Author: Michael Erst

Big Lots will start having ‘going out of business’ salesBig Lots is continuing to close stores across the U.S. as it navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but some locations may be spared.Scripps NewsForever 21 is closing stores as the fast-fashion retailer’s U.S. operator is considering bankruptcy, five years after the company escaped Chapter 11, according to multiple reports.The Los Angeles, California-headquartered company, which at its peak had 500 stores, is working alongside restructuring adviser BRG to figure out ways to address its ongoing financial issues and find a buyer that could help them avoid bankruptcy, the Wall Street Journal first reported…

Healthcare insurance is broken. How do we fix it?The brazen murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in broad daylight in midtown Manhattan last year has open the floodgates to an outpouring of anger and frustration with the health insurance industry.The insurance company Humana denied the routine teeth cleaning claim of a Pueblo West man.The dentist who performed the cleaning is fighting back with a scathing digital billboard message.The dentist says insurance companies denying claims appears to be happening more often, “especially as the claim processing system is becoming more automated.”What started off as a routine cleaning for an elderly man…

Big U.S. companies taper or abandon diversity pledgesSome of the biggest companies in the U.S. from Walmart to Meta Platforms have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, known as DEI.WASHINGTON ‒ Black faith leaders called on pastors to urge their congregations Sunday to join a 40-day boycott of Target in a campaign to push back against companies that have ditched diversity initiatives.“We’ve got to tell corporate America that there’s a consequence for turning their back on diversity,” said Bishop Reginald T. Jackson. “So let us send the message that if corporate America can’t stand with us, we’re not…

Presidents’ Day protests erupt over Trump, Musk agendaGroups across the U.S. protested President Donald Trump’s agenda and presidential adviser Elon Musk.Social media users are calling for stimulus checks funded by cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).DOGE has made significant cuts to multiple federal agencies, resulting in layoffs and furloughs.DOGE head Elon Musk responded to the request on X, saying that he ‘will check with the president.’Some Americans have been calling for stimulus checks to be issued from cuts at Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, and the idea has gone viral.Azoria investment firm CEO James Fishback lobbied…

Trump promises full coverage for IVF costsTrump announced that the government or health insurance companies would cover all costs associated with IVF treatment if he’s re-elected.President Donald Trump signed an executive order to expand access to and reduce the cost of in vitro and other fertilization treatments.The order directs his domestic policy advisers to make recommendations on how to lower costs for IVF, both for patients using health insurance and those paying out of pocket. The order signed Tuesday has no immediate impact on the cost of IVF or expanding access to reproductive treatments.Roughly 13% of reproductive-age women said they or…

Government-wide emails mistaken as phishing scamBefore the federal government sent employees a buyout offer, it sent government-wide tests that were widely mistaken as a phishing scam.Straight Arrow NewsScammers are posing as representatives of the College Board to defraud parents.The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to be wary of unsolicited calls from people claiming to be with the College Board.The College Board emphasizes that they never solicit bank or credit card details over the phone or email.For high school students, SAT and ACT scores are a huge deal. With college admissions and scholarships on the line, paying for tutors and test…

Social Security benefits are one of the most impactful income sources for retirees. As of December 2024, over 51 million Americans received retired worker benefits, with many relying on them for a chunk or all of their retirement income. Unfortunately, Social Security benefits are still considered income and may be subject to taxes. If you’re currently receiving or will be receiving Social Security retirement benefits soon, below is what you should know about which states may subject you to taxes and how Uncle Sam deals with it on the federal level. Image source: Getty Images. The states that do not…

Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favorOdds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.The Powerball jackpot rose to $183 million for Monday’s drawing after no one won the top prize on Saturday.If someone matches all six numbers, they can choose a one-time cash payment of $84.5 million.There were no big winners on Saturday, as no one won either the jackpot, $2 million or $1 million prizes.A lucky player in Oregon had the first jackpot-winning Powerball ticket…

Kennedy Center under President Donald Trump as chairmanPresident Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center as its chaiman after firing several board members.Donald Trump has so far sent comparatively fewer market-moving social media posts since being re-elected than during his first term in power, a study by U.S. investment bank JPMorgan has estimated.The bank’s analysts found that only 10% of the 126 posts Trump had published this time around on sensitive topics such as trade tariffs, foreign relations and economics had caused clear currency market moves.The numbers are picking up though. Last week he sent more than 20 posts linked to those issues, double January’s average. That,…

Experts say gambling is a big health riskGambling is just as addictive as alcohol and tobacco, so why isn’t it treated like it? A group of medical experts says that needs to change.Straight Arrow NewsSeven years ago, only Nevada allowed wagering on sporting events.After the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 struck down a ban on sports gambling, sports betting has spread to all but a dozen states. But a new study links the proliferation of this type of betting to a rise in the number of people who might be addicted to gambling.A study published Monday in the peer-reviewed JAMA…