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5 options if you’re crushed by student loan and credit card debt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

(NerdWallet) - The return of federal student loan payments in October has the potential to derail your finances, especially if you’re already struggling with credit card payments.One in five student loan borrowers have risk factors that suggest they could struggle with student loan payments when they resume, according to a June blog post at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.The impact won’t be as significant during the initial 12-month student loan on-ramp period from Oct. 1 to Sept 30, 2024. You won’t default on student loans or see credit scores plummet after missing payments during that time. But interest will continue to accrue, making the growing debt more difficult to manage. Use the next 12 months to make progress with consistent payments. You’ll save more money over time and pay down debt faster.Here are some strategies to consider as you’re getting started.1. Revamp your budgetAn updated budget clarifies how much money is available to pay down debts. Review your debi...

Passport program to celebrate 'legacy' Austin businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new program aims to support and celebrate some of Austin's oldest local businesses this month.The program, called Legacy Business Month, runs Oct. 1-30. Locals can pick up a free passport book and make stops at each of the 13 featured businesses, make a purchase and get a stamp on their passport, according to program host Preservation Austin. RELATED: The 75-year history of Austin staple Peter Pan Mini-Golf Participants will compete for prizes and can go to a wrap party where more prizes will be given for the most stamps collected, according to a release. One prize available is a stay at the Driskill Hotel. The party will be at The Historic Vicory Grill from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 30. Legacy Business Month passport program (Courtesy Preservation Austin)The businesses participating include: BookPeopleBroken SpokeCarousel LoungeCisco'sDeep Eddy CabaretThe Driskill HotelGreen & White GroceryThe Herb BarThe Paramount TheatrePeter Pan Mini-GolfPlayland Skate CenterQuali...

Austin Energy program revs up electric vehicle tech in 150+ Central Texas schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For nearly five years, Austin Energy's EVs for Schools program has provided access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and related technology curriculum to more than 150 schools across Central Texas. Now, AE is gearing up for the rollout of its upgraded program, adapted to meet the changing landscape of EV technology.AE first launched EVs for Schools in November 2018 at four Title 1 schools, in collaboration with the nonprofit EcoRise. The nonprofit's content creation work centers on the intersections of environmental justice and education, with a key focus on climate change and sustainability work alongside science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming.Austin Energy's EVs for Schools program helps provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure and related curricula to more than 150 schools in Central Texas. (Courtesy: Austin Energy)Austin Energy's EVs for Schools program helps provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure and related curr...

Austin releases demographics map focusing on age trends

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin recently released a demographic story map, which focused on age trends seen in Austin.“The demographic story map offers quick facts, interactive map and dashboards, and analysis on the city's greatest asset—its people,” the city said.According to the city, the map analyzed 2020 Census data and focused on age trends, as well as how the changes varied for different communities within Austin. “The Austin metro area is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and the city of Austin is a major driver of that growth. The 2020 Census data shows that Austin’s growth has been substantial with only three U.S. cities (New York, NY, Houston, TX, and Fort Worth, TX) adding more growth during this timeframe,” the city said.According to the report, Austin’s population was relatively young; however, it was aging rapidly.The city said people 65 and older were the fastest-growing age group in Austin, and although the child population grew between 2010...

Gophers football’s ultra-challenging schedule hits peak with No. 2 Michigan up next

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

The Gophers football team has had its hands full with four of the five teams it has played so far this season.Minnesota improved to 3-2 overall with a comeback 35-24 victory over Louisiana on Saturday, and its strength of schedule to date ranks 72nd in the nation, according to ESPN.It pales in comparison to what is yet to come for Minnesota.The Gophers’ remaining seven games check in as the nation’s 12th-most-difficult schedule, per ESPN, and October kicks off with arguably the toughest team they will play all year, second-ranked Michigan at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.Instead of “challenging” or “daunting,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck has opted to use the word “opportunistic” when describing a slate which also includes No. 4 Ohio State and arch rivals Iowa and Wisconsin. To start the season, the U was deemed to have the second-hardest schedule, before ESPN revised it down 10 spots as a month’s worth of results have come in.“Is it challenging? Y...

Teen shot and killed during homecoming celebration at Southlands Mall in Aurora

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

Aurora police are investigating a Saturday night shooting that left one teenager dead in a Southlands Mall parking lot.Around 8:30 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting in a parking lot outside the mall, according to a Sunday news release from the Aurora Police Department.A large group of teenagers were gathered in the area to celebrate homecoming, including students from both Smoky Hill and Grandview high schools, said Ian Liu, an employee at Mt. Fuji Sushi & Hibachi.Liu said the employees had no idea what was happening until people ran in the door telling them to call 911.“It was chaos,” he said. “People did come in to seek shelter from the incident and we locked the door. We just needed to protect our customers and employees.”When Aurora police officers arrived on the scene, they found a 15-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking lot, according to a statement from the Aurora Police Department on X.#APDAlert Officers are i...

Bears 28, Broncos 7: Justin Fields throws fourth touchdown of the day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

The Bears and the Broncos have opened the 2023 season with 0-3 starts. Who can pull themselves out of the NFL’s basement first? Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago.Live updatesThird-quarter updatesRookie run (12:56 p.m.): Big gain by Jaleel McLaughlin, gaining 34 yards to get Denver to the Chicago 26-yard line. — Joe NguyenTouchdown, Bears (12:51 p.m.): Justin Fields completes his fourth touchdown of the day, connecting with Khalil Herbert for a 2-yard score. Bears 28, Broncos 7 with 4:11 to go. — Joe NguyenFields has his FOURTH touchdown pass of the game!: #DENvsCHI on CBS: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Jq9JHUeqb6 pic.twitter.com/4PtGwey89l— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023It just keeps getting worse. Multiple third-down conversions, including Justin Fields shaking off a sure-fire Broncos sack on third-and-goal, produces yet another Bears touchdown. Is this worse than Miami’s 70-burger? No. But ...

Teen dead, 3 hospitalized in overnight shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

An overnight shooting in San Pedro has left one person dead and three others wounded. Preliminary information from the Los Angeles Police Department indicates that the shooting took place just after 11:30 p.m. Saturday night near a residence on North Park Western Drive. When units arrived on scene, they discovered four victims with gunshot wounds.  Man dies after driving off cliff in San Pedro One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene while the other three were transported to a local hospital in stable condition. LAPD confirmed that the deceased victim was a 17-year-old late Sunday morning.The suspects fled the area in a gray sedan. It is unknown whether the shooting was gang related. The investigation is ongoing.

49ers pregame: Deebo Samuel active, Elijah Mitchell out vs. Cardinals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Deebo Samuel’s knee and rib issues won’t keep him out of uniform today for the undefeated 49ers, who, however, will miss running back Elijah Mitchell and wide receiver Jauan Jennings against the Arizona Cardinals.Mitchell will not play for the 18th time in the past 30 regular-season games, this time because of a knee injury in Thursday’s practice that kept him out of Friday’s session.Jennings did not practice last week because of what the 49ers’ term a “shin” injury, without further clarification.Other 49ers who were declared inactive were offensive lineman Nick Sakelj, defensive tackle Kalia Davis, cornerback Anthony Brown and third quarterback Brandon Allen.Samuel overcame a rib injury to catch a fourth-quarter touchdown pass in the 49ers’ last game, a 30-12 win over the New York Giants on Sept. 28. A knee issue flared up afterward and kept him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday.Whereas Samuel and Mitchell wer...

Pac-12 rewind: Failed rallies, Friday stumbles, questionable calls and a showdown approaching

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:28 GMT

Recapping the best and worst of Pac-12 action in Week 5 …Theme of the week I: Too little, too lateThe modest level of drama across 14 hours Saturday came via fourth quarter comeback bids by Colorado, Arizona State and Arizona. All three trailed by double digits and rallied to within one score. But in no instance did the teams in the lead face a red alert situation.Theme of the week II: Showdown setupSeventh-ranked Washington survived Arizona’s upset bid, No. 8 Oregon mauled Stanford and for the first time in history of the bitter Pacific Northwest rivalry, both teams will carry top-10 rankings into their collision. ESPN owns the first pick in the Pac-12’s selection process for the Oct. 14 games and will set the broadcast from Seattle at either 12:30 p.m. or 4:30/5 p.m. (The kickoff time will be announced Monday morning.) And yes, a visit from College GameDay seems like a distinct possibility.Theme of forever: Friday night strikes againUtah had all sorts of issues o...