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IRS pledges more audits of wealthy, better customer service

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS released details Thursday on how it plans to use an infusion of $80 billion for improved operations, pledging to invest in new technology, hire more customer service representatives and expand its ability to audit high-wealth taxpayers. While some Republicans have suggested without evidence that the money from the Democrats’ landmark climate change and health care bill would help create a mob of armed auditors to harass middle-class taxpayers, new IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel said it will not include spending for new agents with guns.The agency’s newly released strategic operating plan lays out the specifics of how the IRS will allocate the $80 billion, through fiscal year 2031, that was approved in that legislation.Some improvements have been long expected, such as bringing more paper-based systems online and answering taxpayers’ phone calls promptly. Others are more ambitious: continuing to explore ways to create a government-operated electr...

Regulators deny request to allow betting on Boston Marathon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts gambling regulators on Thursday denied a request to allow legal betting on this year’s Boston Marathon, citing concerns by the race’s organizers.All four members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission who participated in the online meeting voted against the request by DraftKings.Commission Chair Cathy Judd-Stein shared an email she received Wednesday from the Boston Athletic Association, which runs the marathon.“At this moment, there is not sufficient time for the Boston Athletic Association, nor its many partners and agencies, to coordinate and fully ensure proper protocols are in place to support such a proposal for wagering on our event,” said Scott Stover, chief marketing officer for the BAA.He added: “Until we can complete due diligence, our concerns include, but are not limited to, ensuring event security and potential influence on the outcome of the race.”The commissioners also discussed the proximity of the marathon, scheduled fo...

Stocks tick higher to close out shortened trading week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks ticked higher on Wall Street Thursday, offering a quiet end to a shortened trading week dogged by worries about a slowing economy. The S&P 500 rose 14.64 points, or 0.4%, to 4,105.02. It ended with a 0.1% loss for the week, its first down week in the last four. The U.S. stock market will be closed in observance of Good Friday.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up by 2.57 points, or less than 0.1%, to 33,485.29, while the Nasdaq composite gained 91.09, or 0.8%, to 12,087.96. A report on Thursday morning showed that fewer U.S. workers filed for unemployment benefits last week, though the number was still higher than expected. The government changed how it tracks the numbers, which could cause some swings. Thursday’s data followed a string of reports on the economy earlier in the week that were weaker than expected. That included everything from the number of job openings across the country to the strength of the U.S. manufacturing and services industries...

New York flouts prison solitary confinement rules: lawsuit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York prison officials were accused in a lawsuit of subjecting people to prolonged solitary confinement in violation of a state law meant to strictly limit a practice increasingly criticized as inhumane.The New York Civil Liberties Union and Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York filed a class-action lawsuit late Wednesday in an Albany court claiming that the state routinely flouts limits on solitary confinement approved in 2021 by state lawmakers.New York is one of several states that in recent years that approved laws limiting solitary to 15 days or less, and similar bills have been introduced in many other states, according to data from the Unlock The Box advocacy campaign. The New York law limits solitary confinement in most cases to three consecutive days or six days in any given 30-day period. But prisoners can be confined alone for longer periods for specified “heinous and destructive” acts, such as injuring someone or acquiring a deadly weapon. In those...

Boy, 14, charged with attempted murder in East York stabbing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

Toronto police have charged a 14-year-old boy with attempted murder after a stabbing in East York on Saturday.Police say a 16-year-old was stabbed on Thorncliffe Park Drive, suffering life-threatening injuries.The suspect, who can’t be named, was arrested on Thursday, April 6.He is also facing several weapons charges and one count of failure to comply with an order.

A major change is coming for the Chicago Wolves next season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

ROSEMONT — There is a big change coming for a Chicago area team in the American Hockey Association.WGN News has confirmed that the Chicago Wolves will be independent starting with the 2023-2024 season as the team will play without an affiliation with an NHL team. Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada was the first to report the move on The Jeff Marek Show. Per The Athletic, the Wolves would be the first independent AHL team since the 1994-1995 season.Essentially, this would mean the team would have more freedom to build their own roster and not be reliant on the NHL team to do so.This will be the first time the organization has been without an affiliate since joining the AHL in the 2001-2002 season. They are currently the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, which has been the case since September 2020.During their time in the AHL, they've also been affiliated with the Atlanta Thrashers (2001-2011), Vancouver Canucks (2011-2013), St. Louis Blues (2013-2017), and Vegas Golden ...

Mayor-elect Johnson meets Mayor Lightfoot ahead of inauguration

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson has been busy since election day with local and national leaders reaching out to him amid the win. Johnson is expected to meet with Mayor Lori Lightfoot Thursday ahead of his inauguration next month. The 47-year-old teacher and former Cook County commissioner will inherit a city that seven in ten voters say is on the wrong track. Johnson will now have to build relationships with City Council and implement his public safety plans -- the top concern for voters across the city. Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson details plan heading into inauguration "The people of Chicago, no one disagrees with youth employment, no one disagrees with mental health support, no one disagrees with training and promoting 200 more detectives, no one disagrees with addressing the housing crisis," Johnson said.Johnson said his first plan of action was to meet with the newly created police district council. He is set to meet with Mayor Lightfoot at City Hall around 1:30 p.m. ...

Woman charged after woman found shot to death in Oswego driveway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

OSWEGO, Ill. — A woman has been charged with murder after a woman was found shot to death in a driveway in February in Oswego, according to Illinois State Police.According to police and the Kendall County Coroner's Office, Annissa Ellen-Williams, 25, was found shot in the head next to a vehicle around 9 a.m. on Feb. 18. Police: One year later, Oswego man still missing as search continues As detectives from the Oswego Police Department and state police continued to investigate, Alexia Telles, 26, of Oswego, was charged in connection with the homicide, according to a news release from state police. Telles was already in custody on an unrelated charge and appeared on bond court on Wednesday, according to the release. Her bond was set at $3 million. Suburban ringleader gets 9 years in USPS mail-for-cash scheme Additional details about the case haven't been released.State police said the case is still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 815-726-6377.

Lettuce, salad kits sold in 6 states recalled over possible listeria contamination

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

(WKBN) – More than a dozen salads and salad kits sold at multiple retailers in six states are being recalled over possible listeria contamination.Revolution Farms, based in Michigan, initiated the recall after testing of a random sample returned a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes.The recalled products were shipped to retailers and distributors in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. Over a dozen of these outlets, including Fresh Market, Meijer and SpartanNash, are listed as recipients in the recall notice. Don’t use the front passenger seat in these 140K recalled vehicles, Volkswagen says Each of the products features the Revolution brand name, according to the notice. They were also packaged between March 3 and March 11, and concern the following varieties, product codes and UPC numbers: ProductPackagingProduct CodeUPC CodeGreat Lakes Gourmet 5oz RetailPlastic tray, lidding filmBest By 3/28/23 - 4/5/23856791008028Green Sweet Crisp 5oz RetailPlastic...

Illinois bill would ensure certain community college credits could transfer to high institutions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:20:26 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A bill in the Illinois Capitol would help transfer students get their degrees faster.It would ensure that certain classes taken at community colleges could be transferred to any higher education institution in the state. Some schools currently only count community college coursework as elective credits. Illinois bill would prevent police from searching a car due to marijuana smell Educators believe that this could save people time and money."It builds on an already positive relationship that two-year institutions have with the transfer institutions," said Nancy Sutton, vice president for academic services at Parkland College. "It gives us the opportunity on both sides to focus on those courses that are most beneficial to the students."Lawmakers behind the bill said that the goal is to help students graduate as soon as possible.