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Is government a ‘force for good,’ or does it ‘really suck’? Ed. Dept. at a pivot point between Obama, Trump

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NewsHubThe fiercest critics and most ardent supporters of President Obama’s Education Department — which has arguably wielded more influence and sparked more controversy than any of its predecessors — generally agree that the agency’s efforts were rooted in the faith that government has a critical role to play in improving people’s lives.
Now the agency is poised for a radical shift with Donald Trump’s arrival in Washington, as the businessman-turned-president-elect has often spoken about government as a bumbling failure and an impediment to success.
Education Secretary John B. King Jr. — who says public schools saved his life after he was orphaned young — is preparing to move out of his seventh-floor office suite at the department’s D. C. headquarters. His designated successor, Betsy DeVos — a billionaire political power broker who has said public schools are a dysfunctional monopoly, and who believes in private-school vouchers and the power of the free market — is preparing to move in, her confirmation hearing set for Tuesday.
“Government can be a tremendous force for good,” King said in an interview at his office recently.
“Government really sucks,” DeVos, Trump’s nominee for education secretary, said last year at the South by Southwest educational technology conference in Austin. “And it doesn’t matter which party is in power.”
[ ‘Government really sucks’ and five other principles promoted by DeVos ]
It is this ideological divide as much as any other that is at the root of what Trump has promised will be a very different approach to the nation’s public schools. He has said he will shrink federal oversight and interference and wants to spend billions of dollars to encourage vouchers — which the Obama administration has vigorously opposed — and charter schools.
Obama administration allies worry that Trump’s approach will overturn much of the work from the past eight years, from its reinvigoration of the civil rights division responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination to its crackdown on for-profit colleges accused of defrauding students.
But King, a former U. S. history teacher who once wrote lessons about democracy and is now viscerally experiencing it, steadfastly refuses to speculate about what the next administration might do. Following Obama’s lead, he speaks only obliquely about the disappointment of election results that endanger his legacy, using Obama’s language about history never moving in a straight line toward justice but zigging and zagging along the way.
And he says he believes the administration’s work has created momentum — to expand public preschool offerings, to prevent and appropriately handle campus sexual assault — that will continue in schools, cities and states regardless of what happens in Washington.
“The next administration and Congress may do some things differently,” King said. “But in some ways, the culture has been fundamentally changed.”
[ Trump could reverse Obama actions on sexual assault, transgender student accommodations ]
The battle over the role of the federal government has been a central tension in U. S. public education for decades, from the desegregation of the Jim Crow South to battles over prayer in classrooms.
Republican President George W. Bush was a proponent of a strong federal role in schools through the testing and school improvement mandates of the No Child Left Behind law, which he said was necessary to address the “soft bigotry of low expectations.”
Not since President Ronald Reagan — who said he wanted to do away with the Education Department — has the executive branch been so openly skeptical of the federal role in education. And while Reagan had to deal with a Democratic Congress, no such partisan roadblock stands in the way of Trump, who also has professed an interest in dismantling the department.
Many of the items that King ticks off as recent accomplishments — vigorous civil rights enforcement, new rules for teacher preparation programs and school accountability, and a crackdown against for-profit colleges accused of defrauding their students — already appear to be in opponents’ sights.
Congressional Republicans have put two sets of Education Department regulations on their list of rules to undo in 2017, and Trump surrogates have been intensely critical of the agency’s Office for Civil Rights, which has fielded tens of thousands of discrimination complaints and has made headlines for pressing schools to accommodate transgender students and deal with campus sexual assault.
The fate of the civil rights division — whose efforts are as reversible as they are dramatic — is a top concern for many advocates for children who are minorities, immigrants, LGBT or come from poor families.
“We’ve got some tough times ahead, but we are up to it,” Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund and an education civil rights icon, told advocates and career Education Department employees at the department’s headquarters. “You might as well hunker down, do your crying at nights and on the weekends. We are not going backwards.”
Many conservatives welcome Trump’s promise to scale back federal intervention after spending the past eight years pushing back against what they said was Obama’s overreach into public schools. His efforts produced little in the way of improvements for children, they argue, pointing to stalled and in some cases sliding student achievement on national math and reading exams. High school graduation rates rose to record highs under Obama, but critics say that’s a squishy measure of improvement, since states set their own graduation requirements and they can change over time.
King’s predecessor, Arne Duncan, used billions of dollars in stimulus funding and the promise of relief from the most onerous provisions of the widely hated No Child Left Behind law to nudge states into adopting his preferred policies, including new teacher evaluations, new Common Core State Standards and new standardized tests.
Those efforts sparked a backlash not only from conservatives but also from teachers unions and parents, ultimately helping to persuade Congress to replace No Child Left Behind with a new law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, that set significant limits on the Education Department’s power.
King allowed that, with the benefit of hindsight, there are things that he would have done differently. But he said that the fight over federal authority is mostly an inside-the-Beltway debate “divorced from the substantive question of what’s the work that we should be doing as adults on behalf of kids.”
The Obama administration has been correct on those substantive questions, he said. And many Republicans agree with the need for stronger teacher evaluations and standards. It’s just that Republicans say that states should and will make those changes on their own, while the Obama administration says the federal government needs to be vigilant.
“States’ rights and civil rights have not generally traveled together in the history of the United States,” King said. “That’s not a partisan point, that’s a fact.”
To some on the left, this is the sad irony of the Obama administration’s legacy on education: In trying so hard to push states to do what they viewed as right, Obama officials undercut the federal government’s ability to do its most important work — protecting the rights of the most disadvantaged kids.
“If you say, as I do, that the federal government is a major source for equity in education,” said Richard Kahlenberg of the Century Foundation, the Education Department’s undermining of the federal role “is kind of a tragic legacy.”

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© Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/is-government-a-force-for-good-or-does-it-really-suck-ed-dept-at-a-pivot-point-between-obama-trump/2017/01/14/191f9438-c78c-11e6-bf4b-2c064d32a4bf_story.html
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Comment: Burning questions that Ford has a duty to answer

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NewsHubBut, while such an announcement would be a relief to the thousands of owners of this model, Ford still has plenty to answer for.
The Times has led the way in exposing the problems with Ford Kugas. Our reports led to the first formal warning by the motor manufacturer to its customers shortly before Christmas and to interventions by the consumer commission.
But, as our report today reveals, there is much more to be said.
There is compelling evidence that suggests that Ford knew at least a year ago that there were potentially serious problems with the car after being alerted by an investigator who probed two Kuga fires last January. Yet there is no evidence Ford acted to warn its customers or to intervene.
But the rot goes deeper still as warning signals from elsewhere appear also to have been ignored by Ford.
The insurer Santam, for example, confirms that it had told Ford of five Kuga claims between 2014 and last year. Other insurers have a similar story to tell.
This indicates that Ford SA has serious questions to answer. Did the company continue to sell and allow its customers to drive Kugas when it had been warned of a potentially life-threatening issue by an investigator and insurers, and why did it wait almost a year to act?
Considering that a similar model was the subject of a massive recall in the US, the first suggestion of a problem here should have triggered alarms.
Ford’s handling of this affair is shameful at best and grossly negligent at worst.
Its brand will be damaged for years as a result.
And then there’s the question of Reshall Jimmy, who died when his Kuga caught fire in December 2015.
What will Ford say to his family now?

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© Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2017/01/16/Comment-Burning-questions-that-Ford-has-a-duty-to-answer
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Sterling volatile as market speculates on ‘hard Brexit’; investors await May's speech

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NewsHubSterling traded cautiously, after slumping to a three-month low against the dollar, as investors wait to hear from U. K. Prime Minister Theresa May on her Brexit plans.
Fears of a «hard» Brexit from the European Union undermined the currency in Asia trading. However, May’s spokeswoman said on Monday that talk of a «hard» Brexit is «speculation. »
But currency traders are worried how sterling will react when May outlines her plans on Tuesday, with newspapers suggesting the prime minister will prioritise immigration controls and bilateral trade deals with Britain leaving the EU’s single market and customs union.
«When May spoke in October and again on Jan 8 sterling fell. The comments from her spokesperson over the weekend saying, ‘we are expecting a market correction’ underlines the presumption within government of the currency trading fresh lows,» Jeremy Stretch, head of G10 FX strategy at CIBC told CNBC via email.
Stretch explained that when May encouraged the pound negativity back in October, she failed to recognize or attempt to mitigate the impact of the slide.
«Expect much the same this time, indeed expect an attempt to make a virtue of the move via benefits to the export sector. »
The currency has seen a lot of volatility since the U. K. voted to leave the European Union. While the initial moves were dramatic, plunging from the highs of $1.50 to a 31-year low of $1.32, the currency fell a further 6 percent on October 7 on fears of a hard Brexit. The pound continues to remain under pressure at current levels of $1.20, down about 20 percent since June 23 – the day of the referendum.
«We see the Pound falling to parity with the euro on the combination of a hard-nosed Brexit negotiation by the U. K. government without an underlying economic plan,» Alberto Gallo, head of macro strategies at Algebris Investments.
Gallo said U. K. inflation is likely to rise too, above 4 percent on a 10-year horizon.
«The Bank of England will have limited ammunition to react, and any threat to hike rates will bear little credibility, as households remain constrained by rising debt levels. »
Last week HSBC created a «Brexometer» to understand what markets are expecting from Brexit. According to this Brexometer, a number between 0 and 100 will mean how hard a Brexit the market is expecting.
«If Brexit were never to happen, this would mean 0 on the Brexometer. We believe this is in line with GBP/USD trading around $1.55. However, the hardest Brexit would be 100 on the Brexometer. We believe this is in line with GBP-USD trading at $1.10 in the near term,» according to a research note from HSBC.
At the moment, with the pound trading in the $1.20 to $1.25 range, the currency market is pointing to a relatively hard Brexit, according to the Brexometer.
Over the weekend the Sunday Times reported that Theresa May will announce a «clean and hard Brexit» and prepare to pull the U. K. from the European market and the European customs union in exchange for the ability to control immigration laws and leave the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.
Markets have been worried such a decisive break from the single market would hurt British exports and drive foreign investment out of the country.
Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook .

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© Source: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/16/sterling-volatile-as-market-speculates-on-hard-brexit.html
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It pays to be vigilant

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NewsHubConsumer Goods and Services Ombud Neville Melville said yes, you can.
«Our understanding is the transaction is concluded when the consumer places the goods on the check-out counter,» he said.
The Consumer Protection Act states that retailers don’t have to honour prices which are «obviously» wrong, as long as they take reasonable steps to inform the customer of the mistake and take steps to rectify it.
And Melville said it’s too late for the retailer to rectify the mistake if the customer is already at the till.
But most price mistakes between shelf and till go unnoticed — for example, coffee marked at R8.99 at the shelf by mistake but ringing up at the till correctly at R89.99.
They are usually management inefficiencies — a «promotional» price not being programmed into the till and because it requires the shopper to remember what the shelf price tag indicated and then notice the discrepancy, the shopper often loses out.
If you do notice, don’t be embarrassed to speak up, ask for the manager and insist on being given the item at the shelf price, no matter how many grumpy-looking people are standing in the queue behind you.
And here’s what you really need to know — two major supermarkets have chosen to go one step further on the wrong-price scanned issue, compensating customers when they get it wrong. [See sidebar.]
But it seems to me that they aren’t doing much — or anything at all — to make their customers aware of this, so many lose out.
Hazel Ogg told In Your Corner that twice in a week the «3 for the price of 2» specials on vegetables were scanned at the full price for three at Woolworths’ Westville Mall branch recently.
The first time the cashier noticed — good for her — and the second time Ogg picked it up.
«Both times the duty manager was called and reversed the cost to reflect the special offer.
«The second time it happened, I suggested that twice in a week was unacceptable,» Ogg said. «The manager shrugged and said it was a problem with head office and suggested I contact it. «
No mention of the «if it scans wrong, get it free» policy.
Even more worryingly, when Ogg called Woolworth’s customer care line, the person she spoke to didn’t mention the policy either.
So I asked Woolworths if it had done away with it.
«Our pricing policy has not changed and remains consistent for both foods as well as clothing and general merchandise,» a spokesman told me.
«It would appear that the policy was not followed in our Westville Mall store and, as a result, we will send reminders to stores to ensure effective execution of this policy.
«Woolworths will be contacting Ogg directly shortly to apologise for the error and compensate her in full. «
It seems the customer care division could use a copy of that policy, too.
Store managers appear to need regular reminding of the policy and how to implement it.
Last January Frank Meulenbeld said when he noticed that he was overcharged at a Cape Town branch of Woolworth’s Food, he pointed it out and a supervisor was called over to fix the problem.
«I asked if I would receive the item free, as per the policy, but he said the policy had changed. «
Either that supervisor hadn’t been trained properly or he just made that up on the spot.
Bottom line: for reasons best known to the retailers, products scanning at the till at a higher price than that displayed at the shelf is a common occurrence.
And if you’re routinely not making a note of shelf prices and not paying attention at check-out — focused on your phone instead of the till display, perhaps — sooner or later you’re going to be overcharged.
It pays to be alert and know, not only your legal rights, but what two major retailers have implemented as overcharge policy because if you don’t know, chances are you won’t get.
When the till price doesn’t match the shelf price you are legally entitled to the lower price if an item scans at the till at a higher price than the one shown on the shelf. Woolworths and Pick n Pay have different compensation policies.
You get the item free, and any additional ones of the identical type at the lower price.
They used to have the «first one free» policy, but now if any item scans at a higher price at the till than on the shelf, a customer gets double the difference between the right price and the wrong one.
BUT DOES THE TILL KNOW? Many a promotional price isn’t scanned into the till, so customers get overcharged. It pays to note the shelf prices and then check the till display — and to know that some supermarkets will compensate you if they get it wrong

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© Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/consumerlive/2017/01/16/It-pays-to-be-vigilant
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The commuters who enjoy being creative with their time

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NewsHubThe average UK commuter spends nearly an hour a day travelling — and 3.7 million are en route for more than two hours , with the longest journey times spent on trains .
Strikes and other delays aside — it is a long time to spend scrolling through social media or staring silently ahead. Some people are occupying their many captive hours with a creative pastime.
Here are some of England’s most productive passengers.
Amy Dicketts travels for 90 minutes a day on the Tube. She photographs fellow passengers for her project Commute Blog.
«I thought there must be something better I could be doing than staring into space or looking at my phone,» said the 24-year-old who works in marketing.
«So I began to ask to take people’s photographs and ask them to tell me something surprising about themselves.
Two-hour daily commute ‘on rise among UK workers’
«Usually they are surprised but glad to have some entertainment on an otherwise boring journey. Often the people around us join in and will ask their own questions.
«I’ve heard stories from all sorts of people, including tips on how to have a happy marriage from people celebrating their wedding anniversary, to young boys trying to challenge the stereotypes people have of them.
«I realised I didn’t have many stories from older people as they don’t tend to travel by Tube.
«I spent a day with North London Cares and South London Cares , two charities which bring together older Londoners and their younger neighbours.
«We went on the Tube to the London Transport Museum for a day out. It really opened my eyes to how challenging the Tube is for people who aren’t as mobile. »
«I noticed a few people at the end of the train having a glass of wine and one of the guys beckoned me over and asked if I wanted to join them,» said Mr Surtherland-Rowe who works in IT for a bank.
«The club has been going for about eight years and the people who started it aren’t travelling any more.
«Every Thursday we bring alcohol and nibbles and just catch up on the week.
«We celebrate birthdays with posters and decorations and we had a Christmas party.
«In the summer we have a party in a field with a marquee and a barbecue and we bring our partners and children.
«We have a Facebook group where we keep in touch and let one another know about train delays.
«It makes commuting much easier because you are sharing the pain.
«We’ve grown from a group of commuters to a group of friends. »
«I started crocheting two years ago as I wanted to try something creative,» said the 38-year-old who works as an administrator at a charity.
«For practical reasons I tend to make smaller items on the train such as baby bootees, adult beanie hats and scarves.
«I’ve also made a few blankets by making the granny squares to and from work and crocheting them together into a blanket when I get home.
Readers’ tales of extreme commuting
«There’s only so much crocheted stuff you can give to friends. So I decided to have a stall at my local market before Christmas.
«Using my commute productively has given me a little extra cash, it makes the journey go quicker and actually takes away some of the pain of commuting.
«It has also proven a great way to strike up a conversation with fellow commuters. »
«Initially to make the commute more bearable I downloaded Candy Crush,» said the 37-year-old who manages international judicial relations at the Royal Courts of Justice.
«I was completely addicted and realised I was wasting valuable time.
«So, I started jotting down ideas for a series of novels. I’ve done almost all my research, plotting and writing on the train.
«I’ve self-published my two novels The Circle Line and The Blood Line through Amazon.
«Some of the books are set within the London Underground.
«It does feel good to be doing something which feels worthwhile,» said the married father of three.
«I really enjoy my commute as a rare slice of time for myself between work and family life. »
It takes Lindsey Farquhar three hours a day to travel to and from Liverpool. She paints, crochets and makes jewellery which she posts on her Crafty Commuter Facebook page.
«The Crafty Commuter started in November 2014 when I missed the early train to work so had time to wait for the next one,» said the 42-year-old who works for a housing association.
«So I bought a crochet magazine with free wool and crochet hooks at the station just on a whim.
«My job is office based and can be quite pressured so I had previously worked myself into quite a state checking emails before I even got there.
«But once I started my Crafty Commute, I arrived at work much more relaxed and feeling like I’d accomplished something creative already before I even got into work. I loved it.
«I crochet bobble hats and boot toppers in the winter and I make wire-wrapped jewellery when it gets warmer. Wire is my summer version of wool, you see.
«Then I started drawing and painting. I put together a little travel kit that I could take on the train.
«Very soon, my friends at work were asking about my crafting and family and friends were chatting about it on Facebook.
«The train guards started talking to me about my projects too. They stopped to talk about their families and friends.
«Thank goodness they always remind me when it’s time to get off! »
«I began sketching last year as I felt the need to unleash my creative side,» said the 49-year-old who works in social media for a recruitment consultant.
«Sketching means I can relax and not worry about the day ahead until I sit at my desk, then it helps me unwind when I’m on my way home.
«I keep a pocket sketchbook, pen and pencil in my commuting rucksack. I have to be careful not to get shaky lines when the train goes over points.
«I soon realised I needed some formal training to learn proper technique, so I joined a drawing evening class.
«I enjoyed it so much I’m going back for a more advanced class starting in a couple of weeks. «

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© Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38506378
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Music, the country way

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NewsHubIt is a bit of a stretch to imagine the average modern-day Israeli getting out there on the range, herding cattle and strumming a guitar by a campfire. Then again, we do have our kumzitz tradition, and campfire musical get-togethers are an integral part of our national culture.
Shai Lavi certainly feeds off that heritage as he proffers his musical wares to audiences up and down the country. His upcoming gig, scheduled for 9 p.m. on January 17 at Beit Hayotzer in the Tel Aviv Port, will showcase a spread of his works written and recorded in recent years.

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© Source: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Music-the-country-way-478522
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Movie preview: Films opening through April 21

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NewsHubEach winter gives way to spring, to hope eternal, to new movies and TV shows to watch while ignoring the fresh flowers and summer breezes and changing foliage of the unforgiving outdoors. And looking at the upcoming season’s release schedule, there’s no reason to think that 2017 won’t deliver wonders for our eyes and ears. From old favorites (HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Universal’s “The Fate of the Furious”) to shiny new confections (Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” the CW’s “Riverdale”), the year to come does what all new years do: dangle promise before us, daring us to reach for it.
Here are the movies and television shows that the L. A. Times’ Calendar staff are most excited to see in 2017. We don’t know if any of them will be any good, but we can’t wait to find out.
(Reminder: Release and premiere dates subject to change.)
Below are the films opening theatrically through April 21. Release dates and other details, as compiled by Kevin Crust, are subject to change. Sadly, “Attack of the Lederhosen Zombies” (Jan. 13) and “My Entire High School is Sinking Into the Sea” (2017 TBA) fall outside of this window
Jan. 20
Jan. 27
Read more

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© Source: http://www.latimes.com/la-2017-movie-television-preview-movie-preview-films-opening-through-1484556507-htmlstory.html
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The 2 changes to 401(k)s in 2017 you need to know

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NewsHubHowever, a couple of provisions will see some minor changes that could impact high-income workers as well as those at the lower end of the wage scale. Below, we’ll look more closely at these two changes and how they might affect you.
1. Rising employer contribution limits could help high-income earners.
One aspect of 401(k) plans that few people know about is that there are limits on the ability of employers to make contributions toward their workers’ 401(k) accounts. Like the employee contribution limit, the maximum amount that employers can contribute is also indexed to inflation. Even though the regular employee contribution limits didn’t rise, the employer limit did, climbing from $53,000 in 2016 to $54,000 in 2017.
This increase generally shows up in two ways. First, the maximum compensation that companies are allowed to consider in providing matching contributions is going up from $265,000 to $270,000, and that will let companies make incremental increases in matches for many high-income workers.
Also, self-employed workers who participate in solo 401(k) plans and earn enough money to take advantage of the boost can contribute more in 2017. Because self-employed workers can contribute a maximum of 25% of net earned income, it takes high levels of compensation to qualify for the full $54,000 contribution, but some will be able to take advantage of it.
2. Higher income limits on Saver’s Credit for 401(k) contributions will help lower-income earners.
The Saver’s Credit gives low- and middle-income workers an extra incentive for participating in 401(k) plans. The credit pays between 10% and 50% on up to $2,000 of contributions per person to 401(k) plans, as well as other retirement accounts like IRAs.
In order to qualify for the Saver’s Credit, you have to fall within certain adjusted gross income limits. Those limits are rising slightly in 2017:
However, it’s important to note that the breakpoints for the various levels of the credit are not changing in 2016. For instance, the highest 50% credit amount is only available for joint filers making no more than $37,000 in adjusted gross income. That’s exactly the same as it was in 2016. As a result, the only thing that the changes do this year is to broaden slightly the number of taxpayers who are eligible for the minimum 10% credit amount.
Get ready for bigger adjustments next year
These adjustments won’t affect that many people, but there is some hope on the horizon for 401(k) savers. The annual contribution limit is rounded down to the nearest $500, which explains why it has stayed the same for three years running. However, the unrounded amount climbed to $18,360 for 2017, meaning that an increase of less than 1% this year will kick the amount up to $18,500 in 2018.
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For now, though, investors in 401(k)s can expect 2017 to look much like 2016 did. That will give most savers who don’t contribute the maximum a chance to boost their contribution amounts in an effort to take maximum advantage of their 401(k) plan accounts in the coming year.

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© Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/cnn_latest/~3/DT0jJ46Vj6E/index.html
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Oscar Watch: Heading for the last roundup before nominations

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NewsHubThe film academy gave its members a reprieve this year, pushing back the beginning of Oscar voting so everyone had more time to go to screenings, sift through their DVDs and deeply consider what movies and performances to nominate.
Balloting ended Friday, the same week that the directors and producers guilds announced their slates and Meryl Streep delivered an awards show speech for the ages about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
What does it all mean for the Academy Awards? Time for another edition of Oscar Watch, as we puzzle through the latest news and developments leading up to the academy’s revealing of its nominees on Jan. 24.
“La La Land”
“Moonlight”
“ Manchester by the Sea ”
“Fences”
“Arrival”
“Lion”
“Hell or High Water”
“Hidden Figures”
“Hacksaw Ridge”
“Silence”
Now the question is: How many more films will the academy select? “Hidden Figures” is the feel-good choice, sporting a popular ensemble and currently peaking at the box office. “Hacksaw” is the preferred pick among the academy members we like to call “steak eaters,” i.e. older white males, i.e. most of the membership. And “Hell or High Water” is the best movie of the trio, a thriller that weaves in pointed social commentary that speaks to the anxiety of our times.
All three could make it in — meaning there would be nine nominated movies, as was the case from 2012 to 2014. Or, possibly — and I’m not holding my breath — Martin Scorsese ’s acolytes could make their presence felt by putting “Silence” in the top spot on their preferential ballots. Pundits call such placement the “passion vote,” a particularly apt term for a deeply felt film like “Silence.” Let’s just say I’m holding Hebrews 11:1 close to my heart right now.
Emma Stone , “La La Land”
Natalie Portman, “Jackie”
Amy Adams, “Arrival”
Meryl Streep, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Annette Bening , “20th Century Women”
Isabelle Huppert , “Elle”
Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”
But that doesn’t always matter among actors branch voters, as they’ve recently rewarded leads from off-the-beaten-path indies — Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years”), Marion Cotillard (“Two Days, One Night”) and Emmanuelle Riva (“Amour”). Huppert is the quintessential “due” nominee. That might give her an edge, and Streep certainly won a few votes with her speech at the Golden Globes. (Rami Malek: “In a weird way, she’s our president.” ) As for Bening, she’s plenty revered herself and has served on the academy’s board of governors the past several years. Did I mention this is an almost impossible choice?
Denzel Washington, “Fences”
Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
Ryan Gosling, “La La Land”
Viggo Mortensen, “Captain Fantastic”
Andrew Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Michael Keaton, “The Founder”
Viola Davis, “Fences”
Michelle Williams , “Manchester by the Sea”
Naomie Harris , “Moonlight”
Nicole Kidman , “Lion”
Octavia Spencer , “Hidden Figures”
Janelle Monáe, “Hidden Figures”
Mahershala Ali , “Moonlight”
Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”
Lucas Hedges, “Manchester by the Sea”
Dev Patel , “Lion”
Hugh Grant, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Michael Shannon, “Nocturnal Animals”
Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”
Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”
Denis Villeneuve, “Arrival”
Martin Scorsese, “Silence”
David Mackenzie, “Hell or High Water”

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© Source: http://www.latimes.com/la-en-mn-oscar-watch-predictions-20170113-story.html
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Hawaii lawmaker says homeless using war memorial as open latrine

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NewsHubA Hawaii state lawmaker is looking to add more protection to a Korean and Vietnam War Memorial that had been desecrated by some of the homeless population.
State Rep. Bob McDermott, R-Ewa Beach, said Friday the memorial, which stretches 100 feet in its Honolulu location, that some homeless residents were using it as an open latrine, according to Hawaii News Now.
«The homeless are nesting there and defecating there because it provides a degree of concealment. It’s human waste – several piles along with clothing and needles and other trash. It’s just terrible,» he said.
The station reported that McDermott had taken photos of the vandalized memorial to see it in shambles. When he returned, he discovered that the mess got even worse.
McDermott sent a letter to the desk of Gov. David Ige on Thursday to notify him of what was happening. A spokesperson told the station that Ige had yet to receive the letter.
Edward Richardson, a former state adjutant general, said some of the names on the memorial were his friends and he said it “bothered” him to hear that the monument was being defaced.
«I was very bothered last night to hear it had deteriorated to a point where’s it’s become and embarrassment. There needs to be some form of security to ensure that people don’t come here and mess it up,» Richardson said.
The grounds around state Capitol buildings are regularly patrolled, the Department of Public Safety said. Officers who catch anyone breaking the law will hand out citations or possibly arrest the culprits.
Click for more from Hawaii News Now.

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