San Francisco News
Soaring inflation prompts biggest Social Security cost-of-living boost since 1981 – 6 questions answered
John W. Diamond, Rice University Social Security is set to boost the benefits it provides retirees by 8.7%, the biggest cost-of-living adjustment since 1981. It comes as sky-high inflation continues to eat into incomes and savings. The changes are set to take effect in January 2023 and were announced following the release of the September 2022 consumer price index report, which showed inflation climbing more than expected during the month, by 0.4%. The automatic adjustment will surely come as a relief to tens of millions of retirees and those who receive supplemental security income who may be struggling to afford
Young immigrants are looking to social media to engage in politics and elections – even if they are not eligible to vote
Sara Wilf, University of California, Los Angeles; Elena Maker Castro, University of California, Los Angeles, and Taina Quiles, University of Virginia Immigrants’ political power is on the rise in the United States. The number of eligible immigrant voters nearly doubled from about 12 million in 2000 to more than 23 million in 2020. Immigrant voters tend to be older than U.S.-born voters, but immigrants ages 18 to 37 still made up 20% of all immigrant voters in 2020. We are a team of scholars and students across disciplines and universities researching immigrant youths’ civic development – and we think it’s
Recovery from a disaster like Hurricane Ian takes years, and nonprofits play many pivotal roles before and after FEMA aid runs out
Michelle Annette Meyer, Texas A&M University Massive storms like Ian and Fiona mark the beginning of a long and frustrating process for anyone who loses their home and possessions. Recovery usually takes years. Everyone’s experience is unique, but I’ve noticed some common patterns while researching disaster recovery. Understanding this complex process, which includes dozens of nonprofit and government programs – along with what resources are available and how aid is distributed – can benefit survivors and those who want to help them. Initial relief At first, relatives, friends and neighbors may provide basic necessities like shelter, child care, transportation, food
New York’s $250 million lawsuit against Donald Trump is the beginning, not end, of this case – a tax lawyer explains what’s at stake
Bridget J. Crawford, Pace University New York Attorney General Letitia James hit former president Donald Trump with a US$250 million lawsuit on Sept. 21, 2022, citing “staggering” amounts of falsified business information and fraud. The civil lawsuit alleges that Trump, his company – the Trump Organization – and three of his children lied to lenders and insurers about billions of dollars’ worth of assets. This follows a three-year investigation into Trump’s New York-based real estate business. The Conversation spoke with Bridget J. Crawford, an expert on tax and property law at Pace University, to help navigate the various dimensions and
R. Kelly convicted of child pornography and sex abuse charges
A federal jury on Wednesday convicted R. Kelly of several child pornography and sex abuse charges in his hometown of Chicago. 55-year-old Kelly, who used to be one of the biggest R&B stars in the world, was found guilty of three counts of child pornography and three counts of child enticement. However, the jury acquitted him on a fourth pornography count and a conspiracy to obstruct justice. Kelly’s attorney said the mixed verdict showed government attorneys put on a case that was “overcharged.” “They charged counts that they couldn’t win,” said attorney Jennifer Bonjean. But, she praised the jury for
9/11 survivors’ exposure to toxic dust and the chronic health conditions that followed offer lessons that are still too often unheeded
Roberto Lucchini, Florida International University The 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York resulted in the loss of 2,753 people in the Twin Towers and surrounding area. After the attack, more than 100,000 responders and recovery workers from every U.S. state – along with some 400,000 residents and other workers around ground zero – were exposed to a toxic cloud of dust that fell as a ghostly, thick layer of ash and then hung in the air for more than three months. The World Trade Center dust plume, or WTC dust, consisted of a dangerous mixture