U.S. home prices fell 1.4 percent in the first quarter compared with a year ago, the first time since 1991 prices have shown a quarterly decline, according to a housing index released Tuesday by Standard & Poor’s. Boston, Detroit, San Diego and Washington, D.C., showed the greatest year-over-year declines in prices. Charlotte, N.C., Seattle and Portland, Ore. had strong price appreciation.

OLD TELEVISIONS

Environmentalists fear the switch of broadcast television from analog signals to digital in 2009 will mean a flood of outdated TVs, containing lead and other hazardous material, into landfills. According to a survey last year by the trade group, 19 percent of people threw their old electronics in the trash while 55 percent gave them away. Just 18 percent reported recycling them.

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