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Liz Weston: Why retirees may want to buy an immediate annuity now

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

An immediate annuity is an insurance product that provides guaranteed income: You give an insurer a chunk of money, and the company gives you a stream of payments that can last for life. The payments begin within 12 months of purchase.Now may be a good time for retirees to buy an immediate annuity, since payouts are the highest they’ve been in a decade, says Rob Williams, managing director of wealth management at Charles Schwab.But buying an immediate annuity — also known as an income annuity or a fixed immediate annuity — is effectively irreversible, so you’ll want to choose carefully.WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER AN IMMEDIATE ANNUITYOne of the big risks in retirement is outliving your savings. Having enough guaranteed income to cover basic expenses can give you assurance that you’ll keep a roof over your head and food in the fridge, no matter what.A major source of guaranteed income is Social Security, and some people still have traditional pensions. If you don’t have enough guar...

Kosovo’s prime minister blames EU envoy for the failure of recent talks with Serbia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s prime minister on Monday accused the European Union special envoy in the normalization talks with Serbia of not being “neutral and correct” and “coordinating” with Belgrade against Pristina.Prime Minister Albin Kurti said EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak had coordinated with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic in the EU-facilitated talks held last week in Brussels.EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who supervised the talks in Brussels, blamed the latest breakdown on Kurti’s insistence that Serbia should essentially recognize his country before progress could be made on enforcing a previous agreement reached in February.Borrell has warned that the lack of progress could hurt both Serbia’s and Kosovo’s hopes of joining the bloc.Serbia and its former province of Kosovo have been at odds for decades. Their 1998-1999 war, which ended after a 78-day NATO bombing forced Serbian military and police forces pull out of Kosovo, left more than 10,000 people dead, mo...

4 people, including 2 children, found fatally shot in Romeoville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — Four people, including two children, were found fatally shot in Romeoville.Police were conducting a well-being check around 8:40 p.m. Sunday on the 500 block of Concord Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered four deceased individuals, two adults and two children, with gunshot wounds.The identities of the victims have not yet been released.According to police, investigators believe the shooting happened sometime early Sunday morning.Police are expected to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Monday. 14-year-old boy fatally shot after Hillcrest HS football game ID’d: Police Anyone with information is urged to contact the Romeoville Police Department at: 815-886-7219.No further information has been provided at this time.

Monday Forecast: Temps in low 70s with lake effect rain showers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly sunny Monday with isolated showers and patchy fog. Winds: ENE 5-10. High: 70. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy today with a few showers. Winds: S 0-5. Low: 55.Tuesday Forecast: Mainly cloudy to overcast, showers and thunderstorms. Winds: SSW 5-10 G20. High: 68.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

At St. Croix Montessori, students learn about nature and take care of an alpaca named Harry

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

Harry, one of the alpacas at the St. Croix Montessori school in West Lakeland Township, on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. The school is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an all-school reunion on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Courtesy of St. Croix Montessori)Molly Ramsay has seen a world of changes during 30 years of teaching at St. Croix Montessori school.One thing that hasn’t changed, she says, is the school’s focus on environmental education and hands-on learning.The private school is located on an 18-acre property in West Lakeland Township, and the students, who range in age from 16 months to 12 years, take turns caring for the school’s animals, a menagerie that includes three alpacas, two miniature donkeys, two miniature goats and a flock of hens.Molly Ramsay has served as a guide at St. Croix Montessori since 1993. (Courtesy of St. Croix Montessori)Each classroom gets a chance to do farm chores, “so they go out and they feed the animals, they scoop the poop, they collect the eggs,”...

Vermonter accused of aggravated sexual assault of child

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

POWNAL, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A Pownal, Vermont, man was arrested Thursday. Jonathan Gardner, 35, is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child under 10. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say an investigation started after a child under 10 was taken to Southern Vermont Medical Center and was examined after they said they were sexually assaulted by Gardner. The investigation ultimately led to Gardner's arrest and turned himself in at the Vermont State Police Shaftsbury barracks.Gardner was held without bail and taken to Marble Valley Correctional Center. He is scheduled to appear in Bennington County Criminal Court later Monday.

The secret behind the burgers at Illusive Restaurant & Bar

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) - In honor of National Cheeseburger Day, we're checking out one local restaurant known throughout the state for their award-winning burgers. Illusive Restaurant & Bar has a lot of accolades under its belt, including having one of best burgers in the state according to New York Beef Council.New York Beef Council voted Illusive’s “Empire Smash Burger” the second best in the state. In November 2022, Illusive received the People’s Choice Award at Capital Wing Wars. Rensselaer eatery to be featured on ‘America’s Best Restaurants’ Chef and Owner Joseph Ventrice says the secret to their burgers begins with the beef.Chef and Owner Joseph Ventrice says the secret to their burgers begins with the beef.“We have a blend that's made particularly for us. We grill mark our burgers first and then we finish them on the flat top so it locks in all those awesome flavors,” said Joseph. Restaurant Rundown Illusive Restaurant & Bar is located at 3 Ferry Street in Ren...

GasBuddy: Avg. Alb. prices up 3 cents in last week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Average gasoline prices in Albany have risen 3.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.92/g Monday, according to GasBuddy's survey of 546 stations in Albany. Prices in Albany are 4.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 12.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has risen 9.9 cents in the last week and stands at $4.53 per gallon. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Albany was priced at $3.59/g Sunday while the most expensive was $4.09/g, a difference of 50.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state Sunday was $3.37/g while the highest was $4.47/g, a difference of $1.10/g.The national average price of gasoline has risen 4.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.83/g Monday. The national average is down 1 cent per gallon from a month ago and stands 19.9 cents per gallon ...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Should I snitch on my neighbor to her father?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Quinn and it's about her neighbor. Here's the email: Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. I’m concerned about my new neighbor’s behavior…and her kids, more importantly. A couple of months ago, a nice older man came to the door telling us he’d bought the nice home next door to us…and his daughter was moving in with her three kids. He shared that he wanted to get her away from the unhealthy lifestyle and bad influences where she used to live, and strongly implied that she had an alcohol problem. Normally, I’m good about minding my own business, but over the last month, I’ve seen multiple trucks and guys coming in and out, trash cans loaded with beer cans, and her car routinely left with its doors and trunk open throughout the night. I don’t know what that last part even means, but it’s just something to add to the list. Part of me wants to let her dad know th...

Cash bail system no longer available in Illinois starting today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:24 GMT

EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. - Cash bail is no longer available in Illinois starting Monday. The controversial move makes Illinois the first state in the country to eliminate the cash bail system.Authorities say the new setup does not mean that every suspect will simply walk out of jail after they are taken into custody. However, there are significant changes that will impact who remains behind bars before a trial.After a legal challenge from virtually every state's attorney, Illinois' highest court upheld the law. Here is how the new no-cash bail system will work:We're told that starting Monday, police must issue citations for suspects accused of low level misdemeanors; those suspects will be given a court date and released. For crimes that are more serious, where a suspect is arrested and remains in police custody, the final decision about whether that person will be released before their trial starts will be made by a judge. Day Two of UAW strike: Wentzville picketers explain their motiv...