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Your Money: Tax-law changes are coming; be prepared

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

Bruce Helmer and Peg WebbSeveral significant tax-law changes are looming on the horizon — even if they may not arrive until the end of 2025. Because changes to tax policy often can be anticipated, and certain steps are taken to lessen their impact on taxpayers, now is the time to consider the implications for your investment portfolio and financial plan.What’s changingThe lower tax rates authorized under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025. Along with large cuts to corporate profits, the act significantly slashed individual tax rates by restructuring tax brackets across the board, nearly doubling the standard deduction from $13,000 to $24,000, and decoupling the income threshold for capital gains taxes or ordinary income brackets to benefit higher-income earners.In addition, the law basically doubled the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption, from $5.5 million to $11.2 million. Barring Congressional action, the “non-permanent” changes ...

Denver weather: Severe storm to include golf-ball-sized hail, damaging wind and tornadoes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

The Front Range needs to brace itself Saturday for one more day of potential thunderstorms, hail and even tornadoes before a few days of dry weather arrive.The National Weather Service forecast calls for severe weather, starting around 1 p.m. and lasting until 10 p.m with the most intense risk between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., said meteorologist Russell Danielson.The area could be pounded with hail the size of golf balls, damaging wind and tornadoes during that time, Danielson said. The potential for tornadoes is mostly south and east of the city.There also is a risk of heavy rain causing flooding in areas that already have been saturated, he said.ONE…LAST…DAY…of severe storm threat! We know it's been a lengthy period of unsettled and frequently severe weather for the last two months, but keep an eye to the sky today and take shelter should a storm head your way. Drier summer on the way starting tomorrow. #COwx pic.twitter.com/07QCnucqyI— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulde...

20-year-old fighting for his life after being run over by hit-and-run driver 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

A man from Fountain Valley is fighting for his life after being run over by a hit-and-run driver in Orange County. Caysen Robinson was riding his bicycle to his home on July 4 when a car slammed into him near Bushard Street and Columbus Court in Fountain Valley around 10:30 p.m. According to Robinson’s mother, he suffered a broken leg, fractures to his face and jaw and a heart rupture. The driver, who fled the scene, has not been identified, however car parts found at the scene have led police to identify the vehicle as a 2014 through 2019 Toyota Highlander. A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Robinson’s medical expenses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fountain Valley Police Department.

Megan Rapinoe, Olympic gold medalist and 2-time World Cup champion, announces she’ll retire at end of NWSL season

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Megan Rapinoe, Olympic gold medalist and 2-time World Cup champion, announces she’ll retire at end of NWSL season.Source

Cavendish crashes out of Tour de France in last attempt at record outright

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

Mark Cavendish will have to share the record for most career stage wins at the Tour de France. Competing in his final season, the ace sprinter crashed out of the race during the eighth stage on Saturday. His team said he broke his right collarbone and will need surgery. Cavendish equaled Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins during the 2021 Tour, 13 years after his first success, but was not selected last year. This edition was his last chance to become the outright record-holder after he announced in May during the Giro d’Italia that he will retire from cycling at the end of this season. Cavendish ended the Giro in style, winning the final stage in the historic center of Rome to post his 17th stage win at the Italian Grand Tour.Known as “The Manx Missile” as he’s from the Isle of Man, Cavendish was second in Friday’s seventh stage.The 38-year-old former world champion crashed with 64 kilometers left while riding at the back of the peloton at about 45 kph (28 mph). TV images s...

Rep. Jamie Raskin isn’t running for a senate seat. His former opponents are weighing in

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

Rep. David Trone, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Montgomery County councilmember Will Jawando lauded Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin after the incumbent announced Friday that he will not run to fill the Senate seat left open by retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. Rep. David Trone, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Montgomery County councilmember Will Jawando lauded Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin after the incumbent announced Friday that he will not run to fill the Senate seat left open by retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. Rep. David Trone, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Montgomery County council member Will Jawando lauded Maryland Congre...

Feds renew Md. ‘reinsurance’ program to continue reduced rates for individually purchased health plans

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

Federal agencies have approved a five-year extension on a waiver that helps keep rates lower for Marylanders purchasing health insurance from the state insurance marketplace known as the Maryland Health Connection.According to a news release this week from the health connection, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury have approved extending the waiver on the State Reinsurance Program, which works to keep costs down for those who purchase their own health insurance.Certain regulations of the Affordable Care Act need to be waived to keep health insurance rates low for those who buy individual insurance plans in Maryland. The federal approval means that the Reinsurance Program can continue at least until Dec. 31, 2028. Without the approval, the program would have expired in December of 2023.“Maryland’s Reinsurance Program has been very successful at keeping rates affordable for everyone who buys individual insurance in Maryland, on or off th...

Lula da Silva llega a Colombia para un encuentro bilateral sobre protección de la Amazonía

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

(CNN) — El presidente de Brasil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aterrizó este sábado en la ciudad amazónica de Leticia, en el sur de Colombia, para discutir la protección de la Amazonía con su homólogo, el presidente de Colombia, Gustavo Petro.La visita de Lula a Colombia incluirá una reunión en la que más de 600 expertos, incluidos funcionarios gubernamentales y ocho ministros de Medio Ambiente extranjeros, discutirán diferentes medidas para “salvaguardar la selva amazónica”, tuiteó el presidente colombiano, Gustavo Petro, este sábado.Más de 600 expertos y ministros de medio ambiente terminan hoy en Leticia Colombia, una conferencia científica para salvar la Selva amazónicaCerraremos el evento con el presidente Lula https://t.co/57foyMyj76— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) July 8, 2023El llamado encuentro “tecnocientífico” de la Amazonía “busca acordar una estrategia que garantice la integridad del ecosistema amazónico, frene el uso destructivo de la tierra y evite llega...

The Mets are finally getting the offense they need from Francisco Lindor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

SAN DIEGO — It’s been “an uphill battle” for Francisco Lindor all season. Really, it’s a fitting theme for the entire team, but especially so for the shortstop the Mets consider to be a franchise cornerstone.But now, after hitting .415 with three home runs, two triples, a double and six RBI to help the Mets win a season-high six straight games?“It feels like the road got a little flatter,” Lindor said Friday night after the Mets defeated the San Diego Padres 7-5 at Petco Park.If the Mets are going to make the type of comeback they have been saying they’re capable of, they’ll need their stars to play like stars. Lindor wasn’t exactly playing like one earlier this season. He hit just .218 through March and April with a .762 OPS. He hit six home runs in the month of May which helped to cover up some other offensive shortcomings. He had a tOPS+ of only 70 for the month of May (100 is average).Pete Alonso carried the Mets during...

Massachusetts State Police: 1 motorcyclist killed, another injured by suspected drunk driver

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:28 GMT

A New Bedford man is facing a charge of vehicular homicide after police allege he was driving drunk southbound on Route 24 when he struck two motorcyclists in Taunton, killing one and critically injuring another.Fred Moreira, 35, is scheduled to be arraigned at Taunton District Court on the vehicular homicide charge as well as charges of operating under the influence of liquor and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.State troopers responded to the scene at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday for the crash between Moreira’s 2014 Lexus sedan and two motorcyclists. There, they arrested Moreira on suspicion of drunk driving.Tyler Moniz, 30, of Fall River, was driving a 2007 Yamaha R1 when police say he was struck, thrown from his bike and straight into the nearby tree line, killing him.The second motorcyclist is a 39-year-old Fall River man driving a 2001 Yamaha V-Star 1100. He suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to a Rhode Island hospital.