Filing false expenses? Tax agency ramps up investigations this season

Magnifying glass enlarges a taxpayer’s eye beside an “IRS audit” document, symbolizing stricter scrutiny of false expenses

Scrutiny has intensified on potentially inflated deductions and incomplete filings, raising new concerns about targeted audits. For the 2025 tax season, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has heightened its review of tax returns showing excessive or suspicious claims. Many filers, especially those who are self-employed, may be at risk if their reported expenses do not … Read more

New SSA update confirms $5,108 benefit for workers retiring at age 70

Businessman in navy suit and yellow tie seated before blurred Social Security card, illustrating retirement-benefit news

Social Security payments can now reach $5,108 per month if you delay your benefits until the right age. This update could affect millions of Americans who rely on these checks during their retirement years. In 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed that $5,108 is the highest monthly payment possible. However, not everyone will qualify. … Read more

Walmart introduces new parking policy: $48 fines and risk of immediate towing

Row of cars in Walmart Keeaumoku parking lot on a rainy day; store to enforce new $48 fines and towing after 3-hour limit

Starting May 1, Honolulu’s Keeaumoku Walmart and Sam’s Club are introducing strict parking regulations aimed at stopping unauthorized vehicles from taking up customer spaces. Shoppers should keep an eye on the clock, as parking for more than three hours could lead to hefty fines. In just a few days, anyone parking at the Keeaumoku branch … Read more

Nation’s largest fast-food chain shutters hundreds of U.S. restaurants amid ongoing downsizing

Exterior of a Jack in the Box fast-food restaurant, highlighting nationwide closures during the 2024-2025 downsizing wave.

In 2024 alone, hundreds of restaurants owned by this popular fast-food giant closed down, with thousands more disappearing since 2016. Many consumers are now concerned about the ongoing trend, as additional closures loom in 2025. Is your favorite location next on the list? The past year proved harsh for numerous chains, with several announcing major … Read more

End of an era: PepsiCo to close Hudson Valley snack plant and cut 300 jobs

PepsiCo Liberty New York plant entrance sign with Frito-Lay logo on snowy day ahead of May 2024 closure

Food and beverage giant PepsiCo will soon shut down its Liberty, New York, manufacturing plant, causing concern among hundreds of employees who face looming layoffs. Local officials and community groups are already stepping in to offer support. Nearly 300 individuals who work at the Liberty facility, known for producing PopCorners snacks, will lose their positions … Read more

Social Security confirms it will block payments for those who skip the mandatory Login.gov update

Login.gov sign featuring a red shield keyhole icon, illustrating the new secure login required by Social Security

The federal agency aims to secure beneficiary data and streamline online services, warning of suspended payments for anyone who fails to comply. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued an urgent notice to all beneficiaries: if you created a My Social Security account before September 18, 2021, you must switch to Login.gov or risk missing … Read more

No break at 67 – new bill forces Americans to stay on the job for slimmer benefits

Close-up of Donald Trump next to Scrabble tiles spelling “Social Security,” illustrating proposals to raise the retirement age and trim benefits.

The trust fund that supports Social Security pensions could run out in less than a decade, sparking a national debate that questions one of the country’s most established benefits. Current proposals include raising the retirement age beyond 67 and cutting monthly payments, unsettling workers of all ages. For millions of Americans, Social Security has long … Read more

Driving distraction crackdown? State law ushers in sweeping ban on phone use behind the wheel

Driver using smartphone navigation behind steering wheel, illustrating distracted driving targeted by Pennsylvania's Paul Miller’s Law phone ban.

Paul Miller’s law sets new safety standards and imposes penalties for distracted driving. Residents should brace themselves for changes that aim to reduce accidents caused by phone usage behind the wheel. Drivers across Pennsylvania will soon face stricter rules under this new legislation, which completely bans the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle. … Read more

Trouble ahead for Tundra and LX drivers – Toyota launches massive engine recall affecting 100,000 trucks – check if yours is included

Toyota logo displayed at a press event announcing recall of over 100,000 Tundra and Lexus LX vehicles for 3.4-liter V6 engine defects

Toyota, widely recognized for its reliability, has launched one of its most significant recall campaigns in recent years. The company plans to replace the 3.4-liter V6 twin-turbo engines in more than 100,000 cars after an internal manufacturing fault was discovered. This urgent measure affects Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX models built between November 2021 and … Read more

Goodbye Chevy – GM halts production and trims 2,000 Fairfax jobs to fund its electric future

GM logo at Detroit headquarters with American flags, symbolizing the end of Chevy Malibu production and 2,000 Fairfax layoffs amid electric shift

General Motors has officially announced the discontinuation of the Chevy Malibu, a classic sedan that has been part of countless road trips and family memories for decades. Along with this major decision comes the unfortunate news that approximately 2,000 workers at the Fairfax plant in Kansas will be laid off, signaling a big change in … Read more

End of an era: Forever 21 to shutter all 354 U.S. stores following bankruptcy filing

Customers wait outside a Forever 21 store in a shopping mall following the announcement that the company is closing its 354 stores in the United States due to bankruptcy.

Forever 21, a familiar name in American retail, has officially announced that all 354 of its leased stores in the United States will close by May 1. Some branches have already begun the process, causing concern among shoppers nationwide. The closures come on the heels of a bankruptcy filing, with company leaders citing rising costs … Read more

Scientists confirm a 500,000-mile hole on the sun: should we be concerned?

High-resolution image of the sun highlighting a 500,000-mile coronal hole and intense solar flare activity

Astronomers have identified a massive coronal hole measuring nearly 500,000 miles (around 800,000 kilometers) across on the sun’s surface. The discovery has generated curiosity around potential effects on our planet, from dazzling auroras to minor technology disruptions. In recent observations, researchers noted that the sun’s magnetic field weakens in certain spots, allowing solar wind to … Read more

Retirees and SSDI beneficiaries slated for COLA-enhanced payment arriving on May 14

Social Security cards with suited male figure highlight 2.5 percent COLA increase arriving May 14 for retirees and SSDI beneficiaries

Retirees and disability beneficiaries are gearing up for the first May Social Security payment, set to arrive on Wednesday, May 14. This deposit will include the 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) introduced in January 2025, bringing a welcome boost to millions of Americans. In April, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sent out its final payment for … Read more

Farewell to a mall mainstay: JCPenney set to close seven U.S. locations by May 25

JCPenney storefront sign on shopping mall exterior

The century-old retailer is set to shutter additional locations by May 25, marking another blow to traditional shopping malls. As JCPenney battles changing consumer habits, many wonder if this iconic chain can survive the challenges still on the horizon. For over a hundred years, JCPenney has served as a go-to destination for clothes, home décor, … Read more