Some States Struggle Setting Up Insurance Exchanges

"The days since President Obama won re-election have been marked by tension and angst in Republican-led states like Iowa, where Gov. Terry Branstad has waited until the last minute to decide whether to create a crucial tool for people to get medical coverage under Mr. Obama’s health care law," according to the New York Times. "'There has been a total blackout of information,' said State Senator Jack Hatch, a Democrat who vented his frustration at a news conference here this week. 'We’re behind schedule, we’re at a disadvantage, and I don’t know what our governor’s plan is to reposition Iowa.' States are supposed to tell the Obama administration by Friday whether they want to create their own health insurance exchange — a deadline that many had bet might never come to pass, choosing to sit on their hands for months in the hope that Mitt Romney would win the presidency and the health care law would be repealed." Read more.

A Look into the Buy-One-Donate-One 141 Eyewear Company

"The Portland couple whose buy-a-pair, donate-a-pair prescription eyewear business has made a nationwide splash are branching out into stunner shades," notes Oregon Online. "Kyle and Shu-Chu Yamaguchi, founders of the 141 Eyewear company profiled in The Oregonian last year, recently launched LOOK/SEE, a nonprescription sunglass company with a stylish twist. ... The shades, which range in cost from $95-$110, are only available online, at lookseegoods.com. The new sunglass line won't have the same buy one, donate one mantra as 141, but Kyle Yamaguchi says there are no plans to change 141's business model. ... Now, Shu-Chu is quitting her job as an optician to focus on their business full-time. Their 141 line has expanded to boutiques nationwide, and added a kids' line. " Read more.