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I was surprised when some of my student loans were canceled. Yours might be, too

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

In 2022, I left the teaching profession, convinced that the public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) I had been pursuing for the past 14 years was no longer a possibility. When I changed careers, I had nearly $50,000 in student loan debt.But in 2023, my loan servicer informed me that almost $40,000 of that balance had been forgiven.This surprising reversal happened because a limited PSLF waiver temporarily gave borrowers credit for payments toward loan forgiveness that normally wouldn’t count toward PSLF — and waived the requirement that borrowers must work in public service at the time of application and forgiveness.The bad news: The waiver that helped me get loan forgiveness expired Oct. 31, 2022.The good news, according to Abby Shafroth, director of the Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project at the National Consumer Law Center: “If you didn’t already take advantage of the limited waiver … there’s still time to receive almost the same benefits,” which may lead to loan cancellation...

Wednesday Forecast: Excessive Heat Warning, isolated storm

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, isolated storm, Excessive Heat Warning, WSW 10-15 G25. High: 99NWS Chicago said peak heat will be close to 105 to 115 degrees between Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, WSW 10-15 G25. High: 81. Overnight lows dip into upper 70sChicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Thursday: Mostly sunny, isolated storm, Excessive Heat, WSW 10-15 G25. 99Chicago Area Radar | WGN TV

Extreme heat hits Chicagoland area, warnings in effect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

CHICAGO -- The extreme heat is expected to hit later this morning and temperatures can reach up to 115 degrees today. The National Weather Service has already issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the next two days. It is said to stay away from alcohol, caffeine and sodas. Limit time outside and if air conditioning is not accessible, keep shades drawn, blinds closed with windows slightly open. Chicago Public Schools prepare for dangerously hot temperatures Also be aware of signs of heat related illnesses like extreme sweating, intense thirst, nausea, fatigue, dizziness or confusion. The OEMC says those are signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. “Try to stay away from being outside. Keep yourself very hydrated,” Cook County Health Emergency Physician Mike Schindlbeck said.There are also opportunities to stay cool at Chicago Public Libraries as well as citywide park district facilities while they are open.

Ted Cruz gets fooled by fake photo of shark swimming on 405 Freeway in Los Angeles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

(KTLA) -- It's true that you can't always trust what you see on the internet, even if you're a United States senator.On Monday, hours after the worst of Tropical Storm Hilary cleared its way out of Los Angeles, Ted Cruz, a Texas senator and former presidential candidate, shared a post on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, that appeared to show a shark swimming on a flooded roadway.The photo was shared by sports commentator and satirist Dan Katz, better known by his media pseudonym Big Cat, of Barstool Sports."Friend of mine out in LA just took this picture on the 405. And yes, all news and media outlets you have permission to use this. Wild," Katz wrote in the satirical post.Cruz shared the photo to his 6.1 million followers with the caption, "Holy crap." X users were quick to point out that the photo did not depict what the caption claimed it did. Corrections made to Community Notes, a function on X that allows users to provide additional context or dispute the information p...

'Get out of my house!' Kansas publisher's 98-year-old mother reacts on video amid raid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

MARION, Kan. (AP) — Newly released video shows the 98-year-old mother of a Kansas newspaper publisher confronting police officers as they searched her home in a raid that has drawn national scrutiny, at one point demanding: “Get out of my house!”Video released by the newspaper Monday shows Joan Meyer shouting at the six officers inside the Marion, Kansas, home she shared with her son, Marion County Record Editor and Publisher Eric Meyer. Standing with the aid of a walker and dressed in a long robe or gown and slippers, she seems visibly upset.“Get out of my house ... I don't want you in my house!” she said at one point. “Don't touch any of that stuff! This is my house!” she said at another.The raids of the newspaper and the homes of the Meyers and a City Council member happened on Aug. 11, after a local restaurant owner accused the newspaper of illegally accessing information about her. Joan Meyer died a day later. Her son said he believes that the stress contributed to her death.A ...

Two campers found in Ulster County after overnight storm

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

NAPANOCH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An 18-year-old and 23-year-old camper were found the morning after separating from their camping group in Ulster County, near the Ice Caves Trail in Minnewaska State Park. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) says the two were found after thunderstorms and heavy fog hampered search efforts. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Thursday, around 11:27 p.m., state police requested the help of forest rangers in search of two campers in the Sam's Point Preserve portion of Minnewaska State Park. A group of four counselors and 16 campers had been dropped off around 6:45 p.m. earlier that night at Sam's Point Preserve for a hike. An 18 and 23-year-old hiker separated from the group on the Ice Caves Trail, per the DEC. Rescue personnel attempted to find them, but thunderstorms and fog hurt their efforts. 5 things to know this Wednesday, August 23 The following morning a multi-agency search operat...

'SLATE' transportation job fair happening today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The city of St. Louis is stepping up Wednesday to help find new jobs for workers recently laid off from trucking companies. Hundreds of workers in the area are impacted.The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, or 'SLATE, is located on Market and is the city agency charged with helping displaced workers. This is where the job fair is going to take place, starting later Wednesday morning.'Yellow Trucking' was one of the companies that recently shut down, leaving hundreds of St. Louis workers without jobs.A SLATES release said that Wednesday's job fair is for all job seekers interested in transportation and logistics careers. However, the release specifically mentions that the event is to help displaced workers from Yellow Trucking and DHL find new employment. State climatologist: Heat causing high evaporation rates, no rainfall to place it SLATE officials shared that it's been devastating to watch numerous companies over the past few weeks close their doors with ...

Discounted Cardinals tickets available for series vs. Padres

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Cardinals and Papa John's are teaming up to offer discounted tickets when the Cards host the San Diego Padres next week.A limited number of tickets are as low as $7, and field box tickets are as low as $17. That's for games next Monday through Wednesday, while supplies last. State climatologist: Heat causing high evaporation rates, no rainfall to place it For more information, click here.

Aldermen discussing cutting red tape today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis aldermen are looking into ways to give businesses a break and cut red tape.A special committee meeting Wednesday will hear ideas on reducing rules for small businesses. It's about streamlining the application process for liquor licenses. St. Louis County man found safe 11 weeks after disappearing The Institute of Justice has told aldermen that red tape and regulations hinder small businesses.

Extreme heat alters workout schedules for high school sports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS - It's been a brutally hot first week of back-to-school for so many students, teachers, and staff in the area.This is impacting students from the football field to the classroom. Parkway North athletic events like tennis and soccer matches were cancelled this week, and practices were moved indoors.Some metro east students returned to schools with little or no AC Granite City High School students are learning remotely for the rest of the week because of hot classrooms. The school is in the final stages of completing a summer HVAC project.The old system is still in use right now, but the high temperatures have put a lot of strain on it. St. Louis County man found safe 11 weeks after disappearing The heat is also impacting classrooms in Belleville and Cahokia Heights. With classrooms close to the 80s, volleyball players at Cahokia Heights High School say they had a two-hour practice in a gym with no AC.The heat is also playing a big role in the first week of high ...