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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ten of the best songs of the year, as determined by Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman, in no particular order. “Monaco,” Bad BunnyBad Bunny’s 2023 album, “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana,” is a reclamation of his past sound, the hard-hitting rap that preceded his mainstream superstardom. And it is part of the reason why his 2023 single and first No. “OMG,” NewJeansIn 2023, girl groups dominated the K-pop conversation. At the fore is NewJeans, with their Y2K-nostalgic sound that pulls from the turn of the millennium's R&B and pop music.

Persons: Maria Sherman, Victoria Monét Buckle, Victoria Monét, Ariana Grande, Chloe x Halle, Monét’s, doesn’t, “, ”, ” Miley Cyrus, Miley Cyrus ’, ” PinkPantheress, PinkPantheress, Leo ”, What’s, ” Zach Bryan, Zach Bryan, ” Paramore Long, Paramore, Hayley Williams, “ Rush, ” Troye Sivan, Sivan, Laura Les, Dylan Brady, NewJeans, ” Danny Brown Danny Organizations: ANGELES, Associated Press, Fifth Harmony, Bronx Locations: “, “ Monaco, Monaco, The Tennessee, Australian

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced Monday that he will run for Virginia governor in 2025. In a campaign video announcement, Stoney said he wants all Virginians to have a fair shot at success. He served as the first Black Secretary of the Commonwealth and is now in his second term as mayor. While no Republicans have announced a bid yet, Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Outgoing Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase, who lost a June primary and ran unsuccessfully for her party’s nomination for governor in 2021, has also said she may run.

Persons: — Democratic Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Stoney, “, ”, ” Stoney, Abigail Spanberger, Eileen, Jennifer Wexton, Glenn Youngkin, Jason Miyares, Winsome Earle, Sears, Sen, Amanda Chase Organizations: — Democratic Richmond Mayor, Virginia, Commonwealth, Democratic, CIA, U.S . Rep, Republican Gov, Republicans, Gov Locations: RICHMOND, Va, Virginia

MANASSAS, Va. (AP) — A Virginia judge has dismissed felony charges against a former county elections official accused of misconduct in the 2020 election, a decision made after state prosecutors said a key witness changed his story. Very little has been publicly revealed about exactly what prosecutors believe White did wrong. Court records merely indicate that the case revolves around 2020 election returns, including the presidential race. Prince William election officials have previously said that White's successor reported “discrepancies” in results to state officials, but that those discrepancies would not have affected the outcome of any race. Attorney General Miyares' office declined to comment beyond the court filing, citing the ongoing misdemeanor case.

Persons: Prince William County, Michele White, White, Prince William, Jason Miyares, Miyares, Donald Trump, James Herring, “, ” Herring, White's, Zachary Stafford, Stafford Organizations: Republican Locations: Va, Virginia, Commonwealth

☆ 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

☆ How a 1976 kidnapping transformed our understanding of childhood trauma
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Giri Viswanathan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The kidnappers planned to ransom the Chowchilla kids, all between the ages of 5 and 14 years old, for $5 million. After all, the field of child trauma psychiatry was still in its infancy. One mental health professional predicted that that only one of the 26 would be emotionally affected by the kidnappings. Much like with adults, Terr described how the consequences of kids’ trauma could linger, with implications reaching far into adulthood. After the school shootings in Columbine and Sandy Hook, for instance, mental health counselors were on the front lines to help survivors.

Persons: pantyhose —, Ed Ray, Ray, they’d, James Palmer, “, ”, Spencer, Lenore Terr, ” Terr, Terr, hadn’t, she’d, Jennifer Brown Hyde, ’ ” Jennifer Brown, Jeffrey, Larry Park, Mike Marshall, Marshall, ” Marshall, doesn’t, he’s, he’d, it’s, Hyde, “ We’ve, Elissa Benedek, Benedek, who’ve, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Sandy Hook Organizations: CNN, Police, Spencer Eth, Miami VA Healthcare, CNN Films, AP, ” Eth, American Psychiatric Association, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: Chowchilla , California, San Joaquin Valley, urine, Los Angeles, Chowchilla, Livermore , California, San Francisco, Midwest, Columbine

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia prison inmate whose infant daughter has been missing for more than two years has been indicted on murder and other charges, authorities said. Without elaborating, the statement said investigators collected evidence indicating Overstreet was responsible for the death of Angele Nichole Overstreet and for concealing and disposing of her remains. Marshals Service, and state police and other agencies from West Virginia and Kentucky. Political Cartoons View All 1277 ImagesPolice in May 2021 asked for the public's help in locating the baby. West Virginia Child Protective Services reported her missing after checking with Overstreet regarding custody issues in Kentucky.

Persons: HUNTINGTON, Shannon Patrick Overstreet, Overstreet, Angele Nichole Overstreet Organizations: FBI, U.S . Marshals Service, Huttonsville Correctional, Herald - Dispatch, Police, West Virginia Child Protective Services Locations: W.Va, West Virginia, Cabell County, Huntington, Kentucky, West

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decline (-0.16%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.75%, down 16 basis points since this time last week. 20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Down (-0.18%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down 18 basis points from last week and sits at 6.40%. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decrease (-0.17%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.12%, down a bit from last week. Mortgage rates have risen throughout 2023, and they're higher than they were in November 2022.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia coalition that helps support a network of anti-abortion pregnancy centers in the state is receiving $1 million in taxpayer dollars to distribute to organizations committed to encouraging people not to end their pregnancies. The West Virginia Pregnancy Center Coalition has been selected to manage the new West Virginia Mothers and Babies Support Program, the state department of health and human resources announced this week. Jim Justice earlier this year, officials said the program is intended to help support pregnant women and families following the passage of the state's near-total abortion ban in September 2022. As the West Virginia program's management agency, the West Virginia Pregnancy Center Coalition will be required by law to establish qualification requirements for organizations to receive funding, advertise the program and contract with organizations for services. The West Virginia Pregnancy Center Coalition will need to establish reporting requirements and an auditing procedure.

Persons: Jim Justice, Jenny Entsminger, ”, Matthew Christiansen Organizations: West Virginia, Virginia Pregnancy Center Coalition, GOP, Republican Gov, Pregnancy Center Coalition, Democratic, West Locations: CHARLESTON, W.Va, Virginia, West Virginia

☆ 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

☆ 50 cities showing where rents are surging or dropping compared to home values — and how to determine whether it's worth buying or renting, according to experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But home prices are still on the rise, according to a November 28 note from Selma Hepp, the chief economist at CoreLogic. The outcome is that many remain renters, which drives up demand for rental property and the cost of rent. If the cost of rent is 20% below the price of owning a home monthly, then it may be comparable. Rent prices are based on listings from Rent.com. For example, take the cost of rent over five years; let's say it's $3,000 x 12 months = $36,000 annually.

Persons: Selma Hepp, they'll, Suzanne Miller, Miller, Price, Shmuel Shayowitz, Shayowitz Organizations: Business, Home, Empire State, Seattle -, Dallas, Fort, Redfin, Kansas, Jacksonville, Birmingham, NA Milwaukee, Phoenix, Boston, Orlando, Virginia, KY, UT, Oklahoma Locations: Redfin . Metro, Seattle, Dallas, Seattle - Tacoma, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, Fort Worth, Metro, Columbus, Providence, RI, Kansas City, Angeles, Buffalo, NY, Indianapolis, York, Hartford, Jose, Antonio, Minneapolis, Detroit, MI, Virginia Beach, Louis, Washington, San Diego, Atlanta, Richmond, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Tampa, WA, Denver, Riverside, CA, Cleveland, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, NC, Orleans, LA, Nashville, TN, Memphis, Raleigh, Louisville, Jefferson County, Houston, Salt Lake City, Miami, Chicago, Sacramento, Vegas, Portland, Austin, New York City

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Five former correctional officers in West Virginia were indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday in connection with the 2022 death of an incarcerated man who was beaten while handcuffed and restrained in an interview room and later a jail cell. The indictments in West Virginia's southern U.S. District Court come weeks after two different West Virginia corrections officers pleaded guilty to a felony conspiracy charge stemming from the fatal beating of the same inmate, 37-year-old Quantez Burks. The case has drawn scrutiny to conditions and deaths at the Southern Regional Jail. Earlier this month, West Virginia agreed to pay $4 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by inmates who described conditions at the jail as inhumane. Two other former corrections officers were indicted Thursday on a charge of failing to intervene in the unlawful assault, resulting in Burks' death.

Persons: Quantez Burks, Burks, Jim Justice's, Brad Douglas, Phil Sword, Mark Holdren, Cory Snyder, Johnathan Walters —, Andrew Fleshman, Steven Wimmer, Walters, Holdren, Snyder Organizations: U.S . Justice Department, Southern Regional, of Corrections, Rehabilitation, Homeland Security, Southern Regional Jail, Associated Press, FBI Locations: CHARLESTON, W.Va, West Virginia, West Virginia's, U.S, Beaver

☆ Released hostages, detainees may face severe psychological effects, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Newly freed hostages and detainees may experience a range of layered psychological impacts including anxiety, depression, disorientation, grief, post-traumatic stress and survivor’s guilt as they return home and beyond the Israel-Hamas truce, experts say. Over the first four days, Hamas released 69 hostages and Israel freed 150 Palestinians from prison, many of whom were detained but never charged. Eth has not been involved in the hostages’ care, but he said that those who have been released may undergo medical evaluations that might include “very careful” psychological and psychiatric evaluations. Those evaluations could involve looking for signs of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder or other psychological conditions. “Some might look like they’re doing very well, like they’re resilient early on, and then develop serious symptoms later.

Persons: ”, Spencer, they’re, Abigail Edan, Noam, Emily Hand, —, “, Ani Kalayjian, ” Kalayjian, Walter Busuttil, CNN’s Kim Brunhuber, ” Busuttil, ‘, ” Dollberg, CNN’s Laila Harrak, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, I’m, ’, ” CNN’s Lauren Izso, Alex Stambaugh Organizations: CNN, Spencer Eth, Miami VA Healthcare, University of Miami, Eth, ” Eth, United Nations, National Institute of Mental Health, Academic College of Tel, ” Israel’s Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, Israel Defense Forces, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: Israel, Alma, Gaza, Academic College of Tel Aviv

☆ Former Coal Towns Get Money for Clean-Energy Factories
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

In Weirton, W.Va., in the heart of coal country, a company started by MIT scientists plans to build a plant that will produce a metal and alloy critical for clean energy, fuel cells and cleaner steel. In Vernon, Texas, also a former coal town, a third-generation wind entrepreneur plans to manufacture turbines suitable for remote, rural locations. And in Vandergrift, Pa., and Louisville, Colo., a window maker plans to retrofit aging factories to produce thin, insulated units that help make buildings more energy efficient. They’re all projects getting federal funding designed to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers bring clean-energy jobs to former coal communities, part of a $1 trillion infrastructure package signed by President Biden in 2021. The Energy Department announced the projects on Monday.

Persons: Biden Organizations: MIT, The Energy Department Locations: Vernon , Texas, Vandergrift, Pa, Louisville, Colo

Back in June 2022, big banks approved 15.4% of small business loan applications. All those factors have added up to a grim environment if you’re a small business seeking a loan. Without two years of tax returns, however, she didn’t qualify for many small business loans. Online lenders were quick to offer their services, but the terms were too strict, requiring weekly repayments or interest rates up to 40%. “For a small business that is not only intimidating, it’s almost impossible," she said.

Persons: Banks, Cheyenne Smith, Smith, ”, Shantell Chambliss, Chambliss, “, she’s, Nate Hodge, He’s, Hodge, “ It’s, ” Jen Rose, Rose Organizations: Federal Reserve, National Federation of Independent Business, Bee, Comerica Bank, Comerica Locations: Salt Lake City , Utah, Dakota, Richmond , Va, Capital, Dallas , Texas

An incumbent hasn't lost his party's presidential nomination since Democrats passed over Franklin Pierce in 1856. Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 marked the last time someone from a new party — in his case, the Republican Party — won the White House. But with the United States deeply divided and somewhat anxious about the prospect of another Biden-Trump campaign, third party candidates insist voters are restless enough to defy history. West announced last month that he no longer was running under the Green Party banner, but as an independent. Democrats assume that many of voters supporting a progressive environmental activist would likely have chosen Clinton if forced to choose between the major parties.

Persons: George Washington, hasn't, Franklin Pierce, Abraham Lincoln's, Republican Party —, ” Jill Stein, “, ”, Stein, Cornel, “ it's, Biden, Trump, Justice Department indicting Trump, Hillary Clinton, Clinton, umbrage, Dean Phillips, “ I’m, ” Phillips, ” Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, Kennedy's, John F, Sen, Robert F, Joe Manchin, Utah Sen, Mitt Romney, Jennifer Franks, Romney, McKay Coppins, Manchin, invigorate centrists, he's “, Meg Kinnard, Leah Willingham Organizations: Republican Party, White, Biden, Trump, Green Party, West, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Justice Department, Republicans, wariness, Trump's, Clinton, Democratic, Rep, Minnesota, Democratic Party, Children’s Health Defense, Electoral College, GOP, Manchin Locations: United States, Minnesota, renominating, South Carolina, Manchin, Utah, Arizona, Michigan, West Virginia, Columbia , South Carolina, Charleston , West Virginia

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Inch Down (-0.08%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.91%, down eight basis points since this time last week. 20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decrease (-0.13%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down 13 basis points from last week and sits at 6.58%. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Essentially Flat (-0.02%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.29%, down a tiny bit from last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall (-0.16%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.10%, which is down from last week.

Persons: you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ A New York City Socialite Returns to Her Southern Roots
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Sadiba Hasan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

From the mid- to late-2000s, Ms. Mortimer dominated the New York social scene as a prominent guest at the most glamorous charity balls and fashion shows. She attracted the cameras in her colorful baby-doll designer dresses and was omnipresent in the papers and gossip pages. She settled into a quiet, private life in Augusta, Ga., with Mr. Bovard and his three children. “I love Augusta. Mr. Bovard was a groomsman at the wedding.

Persons: Tinsley Randolph Mortimer, Mortimer, Robert Dennis Bovard, Bovard, “, Augusta, I’m, Mercer Ferguson Organizations: New, York Magazine, Housewives, University of the Locations: New York, New York City, Augusta , Ga, Richmond, Va

VA loan borrowers were given the option to put their mortgages in forbearance, meaning they could temporarily pause their mortgage payments. So on November 17, the VA announced a stopgap for distressed VA borrowers. Advertisement"This is good news for VA borrowers, especially those who may be struggling with their mortgage payments," says Christy Bunce, president of New American Funding. How to take advantage of the Refund Modification programDuring the pause, the VA is also offering its Refund Modification program. The VA says that borrowers struggling to make mortgage payments should visit the VA Housing Assistance website or call 877-827-3702 for help.

Persons: servicers, —, who's, it's, Christy Bunce, Bunce Organizations: Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, NPR, Veterans, New Locations: forbearance

☆ Courts Strike Down Gun Control Measures in Two States
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( David W. Chen | More About David W. Chen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that significantly limits what the government can do to restrict guns, states led by Democrats have scrambled to circumvent or test the limits of the ruling. A few have approved new gun restrictions. Oregon even passed a ballot initiative to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines. But this week, supporters of the new gun measures suffered a pair of setbacks, underscoring the rippling effect of the court’s decision. On the same day, a state judge in southeastern Oregon concluded that a ballot initiative approved by voters in 2022 that would prohibit high-capacity magazines and require background checks and training to obtain gun permits violated the State Constitution.

Organizations: Supreme, Democrats, U.S ., Appeals, Fourth Circuit Locations: U.S, Oregon, Richmond , Va, Maryland

☆ OpenAI Turmoil Leaves Some CIOs Questioning the AI Powerhouse’s Future
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Isabelle Bousquette | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Microsoft said it is hiring Sam Altman to helm a new advanced artificial-intelligence research team, after his bid to return to OpenAI fell apart Sunday. Altman, left, appears onstage with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at OpenAI’s first developer conference, on Nov. 6 in San Francisco. Photo: Barbara Ortutay/Associated PressSome chief information officers are questioning the viability of ChatGPT maker OpenAI following the unexpected ouster of chief executive Sam Altman on Friday, his subsequent hire by Microsoft and an unresolved threat by hundreds of OpenAI workers to quit and follow him there. “Long-term viability of any platform is important when making decisions,” said Todd Florence, chief information officer of Estes Express Lines, a Richmond, Va.-based trucker. “Friday certainly calls that into question in regards to OpenAI.”

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Altman, Satya Nadella, Barbara Ortutay, “, ”, Todd Florence Organizations: Microsoft, OpenAI’s, Associated Press, OpenAI, Estes Express Locations: San Francisco, Richmond, Va

☆ Families of Hostages in Gaza Are Desperate for Proof of Life
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Michael D. Shear | More About Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

We understand the pain,” said Jason Straziuso, a spokesman for the Red Cross. It’s not possible.”The Red Cross has about 130 employees in Gaza, he said, giving it some ability to deliver humanitarian aid and to visit the scenes of destruction from the war. Mr. Straziuso said Red Cross officials were talking to Hamas, Israel, the United States and other nations about the condition of the hostages. Warring nations have blocked the Red Cross from visiting hostages or prisoners of war in previous conflicts. In 2022, eight months into the war between Ukraine and Russia, the Red Cross still had little access to prisoners held by either side.

Persons: ”, Jason Straziuso, “, Straziuso, Cross, Osama Hamdan, Liz Hirsh Naftali, Abigail Idan, Abigail, “ Abigail, ” Ms, Naftali, Lester Holt, Rachel Goldberg, Polin, Goldberg, Jon Polin, Rachel Goldberg’s, Hersch Organizations: Red, NBC News, NBC Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon, Jihad, Ukraine, Russia, Richmond , Va

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Are Going Down (-0.30%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.95%, down 30 basis points since this time last week. 20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Inch Down (-0.09%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down nine basis points from last week and sits at 6.66%. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Fall (-0.27%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.28%, down from last week. Mortgage Refinance Rates30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall (-0.28%)The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.33%, which is down from last week.

Persons: you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

WASHINGTON (AP) — By most accounts, Speaker Mike Johnson inherited a House Republican majority in disarray after the sudden ouster of his predecessor last month. But as Johnson, R-La., tries to rebuild that slim majority, he’s fast running into the same hard-right factions and divisions that Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was unable to tame. Centrist conservatives said the measures went too far, however, as the hard-right faction demands steeper reductions in government programs. Johnson rebuffed their suggestion to at least attach the House-passed Israel aid package as a way force the Senate to act. He’s admired, he's trusted,” said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va. “You know, he’s human.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, ” Johnson, Joe Biden, McCarthy, “, Chip Roy, Nancy Pelosi, ” Roy, ”, Nick LaLota, LaLota, Biden, He’s, he's, Bob Good, Garrett Graves, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Capitol, Teamsters, House Republicans, Biden, Republicans, thundered, Rep, GOP, Justice Department, Hamas, Jan, Democrats, Democratic Locations: Texas, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Mexico, “, Garrett Graves of Louisiana, New York

HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) — Kaedin Robinson’s toe barely touched the goal line before the football squirted out, scoring the winning touchdown in overtime as Appalachian State beat previously unbeaten and 18th-ranked James Madison 26-23 on Saturday. Aguilar was 28 for 46 passing for 318 yards and three touchdowns with an interception for Appalachian State (7-4, 5-2). Elijah Sarratt had eight catches — including two that helped force overtime — for 128 yards and a touchdown for James Madison. Appalachian State remained in the hunt for the division title if the Dukes can beat Coastal Carolina next week. Appalachian State hosts Georgia Southern.

Persons: James, James Madison, Camden Wise, Joey Aguilar, Robinson, James Madison's, General, Aguilar, Jordan McCloud, Elijah Sarratt, Dukes, McCloud, Eli Wilson, Wilson, JMU, JMU’s, Jason Miyares Organizations: Appalachian State, James Madison, Camden, Dukes, NCAA, Virginia, Football, Mountaineers, Sun, Coastal Carolina, AP, James, Coastal, Georgia Southern Locations: HARRISONBURG, Va, Appalachian, JMU, Sarratt, Virginia, Coastal Carolina

☆ No Labels depends on six-figure donors to fund ‘grassroots’ 2024 third party ticket
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

People with the group No Labels hold signs during a rally on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 18, 2011. More than 15,000 people in Arizona have registered to join a new political party floating a possible bipartisan "unity ticket" against Joe Biden and Donald Trump. No Labels, the nonprofit group actively working to field a third party ticket for president in 2024, doubled its annual revenue last year over 2021, collecting $21 million, nearly all of it from wealthy donors who gave $100,000 or more. Outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has long been rumored to be among the possible candidates to top a No Labels unity ticket. That group has raised $1.4 million so far this election cycle, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Ryan Clancy, Clancy, Joe Lieberman, Sen, Joe Manchin, Manchin, Harlan Crow, Clarence Thomas, Wilhelmina Robertson, Mark McClain Organizations: Capitol, CNBC, Democratic, Commission, NBC, Fox News, NBC News, Supreme, SailPoint Technologies Locations: Washington, Arizona, Texas

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