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Is San Francisco on the brink of an AI-driven housing bubble?
19 days ago•Source: The Independent
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233.12 min•1 month ago
Three Dates That Will Reshape Federal Student Loans This Summer
Federal student loans are set for sweeping changes this summer: June 15 will bring discharge notices for the last group of Sweet v. McMahon Borrower Defense applicants; June 30 is the consolidation deadline for Parent PLUS loans to preserve IDR eligibility and forgiveness options; and July 1 introduces the RAP repayment plan, winds down the SAVE plan, and imposes new PSLF limits plus a Tiered Standard option, so borrowers should consolidate by June 30 if possible and get ready for tighter repayment and forgiveness rules going forward.
235.955 min•1 month ago
Education Department Unveils Key Guidance Ahead of July Student-Loan Overhaul
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Mega Millions climbs to $232 million as May 12 numbers are drawn
The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to $232 million for the May 12 drawing (cash value $103.8 million). The winning numbers are 17, 32, 35, 40, and 47, with Mega Ball 17. The next drawing is Friday, May 15. There have been two jackpot winners in 2026 so far.
FBI warns of banking spoof calls and how to shield yourself
The FBI warns of “banking spoof call” scams in which criminals spoof a bank’s phone number to fool people into transferring funds; victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars, including a reported $40,000 loss from a scammer posing as a Chase representative. To protect yourself, enable two-factor/multi-factor authentication, scrutinize email addresses and URLs, avoid unsolicited links, and remember that legitimate banks will never ask for your username or password—report suspected spoofing to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Five Guys Tops the Burger Poll, Even as Prices Bite
A YouGov survey names Five Guys as Americans’ best fast-food burger, though its meals are among the most expensive in the sector; 2025 LendingTree data show average fast-food meals around $12, with a Philly Little Hamburger at about $8.25, and other top chains including Burger King, In‑N‑Out, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s. Five Guys’ shift to kraft paper fry bags sparked online backlash but hasn’t dampened its popularity.
April Social Security Payments: When Your Checks Arrive
Social Security benefits are paid on a schedule tied to the benefit type and birth date. For April 2026, SSA retirement/disability/survivor payments go out on April 3, 8, 15, and 22 (second/third/fourth Wednesdays depending on birth date), while SSI payments are issued on April 1 (with the date moving to the prior weekday if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday). If a payment is missing, check with your bank first, and contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 if needed to report or replace a due payment.
Mega Millions resets to $50M after consecutive jackpot wins
USA TODAY reports Mega Millions’ jackpot is set at $50 million for Friday’s drawing (with a $22.6 million cash option) after back-to-back wins in Illinois and Ohio, following Illinois’ $536 million prize on March 10 and an Ohio win on St. Patrick’s Day. The Friday winning numbers were 11, 20, 51, 55, 63 with Mega Ball 4. Players can take a lump-sum payout or annual payments that rise 5% each year; the next drawing is Tuesday, March 24 at 11 p.m. ET. Mega Millions is played in 45 states plus DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Dairy Queen Celebrates Spring With Free Cone Day on March 19
Dairy Queen will give away a free small vanilla soft-serve cone at participating locations on March 19, with no purchase required and one per person; the offer excludes delivery and mobile orders. Fans can also sign up for the DQ Rewards loyalty program via the DQ App or DairyQueen.com for a chance to win free cones for a year.
Carrying a Stranger's Baby for $75K: The Hidden Dangers of Surrogacy
A 31-year-old Arizona mother explains she carried a stranger’s baby for up to $75,000, calling surrogacy life‑changing but warning of a dark side when oversight is lax. She describes the need for rigorous screening, contracts, and medical support, and cautions about unsafe, agency‑less arrangements that can leave surrogates exposed to legal and emotional risks. The piece underscores that legitimate surrogacy is costly and demanding—not a quick payday—often involving IVF, comprehensive checks, and careful boundaries with intended parents.
Lawsuit Over $12.8M Lottery Ticket Bought by Circle K Manager After Drawing
A Circle K store manager in Scottsdale is suing to determine who owns a $12.8 million Arizona lottery prize after allegedly purchasing the winning, unclaimed ticket from another employee the day after the drawing; the ticket remains at Circle K’s corporate offices as the company seeks a court ruling on ownership ahead of a May 23, 2026 claim deadline.
Powerball climbs to $102M ahead of Saturday drawing
Powerball’s Feb. 7 drawing has a $102 million jackpot (cash option $46.8 million). The winning numbers drawn were 42-36-25-51-58 with Powerball 6, and a North Carolina player previously won a $209 million jackpot in January. The article also explains Powerball basics, how prizes are won, and notes online ticket options (e.g., Jackpocket) where allowed.
Powerball MLK Day draw yields $193 million jackpot
Powerball’s Jan. 19, 2026 draw produced numbers 05-55-34-28-37 with Powerball 17; the jackpot stands at $193 million (cash value $87.9 million) after no ticket matched all six numbers on Saturday. The record $1.8 billion Christmas Eve jackpot winner in Arkansas remains unclaimed with a June 22, 2026 deadline. Draws occur Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; tickets cost $2 (Power Play available). Online ticketing is available in some states via Jackpocket.