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Student debt: White House faces backlash for restarting interest on loans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

The White House is facing backlash about its decision to reactivate interest for student loans as part of its “on-ramp” repayment program, which progressives and advocates argue isn’t enough to help struggling borrowers.The program aims to help those who can’t repay their loans when payments resume this fall by removing the threat of default or harm to credit ratings for 12 months if bills aren’t paid. It’s one of the only routes the Biden administration argues it could have taken since ending the payment pause that ultimately became part of the debt limit deal President Biden struck with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).The so-called “Plan B” for providing student loan relief was laid out late last week hours after the Supreme Court struck down a program the White House attempted to implement that would have forgiven up to $20,000 in student loans dependent upon earnings. The alternative route aims to help borrowers make their journey to repayments easier.But the president’s plan ...

New SLPS superintendent discusses goals, challenges facing district

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS - After a nationwide search, the St. Louis Public School District selected Dr. Keisha Scarlett to become its new superintendent.Scarlett previously served as a superintendent of academies and in other capacities with Seattle Public Schools for 24 years. She replaces Dr. Kelvin Adams, who stepped down after 14 years at the post.Scarlett visited the FOX 2 News studios to discuss her goals as superintendent, and the challenges facing the district.

'It’s hotter inside than outside' - On 4th day of outages, Ameren hopes most will be fixed Wednesday night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

HAZELWOOD, Mo. - Thousands were still without power in Missouri Wednesday evening. Some of the hardest-hit areas include north St. Louis County and north St. Louis City.As many residents are now on their fourth day without power, it’s been frustrating for both residents and Ameren employees."You can see the sweat dripping down my face, and I just walked out the door about 10–15 minutes ago," said Arnold McClelland, a Spanish Lake resident.Hot and high temperatures are something McClelland and others who live in Spanish Lake dealt with Wednesday afternoon, all while having no power since heavy storms swept through the area this past weekend. Delayed 911 response explained after St. Louis woman’s death "You got a lot of elderly people out here that need it, it's so hot you can't even sit in the house," McClelland said.He said by Wednesday, it felt cooler outside than inside.It’s what drove Ameren to set up a makeshift storm station in a heavy-hit region."Right now, we have 1,800 res...

Missouri farm's crop art welcomes Taylor Swift to Kansas City area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

ORRICK, Mo. - Normally it's an ordinary field, but now it's Taylor's Version. Precision Mazes spent hours Monday etching Taylor Swift's likeness into a field in Orrick, Missouri. Are you ready for it? What to know before Taylor Swift concerts in Kansas City FOX4 put up a drone for an overhead view Monday as they worked on the crop art. Precision Mazes said the project said the project sits on 25 acres of a more than 250-acre field. They cut 6.3 acres of wheat stubble to make the image. The company said it would take the average person over 15 minutes to walk around the perimeter of the crop art. Taylor Swift heads to Arrowhead Stadium for “The Eras Tour” on Friday and Saturday. With just days until the concerts, ticket prices are well over $1,400 for both nights. But the Chiefs have said ticketless fans hoping to create a memorable moment outside of Arrowhead Stadium are out of luck. Fans who don't have a ticket won't be allowed to gather outside the stadium. Beyonce fans...

Stolen vehicle suspect taken into custody on 5 Freeway after chase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

Authorities were chasing a stolen vehicle suspect in the Santa Clarita area Wednesday afternoon. By 4:10 p.m., the driver was heading southbound on the 5 Freeway near Magic Mountain Parkway and authorities were able to stop him using a PIT maneuver, aerial video from Sky5 showed.The driver got out of the vehicle and was eventually taken into custody on the highway.It is unclear where and when the pursuit began.

Quadruplets born at Cedars-Sinai on Fourth of July

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

A family in Los Angeles grew by four Tuesday, welcoming quadruplets just in time for the Fourth of July.Sara Kahengutovich gave birth to two girls and two boys at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, hospital representatives said.Sara Kahengutovich gave birth to two girls and two boys at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles on July 4, 2023. (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)The four babies each weighed more than four pounds and are currently "doing well" and resting at the Guerin Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.Dr. Steven Rad delivered the quadruplets via C-section, Cedars-Sinai officials said. The babies were born at about 34 weeks, the hospital said.Kahengutovich and her partner, Rabbi Yisrael Gutovich, also have a three-year-old son waiting at home, ready to meet his new siblings. Sara Kahengutovich and her partner, Rabbi Yisrael Gutovich, welcomed quadruplets at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles on July 4, 2023. (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)Quadruplets are extremely rare, according to hea...

Verlon Eric Gooding Dies in Motorcycle Accident on Lee Canyon Road [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

35-Year-Old Male Rider Pronounced Dead after Motorcycle Collision near State Route 106LAS VEGAS, NV (July 5, 2023) – Thursday evening, Verlon Eric Gooding was killed in a motorcycle accident on Lee Canyon Road.Police responded to the scene around 6:30 p.m., near State Route 106 on June 15th.Officers say the rider of a Yamaha YZF-R1 was heading east towards State Route 156 and failed to negotiate a curve on a roundabout. As a result, the rider lost control and was ejected from the motorcycle onto the road.Emergency crews arrived and pronounced 35-year-old Gooding, of Las Vegas dead at the scene.At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided about the fatal motorcycle accident on Lee Canyon Road.The loved ones of Gooding set up a GoFundMe page to help with costs during this difficult time.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family o...

Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski steps it up in second Summer League game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

SACRAMENTO — NBA agent Bill Duffy had some sage advice for his client Brandin Podziemski moments after the Warriors rookie’s up-and-down Summer League opener this week.Duffy told the No. 19 pick to let it fly and the rest would come. Podziemski clearly took the words to heart, taking a more aggressive approach in his second Summer League game Wednesday.Podziemski scored 17 points in the Warriors’ 98-83 win against the Charlotte Hornets in their California Classic finale. The Warriors ran high pick-and-roll with Podziemski early and often. In the first quarter, he snatched back-to-back steals and knocked down a pair of 3s, including one where he pump faked two defenders before launching it. Podziemski seemed to grow more confident as the game went on. After scoring only 12 points and knocking down only one 3 in his Summer League debut on Monday, a 100-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings, Podziemski closed out the second quarter with a layup off the inbound to notch 13 p...

Musk v. Zuck: Meta’s Twitter challenger Threads goes live

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

By Samantha Kelly | CNNFacebook has tried to compete with Twitter in numerous ways over the years, including copying signature Twitter features such as hashtags and trending topics. But now Facebook’s parent company is taking perhaps its biggest swipe at Twitter yet.Meta on Wednesday officially launched a new app called Threads, which is intended to offer a space for real-time conversations online, a function that has long been Twitter’s core selling point.The app appears to have many similarities to Twitter, from the layout to the product description. The listing, which first appeared earlier this week, emphasizes its potential to build a following and connect with like-minded people.“Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow,” it read. “Whatever it is you’re interested in, you can follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things — or build a loyal ...

Letters: Not about race | Today’s citizens | Pricey and bad | Escaping methane | Biden economy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:50:20 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Barbecue spat aboutenvironment, not raceRe: “BBQ Beck notoriety continues to resonate” (Page A1, July 4).This issue is a fraud.Mr. Smith knew that using a charcoal grill in that area was prohibited by the city of Oakland because of the noxious fumes generated by petroleum-based charcoal briquets and lighter fluid. He could have used a propane grill but decided that the rules didn’t apply to him. He chose to make the argument that expecting him to obey the rules had to do with his race and not his air-polluting behavior.He’s not George Floyd, he’s an attention-seeker wrapping himself in the serious issue of racial discrimination. Shame on the East Bay Times for perpetuating this fraud.Patricia CoffeyOrindaToday’s citizensshouldn’t pay for slaveryRe: “Harvard admissions policy favors children of university alumni, says an activist group” (Page A1, July ...