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Running a card balance? Don't make minimum payments

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Credit card debt now tops $1 trillion for the first time -- a sign that millions of Americans are putting everyday purchases on plastic amid the highest consumer prices in years.How much debt is the typical cardholder carrying? Credit agency TransUnion crunched the numbers and found that the average balance now runs about $6,000. That's the highest level in a decade.My first piece of advice in this regard is to pay down your balance as quickly as possible. Keep in mind average interest rates for most cards now top 20%.My second piece of advice is to not get caught in the trap of making minimum payments on your balance.Make no mistake, the credit card industry would love you to do just that, and for good reason. You'll just be handing them free money.Lots of free money.Here's what you're up against: If you're running a balance of $6,000 and make only minimum payments each month, it will take 17 years to get out of debt.Seventeen years.No less worrisome, you'll end up paying about $8,...

Laugh Factory Hollywood to hold a benefit for striking writers and actors

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Laugh Factory Hollywood will host a benefit on Aug.15 to support Hollywood writers, actors and other entertainment industry members impacted by the ongoing strikes.The event will begin at 8 p.m.Ruben Paul, Tiffany Haddish, JB Smoove, Faizon Love, Chris Spencer, Gary Owen and Bill Bellamy are slated to perform during the benefit. All funds raised during the event will go to the Entertainment Community Fund. Hollywood actors’ strike goes to state capital, Newsom offers to broker negotiations “Every person in the world benefits from the work of writers. Often working in the shadows, writers impact every facet of our existence. I have devoted my life to comedy for the last four decades, and I know how important writers are,” Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada said in a statement.“I have seen first-hand how selflessly indispensable they are to help us laugh and see the foibles of society, and yet they rarely achieve the recognition they deserve.”This benefit will be the first of many to ...

Virgin Galactic's first space tourists finally take flight

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Virgin Galactic rocketed to the edge of space with its first tourists Thursday, a former British Olympian who bought his ticket 18 years ago and a mother-daughter duo from the Caribbean.The space plane glided back to a runway landing at Spaceport America in the New Mexico desert, after a brief flight that gave passengers a few minutes of weightlessness. This first private customer flight had been delayed for years; its success means Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic can now start offering monthly rides, joining Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX in the space tourism business.“That was by far the most awesome thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Jon Goodwin, who competed in canoeing in the 1972 Olympics.FILE - Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity departs Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, Calif., for the final time as Virgin Galactic shifts its SpaceFlight operations to New Mexico, Feb. 13, 2020. Virgin Galactic announced Wednesday, June 14, 2023, that monthly commercial fli...

Two Injured in Solo-Vehicle Rollover Crash on Arroyo Willow Drive [Sacramento, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Rollover Crash on Arroyo Willow Drive near Florin Road Left Two People HospitalizedSACRAMENTO, CA (August 10, 2023) – Saturday evening, a solo-vehicle rollover crash on Arroyo Willow Drive and Florin Road left two injured.The incident occurred on August 5th, at around 5:30 p.m., involving only one vehicle with two occupants.According to reports, the vehicle rolled over causing one person to be ejected. At this time, the circumstances surrounding the collision remain unclear.Paramedics arrived at the scene shortly after. Crews transported both injured victims to a hospital with major injuries.Moreover, officials have stated that high speeds were the main factor in the rollover crash on Arroyo Willow Drive.After the crash, crews shut down the areas of the road surrounding the incident to perform cleanup and preliminary duties.No updates on the conditions of both patients were released at this time. The story is still developing.One or more poor decisions of a driver can lead to ...

Woman, Child Hospitalized after Vehicle Collision on Cactus Road [Phoenix, AZ]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Multiple Pedestrians Struck by Vehicle near Paradise Village Parkway, Left Two HospitalizedPHOENIX, AZ (August 10, 2023) -Thursday evening, police responded to a pedestrian vs vehicle collision on Cactus Road.It happened on August 3rd when a vehicle crashed into multiple pedestrians in the area, said Captain Todd Keller.Furthermore, two of the pedestrians were a woman and a child, both hospitalized where the child was tagged as critical condition, but non-life-threatening.Meanwhile, the driver remained at the scene, and responding officers assessed the man. He was not found to be impaired during that time.No additional information was added and the events that led to the accidents are still under investigation.When driving, it is vital to always be alert for pedestrians and other vehicles. This is especially true when you are driving through a residential area, an intersection, or a parking lot. Also, always drive within the posted speed limit. These are set and enforced to reduce a...

PsychMD Rolls Out Ketamine Network in 44 States

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

The nation’s largest telehealth network, PsychMD, is starting ketamine treatments this week.We sat down with PsychMD founder Bryan Henry to talk about his transition into the burgeoning psychedelic therapy space after watching the telehealth network he built to support hormone therapy explode into the biggest telehealth network in the U.S. Henry will use that same network of family doctors to provide referrals for the new ketamine therapy services he’ll be offering in 44 states. Henry is also the Founder and President of Peter HoldingsAfter finishing up in the military, Henry obtained his family nurse practitioner license from the University of Oklahoma before securing a Ph.D. in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology from the University of Wisconsin. After securing his degrees, he would spend the first half of the 2010s working in hospitals.“I don’t know, I got pretty burned out of being in the hospital setting, a lot of non-doctors administration telling you how to do you...

Carlos Martinez Killed in Three-Vehicle Crash near Valencia and Country Club [Tucson, AZ]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

34-Year-Old Passenger Dies after Being Involved in a Three-Vehicle Collision near Country Club RoadTUCSON, AZ (August 10, 2023) – Early Friday morning, a vehicle crash near Valencia and Country Club claimed the life of Carlos Martinez.The incident occurred on August 4th, at around 4:15 a.m., near Valencia Road and Country Club Road.According to the Tucson Police Department, a red 2003 GMC Yukon, a white 2003 Freightliner pulling a 2012 Hyundai trailer, and a black 2012 Ford Fusion were the vehicles involved in the collision.Investigation showed that the driver of the GMC Yukon was driving recklessly in the area and failed to yield at a red light.Furthermore, the officers added that the Yukon headed westbound on Valencia Road slammed with the Freightliner headed southbound on Country Club Road. The impact of the crash sent the Yukon westbound, and it struck a median before colliding with the Fusion.Following the crash, the driver of the Yukon immediately fled the scene, leaving...

Joshua Auguh Killed in Pedestrian Crash on 51st Avenue [Laveen, AZ]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

34-Year-Old Pedestrian Dies after Being Struck by Two Vehicles on Baseline RoadLAVEEN, AZ (August 10, 2023) – Sunday evening, Joshua Auguh died after two vehicles struck him while crossing.The fatal accident took place at the area of 51st Avenue and Baseline Road, at around 9:00 p.m., August 6th.Phoenix police believe that 34-year-old Auguh was crossing mid-block on Baseline Road when a vehicle ran over him.Furthermore, Auguh got up and attempted to pick up his items when a second vehicle struck him.Eventually, witnesses called for the authorities, and the two drivers that struck him left the scene with unknown whereabouts.Consequently, emergency responders arrived at the scene and they found Auguh lying on the roadway with significant injuries.Moments later, Auguh succumbed to his injuries and he died at the scene.At this time, a description of both vehicles was not yet available. The public is encouraged to call the authorities at (602) 262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITN...

Blaine Konrad Killed in Motorcycle Accident on Chandler Boulevard [Chandler, AZ]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

22-Year-Old Motorcyclist Dies after a Collision on Pennington DriveCHANDLER, AZ (August 10, 2023) – Late Monday morning, a motorcycle accident on Chandler Boulevard took the life of Blaine Konrad.The incident happened at around 11:15 a.m., August 7th, at the intersection of Chandler Boulevard and Pennington Drive, just east of Dobson Road.A motorcyclist, later identified as 22-year-old Blaine Konrad.Furthermore, authorities responded to the scene and found Konrad downed at the intersection, he was later pronounced dead.Meanwhile, the driver and the passenger of the SUV suffered both minor injuries, and authorities took them to the hospital for treatment.Consequently, the police do not suspect impairment as a contributing factor to the incident. Konrad’s autopsy is still pending at this time.An investigation is still ongoing.Their warm and sincerest sympathies go out to the friends and family of Blaine Konrad. May the loving memories of your loved one and the love of your...

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest bringing back downtown’s coolest weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

Even if you don’t give a bebop about jazz, it’s hard to deny that San Jose Jazz’s Summer Fest provides the backdrop for downtown’s coolest weekend of the season. The crowds flowing in and around Plaza de Cesar Chavez this weekend will generate an ambiance of joy we don’t see often enough these days.By the way, if you don’t like jazz, Summer Fest probably still has you covered. There are nine stages showcasing blues, salsa and Latin music, big band — plus, you know, jazz. And this year will include a two-stage celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop on Friday night.The audience packed Plaza de Cesar Chavez to listen to the Sobrato Organization Main Stage acts at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest on Aug. 14, 2022. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group) That night’s 9:30 p.m. headliner at the Sobrato Main Stage is Big Daddy Kane, but there’ll be more going on at the 200 Park Stage, a new venue for this year. That’s where th...