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How to use — and not lose — your FSA dollars as the end of year approaches

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

Christopher Snowbeck | Star Tribune (TNS)While rushing to buy holiday gifts, don’t forget another deadline that comes for many consumers each December: spending down dollars in their health FSA account.Flexible Spending Accounts (or Arrangements) are an optional benefit employers establish that lets workers set aside money for certain medical expenses.There’s no tax on dollars contributed to an FSA, so the accounts stretch your purchasing power on everything from eyewear and sanitizing wipes to annual physicals and hearing aids. In recent years, the federal government has expanded the number of products purchasable with FSA funds, but there’s still a significant catch with the accounts.Generally speaking, FSAs are “use-it-or-lose-it” plans.Funds you haven’t spent by the end of the plan year — typically Dec. 31 — won’t roll over into the new year. (That differs from a Health Savings Account (HSA), available to those with a High Deductible Hea...

Will Ozempic change the food industry? Not yet, but give it time

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

By Anna Helhoski | NerdWalletRecent reports have depicted highly profitable snack and fast food companies quaking in their boots over the threats posed by appetite-suppressing drugs like Ozempic.These pearl-clutching (or more aptly, Pringles-clutching) reports are likely premature. That’s largely because weight-loss drug usage isn’t yet widespread enough to make a difference to the food economy.As more weight-loss drugs are developed and approved by the FDA, that could all change. But the stars must align, and in this case that means: Shortages cease and there are enough injectables to go around; the price comes down to an affordable level for the average consumer; health insurance begins covering these drugs for weight loss; the known side effects prove tolerable enough for long-term use; and no new dire side effects emerge that deter consumers entirely.In other words, there are a lot of “ifs and maybes” involved that make experts like Barry Popkin, a professor of nutrition at the ...

The year in opioid settlements: 5 things you need to know

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

Aneri Pattani | KFF Health News (TNS)This year, about $1.5 billion has landed in state and local government coffers from court settlements made with more than a dozen companies that manufactured, sold, or distributed prescription painkillers and were sued for their role in fueling the opioid crisis.That money has gone from an emerging funding stream for which people had lofty but uncertain aspirations to a coveted pot of billions of dollars being invested in real time to address addiction.Altogether, the companies are expected to pay more than $50 billion to state and local governments over nearly two decades.Meanwhile, more than 100,000 Americans have died of drug overdoses annually in recent years, underscoring the urgent nature of the crisis.KFF Health News has been tracking the funds all year and covering the windfall’s mixed impact in communities across the country. Here are five things we’ve noticed in 2023 and plan to keep an eye on next year:Protesters gather outside the Dep...

Massive waves expected to hit San Diego County beaches

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

SAN DIEGO — Massive waves will pound the San Diego coast this week as longer period swells are expected to roll in alongside several storms hitting the West Coast.Waves anywhere from eight to 15 feet are likely to be generated on the county's west facing-beaches from Thursday to Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Elevated surf is also expected on Wednesday and Sunday.During this time, the first of a series of low-pressure systems will move over California, bringing showers and cool temperatures to parts of the state. Most of Southern California — including San Diego County — is not expected to receive rainfall with the system until the weekend. San Diego saw the brunt of the Pacific storm overnight. Here’s how much rain fell On Saturday, some light rain may also be possible in coastal and inland valley areas, NWS said, while mountain communities could see snow showers with light accumulations at elevations 6,500 ft. and above.The most noticeable impact of the sys...

Kevin Kiermaier agrees to return to Blue Jays on one-year, $10.5M deal

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

Centre fielder Kevin Kiermaier has an agreement to return to the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $10.5-million deal, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith confirmed Tuesday.#BlueJays are in agreement with Kevin Kiermaier on a one-year, $10.5 million deal pending physical per source@Feinsand was on this. Deal includes some incentives— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) December 26, 2023Tuesday’s move marks the first major move of the off-season for the Blue Jays after the chase for Shohei Ohtani ended with the two-way star signing a record deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.The signing keeps the Blue Jays’ strong defensive outfield, also featuring George Springer and Daulton Varsho, intact.Kiermaier was terrific in 2023 for Toronto, winning the Gold Glove in centre and posting his best offensive season since 2017.The 33-year-old slashed .265/.322/.419 with eight home runs, six triples and 14 stolen bases in 129 games. On defence, he posted the most defensive run...

Police investigating incidents involving Colorado justices after Trump removed from state’s ballot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Police said Tuesday they are investigating incidents directed at Colorado Supreme Court justices and providing extra patrols around their homes in Denver following the court’s decision to remove former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot.The Denver Police Department declined in an email to provide details about its investigations, citing safety and privacy considerations and because they are ongoing.The department “is currently investigating incidents directed at Colorado Supreme Court justices and will continue working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate any reports of threats or harassment,” the email said.Officers responded to the home of one justice on Thursday evening, but police said it appeared to be a “hoax report.” That case is also still being investigated police said.The FBI said it is working with local law enforcement on the matter. “We will vigor...

A lawsuit challenging Alabama’s transgender care ban for minors will move forward, judge says

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge declined Tuesday to pause litigation challenging Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors as similar cases wind upward toward the U.S. Supreme Court.U.S. District Judge Liles Burke said no to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice to put the Alabama case on hold until appellate courts decide if they will hear related petitions on whether states can enact such bans. The Justice Department asked for the stay because, “this exceptional legal landscape is quickly evolving.”Burke wrote that the case will move forward for now. He said a stay might be appropriate later if those petitions are granted.Transgender young people and their families have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review an appellate court decision that allowed bans in Kentucky and Tennessee to remain in effect. In the Alabama case, families with transgender children have asked the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review a decision that would let the Alabama l...

Widower of metro Phoenix’s ex-top prosecutor suspected of killing 2 women before taking his own life

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — The widower of metro Phoenix’s former top county prosecutor was suspected of fatally shooting a woman he was in a relationship with and her mother on Christmas Eve before taking his own life.Phoenix police say 47-year-old David DeNitto is believed to have killed 47-year-old Maryalice Cash and 83-year-old Cynthia Domini after an altercation at a home where there was a holiday gathering. An investigation into the deaths is underway.DeNitto was previously married to former Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel, who died in late April 2022 of health complications that weren’t specified. Adel, the first woman to be elected Maricopa County attorney, served in that position from October 2019 until her resignation in March 2022.She resigned amid criticism of her performance, including the dismissal of 180 misdemeanor cases because charges were not filed before the statute of limitations expired. She also faced scrutiny over whether an acknowledged alcohol abuse problem had a...

‘Cold Moon’ lunar event at peak for Boxing Day

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

The night sky is expected to be quite a sight on Boxing Day.A phenomenon called the “Cold Moon” or “Long Night Moon,” which happens every 19 years or so, is the first full moon since the Dec. 21 winter solstice.The moon is expected to rise near sunset on Dec. 26 and 27, with the peak happening on the 26th. People were treated to a “Christmas Moon,” a full moon on Christmas Day, 2023.NASA says the full moon takes a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite to the low sun, so the moon will be above the horizon longer than at other times of the year.Here in Toronto, the online moon rise calculator says it will rise at around 4:09 p.m. EST and be most illuminated at 7:33 p.m., and it will set shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday.Its name derives from the fact December is based on the frigid conditions of this time of year, and the Old Farmers’ Almanac says the name comes from Mohawk traditions.NASA says it’s because December is a re...

Woman sentenced in straw purchase of gun used to kill Illinois officer and wound another

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:32:41 GMT

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — A woman has been sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison after taking part in the straw purchase of a handgun that was used to kill one central Illinois police officer and wound another during a shootout.Regina Lewis, 28, of Normal, Illinois, engaged in a conspiracy to buy and transfer a firearm and a conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois said Tuesday in a release.Lewis was sentenced Friday. She previously admitted to conspiring with Ashantae Corruthers and Darion Lafayette to buy the gun in 2020 at an Indianapolis gun store for Lafayette, Lewis’ cousin, who was a convicted felon and could not legally buy a firearm.Corruthers falsely certified on a form for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that she bought the gun for herself. She later reported to Indianapolis police in 2021 that the gun had been stolen.Lafayette fatally shot Officer Christopher Oberheim and wou...