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Sneaky ways inflation affects your money in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

(NerdWallet) - By now, you’re probably familiar with the more obvious ways inflation affects your finances. Your money doesn’t go as far at the grocery store, for example. Credit card and other variable-rate debt is getting more expensive as the Federal Reserve raises short-term interest rates to combat inflation. Rates are also rising, albeit more slowly, on savings accounts.But other ways inflation helps or hurts have gotten less attention. Here are some of the major changes to watch for in 2023.Big tax changes benefit most taxpayersThe IRS raised the standard deduction, which is taken by more than 90% of taxpayers, by $1,800 for married couples filing jointly and by $900 for single filers. The standard deduction amounts in 2023 will be $27,700 for married couples and $13,850 for singles.In addition, the IRS adjusted federal tax brackets upward by about 7%. The larger deduction, higher brackets and other changes mean most taxpayers will pay less in 2023, especially if their income...

First Warning for possible storms Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Stormy weather returned to Central Texas' Hill Country Saturday afternoon and evening. So far, there have been 15 reports of hail.A severe thunderstorm affected San Saba country starting shortly after 5:15 p.m. with heavy rain, frequent lightning and hail. Hail one inch in diameter (the size of a quarter) was reported at a couple of locations in Cherokee. Active storms rolled through Llano and Mason Counties between 8 and 9 p.m. There were four reports of hail in Mason County. The largest hailstone measured 2.50" in diameter, or tennis ball-sized, two miles west of Streeter. A two-inch-sized stone (lime or medium hen-egg) was recorded 5 miles south of Loyal Valley (southeast of Mason). There was one report of hail in Llano County measuring 1.50" four miles west-southwest of Valley Spring (northwest of Llano).Large hail pounded some the western Hill CountryGillespie County had the most hail reports between 9 and 10:30 with eight. Four of them were two inches in diamet...

10 songs that remind people of Central Texas, Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas has its fair share of songs, yet so many make references back to Central Texas areas, as well as Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World.KXAN has compiled a list of some crowd favorites that remind people of Central Texas and Austin. While most viewers chimed in with real recommendations, others also joked by referencing songs like the Texas Song by Sandy Cheeks, the squirrel from SpongeBob SquarePants.1. Austin – Blake SheltonStarting at the top of this list is none other than Blake Shelton's Austin. The song was mentioned in a KXAN Facebook post by numerous viewers as a favorite. KXAN’s Kristen Currie also chimed in asking, “Does Blake Shelton’s ‘Austin’ count? If you’re calling ‘bout my heart, it’s still yours…”2. Amy's Back in Austin - Little TexasThe song released in 1994 is a story about a young couple that ran away together and left Texas behind, but the girl (Amy) became homesick and leaves the boy one night. The chorus mentions how the boy wonders ...

Round Rock ISD students launch nonprofit to alleviate homelessness

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- With hundreds of students experiencing homelessness within Round Rock ISD, a new student-led nonprofit is working to aid those students with access to food, clothing, self-care kits and other essential resources.Jishnu Saani and Andrew Vu are students at Round Rock High School and two of the founders behind Project Red. The organization initially began in the aftermath of the winter storms earlier this year, launched as a food drive and warm winter clothes collection.From there, the group connected with Round Rock ISD's Families in Transition (FiT), a district-led program that helps district students and their families navigate homelessness. Old Town, Teravista and Fern Bluff elementary schools supported the organization's food drive efforts.It was those collaborations, Vu and Saani each said, that helped them realize they wanted to expand their efforts beyond the immediate aftermath of the winter storm."We saw this as an opportunity to connect with FiT a...

Business People: Mpls. downtown booster Steve Cramer retiring in December

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

OF NOTEThe Mpls Downtown Council and Mpls Downtown Improvement District announced that president and CEO Steve Cramer will be retiring from the organization in December. Cramer joined the organization in 2013.ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONSLime Valley Advertising, Mankato, announced it received three Service Industry Advertising Awards: Gold Award: Midwest Dairy, Dairy Promotion Update Redesign; Gold Award: KSMQ Public TV, Capital Campaign Casebook Design, and Silver Award: CADA, 2021 Annual Report Design.COMMODITIESCHS Inc., an Inver Grove Heights-based national agribusiness cooperative, announced the appointment of Sarah Bovim as vice president, government affairs. Bovim previously served in similar roles at Whirlpool Corp. and Albertsons Cos.DEVELOPMENTKraus-Anderson Cos., a Minneapolis-based multi-disciplined real estate developer, announced it has named Peter Diessner chief operating officer. Diessner has served as president of KA Realty & Development since 2019 and will conti...

Large dragon prop catches fire during Disneyland show; Disneyland to temporarily suspend similar fire effects globally

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

An intense fire broke out at Disneyland in Anaheim on Saturday night as packed crowds were enjoying a show at the theme park.The fire ignited on Tom Sawyer Island during the Fantasmic! nighttime water and fireworks show held on the Rivers of America.Citizen video captured by parkgoers shows massive flames fully engulfing Maleficent's dragon prop on stage. The flames first ignited from the dragon's face before spreading to the rest of its body.A fire broke out during a nighttime Fantasmic! show at Disneyland Park on April 22, 2023. (TW/@brenda_coutino)A massive fire broke out during a nighttime Fantasmic! show at Disneyland Park on April 22, 2023. (Citizen)A fire broke out during a nighttime show at Disneyland Park on April 22, 2023. (Brenda Coutiño)A fire broke out during a nighttime show at Disneyland Park on April 22, 2023. (Citizen) A fire broke out during a nighttime show at Disneyland Park on April 22, 2023. (Citizen) A fire broke out during a nighttime show at Disneyland Park...

San Jose hit-and-run leaves one in critical condition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

An early morning hit-and-run in San Jose has left one person in critical condition, according to authorities.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Indian police arrest alleged Sikh separatist leader, ending vast manhunt Crashes and Disasters | Armed robbery: $100,000 in jewelry, including Rolex watch, stolen at gunpoint in Walnut Creek Crashes and Disasters | Separate March trials to be set for Bay Area pair accused of deadly pawn shop robbery Crashes and Disasters | Grisly details emerge during prelim for Bay Area man charged with 2013 killing Crashes and Disasters | Texas man indicted for alleged threat to kill California Rep. Maxine Waters Police said two vehicles collided at approximately 12:03 a.m. Sunday at the corner of Berryessa and Piedmont roads. A passenger in one of the vehicles was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. An image of the scene provided by the fire de...

Indian police arrest alleged Sikh separatist leader, ending vast manhunt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Police in India say they have arrested alleged Sikh separatist leader Amritpal Singh, bringing to an end a massive months-long manhunt.The news was announced in a tweet on Punjab Police India’s official Twitter account.Singh was arrested in Moga, Punjab, in the northwest of India, but will be taken to a high-security jail in Assam in India’s far east, according to CNN’s Indian affiliate News 18.Singh is a leading ideologue within the Waris De Punjab group, an outlawed separatist movement that seeks to establish a sovereign state called Khalistan for followers of India’s minority Sikh religion.Police have been searching for Singh since March 18, when he was accused of attempted murder, obstruction of law enforcement, and creating “disharmony” in society.Related ArticlesWorld News | Ukrainian troop positions spark counteroffensive speculation World News | Alabama education director ousted over book’s stance on race World News | After Ru...

The 2023 Ford Expedition Limited 4×4 full size SUV

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

The Bottom Line: What is an Expedition? An Expedition is a full size 3 row SUV built in the Kentucky Ford assembly plant and sold in North America by the Ford Motor Company. The Limited Edition steps up the Expedition game with luxurious extras, including leather trimmed seats, a panoramic vista moonroof  and ambient lighting. The Expedition starts at $54,155 and easily crosses the $80,000 mark when fully loaded.The Limited Edition has the 3.5L liter EcoBoost V6 gas engine with 400 HP horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a 10 speed automatic with SelectShift, and it’s bolted to an intelligent 4×4 four wheel drive traction control system. The Expedition 4×4 is capable of towing a maximum of up to 9,200 lbs, when equipped with the optional Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, which this SUV has.This week Ford sent me a 2023 Ford Expedition Limited 7 passenger 4×4 SUV with a base window sticker price of $67,345. The options on the test SUV are: the St...

Two dead, one child injured in Oakland shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

(KRON) -- Two people died and one child was injured in a shooting in Oakland Saturday night, according to the Oakland Police Department. Wrong-way driver crashes into truck owned by City of Oakland on I-580 The shooting happened just after 11 p.m. in the 9500 block of Birch Street. Officers found three victims with gunshot wounds at the scene. One of the injured parties was taken to a children's hospital for treatment. Two of the victims were declared dead at the scene. Police have arrested one suspect, and OPD's Homicide Division is investigating. Anyone who has more information is asked to contact the Homicide Section at 510-238-3821 or contact the Tip Line at 510-238-7950.