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How much will Social Security checks rise next year?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

High inflation this year meant the biggest annual cost-of-living adjustment in decades for Social Security checks -- an 8.7% increase.So what's on tap for 2024?That's still a moving target. The Social Security Administration uses third-quarter data to make the call, so we won't know until mid-October how big a bump people's checks will receive.But experts say it's likely that next year's increase will be less than half what millions of beneficiaries received this year as inflation gradually eases.Current data suggest that next year's cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will run between 3% and 3.5%.The average monthly check is now about $1,800. So a 3% boost would add about $60 to that amount (or as we say in my household, two pizzas).This is a mixed bag for seniors.On the one hand, an extra 60 bucks won't go far. On the other, a roughly 3% COLA would be a definitive sign that inflation is waning, which is a boon to people living on fixed incomes.And in case you're wondering, a possi...

One Killed in Pedestrian Collision on Highway 120 [Manteca, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

Fatal Pedestrian Collision on Highway 120 near Jack Tone Road Claims One LifeMANTECA, CA (September 25, 2023) – In the early hours of Wednesday morning, tragedy struck as a pedestrian lost their life in a collision on Highway 120.The incident unfolded at approximately 4:23 a.m. on the westbound lanes of Highway 120, just east of Jack Tone Road.According to preliminary reports, a man was walking in the vicinity when he was struck by a pickup truck. The collision resulted in the pedestrian sustaining severe injuries.Upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders regrettably declared the male pedestrian deceased.At this juncture, it remains unclear whether the driver of the pickup remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.The California Highway Patrol has confirmed that neither alcohol nor drugs played a role in the collision. In response to the incident, officials temporarily closed Highway 120 between Jack Tone and Ripon Roads to facilitate the investigative effort...

Morgan Edwards Killed in Motorcycle Accident on Sepulveda Boulevard [Palms, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

Deadly Motorcycle Crash near 405 Freeway Claims One LifePALMS, CA (September 25, 2023) – A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday evening when a fiery accident on Sepulveda Boulevard resulted in the loss of Morgan Edwards’ life. The incident occurred on September 20th, at approximately 7:30 p.m., in the vicinity of the 3100 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard. Reports indicate that the collision involved a motorcyclist and another vehicle, resulting in one or both of the vehicles catching fire. Firefighters responded swiftly to the scene and promptly extinguished the flames. In the aftermath, they discovered Morgan Edwards with critical injuries. Tragically, 21-year-old Morgan Edwards was pronounced deceased at the scene by medics. Conversely, the female driver of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital by paramedics for further evaluation and care. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Police Department took measures to block multiple lanes o...

San Jose-born skater Vincent Zhou: Team USA has yet to receive medals from 2022 Olympics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

A San Jose native and Olympic figure skater shared an open letter Monday calling out global anti-doping authorities for “failing athletes” as skaters have waited more than a year and a half after Team USA earned the team skating silver medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics.Vincent Zhou, who was born in San Jose and grew up in Palo Alto, wrote in the letter that members of the American team have yet to receive their silver medals 595 days after capturing second place in Beijing. A hearing in the doping case that caused the delay is scheduled for this week.The holdup began when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) canceled the original medal ceremony due to a positive drug test by Kamila Valieva, a 15-year-old skater from the first-place Russian Olympic Committee team.“The IOC assured us that they would do their utmost to make sure it was resolved as quickly as possible,” Zhou wrote.Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication that is banned during competition. It wo...

Vacant Oakland commercial building “total loss” after fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

OAKLAND — A vacant East Oakland commercial building was declared a “total loss” after a fire Monday morning, authorities said.The fire was reported about 1:46 a.m. Monday at the building in the 3500 block of Alameda Avenue next to the Oakland Estuary, authorities said.It took about 30 firefighters until 2:25 a.m. to control the fire. No injuries were reported.Oakland fire Battalion Chief Chris Foley said the fire started on the side of the building closest to the estuary but the exact cause is under investigation.Investigators are focusing on the possibility it was started by squatters, authorities said.Foley said the building was a “total loss” but a damage figure has not been determined.The building used to house a technology company that specialized in business security but it was not immediately known when it became vacant.Monday’s fire was the third since last Monday where vacant structures were heavily damaged by fires. Squatters are suspect...

Caltrain expands service to South Santa Clara County as Gilroy commuting demand rises

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

Local transportation and elected officials gathered early Monday morning at the Gilroy Transit Center to celebrate the expansion from three to four weekday trains from San Jose to Gilroy. The expansion represents a shift to better transit access for residents of South Santa Clara County, officials said – the realization of a years-long effort to improve service for local commuters.“While we’re not yet where we’d like to be, this fourth train is a significant, long-awaited step for our residents and others to better connect with the job growth of the wider Bay Area,” said Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley at the event, noting that while Gilroy’s population has increased, its job growth has stagnated.“Caltrain is a real lifeline to South County families that commute north for work, and adding a fourth train will make a world of difference,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas in a written statement. “Four trains means more time at home for parents to spend time with...

Oakland PD searching for missing at-risk 17-year-old

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

(KRON) – The Oakland Police Department Missing Persons Unit is searching for 17-year-old Joseph Eisner-Gordon. According to police, Eisner-Gordon was last seen on Sept. 22 at 7:00 p.m. Gordon was traveling west on foot in the 700 block of E. 11th Street, wearing a black sweatshirt, black t-shirt, and black sweatpants.  Oakland police searching for missing at-risk teen girl Eisner-Gordon is described as mixed-race (Latino and Caucasian). Eisner-Gordon is five feet five inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds. Eisner-Gordon has brown hair and brown eyes. According to Eisner-Gordon's family, he is in good physical condition.Eisner-Gordon is considered at-risk due to his age.If anyone has any information, contact the Oakland PD Missing Persons Unit at (510)-238-3641. 

Teen shot to death in Southeast DC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

A teenager is dead after a shooting in Southeast D.C.D.C. police said a call came in just before 4 p.m. for a shooting on Green Street near 16th Street in Anacostia.When officers arrived, they found the victim unconscious and not breathing, and he was later pronounced dead.Police said they are looking for at least one suspect.Below is a map where the shooting took place: Stick with WTOP for the latest updates.Source

Deshaun Watson quiets critics with strong performance Browns hope will be one of many

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — More than a year late, following a suspension and amid suspicions about his game, Deshaun Watson showed up.For the first time in Cleveland, he delivered. Just one game, but it may have been a pivotal one.It’s taken decades, but the Browns might have their elusive franchise quarterback. Watson looked like one Sunday — finally.Days after losing his cool in a Monday night loss at Pittsburgh, Watson rebounded with his best performance since joining the Browns: 289 yards passing and two touchdowns in a 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans.Cleveland’s defense set the tone with its second dominant effort at home this season, but it was Watson who helped offset the loss of star running back Nick Chubb for the season, by doing more than he had shown.He was on target (27 of 33), made plays with his arm and legs and displayed the kind of grit that made him a star at Clemson and with Houston. Granted, it was against Tennessee’s suspect secondary, but Watson look...

2 teens charged with carjacking 77-year-old in Silver Spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

Two teenagers have been charged in connection with the carjacking of a man in his late 70s that took place in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Friday night.Montgomery County police said they responded to a parking lot in the 2000 block of Coleridge Drive shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, after receiving a report about a carjacking that had just taken place.The two suspects — ages 15 and 17 from Upper Marlboro — approached a 77-year-old man who was getting out of his gray 2018 Toyota Corolla and demanded his keys and wallet, according to police.The teens hit the victim, took his property and keys and drove away in his car.Hours later, just before 3 a.m. on Sept. 23, Bowie City Police went to the 15600 block of East Haven Court in Bowie for the report of three suspects who were trying to break into a car, police said.One suspect — later identified as the 17-year-old involved in the Silver Spring carjacking — was arrested, while the two others fled the scene in the stolen Toyota Coroll...