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Report finds democracy for Black Americans is under attack

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Extreme views adopted by some local, state and federal political leaders who try to limit what history can be taught in schools and seek to undermine how Black officials perform their jobs are among the top threats to democracy for Black Americans, the National Urban League says.Marc Morial, the former New Orleans mayor who leads the civil rights and urban advocacy organization, cited the most recent example: the vote this month by the Republican-controlled Tennessee House to oust two Black representatives for violating a legislative rule. The pair had participated in a gun control protest inside the chamber after the shooting that killed three students and three staff members at a Nashville school.“We have censorship and Black history suppression, and now this,” Morial said in an interview. “It’s another piece of fruit of the same poisonous tree, the effort to suppress and contain.”Both Tennessee lawmakers were quickly reinstated by leaders in their district...

West Virginia man accused of arson, murder in wildfire death

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia man has been charged with murder after a forestry worker was killed trying to extinguish a fire the man is accused of setting.The fire was reported on Tuesday night in the Tucker Hollow area of Fayette County. Overnight, the fire grew to consume several hundred acres. On Thursday, forester Cody Mullens was fatally injured by a falling tree while fighting the fire. The Division of Forestry was able to determine that the fire was intentionally set, Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley said Friday in a news release. The arson investigation led to the arrest of David A. Bass, of Kimberly. In addition to the murder charge, Bass is charged with four counts of felony wildland arson. On Saturday, Bass was being held at the Southern Regional Jail. Jail records do not list an attorney for Bass. Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday issued a statement about Mullens’ death.“Our state foresters are some of the most dedicated workers in our state, putting th...

Anheuser-Busch CEO releases statement amid Bud Light controversy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS (KTVI) - The CEO of Anheuser-Busch has responded to backlash and calls to boycott Bud Light over the brand's partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. CEO Brendan Whitworth said the company "never meant to be part of a discussion that divides people" in a lengthy statement published to Anheuser-Busch's social media accounts on Friday."As the CEO of a company founded in America’s heartland more than 165 years ago, I am responsible for ensuring every consumer feels proud of the beer we brew," Whitworth wrote, adding that Anheuser-Busch has "a proud history supporting our communities, military, first responders, sports fans and hard-working Americans everywhere.""We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people," the statement continued. "We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer. Beer drinkers, these are the best cities for you, study finds Whitworth did not specifically make mention of Dylan Mulvaney, the trans activist a...

Why is Tax Day on April 18 this year? And how did early spring become tax season, anyhow?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

(THE CONVERSATION) – Mid-April has arrived. And along with the spring sunshine, that means the often dreaded civic duty of finishing off one’s taxes.It’s an arduous time for many, characterized by navigating increasingly confusing rules to arrive at the best refund possible. For some, it means writing a check to the federal government. Not fun.On a brighter note, the tax deadline has been pushed back to April 18 this year, giving those leaving it to the last minute a few extra days. Usually, the day falls on April 15.But why is Tax Day in April anyway? Well, it hasn’t always been. IRS warns of deadline for $1.5 billion in unclaimed refunds The federal individual income tax was permanently enacted by the 16th Amendment in 1913. Before that, the only federal individual income tax that existed was in place for about a decade beginning in 1861 to ease the financial burden of the Civil War on the government.Extending the deadlineThe tradition of filing tax retu...

‘Farmer Wants a Wife’ echoes western Minnesota town’s ‘90s ‘bachelormania’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

HERMAN, Minn. — FOX TV’s “Farmer Wants a Wife” is a reality show that features rural bachelors looking for a romantic connection.The plot line was similar 30 years ago, when single men living near the rural community of Herman in western Minnesota let the world know they were looking for women interested in forging a life together.Soon, national media from “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to ABC’s “20/20” began fanning the flames of what came to be called bachelormania.The 1994 Grant County Fair served as a focal point for the excitement, when women from around the country showed up to find, if not a Prince Charming, at least “a whole lot of nice guys,” according to one woman who was quoted in a Forum story from July 1994.At least seven of Herman’s approximately 78 bachelors found wives, according to published reports. “Herman USA,” a movie inspired by the town’s experience, was released in 2001.Many of the ...

Your Money: Why financial literacy matters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

Bruce Helmer and Peg WebbFinancial literacy is knowing how to make smart decisions with your money. And sadly, too few Americans understand how to create a budget, manage a credit card, or save and invest for a major goals such as a first home or retirement. For example, a recent survey of adults showed that they could answer only 50% of 28 basic money questions in the 2022 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance index.The U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission has issued five building blocks of financial literacy (“My Money Five”) that everyone should master when making day-to-day decisions about their finances.• Earn. Your ability to earn a living over many decades is probably your biggest financial asset. Take the time to understand how your pay and benefits can become the backbone of your long-term financial plan. You should understand how various deductions and withholdings reduce your take-home pay in the form of federal, state and local income taxes, Social Security a...

Flags 4 Fallen honors Troy girl in Helderberg to Hudson

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Two local men carried flags in the Helderberg to Hudson half marathon on Saturday, in honor of Danielle Marceline—the Troy girl who tragically drowned while on vacation last year. Michael Newhouse was one of them. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! He said Danielle Marceline's story really touched his heart. "I was just honored and privileged to honor such a beautiful young girl," he said. "And it's really, really touched me in ways that I can't even explain. It's really got to me, many times."Danielle's mom, Christine, still reeling from that loss. "My life has just had this big absence in it without her being around," she explained. Volunteers walk to fight for suicide prevention Friday's race, though, helped her heart heal. "It just was really heartwarming to my husband and I, for somebody who never knew her in person, to be inspired to run 13.1 miles in her honor," said Christine Marceline. Newh...

St. Louis CITY SC braces for severe storms, has shelter-in-place plan

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A strong storm system seems likely to swing through St. Louis on Saturday evening, right around the time CITY SC is scheduled to play. With that in mind, Saturday's game is likely the first one at CITYPARK that could be impacted or delayed by weather. CITY SC says it will have a shelter-in-place plan in the event of high winds, nearby lightning strikes or other forms of severe weather. Top Story: Saturday's storms may bring high winds and hail This is CITY SC's severe weather policy, per the team website: "CITYPARK is a StormReady Facility as designated by the National Weather Service.  A site-specific meteorologist is on call to track severe weather including high winds and lightning strikes.If severe weather including winds more than 60 mph or lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius of CITYPARK, CITYPARK will enter a Shelter in Place protocol.  An announcement will be made over the CITYPARK public address system to instruct guests to seek shelter in place.If y...

Hospital sues Missouri AG Andrew Bailey over trans care data

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City hospital is suing Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey over what it calls his “burdensome” requests for records on gender-affirming care.In a lawsuit filed Friday in Jackson County, attorneys for Children's Mercy Hospital asked a judge to deny Bailey's 54 investigative demands for records and testimony despite the hospital facing no allegations of wrongdoing, The Kansas City Star reported.Bailey has demanded that the hospital provide records on any prescriptions for hormone blockers as well as surgeries for transgender patients, the lawsuit said. He's also asking for information on when the hospital has reported child abuse. Trending: Kim Hudson says farewell to FOX 2 Bailey's spokeswoman, Madeline Sieren, did not immediately return a request for comment Saturday.In February, Bailey, a Republican who was appointed attorney general in November, announced he was investigating the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Chil...

One person suffers life-threatening injuries in fire at Aurora motel

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:48 GMT

One person suffered life-threatening injuries in an early-morning fire at an Aurora motel.About 4:45 a.m. Saturday Aurora Fire Rescue responded to reports of smoke coming from a room at the Pace Setter Motel, 14291 E. Colfax Ave., according to a news release.The fire occured at the Pace Setter Motel on E. Colfax Ave. Firefighters contained the blaze to 1 room.Most people have been able to stay inside, but 9 units are now without power. @XcelEnergyCO is on scene working to restore utilities. pic.twitter.com/d63zO9YaiY— Aurora Fire Rescue (@AuroraFireDpt) April 15, 2023 Firefighters rescued a person from inside the room and the patient was taken to a hospital. The fire was contained to the one room. Nine units at the motel lost utilities because of the fire, Xcel was on scene Saturday morning working to restore power. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.