ST. CLOUD, Minn. – A judge sentenced convicted school shooter Jason McLaughlin (search) to life in prison on Tuesday, and also ordered a second sentence be served consecutively, meaning the 17-year-old won’t be eligible for parole for nearly 40 years. McLaughlin was convicted last month of first-degree murder in the …
Read More »Withdrawals from IRAs
Although 59 1/2 is the magic number for starting to receive retirement plan distributions without penalty (whether you continue to work or not), you can get full access to your money in a company plan such as a 401(k) if you retire as early as 55. The hitch is, you …
Read More »Scientists Decipher Chimps' DNA Makeup
NEW YORK – What makes us human? In a step toward finding biological answers, scientists have deciphered the DNA of the chimpanzee (search), our closest living relative, and made comprehensive comparisons to the human genetic blueprint. There are no firm answers yet about how humans picked up key traits such …
Read More »An Education in ETFs
What are Spiders and Diamonds, and where can I buy them? QUESTION: What are Spiders and Diamonds, and where can I buy them? ANSWER: Despite their exotic nicknames, Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts (SPY) (known as SPDRs or Spiders) and Diamonds (DIA) are simply indexed investments that track the S&P …
Read More »A Matter of Degree
Is a midcareer MBA really worth the time and money? These days, not always. Here’s how to ensure that you get a boost from business school. RAY BAGLEY THOUGHT he had a surefire career booster. The Vicksburg, Miss.-based contract specialist for the Army Corps of Engineers had noticed that his …
Read More »Web Sleuths Reunite Lost Digital Camera With Owner
At dusk on New Year’s Eve, Erika Gunderson got into a taxi in New York City and entered a digital-age mystery. Sitting on the back seat was a nice Canon digital camera. Gunderson asked the driver which previous passenger might have left it, but the cabbie didn’t seem to care. …
Read More »Opening Statements Start in 'Santa' Accused of Beating Elderly Woman
Opening statements were presented in the trial of a man dressed in a Santa suit who allegedly beat an elderly woman to death three years ago in Atlanta, MyFoxAtlanta reported. Elkin Clarke allegedly hit 74-year-old Annie Nelson multiple times on the head, the station reported. Nelson was handing out religious …
Read More »Egypt Preventing Gaza Car Traffic From Entering, Pedestrians Still Allowed In
RAFAH, Egypt – Egyptian security officials prevented car traffic from Gaza entering the country but still allowed Palestinians to come in on foot Thursday. As Egypt-planned talks with rival Palestinian factions crumbled, Gazans worried that Egypt, frustrated with no solution in view to the border crisis, will soon seal the …
Read More »Taxpayer Group Blames Congress for IRS Havoc
WASHINGTON – End-of-year congressional votes to change the tax code have created havoc for the Internal Revenue Service and top the list of problems bedeviling taxpayers, according to an annual report released Wednesday. The National Taxpayer Advocate also accused the IRS of not doing enough to help the insolvent — …
Read More »Winner of New York's Biggest Lottery Jackpot Sold Himself the Ticket
NEW YORK – The winner of the state’s biggest scratch-off lottery jackpot won’t have to go out of his way if he wants to thank the person who sold him the lucky ticket. Waleed Alsaidi bought it from his family’s Harlem deli while working alone there on New Year’s Eve. …
Read More »