Author: Georgia McKoy

In Johnson County, Kansas, federal prosecutors have charged a couple with fraudulently collecting over $215,000 in retirement benefits. The couple are accused of hiding the body of a dead relative, Mike Carroll, in their house for six years. Mike Carroll’s Story Source: Mykyta Martynenko/Unsplash The Kansas City Star reports that Mike Carroll, an 81-year-old retired telecommunications employee, lived with the couple while receiving pension and Social Security benefits since 2008. Shockingly, authorities revealed Carroll actually died in 2016, as indicated by his pacemaker’s records. Despite his death, prosecutors found that benefits continued to be deposited and spent from Carroll’s bank…

In a significant development for California’s insurance market, The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. has decided to stop offering new personal property insurance to homeowners. The company stated, “The homeowners’ insurance environment in California has unique challenges that have required us to reconsider the viability of writing new homeowners’ business in the state.” State Farm and Allstate Preceded The Hartford’s Exit Source: Wikimedia Commons Prior to The Hartford’s decision, major insurers like State Farm and Allstate had already ceased writing new policies in California, Newsweek revealed. They attributed their withdrawal to the heightened wildfire risks in the state. The Hartford…

The Los Angeles Times is undergoing a significant reduction in its workforce, laying off about 115 journalists, which constitutes more than 20% of its newsroom. This decision follows a period of financial challenges and changes in leadership. A statement from the guild criticized the layoffs, saying they were executed in a “brutal and inhumane way.” The process of layoffs was conducted via a webinar, where staff members weren’t allowed to ask questions, per the guild’s statement. Dispute over Layoff Terms Source: Getty Images The guild has accused the Times’ management of pushing for “extreme layoff terms” without sufficient transparency, per…

A large sinkhole has emerged in the Miramar area of San Diego following intense rain and flash floods. This has caused significant disruptions in the area, with images circulating on social media showing the extent of the damage. The City of San Diego, in a statement on its social media, highlighted the impact on traffic: “Due to construction work, Miramar Road westbound lanes between Cabot and Dowdy drives are currently closed to through traffic.” Traffic Disruptions and Public Reaction Source: Jamie Street/Unsplash The sinkhole’s appearance has led to considerable traffic delays, disrupting the daily commute of many residents, as reported…

A post on X, formerly known as Twitter, about McDonald’s fries costing $7 has become a centerpiece of economic discussion in the United States. CNN’s Jon Sarlin explores this phenomenon, probing into why a seemingly trivial matter has sparked a broader conversation about economic perceptions. “Does this tweet about $7 french fries explain why young people think the economy is doing badly?” Sarlin asks, highlighting the disparity between economic statistics and public sentiment, particularly among the younger generation. Contradictory Economic Indicators Source: Freepik Despite positive traditional economic metrics, public sentiment toward the U.S. economy is overwhelmingly negative. Sarlin says in…

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, known for his straightforward approach, made a striking declaration at a World Economic Forum event hosted by the Female Quotient. He said, “I’m a full-throated, red-blooded, patriotic, unwoke, capitalist CEO.” This statement elicited laughter from the audience and set the tone for his insights on the bank’s performance and its stance on diversity and inclusion initiatives. JPMorgan’s Impressive Financial Performance Source: Precious Madubuike/Unsplash Fortune reports that under Jamie Dimon’s leadership, JPMorgan has achieved remarkable financial success, recording its most profitable year ever with a net income of $50 billion. Approaching a market value of $500 billion,…

In Monroe County, West Virginia, a remarkable discovery was made by John H. Bryan, a civil rights lawyer and YouTuber. Inside an old plantation house, he uncovered a Revolutionary War fort, a find that connects directly to the early days of the United States. The Initial Purchase and Discovery Source:The Civil Rights Lawyer/X The New York Post revealed that Bryan, upon acquiring an old plantation house, suspected that it concealed a piece of American history. His belief that a Revolutionary War fort was buried within the home’s walls led him to purchase the property. “We closed on the place and…

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has decisively ruled against Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, regarding its misleading “free” service advertisements. The FTC found these advertisements deceptive, stating, “Intuit blanketed the country with deceptive ads to taxpayers across multiple media channels.” This strong stance from the FTC is a response to Intuit’s claims that consumers could file their taxes for free, which wasn’t the case for many. Intuit’s Advertising Restrictions Imposed by FTC Source: Wikimedia Commons The Associated Press reports that U.S. regulators are now holding Intuit accountable, mandating that they cannot market their services as “free” unless truly free for…

According to news outlet KRCR, Moonstone Bistro, a well-known fine-dining establishment in Redding, CA, has decided to discontinue their lunch offerings. This change is attributed to the rising minimum wage laws in California. As of April, California mandates a $20/hour wage for employees at fast-food chains with over 60 locations nationally. The state’s minimum wage has also increased to $16/hour. Though Moonstone Bistro isn’t directly affected by the fast-food law, the overall impact of these wage increases has influenced their decision. Strategic Decision to Maintain Staffing Levels Source: Chan Walrus/Pexels Owners Che and Tanya Stedman have opted to end lunch…

A recent event has brought to light the evolving landscape of workplace dynamics and the power of social media. Brittany Pietsch, an employee at Cloudflare, shared her layoff experience on TikTok, sparking widespread discussion. The Rise of Workplace Trends on Social Media Source: Arlington Research/Unsplash Social media, particularly TikTok, has become a platform where employees are sharing their experiences, including layoffs. Brittany Pietsch’s TikTok is part of a broader phenomenon where workers document significant workplace events online. Brittany Pietsch’s Viral Layoff Video Source: Brittany Pietsch/TikTok Pietsch, working as a mid-market account executive at Cloudflare, gained widespread attention after posting a…