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Bill Averill, 62, has retired from the City of Milwaukee assessor's office and is collecting his pension. Milwaukee's fund is consistently rated as one of the best-performing in the country.

While Others Underfunded Pensions, Milwaukee Held Firm

Nationwide, many cash-strapped cities have raided funds intended for retirees or have chronically underfunded their pension systems. But despite a budget crunch, Milwaukee's fund has consistently ranked among the nation's top pension programs. Even so, some changes lie ahead for city workers.

Some of the money spent on annual mammograms might do more good if it went toward risk-based screening, a doctor says.

Are We Paying $8 Billion Too Much For Mammograms?

Billions of dollars are spent each year on mammograms to screen for breast cancer. If American women are screened less frequently, the cost savings might be used to better tailor the care for women at an increased risk of cancer.

A bottle of Cleveland Whiskey's bourbon sits on a shelf with empty bottles at the company's distillery.

How A Distillery Ages Bourbon In Days, Not Years

With bourbon sales growing fast, small distillers are looking for ways to get their product to market faster. One Cleveland company has come up with a way to shrink the aging process from years to just days, while also cashing in on the craze for all things local.

Film critic Roger Ebert arrives at the 25th Film Independent's Spirit Awards held at Nokia Event Deck at L.A. Live on March 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Roger Ebert, Legendary Film Critic, Dies

Ebert had been the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times since April 3, 1967. He battled cancer publicly, but still wrote more than 200 reviews a year for the paper.

King Abdullah (right) and Crown Prince Salman (left) are shown in this 2012 poster. The king, who is at least 90, was hospitalized last week and Salman on Tuesday stepped in for the monarch and delivered an annual televised speech to the nation.

With The Saudi King Ailing, Succession Speculation Begins

King Abdullah, who's at least 90, was hospitalized last week and Crown Prince Salman delivered an annual televised speech Tuesday. One analyst says the kingdom is stable, perhaps too much so.

Richard Plepler, CEO of HBO, talks about HBO Now during an Apple event Monday in San Francisco.

New HBO Now Streaming Service Shows Consumer's Will Is King

HBO on Monday announced a new service presenting its shows online without a cable subscription. NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans says it also shows the power of consumers to bring change in a digital world.

Limericks

Bill reads three news-related limericks: Yes I Almost Can Barbie; Sprechen Sie Popularity; Passionate Pathology.

Elizabeth Ebinger in Maplewood, N.J., bought her solar panels, while neighbor Tim Roebuck signed a 20-year lease. Both are happy with the approach they took, and both are saving money on energy bills.

The Great Solar Panel Debate: To Lease Or To Buy?

More homeowners are cutting energy costs by installing solar panels, due in part to leasing programs that require no up-front investment. Leasing means less hassle, but may also save you less money.

Olympic Athletes Prove That Older Doesn't Have To Mean Slower

Cyclist Kristin Armstrong, who won Olympic gold at age 42, is one of many athletes saying that high-level sports aren't just for the young. And scientists say exercise reduces aging's toll for us all.

School Graduation Rates Are Deceiving. Here Are 7 Things That Would Help

High school graduation rates are improving, but an investigation into the numbers shows some of that is due to quick fixes. Policy experts respond with their suggestions for real progress.

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