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☆ Intensifying Rains Pose Hidden Flood Risks Across the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Raymond Zhong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As climate change intensifies severe rainstorms, the infrastructure protecting millions of Americans from flooding faces growing risk of failures, according to new calculations of expected precipitation in every county and locality across the contiguous United States. The calculations suggest that one in nine residents of the lower 48 states, largely in populous regions including the Mid-Atlantic and the Texas Gulf Coast, is at significant risk of downpours that deliver at least 50 percent more rain per hour than local pipes, channels and culverts might be designed to drain. “The data is startling, and it should be a wake-up call,” said Chad Berginnis, the executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, a nonprofit organization focused on flood risk. The new rain estimates, issued on Monday by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research group in New York, carry worrying implications for homeowners, too: They indicate that 12.6 million properties nationwide face significant flood risks despite not being required by the federal government to buy flood insurance.

Persons: ”, Chad Berginnis Organizations: Texas Gulf, Association of, First Street Foundation Locations: United States, New York

☆ Body Cameras Can Be a Powerful Tool. But Not All Police Forces Wear Them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Sean Keenan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Still, the use of body cameras continues to vary widely, and only seven states have enacted requirements for them, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In Georgia, the police chiefs association reported that nearly 90 percent of the 254 local agencies it surveyed in 2021 were using body cameras in some fashion. But the Georgia State Patrol, with nearly 800 troopers, does not routinely equip its officers with them, relying instead on dashboard cameras. Nor does the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which was part of the forest-clearing task force and led the investigation of Terán’s death. Some other state police forces share that policy, said John Bagnardi, executive director of the American Association of State Troopers.

☆ $70 billion in unclaimed property held by states belongs to 33 million Americans. Here's how to see if you're one of them
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An estimated $70 billion in unclaimed property is being held by states, and belongs to about 33 million Americans. Americans are encouraged to search for property that may belong to them in any state where they've lived. According to the site, which is run by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, the average claim is just over $2,000, but they range from pennies to thousands, and there is an estimated $70 billion in unclaimed property on the website, according to CNBC. "States are required to return unclaimed property to its owner no matter how long it takes," Nebraska's treasurer and NAUPA President John Murante said. —National Association of State Treasurers (@StateTreasurers) January 30, 2023

☆ Hiking has become a nationwide New Year's Day tradition
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Just 380 people participated in the initial First Day Hike in 1992 at the nearly 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation just south of Boston. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in First Day Hikes at hundreds of parks in all 50 states. The late Patrick Flynn, the former supervisor at Blue Hills, came up with the original plan. In 2012, First Day Hikes went nationwide when the National Association of State Park Directors endorsed the idea. Elijah Bristow State Park near Eugene is even offering a first day horseback ride.

☆ Why these five states don’t sell lottery tickets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Since 1964, when New Hampshire became the first to offer a state lottery, 44 states have started their own or joined multi-state jackpots. More than 200,000 retail stores and other outlets in the United States sell lottery tickets. That’s because when one state adds a lottery, people often flood across state lines to buy tickets. Recently, states that have adopted lotteries have emphasized that sales from tickets will go to social programs. The people likeliest to buy tickets are often the same ones who most rely on these government programs, he said.

☆ The Powerball jackpot just hit a record $1.9 billion. Here's why people believe they'll win — even when the odds are 1 in 292 million.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Aria Bendix | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The $1.9 billion Powerball jackpot is the largest in history, with the next drawing Monday night. Players are more likely to get killed by fireworks than win the prize, but they still purchase tickets. The Powerball jackpot soared to an all-time high after no winners were declared in three recent drawings. Those who enter have about a 1 in 292.2 million chance of taking home the prize, according to Powerball. While it may seem silly to think that we could actually win the lottery, Americans are quite fond of throwing their hat in the ring.

☆ Here's why people believe they'll win the record $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot — even when the odds are 1 in 292 million
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Aria Bendix | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot is the second largest prize in history, with the next drawing Saturday. Players are more likely to get killed by fireworks than win the prize, but they still purchase tickets. The Powerball jackpot is soaring toward a record high after no winners were declared in two recent drawings. Those who enter have about a 1 in 292.2 million chance of taking home the prize, according to Powerball. While it may seem silly to think that we could actually win the lottery, Americans are quite fond of throwing their hat in the ring.

At an election office in Flagstaff, Arizona, voters will encounter bulletproof glass and need to press a buzzer to enter. Election officials around the country said they were coordinating more closely with local law enforcement to respond quickly to disturbances. The Justice Department says it has investigated more than 1,000 messages to election workers since the 2020 election, including more than 100 that could warrant prosecution. PROTECTIVE MEASURESMany election officials blame disinformation, such as Trump's baseless claims about election fraud in the 2020 election, for the surge in threats. In Michigan, Republican candidates for governor, attorney general and other positions have questioned the outcome of the 2020 election.

☆ Moderna Covid-19 Booster Shortage Leads to Fewer Appointments at Pharmacies
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Peter Loftus | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Some U.S. pharmacies and other vaccine providers are offering the new Covid-19 booster shot only from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE , after a manufacturing-quality problem at a contract manufacturer caused a shortage of Moderna Inc.’s new booster shot. In recent days, federal officials have advised state officials there is a limited supply of Moderna’s updated booster shots, said Marcus Plescia , chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

☆ Covid testing providers scale back despite worries of another winter surge
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Shannon-Pettypiece-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Shannon Pettypiece | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

“There are definitely manufacturers stepping back without full confidence there will be a government or any market for Covid tests,” said Aspinall. Companies making Covid tests, equipment and supplies have also seen a hefty drop in Covid-related sales. The Biden administration had aimed to provide some stability to the Covid testing market by purchasing a steady supply of Covid tests to send to Americans for free. But Congress has failed to pass a Covid spending package that included $2 billion for testing, and last month the White House said it was ending its free Covid testing program. Abbott saw its Covid testing revenue decline by 29% in the most recent quarter, though its sales nearly doubled over the past year.

A high-stakes debt ceiling standoff in Washington could have spillover effects on state spending plans that rely heavily on federal aid to fund a variety of social programs and transportation projects. Policy experts say failing to suspend or raise the debt limit could disrupt spending at the state level, particularly with regard to the recently enacted $1.2 trillion infrastructure law. “We don't have experience of a federal default,” said Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at the Tax Foundation. "Federal default has never happened and everyone hopes and expects that it won't happen now," Walczak said. It is the National Association of State Budget Officers, not the National Association of State Budget Officials.

In that environment, crooks were easily able to impersonate jobless Americans using stolen identity information for sale in bulk in the dark corners of the internet. When Yvonne Matlock lost her job last year and applied for unemployment benefits online, she was told she was already getting relief money. Through a public records request, NBC News obtained data from the Labor Department, which funds Covid relief unemployment benefits programs, that are riddled with blank values and underestimates. ID.meMore than two-thirds of states, 34, reported no cases of identity theft overpayments in the most vulnerable unemployment benefits program. Cash App, which describes itself as "the easiest way to send money, spend money, save money, and buy cryptocurrency," has been frequently used by fraudsters to move money, law enforcement officials and private consultants said.

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