Legislation that would remove restrictions that eliminate or reduce Social Security benefits for thousands of teachers, first responders and other public workers is nearing final approval in the U-S Senate. Senator Bill Cassidy says the bill would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which he says unfairly costs public sector employees a good portion of their Social Security benefits. Cassidy says a retired school teacher urged him to pass this legislation…
Cut 8 (14) “….was being punished”
A final vote on the Social Security Fairness Act is expected before the weekend.
The FTC is cracking down on so-called “junk fees.” Starting in April, entities like hotels, ticket brokers and rental car companies will need to disclose all extraneous fees up front. Don Redman with Triple-A says consumers have been screaming about those fees for years.
Cut 13 (12) “…weren’t aware of.”
Louisiana leads the nation in early-season flu activity. The CDC says the state has a flu positivity rate exceeding 11-percent, far above the national average of 3.5-percent. Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans Director Sandra Kemmerly says cases this early are concerning.
Kemmerly says getting the flu vaccine can limit your chances of getting the flu and if you do get the flu, the vaccine can reduce your symptoms.
If you are considering a pet as a gift this holiday season, the Humane Society says think twice before you do it. Sean Richardson has more.