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Social Security COLA increase may be smaller than previously estimated, senior group says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The next cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients is likely to be the lowest in years, the Senior Citizen’s League predicts.The Senior Citizen’s League (TSCL), a nonpartisan senior advocacy group, says the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that 2024’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is likely to be somewhere around 2.7% — the lowest increase since 2020.The group’s previous estimate, released in May, had put that number slightly higher at 3.1%. 5 takeaways from the steep May inflation decline The reason for TSCL’s revised estimate concerns cooling inflation — or at least the appearance of cooling inflation presented by the Labor Bureau’s Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W). But analysts with TSCL have said that these numbers — which are ultimately used by the Social Security Administration to determine the annual COLA — don’t reflect the “stubbornly high” prices that seniors continue to pay on key items.“Inflation i...

Bud Light no longer top-selling beer in US, first time in over two decades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

(AP) - After more than two decades as America’s best-selling beer, Bud Light has slipped into second place.Modelo Especial, a Mexican lager, overtook Bud Light in U.S. retail dollar sales in the month ending June 3, according to Nielsen data analyzed by Bump Williams Consulting. Modelo controlled 8.4% of U.S. grocery, convenience and liquor store sales; Bud Light fell to 7.3%.It's a milestone in the months-long sales decline Bud Light has experienced since early April, when critics vowed to boycott the brand after it sent a commemorative can to Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer. Bud Light has also faced backlash from Mulvaney’s fans, who think the brand didn’t do enough to support her. Hungover? Avoid your cravings — try these foods, drinks instead Dave William, Bump Williams’ vice president of analytics and insights, said Bud Light has been the top-selling U.S. beer since 2001, and it could still retain that crown this year. He noted that Bud Light’s year-to-date market sh...

Ken Paxton’s securities fraud trial will remain in Houston, court rules

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas’ highest criminal court ruled Wednesday that the securities fraud case against now-suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton should remain in Houston, settling a key issue in the 8-year-old case as Paxton faces an impeachment trial in the Texas Senate this summer.The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, in a 6-3 ruling, overturned lower-court decisions that said Paxton’s trial had been improperly moved from Collin County, where he lives, to Harris County because the trial judge had lost jurisdiction over the matter.However, the Texas Constitution and state law protected the judge’s authority over the case, the court ruled.“We’re gratified but not surprised that the Court recognized that this defendant must stand trial before a Harris County jury and a judge who will follow the law,” prosecutor Brian Wice said.Paxton’s defense team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.In 2015, a Collin County grand jury indicted Paxton on two counts of securitie...

Minneapolis man gets 3-year sentence in deadly St. Paul funeral home shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

A Minneapolis man who police say fired the first shot leading to a deadly gun battle outside a St. Paul funeral home last year has been sentenced to three years in prison.Bryan Lara-Saavedra, 26, pleaded guilty in April to second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the Feb. 21, 2022, shooting at Simple Traditions by Bradshaw funeral home on the West Side, which prosecutors say involved three other gunmen.A charge of attempted murder was dismissed at Tuesday’s sentencing as part of the plea agreement. Lara-Saavedra received credit for two days already served in custody.The shooting, which claimed the life of 28-year-old Agustin Martinez of Crystal, happened as mourners were gathered for the funeral for Casanova Carter, 26, who was fatally shot at his West Side St. Paul home on Feb. 1, 2022.Lara-Saavedra and three other men were wounded in the gun battle.The man who shot Lara-Saavedra, 41-year-old David Nicholas Garcia, was sentenced to 27 months in prison ...

Class 3A baseball semifinal: Mahtomedi 3, Grand Rapids 2

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

JORDAN, Minn. — “FERDA” is across the back of the Mahtomedi warm-up t-shirts.A takeoff of For the Boys can now be upgraded to playing for ‘da state title.The slogan is about oneness, said Zephyrs pitcher Seth Nelson, who went the distance for Mahtomedi on Wednesday.“Basically, it’s just everybody play for each other, do something selfless about it,” he said. “Put the team first and everything will go after that. The team has really stepped up and everybody has kind of found their role. It’s just so much fun to be a part of.”And each was needed as the Zephyrs escaped a couple of potential late-game perilous situations and held off Grand Rapids 3-2 in a Class 3A baseball state tournament semifinal game Wednesday afternoon at the Mini Met.“When I think of state baseball, this is what I think of right here — close games, good competition and just a great time,” said Nelson, who allowed six hits and struck out six. “So much fun to be a part of.”Mahtomedi will face New Prague ...

Class 4A baseball semifinal: East Ridge 4, Minnetonka 3

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

Caden Stern doesn’t get to bat much for East Ridge, but with the way he plays defense, the junior outfielder has still made an impact for the Raptors.“If he’s not the best outfielder we have, he’s definitely one of the best defensively,” outfielder/pitcher Luke Ryerse said.Never was that more evident than on Wednesday at CHS Field.Playing left field while Ryerse took the mound, Stern made two crucial plays in left to help No. 2 seed East Ridge beat three seed Minnetonka 4-3 and advance to the Class 4A baseball state tournament championship game on Friday against the winner of the afternoon game between Edina and top-seeded Rosemount.Alex Mazzetti started the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning, and Joe Merschlewitz drove in the winning run with a two-out single to cap a three-run third inning for East Ridge (19-8), which last season lost to eventual 4A champion Stillwater in the Section 4 championship.“A lot of talent on that field there,” Mazzetti recalled. “It hurt, and...

New York State Police welcomes over 200 new troopers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) — Two hundred thirty-eight new troopers were honored for their perseverance and dedication Wednesday morning. Governor Kathy Hochul said when disaster strikes, you'll be grateful for that hard work. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "You're the car that's going to pull up," Hochul said while addressing the graduates. "Not knowing what lies ahead. Putting yourself in danger on a dark, rainy night. But when you open the door, you'll be the face of hope." Hochul added the families and friends in the audience "put a spark in you that brought you to this place today. Because this is available for everyone to apply to, but so few stand up and raise their hand and say, 'I want to be a member.'" New York State Police commits to getting more female troopers on the force Members, worth protecting. "Watch over with your divine care, those who wear the grey," said Father Carrera of Our Lady of Grace Church in his o...

Police recover illegal handguns during search warrant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Tuesday morning, Albany police detectives executed a search warrant at 161 Lark Street. Detectives located a loaded 9mm handgun and a loaded .38 caliber revolver. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say the revolver was reported stolen in Troy in September 2022. Detectives also found materials commonly used for distributing illicit narcotics inside the home.Kahlim Smalls, 34, and Jessica LaClair, 34, were taken into custody. Smalls was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, and two counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree. Smalls was arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court and remanded to the Albany County Jail. Police: Male arrested for leaving 3-year-old unattended in Berne LaClair was charged with ...

End of NY session: liquor store hours extended, no wine in grocery stores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Major changes to New York’s wine and spirits industry were proposed this legislative session, but the big package of bills wasn’t passed by lawmakers in its totality. Some industry insiders are relieved not all parts of the omnibus bill went through last week, while others believe it's time for a new approach to the adult beverage business. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “We’re caught in this mindset that, somehow, the alcohol beverage and control law is New York State is sacrosanct, and it’s not," said Paul Zuber, Executive Vice President of the Business Council of New York State," it was written in 1930-ish right after prohibition. Society has changed."Zuber thinks it’s time to revamp some state liquor laws he considers to be “antiquated.” He pointed to some recent progress, like the law changed several years ago allowing New Yorkers to be served drinks before noon at Sunday brunch.This session, ...

Survey: Are streets safe for Glens Falls students?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:49 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Glens Falls's middle and high schools have a traffic problem. the city school district is looking to make things safer at streets and crossings connecting the Quade Street school campus to the student body - which almost entirely makes its way to school by foot. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! A QR code leading to a survey regarding traffic issues around Glens Falls Middle School and High School.This week, the district has put out a survey to get a better handle on the traffic safety topic. Created in collaboration with the city of Glens Falls and the Adirondack/Glens Falls Transportation Council, the survey asks residents who bring their middle and high school-aged kids to school to share the state of traffic safety as they see it. The survey includes an interactive map, letting users identify the exact place where traffic has been seen as hazardous.Like many city schools, Glens Falls' middle/h...