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☆ Dozens of transgender people in Florida are crowdfunding to flee the state, and they've raised more than $200,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Thalia Beaty | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Dozens of transgender people in Florida are using crowdfunding to help them flee the state. In addition to banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, the law places new restrictions on adults seeking treatment. Chelf began making plans to leave the state after Florida legislation caused her to lose access to gender affirming care. A marked increase in fundraisers to help trans people leave FloridaPeople have given more than $200,000 since January to fundraisers on GoFundMe started by trans people seeking to leave Florida, according to data from the platform. Sage Chelf shows her GoFundMe campaign to move out of Florida in Orlando, Fla., May 27, 2023.

Persons: —, Sage Chelf, Chelf, Laura Bargfeld, I'm, GoFundMe, Jalen Drummond, Ron DeSantis, Laura Bargfeld That's, Una Osili, Indiana University Lilly, Elise Colomer, it's, Jasmine Beach Organizations: Service, AP, Williams Institute, University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, Indiana University, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Southern Equality Locations: Florida, GoFundMe . Florida, Fla, Orlando, Orlando Fla, Chelf, Cheadle, Illinois, Ferrara

☆ The ‘Peace Dividend’ Is Over in Europe. Now Come the Hard Tradeoffs.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Patricia Cohen | Liz Alderman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But the crucial question of how to pay for the momentous shift in national priorities remains. In France, for instance, government spending as a percentage of the economy, at 1.4 trillion euros ($1.54 trillion), is the highest in Europe. Debates over competing priorities are playing out in other capitals across the region — even if the trade-offs are not explicitly mentioned. It was just one in a series of walkouts by public workers who complained that underfunding, double-digit inflation and the pandemic’s aftermath have crippled essential services like health care, transportation and education. Romania, which has been running up its public debt over the years, has pledged to lift military spending this year by 0.5 percent of national output.

☆ Factbox: Stampede highlights Yemen's dire humanitarian crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Houthis have faced criticism from humanitarian organisations for impeding aid movement, which has also led to concern from donor states. HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCEIn 2023, some 21 million people, or two thirds of Yemen's population, will need humanitarian aid and protection, according to the United Nations. The U.N. humanitarian plan requires $4.3 billion this year to reach the 17 million most vulnerable people. ECONOMYThe conflict has destroyed Yemen's economy and the national poverty rate was estimated at about 80% in 2022, according to the United Nations. Acute food insecurity in Yemen is driven by rising food prices and dwindling livelihoods and economic opportunities.

☆ 'That's a lie' accusation obscures bipartisan Social Security reform talks -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

When Yellen responded that Biden "stands ready to work" with lawmakers, Cassidy shot back, "That's a lie because when a bipartisan group of senators has repeatedly requested to meet with him about Social (Security) ... we have not heard anything on our requests." For several months now, Cassidy and independent Senator Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, have tried to address Social Security underfunding as approximately 10,000 baby boomers retire every day. The last week of bank failures and worries of a wider-ranging crisis, however, could give lawmakers second thoughts about investing Social Security funds in stocks. The senators' effort is not the only Social Security rescue plan being devised. "That's really just a way to have (benefit) cuts without leaving your fingerprints on it," said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works and head of a coalition of labor unions and other liberal-leaning groups.

☆ 'That's a lie' accusation obscures bipartisan Social Security reform talks, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

For several months now, Cassidy and independent Senator Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, have tried to address Social Security underfunding as approximately 10,000 baby boomers retire every day. The last week of bank failures and worries of a wider-ranging crisis, however, could give lawmakers second thoughts about investing Social Security funds in stocks. The senators' effort is not the only Social Security rescue plan being devised. I tend to be conservative and say this worked once, let's try that again," Republican Representative Tom Cole told Reuters. "That's really just a way to have (benefit) cuts without leaving your fingerprints on it," said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works and head of a coalition of labor unions and other liberal-leaning groups.

Historically Black colleges and universities have been embroiled in a student housing crisis for decades. Fisk is believed to be the second U.S. higher education institution to utilize shipping containers for student housing after the College of Idaho implemented dorm-style containers in 2020. “The enrollment is growing so fast, and the shipping containers provide some sustainable flexibility. They all wanted to live in these shipping containers,” Frederiksen said. Meanwhile, other projects like the HBCU Healthy Housing (H3) Initiative from the Virginia-based advocacy group Student Housing of America are partnering with universities to build additional housing.

☆ Running water scarce in Jackson, Mississippi, after frigid weather
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Other Southern cities unaccustomed to freezing weather were grappling with similar water issues, including Atlanta; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Selma, Alabama. Homes in some parts of the city had no water at all, and officials have set up distribution points for bottled drinking water each day. The U.S. Justice Department in November reached an agreement with Mississippi and the city of Jackson to appoint an interim third-party manager to stabilize the city's drinking water supply. The mayor says fixing the water system will take billions of dollars. The U.S. Congress included $600 million to repair Jackson's water system in a spending bill signed into law last week.

☆ Biden releasing nearly $36 billion to aid pensions of union workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

President Joe Biden on Thursday is announcing the infusion of nearly $36 billion to shore up a financially troubled union pension plan, preventing severe cuts to the retirement incomes of more than 350,000 Teamster workers and retirees across the United States. Many union retirement plans have been under financial pressure because of underfunding and other issues. Biden traveled to Ohio in July to highlight the final rules for the pension relief program. The amount going to the Central States Pension Fund represents somewhere between one-third and one-half of the total estimated cost of the federal aid program. The retirement plan has participants in almost every state, with the largest concentration in the Midwest.

☆ Experimental drug appears to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease in clinical trial but raises safety concerns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

It involved 1,795 adults, ages 50 to 90, with mild cognitive impairment due to early Alzheimer’s disease or mild Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia. Such a score is consistent with early Alzheimer’s disease, with a higher number associated with more cognitive impairment. By 18 months, the CDR-SB score went up 1.21 points in the lecanemab group, compared with 1.66 in the placebo group. Overall, there were serious adverse events in 14% of the lecanemab group and 11.3% of the placebo group. The researchers also wrote that about 0.7% of participants in the lecanemab group and 0.8% of those in the placebo group died, corresponding to six deaths documented in the lecanemab group and seven in the placebo group.

☆ The top 10 most-regretted college majors — and the degrees graduates wish they had pursued instead
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Even with college application season in full swing, many families are questioning whether a four-year degree is still worth it. Some experts say the value of a bachelor's degree is fading and more emphasis should be directed toward career training. A growing number of companies, including many in tech, are also dropping degree requirements for many middle-skill and even higher-skill roles. However, earning a degree is almost always worthwhile, according to "The College Payoff," a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Students who pursue a major specifically in science, technology, engineering and math — collectively known as STEM disciplines — are projected to earn the most overall.

☆ Biden names pick for new IRS head as agency plans for $80 billion funding, wrestles with backlog
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The White House announced President Joe Biden intends to nominate Danny Werfel — a former budget official and private sector leader — to run the IRS as the agency prepares for a makeover. Prior to his current role at Boston Consulting Group, Werfel served President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush as the IRS acting commissioner and Office of Management and Budget controller. If confirmed by the Senate, Werfel will oversee the agency's plan for $80 billion in IRS funding over the next 10 years, as enacted through the Inflation Reduction Act in August. More from Personal Finance:Here's the inflation breakdown for October 2022 — in one chartMassachusetts voters approve 'millionaire tax'Biden administration stops taking student loan forgiveness applications"After decades of underfunding, the IRS now has the resources it needs to improve services for taxpayers and modernize outdated technology and infrastructure," Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said in a statement. "Danny's deep commitment to fairness and making sure government works for all will also be invaluable as we improve the taxpayer experience and eliminate a two-tiered tax system," she said.

☆ Biden to nominate Daniel Werfel to head up IRS
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 10 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will nominate Daniel Werfel to be the next commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax agency, succeeding Charles Rettig whose term ends on Saturday, the White House said on Thursday. Werfel previously served as acting commissioner of the body in 2013, when the White House said he "provided immediate stability to the IRS, effectively responding to numerous Congressional investigations." The IRS faces a number of challenges including a recent partisan divide over the hiring of new agents. In August, an internal Treasury memo showed Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen directed the organization to produce within six months a detailed plan for deploying $80 billion in newly enacted enforcement funding. "After decades of underfunding, the IRS now has the resources it needs to improve services for taxpayers and modernize outdated technology and infrastructure," she said.

☆ Investors will reap billions if Kroger takes over Albertsons. Workers and shoppers may not be as happy.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Gretchen Morgenson | Gretchen Morgenson Is The Senior Financial Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. A Former Stockbroker | She Won The Pulitzer Prize In For Her | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

Wealthy investors in Safeway’s parent, Albertsons Companies, have done better. And next week, they were slated to reap a $4 billion cash dividend in connection with a proposed $25 billion takeover of Albertsons by rival Kroger. Based on that stake and the amount of the dividend, Cerberus stands to receive roughly $1 billion of the dividend payout. Six of Albertsons’ 14 directors who voted for the dividend are affiliated with the major investors. This is the last, best and final hope for a truly unionized chain.”Nervous about the pensionThe proposed $4 billion cash dividend is large by many measures.

☆ Biden's student loan forgiveness plan is on hold. Here are key issues borrowers need to know
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Porquenostudios | Istock | Getty ImagesFor those with student debt, the last few months may have given you whiplash. Here's what borrowers need to know about the development, and what it could mean for your student debt. They filed an appeal, and asked the court to stay the president's plan, which was supposed to start unfolding as early as this week, while their request is considered. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the states' emergency petition, leaving the Biden administration unable to start forgiving any student debt for now. The U.S. Department of Education had said borrowers who hold these FFEL, or Federal Family Education Loans, can take this step to qualify for its relief.

☆ Should you apply early to college? Here’s what the experts say about this 'strategic game'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

What to know about early action versus early decisionWhether it's nonbinding early action or early decision, which is binding, the deadlines for these types of applications are typically Nov. 1 or Nov.15 for a December decision, or even earlier for rolling admission. "A lot of people view early action or early decision as interchangeable," said Eric Greenberg, president of Greenberg Educational Group, a New York-based consulting firm. However, "early action, in certain cases, makes no difference in admission." Early decision, on the other hand, can "help leverage someone's admissions chances." watch now"If someone is applying early decision or early action and gets in, at that point in the calendar there's more money available," Greenberg said.

☆ 9 million families are entitled to up to $10,000 in checks from the IRS they never claimed
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Last week, the IRS announced that it would begin sending out letters to over 9 million people and families who qualify for tax credits, but haven't collected them because they didn't file taxes. "The IRS wants to remind potentially eligible people, especially families, that they may qualify for these valuable tax credits," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement. "We encourage people who haven't filed a tax return yet for 2021 to review these options. Between the expanded child tax credit, earned income tax credit, and third stimulus check, families could get over $10,000 if they claim their credits, according to Adam Ruben, director of the Economic Security Project. The letters come as debate over whether to restart the child tax credit begins to pick up yet again.

☆ In the new thriller 'Emily the Criminal,' director John Patton Ford takes on the student loan crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-16 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Emily the Criminal Courtesy: John Patton FordIn the new film "Emily the Criminal," the title character, played by actress Aubrey Plaza, is almost always in a state of fear. "I think fear is the great motivator of human beings," said John Patton Ford, 40, the film's screenwriter and director. Even if the plan survives Republican challenges, outstanding student loan debt will still exceed $1 trillion, and every year an additional 5 million Americans borrow for their education. Annie Nova: From the start of the film, Emily is in a really desperate financial situation. 'No other country would tolerate this'AN: Did you research the student loan crisis for the film?

☆ Endangered species protections kick in too late, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Evan Bush | Evan Bush Is A Science Reporter For Nbc News. He Can Be Reached At Evan.Bush Nbcuni.Com. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The study suggests that the Endangered Species Act, a bedrock tool of conservation, has become bogged down by delays and inaction that are hampering its mission. Decisions on whether species should be listed are supposed to take two years, according to Noah Greenwald, the endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Species are slipping through the cracks.”The new study builds upon research that began decades ago in a study that analyzed species listed from 1985 through 1992. Although few species have fully recovered and been delisted, it’s important to remember that the Endangered Species Act has been instrumental in preventing extinction, Greenwald said. “99% of species protected under the Endangered Species Act still survive, which is highly significant,” he said.

☆ These colleges promise no student debt: 'Loans are not part of the deal'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

More than 20 schools now have "no-loan" policies, which means they will meet 100% of the undergraduate's need for financial aid — without education debt. "Loans are not part of the deal," said Anne Harris, the president of Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, which offers grants in the school's financial aid packages instead of loans. "I couldn't even afford to apply to go to college," Lambert said. Recently, Emory expanded its financial aid offerings to cover 100% of demonstrated need by replacing loans with grants. "Being able to support students and have a world-class financial aid program helps us have a world class student body," Emory's Leach also said.

To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android. The Hasidic Jewish community has long operated one of New York’s largest private schools on its own terms, resisting any outside scrutiny of how its students are faring. But in 2019, the school, the Central United Talmudical Academy, agreed to give state standardized tests in reading and math to more than 1,000 students. Students at nearly a dozen other schools run by the Hasidic community recorded similarly dismal outcomes that year, a pattern that under ordinary circumstances would signal an education system in crisis. But where other schools might be struggling because of underfunding or mismanagement, these schools are different.

Organizations: New York Times, Central United Talmudical Academy

That's why I turned to five financial planners, who shared the biggest retirement saving mistakes their clients make and how we can all do better. A better solution, according to Lubinski, is to create a financial plan based on their individual retirement needs and stick to it. Advertisement"When investors get within five years of retirement, I recommend removing the first five years of their retirement income from the market completely. Making retirement savings a priority is something Crane recommends. "Just as a business plan is critical before opening a business, a retirement plan is necessary before stepping into retirement.

Persons: —, procrastinating, Phil Lubinski, Kelly Crane, Crane, it's, Patricia Stallworth, Stallworth, Jonathan Gassman, he's, Gassman, Tania Brown, Brown, Jen Glantz Organizations: Service, Co, CFP, Wealth Management, Financial, CPA, SaverLife Locations: Napa, Brooklyn , New York, Florida

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