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2024's Social Security COLA increase might be slightly larger than last estimated, but it won't match 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The next cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients is projected to be slightly better than previously estimated, but still the lowest in years, the Senior Citizen’s League predicts.The Senior Citizen’s League (TSCL), a nonpartisan senior advocacy group, had estimated in mid-June that 2024’s COLA increase could be somewhere around 2.7% — a huge drop-off from 2023’s 8.7% increase.The group’s revised estimate, issued Thursday following the publication of the Labor Bureau’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W), now puts that number at 3%, they say.Three percent, however, would still amount to the lowest COLA increase since 2020. “There are still three more months of data before the COLA is announced in October, and this estimate could change,” TSCL wrote in a Thursday news release, warning that CPI-W data in the coming months could still swing the percentages lower. Prices for these items rose and fell the most in June TSCL’s late...

An ode to mac and cheese, the poster child for processed food

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

(The Conversation) - In January 2015, food sales at restaurants overtook those at grocery stores for the first time. Most thought this marked a permanent shift in the American meal.Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, that trend took a U-turn. Restaurant revenue cratered, while shoppers emptied grocery shelves stocking up on food to cook at home. And with sales of pantry items soaring, shoppers found themselves reaching for an old reliable.In April 2020, sales of Kraft macaroni and cheese were up 27% from the same time last year. General Mills, the maker of Annie’s mac and cheese, has seen a similar bump.The cheap, boxed meal has long been a poster child for processed food. While it’s often dismissed as stuff for kids, a lot of grownups secretly savor it. As I tell my own students, we love to bad mouth processed foods – usually while our mouths are full of it. It’s also played an important role in kitchen science, wars and women’s liberation.Solving the age-old pr...

People treated for possible heat exhaustion, dehydration in Taylor Swift merch line in Colorado

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — In a little over 24 hours, Taylor Swift will be hitting the stage at Empower Field in Denver, Colorado. But Thursday morning, hundreds of fans lined up with a different goal in mind — to buy merchandise outside the stadium.Swift opened up the line to her merchandise truck to any and all fans at 7 a.m., and hundreds lined the parking lot several hours beforehand. What can you buy for the price of 2 Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets? FOX31's Carly Moore was at Empower Field Thursday morning. She said four people had medical treatment and some Denver Health paramedics were on site. Moore said the patients were asked about the temperature and previous visits to Colorado indicating heat exhaustion, dehydration and altitude sickness were possible ailments, although the paramedics would not share details. KDVR Metrologist Travis Michels is reminding fans to bring sunscreen and plenty of water because temperatures will be in the 90s on Thursday. There will be lots of sunshin...

Austin leaders to speak about dangerously hot conditions across area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin will hold a press conference Friday to update efforts to help keep people cool and safe due to the "dangerously hot conditions and high temperatures Austin is experiencing." The city said it will set up a cooling misting tent and distribute water at Republic Square Park at 422 Guadalupe St. for people needing relief from the heat.The press conference will happen at Republic Square Park at 10 a.m. and will be streamed on KXAN.com and KXAN's Facebook page. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Interim Assistant City Manager Bruce Mills, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Ken Snipes and Emergency Medical Services Chief Robert Luckritz will speak.

7/14/2023: More storms possible this afternoon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

The latest Storm Tracker Forecast from meteorologist Matt Mackie:After severe weather last night and a few more early morning storms, we finally have some dry time for Friday morning. That will help temperatures rise to the low or mid 80's by early afternoon. More showers and storms should redevelop after lunchtime.While we don't; expect the same level of severe weather that we experienced yesterday, one or two storms could pack a punch with heavy rain and gusty winds being the main concerns. Areas south and east of Albany are under a "Marginal" risk for severe weather. Greene, Columbia, and Berkshire counties are also under a Flood Watch until midnight. Any storms could produce heavy rain that may lead to rising rivers, creeks, and streams, as well as localized flooding in low lying and/or poor drainage areas.Rain ends tonight, setting up a much drier day Saturday. It will be quite warm, however. And with the combination of heat and humidity, one or two afternoon pop up storms are ...

ACSO: Man pulled over found with mushrooms and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man was arrested on Thursday after being pulled over near Central Ave. and Henry Johnson BLVD in Albany for possessing mushrooms, crack cocaine, digital scales, and more according to the Albany County Sheriff's Office. Rahiem O. Smith, 33, faces multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Thursday, around 10:17 a.m., deputies pulled Smith over for a traffic violation. Law enforcement says an investigation revealed he was in possession of a quantity of Psilocybin mushrooms, crack cocaine, and digital scales, commonly used for the weighing and packaging of narcotics. Deputies say Smith also possessed a large amount of U.S. currency.Charges:Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceFourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSeventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSecond-degree criminally using drug paraphernaliaTraffic infractionsS...

Actor and comedian John Cleese coming to Proctors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Actor, comedian, and screenwriter John Cleese is coming to Schenectady. "An Evening with the Late John Cleese" is set for October 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Proctors Theatre. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The English actor is best known as the co-founder of Monty Python and is celebrated for his work in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Monty Python's Life of Brian." Cleese has also starred in "A Fish Called Wanda," as well as the James Bond and Harry Potter franchises.Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets on the Proctors website.

First 2023 Albany PlayStreets Event held Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The first 2023 PlayStreets event will be held in Albany on Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Albany Skyway. This is the first PlayStreets event the City will be hosting this year in a series of five. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Future PlayStreet Events will be hosted on:Friday, July 21 at Black Lives Matter ParkFriday, July 28 at Buckingham Lake ParkFriday, August 4 at Rosemont ParkFriday, July 11 at Bleecker StadiumPlayStreets was originally launched in 2020 and was a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was designed as a socially distant recreational activity for residents to enjoy outdoor space. The events continued each summer as a weekly recreational activity and community outreach event hosted by the City of Albany and other community partners.

St. Louis nonprofit empowers residents to reinvest in community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - A nonprofit organization in St. Louis is offering residents in specific neighborhoods an opportunity to reinvest in their community. The initiative, called Rooted, aims to support development in predominantly Black neighborhoods and enable residents to build wealth and businesses where they reside.Under the pilot program, which falls under Invest STL, residents in the West End and Visitation Park neighborhoods receive $20,000 to invest in property, businesses, or stocks. Over 200 individuals applied for the program, and 50 were randomly selected. The program provides resources, learning tools, and financial advisors to assist the winners in making informed decisions about their money. Defendant who was serving life for murder gets unusual deal Requirements for eligible applicants included living in the neighborhoods since 2016, being African-American and making a certain percentage below the median income. Dara Eskridge, Executive Director of Invest STL, believes ...

How to grow your own garlic — and why it matters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:44 GMT

“Stop and smell the garlic! That’s all you have to do.” — William ShatnerThe word is out about homegrown garlic. And the word is flavor.Go ahead and ask: Doesn’t all garlic taste like … well, garlic?  Not even. Think about buying garlic at the supermarket; what’s the selection like? You’re given just one type of basic garlic bulb from a grocery store basket to bring home to finish your special sauce. Imagine if you could only buy one type of pepper or apple for the rest of your life … no jalapeno, no honeycrisp. Are you kidding?The range of garlic flavors is broad and varies whether you’re eating it raw, roasted or baked. Wine can be described as dry, oaky, fruity, etc. Garlic flavors are wide-ranging too. Add your own to the list: subtle, mellow, earthy, rich, strong, mild, spicy, sweet, lasting, explosive, nutty, hot, full, and fiery hot.The only way you’ll have a better selection of garlic, which means a broader range of flavor characteristics, is to plant...