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Gap between US income taxes owed and paid is set to keep growing, IRS says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The amount of tax money owed but not paid to the IRS is set to keep growing, according to projections published by the federal tax collection agency on Thursday.For tax years 2021 and 2020, the latest to receive such IRS estimates, the projected gross “tax gap” soared to $688 billion and $601 billion, respectively. That marks a significant jump compared to years past — with gross tax gap projections standing at $550 billion for 2017-2019 and $496 billion for 2014-2016.One of the IRS’s biggest challenges is making sure that people actually pay their taxes. While agency data shows that the vast majority of Americans pay their taxes voluntarily and on time, hundreds of billions of dollars in unpaid taxes pile up each year — and tax gap estimates keep getting bigger.IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said that the rising tax gap estimates “underscores the importance” of more compliance efforts. Part of the $80 billion the IRS received from the Biden administration’s Inf...

Cincinnati looks to end 3-game slide against visiting Iowa State

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

Iowa State (3-3, 2-1 Big 12) at Cincinnati (2-3, 0-2), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (FS1)Line: Cincinnati favored by 4.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: First meetingWHAT’S AT STAKE?Cincinnati and first-year coach Scott Satterfield need a win. The Bearcats, who are coming off a bye week, are riding a three-game losing streak after stumbling against Miami (Ohio) and then dropping their first two games in Big 12 Conference play. Two of their three losses came by a single possession. A victory for the Cyclones would equal their win total from a season ago and give them a 3-1 start in conference play for the fifth time under eighth-year coach Matt Campbell. KEY MATCHUPIowa State is coming off a 27-14 victory against TCU where the Cyclones defense had four interceptions. Big 12 defensive player of the week Beau Freyler had two of them. Iowa State’s 10 interceptions this season rank third in the FBS. The Cyclones will look to add to that total against Cincinnati QB Emory Jones, wh...

Inventor of 1st digital camera: ‘It was the size of a toaster.’ So what does he think of smartphones?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

The 1975 prototype of the first digital camera, invented by Steven Sasson for Kodak(Courtesy Steven Sasson) The 1975 prototype of the first digital camera, invented by Steven Sasson for Kodak(Courtesy Steven Sasson) If you told a teenager today that snapping a photograph used to require buying film in advance, paying and waiting to have the film developed, the response would likely be “SMH,” or “shaking my head,” for those not steeped in social media.Steven Sasson, the patent-holder for the world’s first digital camera, told WTOP he’s amazed that his invention has become ubiquitous: “I’m as surprised as anybody,” he laughed.In 1974, Sasson was working for Kodak...

Indonesia’s former agriculture minister arrested over alleged corruption

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s former agriculture minister was arrested Thursday by the country’s anti-graft commission on accusations of bribery, abuse of power and fraud involving contracts with private vendors.Syahrul Yasin Limpo had resigned his position as agriculture minister last week to focus on the impending legal proceedings against him, and he was formally named as a suspect on Wednesday by the Corruption Eradication Commission, known as the KPK.Footage late Thursday showed Limpo arriving at the commission’s office in handcuffs and wearing a black leather jacket, black hat and a mask. He did not respond to journalists’ questions.Limpo’s lawyer, Febri Diansyah, said it was unfortunate that the KPK forcefully arrested his client at his home at night after he had informed the commission that Limpo would come to the KPK on Friday for questioning.Limpo had missed a scheduled appointment with the KPK on Wednesday for interrogation, saying he was away visiting his parents...

Disruption at BWI Marshall Airport sparked by bomb threat, authorities say

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

The large police investigation at BWI Marshall on Wednesday that shut down access to the airport for about an hour and led to a brief ground stop was triggered by a person who told an airport police officer there was a bomb in their car.At about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, the person approached a Maryland Transportation Authority police officer who was patrolling the airport’s lower level.“The individual made statements referencing a possible explosive device in the vehicle, which was parked near the entrance to the airport’s lower level,” the MDTA said in a news release Thursday.The person has not been charged and, after being taken into custody, was transported to the hospital for mental health treatment, authorities said.During the incident Wednesday, officials blocked access to the airport for incoming travelers, which led to major backups on Interstate 195, the main artery to the airport. Passengers at the terminal were asked to remain in place.Investigators from the...

Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone’s parents safely arrive home from Israel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone’s parents have safely arrived home from Israel.They were among about 50 people affiliated with a Naples, Florida-based church who were in the country.Anzalone posted on social media on Thursday morning that his parents are headed home and his mother later posted that the group arrived safely.Sal and Judy Anzalone were in a Jerusalem hotel as Israel vowed an unprecedented offensive against Hamas after the Islamic militant group’s fighters broke through the border fence Saturday and stormed into the country’s south. The war between Israel and Hamas has claimed at least 2,200 lives.Anzalone told The Detroit News on Sunday, after Detroit beat the Carolina Panthers, that all he has been thinking about is his parents.“It’s hard,” Anzalone told the newspaper.Lions coach Dan Campbell said he called Anzalone about his parents when he was informed of their plight Sunday night.The NFC North-leading Lions (4-1) play NFC-South leadi...

Alabama police chief apologies for inaccurate information in fatal shooting

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — A police chief in Alabama has apologized for his department giving “inaccurate information” about what was said before officers shot and killed a homeowner during a dispute with a tow truck driver.Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion wrote in a statement Wednesday that the department gave an inaccurate description of officers’ commands in “our initial rush to release information” about the Sept. 29 shooting of Steve Perkins. The department inaccurately said officers ordered Perkins to drop his weapon and that he refused to do so. Pinion said what actually happened is the officers identified themselves as “police” and ordered Perkins to “get on the ground.”“I apologize for the inaccurate description of the encounter in our initial statement, and we have already taken steps to improve our public information sharing process,” Pinion wrote.Perkins, 39, was killed by police in front of his home in a confrontation that began with a tow truck driver tryin...

Estes Park among best small towns to visit for Halloween

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Estes Park is known as one of the best places to see fall colors in the country and is known for The Stanley Hotel, where Stephen King found inspiration for "The Shining."Now, Trips to Discover is acknowledging the mountainside village as one of the best small towns in the U.S. to visit for Halloween. What makes The Stanley Hotel one of the spookiest hotels in the nation? The lost looks at Halloween events and the town's history. You can find activities for people of all ages including shows, live music, craft classes, dining, shopping and touring.The Historic Park Theatre and Cafe in downtown Estes Park shows haunting movies and hosts ghost hunts and historic tours in October.The Estes Park Visitor Center hosts scenic tours for visitors to see wildlife surrounded by the changing colors. This year on Oct. 14 and 15, Garden of the Cats is hosting a cat show, "The Purring: Here's Kitties!" which showcases exotic breeds, championship cats, non-pedigreed felines and e...

Sheriff Gregory Tony, federal officials announce 17 BSO deputies charged in PPP loan fraud case

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and federal investigators announced that 17 BSO deputies were charged in an elaborate cash crime revolving around Paycheck Protection Program loans during the coronavirus pandemic.During a press conference on Thursday, Tony revealed that in 2021, they were investigating one employee due to policy violations. They then looked at all 5,550 BSO employees to see who had applied for loans.Once criminal action was discovered, the case was refereed to federal officials. According to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe, the employees took more than $500,000 from the federal government.According to Florida Bulldog investigative reporter Dan Christensen, he reported that between 50 and 70 BSO employees will soon be charged with fraud.Christensen spoke with 7News on Wednesday.“I’ve heard- the word that’s going around at Broward Sheriff’s Office is 50 to 70 employees, mostly deputies, sworn deputies, detention deputies and...

Florida citrus forecast improves over last year when hurricanes hit state

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:01:42 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The forecast for Florida citrus, the state’s signature crop, is expected to improve in the upcoming season compared to last year when twin hurricanes battered the state at the start of the citrus season, according to estimates released Thursday.Florida is expected to produce 20.5 million boxes of oranges during the upcoming season, up from 15.8 million boxes last season, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Florida growers are expected to harvest 1.9 million boxes of grapefruit during the 2023-2024 season, which lasts through next spring, up from 1.8 million boxes last season.The production of tangerines and mandarins also was forecast to be up, going from 480,000 boxes last season to an expected 500,000 boxes in the upcoming season.Florida had been the leading producer of oranges in the U.S. until last season when the state was battered by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. California surpassed the Sunshine State in orange production.The decline in orange pr...