continued to contribute in the first quarter and their account still went down,” said Dean Kohmann, vice president of [...]

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island is among the states worst at reporting tax expenditures such as credits, deductions and exemptions, according to a study released today by a national policy group.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities deemed Rhode Island’s reports on these types of expenditures as “least useful” – along with Arkansas and [...]

Contrary to popular belief, Rhode Island is not located in New York. Or is it? Turns out there actually is a town in New York called Rhode Island. There’s also one in Texas.
Rhode Island, officially known as the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, has the longest name of any of the states.
Rhode Island [...]

WASHINGTON (AP)- Most people say they plan to use this year’s tax refund to pay bills, deciding in this sour economy to be more frugal with their annual windfall.
Fifty-four percent of those receiving refunds said they intend to pay off credit card, utility, housing and other bills, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll released Monday. [...]