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☆ Funny highway signs are banned starting this week. Womp, womp.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewSome highway signs crack jokes, use puns, or riff off Taylor Swift lyrics to remind drivers to be safe. A New Jersey Department of Transportation roadside safety sign features a pun about cannabis. Use Yah Blinkah" on highway signs in Boston. States including New Jersey, Ohio, and Massachusetts have leaned into crafting quirky, funny, or holiday-themed messages. Courtesy of the Ohio Department of TransportationThe Arizona Department of Transportation even holds an annual competition for new traffic safety messages.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Michael Dwyer, “, Elise Riker, Sam Cole Organizations: Service, Business, Federal Highway Administration, New Jersey Department, Transportation, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, State, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Transportation The Arizona Department of Transportation, Street Journal, Colorado's Department of Transportation Locations: Boston, New Jersey , Ohio, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado

☆ Most delivery gig work workers won't be impacted by the new fed rule — yet
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

But gig delivery companies like DoorDash and Instacart say they don't plan to make any changes. AdvertisementIf you make deliveries as a gig worker, don't expect any changes from a new federal rule — at least, not immediately. But companies that rely on gig workers to make deliveries say they won't need to make any changes. Amazon, which employs gig workers through its Flex delivery arm, did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Do you work for Instacart, DoorDash, Walmart Spark, Uber Eats, or another gig delivery service and have a story idea to share?

Persons: —, Julie Su, Uber, Loyola University Chicago Professor Peter Norlander, I'm, Norlander Organizations: Service, Department of Labor, Labor, Department, Flex, Loyola University Chicago Professor, Wall Street, Walmart Locations: DoorDash

☆ White House announces new steps toward launching its climate corps for young people
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-19 | by ( Lucas Thompson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

US President Joe Biden speaks alongside Ritika Shah, award-winner of the first-ever National Climate Assessment Art x Climate competition, about his administrations actions to combat climate change in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House in Washington, DC, November 14, 2023. The highly anticipated first steps for the American Climate Corps, or ACC, were shared exclusively with NBC News on Tuesday, as the administration seeks to launch the first cohort by next summer. After facing setbacks in Congress, the Biden administration has unlocked funding to launch its American Climate Corps, a new federal program that looks to employ thousands of young Americans in the clean energy, conservation and climate resilience sectors. The White House now hopes to use funds for climate-minded programs across multiple agencies to carry out the vision of the American Climate Corps. Five states — California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan and Washington — have already launched climate corps programs, and the federal program will lean on them as implementing partners.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ritika Shah, Franklin, Alexandria Ocasio, Sen, Ed Markey, Biden, Bernie Sanders, Maggie Thomas, Washington —, hasn't, Thomas, Rosemary Enobakhare, Enobakhare Organizations: White, Civilian Conservation Corps, White House, ACC, Rep, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, AmeriCorps, American Climate Corps, NBC, U.S . Capitol, Washington, Corps, EPA Locations: Washington , DC, Puerto Rico, Alexandria, Cortez, Washington ,, — California, Colorado , Maine , Michigan

☆ Congress could punt Ukraine aid to 2024, snarl government funding talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-13 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"I would stay here indefinitely, but I don't know that all our colleagues will be able to do that," Speaker Johnson said at a Wall Street Journal conference on Monday. A small but vocal group of hardline House Republicans nearly shut down the government over their opposition to $6 billion of Ukraine aid included in the federal budget. Hours before a government shutdown deadline of Oct. 1, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed to strip out the Ukraine aid to pass a bill to keep the government open. If Ukraine funding talks get delayed to 2024 and become a pawn in the coming budget negotiations, Speaker Johnson could be at risk of meeting the same fate McCarthy did. Johnson already faces an uphill budget battle, without the added burden of Ukraine aid talks.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's, Joe Biden's, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Zelenskyy, we're, I'm, Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy Organizations: White, Republican, Democratic, Street, Top, Republicans, House Republicans Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, Ukraine, Ky

☆ Talk About Abortion, Don’t Talk About Trump: Governors Give Biden Advice
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Reid J. Epstein | More About Reid J. Epstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

America’s Democratic governors brag about booming local economies, preside over ribbon-cuttings of projects paid for with new federal legislation and have successfully framed themselves as defenders of abortion rights and democracy. Almost all of them are far more popular in their home states than the Democratic president they hope to re-elect next year. While President Biden is mired in the political doldrums of low approval ratings and a national economy that voters are sour on, Democratic governors are riding high, having won re-election in red-state Kentucky last month and holding office in five of the seven most important presidential battleground states. The governors, like nearly all prominent Democrats, are publicly projecting confidence: In interviews and conversations with eight governors at their annual winter gathering at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix over the weekend, they expressed on-the-record optimism that Mr. Biden would win re-election.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Democratic, Arizona Biltmore Locations: Kentucky, Phoenix

☆ In Congress and in class: Rep. Don Beyer works toward master's degree in AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Emily Wilkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va. Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty ImagesWASHINGTON — Don Beyer isn't the average student at George Mason University. So he enrolled, starting with the prerequisite classes that will ultimately lead him to a master's degree in machine learning. Beyer is part of almost every group of House lawmakers working on AI. He was also a member of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's working group on AI, which could be resurrected under Speaker Mike Johnson. Obernolte, who has a masters degree in artificial intelligence, said there's no shortage of smart lawmakers on AI, including Beyer.

Persons: Don Beyer, Bill Clark, Getty Images WASHINGTON — Don Beyer isn't, Beyer, Kevin McCarthy's, Mike Johnson, he's, Sam Altman, Jay Obernolte, Johnson, Obernolte, Don Organizations: CQ, Inc, Getty Images WASHINGTON, George Mason University, He's, The, The Virginia Democrat, CNBC, Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, The New Democrat Coalition Locations: The Virginia

☆ Red Lobster's $20 promotion backfired, signaling how desperate diners are for cheap deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Red Lobster introduced a $20 all-you-can eat shrimp promotion that backfired. They're clearly seeking value, a Red Lobster exec said. AdvertisementTheir generosity backfired, as the chain underestimated the number of diners hunting for dining deals amid rising menu prices. Though inflation is slowing, menu prices remain on the uptick, according to new federal data released in November. Ultimately, $20 for endless shrimp was too cheap for Red Lobster.

Persons: —, Ludovic Garnier, Garnier, It's Organizations: Lobster, Service, Thai Union Group, Labor Statistics

☆ Trump’s avalanche of dishonesty: Fact-checking 102 of his false claims from this fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +111 min

Below is a fact check of 102 of Trump’s false claims from the 12 speeches. But contrary to Trump’s claim, it’s not true that people had been attempting for decades to create such an initiative. Trump’s aid to farmersIn speech after speech, Trump claimed that he had given US farmers $28 billion from China. Even if the poll result is off, it’s clear that Trump’s claim that “nobody wants them” is not true. He said he was an airline pilot.”Facts First: Trump made a false claim while mocking Biden for making false claims.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, “, ”, Mexico’s, ‘ Trump, Defense Department –, ” Theresa Cardinal Brown, CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, ” Trump, I’ve, Todd Harrison, Harrison, It’s, Trump’s, ” Ben Cahill, Nobody, Jimmy Carter’s, Barack Obama, isn’t, El Salvador –, Obama, we’d, Obama’s, Webster, Covid, Wuhan ”, They’d, they’d, you’d, Scott Gottlieb, ” Gottlieb, Trump Trump, it’s, Abraham, Aaron David Miller, Miller, Dana El Kurd, Qasem Soleimani, they’ve, we’re, We’re, ’, Iran haven’t, ” Matt Smith, Biden’s, Smith, Ali Vaez, Kpler, Biden Trump, Iran “, Democrats ”, that’s, Jimmy Carter, Carter “, Carter, ‘, Hillary Clinton, Kari Lake, Bill Gates, Gates, ” Chris Wallace, Chris Wallace, Hunter Biden, “ Chris Wallace, ‘ He’s, ‘ ” Trump, Wallace, “ you’re, “ Biden, ‘ You’re, Wallace interjected, Rather, you’ve, ’ ” Pavel Molchanov, Raymond James &, ” Molchanov, Tim Woody, Woody, autoworkers, CNN’s Ella Nilsen, Joe Biden’s, Erin Mellon, Gavin Newsom, Mellon, ” Vonette Fontaine, Biden “, CNN’s Matt Egan, Egan, ” Biden, Europe Trump, United Kingdom “, Brent, Pavel Molchanov, Raymond James, Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy, De Haan, Matt Smith, Matt Egan, Afghanistan Trump, we’ve, Krista Wiegand, Wiegand, ” Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Qasem, Bibi, Netanyahu, Soleimani, Asad, Mark Milley, Hezbollah Trump, Steven Cheung, John Kirby, Cheung, Kirby, Iran’s, ” Ali Vaez, Joseph Amon, Washington –, Faiq Zidan, Zidan’s, Zidan, Abu Mahdi al, China Trump, Ukraine Trump, Letitia James, James, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Matthew Colangelo, You’re, Bragg, Colangelo, Tanya Chutkan, I’m, Jack Smith, Bill Clinton, That’s, everybody’s, Letitia James –, Al Capone’s, Al Capone, Capone, Brad Schwartz, CNN couldn’t, Schwartz, Eliot Ness, MAGA, “ MAGA, …, White, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Inflation Trump, Bacon, Joe, PolitiFact, Trump . Howard Gleckman Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, Republican, Trump Trump, Republican Jewish Coalition, Department, ISIS, Trump’s, Democratic, Congress, Defense Department, former Defense Department, Center, US Customs, Trump, American Enterprise Institute, Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Energy Security, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US, IHS, Islamic, The State Department, Customs Enforcement, Policy Institute, ICE, El Salvador, ”, Merriam, The New York Times, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Abraham Accords, United Arab Emirates, West Bank, Hezbollah, State Department, Carnegie Endowment, International, Arab Center Washington DC, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, Obama, US International Trade Commission, Washington Post, U.S . International Trade Commission, New England lobstermen, England lobstermen, Americas, Crisis, government’s Energy, Administration, Washington Free Beacon, Energy Information Administration, Democrats, Biden, Electoral, Georgia, Michigan, Carter, Democrats can’t, Republicans, Alabama, Arizona, Fox News, ” Energy, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Wildlife, Alaska Industrial Development, Export Authority, Raymond James & Associates, Wilderness Society, Cox Automotive, Pew Research Center, New York Times, National Oceanic, California Gov, California, American Petroleum Institute, Union, West, Energy, American Automobile Association, AAA, GasBuddy, New Hampshire, Houston, Keystone XL, Obama administration’s State Department, –, Foreign, Military, DoD, Afghan, Defense, Policy, Taiwan News, “, University of Tennessee’s Center for National Security, Foreign Affairs, Israeli, NBC, Jerusalem Post, Yahoo, Pentagon, ” CNN, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Post, National Security, Group, US government’s Defense Intelligence Agency, Narcotics Bureau, Global Health, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Justice Department, Washington, Judicial, Popular Mobilization Forces, Customs and, Middle East, Customs, Protection, CBP, Border Protection, Kiel Institute, European Union, New York, New, ExxonMobil, Trump University, Trump Foundation, Manhattan, Attorney, federal Justice Department, Department of Justice, Washington DC, Presidential Records, Presidential, Mar, Biden White, MAGA Republicans, Inflation, Heritage Foundation, Trump ., Brookings Tax, Urban Institute Locations: New Hampshire, New York City, Saudi, Florida, al Qaeda, New York, Texas, Iowa, Mexico, “, U.S, Houston, Iraq, Israel, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Nord, Germany, Russian, Trump’s, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, El, Washington, ”, ” In Texas, Covid, China, Wuhan, Italy, France, Abraham, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Palestine, Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan, New England, England, Kpler, Malaysia, Oregon, Alabama, Maricopa County, Arizona, Arizona’s, Moscow, Alaska, East, South Carolina, California, “ California, West Virginia, Virginia, United Kingdom, West Texas, “ U.S, Los Angeles, Venezuela, Mississippi , Louisiana, Canada, United States, Paris, Taiwan, “ China, Iranian, that’s, –, Singapore, Iraqi, San Diego, Kiel, York, Manhattan, York’s, Chicago, Philadelphia, Georgia, Qaeda

The Biden administration proposed new rules on Friday aimed at shifting more production of electric vehicle batteries and the materials that power them to the United States, in an attempt to build up a strategic industry now dominated by China. The rules are meant to limit the role that Chinese firms can play in supplying materials for electric vehicles that qualify for federal tax credits. They will also discourage companies that seek federal funding to build battery factories in the United States from sourcing materials from Chinese partners. The rules could cause some consternation among automakers, who continue to rely heavily on China for materials and components of electric vehicles. The Biden administration is attempting to use billions of dollars in new federal funding to change that dynamic and create a U.S. supply chain for electric vehicles, through both carrots and sticks.

Persons: Biden Locations: United States, China, U.S

The network of nearly 4,800 fake accounts was attempting to build an audience when it was identified and eliminated by the tech company, which owns Facebook and Instagram. The accounts sported fake photos, names and locations as a way to appear like everyday American Facebook users weighing in on political issues. Meta often points to its efforts to shut down fake social media networks as evidence of its commitment to protecting election integrity and democracy. But critics say the platform's focus on fake accounts distracts from its failure to address its responsibility for the misinformation already on its site that has contributed to polarization and distrust. But 2024 poses new challenges, according to experts who study the link between social media and disinformation.

Persons: Meta, Ben Nimmo, Donald Trump, Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Biden, Zamaan Qureshi, ”, Jennifer Stromer, Elon Musk, Kyle Morse, Nimmo, Meta's Organizations: WASHINGTON, Inc, Meta, Democrat, Real Facebook, Syracuse University, Twitter, Republicans, Tech, Ukraine Locations: China, U.S, India, Mexico, Ukraine, Pakistan, Taiwan, Menlo Park , California, Tibet, Iran, Russia

☆ Fast food isn't cheap anymore
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

McDonald's menu prices are up about 10% this year. AdvertisementInflation may be slowing, but when it comes to skyrocketing fast-food prices, the damage is done — and there's no turning back. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that fast-food prices in October jumped 6.2% over the past 12 months. Nancy Luna/Business InsiderMore price hikes are on the horizonChipotle recently raised menu prices by 3% in October. Some are fuming over skyrocketing fast-food prices and expressing their concern on social-media platforms such as TikTok and Reddit .

Persons: That's, Chipotle, —, Tim Powell, Mark Kalinowski, Nancy Luna, McDonald's, Kalinowski, Chris Kempczinski, @xconmedia, Ian Borden, Borden Organizations: Service, Starbucks, Labor Statistics Locations: QSRs, California, Orange , California, Connecticut

☆ Small business owners gear up for the biggest shopping weekend of the holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

According to a new American Express survey of small business owners, “55% anticipate Small Business Saturday will make a significant contribution to their overall holiday sales this year.” In a consumer survey conducted by the company in October, half of respondents said they plan to participate in the upcoming Small Business Saturday, and 85% said they anticipated shopping small this holiday season. Over the past 13 years, the company says consumers have reported spending nearly $184 billion during Small Business Saturday. American Express estimated that Small Business Saturday drove nearly $18 billion in consumer spending last year. Donnell Johns, who runs Veterans Growing America, an organization that supports veteran- and military-spouse-owned small businesses, said that Small Business Saturday is valuable because it creates an awareness for shopping small. For Ken Moorman, founder of Jirani Coffeehouse in Manassas, Virginia, Small Business Saturday means an average 10% uptick in sales than a typical Saturday.

Persons: Donnell Johns, We’ve, ”, Ken Moorman, “, Covid, ” Moorman, it’s, ” Elizabeth Rutledge, Isabel Casillas Guzman, “ The, Harris, Bidenomics, Biden Organizations: New, New York CNN, Amazon, Walmart, American Express, ”, Small, Express, Business Administration, American Express ’, SBA, “ The Biden, Harris Administration, American, Pacific Islanders Locations: New York, Manassas , Virginia, ”

☆ Canada to add spending for housing amid slow growth and high debt payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland attends the Canada-CARICOM Summit in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada October 18, 2023. Housing Minister Sean Fraser on Monday confirmed the government is considering such a measure. Many Canadians are dealing with higher living costs and housing affordability has emerged as the main criticism against the government. Freeland has promised to use the FES to try to boost housing supply and to help Canadians struggling with inflation. The Bank of Canada hiked rates to a 22-year high of 5.00% between March of last year and July of this year.

Persons: Finance Chrystia Freeland, Blair Gable, Chrystia Freeland, Justin Trudeau's, Freeland, Derek Holt, Holt, Sean Fraser, Trudeau, Pierre Poilievre, Steve Scherer, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Finance, Canada, CARICOM, REUTERS, OTTAWA, Canada Finance, Justin Trudeau's Liberal, Scotiabank, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Toronto Star, Housing, Monday, Conservative, Bank of Canada, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, FES, United States, Ottawa

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods ' ex-girlfriend has dropped her lawsuits against the golf superstar and the trust that owns his Florida mansion, saying she never accused him of sexual harassment even though her attorney has made that claim. She had claimed that Woods promised she could live at the 30,000-square-foot (2,800-square meter) beachfront mansion until 2026 but kicked her out unexpectedly last year. Woods' attorney, J.B. Murray, declined to comment. Hodas argued the nondisclosure agreement was unenforceable under a new federal law that says such contracts can be voided when sexual abuse or sexual harassment occurred. “A boss imposing different work conditions on his employee because of their sexual relationship is sexual harassment,” Hodas wrote in a May filing.

Persons: Woods, Erica Herman, “, Tiger Woods, Benjamin Hodas, Hodas, Murray, Herman, Herman didn't, ” Hodas, Elizabeth Metzger, Herman’s, ” “ Herman, ” Metzger Organizations: Forbes Magazine Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Florida, J.B, Palm Beach, Beach County

☆ Make America Build Again
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +37 min

America is the sixth-most-expensive place in the world to build subways and trolleys. The solutions will cost trillions of dollars and require a pace of building unseen in America since World War II. Perhaps the single most pressing question we face today is: How do we make America build again? "For this class of projects, federal environmental laws are more the exception." The prospect of overhauling our hard-won environmental laws might feel like sacrilege to anyone who cares about the Earth.

Persons: Anne, Marie Griger's, Griger, —, They're, Obama, I'm, we've, We've, I'd, It's, Matt Harrison Clough, Jamie Pleune, AECOM, Joe Biden's, There's, David Adelman, David Spence, Spence, James Coleman, NECA, Coleman, everyone's, Danielle Stokes, Nobody, Bill McKibben, Mother Jones, McKibben, Michael Gerrard, Columbia University —, they've, David Pettit, it's, Zachary Liscow, That's who's, Adam Rogers Organizations: RES Group, Environmental, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, Land Management, Forest Service, University of Utah, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Brookings, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, White, University of Texas, Greenpeace, Natural Resources Defense Council, Act, NEPA, Berkeley, University of California, University of Southern, Southern Methodist University, Ecosystems Conservation, GOP, Biden, Motorola, Telecommunications, Conservatives, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, University of Richmond, UC Berkeley, USC, Star, Sabin, Climate, Columbia University, Natural Resources Defense, Republicans, Democrats, Management, Budget, Yale Law School Locations: Panama, Colorado, . California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, China, America, Washington, , Wyoming, Nantucket, New England, San Francisco ., University of Southern California, California, New York, Florida, Southern California, Las Vegas

☆ The Fed is terrified Americans could get used to high inflation. It may already be happening.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Fed officials don’t expect inflation to reach 2% until 2026, according to their latest economic projections released in September. If there’s one thing that would make the Fed quake in its boots, it would be worsening inflation expectations. The keyword there is “timely.”Sticky inflation could possibly “un-anchor” inflation expectations or elicit a consistent deterioration in Americans’ perception on inflation. “The Fed really just wants people to not expect inflation will run at 4% forever.”So what’s kept inflation expectations in check this long? For individuals and married people filing separately, the new federal standard deduction will increase to $14,600, up from $13,850 this year.

Persons: we’ve, Raphael Bostic, “, ” Luke Tilley, ”, Jerome Powell, presser, Powell, Michelle Bowman, Tilley, ” Drew Matus, what’s, Matus, “ They’re, Jeanne Sahadi, Lisa Cook, Phillip Jefferson, Michael Barr, Loretta Mester, Austan Goolsbee, John Williams, Christopher Waller, Mary Daly Organizations: DC CNN, Federal Reserve, Fed, University of Michigan’s, Atlanta Fed, Bloomberg, Investment Advisors, CNN, ”, New York Bankers Association, New York Fed, MetLife Investment Management, IRS, Tyson Foods, Depot, US Labor Department, National Federation of Independent Business, China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Target, National Statistics, US Commerce Department, Walmart, National Association of Home Builders, San Francisco Fed Locations: Washington, Wilmington, Palm Beach , Florida

☆ IRS announces new income tax brackets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —If you are someone who likes to plan ahead on your taxes, the IRS this week released the new inflation-adjusted income tax brackets and standard deduction amounts that will be in effect for tax year 2024. The IRS makes inflation adjustments annually to tax brackets, the standard deduction and some other tax breaks. New income tax bracketsThe US federal income tax code currently has seven tax rates – 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%. For tax year 2024, each of the seven rates will apply to the following new income tax brackets:10%: Income up to $11,600 ($23,200 for married couples filing jointly)12%: Income over $11,600 ($23,200 for joint filers)22%: Income over $47,150 ($94,300 for joint filers)24%: Income over $100,525 ($201,050 for joint filers)32%: Income over $191,950 ($383,900 for joint filers)35%: Income over $243,725 ($487,450 for joint filers)37%: Income over $609,350 ($731,200 for joint filers). Taxable income, remember, is your gross income minus the various tax breaks for which you’re eligible.

Persons: Alex Durante, ”, Robert McClelland Organizations: New, New York CNN, IRS, The Tax, Tax, Center Locations: New York

It's a disruption that Johnson — just two weeks into his job running the House — has said he wants to avoid. “We're running up against the clock on Nov. 17, and we're obviously aware of that,” Johnson said this week, referring to the date that government funding expires. Democrats have made it clear they will not support any funding packages that include policy wins for conservatives. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who the Democratic leader in the House, said they would not “pay a single, right-wing ransom demand” as part of a funding resolution. Democratic lawmakers are also eager to play up the House Republican divisions and to pin any blame for a shutdown squarely on the new speaker and his GOP colleagues.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson —, —, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, ”, Troy Nehls, Rep, Hakeem Jeffries, Steny Hoyer, Chuck Schumer, ” Schumer, ” Sen, Chris Murphy, Sen, Joe Manchin Organizations: WASHINGTON, House Republican, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Republicans, Treasury Department, Small Business Administration, House Republicans, Israel, Hamas, Democratic, GOP, Capitol, Ukraine, Democrats Locations: Washington, Louisiana, Texas, New York, “, Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, United States, Connecticut

☆ FBI Accuses Biden Appointee of Bias in Selection of Headquarters Site
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Sadie Gurman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

‘We have concerns about fairness and transparency in the process and GSA’s failure to adhere to its own site selection plan,’ FBI Director Christopher Wray wrote to staff. Photo: Chris Machian/Associated PressA final pick this week for a new Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the Maryland suburbs was supposed to end a decadelong drama that had engulfed the site-selection process. Instead, it looks like it’s only heating up. In a sharply worded note to employees Thursday, the usually taciturn FBI Director Christopher Wray blasted the General Services Administration’s decision-making process and said a Biden appointee might have inappropriately interfered with the outcome.

Persons: Christopher Wray, Chris Machian Organizations: Federal Bureau of Investigation, General Services, Biden Locations: Maryland

More than 3,700 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2022 — 10 times more than a decade ago and a 32% increase from 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. The 2022 count was the most in more than 30 years, CDC officials said, and in more than half of the congenital syphilis cases, the mothers tested positive during pregnancy but did not get properly treated. The rise in congenital syphilis comes despite repeated warnings by public health agencies and it’s tied to the surge in primary and secondary cases of syphilis in adults, CDC officials said. It’s also been increasingly difficult for medical providers to get benzathine penicillin injections — the main medical weapon against congenital syphilis — because of supply shortages. Nearly 40% of last year’s congenital syphilis cases involved mothers who didn't have prenatal care, the CDC said.

Persons: it’s, It’s, Laura Bachmann, “, Mike Saag, ”, Nina Ragunanthan, ___ Hunter, Robert Wood Johnson Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, CDC, Federal, Associated, University of Alabama, OB, Delta Health Center, Pfizer, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AP Locations: U.S, Illinois, Birmingham, Mound Bayou , Mississippi, Atlanta

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden — perhaps the nation's biggest Amtrak fan — is set to promote new federal investments for trains on the heavily trafficked Northeast Corridor. The Democratic president is headed to Bear, Delaware, on Monday to announce more than $16 billion in new funding that will go toward 25 passenger rail projects between Boston and Washington, the White House says. His remarks will be held at the Amtrak Bear Maintenance Shops, where trains are maintained and repaired. The investments, the White House says, will help trains run faster, cut delays and create union jobs. From the law, Amtrak will get about $66 billion in new investments, according to the White House.

Persons: Joe Biden —, Biden, ” Biden, — Organizations: WASHINGTON, Amtrak, Democratic, Maintenance Locations: Bear , Delaware, Boston, Washington, Wilmington, U.S, Baltimore, United States

NEW YORK (AP) — “Junk fees” are just what they sound like: hidden or misleading charges that increase the total cost of concert tickets, hotel rooms, utility bills and other goods and services. Here's what to know:WHAT QUALIFIES AS A JUNK FEE? That should reduce junk fees for financial advice for people saving for retirement. HOW CAN I AVOID PAYING JUNK FEES? HOW MUCH DO THESE FEES COST CONSUMERS?

Persons: Biden, Ariel Nelson, Nelson, ”, “, Lina Kahn, Lael Brainard, Charles Schwab Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, Department of Labor, National Consumer Law Center, Republican, Consumer Financial, Department, Labor, Securities and Exchange Commission, Interest, White, National Economic Council, FTC, Associated Press, Charles, Charles Schwab Foundation, Inc, AP

☆ Student-loan borrowers could take legal action against their servicers or the Biden administration if repayment mistakes aren't fully fixed, a new federal memo says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Education Department released a memo detailing mistakes it found student-loan servicers are making with repayment. It pushed for the mistakes to be remedied for borrowers to avoid legal action. AdvertisementAdvertisementPresident Joe Biden's Education Department is concerned student-loan borrowers could turn to legal action if issues with their accounts aren't fully resolved. The Education Department said it will continue enforcing oversight over servicers to ensure borrowers are not further harmed by mistakes to no fault of their own. "We are committed to making things right for borrowers and holding our contractors accountable for errors when they do occur."

Persons: MOHELA, —, Joe Biden's, Education James Kvaal, servicers, I've, it's, Richard Cordray Organizations: Education Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Wednesday, Federal Student Aid, Education, MOHELA, Department, The Education Department Locations: forbearance

☆ Five tips for Gen Xers feeling squeezed by student debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That means many competing financial responsibilities, familiar to the Sandwich Generation: student debt, retirement saving, raising kids and sending them to college, and caring for elderly parents. Something has to give – which is why Gen Xers still dealing with student debt often sacrifice saving for retirement. “For those Gen X with student debt, the average amount of retirement savings is consistently lower. “These student debt repayments can last for 30 years,” says Evan Potash, a wealth management advisor with TIAA. In particular, starting in 2024, participating employers will be able to match your student loan repayments with contributions to your 401(k).

Persons: Joe Biden's, Debbie Irk, Irk, “ I’m, ”, Xer, Xers, Gen Xers, Tyler Bond, NIRS, Joe Biden’s, Evan, TIAA, “, NIRS ’ Bond, I’ve, Chris Taylor, Lauren Young, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Baby, University of Phoenix, National Institute on Retirement Security, Sandwich, Supreme, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, South Bend , Indiana

☆ Mike Johnson tests his new power with risky gambit on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —New House Speaker Mike Johnson is already tying Washington in new partisan knots. Johnson surprises by picking Israel funding as his first test of credibilityJohnson’s hard ball play on Israel funding came as a surprise given that some of the urgency for ending the speakership impasse last week was to swiftly clear a funding package following the Hamas attacks. The Biden administration on Tuesday formally threatened to veto the House GOP’s standalone Israel aid bill. The inclusion of the offsets could indicate that Johnson needs to placate his most hardline members even to pass a measure as popular as Israel funding. Some other Senate conservatives are also at odds with their leader, backing the decoupling of Israel and Ukraine aid.

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