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7 ways to use your tax refund to fight inflation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.If inflation has eaten away at your budget the way waves erode a beach, then your tax refund might just provide a much-needed protective barrier.As of March, prices are up 6% over the past 12 months, according to the most recent consumer price index. At the same time, just over half of filers (55%) are expecting tax refunds for the 2022 tax year, with an average expected refund of $2,205, according to the 2023 Nerdwallet Tax Report. Financial experts say consumers can use that windfall — which is really just a delayed paycheck that you already earned — to help offset the strain of those higher prices.“Tax refunds are going to arrive at just the right time for many consumers this spring,” says Drew Wessell, a certified financial planner at ...

Trump gets send-off from cheering supporters before flying from South Florida to New York to face criminal charges

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

Anthony Man and Scott Travis | South Florida Sun-SentinelFormer President Donald Trump got a send-off from cheering supporters on Monday as he rode from his Mar-a-Lago resort and home in Palm Beach for the flight from Palm Beach International Airport that took him to New York to face criminal charges against him.Trump left Mar-a-Lago at about 12:20 p.m. Monday. About 15 minutes later, he walked up the back stairs to his plane at the airport. At 1 p.m. he took off. The criminal case concerns hush-money payments made during his 2016 campaign to conceal a sexual relationship — which he denies — with porn star Stormy Daniels.The motorcade and flight were widely watched, but it wasn’t like his presidential days flying in and out of the airport on Air Force One. Trump’s red, white and blue Boeing 757, emblazoned with his name, had to wait its turn to take off behind other aircraft.On the way to to the airport, his motorcade passed by a group of cheering and flag-waving supporters gathered...

Nashville shooter fired 152 shots inside school, documented plans to commit mass murder, police say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- The shooter who took the lives of six people at The Covenant School last week fired a total of 152 rounds before being shot by officers, Nashville police said in an update on their investigation Monday.According to police, Audrey Hale fired 126 rifle rounds and 26 nine-millimeter rounds while at the school. Based on the currently available information, investigators believe Hale worked alone. Police also said collective writings written by Hale (found in the shooter's bedroom and vehicle) show Hale was planning over a period of months to commit mass murder at The Covenant School. Hale also considered "the actions of other mass murderers," the documents show. 911 calls made during Covenant School shooting released Police said the writings remain under careful review by the Metro Nashville Police Department and the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit in Virginia. Two Metro police officers shot and killed Hale. Officer Rex Englebert shot a total of four rounds f...

Renamed Schaumburg post office honors war veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Veterans of America's most recent war were honored in the northwest suburbs on Monday. The Schaumburg Post Office will now be known as the Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial Post Office Building, to honor the veterans of the nation's most recent conflicts. ‘Felt like a guinea pig’: 90-year-old suburban atomic veteran conflicted after receiving medal "With the post office being named after OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) veterans, it will ensure that the veterans that served there will forever be remembered," said Eric Morales with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) sponsored the bill to have the post office renamed. President Biden signed it into law last December.

Family of man found dead in Lady Bird Lake in 2018 responds to recent deaths

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Less than two months after 30-year-old Jason John's body was found in Lady Bird Lake, another man in his 30s was found dead in roughly the same spot. Both were last seen on Rainey Street. At approximately 12:50 p.m. Saturday, APD officers found Jonathan Honey, 33, in Lady Bird Lake near 10 Rainey Street, a release from the Austin Police Department said. Homicide and Missing Persons Unit Detectives, Lake Patrol Unit, along with Crime Scene Specialists, responded to the scene to investigate, they reported.It's a story Mitchell Gutierrez is all too familiar with. His 25-year-old brother, Martin was also found dead in the lake several years ago after being last seen on Rainey. "He was at a bar on Rainey Street. Went alone. And never came back," Gutierrez said. APD confirms body found at Lady Bird Lake is missing man from Rainey Street Gutierrez and his family have been pushing for change in that area for years, but with recent deaths in the lake, they have convinced ...

Spring allergens in full swing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

Austin (KXAN) -- Sneezing? Sniffling? It could be allergies. Central Texas pollen continues to heat up. Early April is when we, on average, hit the middle and peak of the majority of our Spring Tree pollens. Here is a look at what pollen to expect here in central Texas:Austin Allergy CalendarNotice once we get to the end of May and early June is when we typically stop experiencing Tree pollen. Right on cue, Willow trees have jumped to the highest count of the season reaching 832 grains per cubic meter. Oak trees, the worst of them all during this time of the year, continue to remain in the 'Very High' category with a whopping 11,753 grains per cubic meter. Find the latest allergen counts for Central Texas, as measured by PollenSense, an automated pollen sampling machine that gives KXAN updated counts every minute, instead of once a day. Here is what our packed pollen slide showed from early Monday morning:Pollen Sensor SlideOur sensor uses artificial intelligence to identify differe...

Schenectady woman arrested for trying to cash fraudulent checks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Sunday, State Police arrested Kayla Willis, 34, of Schenectady. Willis was charged with three counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree and three counts of Attempted Petit Larceny. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say the arrest was made following an investigation into reports of people attempting to cash fraudulent checks throughout the Capital Region. Investigations determined that Willis had tried to cash fraudulent checks at Albany, Rotterdam, and Schenectady financial institutions. Willis was located at her home and transported to State Police Headquarters in Latham for processing. Willis was issued multiple appearances tickets to appear in court at a later date. Police anticipate additional arrests to be made in connection to the investigation.

Birthday restaurant specials in the Capital Region

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- If you're looking for a place to celebrate your birthday, many restaurants and bars around the area offer free food and drinks for your special day. Here's where you can get some birthday freebies in the Capital Region. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Barnsider RestaurantHalf off on your birthday (ID required). You must choose from the dining room menu and your meal must be accompanied by another entrée of equal or greater value.Address: 480 Sand Creek Road in ColonieBombers Burrito BarA free giant margarita on your birthday (when you spend $20 or more).Address: 258 Lark Street in AlbanyWolff's BiergartenA free 2 liter boot of beer on your birthday.Address: 895 Broadway in Albany and 165 Erie Boulevard in SchenectadyWasabiFree all-you-can-eat sushi on your birthday.Address: 195 Wolf Road in Colonie and 63 Putnam Street in Saratoga SpringsAzuma Sushi BistroFree birthday meal when celebrating with a g...

Police: Hudson man arrested, charged with Burglary

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Sunday, Saugerties Police arrested Jason Dominguez, 37, of Hudson, following an incident at 87 Delaware Street in Glasco. Dominguez was charged with Burglary in the Second Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say Dominguez had forced his way into the victim's house, threw the victim on the floor, and took their cell phone to prevent them from contacting police. The victim's 9-year-old daughter was present and witnessed the incident. An order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim and the child.Dominguez was arraigned in the Town of Saugerties Justice Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to reappear in court on April 19.

Schenectady PD arrests juvenile with a loaded handgun

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:12 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Saturday evening, the Schenectady Police Department responded to a juvenile creating a traffic hazard near 1224 State Street. When officers attempted to stop the suspect, they attempted to flee on foot. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police were able to detain the individual and found them to have a loaded handgun. The juvenile was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree and Crossing at Other Than a Crosswalk.