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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

VA Scammers Target "Economic Stimulus" Checks

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008   

Richmond, VA - Predators want to cheat you out of your "economic stimulus" check. Phones across Virginia already are ringing with offers to speed up your pay-out if you just give the caller your personal information.

If you do that, says Carolyn Spohrer of the Virginia Community Action Partnership, you may get your check, but you'll also probably get your bank account cleaned out.

"With this stimulus payment have come lots of people fleecing folks by making phone calls and saying, 'Oh, we can get you the stimulus faster if you give us your social security number and your bank account information.' Don't fall for it, don't believe it. It will not happen."

Anyone with an annual income of at least $3,000 should be receiving a check, but you do need to file a tax return. Spohrer says you don't have to pay to get that done.

"Your best bet is to file a 1040A, very simple, front and back of one page. VITA sites can help you for free, and AARP can help you for free. There are professional tax preparers out there who are charging for these services, but you don't need to pay to have this done."

Spohrer says another threat comes from paying too much to cash your check. She points out it's a federal government check that any bank or credit union should be able to cash. She adds that a bank may charge a small fee if you're not a regular customer, but it will be far less than a check-cashing store would charge.


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Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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