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DECEMBER 2023 / JANUARY 2024
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THE BATTLE OVER STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS: WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
The costs of higher education have grown substantially over the past few decades. According to a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, the average cost of tuition, fees, and room and board for an undergraduate degree has increased 169% between 1980 and 2020. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that tuition has risen by another 5% in the past three years alone. While the cost of a college education has continued to go up, the average wage earned by recent college graduates has not kept pace, with only a 19% increase between 1980 and 2020. Most students and their families cannot afford college tuition on their paycheck alone, which has led them to take out exorbitant student loans. When the pandemic started, many Americans grew fearful of their financial future. Many were losing their jobs or getting furloughed, so they worried they couldn’t afford housing, food, or basic necessities, let alone their monthly student loan payments. In March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which paused all federal student loan repayment programs. Individuals could still make payments on their loans, but they didn’t have to worry about interest or past-due notices. To help young Americans reclaim their financial freedom, President Joe Biden announced in August 2022 a $400 billion plan to eliminate or reduce federal student loan debt for millions of Americans. Not everyone in Congress agreed with Biden’s proposal, which led to the Supreme Court deciding the issue. The Supreme Court voted against the proposed plan 6–3. They claimed Biden was trying to use a bipartisan law from 2003 that deals with national emergencies to gain the power he needed to push his plan into action.
“Six states sued, arguing that the HEROES Act [Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act] does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. So, where do we go from here? The student loan forgiveness plan is out the window. Interest on student loan repayments started back up in September, with actual payments resuming in October. President Biden has not backed down on helping college graduates with their student loan payments. A few months ago, the Education Department unveiled its newest income-driven repayment plan called Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE). While SAVE doesn’t outright cancel any federal student loans, it will make repayment much more affordable for millions of Americans. A couple of fantastic benefits come with SAVE. First, borrowers earning less than $32,800 individually or $67,500 for a family of four will see $0 monthly bills. Other borrowers will pay less each month, with many experts estimating that payments will be cut in half. Students who took or plan to take less than $12,000 in loans will be eligible for forgiveness after 10 years instead of 25. And possibly the best benefit is that interest will no longer build up as long as you make your monthly payments. While it’s not total forgiveness, this plan does help recent college graduates get off the ground. One of the biggest concerns regarding student loan forgiveness was that it would apply only to people with loans. SAVE will help all former, current, and future higher education students. If you have children or grandchildren preparing to start college in the next few years, share this great news with them, as it will help make college more affordable for all.
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If your home has indoor stairs, what do you have underneath them? Is there a tiny door that opens to reveal an even tinier (and usually useless) space? Or is it just a flat wall with pictures, a mirror, or other decorations hanging on it? If you answered yes to either, we’re here to unveil a wealth of untapped storage space underneath your stairs. Typically, indoor stairs that aren’t concrete are completely hollow underneath, which is why some homes have those tiny doors and spaces — a token effort to provide storage space. But the truth is that you can do much better than a waist-high door leading nowhere. So, if your home has indoor stairs with an awkward space underneath, here are some creative ideas to help maximize the space’s potential. No. 1: Install Cabinets Most walls on the sides of staircases hide completely hollow spaces behind them. By putting a few cabinets or shelves in that space, you can
exponentially increase your home’s storage without increasing its size.
From Neglected Nook to Functional Space REIMAGINE YOUR UNDER-STAIR STORAGE
No. 2: Playspace Galore This is where that tiny door and tiny space can come in handy — because kids are tiny, too! To create a child-size playroom, add a child’s cushioned chair, lamp, toys, a rug, and even some books. No. 3: A Wine ‘Cellar’ Wine lovers everywhere dream of one day having a space dedicated to their beloved reds and whites, but finding room in their home to build it may prove impossible. But not if you have stairs! You can fill that awkward under-the-stairs space with wine cabinets and finish with glass doors. No. 4: A Room for Your Dog While your dog may share your space with you, they probably don’t have a room they can call their own. Fill your area under the stairs with a fluffy dog bed, a water bowl, mood lighting, and a few toys, and your dog will be living large.
The Guard Squirrel Who Went Nuts on a Burglar
Anyone robbing a house must know they’re getting into a dangerous situation. But the teenager who burgled Adam Pearl’s Meridian, Idaho, home had no idea what consequences were in store. Many homeowners have a guard dog, but Pearl got his home security from Joey, his pet squirrel. One day in 2017, Pearl came home and saw that something seemed amiss. Joey was excited, and the doors he’d left closed were now open. After finding scratches on the lock of his gun safe, Pearl knew there’d been a robbery and called the police. Officer Ashley Turner couldn’t help but notice Joey’s presence in the house but didn’t believe he was connected with the case — at first. A few hours later, Turner returned to Pearl’s house with his missing belongings and a story to tell. She’d partially identified the perpetrator by the suspicious scratches on his hands. During questioning, Turner said the burglar confessed to the home invasion and explained why he’d left sooner than intended: Joey attacked while he was attempting to break into the gun safe. Unsurprisingly, the rodent’s violence was frightening. “He wasn’t expecting to have, you know, a squirrel come flying out of nowhere at him,” Officer Turner said. The thief reported that leaving was the only way to stop Joey’s aggression.
After learning of his bravery, Pearl rewarded Joey with his favorite candy, Whoppers. But he then had a difficult choice ahead. When Joey was still a tiny baby, Pearl and his wife had taken in the abandoned squirrel. They had intended to release Joey back into the wild when spring came, but they were no longer sure. Ultimately, they let Joey decide. After he started playing with other squirrels through the home’s sliding glass door, the Pearls installed a cat door so he could come and go as he pleased. Joey spent several weeks outdoors with other squirrels by day and returned to the Pearls by night. Eventually, he requested one final scratch behind the ears before disappearing into an apple tree and leaving the Pearls’ house behind forever.
Though Joey returned to the great outdoors to live with his kind, his legend is a warning
to humans. When you break into someone’s home, you never know what you might find.
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THE TUOHY FAMILY VS. MICHAEL OHER: A LEGAL SHOWDOWN
The story of how Michael Oher went from a young homeless boy to an NFL star captured the hearts of many and inspired the critically acclaimed 2009 film “The Blind Side.” However, behind the heartwarming tale lies a complex legal battle between Michael Oher and the Tuohy family, who adopted him during his teenage years. Oher alleges that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy misled him into accepting a conservatorship instead of adoption and that he never received fair compensation for his portrayal in the movie. In his petition filed in a Tennessee court, Oher seeks to end the Tuohy family’s conservatorship over him and requests a full accounting of any funds he should have received. In response to the petition, the Tuohys expressed their heartbreak over the situation while accusing Oher of demanding $15 million and threatening negative press coverage if they didn’t comply. Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy claim they have always been upfront with Oher about the conservatorship and that they have split all profits from “The Blind Side” equally with Oher. Still, the heart of Oher’s lawsuit lies in the claim that they led him to believe he was signing adoption papers when, in reality, they were for
a conservatorship. This legal arrangement gave the Tuohys significant control over Oher’s life, his story, and the substantial financial gains resulting from it. Oher asserts he did not receive what he was rightfully owed.
Oher’s lawsuit is not only about financial matters but also the emotional stress that came with recently learning he was not legally a member of the Tuohy family, which he had believed for years. Furthermore, the case brings into question the safeguards for young individuals who may enter into legal agreements without a complete understanding of their implications. Seeing how this blockbuster lawsuit shakes out in the coming months and what the verdict means for other young people in similar situations will be interesting.
CHICKEN, LEEK, AND BLUE CHEESE PILAF
“Cannot say enough about Houston & Alexander Law Firm. From the beginning to the end, the most pleasurable and knowledgeable help you can hope to have under my circumstances. To all the staff in the office, Jay, and Johnny. Thank you for all of your hard work!” –Brandon R. What Our Clients Are Saying
Ingredients
• 2 1/2 cups water • 1/2 cup brown basmati rice • 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder • 1 bay leaf • 1 tsp grapeseed oil • 2 skinless chicken breasts, chopped
• 1 leek, thinly sliced • 2 zucchini, thinly sliced • 1 cup frozen peas • 4 walnut halves, broken • 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Directions
1. In a large pot, add water, rice, bouillon powder, and bay leaf. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat oil and stir-fry chicken over medium-high heat until just cooked. Remove from pan, then fry leek until soft. Add zucchini, stir-fry for a few minutes more, then add peas. 3. When the rice is cooked, add it and any liquid from the pot to the vegetables. Return chicken to the pan, then cover and cook for 5 minutes more. Stir in walnuts and cheese and serve hot.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE A New Hope for Student Loan Borrowers PAGE 1
Transform the Space Below Your Stairs Guard Squirrel on Duty: The Rodent Who Sent a Burglar Running Michael Oher’s Fight for Justice in ‘The Blind Side’ Controversy Chicken, Leek, and Blue Cheese Pilaf Testimonial Sleep Position Secrets
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A DREAMER’S GUIDE: THE LINK BETWEEN SLEEP POSITIONS AND DREAMS
Lateral (On Your Side) Sleeping on your side, particularly in the fetal position, commonly leads to emotional dreams, possibly due to the sense of vulnerability or comfort this position provides. While sleep position can influence the frequency and nature of your dreams, it’s only one piece of the dream puzzle! Dreams remain a complex aspect of human consciousness, but it’s pretty neat to know that how you sleep may play a part!
Dreams are mysterious journeys into our subconscious. They can be filled with strange places, familiar faces, or bizarre scenarios. While the content of your dreams may seem random, research suggests the position you sleep in can influence their nature and intensity. The Impact of Sleep Position on Dreams The way you sleep can affect how often you enter the rapid eye movement (REM) stage and, consequently, the types of dreams you experience. While researchers can’t conclusively identify the relationship between sleeping
positions and dreams, they have reached some research-based theories.
Supine (On Your Back) Sleeping on your back allows for more unobstructed breathing and less fragmented sleep and may increase the likelihood of vivid and intense dreams because you’re more likely to reach REM sleep. Prone (On Your Stomach) Sleeping face down is associated with more restless sleep, less REM, and potentially fewer dreams, meaning your dreams will be less vivid and memorable.
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