CFPB to Remove Medical Debt from Credit Reports
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced on Sept. 21 that it wants to take medical bills off your credit report. The CFPB said it was starting a rule-making process to make that happen. They said they have three goals:
Read full storyNXU, an Arizona Tech Startup, Sets Up its First EV Charging Station in Quartzsite, AZ
This is not financial advice and you should not rely on my analysis to buy or sell any stock or cryptocurrency. I am not undertaking to induce you to buy or sell any securities. I am relying on the “publisher’s exclusion” in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to provide this information without any personalized or individualized investment advice.
Read full storyArizona Has Simplified Its Driver's License and Travel ID Site
The Arizona Dept. of Transportation has simplified its website showing the advantages of applying for a "Travel ID." The site shows that starting on May 7, 2025, a Travel ID will be required at TSA airport security checkpoints. This is the same as an Arizona driver's license with a gold star in the upper right-hand corner.
Read full story650,000 Arizona Residents Could Lose Medicaid
AHCCCS, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, could lose up to 650,000 enrollees in Arizona's Medicaid program. This is from a mixture of those who no longer qualify for Medicaid, as well as other reasons.
Read full story4 Highway Closures in Phoenix This Weekend - Sept. 8 - 11, 2023
The Arizona Dept. of Transportation (ADOT) announced yesterday that there will be 4 major highway closures in the Phoenix area this weekend. Northbound Interstate 17 will close between Thunderbird and Pinnacle Peak roads from 9 p.m. Friday (Sept. 8) to 5 a.m. Monday (Sept. 11). As a result, both Loop 101 ramps to northbound I-17 will be shut down.
Read full storyToo Much Marijuana: Warnings from Colorado
Colorado's government website on cannabis now warns about the immediate health effects of using marijuana, especially with edibles. It says that in addition to the relaxed "high" effects, users could experience 11 other health effects. These include:
Read full storyAxon Enterprises Joins Other Huge Projects at 101 Loop in North Scottsdale
Axon's new proposed headquarters, and mixed-use project, are joining other major construction projects in north Scottsdale exit intersections off of the popular Loop 101 highway.
Read full storyArizona Sports Betting Soars in June
Recently, on Aug. 16, the AZ Dept. of Gaming (ADG) released its report on sports betting activity during June 2023. That is the latest month on which it has statistics. The results were mixed. On the one hand, ADG put out a press release saying that this was a 23.3% increase over June of 2022.
Read full storyHurricane Season: El Niño's Impact
Warm weather brought on by the El Niño weather phenomenon could agitate and activate many Atlantic Ocean hurricanes near the U.S. It could make the 2023 hurricane season more active.
Read full storyBe Prepared for High Heat - AZ DOT Tips In Case Your Car Breaks Down
The Arizona Dept. of Transportation says drivers should be prepared for excessive heat. Its tips for drivers are even if your car has air conditioning. If you get stranded along a road here is what you should do:
Read full storyIf You Were Scammed by Ameritech Financial, a Corrupt Student Loan Forgiveness Scam, You May Now Get Some Payments
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today that it is sending out payments totaling more than $9 million in refund payments to those affected by a student loan forgiveness scam.
Read full storyFewer Freeway Closings in Phoenix, Arizona This Weekend - Aug. 18 - 21, 2023
The Arizona Dept. of Transportation (ADOT) reported yesterday that there will be fewer highway closings than normal in the Phoenix metro area this weekend. Stretches of two freeways in the Phoenix area are scheduled to be closed this weekend.
Read full storyDevon Energy's Fixed and Variable Dividend Provides an Attractive 3.92% Dividend Yield
This is not financial advice and you should not rely on my analysis to buy or sell any stock or cryptocurrency. I am not undertaking to induce you to buy or sell any securities. I am relying on the “publisher’s exclusion” in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to provide this information without any personalized or individualized investment advice.
Read full storyArizona Traffic Deaths Soar - Slow Down, Says AZ Dept. of Transportation
The Arizona Dept. of Transportation (ADOT) reported that traffic fatalities hit a new high in 2022. They want drivers to slow down as speed was the main culprit. The latest annual report said there were 1,294 traffic fatalities across the state last year, up 8.6% over 2021 when there were 1,192 deaths. This can be seen in the latest "Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2022" annual report.
Read full storyYou Can't Use a Mastercard PIN Debit Card to Buy Cannabis Anymore
Mastercard recently sent out cease and desist letters to payment processors and banks to stop allowing marijuana to be bought using Mastercard debit cards that require PINS. Some dispensaries had been able to see cannabis purchased with PIN-based debit cards, as this was seen as akin to a cash transaction.
Read full storyFlorida Won't Accept Undocumented Drivers from Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
Florida will no longer allow undocumented driver's license holders from 5 states to drive legally in Florida. Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Hawaii are the five states.
Read full storyGilbert AZ Now Has a New Casino - Open Since June 30, 2023 - A Review by An Arizona Gambler
The Santan Mountain Casino opened its doors on June 30, 2023, in Gilbert, Arizona, to great fanfare and gamblers' interest. Although the crowds were huge, I went to the casino opening and found it very exciting. It was actually hard to find an open slot machine. This was despite the fact that the casino claims to have 813 slot machines.
Read full storyLower Used Car Prices and Energy Prices Helped Bring Inflation Down to 3.0% in June
The Dept. of Labor reported today, June 12, that its Consumer Price Index (CPI) number for the last 12 months ending June fell to just 3.0%. This was before seasonal adjustment, but it shows inflation is on the decline.
Read full storyIf You Have a Student Loan, You Might Not Have to Pay Much, Despite the Supreme Court's Loan Forgiveness Decision
On June 30, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against loan forgiveness. The Biden Administration's plan to discharge some or all of federal student loan debt was turned by a 6 to 3 decision against it by the Supreme Court.
Read full storyHighway I-17 Is Getting a New Flex Lane Between Anthem, Arizona and Halfway to Sedona
On June 29, 2023, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced that it will construct a first-of-its-kind highway system in Arizona. A new flex lane system will be located in a 23-mile section of Highway I-17 between Anthem and Sunset Point.
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