Search is on for 2 U.S. paratroopers missing in Afghanistan

CNN.com reports that the search is on for two U.S. paratroopers who disappeared in Afghanistan on Wednesday.  The two paratroopers are from the 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 82^nd Airborne Division, which was operating under NATO’s International Security Assistance Forces.   The two disappeared in the town of Bala Marghab in the province of Baghdis near the Turkmenistan border.

Initial reports say that 25 members of NATO’s ISAF and Afghan forces have been wounded while searching for the two paratroopers.   The provincial police chief, Sayed Ahmad Sami said that it appears they disappeared in the Morghab River, but he had no details of what may have happened. 

My Take:  This is an important story showing the continued danger troops from the U.S. and abroad face in Afghanistan, especially now that violence in the region is intensifying.  

Consumers in upstate New York still skeptical about spending money

According to Syracuse.com, a Siena Research Institute poll released earlier today shows that consumers in New York state are more skeptical about spending that the rest of the nation.  And the people living in upstate New York are the most skeptical in the state.

The October poll shows the overall consumer confidence in New York State to be 66.7, with the confidence in Upstate New York being only 61.8.  The founder of the institute, Douglas Lonnstrom says that the numbers show that upstate consumers’ confidence still has not recovered from the 1991 recession. 

My Take:  This is interesting because such a study shows that consumers in Upstate New York may have less confidence than anywhere in the country.  This could also signal a slow holiday season for area stores. 

Danica Patrick and JR Motorsports may be near NASCAR deal

ESPN.com has reported that IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick and JR Motorsports may be near the end of negotiations of a two-year contract deal.  Sources close to the talks say they are in the “final phase” and that the talks are moving “in a positive direction.”

Sources said that JR Motorsports became interested in Patrick, a one-time winner in the IndyCar Series, after their driver, Brad Keselowski, signed with Penske Racing South.  Earnhardt Jr. said on Wednesday night that Patrick is “really serious about coming to NASCAR.”  No formal announcement is expected until after the NASCAR season ends. 

My Take:  Danica Patrick is the IndyCar Series biggest star despite only having one win in her career.  Moving to NASCAR would be a big, but risky step since many previous IndyCar stars have failed to produce good finishes in NASCAR.  It is an interesting story of one woman who is trying to make herself a star and major player in a sport dominated by men.