Senator: Russia’s election meddling should alarm Americans

All told, Obama has granted 1,176 commutations and 148 pardons – fewer pardons than some presidents, but more commutations than any other, the White House said. Under mounting pressure to free convicts as a last act, President Barack Obama is planning at least one more batch of pardons and commutations before leaving office in two weeks, but don’t expect many famous offenders… A Republican-run House panel created to investigate Planned Parenthood and the world of fetal tissue research has urged Congress to halt federal payments to the women’s health organization.

Think of those who need help

… Obviously, there is some crossover in these initiatives. * Nearly one-fourth of the people in our country have health insurance paid for entirely by state and federal governments, through the Medicaid and CHIP programs (CHIP is for children). The …

4 Financial Surprises Awaiting Seniors in 2017

The stock market has been exploring all-time highs since the election, the U.S. unemployment rate is at a nine-year low of 4.6%, and U.S. GDP growth in the third quarter came in at 3.5%, its most robust growth rate in two years. By all accounts, there’s plenty of reason for investors and working Americans to be excited for what 2017 might bring.

Growing number of Americans are retiring outside the US

In this photo provided by Joseph Roginski, taken May 13, 2011, Joseph Roginski, right, holds a package in a storeroom of the Misawa City Hall in Japan, where donations of clothing and supplies were being kept for earthquake relief efforts. He says that while the cost of living is higher in Japan, access to health care is not.

Growing number of Americans retiring outside the US

In this photo provided by Joseph Roginski, taken May 13, 2011, Joseph Roginski, right, holds a package in a storeroom of the Misawa City Hall in Japan, where donations of clothing and supplies were being kept for earthquake relief efforts. He says that while the cost of living is higher in Japan, access to health care is not.

5 Changes to Social Security in 2017

As 2017 draws near, there are several changes to Social Security that current and future beneficiaries should be aware of. While benefits aren’t increasing by too much, some workers could see their Social Security tax bill rise significantly, and working beneficiaries could end up with a lot more money in their pockets in 2017.

Populism, real and phony

… Trump’s Cabinet choices show which way the wind is blowing. Both his pick as budget director and his choice to head Health and Human Services want to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and privatize Medicare. His choice as labor secretary is a …

Populism, real and phony

… Trump’s Cabinet choices show which way the wind is blowing. Both his pick as budget director and his choice to head Health and Human Services want to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and privatize Medicare. His choice as labor secretary is a …

Finally Some Good News from Paul Krugman

Both his [Trump’s] pick as budget director and his choice to head Health and Human Services want to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and privatize Medicare. His choice as labor secretary is a fast-food tycoon who has been a vociferous opponent both of Obamacare and of minimum wage hikes.

Maybe Trump backers should have taken him literally

They will be forgiving if, say, he doesn’t literally get Mexico to pay for a border wall, or if he doesn’t literally ban all Muslims from entering the United States. But in other areas, Trump’s supporters perhaps should have taken him literally – because they now may have a serious problem.

Trump immigration plan could cost the U.S. billions

President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to overturn an executive order that provides temporary protection from deportation to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children could cost the country tens of billions of dollars, a new study finds. Put in place by President Obama six years ago, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has helped hundreds of thousands of young people – known as the DREAMers – come out from the shadows and get valid driver’s licenses, enroll in college and legally secure jobs.

City of Concord to Host Workshop for Retirement Planning

The Concord Senior Center is hosting a workshop for people who want to learn about the role of social security, Medicare, pensions and plans such as 401Ks and IRAs in retirement. The workshop will take place for an hour a week over three weeks on Tuesdays, Jan. 10, 17 and 24, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The sessions will be held at the Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle.

The new OMB’s director’s first order of business? Standing up to Trump.

AS THE federal government has grown, so has the power and responsibility of the White House-based agency charged with keeping tabs on spending, revenue and regulation. The director of that agency, the Office of Management and Budget, is much more than the president’s bean-counter; he or she is a key player on policy, as well as, traditionally, the voice of fiscal responsibility both within the executive branch and in the public arena.

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… can do about those costs. Healthcare costs for the average over-65 household is $5,756 per year, including $3,900 for health insurance and another $672 for drugs. If your costs are higher, make sure to adjust your spending projection upward. If …