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BOISE, Idaho — Freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge on the first play of double overtime and Jordan Hansen ended the game on a fourth-down sack to give Northern Illinois a 28-20 victory over Fresno State on Monday in the Idaho Potato Bowl. Dimopoulos, who played quarterback in high school, also converted the two-point conversion when he passed it to quarterback Josh Holst for his second completion of the season. Holst, a freshman walk-on, was making just his third start at quarterback as NIU was without starter Ethan Hampton, who entered with 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns to go with six interceptions. Holst completed 18 of 30 passes for 182 and two touchdowns for Northern Illinois (8-5). He was also intercepted on the first play of the game. Both teams missed a 35-yard field goal in the final three minutes of regulation, including Dylan Lynch's third miss of the game on the final play to send it to overtime. People are also reading... Fresno State started overtime with a touchdown when Bryson Donelson was left wide open out of the backfield to haul in a 9-yard touchdown pass. NIU needed five plays, and a defensive holding penalty, to score as Holst found Grayson Barnes for a 3-yard touchdown. Donelson finished with 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown for Fresno State (6-7). He added three catches for 28 yards and another score. Dual-threat quarterback Joshua Wood was 16 of 23 for 180 yards and a touchdown. Mac Dalena made six catches for 118 yards to help go over 1,000 yards for the season. Fresno State was without 14 players, including starting quarterback Mikey Keene after he transferred to Michigan. Two top-three receivers, Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe, also did not play as the Bulldogs were forced to use five new starters. UTSA 44, COASTAL CAROLINA 15: Owen McCown threw for 254 yards and a touchdown and UTSA scored the opening 27 points of the Myrtle Beach Bowl to cruise past short-handed Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. UTSA (7-6) broke away in the second quarter by scoring a touchdown on three straight drives for a 21-0 lead. McCown was 14 of 17 in the first half, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Overmyer. McCown also scored on a 35-yard run after breaking two tackles near the end zone. The other score was a 9-yard touchdown run by Brandon High. Coastal Carolina (6-7) finished the first half with just 140 total yards — 60 coming on the final drive. The Chanticleers punted on five straight drives to begin the game — with the longest possession lasting seven plays for 25 yards. UTSA added short field goals on its opening two drives of the second half, while Coastal Carolina started with two straight three-and-out drives. UTSA ended CCU’s third drive on Jakevian Rodgers’ first career interception to extend the program's single-game streak with an interception and a sack to 23 games. CCU’s first touchdown came on the first play of the fourth quarter when Bryson Graves caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Tad Hudson. But UTSA’s Chris Carpenter returned the ensuing kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown to make it 34-7. It was the largest margin of victory in the five-year history of the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Lifeline charity in Dingwall suffers ‘devastating’ blow as they lose £35,000 from NHS fundingTrashing IRS won’t improve US tax code
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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators approved permits Thursday for underground storage of carbon dioxide delivered through a sprawling pipeline proposed for the Midwest, marking another victory for the project that has drawn fierce opposition from landowners. The state’s governor-led, three-member Industrial Commission voted unanimously to approve the permits for Summit Carbon Solutions’ three proposed storage sites in central North Dakota. It’s unclear when construction of the storage sites would begin but it’s expected that resistant landowners in that area will file lawsuits seeking to block the storage plans. Summit’s proposed 2,500-mile (4,023-kilometer), $8 billion pipeline would transport planet-warming CO2 emissions from 57 ethanol plants in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska for underground storage in central North Dakota. People are also reading... The company has permits for its route in Iowa and North Dakota but can’t yet begin construction. Also on Thursday, Minnesota utility regulators approved a permit for a 28-mile (45-kilometer) leg of the project in western Minnesota. Summit also recently applied in South Dakota, where regulators denied the company’s previous application last year. Summit still faces several lawsuits related to the project, including a state Supreme Court appeal in North Dakota over a property rights law related to the underground storage plan. Approval from the governor-led, three-member Industrial Commission is another victory for Summit Carbon Solutions' controversial project, though further court challenges are likely. Last month, the company gained approval for its North Dakota route , and Iowa regulators also have given conditional approval. North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum chairs the Industrial Commission, which includes the state attorney general and agriculture commissioner and oversees a variety of energy topics and state-owned enterprises. Burgum is President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Interior Secretary and to lead a new National Energy Council. Burgum supports Summit's project and has frequently touted North Dakota's underground carbon dioxide storage as a “geologic jackpot.” In 2021, he set a goal for the No. 3 oil-producing state to be carbon-neutral by 2030. His term ends Saturday. Summit applied for permits for three storage facilities, which would hold a combined, estimated maximum of 352 million metric tons of CO2 over 20 years. The pipeline would carry up to 18 million metric tons of CO2 per year to be injected about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) underground, according to an application fact sheet. Summit's documents detail a well site layout encompassing a pump/meter building, gas detection stations, inlet valves and emergency shutoff valve. Carbon dioxide would move through the pipeline in a pressurized form to be injected deep underground into a rock formation. Jessie Stolark, who leads a group that includes Summit and supports the project, said the oil industry has long used similar technology. “We know that this can be done safely in a manner that is protective of human health and underground sources of drinking water,” said Stolark, executive director of the Carbon Capture Coalition. Summit's project has drawn the ire of landowners around the region. They oppose the potential taking of their property for the pipeline and fear a pipe rupture releasing a cloud of heavy, hazardous gas over the land. A North Dakota landowners group is challenging a property rights law related to the underground storage, and attorney Derrick Braaten said they likely would challenge the granting of permits for the storage plans. “The landowners that I'm working with aren't necessarily opposed to carbon sequestration itself,” Braaten said. “They're opposed to the idea that a private company can come in and use their property without having to negotiate with them or pay them just compensation for taking their private property and using it.” Carbon capture projects such as Summit's are eligible for lucrative federal tax credits intended to encourage cleaner-burning ethanol and potentially result in corn-based ethanol being refined into jet fuel. Some opponents argue the amount of greenhouse gases sequestered through the process would make little difference and could lead farmers to grow more corn despite environmental concerns about the crop. In Minnesota, regulators granted a route permit that would connect an ethanol plant in Fergus Falls to Summit’s broader network. They attached several conditions, including requirements that Summit begin construction in North Dakota before it starts in Minnesota. An administrative law judge who conducted hearings concluded in November that the environmental impacts from the Minnesota segment would be minimal and noted that Summit has secured agreements from landowners along most of the recommended route. Environmental groups that oppose the project disputed the judge’s finding that the project would have a net benefit for the environment. In addition to North Dakota, Summit has a permit from Iowa for its route, but regulators for that state required the company to obtain approvals for routes in the Dakotas and underground storage in North Dakota before it can begin construction. The Iowa Utilities Commission's approval sparked lawsuits related to the project. Last year, South Dakota regulators rejected Summit's application. The company submitted another permit application last month. In Nebraska, where there is no state regulatory process for CO2 pipelines, Summit is working with individual counties to advance its project. At least one county has denied a permit. Karnowski reported from Minneapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Exclusive-Databricks nears record $9.5 billion VC raise, eyes extra $4.5 billion debtSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Willy Adames wasted little time making one thing clear: He wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants. So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin's right shoulder, smiled and said, “if he lets me.” Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper. Adames didn't hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here. Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September. “There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. "... This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.” Everyone who has encountered Adames so far can’t wait for him to get to work as an example both on the diamond and in the clubhouse. “He’s a unique connector of people,” Posey shared from Craig Counsell's description of the 29-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic. “That really struck me because I think to win championships you have to have personalities like Willy that they're able to identify with everybody in the clubhouse, and that's not just players. I heard from multiple people that Willy treats everybody with the utmost respect. He plays with energy, he plays with joy and I know that our fans are just going to be thrilled to watch him compete on a daily basis.” Adames' deal marks the richest contract for San Francisco since Posey reached a $167 million, nine-year pact in 2013. “I didn’t know 'til it was done. I was like ‘wow,’" Adames said. From afar, Adames watched the legacy left by his hero Derek Jeter that went far beyond the baseball diamond. And that's as important to Adames as playing all 162 after he appeared in 161 games last season for Milwaukee. He considers part of his role to help the young players learn “to be a professional" and lead a club that has missed the playoffs the past three years in winning the right way. “For me that comes first, it comes first to be a great human being. I've got to thank my parents for that, they raised me the right way, to try to treat everybody the same, it doesn't matter what you're doing,” Adames said. “I think that's something that I'm really proud of, just to be the same guy every day, to be kind, just to give love back to people because there's a lot of hate out there and I don't really like that.” The Giants know Adames' positive influence could go far. Asked about the instability at shortstop, Melvin noted, “Well, it's not a problem now.” Adames gives the Giants a power bat and reliable defense at his position. This year for the Brewers, he produced his best offensive season in the big leagues, batting .251 with a career-high 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. “Look, every team wants a Willy Adames on their team. I think the thing that strikes me the most is when I'd watch him play a couple times a year on the other side was he never looked like he had a bad day,” Melvin said. “It always looked like every day was opening day to him. That enthusiasm when your best players are like that — Matt Chapman is like that, too — it's easy for everybody to have to fall in and play in that type of style. It's easier said than done but really for me that's the thing that struck me most is how much he loved playing baseball.” Adames is close friends with former Giants third baseman Matt Duffy, who shared his own experiences being part of the San Francisco franchise. It all became real when Adames pulled on his new cream-colored Giants jersey and buttoned it up, saying, “I'm a little nervous about this." A few moments later, the cap went on his head and he felt right at home. “It looks amazing.” AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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Truist Finl's TFC short percent of float has risen 41.67% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 17.98 million shares sold short , which is 1.36% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.34 days to cover their short positions on average. Why Short Interest Matters Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. Short selling is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises. Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish. See Also: List of the most shorted stocks Truist Finl Short Interest Graph (3 Months) As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Truist Finl has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted. Comparing Truist Finl's Short Interest Against Its Peers Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis. According to Benzinga Pro , Truist Finl's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.74%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers. Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it. This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.COLLEGE BOWL
Ruben Amorim watched match-winner Rasmus Hojlund clash with Manchester United team-mate Amad and told them to carry on arguing. Hojlund came off the bench to score twice and secure a first away win for United in Europe since March 2023, boosting their chances of qualifying automatically for the knockout stage. But Hojlund and Amad were involved in a heated exchange at the final whistle, after both refused to pass to each other during two counter-attacks in added time. Far from being angry with the pair, Amorim said he welcomed the clash between the two forwards, because it showed their passion and desire to do better for the team. “For me it’s perfect,” said Amorim. “We need to feel something. In this moment, we need to feel something. “If we need to fight each other it’s like a family, so for me it’s a very, very good sign. We need to feel something and that's important. “When you don’t care, you don’t do anything. When you care, you fight with your brother, with your father, with your mother. “It’s a normal thing, it’s a positive thing, a healthy thing. I let the players and the captain calm down things and, if I think it’s too much I'll go inside the dressing room. “But it’s their space, they have to talk, to fight and for me it’s a very important thing. I'm happy that we won the game and yet we still fight each other - that's a very good thing. “When you win and you fight with your team-mate, because you want to score one more, for me it’s a very good day for us.” Amorim praised Hojlund and said: “He's improving, he's nearer the goal now and he knows the better movement he has to do. He could have scored more, but he's scoring, working and controlling the ball better, so he's improving." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Airbnb Unusual Options Activity For December 13Share Tweet Share Share Email Choosing the right medical billing company is more critical than ever. A reliable billing service ensures smoother financial operations, maximizes revenue, and improves overall practice efficiency. With numerous options available, we’ll explore two top contenders — DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com — to help you make an informed decision for your healthcare business. Why Medical Billing Companies Matter in 2025 As healthcare regulations and insurance policies continue to change, medical practices face increasing challenges in managing billing processes efficiently. A top-tier medical billing company can streamline the claims process, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure timely reimbursements. By outsourcing medical billing, healthcare providers can focus on delivering quality patient care, while professionals handle the complexities of coding, claims processing, and compliance. DocVaz.com: Pioneering Medical Billing Solutions DocVaz.com has established itself as a leader in medical billing services . The company is known for its user-friendly approach, combining cutting-edge technology with personalized service. Their cloud-based platform ensures real-time access to billing data, allowing practices to stay on top of their financial health at all times. One of DocVaz.com’s key strengths is its extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance. With healthcare policies constantly evolving, the company ensures that all claims are submitted accurately and in accordance with the latest regulations. This not only reduces the chances of claim denials but also speeds up the reimbursement process, contributing to a healthier cash flow for healthcare providers. DocVaz.com also emphasizes automation, reducing manual errors and ensuring that billing processes are streamlined. From submitting claims to tracking payments, their platform simplifies every step, allowing healthcare providers to optimize their workflows and increase productivity. GET FREE CONSULTATION UMBSBillingServices.com: A Trusted Name in Medical Billing UMBSBillingServices.com has earned a reputation as a reliable partner for healthcare providers looking to optimize their billing processes. What sets UMBSBillingServices.com apart is its focus on delivering tailored solutions that fit the unique needs of different practices. The company’s team of certified billing experts possesses extensive experience across various specialties, ensuring they have the knowledge to navigate complex billing scenarios with ease. Whether you’re dealing with small private practices or large healthcare systems, UMBSBillingServices.com provides a scalable solution that adapts to your practice’s size and specific needs. UMBSBillingServices.com excels in handling medical coding and claims processing. Their expertise in reducing denied claims and ensuring maximum reimbursement has made them a preferred choice for many healthcare providers. The company also offers comprehensive reporting tools, giving practices valuable insights into their financial performance, helping them make data-driven decisions to improve revenue. GET FREE CONSULTATION Choosing the Right Medical Billing Company for 2025 When selecting a medical billing company in 2025, several key factors should be considered: Compliance & Accuracy : Ensure the company stays up to date with the latest healthcare regulations and consistently maintains accuracy in billing and coding. Technology & Automation : Look for platforms that offer automation features, real-time data access, and analytics to streamline operations and reduce errors. Customer Support : Reliable support is crucial. A responsive customer service team ensures that any issues or questions are addressed promptly. Specialization : Depending on your practice type and size, choose a company that specializes in your specific needs, whether you’re a small clinic or a large healthcare system. Both DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com offer distinct advantages, catering to different practice requirements. If you prioritize automation, real-time data, and compliance, DocVaz.com might be the right fit. On the other hand, if personalized service, customized solutions, and scalability are your priorities, UMBSBillingServices.com could be the better choice. In conclusion, selecting the best medical billing company in 2025 requires careful evaluation of your practice’s unique needs and goals. DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com both bring valuable strengths to the table, helping healthcare providers improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance revenue management. FAQs 1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing a medical billing company? When selecting a medical billing company in 2025, consider factors such as: Compliance & Accuracy : Ensure they stay updated on regulatory requirements. Technology & Automation : Look for platforms that offer automated solutions and real-time data access. Customer Support : Reliable support ensures issues are addressed promptly. Specialization : Choose a company that caters to your practice type and size. 2. What makes DocVaz.com a top medical billing company? DocVaz.com stands out for its user-friendly, cloud-based platform that ensures real-time access to billing data. Their focus on automation reduces manual errors and speeds up claims processing. They excel in regulatory compliance, helping healthcare providers avoid claim denials and improve cash flow. 3. What sets UMBSBillingServices.com apart from other billing companies? UMBSBillingServices.com offers tailored solutions, making them a great choice for practices of all sizes. They specialize in reducing denied claims and ensuring maximum reimbursements. Their team of certified experts provides personalized service, helping practices optimize billing processes. 4. How does automation benefit medical billing companies like DocVaz.com? Automation streamlines the billing process by reducing manual errors, improving accuracy, and speeding up claim submissions. With automation, providers can manage claims more efficiently, leading to faster reimbursements and better financial health. 5. Does UMBSBillingServices.com offer customized solutions for different types of practices? Yes, UMBSBillingServices.com provides tailored solutions that adapt to the unique needs of various practice sizes and specialties. Whether you’re a small clinic or a large healthcare system, their services are scalable and personalized. 6. How do I know which medical billing company is right for my practice? Consider your practice’s size, specialty, and specific needs. If you prioritize automation, real-time data access, and regulatory compliance, DocVaz.com might be ideal. If you’re looking for personalized service, customized solutions, and scalability, UMBSBillingServices.com could be a better fit. 7. What kind of support can I expect from DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com? Both companies provide responsive customer support. DocVaz.com ensures quick assistance with any technical or billing-related issues. UMBSBillingServices.com offers expert guidance tailored to your practice’s specific needs, ensuring smooth billing operations. 8. How do these companies handle denied claims? Both DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com specialize in reducing denied claims. DocVaz focuses on automation and accuracy, while UMBSBillingServices.com offers expert knowledge in medical coding, helping minimize claim denials and improving reimbursement rates. 9. Can these companies help improve my practice’s cash flow? Yes, both DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com are designed to enhance cash flow by speeding up the claims process, reducing errors, and ensuring compliance with billing regulations. This helps healthcare providers receive reimbursements more efficiently. 10. Are there any additional features offered by these companies? DocVaz.com : Offers real-time data access, analytics, and automated claims processing. UMBSBillingServices.com : Provides in-depth reporting tools, financial insights, and customized solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of healthcare providers. Related Items: Medical Billing Company , technology Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Why the Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter Is Essential for Worldwide Travelers Rocket Lab Establishes Synspective Satellite 3 Best Open World Games on The Google Play Store Comments
If you’ve hunted for apartments recently and felt like all the rents were equally high, you’re not crazy: Many landlords now use a single company’s software — which uses an algorithm based on proprietary lease information — to help set rent prices. Federal prosecutors say the practice amounts to “an unlawful information-sharing scheme,” and some lawmakers throughout California are moving to curb it. San Diego’s city council president is the latest to do so, proposing a ban that would prevent local apartment owners from using the pricing service, which he maintains is driving up housing costs. San Diego’s proposed ordinance, which is currently being drafted, comes after San Francisco enacted a first-in-the-nation ban on “the sale or use of algorithmic devices to set rents or manage occupancy levels” for residences in July. San Jose is considering a similar approach. Similar bans have passed or are being considered across the country. In September, The Philadelphia City Council passed a ban on algorithmic rental price-fixing with a veto-proof vote. New Jersey has been considering its own ban. In August, The Department of Justice and the attorney generals of eight states — California, North Carolina, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington — filed an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, the leading rental pricing platform based in Texas. The complaint alleges that “RealPage is an algorithmic intermediary that collects, combines, and exploits landlords’ competitively sensitive information. And in so doing, it enriches itself and compliant landlords at the expense of renters who pay inflated prices...” RealPage has been a major impetus for all of the actions. Some officials accuse the company of thwarting competition that would otherwise drive rents down, exacerbating the state’s housing shortage and driving up rents in the process. “We are disappointed that, after multiple years of education and cooperation on the antitrust matters concerning RealPage, the (Justice Department) has chosen this moment to pursue a lawsuit that seeks to scapegoat pro-competitive technology that has been used responsibly for years,” the company’s statement read in part. “RealPage’s revenue management software is purposely built to be legally compliant, and we have a long history of working constructively with the (department) to show that.” “Every day, millions of Californians worry about keeping a roof over their head and RealPage has directly made it more difficult to do so,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a written statement. A RealPage spokesperson, Jennifer Bowcock, told CalMatters that a lack of housing supply, not the company’s technology, is the real problem — and that its technology benefits residents, property managers, and others associated with the rental market. The spokesperson later wrote that a “ misplaced focus on nonpublic information is a distraction... that will only make San Francisco and San Diego’s historical problems worse.” As for the federal lawsuit, the company called the claims in it “devoid of merit” and said it plans to “vigorously defend ourselves against these accusations.” In 2020, a Markup and New York Times investigation found that RealPage, alongside other companies, used faulty computer algorithms to do automated background checks on tenants. As a result, tenants were associated with criminal charges they never faced and denied homes. Is it price fixing—or coaching landlords? According to federal prosecutors, RealPage controls 80% of the market for commercial revenue management software. Its product is called YieldStar, and its successor is AI Revenue Management, which uses much of the same codebase as YieldStar, but has more precise forecasting. RealPage told CalMatters it serves only 10% of the rental markets in both San Francisco and San Diego, across its three revenue management software products. Here’s how it works: In order to use YieldStar and AIRM, landlords have historically provided RealPage with their own private data from their rental applications, rent prices, executed new leases, renewal offers and acceptances, and estimates of future occupancy, although a recent change allows landlords to choose to share only public data. This information from all participating landlords in an area is then pooled and run through mathematical forecasting to generate pricing recommendations for the landlords and for their competitors. The San Diego council president, Sean Elo-Rivera, explained it like this: “In the simplest terms, what this platform is doing is providing what we think of as that dark, smoky room for big companies to get together and set prices,” he said. “The technology is being used as a way of keeping an arm’s length from one big company to the other. But that’s an illusion.” In the company’s own words, from company documents included in the lawsuit, RealPage “ensures that (landlords) are driving every possible opportunity to increase price even in the most downward trending or unexpected conditions.” The company also said in the documents that it “helps curb (landlords’) instincts to respond to down-market conditions by either dramatically lowering price or by holding price.” Impact on tenants Thirty-one-year-old Navy veteran Alan Pickens and his wife move nearly every year “because the rent goes up, it gets unaffordable, so we look for a new place to stay,” he said. The northeastern San Diego apartment complex where they just relocated has two-bedroom apartments advertised for between $2,995 and $3,215. They live in an area of San Diego where the U.S. Justice Department says information-sharing agreements between landlords and RealPage have harmed or are likely to harm renters. The department in August filed its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, alleging the company, through its legacy YieldStar software, engaged in an “ unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing ”. The complaint names specific areas where rents are artificially high. Beyond the part of San Diego where Pickens lives, those areas include South Orange County, Rancho Cucamonga, Temecula, and Murrieta and northeastern San Diego. In the second quarter of 2020, the average rent in San Diego County was $1,926, reflecting a 26% increase over three years, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune . Rents have since risen even more in the city of San Diego, to $2,336 per month as of November 2024 – up 21% from 2020, according to RentCafe and the Tribune. That’s 50% higher than the national average rent. The attorneys general of eight states, including California, joined the Justice Department’s antitrust suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The California Justice Department contends RealPage artificially inflated prices to keep them above a certain minimum level, said department spokesperson Elissa Perez. This was particularly harmful given the high cost of housing in the state, she added. “The illegally maintained profits that result from these price alignment schemes come out of the pockets of the people that can least afford it.” Renters make up a larger share of households in California than in the rest of the country — 44% here compared to 35% nationwide. The Golden State also has a higher percentage of renters than any state other than New York, according to the latest U.S. Census data . San Diego has the fourth-highest percentage of renters of any major city in the nation . The recent ranks of California legislators, however, have included few renters: As of 2019, CalMatters could find only one state lawmaker who did not own a home — and found that more than a quarter of legislators at the time were landlords. Studies show that low-income residents are more heavily impacted by rising rents. Nationally between 2000 and 2017, the percentage of income that Americans without a college degree spent on rent ballooned from 30% to 42%. For college graduates, that percentage increased from 26% to 34%. “In my estimation, the only winners in this situation are the richest companies who are either using this technology or creating this technology,” said Elo-Rivera. “There couldn’t be a more clear example of the rich getting richer while the rest of us are struggling to get by.” The state has invested in RealPage Private equity giant Thoma Bravo acquired RealPage in January 2021 through two funds that have hundreds of millions of dollars in investments from California public pension funds, including the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the Regents of the University of California and the Los Angeles police and fire pension funds, according to Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “They’re invested in things that are directly hurting their pensioners,” said K Agbebiyi, a senior housing campaign coordinator with the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a nonprofit private equity watchdog that produced a report about corporate landlords ’ impact on rental hikes in San Diego. RealPage argues that landlords are free to reject the price recommendations generated by its software. But the U.S. Justice Department alleges that trying to do so requires a series of steps, including a conversation with a RealPage pricing adviser. The advisers try to “stop property managers from acting on emotions,” according to the department’s lawsuit. If a property manager disagrees with the price the algorithm suggests and wants to decrease rent rather than increase it, a pricing advisor will “escalate the dispute to the manager’s superior,” prosecutors allege in the suit. In San Diego, the Pickenses, who are expecting their first child, have given up their gym memberships and downsized their cars to remain in the area. They’ve considered moving to Denver. “All the extras pretty much have to go,” said Pickens. “I mean, we love San Diego, but it’s getting hard to live here.” “My wife is an attorney and I served in the Navy for 10 years and now work at Qualcomm,” he said. “Why are we struggling? Why are we struggling?” This article was originally published on The Markup and was republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license.
(BPT) - Consumers are facing increasing costs on virtually every purchase these days and auto insurance is no exception. While skyrocketing costs of this auto-related expense can be attributed to everything from parts replacement to service — even health costs as a result of accidents — consumers can better manage these increases with thoughtful study and attention to detail. Some of the common causes for higher insurance rates are Inflation, car accidents, extreme weather conditions such as hail, hurricanes and wind, along with increased vehicle theft claims. Mercury Insurance has partnered with financial literacy influencer Sam Jarman to highlight specific ways consumers can address these rising costs. "Your car is the second biggest expense for most people, right behind your home, and car insurance is a big part of that," said Jarman. "Checking rates and coverage with your Mercury Insurance agent makes sense along with choosing a car with low maintenance costs." According to Consumer Price Index data released earlier this year, car insurance rates are up almost 21% year-over-year for the 12 months which ended in February. The last time car insurance rates rose that much on an annual basis was 1976. Here are some auto insurance statistics recently released from Forbes : "Our goal is to help our customers get the best rates possible because we know that every dollar counts." said Justin Yoshizawa, Director, Product Management, State. "We encourage consumers to build a close relationship with their agent and discuss what discounts they may be eligible to receive. The answer might be surprising." Mercury offers the following tips for lowering your insurance costs: Review your deductibles with your insurance agent – It is recommended that you review your coverage and deductible with your Mercury agent at least once a year. Their wisdom and experience can help you make wise decisions regarding your insurance. Explore car insurance discounts – In addition to bundling your home and auto insurance, Mercury offers discounts for multi-car, good drivers, good students and auto pay. Your agent may have additional discounts to offer. Let Your Insurer Track Your Driving – Most insurers offer discounts for customers who install telematics. This technology allows your insurance company to collect information regarding your mileage and driving habits. This can also provide valuable information regarding your driving as well as saving you money. Drive a safe car with low repair costs – According to Bankrate , some of the cheapest cars to insure are the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot. Also, look for cars with lower repair costs such as the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius and Tesla Model 3. Doing some research before you purchase a vehicle can save you money over the length of ownership. Install an anti-theft device on your car – Drivers may receive an additional discount on your auto insurance if you install an anti-theft device on your car. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs – You can get a fast and easy quote from your Mercury Insurance agent. To receive a quote, you can reach us at 844-514-2893. To learn more about common types of auto insurance discounts, visit https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/resources/auto/understanding-types-of-auto-insurance-discounts.html . For more information on your auto insurance, you can reference the Insurance Information Institute .
Outcry over Labour's plans for free weight loss jabs on the NHS as majority of Brits believe people should pay for treatment privately By SHAUN WOOLLER Published: 14:16 EST, 28 December 2024 | Updated: 14:16 EST, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments Labour 's plan for free weight loss jabs on the NHS faces a backlash from taxpayers who believe patients should buy them privately, a poll suggests. Health secretary Wes Streeting has backed the prescribing of the drugs to obese patients in the hope it can tackle the nation's bulging waistlines. But the public is largely opposed to the move at a time when the NHS - despite receiving record levels of funding - is routinely missing targets for cancer , ambulances and waiting lists. Britons are more likely to think people should pay for the jabs privately - or go without - than get them for free on the NHS, according to the IPSOS survey of 2,161 British adults for the Mail and Guardian. Some 34 per cent of voters think the NHS should be providing weight loss jabs, while 38 per cent say it should not. The survey also found over one in five people (22 per cent) are 'very or fairly likely' to use weight loss jabs in the future if they were provided on the NHS. But this drops to just 8 per cent if they had to pay the going rate of around £180 to £220 a month to source them from a private prescriber. Providing them to 22 per cent of adults in the UK at this price would cost the NHS £28billion a year - about a sixth of England's annual health budget. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has backed making weight loss drugs available on the NHS, despite the majority of the public believing people should pay for them privately Over one in five people (22 per cent) are 'very or fairly likely' to use weight loss jabs in the future if they were provided on the NHS, a survey found (Stock image) John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'It's becoming clear to taxpayers that a do-it-all health service is no longer sustainable. 'With the NHS not even able to perform its vital functions to an adequate level, an expansion in the range of treatments freely available looks to be another example of misplaced priorities. 'Streeting should be considering ways to encourage take up of these jabs privately before reaching for the taxpayer funded credit card.' The survey exposes a stigma around the jabs with one in four (23 per cent) people who plan to use them admitting they are unlikely to tell their friends or family. Meanwhile, 9 per cent of respondents already know a friend or relative who is taking them and 4 per cent plan to use them themselves this January as they try to shift their flab in the New Year. Mr Streeting, who proposed giving the jabs to obese jobless people to get them back to work, has said: 'Weight-loss drugs have enormous potential. 'When taken alongside healthy diet and exercise, they can be game-changers in tackling obesity and getting people back to good health.' But obesity expert Dr Dolly van Tulleken, from the University of Cambridge, has warned that, besides the 'serious ethical, financial, and efficacy considerations,' the plans are also unrealistic. Mr Streeting has proposed giving the jabs to obese jobless people to get them back to work (file photo) The weight loss jab Wegovy is already available on the NHS to some patients and around 220,000 with the greatest clinical need could receive Mounjaro over the next three years. The drugs watchdog Nice has agreed the NHS can phase the roll-out of Mounjaro to prevent it being overwhelmed by demand, with an estimated 3.4million people eligible. Studies show patients typically lose more than 20 per cent of their body weight on Mounjaro and less than 14 per cent on semaglutide, the key ingredient in Wegovy. Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said weight loss jabs are 'brilliant' when used responsibly and in a targeted manner but he is 'gobsmacked' that people are choosing to use them 'willy-nilly'. He warned users risk serious side-effects and said that too often they are being taken like a 'recreational drug'. Mr Fry added: 'Everyone should persevere with their weight loss by choosing to eat better food, eating less of it and exercising more.' Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: 'The NHS should be, and is approved to, provide weight loss drugs as a cost-effective way to manage obesity and prevent serious future health issues, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, various cancers, dementia, and depression.' Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'Weight loss drugs have been shown to be beneficial for some patients who meet certain criteria - and there's certainly a lot of potential to improve the health risks for many patients, so that they can live longer, healthier lives. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, delivering a speech at the college's annual conference in Liverpool 'However, it is important that weight loss drugs are not seen as a silver bullet for weight loss - they do not come without risk, and they won't be appropriate for everyone.' An NHS England spokesman said: 'While weight loss drugs are an important tool to support people to lose weight, the sheer number of people potentially eligible for these treatments mean it's right that the NHS is adopting a phased rollout which prioritises those with the greatest clinical need.' A Department for Health spokesman said: 'Obesity is debilitating, costs lives, and burdens the economy as well as the NHS. 'These obesity drugs can greatly benefit those in real need but we must recognise these drugs are not a replacement for a good diet, healthy lifestyle and exercise.' Wes Streeting NHS Labour Share or comment on this article: Outcry over Labour's plans for free weight loss jabs on the NHS as majority of Brits believe people should pay for treatment privately e-mail Add commentBy Jim Rossman, Tribune News Service (TNS) Everyone seems to be listening to something. I’m not sure what they’re listening to, because they all seem to be wearing headphones. I suppose they’re all listening to their favorite podcast or just their playlists. Here are a few gift suggestions for headphones that’ll make anything sound better. I’ve listed the retail pricing, but don’t be surprised if you find them on sale. Soundcore AeroFit 2 adjustable open-ear wireless earbuds We’ve all tried traditional earbuds. They can sound good if the fit is correct. The SoundCore AreoFit 2 ($99.99, soundcore.com) don’t fit inside your ear canal. Instead, they sit on the outside of your ear. The battery sits behind your ear, much like a hearing aid. The speaker is attached by a sturdy, yet flexible cable. The only adjustment is on the speaker end – it clicks to adjust the angle of the speaker to sit directly over your ear canal. The fact that they don’t insert into your ears means you can still hear the outside world, so you are not so isolated. These are great for jogging or biking. The sound is really nice. The full range of sound comes in very clearly and the form factor is comfortable to wear, even for hours at a time. There are four microphones, so your voice sounds clear on phone calls. They have an IP55 rating, so they can withstand water spashing, sweat or dust. They can also connect to more than one device, so you can keep them paired to your phone and laptop and switch easily between them. The AeroFit 2 can play for 10 hours on a charge. They live in a battery case that can keep them charged for more than 40 hours. The charging case can power up via a USB-C port or a Qi wireless charger. They are available in white, blue, green or black. Soundcore C40i clip-on earbuds The Soundcore C40i ($99.99, soundcore.com) is another fun option in a non-traditional form factor. Instead of going inside or even over the top your ears, the C40i earbuds are u-shaped and they clip on the sides of your ears. They are unlike anything I’ve ever tried, and they sounded surprisingly good once you get them in the right spot. They are a bit flexible, in that you can pull them apart slightly to get them in the right spot. Once you let go, they gently grip your earlobe. I must admit I was a little self-conscious when I first started wearing the C40i earbuds, as they look a bit like earrings. The fit is interesting. The end with the speaker sits in front of your ear canal and the end with the battery and action button goes behind your ear. You can adjust them on your ear until the sound becomes clear. It’ll be obvious to your ears when you have them adjusted correctly. If your earlobes are thin, there are some rubber sleeves that can help with the fit. You want them to be snug, but not to the point where they are pinching your ears. There is a customizable button on the back of each earbud for call and music control. They are on the small side, so the battery life is seven hours before needing to return to the case for a charge. The case can charge them twice more before it needs recharging. The case charges via USB-C cable, but it is too small for wireless chargers. The earbuds have a 12mm x 17mm oval shaped driver and the sound quality is very good. Voice quality on phone calls also surprised me with its clarity. They sync with the Soundcore phone app to let you assign the button commands and tweak the sound settings. They also can pair to two devices at once. Baseus Bowie 30 Max noise-canceling headphones Frequent flyers know all about noise canceling over-the-ear headphones. These headphones usually have active noise canceling, which uses microphones to listen to the ambient noise and reduce it before it can get to your ears. What I’m noticing is more and more people wearing these during workouts or just walking around. The Baseus Bowie 30 Max noise canceling headphones ($79.99, baseus.com) are fairly generic looking headphones, but their performance is incredible for the price. Baseus says the Bowie 30s can eliminate 96 percent of noise, but that actual noise cancellation will vary depending on the ambient noise level. I can tell you the noise canceling is impressive. There is also a transparency mode that lets in outside sounds so you can have a conversation with someone without taking them off. You can pair them to the free Baseus phone app to unlock some additional features including spatial acoustics, bass enhancement and low-latency mode. These connect to your phone or PC wirelessly via Bluetooth or wired with an included 3.5mm cable. They last an impressive 65 hours on a charge without noise canceling or 50 hours with noise canceling enabled. The ear cups and piece that fits over the top of your head are nicely padded and the entire headset folds up to take up less room in your bag. ©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.