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IRS will launch test run of free online tax-filing system

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

(The Hill) -- The IRS announced Tuesday it will launch a test run of a direct, free online tax-filing system for the 2024 tax season, citing high levels of taxpayer interest in such a system and relatively low cost. In a highly anticipated Tuesday report, the IRS announced it forged ahead and built a prototype of a system that will be deployed in a pilot program.The pilot program will involve a select number of taxpayers and have a limited scope and functionality to allow the Treasury Department to gauge how taxpayers would interact with it, IRS and Treasury officials said Tuesday.“Dozens of other countries have provided free tax filing options to their citizens, and American taxpayers who want to file their taxes for free online should have an acceptable option,” said Laurel Blatchford, who heads the Treasury Department’s office for implementing the Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act boosted IRS funding by $80 billion and ordered that agency to issue a report on t...

Teens can work out for free at Planet Fitness: Here's how

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

(WHTM) -- Planet Fitness has officially kicked off its program to let high school students work out for free for the summer. Starting on May 16, the company says, any student between ages 14-19 can work out at any of the 2,400+ locations until Aug. 31 during their High School Summer Pass Program. “We’re excited to officially open our doors to high school students today and provide a safe and Judgement Free space for teens to focus on their mental and physical health this summer as part of our High School Summer Pass program,” said Chris Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer at Planet Fitness. “At Planet Fitness, we’re proud of our commitment to give teens free access during the summer so they can develop long-lasting, healthy habits and experience all the benefits of fitness.” What is the literal meaning of Pennsylvania? Visit the Planet Fitness website to sign up. Participants can also enter a contest for a chance to be one of 10 teens each awarded $10,000 academic scholarships by Pla...

Transgender pop star Kim Petras on cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

(The Hill) -- Pop musician Kim Petras is one of the four cover models for Sports Illustrated (SI) swimsuit editions, becoming the second openly transgender model to appear on the cover. In an interview with Sports Illustrated published Monday, Petras explains that she felt pressure to represent the trans community due to the climate the U.S. is currently in when it comes to the issue. “It’s definitely a scary time to be transgender in America, but there’s also so much more representation than there’s ever been, and there’s so many things on the bright side,” Petras told the magazine. “I do feel a pressure sometimes to represent the trans community with everything I do, because I feel very blessed that I am at this point where I have all these amazing opportunities that I’ve worked really hard for, and feel so happy when I hear from trans people in general that they’re inspired by me.”  Obama says leaving White House helped his marriage The “Alone” singer also shared th...

Rare raccoon spotted in Ohio park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) — A rare raccoon was spotted in Cleveland Metroparks over the weekend. Olmsted Falls, Ohio, resident Tammy Stevens said she saw the critter, which appears to be an albino raccoon, on Mother's Day.According to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, only 1 in every 10-20,000 raccoons is born with albinism, an inherited genetic condition that lacks pigment in the hair, skin, and eyes.  Blake Shelton’s successor announced on ‘The Voice’ Courtesy: Tammy Stevens of Olmsted FallsCourtesy: Tammy Stevens of Olmsted FallsCourtesy: Tammy Stevens of Olmsted FallsWhile albino animals are certainly unusual to see, their presence in and around northeast Ohio has been documented across social media and by local news outlets. Particularly, albino deer.Millcreek Metroparks in Youngstown has been home to several white deer over the years.Just last year, WJW reported on three baby deer born just outside of Millcreek Metroparks, including one that was albino.Other animals ...

Here's why researchers find so many 'creepy' items on Aransas beaches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 16, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) – If you decide to take a stroll down an Aransas, Texas, shore, you’d likely come upon typical beach items like seashells, seaweed or beach glass. But here, there is an increased chance of discovering more peculiar objects, like a message in a bottle, shell-encrusted dolls or even an artificial limb. “We do weekly surveys looking for stranded sea turtles, nesting sea turtles, [and count] endangered species, [like] birds, things like that. But we all were always coming across odd items,” said Jace Tunnel, Reserve Director of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve. Tunnel said because of the way our ocean currents work, the Texas coast gets much more marine debris washing up on its shore than any other Gulf state. Odd items frequently wash up on Aransas, Texas, beaches because of the Loop Current (Photo courtesy: Jace Tunnell, Mission-Aransas National Estuarin...

Minnesota AG will join Ramsey County attorney’s review of fatal shooting by St. Paul officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

The Minnesota attorney general will join the Ramsey County attorney’s review of whether a St. Paul officer should be charged in a February shooting that killed a 65-year-old man, the county attorney announced Tuesday.The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in February that Yia Xiong was holding a 16-inch knife when St. Paul officer Abdirahman Dahir shot him.Xiong’s family has said the Hmong-American veteran was deaf in one ear as a result of his involvement in the Vietnam War. They also said he wasn’t a threat, and raised questions about why he was killed.The BCA led the investigation, and the Ramsey County attorney’s office said Tuesday that the agency formally presented its investigative file to its office. County Attorney John Choi asked Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison participate in the prosecution review, which he agreed to.Yia Xiong in his Vietnam War uniform (Courtesy photo)“Our first commitment is to a complete and transparent revi...

Mechanicville CSD: Vape detectors are working well

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to CDC data from 2022, about 1 of every 7 high school students reported that they had used electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days. Local school districts are coming up with new strategies to fight back against the teen vaping epidemic. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “Unfortunately, the companies that make this stuff make it so the kids actually enjoy it,” said Ken Cooper, Security Advisor for Mechanicville City School District.The district installed vape detectors in the bathrooms to curb both nicotine and THC vape use. Cooper gets a message to his phone when the monitor is triggered. It tells him which bathroom and what time the vaping took place. If he or another administrator can't immediately find the student who was using that bathroom, they can review security camera footage of the hallway to attempt to determine who was there at the time. US adult cigarette smoking rat...

‘Disney Junior Live’ returning to the Palace Theatre

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- After “Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza” came to the Palace Theatre in Albany in October 2022, the children's concert is returning. The show is set for September 24 at 4 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The show features characters from “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” in addition to Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Doc McStuffins, the Puppy Dog Pals, Bo from "Firebuds" and the superhero kittens from the new series, “SuperKitties." The immersive, interactive concert includes singing, dancing, acrobatics, and 3D special effects.In “Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza,” Mickey, Minnie, and their pals are getting ready to throw a huge costume party but mysterious weather keeps interrupting the fun. Can Team Spidey help save the Costume Palooza? The show will feature favorite songs from hit Disney Junior series, as well as new original music. Guilderland’s Tesoro Italian Restaura...

Montgomery County to host household hazardous waste collection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

FONDA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Montgomery County is hosting a free household hazardous waste collection on July 15 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the County Annex building at 20 Park Street. This opportunity is only available to residents of Montgomery County, and attendees may be asked for proof of residency. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! AcceptedNot Accepted- Pesticides- Corrosives- Pool Chemicals- Oil Based Paints/Stains- Anti-Freeze- Fluorescent Bulbs- Hazardous Cleaning Products- Driveway Sealer- Ammunition and Explosives- Pharmaceuticals- Electronic Waste- Infectious Waste- Radioactive Waste- Tires- Asbestos- Oil- Latex- Paint- Regular garbage- Construction materialsTo avoid traffic congestion, time slots have been allocated based on the first initial of your last name. The time allocations are:A to G: 8 - 9 a.m.H to M: 9 - 10 a.m.N to S: 10 - 11 a.m.T to Z: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.The collection is for households only. No businesses...

Jackson Mahomes allowed contact with some witnesses in Kansas case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:12 GMT

OLATHE, Kan. - A Johnson County judge decided Jackson Mahomes can have contact with three of four people listed as witnesses in his battery case.During a hearing Tuesday afternoon the judge reminded each witness they are not allowed to discuss the case with Mahomes.The judge ruled Mahomes cannot have contact with the fourth witness. The prosecutor said the the witness has direct ties to the case against Mahomes. The prosecutor also told the judge that someone close to Mahomes tried to influence the fourth witness.Tuesday's bond modification hearing took place after Mahomes' attorney filed a request and asked that his client be allowed to interact with four people on the witness list who are also his friends. Kansas City Chiefs QB Mahomes one of highest paid athletes in world One of the original conditions of Mahomes bond is that he was not allowed to have contact with witnesses in the case.The judge announced his decision a day after the affidavit in the case against Ma...