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Here are some ways you can reduce financial stress during the holidays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, but they can also be financially stressful. With gifts, social gatherings and plane tickets home, the costs can start piling up.Household expenses continue to rise and many Americans are expressing concern about their financial futures, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. “Financial concerns are the number one anxiety-provoking issue (for the holidays),” said Dr. Petros Levounis, president of the American Psychiatric Association.Here are recommendations from experts to reduce financial stress during the holidays:SET EXPECTATIONSIn many families, the holidays mean going all out with gift giving. But this can quickly become stressful if your finances make it hard to keep up.Managing expectations is key, according to Sarah Foster, a Bankrate.com analyst.“During the holiday season, we often feel like not talking about money, not letting individuals know how much the gi...

Greek government says it stands by same-sex marriage pledge even after opposition from the Church

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s center-right government said Thursday it would fulfill a commitment to legalize same-sex marriage, sidestepping staunch opposition from the country’s influential Orthodox Church.The legislation would be brought to parliament during the house’s current term, which ends in 2027, said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.The statement comes after the Church’s governing Holy Synod issued a 1,500-word opinion late Wednesday, expressing strong opposition to the proposal. The Church’s main argument centered around the issue of raising children, claiming they are being treated as “accessories” and “companion pets” for gay couples.“We always listen to the opinions of the Church with respect,” Marinakis said. “But at the same time, we are implementing our policy, and will listen to the views of society, civil society, the citizenry, institutions, and parties in total.”The Church argues that extending marriage rights would create a legal obligation t...

Ja Morant back in Memphis where his return should help the Grizzlies fill seats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

Two-time All-Star Ja Morant will have a chance Thursday night to try to top a “perfect ending.”The Memphis Grizzlies’ dazzling point guard plays his first game at home since the end of his 25-game suspension to start the NBA season because of his social media antics with guns.Memphis not only needs Morant on the court, the Grizzlies hope he brings fans back to a venue that felt more like a crypt than NBA arena without him.With Morant banned from watching games from the bench with his teammates, empty seats had been easier to find than fans in Memphis. The last team to win a game on their own court goes into this game against Indiana as one of two NBA teams still with only one home victory.Morant made quite the splash in his return to the NBA on Tuesday night, scoring 34 points and the game-winning bucket over New Orleans. Morant called that game “ the perfect ending” to a “perfect day.”The Grizzlies’ president reminded fans on social media after the team rallied fr...

Man found shot dead in alley in Grand Crossing: CPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

CHICAGO -- A man was found shot dead in an alley in the city's Grand Crossing neighborhood overnight, police said. According to Chicago police, a person was found shot dead in an alley near the 1100 block of East 81st Place around 12:11 a.m. Security guard fatally shot in Chatham ID’d; suspects sought Police said the man sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the body and was pronounced dead on the scene.There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Plainfield man, 21, charged with murder in killing of his mother, Joliet Police Dept. announces

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — A Plainfield man has been charged with the murder of his mother after being taken into custody in Joliet, the Joliet Police Department announced Thursday.Justen Holman, 21, of Plainfield was processed and transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility on a charge of first-degree murder.According to police, Holman was taken into custody on Wednesday in the 1500 block of North Larkin Ave. in Joliet after indicating to officers that he had recently killed someone at his residence in the 6400 block of Langsford Lane in Plainfield.Police say officers located Holman's 48-year-old mother at the Langsford Lane residence. According to police, she appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead by the Will County Coroner's Office.Officers recovered the handgun believed to be used in the shooting, according to police.In a Wednesday news release, police said officers responded to a parking lot in the 1500 block of North Larkin Ave. in Joliet after a 911...

Former NFL player Mike Williams' cause of death confirmed by officials

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Officials have released the cause of death of former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams, who died just days after he was removed from life support after sustaining injuries during a workplace accident in August. Williams, who played college ball at Syracuse before being selected in the 4th round of the 2010 NFL draft, was working on a construction site when he sustained injuries after heavy supplies landed on his head. While initially believed to be non-life threatening, Williams was hospitalized after his symptoms worsened that week, his mother told Nexstar's WIVB.Now, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Department says his death was caused by "Bacterial Sepsis with Cerebral Abscesses and Necrotizing Lobar Pneumonia due to multiple Dental Caries and retained tooth roots." They also list Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease as a contributing factor. ‘Heartbroken, empty’: Ohio woman criminally charged after miscarriage speaks out A cerebral abscess is a c...

Crews expected to finish cleanup efforts after Lincoln Memorial steps were vandalized

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The National Park Service says it anticipates crews will finish cleanup efforts on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. The area around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized with red paint that read “Free Gaza,” among other phrases.U.S. Park Police say crews were called to the memorial around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.Video from Wednesday shows crews power washing the steps to remove the paint. The National Park Service says it “anticipates complete site restoration” following a final round of treatment on Thursday morning.U.S. Park Police are still investigating the incident.

Confederate monument finally taken down at Arlington Cemetery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – A memorial has been removed at Arlington Cemetery that honored confederate soldiers, after a temporary injunction was lifted by federal Judge Rossie Alston.The injunction was ordered Monday by Alston, who said he did so after an urgent call from the memorial’s supporters claiming that gravesites were being desecrated and disturbed by the removal.At the hearing where the injunction was lifted Tuesday, Alston said that he toured the site after the call and saw it being treated respectfully.Congress voted in 2021 for a bill that would “remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol.” An independent commission recommended the memorial at Arlington Cemetery in a report to Congress last year.The statue includes a Black woman depicted as “Mammy” holding what is said to be the child of a white officer, and an enslaved man following his owner to war.The Associated Press was used as a ...

Dean's A-list Interviews: Fantasia, Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson in 'The Color Purple'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

Dean sits down in stars of the new movie adaptation of 'The Color Purple,' Fantasia, Danielle Brooks and Taraji P. Henson. Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Georgetown ISD gains nearly 65-acre property, eyes building middle, elementary schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:36 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Georgetown Independent School District secured a nearly 65-acre property that it's considering using to build a future elementary and middle school. The district closed last week on the 64.82-acre property in the southeast quadrant of the district. The property will allow for the consideration of new facilities that will help meet growing enrollment populations in that part of town, the district said in a release. Georgetown ISD experiencing growing pains in country’s fastest-growing city According to the release, the site is large enough to accommodate a future elementary and middle school, both identified as needs during a recent Citizens Advisory Committee process within the district.The site is located northeast of the intersection at Patriot Way and the 130 Toll Road, just south of the district’s East View High School.Site map of newly-acquired property in Georgetown. (Courtesy: Georgetown Independent School District)“The southeast part of our...