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☆ Survivors of Those Killed in Boeing 737 MAX Crashes Can Challenge Settlement, Judge Rules
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Andrew Tangel | Dave Michaels | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Families of people who died in two Boeing 737 MAX crashes have rights as crime victims under federal law and may continue to challenge last year’s settlement that spared the company from prosecution, a federal judge in Texas found. Ruling in a challenge brought by the families, U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor in Fort Worth, Texas, said they have standing to question the January 2021 agreement with the Justice Department because Boeing Co.’s conduct before the crashes led to the tragedy. Boeing said in the settlement that two of its former employees misled federal air-safety regulators about how the MAX’s automated flight-control system worked.

☆ U.S. student debt relief: What you need to know now
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

But the Biden administration’s new U.S. student debt relief program is not just an academic subject for her. That is because McKay is still dealing with student debt from her days getting a graduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University. So she is not just studying the student debt relief application that went live the other day (https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application) – she is filling it out herself. When and if the debt relief goes through, your loan servicer will let you know. BEWARE OF SCAMSThe student debt relief program has already brought scammers out of the woodwork, warns the Federal Trade Commission (https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/10/now-student-loan-debt-relief-application-open-spot-scams).

Oakridge's air quality index was 487, in the hazardous category, according to the federal airnow.gov website. The air quality index measures a combination of ozone and particulate pollution in the air. In Oregon, smoke from numerous fires has been held close to the ground by a weather system, he said. Rain expected on Friday throughout the region was expected to aid firefighting efforts and improve air quality. The federal government's InciWeb wildfire information site shows more than two dozen wildfires currently burning in Washington and Oregon.

☆ FAA Pushes Boeing to Review Safety Documents on New 737 MAX Model
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Andrew Tangel | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The fatal 737 MAX 8 accidents involved a flawed Boeing assumption about how pilots would respond to a flight-control system’s misfire. Federal air-safety regulators have asked Boeing to launch a review of its safety paperwork for the 737 MAX 7, another setback for the plane maker’s push to win approval for the jet before a year-end legal deadline. The Federal Aviation Administration is unable to review the company’s submissions “due to missing and incomplete information” related to cockpit crews’ potential reactions to catastrophic hazards, according to an Oct. 12 agency letter viewed by The Wall Street Journal. Plane makers must meet such hurdles before regulators clear jets to carry passengers.

The breakdown occurred after Jackson was pummeled by days of heavy rain and the city’s main water treatment plant failed. In an interview on Monday, he said that withholding the funds Jackson needs to ensure safe drinking water puts lives at risk. “Mississippi is one of several states that absolutely rely on the generosity of the federal government,” Thompson said. More than 200 Jackson residents and supporters hold signs as they march to the governor's mansion to protest water issues in the city. Service was restored by the next week, and most Jackson residents no longer have to boil their water, but there are lingering concerns about water quality.

☆ Michigan State University President Resigns Following Title IX Controversy
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Douglas Belkin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The president of Michigan State University resigned his position on Thursday after a tumultuous battle with the school’s board of trustees, making him the school’s third president to depart since 2018 amid accusations of mishandling sexual misconduct allegations. The resignation follows media reports of disagreement among members of the board of trustees over how President Samuel Stanley handled an alleged violation of Title IX, the federal law that bars sex discrimination in programs that receive federal aid.

☆ U.S. extends COVID-19 public health emergency declaration
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday extended the COVID-19 pandemic's status as a public health emergency for another 90 days, thereby preserving measures like high payments to hospitals and expanded Medicaid. The extension was announced by U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra on Thursday. Last month, President Joe Biden said in an interview that "the pandemic is over," which prompted criticism from health experts. Former President Donald Trump had declared a national emergency in 2020 to free up $50 billion in federal aid. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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.

The amount of money you can get depends on your financial need, which is determined by your college's cost of attendance minus your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your college's financial aid office will determine your financial aid package, which includes both federal and institutional assistance. The more financial need you have, the higher likelihood you have to qualify for more financial aid. Work-study is a type of financial aid that provides part-time positions for students with financial need to earn money for academic expenses. Work-study is a type of financial aid that provides part-time positions for students with financial need to earn money for academic expenses.

☆ Hurricane Ian live updates: Millions without power as Ian downgraded to tropical storm
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Phil-Helsel-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Nbc News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday morning after slamming into Florida’s southwest coast as a major Category 4 hurricane Wednesday afternoon, bringing 150 mph winds and life-threatening storm surge. Maximum sustained winds dropped to near 65 mph with higher gusts early Thursday, but the storm has continued to cause destruction as it moves northeast. Its center is expected to move off the east-central coast of Florida later Thursday before approaching the coast of South Carolina on Friday. President Joe Biden on Thursday declared a major disaster in Florida over the devastation caused by Ian. Meanwhile, in Cuba power is slowly being restored for residents across the country following sweeping outages in Ian's wake.

☆ Return of pet projects in U.S. Congress crowds out funding for others
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Andy Sullivan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

A view shows the city of Glen Ullin, U.S., in this undated photo. Sept 29 (Reuters) - Glen Ullin, North Dakota, was first in line for money to replace its leaky water pipes before Washington cut funding by one-third this spring. The reason: Congress is yet again diverting money to pet projects known as "earmarks. That wasn't an option in North Dakota, whose congressional delegation did not submit any earmark requests this year or last. Glen Ullin probably won't qualify for infrastructure dollars because those are distributed using different criteria, officials say.

☆ Hurricane Ian downgraded to tropical storm as it continues to batter Florida
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Phil Helsel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A flooded street is seen in downtown as Hurricane Ian makes landfall in southwestern Florida, in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. September 28, 2022. Hurricane Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday morning, but officials have warned the powerful storm that brought life-threatening storm surges, floods that left people stranded in their homes and knocked out power to more than 2.5 million customers was not over. President Joe Biden on Thursday declared a major disaster in Florida over the devastation caused by the storm. By 5 a.m., Ian was around 55 miles southwest of Cape Canaveral and moving northeast at 9 mph, the hurricane center said. The storm is believed to be one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded making landfall in Florida.

☆ All eyes are on DeSantis' relationship with Biden as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida. Here's how the previous 3 presidents worked (or didn't) with governors on disaster relief efforts.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Isabella Zavarise | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Governors usually work directly with the White House during disasters, relying on the government for federal resources. Here's a look at how the last three presidents handled disaster relief efforts and how Biden could address this crisis with DeSantis. However, on Tuesday evening, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that Biden and DeSantis had spoken to discuss steps the federal government is taking to help Florida. Here's how the last three presidents worked with governors in their disaster relief efforts. Biden declared a state of emergency as the storm approached, ordering federal assistance to supplement disaster response efforts.

☆ Track Hurricane Ian's path as it takes aim at Florida's west coast
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Mirna Alsharif | Mirna Alsharif Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Hurricane Ian is set to take aim at Florida's west coast as early as Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. "A few tornadoes" are also possible late Monday night and Tuesday "across the Florida Keys and the southern and central Florida Peninsula." What initially formed as Tropical Depression Nine early Friday morning strengthened that night into Tropical Storm Ian, the NHC said. The hurricane is forecast to bring 8 to 15 inches to central West Florida, 3 to 8 inches to the rest of the Florida Peninsula and 4 to 6 inches to the Keys. On Saturday, the governor expanded that to apply statewide, citing the risk of a major hurricane making landfall on Florida’s western coast.

Ian was in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday night, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, the National Hurricane Center said, but the storm was intensifying. It was forecast to skirt western Florida on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all of Florida because of the threat, and the Florida National Guard activated 2,500 service members. Tropical storm warnings covered the Cuban provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque and Matanzas, and Little Cayman and Cayman Brac were under a tropical storm watch. The entire western coast of Florida is vulnerable to storm surge, said Rhome, of the National Hurricane Center.

President Joe Biden on Saturday approved an emergency declaration for Florida as the state faces a potential major hurricane from what is now Tropical Storm Ian, the White House said. It could approach Florida’s western coast by Wednesday or Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center. On Saturday, the governor expanded that to apply statewide, citing the risk of a major hurricane making landfall on Florida’s western coast. A hurricane warning was in place for Grand Cayman and tropical storm watches were in place for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Ten people died in the U.S. directly from the storms, and there were 82 “indirect” deaths, most of which were in Florida, according to a National Hurricane Center report.

☆ Former Mississippi Human Services Director Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Welfare Scandal
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Cameron Mcwhirter | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

John Davis, former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, sits with his defense attorney, Merrida Coxwell, right, in Jackson, Miss., on Thursday. The former head of Mississippi’s department handling welfare funds pleaded guilty Thursday to federal theft and wire-fraud conspiracy charges and multiple state charges relating to the misuse of millions of dollars in federal aid meant for poor families, according to court documents. John Davis, 54 years old, the executive director of the state’s Department of Human Services from 2016 to 2019, agreed in a plea deal filed with the court to fully cooperate with federal and state prosecutors as they continue probes into how the state department doled out tens of millions of federal dollars.

☆ 'Maximize that free money first.' The best time to apply for financial aid for college is coming up
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Whether it's due to belt-tightening or the promise of federal student loan forgiveness, suddenly families are paying closer attention to financial aid for college. Of those parents with college-bound students who didn't plan on applying for federal aid, 58% have now changed their minds, according to a new report by Discover Student Loans. That's where the Free Application for Federal Student Aid comes in. "You want to maximize that free money first," such as scholarships and grants, said Sallie Mae spokesman Rick Castellano, "before you borrow." For the 2023-2024 school year, the FAFSA filing season opens on Oct. 1 — and the sooner students file, the better.

☆ Josh Hawley introduces a bill to hold colleges accountable for surging student debt instead of 'teaching nonsense like men can get pregnant'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Josh Hawley introduced a bill to hold colleges accountable for student debt borrowers take on. Hawley said the schools have gotten endowments while "teaching nonsense like men can get pregnant." "For decades, universities have amassed billion-dollar endowments while teaching nonsense like men can get pregnant. Instead, it's time to put universities on the hook and give students the information they need to make informed decisions." On the same day that Biden announced his relief, Hawley bashed the policy while once again expressing his concern that "wacky professors" are teaching that "men can get pregnant."

☆ Feds reveal $250M pandemic get-rich-quick scheme
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailFeds reveal $250M pandemic get-rich-quick schemeCNBC’s Bertha Coombs joins Shep Smith to report that $250 million in federal aid money meant to feed hungry children instead went to buying luxury cars, jewelry and resort homes, according to the DOJ.

☆ Fraudsters used a fake-name generating website to steal $250 million meant for hungry children, Justice Department alleges
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

According to prosecutors, the accused exploited the federal Child Nutrition Program, which provides free or low-cost meals to impoverished children. Feeding Our Future, in turn, collected $18 million in administrative fees for disbursing that money, according to the indictment. In 2019, it dispersed $3.4 million in federal aid, according to prosecutors, rising to nearly $200 million in 2021. Those involved in the scheme, prosecutors claim, spent proceeds on travel, luxury vehicles, and property in Minnesota, Ohio, and Kentucky — as well as real estate in Turkey and Kenya. A search warrant, executed in January, accused Bock of accepting a $310,000 payment from one client, Sahan Journal reported.

"These defendants exploited a program designed to provide nutritious food to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic." The alleged scheme was tied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Federal Child Nutrition Program aimed at feeding needy children. The program, which was expanded during the pandemic, allows private restaurants to run federally funded food distribution sites, as long as they are sponsored by a non-profit organization. Prosecutors said restaurant owners and others paid bribes to Feeding Our Future employees to get the organization to sponsor sham distribution sites. Defendants created dozens of shell companies to run the fake distribution sites and to launder the proceeds of the scheme, prosecutors said.

☆ How to invest in the education tech trend as schools spend billions to close the Covid learning gap
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-17 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

In a race to catch up, school districts are putting an increased emphasis on assessments to ferret out students' weak spots. Chronic absenteeism is already a rampant problem that is continuing to worsen, particularly in school districts with low-income students. She also said products need to be engaging for students, while also providing evidence that the methods used are effective. "Districts need products that work," she said. "They don't need products that look sexy or that have, you know, exciting front ends, they need products that are actually going to work and support students to improve learning."

☆ Biden's stimulus may have helped pay for Ron DeSantis' political stunt flying migrants to Martha's Vineyard
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( Joseph Zeballos-Roig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Biden's stimulus may have helped pay for DeSantis' political stunt to fly migrants to Massachusetts. Ron DeSantis finance a political stunt to fly migrants to a wealthy, liberal-leaning slice of Massachusetts. The stunt from DeSantis sparked outrage from immigration advocates and Democrats who called it a cruel political stunt that amounted to human trafficking. The Florida governor has devoted much time trying to troll Democrats, such as by threatening to send migrants to Biden's home state of Delaware. States and cities were eligible for $350 billion in federal relief under Biden's stimulus law.

☆ Airline unions urge carriers not to resume buybacks when bailout ban ends this fall
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-18 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A United Airlines flight crew walks through the terminal at San Francisco International Airport on April 12, 2020 in San Francisco, California. Labor unions don't want them to spend it on stock buybacks. A condition of the $54 billion in federal aid that airlines received to pay workers during the Covid pandemic prohibited carriers from share buybacks. Many of the workers represented by the unions advocating against a resumption of buybacks are in contract negotiations with their carriers. She estimated that the earliest that airlines would resume would be mid-2023, with Alaska Airlines and Southwest the most likely candidates among U.S. carriers.

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