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IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible
IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible Around $2.4 billion in automatic payments will be issued to nearly one million taxpayers, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The agency said they will go to those who missed out on claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.  These payments, with a maximum of $1,400 per individual, aim to ensure eligible Americans receive money they may have overlooked when filing their tax returns. Automatic Payments, Eligibility No action is required for eligible taxpayers to receive the payments, which will be issued automatically.  The funds, based on IRS data, will be sent via …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Winner Has Big Plans For $2.5M Lottery Payday Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Winner Has Big Plans For $2.5M Lottery Payday
Newly Minted Millionaire: Central Mass Winner Has Big Plans For $2.5M Lottery Payday A Massachusetts man said he plans to travel and buy a new car after he won a $2.5 million jackpot in the state lottery.  Kirk Phinney, of Leominster, won the seven-figure sum playing the “$2,500,000 Merry & Bright,” a  $10 holiday-themed scratch-off game. Related: Holbrook Woman Plans To Live Out Lottery Winners' Dream Phinney elected to take the annuity payments of $125,000 (before taxes) a year for 20 years.  He bought the ticket at Quick Stop Liquor, 531 N Main St. in Leominster. The store will receive a $25,000 bonus for the sale. 

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports
Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports Meta will cut thousands of employees in the latest move for the controversial company that owns platforms like Facebook and Instagram, according to reports. An internal memo sent to Meta workers said five percent of low-performing employees will be terminated, Bloomberg News reported. The company that also owns WhatsApp and Threads has more than 72,000 employees, according to Meta's most recent quarterly report. A five-percent reduction would mean about 3,600 people could lose their jobs. "I've decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster,…

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by Chris Spiker
Obituaries
Mass Rocker Dies Suddenly; Band, Friends Rally To Raise Thousands Mass Rocker Dies Suddenly; Band, Friends Rally To Raise Thousands
Mass Rocker Dies Suddenly; Band, Friends Rally To Raise Thousands The Massachusetts music community is mourning the sudden loss of a 28-year-old rising musician and mentor whose impact reached far beyond his hometown.  Owen P. Leahy, of Reading, died on Jan. 6, according to an online obituary. A graduate of Northshore Recovery High School, he was a carpenter by trade, a photographer by passion, and a musician as the co-founder and bass player of the DIY emo band This Is Pointless. Leahy’s decade-long sobriety was a cornerstone of his life, and he was deeply involved in the recovery community as a mentor and advocate. Described as having a contagious …

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, CFPB Suit Says Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, CFPB Suit Says
Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, Cfpb Suit Says The federal government is suing Captial One, accusing the banking giant of deceiving consumers and withholding more than $2 billion in interest payments on savings accounts. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against Capital One and its parent company, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The CFPB accused Capital One of marketing its "360 Savings" accounts as offering some of the nation's highest interest rates but froze those rates while competitors' rates climbed. Simultaneously, the bank introduced a nearly identical product, "360 …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
No Coffee, No Bathroom: Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy For Non-Customers No Coffee, No Bathroom: Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy For Non-Customers
No Coffee, No Bathroom: Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy For Non-Customers Starbucks is ending its open-door policy, prioritizing access for paying customers and employees. The coffeehouse chain will no longer allow just anyone to hang out in its cafes or use its bathrooms. Starbucks has created a new Coffeehouse Code of Conduct, requiring people to buy something to use the cafe, patio, or restrooms. Starbucks said it hopes the change will improve the overall coffeehouse experience. "We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores," company spokesperson Sam Jefferies said in a statement to Daily Voice. "Implementing a Coffeehouse Code of Conduct i…

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by Chris Spiker
Politics
Michelle Obama Won't Attend President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration Michelle Obama Won't Attend President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration
Michelle Obama Won't Attend President-Elect Donald Trump's Inauguration Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20. “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies,"  said a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama. "Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration." No explanation was given and Michelle Obama has not commented. Former Presidents Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will attend the inauguration, along with former first ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, the former Secret…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease
FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease The Food and Drug Administration has proposed moving nutrition labels to the front of most packaged foods, aiming to help consumers make healthier choices, officials said. The FDA officially unveiled its proposal requiring front-of-package nutrition labels, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 14. This effort is part of a broader strategy to combat chronic diseases, which affect about 60 percent of Americans and account for $4.5 trillion in annual health care costs. The proposed "nutrition info box" would display saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content i…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
These Jobs Will Dominate Nationally In 2025, According To U.S. News Rankings These Jobs Will Dominate Nationally In 2025, According To U.S. News Rankings
These Jobs Will Dominate Nationally In 2025, According To U.S. News Rankings U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its 2025 Best Jobs rankings, highlighting the top careers across various sectors to guide job seekers in making informed decisions. For the second consecutive year, the health care sector leads the list, with Nurse Practitioner securing the No. 1 position. The top five jobs for 2025 are: Nurse Practitioner IT Manager Physician Assistant Financial Manager Software Developer These rankings consider factors such as growth potential, work-life balance, job safety, employment rate, and salary.  The prominence of health care and STEM (Science, Tec…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, are surging across the United States, with healthcare systems feeling the strain as more people seek care for these conditions.  The CDC reported on Monday, Jan. 13 that the nation is experiencing high levels of acute respiratory illnesses, with young children and older adults particularly affected. COVID-19 activity has increased in most areas, fueled by rising emergency department visits, elevated lab test positivity, and high levels of virus detected in wastewater.  Influenza remains widespread, while RSV activity …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says
Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says It turns out the human ear got off to a fishy start. Literally. A fascinating new study reveals that the mammalian outer ear has its evolutionary roots in the gills of ancient fish.  This surprising discovery sheds light on how structures can adapt over millions of years to serve entirely new functions. Published in Nature by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the study connects the elastic cartilage in mammalian ears to the same rare tissue found in fish gills.  To explore this link, scientists used gene enhancers — DNA sequences that control tissue development.…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
See What Inspired Walmart's First Rebranding, Logo Change In 17 Years See What Inspired Walmart's First Rebranding, Logo Change In 17 Years
See What Inspired Walmart's First Rebranding, Logo Change In 17 Years Walmart is making a subtle yet noticeable tweak to its logo for the first time in nearly two decades. The retail chain announced "a comprehensive brand refresh" in a news release on Monday, Jan. 13. It's the first logo change for the 63-year-old company since it removed the star between "Wal" and "Mart" in 2008. Walmart said its fresh new look combines a nod to its rich history with a bold, modern design. "Walmart’s brand identity has evolved to reflect what the retailer offers today, while honoring what has always been special about the one-stop shopping destination," the chain …

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by Chris Spiker