[QUOTE=Manalto - One useful technique to avoid this, particularly when the abbreviation is going to be used repeatedly, is spell it out the first time, with the abbreviated form in parenthesis. Subsequent occurrences needn't be spelled out, since the explanation has already been given.[/QUOTE]
I think this should be put forth as a rule for all writing, especially in newspaper stories. Sometimes they are back there somewhere in all small letters, and it takes really long to find out what they are talking about. The first use should always be in caps and even in bold would be better.