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Stop using paper checks already!

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

(NerdWallet) - Sure, you’re probably not using paper checks for most things. But are you returning payments to medical providers and insurance companies in the mail? Paying by check for the random parking ticket or your child’s piano lessons? Now is a good time to stop: Check fraud tied to mail theft is up nationwide, according to a February alert from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. And letter carrier robberies are also on the rise.This is partially due to the effects of the pandemic, when thieves targeted government relief checks in the mail. “Fraudsters just went back to tried-and-true potential attack factors that seemed to be working,” says Michael Bruemmer, head of global data breach resolution for Experian.The U.S. Postal Service is vulnerable, and thieves who can access your checks can change the amount and ferret those funds right out of your bank account. And then it can take weeks to get the funds back.“It’s absolutely a life disruption event when you mail a che...

Texas' worst commute is in this southeastern community – and it's not Houston

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

(Stacker) – Commuting easily ranks as one of the least enjoyable parts of a person's day. Commuters encounter more physical health problems, and low-income commuters are less likely to gain financial stability—among a host of other negative impacts. And yet, America's commutes keep getting longer as people move farther away from the office, according to Census Bureau data. This little-known rule causes speed limits to go up in Texas Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Texas, using 2021 data from the Census Bureau. Surprisingly, the county with the No. 1 worst commute in the state isn't even home to one of Texas' major cities. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2021 among workers over the age of 16, excluding those who work from home. Think you have a long trip to work? Read on to compare it against the worst commutes statewide.#19. Montgomery County (tie)- Average commute to work: 32.2 minutes- Share with commutes over ...

Working Strategies: Books for empowerment in the workplace

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

Amy LindgrenAre you headed to the beach for summertime reading? This might be a good year to break with the tradition of light-hearted magazines: If the sand is going to be egg-frying hot, your leisure books might as well have some substance to them. The following titles meet that standard, with each one touching on professional empowerment and growth.• Win When They Say You Won’t, by Daphne E. Jones, McGraw Hill, 2023, $27. This book sets the new standard for empowerment at work. As a Black woman who experienced any number of sexist and racist setbacks on her path to Fortune 50 executive roles, Jones knows a lot about self-empowerment. Even better, she knows how to translate affirmations and awareness into actions that move the needle.The core of Jones’ approach is a four-part process she calls EDIT, for Envision, Design, Iterate and Transform. In essence, she creates a paradigm where individual workers start with themselves in developing a vision and plan, then create the process ...

07/22/2023: A beautiful summer weekend

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

The latest Storm Tracker Forecast from Meteorologist Jill Szwed.Happy Saturday! We all deserve a beautiful summer weekend. And that's just what we're going to get! Do you have plans? Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Sunshine is back after yesterday's heavy rain and storm threat. Humidity levels have settled into a more manageable range. It will make temperatures in the 70s and lower 80s feel very pleasant.A very comfortable summer night is ahead under clear skies and this drier air in place. Temperatures will settle into the 50s overnight. The clear and calm conditions will also lead to areas of fog by morning.Looking for more? You're in luck! Just as nice tomorrow. It will be a little warmer with highs closer to normal in the mid 80s for the Capital Region. A far cry from last year when we broken the record with a high of 97°.The "muggies" will start creeping back in to kick off the new work week. The rising humidity will also ...

Gucci’s CEO is stepping down as its French parent shakes up leadership

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The president and CEO of Gucci is stepping down later this year, the latest shakeup to the luxury fashion brand and coming as part of a series of changes to its parent company, the French conglomerate Kering.Marco Bizzarri will depart the Italian design house in September after eight years at the helm, with Kering saying Tuesday that he “masterminded the execution of Gucci’s outstanding growth strategy since 2015.” He was part of Kering’s leadership for 18 years.Bizzarri will be replaced by Jean-François Palus, who is now Kering’s managing director. Palus will be “tasked with strengthening Gucci’s teams and operations” as the brand “rebuilds influence and momentum,” according to the company’s statement.Historically, Gucci accounted for most of Kering’s profits, but it has been under some scrutiny after underperforming rivals.Kering also said it was promoting Yves Saint Laurent President ...

Teens arrested after stealing catalytic converters, fleeing from police in Glendora 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

Officers arrested two teenagers after they were caught with 14 stolen catalytic converters in Glendora Friday night. According to the Glendora Police Department, units were dispatched to the parking structure near the AMC Theaters in Glendora on reports of a possible catalytic converter theft in progress. Upon arriving on the scene, officers located the suspect’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. When the driver failed to yield, police initiated a pursuit. The vehicle eventually stopped in the middle of the road in the 800 block of South Cerritos Avenue in Azusa, where the two juvenile suspects fled from the vehicle and were quickly apprehended without incident. Shooting at street takeover in South L.A. leaves 1 man hospitalized Officers arrested two teenagers after they were caught with 14 stolen catalytic converters in Glendora, California on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Facebook/Glendora Police Department)“A loaded handgun, 14 stolen catalytic converters and tools...

Exhibition baseball team taking over Rancho Cucamonga Dunkin’ store 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

The Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team known for playing their own version of the game known as “Banana Ball,” are visiting Southern California as part of their Banana Ball World Tour and are set to take over a local Dunkin’ store. The Bananas -- who have been dubbed as "the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball" -- began their three-game stretch at LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday and are set to play against their rivals the Party Animals on Saturday and Sunday as well. As part of their appearance in SoCal, players from both the Bananas and the Party Animals will be working behind the counter and posing for pictures with fans at the Dunkin’ in Rancho Cucamonga, located at 11995 East Foothill Boulevard. “From 9 to 11 a.m., players from both [teams] will go behind the counter to serve orders and treat guests to giveaways, including Dunkin’ gift cards, merchandise and more,” Dunkin’ said in a statement.  X Games California finals kicking off in Ventura The promoti...

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge reopened Saturday morning after emergency halted traffic for 17 hours

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

All lanes on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge were reopened shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday, roughly 17 hours after an emergency halted eastbound traffic, officials said.The bridge was closed around 2 p.m. Friday, when emergency crews began negotiating with a person experiencing a mental health crisis and threatening to jump off the lower deck of the bridge.The person requested to come back up Saturday morning and was rescued by Southern Marin Fire Department, according to the California Highway Patrol.As negotiators worked throughout Friday evening to resolve the crisis, state traffic monitors showed heavy congestion had backed up on northbound Highway 101 and Interstate 580 in San Rafael as drivers navigated around the closure.UPDATE : I-580 E/B on the Richmond San Rafael Bridge has been reopened as of 7:03a.m. The person requested to come back up and was rescued by Southern Marin Fire Department. https://t.co/EBiayrwivw— CHP Marin (@CHPMarin) July 22, 2023Related ArticlesLocal ...

Saratoga residents fall victim to separate police impersonation and hacking scams

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

JULY 10Theft by false pretenses, impersonating a peace officer, extortion: A Saratoga resident reported that someone phoned them posing as a sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office, and claimed the victim had an outstanding warrant for missing jury duty that had to be paid immediately or they would be taken to jail. The victim ultimately provided money via a mobile payment service for a total loss of about $3,000.Grand theft: At 9:44 a.m., the victim received delivery notification for a package expected at their residence in the 14000 block of Sobey Road but then could not find the package. The loss was about $1,500.DUI, non-injury collision: At 9:56 p.m., deputies responded to a traffic collision on Reid Lane at Saratoga Hills Road, where a motorist hit a tree. The driver was located at his residence after walking home from the scene, and an investigation revealed he was driving under the influence of alcohol.JULY 11Theft by false pretenses: A Saratoga resident reported that someone hac...

Santa Clara County Fair coming back in a big way this year

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:37:48 GMT

After years of three and four-day fairs, the Santa Clara County Fair is attempting to turn back the clock when it opens July 26 with an entertainment-filled 10-day run for the first time in at least 25 years.This year’s county fair in San Jose will have strawberry shortcake, turkey legs and Angelo’s peppersteaks, carnival games and rides, livestock exhibitions, square dancing and even a big Ferris wheel right by the entrance.  The only thing missing from the fair’s ’80s and ’90s heyday is the image of the Cheery Farmer with his corncob pipe and yellow coat saying “Hi, Neighbor!”An exhibit of Santa Clara County Fair promotional material from throughout the decades is on display, Friday, July 21, 2023, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) “Coming out of COVID we wanted to come out strong and show that we’re back, we’re open again. That’s our theme — “Fair Strong, Countywide,’ R...