Author: Ben Campbell

Major layoffs are being reported in Illinois after several factories have been forced to close in recent months. Already this year, four factories have closed, resulting in the loss of over 1,000 jobs due to varying reasons, including relocation plans and revenue losses. Illinois Experience Hefty Loss of Manufacturing Jobs Source: Freepik During the 1990s, nearly 930,000 people in the state of Illinois worked manufacturing jobs, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, per Newsweek. However, as of 2024, this number had dropped significantly to around 580,000 and has continued to shrink this year. Four Major Factories…

US insurance companies have been engaged in a frowned-upon practice of scouting potential clients’ homes using drone surveillance.  Angry Americans have voiced their opinion after losing their insurance following aerial inspections that spotted damage to roofs, debris in their backyards, and various undeclared items.  Insurance Companies Spying With Drone Source: Freepik Drones have become increasingly common in recent years, yet many Amercians see them as invasive and an invasion of personal privacy.  According to The New York Post, this hasn’t stopped insurance companies from using them to assess potential clients’ risk factors. Angered Homeowners Refused Insurance Source: Freepik The aerial…

A US Federal Judge who sentenced many Trump supporters involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots suggests it might not be the last event of its kind.  U.S. District Judge Rudolph “Rudy” Contreras recently voiced his concern about the possibility of the former president inciting another riot in the near future. Judge Rudy Sentences Geophysicist Source: @lourdesgnavarro/X Rudy sentenced several Trump supporters involved in the Jan.6 riots, including Jeffrey Sablo, a geophysicist from Colorado, per NBC News.  Sabol was sentenced to serve over five years in federal prison for the role he took during the violent protest, which saw several…

Having a solid understanding of personal finance can help us save more money and avoid debt.  Many of us like to think we are somewhat financially literate. But do you know more than a middle schooler? Let’s test your knowledge.   1. When working for an employer, a paycheck should ___. Source: Freepik A) Be the total amount of hourly rate multiplied by the amount of hours worked B) The total amount minus some taxes C) Half the amount earned without subtracting tax D) None of the above Answer: The total amount minus taxes Source: Freepik 2. What is the…

A man from Pennsylvania is accused of murdering his mother in cold blood to cash in on her life insurance policy. The Clearfield resident has since been charged with homicide and is awaiting sentencing. Police Called to Potential Crime Scene Source: Freepik In mid-March 2024, Pennsylvania police officers were dispatched to a home in Clearfield Borough after an older woman had died after a cardiac arrest, according to WJAC. According to the police report, Paula Lombardo, a 69-year-old woman, was found face down on her bed “ice cold and stiff as a board.” Victim Was Perfectly Fine the Evening Before…

A Delta pilot has been sentenced to almost a year in prison after showing up to work in an intoxicated state. The employee had a blood-alcohol level that was over twice the limit to fly and was carrying a half-empty bottle of Jägermeister in his carry-on.  Delta Pilot Shows Up to Work Drunk Source: Wikimedia Every time a member of the public sets foot on a passenger plane, they trust the pilots and crew to safely guide them to their destination.  However, according to The New York Times, Lawrence B. Russell Jr., a 63-year-old Delta pilot, breached this trust when…

One of America’s favorite retail wholesalers, Costco, has announced its plans to open a new location in Alaska that will be unlike anything regular shoppers are used to. Their new store will feature a showroom-like setup that will showcase many of the retailer’s big-ticket items, including electrical appliances and furniture. Costco Wholesale Corporation Source: Wikimedia Costco is an American wholesale retailer typically known for its membership-only warehouses, which offer customers items in bulk. However, the American retailer is set to stray from its traditional store setup as it aims to open a home showroom store, according to The Daily Mail.…

Two former Milwaukee government employees have pleaded guilty to embezzling money from the city. The two workers stole over $100,000 and proceeded to spend a vast portion of the money gambling at the Potawatomi Casino Hotel. Milwaukee Employees Hatch Plan to Steal from City Source: Wikimedia Kyle Hepp and Kelly Whitmore-Behling both previously worked for Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works. Their job involved selling vehicles and equipment no longer needed by the department, with the proceeds going back to the city. However, the pair had other intentions. Employees Begin Selling Vehicles to Friends Source: Wikimedia According to WISN News, in…

TikTok remains a hot topic in the news after the U.S. passed a bill that could ultimately ban the popular video app if its Chinese owners refuse to sell. But a frequent question postulated by the app’s CEO is whether TikTok should really be seen as Chinese. The answer could be no, and here’s why.  House of Representatives Move to Ban TikTok Source: Wikimedia In mid-March, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that may ban the video app TikTok nationwide unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform. According to The Guardian, the House vote was 352…

Tesla recently announced its plans to raise the price of its U.S. Model Y in April, which appears to be an attempt to combat failing earnings estimates. The company also plans to hike the price of the European Model Y before the end of March. Tesla’s Model Y Prices Set to Increase Source: Wikimedia The Model Y is a state-of-the-art electric vehicle offered by Tesla, the company founded by Elon Musk. CNBC reported that the company recently made an announcement on its website, claiming, “Prices will increase by $1,000 for all Model Y trims on April 1.” European Model Y…