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A dozen sites
I'm diggin'

*1. StinkyJournalism.org's "Dubious Polling" Awards list is worth a read.

*2. Find out why a six-hour flight now takes seven. Airlines are "baking in" extra time to make up for long delays.

*3. Check out RTDNA's News and Terrorism workshop chat site.

4. BusinessWeek has highlighted big corporations that are pouring millions into Haiti relief.

5. Amazing: how phone apps helped save a man's life after he was buried by the Haiti earthquake.

6. The New York Times explains how cancer-treatment radiation saves lives, and ruins some.

*7. Here are some great databases that newsrooms have created to help connect people with their community.

8. A new study explores the media habits of teens.

9. The pros and cons of evangelizing on Facebook.

10. The FCC investigates the health and future of local news.

11. Brookings assesses Obama's first year in office.

12. Why you better be careful when covering 100th birthdays!

All of my Diggin' sites are saved on Poynter's del.icio.us page.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Al's Morning Meeting is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The column is fact-checked, but relies on the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. We will correct errors and inaccuracies when we become aware of them.

A Slew of Cost-Cutting Stories

My friends at WKYC-TV in Cleveland sent me a bunch of links to stories they have done about everyday folks trying to save money:

Local Goodwill stores have had record profits compared to this time last year.

Stay-at-home moms are looking for ways to bring in extra cash but worry about work-at-home scams.

People buying home hair-cutting kits. It may be cheaper to cut your child's hair at home as opposed to paying $15 to $20 every few weeks. (Of course, once you factor in the cost of psychological therapy for the child after you mess up his or her hair, this alternative may be more expensive.)

People (not just senior citizens) are looking for ways to cut medical costs by not taking full doses of medications, or by buying larger doses and using a pill splitter. You should make sure to explain that not all medications are appropriate for this technique.

How do you get coupons on eBay? Find out here.

A nonprofit group in Cleveland is helping people who are facing foreclosure or who are worried about their mortgages. People are turning to this group instead of waiting for the government or their banks to bail them out.

Teenagers can actually now get "good" or better deals on an Ivy league education.

A look at home heating alternatives.

Posted at 12:05 AM on Nov. 18, 2008

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