Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to state murder and other chargesNone
The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse?Universal Corporation Receives NYSE Notice Regarding Filing of Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended September 30, 2024A Biden administration plan to extend a $6 billion loan for an electric vehicle manufacturer to build an E.V. factory in Georgia sent MAGA world into a tailspin Tuesday. The plan announced Monday is reportedly part of a push to lock in Democratic climate policies before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House . But not everybody was on board, with the move stoking speculation that the loan was a veiled political attack at one of Trump's main supporters – Tesla CEO Elon Musk . “Biden is forking over $6.6B to EV-maker Rivian to build a Georgia plant they’ve already halted,” Vivek Ramaswamy wrote to his followers on X. “One ‘justification’ is the 7,500 jobs it creates, but that implies a cost of $880k/job which is insane. This smells more like a political shot across the bow at @elonmusk & @Tesla.” That sentiment was echoed by numerous conservative social media users. ALSO READ: Merrick Garland and his 'Justice' Department should never be forgiven “It’s clearly an attack on Musk for his endorsement of Trump,” X user Paul A. Szypula wrote in a reply to Ramaswamy. Notably, Ramaswamy and Musk were both tapped by Trump to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE , to explore ways to slash government spending. And at least one Republican member of Congress thinks the federal loan to Rivian is a waste of government money. “Why not just cut each person a $880,000 check?!” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) posted on social media. “The absurdity of this is the exact type of insanity that we have to stop. I can tell you right now Georgians do not support Rivian and are sick and tired of seeing tax dollars handed over to this FAILING company, federal & state!” Greene was recently named chair of the new subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, which is expected to work with Musk's DOGE.
By SUSAN HAIGH, Associated Press Approximately 1 million taxpayers will automatically receive special payments of up to $1,400 from the IRS in the coming weeks. The money will be directly deposited into eligible people’s bank accounts or sent in the mail by a paper check. The IRS said it’s distributing about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. People who missed one of the COVID stimulus payments or had received less than the full amount were able to claim the credit. But the IRS on Friday said it discovered many eligible taxpayers hadn’t done so. “Looking at our internal data, we realized that one million taxpayers overlooked claiming this complex credit when they were actually eligible,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement. Here’s more about the unexpected cash this group of taxpayers will soon receive: What’s the likelihood I’ll receive a check? Sorry, it’s probably pretty low. The IRS said most taxpayers eligible for the federal stimulus payments, formally known as Economic Impact Payments, have already received them. The special payments announced by the IRS are being sent to those taxpayers who filed a 2021 tax return but left the data field for the Recovery Rebate Credit blank or they filled it out as $0 when they were actually eligible for the credit. How will this work? Eligible taxpayers don’t have to take any action. The payments will go out automatically this month and should arrive by direct deposit or check by late January 2025. They’ll be sent to the bank account listed on the taxpayer’s 2023 return or to the address IRS has on file. Payments will vary but the maximum amount will be $1,400 per individual. The IRS has posted information online about eligibility and how the payment was calculated. IRS plans to send separate letters to eligible taxpayers notifying them of the special payment. What if I haven’t filed my 2021 tax return yet? You still might be able to receive the money. However, taxpayers need to file a tax return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by the April 15, 2025 deadline, even if any income from a job, business or other source was minimal or nonexistent, according to IRS. How many rounds of COVID stimulus payments were there? There were three rounds of payments to households impacted by the pandemic, totaling $814 billion. IRS based the amounts that taxpayers received on their income, tax filing status and number of children or qualifying dependents. In March 2020, eligible individuals received up to $1,200 per income tax filer and $500 per child under the CARES Act. In December 2020, eligible individuals received up to $600 per income tax filer and $600 per child under the Consolidated Appropriations Act. In March 2021, eligible individuals received up to $1,400 per income tax filer and $1,400 per child under the American Rescue Plan Act.
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To the critics complaining about the humble Christmas tree that was generously donated to the town of Chester for the holiday season, Linus Van Pelt would like to have a word. His memorable quote from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” seems most appropriate after the white pine tree arrived in the center of town this week and lit up social media. “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love,” Linus famously said as he gently lifted up Charlie Brown’s drooping tree and wrapped his blue blanket around the base. In the wake of a resident’s post on the “Chester NH Front Porch Chatter” Facebook page griping about its appearance, other community members are now rallying around the tree that stands at the intersection of routes 102 and 121 and will be the focus of a special tree lighting ceremony on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. “It’s really a shame that someone is denigrating a generous gift that another resident gave. That’s what I found sad,” Town Administrator Debra Doda said after she read the original post and some of the comments that followed. The post criticized the tree, saying it “looks like one of the scrub pines they have been cutting along Rt. 102 this week!” The resident also complained that for his $12,000 in taxes he expects “something better.” In another post that was supportive of the tree, one man complained, “Even Charlie Brown would be embarrassed by this tree. Come on Chester! We can do better!” The tree was donated by an anonymous resident who cut it down on his property and offered it to the town for the season. According to Doda, putting up a live tree in the center of town is a relatively new idea that began in December 2021 when a large Christmas tree was purchased as part of Chester’s 300th anniversary celebration in 2022. “It was so nice and we thought it would be nice to have one every year, but trees are expensive,” she said. Because the town doesn’t want to use tax dollars to buy a tree each year, Doda said it’s relying on generous residents to donate one instead. “It’s nice to have and you can drive by and look at it. It’s a very generous gift from a resident,” she said. Doda said this isn’t the first time that a tree has been the target of criticism. She recalled how some residents complained about the size of another tree two years ago. “I think it’s too bad. Maybe those people should donate a tree next year,” she said. But the tree, which sits just outside the Chester Public Library, is getting lots of love from library staff and others who have noticed it in recent days. “I love that we have the tree. I think it’s a beautiful gesture,” Library Director Kandace Knowlton said. Library aide Melody Roy is also appreciative of the tree and all that it symbolizes this time of year. “It’s nice to have something out there,” she said. The online chatter has also taken a more positive tone with many giving a picture of the tree hearts and supportive comments, suggesting the tree is a reflection of the true meaning of the holiday. One resident took a fitting line from Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” posting: “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
Defense fund established by supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione nears $200KWorld leaders discuss evolving political landscape in the Middle EastAP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:45 p.m. ESTTrump’s tariff threat a grim reminder of turbulent trade in first administration
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Federal agencies will take a new look at the findings of a four-year, $55 million federal study completed in 2020 that rejected calls to tear down the four lower Snake River dams . A coalition of Northwest power, navigation and agricultural users responded to the federal announcement last week, calling the proposed "redo" of the environmental study "premature and unlawful." "The proposed environmental review could lead to breaching federal hydropower facilities that serve as the largest source of affordable, reliable, clean energy for millions of people in the region, while also providing world-class, clean river transportation for the region's and nation's economies," said the coalition in a statement. The coalition includes the Public Power Council, the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, Northwest RiverPartners and others. However, a coalition of environmental and other groups that want the Snake River dams in Eastern Washington removed, applauded the planned update to the study as "a step forward to ensure solutions that honor commitments to restore the Columbia River Basin's iconic salmon runs." On Wednesday, a notice of the federal government's intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement for the Columbia River Systems Operations was posted in the Federal Register. Two federal agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, are planning to evaluate updated and changed circumstances that they think should be considered in the environmental study and the decision not to breach the Snake River hydroelectric dams in Washington. The agencies will consider changes to dams in the Columbia River System; species, such as the wolverine, that have been newly listed or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act; and new reports, studies and information published since the original study was released in 2020. They also will consider anticipated changes to river flows related to the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty. Other studies that could be considered to revise the environmental impact statement include a 2022 federal report that said breaching Snake River dams was the only hope to recover Snake River salmon and steelhead to healthy, harvestable levels. The update also could include studies being done now as part of the Resilient Columbia Agreement to determine how to replace benefits that would be lost if the Eastern Washington Snake River dams are breached. The Federal Register notice says there is a need to evaluate the study's selected alternative to leave the Snake River dams intact in light of "potentially substantial new circumstances and information." The original study considered not only benefits and risks to juvenile and adult endangered and threatened fish by 14 federal dams in the Columbia River systems, but also the social and economic effects of changes to the system, including taking out the four lower Snake River dams. Impacts to flood risk management, water for irrigation, shipping of agriculture products and other goods, hydropower generation and recreation were weighed. After the original, 5,000-page study was released, the Biden administration signed a memorandum of understanding, now called the Resilient Columbia Agreement, hashed out behind closed doors with the states of Oregon and Washington and four Northwest tribes. It called for a temporarily halt to a long-running lawsuit over the Columbia River hydrosystem, and particularly the lower Snake River dams, for up to a decade. The Biden administration pledged to spend $1 billion over the decade to restore native fish and their habitats and to conduct studies on how the services now provided by the dams could be replaced, including the barging of farm products and other goods, irrigation, recreation and electricity production. The 14 dams across the Columbia Basin provide some energy and transportation benefits, but come at enormous costs to salmon and steelhead populations, said the Columbia/Snake River Campaign, composed of environmental groups and others advocating for removal of the four dams from Ice Harbor near Pasco to Lower Granite near Lewiston, Idaho. "The time to act is now," said Kayeloni Scott, executive director of the Columbia Snake River Campaign. "With this supplemental review process, the federal agencies are taking a much-needed step to analyze solutions that prioritize both salmon recovery and the livelihoods of farmers, rural communities and other stakeholders." But the coalition opposed to breaching the Snake River dams say the supplemental review would be based on unfinished reviews and unscientific policy document. The 2020 study concluded that federal hydropower dams and locks are essential to maintaining affordable electric rates, reliable energy service to homes and businesses, and lower carbon emissions, the coalition said. "Hydropower is the largest source of affordable, renewable, dispatchable generation in the Pacific Northwest," and demand for electricity is project to increase more than 30% in the Pacific Northwest over the next decade, it said. The coalition also cited a peer-reviewed study commissioned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2021 that said survival of salmon in Columbia and Snake rivers was threatened not by the dams but by ocean conditions. Virtual public meetings on the scope of the update to the 2020 environmental impact statement will be held the week of Feb. 10, according to the notice. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
The best books of 2024New coach Chris Holtmann has been tasked with rebuilding DePaul to the point where it can return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. Northern Illinois coach Rashon Burno knows what it takes to steer DePaul to the NCAAs because he was the starting point guard on the 2000 team that made the tournament -- the Blue Demons' only other NCAA appearance since 1992. Perhaps they can compare notes Saturday afternoon when Burno leads the Huskies (2-3) back to his alma mater as DePaul (5-0) hosts its sixth straight home game in Chicago. Last season, Burno's NIU squad helped accelerate DePaul's need for a new coach -- as the Huskies waltzed into Wintrust Arena and owned Tony Stubblefield's Blue Demons by an 89-79 score on Nov. 25. The Huskies built a 24-point second-half lead before coasting to the finish line. Can history repeat for NIU? There's just one problem with using last year's game as a potential barometer for Saturday's rematch: Almost no players on this year's teams were part of last year's squads. At DePaul, only assistant coach Paris Parham remains as Holtmann had the green light to bring in an all-new roster. UIC graduate transfer Isaiah Rivera (16.0 ppg, .485 3-point rate) and Coastal Carolina transfer Jacob Meyer (15.4 ppg, .406 on 3s) lead a balanced attack that focuses on getting half its shots from beyond the arc. At NIU, Burno retained only two players who competed against DePaul last year -- Ethan Butler and Oluwasegun Durosinmi -- and they combined for three points in 26 minutes in that game. The Huskies' main players used the transfer portal to join such programs as Kansas, Wisconsin, Penn State, Colorado State, James Madison, Georgia State and Niagara. With every starting job open, Butler has jumped into the lineup and produced 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. Transfers Quentin Jones (Cal Poly) and James Dent (Western Illinois) pace the Huskies with 14.4 and 14.0 points per game. NIU is on a two-game losing streak, most recently a 75-48 home defeat at the hands of Elon on Wednesday. Holtmann hopes to have Arkansas transfer Layden Blocker for Saturday's game. Blocker missed Tuesday's 78-69 win over Eastern Illinois with a quad injury. With the combo guard unavailable, point guard Conor Enright handed out a career-high 11 assists in a season-high 38 minutes. "We need (Blocker)," Holtmann said. "I don't want to play Conor 38 minutes." --Field Level Media
NoneThis looks like another issue the Trump Administration should focus on as soon as they take power in January. Racial quotas for employment are obviously illegal. It’s even worse to have institutions that receive federal money to be openly breaking such laws. Putting a stop to this should be a priority for the Department of Education. https://t.co/fXhG1iBAZA NEW: ~40 departments at the University of Illinois Chicago have pledged, in writing, to hire faculty based on race. One department justified its quotas by claiming that minorities "have a greater sense" of the "nature of teaching." Here's how UIC is openly flouting the law:🧵 pic.twitter.com/2kesxyYrPz So, apparently, they believe some races are better at teaching than others? They believe the skills and temperament needed to teach is inherently related to the color of one's skin? Isn't that the textbook definition of racism? These people don't even hear themselves, clearly. In September 2022, the Department of Industrial Engineering made a bold promise to UIC's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Engagement: From then on, the department said, 50 percent of all faculty hires would be either women or minorities. pic.twitter.com/j0V0RXTprd Citing the need for "culturally relevant pedagogy," the department explained that "minoritized" professors "tend to have a greater sense" of "the human, social, and communal nature of teaching and learning." pic.twitter.com/sNTedDOFiu So, yes, they are absolutely claiming minorities can teach better than white people. That's racist. Tldr: It's not just one or two programs. At the University of Illinois Chicago, race-based hiring is the norm in dozens of departments. And given the paper trail, a Trump DOJ would probably have an easy time prosecuting UIC. Read the full article here: https://t.co/oWbiGAhKJI Also, it's not just one or two departments doing this. It's across the whole University. I actually appreciate their honesty. That is de facto policy at many, many schools which would deny it. Honestly, this is fair. So many other Universities are doing the same thing and covering it up. It is incredible how pervasive the corrupt DEI filth has become. Another one bites the dust... And I'm oh so sure they're not admitting students based on race at all... Of course they are. They are just hiding that behind some educational mumbo jumbo jargon, as well. So if someone who isn’t a minority doesn’t get hired because of these policies, couldn’t they challenge it legally? Feels like UIC is opening itself up to lawsuits by prioritizing race over qualifications. Where’s the line between diversity and discrimination? Whatever the line, surely it has been crossed and stomped on by this point.
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