Americans Anticipate Increased Take-Home Pay In 2024 As Higher Federal Tax Brackets And Deductions Take Effect

Effective beginning in January, Americans are poised to experience a potential boost in their take-home pay in 2024, as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ushers in higher federal income tax brackets and standard deductions. 

The IRS, addressing concerns about “bracket creep,” announced these adjustments in November, with the intention of preventing taxpayers from being pushed into higher-income brackets due to inflation. 

In a year where inflation remains higher than the pre-pandemic average and the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, the 5.4% increase in tax brackets is expected to result in substantial savings for taxpayers across all income levels. As the adjustments take effect, millions of Americans may find relief in shielding more of their income from IRS scrutiny.

For more information, visit: irs.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Unusual Earthquake Strikes St. Clair County, Prompting Urgency For Residents To Familiarize Themselves With Safety Measures

On Wednesday, December 27th, an unexpected earthquake hit the St. Clair County area measuring at 2.5 on the Richter scale, prompting earthquake awareness and safety precautions for Michigan residents. 

While earthquakes are uncommon in the state, the recent seismic activity underscores the importance of preparedness, especially given Michigan’s proximity to states with a higher seismic risk. Notably, parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee lie on the New Madrid fault line, where earthquakes as high as 7.7 on the Richter scale have occurred. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a map highlighting earthquake-prone areas in the U.S. Residents are advised to recognize earthquake signs, including roaring sounds, violent shaking, and jolts, and to prepare for potential aftermaths such as structural damage, fires, land disturbances, and hazardous material releases.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Michigan Secretary Of State Confirms Donald Trump’s Inclusion In 2024 Presidential Primary Ballot

In a pivotal decision, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson declared today that, barring intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court, former President Donald Trump will be featured on the Republican presidential primary ballot scheduled for February 27th, 2024. 

Emphasizing her commitment to nonpartisan governance and adherence to the law, Secretary Benson, a former election law professor, highlighted the importance of securing democracy and ensuring fair and accessible elections. 

Michigan’s state Supreme Court, along with lower courts, has upheld the Secretary of State’s limited authority in determining ballot access for presidential primary candidates. Secretary Benson expressed optimism for swift resolution from the U.S. Supreme Court, underscoring the necessity of clarity as the nation gears up for the 2024 election season.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Massive Cybersecurity Breach Exposes Personal Health Data Of Over One Million Michigan Residents

In a startling revelation, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a cybersecurity breach at HealthEC, LLC, a population health management platform serving Corewell Health’s properties in southeastern Michigan.

The breach, impacting over a million residents, has raised concerns about the security of sensitive health information. HealthEC, a vendor for Corewell Health, specializes in identifying high-risk patients and improving care accessibility. On December 22nd, HealthEC initiated the process of notifying affected individuals, acknowledging the compromise of personal data such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, medical records, and health insurance information.

The exposed information also includes medical diagnoses, prescription details, and billing information, posing a significant threat to privacy and highlighting the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

T-Mobile Implements Stricter Measures Against A2P Traffic Violations With New Fines Starting January 1st

Commencing January 1st, 2024, T-Mobile is set to enforce three new fines for non-compliant Application-to-Person (A2P) traffic leading to Severity-0 violations, the most severe form of consumer harm. 

The fines, applicable to all A2P products utilizing T-Mobile’s network, are structured as follows: Tier 1 – $2,000 for offenses like phishing and social engineering; Tier 2 – $1,000 for illegal content, encompassing substances like Cannabis and solicitations; and Tier 3 – $500 for various violations, including but not limited to SHAFT, which is Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco. 

The move underscores T-Mobile’s commitment to maintaining a secure and compliant messaging environment, reinforcing penalties for severe violations.

For more information, refer to Section 5 in the T-Mobile Code of Conduct.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Holiday Chocolate Alert: High Levels Of Lead And Cadmium Found In Popular Brands

As holiday festivities boost chocolate consumption, a cautionary note arises with Consumer Reports revealing elevated levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium in many popular chocolate products. 

Recent testing unveiled that 71 percent of the chocolate examined exceeded recommended thresholds for lead, cadmium, or both. Notably, Divine 70% Deliciously Smooth Dark Chocolate and Sam’s Choice (Walmart) Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa were exceptions, meeting CR’s safety standards. 

Four out of six hot cocoa mixes tested, including Great Value (Walmart), Trader Joe’s, and Nestlé (which supplies Starbucks), surpassed Consumer Reports’ lead limit. Surprisingly, even products with cocoa powder, sugar, and additional ingredients showed elevated levels of lead, raising concerns about potential health risks for consumers. Holiday revelers are urged to be mindful of their chocolate choices to avoid unintended exposure to heavy metals.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell