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Biggest mistakes that could tarnish, or even tank, your credit rating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

Before reaching financial milestones such as a car, home, or savings account, a credit rating might be the only thing young people own.“Credit is a highly valuable asset,” says Ed Rempel, a fee-for-service financial planner, tax accountant and author of the blog Unconventional Wisdom. “In fact, it is your main asset until you can build up other investments.”Even for those with generally good spending habits, some common mistakes can tarnish, or even outright tank, a credit rating — and it’s not always as obvious as serious debt.Disputing or missing billsRempel sees a lot of disputes with phone companies dragging down credit ratings.A person may dispute a bill and refuse to pay it out of principle until the complaint is resolved. This becomes a debt that goes into collection and your rating can take a major hit, Rempel says.Unpaid parking tickets, gym memberships and retailer credit card balances can create similar issues, says mortgage broker Shannon Mayhew.“It is the little t...

Pope punishes leading critic Cardinal Burke in second action against conservative American prelates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has punished one of his highest-ranking critics, Cardinal Raymond Burke, by yanking his right to a subsidized Vatican apartment and salary in the second such radical action against a conservative American prelate this month, according to two people briefed on the measures.Francis told a meeting of the heads of Vatican offices last week that he was moving against Burke, because he was a source of “disunity” in the church, said one of the participants at the Nov. 20 meeting. The participant spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal the contents of the encounter.Francis said he was removing Burke’s privileges of having a subsidized Vatican apartment and salary as a retired cardinal because he was using the privileges against the church, said another person who was subsequently briefed on the pope’s measures. That person also spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to reveal the details.Burke, a 75...

Sierra Leone attacks were a failed coup, a minister says, as 13 officers are arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The attacks Sunday on Sierra Leone’s main military barracks and prisons were a failed coup attempt and have resulted in the arrest of 13 military officers, the government’s spokesman said Tuesday.The attackers attempted to “overthrow the elected government of Sierra Leone,” Information Minister Chernor Bah said at a briefing to reporters about the early-morning attack that took security forces and residents by surprise in the usually peaceful capital city of Freetown.“Thirteen military officers are currently in custody and one other civilian … in this incident we are now calling a failed coup,” Bah said.Coming months after Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term in a disputed vote in June, a coup attempt in the West African nation further raises political tensions in West and Central Africa. Coups have surged in the region, with eight military takeovers since 2020, including in Niger and Gabon this year.Residents in Freet...

Dean’s A-List Interviews: Bradley Cooper on new movie 'Maestro'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards sits down with actor Bradley Cooper to talk about his starring role in the new movie 'Maestro.'Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Hunter Biden requests public hearing from House Oversight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

(The Hill) -- Hunter Biden is willing to testify in public before the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating his business dealings as part of an impeachment investigation into his father President Joe Biden. The letter proposing a public hearing comes from Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, and serves as a response to a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee, led by Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), sent earlier in November. The committee had sought a closed-door deposition on Dec. 13, but Lowell wrote that it did not trust Comer and Republicans to provide a truthful account of such an event.“We have seen you use closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort the facts and misinform the public. We therefore propose opening the door,” Lowell wrote in a letter to Comer on Tuesday. “If, as you claim, your efforts are important and involve issues that Americans should know about, then let the light shine on these proceedings.”Lowell noted that Comer has previous...

1 in 3 people say they’ll have to limit holiday giving, according to disaster relief group

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- When natural disasters hit earlier this year, donors answered the call to help.“The fires in Maui received intense focus and generated a lot of support from the public,” said Thomas Tighe the CEO of Direct Relief.Direct Relief, a nonprofit humanitarian medical organization, responded to many natural disasters around the world this year.“It's definitely increased with the frequency and intensity and length of these major emergencies, many of them caused by weather events. The heat dome that covered Texas was an enormous event, out here in California, there are fires and atmospheric rivers,” said Thomas Tighe, the CEO of Direct Relief.While the need for donations grows, Direct Relief found 41% of charitable givers are less likely to give at the end of 2023 because they already donated during emergencies.“It's traditionally a time when a big proportion of all charitable giving occurs between Thanksgiving day and New Year's and it remains unclear until we get through it...

Police identify motorcyclist killed in crash on SH 71 earlier this month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department has identified the motorcyclist who died in a crash on State Highway 71 near the airport earlier this month. The crash, which was between a car and a motorcycle, happened around 5:48 a.m. in the 1900 block of East SH 71 near the highway's intersection with Highway 183.The motorcyclist, Zachery Jonaitis, 19, died at the scene, according to APD. The driver and a passenger who were traveling in the car were not injured. The driver remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation. PREVIOUS STORY: Highway 71 reopens after deadly crash near Austin airport This incident is being investigated as Austin's 78th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 81 fatalities for the year. These statements are from the initial assessment of the fatal crash, and the investigation is still pending.Anyone with any information should contact APD's Vehicular Homicide Unit at (512) 974-8111. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stopp...

Police investigating Albany stabbing, one arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany Police are currently investigating a stabbing that happened near Central Avenue and Robin Street. One victim suffered a stab wound to his back, with another man in custody. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say they responded to a reported stabbing around 9:45 a.m. The man arrested was taken into custody near Quail and First Street. The victim is being treated at Albany Medical Center at this time. Police haven't released the names of those involved.NEWS10 is working to learn more at this time. Stick with NEWS10 as more information becomes available.

Lake George's Fort William Henry adds new dining option

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Fort William Henry Hotel in Lake George is expanding its dining options to include a year-round experience. Lakeside will include two dining choices: the White Lion Room and the Tankard Room. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Lakeside menu will be served at both the White Lion Room and the Tankard Room. Guests can enjoy a classic dinner at the White Lion Room or a more casual experience at the Tankard with a lounge, a full bar, a fireplace, and TVs. “We’ve always known we wanted our hotel guests to have the option of staying on the property for dinner,” said Sam Luciano, President of Fort William Henry. “When we opened The Carriage House this year and because we host most of our weddings there, we had the opportunity to create Lakeside.” Market 32 purchases former ShopRite Capital Region assets Chef John Holmes, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and worked in fine dining kitchen...

Market 32 purchases former ShopRite Capital Region assets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Price Chopper/Market 32 has finalized the purchase of the leases, store equipment, and fixtures of the five former ShopRite stores in the Capital Region. Several Capital Region ShopRites closed on Saturday, November 18, including locations in Albany, Colonie, Niskayuna, Slingerlands, and North Greenbush.While the company is still evaluating all its options, it plans to convert the Niskayuna and North Greenbush locations into Market 32s. The Slingerlands location is intended to be marketed for sublease, and plans for the Albany and Colonie locations are still being had. The new Market 32 stores would look to create more options for customers, provide workers with a chance to transfer to more convenient locations, and more. The company says they do not intend to operate the gas stations. “Our Market 32 brand has been extremely well received and this gives us an excellent opportunity to expand our footprint in the Capital Region, provide our customers with the ...