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2025 Tax Season Begins: What You Need To Know About Expanded Options, New Tools 2025 Tax Season Begins: What You Need To Know About Expanded Options, New Tools
2025 Tax Season Begins: What You Need To Know About Expanded Options, New Tools Early filers, get ready. The 2025 tax season is here! The IRS will start accepting and processing tax returns on Monday, Jan. 27, the agency said in a news release. IRS Free File also became available on Friday, Jan. 10 to taxpayers who qualify through private-sector partners. With more than 140 million tax returns expected, the IRS urged taxpayers to take advantage of updated online resources and consider using trusted tax preparers to avoid scams. "This has been a historic period of improvement for the IRS, and people will see additional tools and features to help them with filing their …

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by Chris Spiker
Lifestyle
Norwalk Barber Gets Shoutout From 'TODAY' Show Host, Westport Resident Craig Melvin Norwalk Barber Gets Shoutout From 'TODAY' Show Host, Westport Resident Craig Melvin
Norwalk Barber Gets Shoutout From 'Today' Show Host, Westport Resident Craig Melvin Connecticut's Craig Melvin said he wanted to look his best for his new position on the "TODAY" show, so he turned to the one man he knew he could trust for the job — DJ Fresh. Melvin, who lives in Westport with his wife, sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak, and their two children, gave the Norwalk barber a shoutout on Friday, Jan. 10, during an exchange with weatherman Al Roker. Related: Westport's Craig Melvin Chosen To Replace Hoda Kotb on "TODAY" Show "Welcome back, and I love the haircut — very clean," Roker told Melvin during the broadcast. "Oh, well thank you. I appreciate that, and…

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by Josh Lanier
News
TikTok Ban: Fate Of Video App Unclear As Deadline For Chinese Parent Company To Divest Looms TikTok Ban: Fate Of Video App Unclear As Deadline For Chinese Parent Company To Divest Looms
TikTok Ban: Fate Of Video App Unclear As Deadline For Chinese Parent Company To Divest Looms The future of TikTok in the United States is facing a critical juncture as the Supreme Court deliberates on whether to delay a looming ban on the popular video-sharing app. On Friday morning, Jan. 10, the Court heard oral arguments regarding the Biden administration's law requiring TikTok's parent company, ByteDance to separate from TikTok, and whether or not it's in violation of the First Amendment. ByteDance, which is headquartered in China, has until Jan. 19 to separate from the video-sharing app under the law passed last year over national security concerns. Noel Francisco argued on be…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Intoxicated Driver Busted With Child In Backseat During I-84 Stop In Middlebury: Police Intoxicated Driver Busted With Child In Backseat During I-84 Stop In Middlebury: Police
Intoxicated Driver Busted With Child In Backseat During I-84 Stop In Middlebury: Police A routine stop for speeding turned into jail time for the driver after police said she was intoxicated with her 9-year-old child inside.  Precious Seay, 32, of Windstead, was clocked at 80 mph and swerved in and out of her lane on I-84 near Exit 16 in Middlebury, Connecticut State Police said. When police pulled over her, troopers noted signs of impairment made more worrisome since the child was in the backseat.  Seay asked to take a field sobriety test to prove she was sober, but she failed, police said.  Police arrested her and charged her with speeding, OUI with a ch…

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by Josh Lanier
Sports
Vince McMahon To Pay $1.7M+ For Hiding Sexual Misconduct Payments From Stamford-Based WWE Vince McMahon To Pay $1.7M+ For Hiding Sexual Misconduct Payments From Stamford-Based WWE
Vince McMahon To Pay $1.7M+ For Hiding Sexual Misconduct Payments From Stamford-Based WWE World Wrestling Entertainment founder Vince McMahon will pay more than $1.7 million after he was accused of not disclosing payment agreements related to sexual misconduct with two women, officials said. McMahon, WWE's former executive chairman and CEO, reached the agreement related to charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the federal agency said in a news release on Friday, Jan. 10. The SEC said McMahon concealed the "hush money" payments, creating discrepancies in WWE's financial reports. McMahon agreed to pay a $400,000 civil penalty and reimburse $1,330…

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by Chris Spiker
Politics
Trump Sentenced On 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Case Trump Sentenced On 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Case
Trump Sentenced On 34 Felony Counts In Historic NY Hush Money Case In a landmark case, President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced in New York on 34 felony counts tied to hush money payments and falsified business records. On Friday morning, Jan. 10, Judge Juan Merchan issued an unconditional discharge — a rare sentencing option in New York law that imposes no jail time, fines, or probation.  The judge referenced the “unique and remarkable set of circumstances” surrounding the trial and emphasized that US presidents are considered “ordinary citizens in the eyes of the court.” This decision follows a unanimous jury verdict in May that found Trump guilt…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Game Over For Venu Sports: ESPN, FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery Scrap Joint Streaming Venture Game Over For Venu Sports: ESPN, FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery Scrap Joint Streaming Venture
Game Over For Venu Sports: ESPN, FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery Scrap Joint Streaming Venture Three giant media companies have abandoned their plans to launch Venu Sports, a service that aimed to drastically shake up the streaming industry by bundling many sports channels together, officials said. Venu Sports has officially been discontinued, ESPN said in a news release on Friday, Jan. 10. The massive venture was a partnership between the "Worldwide Leader in Sports," FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The companies released a brief statement announcing the end of Venu Sports. "After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint ven…

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by Chris Spiker
Lifestyle
These Are 10 Worst Cities For Traffic In US: Brand-New Rankings These Are 10 Worst Cities For Traffic In US: Brand-New Rankings
These Are 10 Worst Cities For Traffic In US: Brand-New Rankings Traffic jams continue to plague urban centers across the United States, leading to lost time, increased costs, and frustration for millions of commuters.  The 2024 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard sheds light on the cities most affected, providing valuable insights into the challenges faced by drivers. Here are the 10 cities with the worst traffic, according to INRIX: New York City – The Big Apple leads the nation, with drivers losing countless hours in traffic. Chicago – The Windy City ranks second, with congestion remaining a major issue. Los Angeles – LA’s infamous gridlock earns it…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
This Virus With No Vaccine Causes Symptoms Similar To Cold: Here's What To Know About HMPV This Virus With No Vaccine Causes Symptoms Similar To Cold: Here's What To Know About HMPV
This Virus With No Vaccine Causes Symptoms Similar To Cold: Here's What To Know About Hmpv A virus causing cold-like symptoms is making its seasonal rounds, and health officials are urging everyone to take preventive measures.  With no vaccines or specific treatments currently available, vigilance is key to avoiding infection of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is key. HMPV, according to the Cleveland Clinic, usually causes symptoms similar to a cold, such as coughing, a runny nose, or a sore throat.  However, certain groups—young children, adults over 65, and those with weakened immune systems—are at higher risk for severe complications, including lung infe…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
'School Of Rock' Cast Reunites For Epic NJ Wedding Of Two Co-Stars 'School Of Rock' Cast Reunites For Epic NJ Wedding Of Two Co-Stars
'School Of Rock' Cast Reunites For Epic NJ Wedding Of Two Co-Stars They're getting the band back together! And this time, it's for love. Caitlin Hale and Angelo Massagli, both cast members of the ever-popular Jack Black movie "School of Rock" (about a substitute teacher who forms a rock band with his students after being fired from his own band) recently tied the knot at the Park Chateau in East Brunswick, NJ.  The luxurious venue, also famous for hosting Teresa Giudice and Luis Ruelas’ wedding, served as the perfect backdrop for the couple’s magical day. Caitlin Hale and Angelo Massagli. caitlinmhale Instagram According to the New York Times…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In Mid-Atlantic Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In Mid-Atlantic
Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In Mid-Atlantic Kohl’s announced Thursday, Jan. 9, the closure of 27 underperforming stores, including locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia, as part of its 2025 real estate changes. The closures are expected to be finalized by April 2025 and are part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its store portfolio while adapting to evolving consumer trends. Among the affected locations are stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Pennsylvania Pottstown – 351 W Schuylkill Rd. New Jersey East Windsor – 72 Princeton Hightstown Rd. Massachusetts Stoug…

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Across US Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Across US
Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Across US Macy’s, Inc. confirmed on Thursday, Jan. 9, the closure of 16 stores across Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland as part of its "Bold New Chapter" strategy. The closures are among 66 Macy’s locations set to shutter nationwide, a move designed to return the company to "sustainable, profitable sales growth." The stores closing in these states include: Virginia Southpark Mall Pennsylvania Logan Valley Mall Exton Square Mall Wyoming Valley Mall Philadelphia Center City Store in the Wanamaker Building New Jersey Essex Green Shopping Center New York Lake Success Melv…

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by Jillian Pikora