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Americans have lost $2.7 billion to social media scams since 2021, report finds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

(NewsNation) — Americans have lost around $2.7 billion from scams originating on social media, a new report from the Federal Trade Commission shows. That's more than any other contact method — phone calls, emails, texts, or regular mail —according to the FTC. In a Data Spotlight, Emma Fletcher, a senior data researcher for the FTC, wrote that scammers are often "hiding in plain sight on social media platforms.""Social media gives scammers an edge in several ways. They can easily manufacture a fake persona, or hack into your profile, pretend to be you and con your friends," Fletcher wrote. "They can learn to tailor their approach from what you share on social media, and scammers who place ads can even use tools available to advertisers to methodically target you based on personal details, such as your age, interests or past purchases. All of this costs them next to nothing to reach billions of people from anywhere in the world."Online shopping scams, especially ones where people boug...

Actor, Comedian Frank Caliendo Shares Some of His Latest Celebrity Impressions!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

Frank Caliendo is the GOAT. He joined us this morning to share some new impressions. He'll be in Chicago at Zanies for a special one night only SOLD OUT show.

Expert Q&A: What happens next in Israel's counter offensive on Hamas?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Israel vows a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, we ask an expert on Palestine and Israel, what happens next?Sally Hernandez, KXAN: What is the relationship between Israel and Palestine?Ryan Bohl, RANE Network: So it is a complicated relationship because Palestine isn't governed by a single entity. When we talk about Palestine, we're probably talking about what we're talking about two separate territories, there's the Gaza Strip, which is on the Mediterranean; very small enclave of about two and a half million people. And then there's the West Bank, which is a bulk of Palestine territory. And where we're seeing the violence right now is in the Gaza Strip, which has been since 2007, ruled by a militant group called Hamas and Hamas won some elections back then they've never held any elections since then. And they are ideologically opposed to the existence of the State of Israel. And that differs from the West Bank, where that's governed by the Palestinian Authority,...

Buc-ee's to host groundbreaking ceremony for new Amarillo location

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - After commuters in the Amarillo area may have noticed the appearance of building equipment and supplies at 9900 E I-40 in recent weeks, Buc-ee's announced that it will host an official groundbreaking ceremony for its incoming location.Buc-ee's detailed that the groundbreaking ceremony is expected to be held on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. at the new location's site, and will include appearances by former and current city officials. Cinergy Entertainment Group buys closed Amarillo Regal Cinemas theater location According to Buc-ee's, its new Amarillo location will occupy 74,000 square feet and host 108 fueling positions and 24 EV charging stations. The company also noted that its location will bring at least 200 full-time jobs to the area, with "starting pay beginning well above minimum wage, full benefits, a 6% matching 401k, and three weeks of paid vacation." The groundbreaking will come as a major development in the Buc-ee's Amarillo project, which was first ...

Austin City Council member asks attorney general to revisit ruling on police oversight access

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Oct. 10, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Council Member Mackenzie Kelly is asking the Texas attorney general's office to reconsider a ruling that could give the Austin Office of Police Oversight more access to police files, according to a letter obtained by KXAN through a public information request. "The opinion in question, dated September 18, 2023, could have significant impact on the operational capacity of the Austin Police Department (APD) as it related to publicly disclosed information related to APD's personnel G-File," the council member wrote. "The security of the G-File is a necessary component to operate an efficient modern municipal police department," she continued. The original ruling from the Attorney General’s Office came tied to a public information request for the contents of an officer’s personnel file. The ruling allowed for information, which previously could not be released under state law, to be rel...

Williamson County EMS going digital when it comes to patient info

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Williamson County EMS said Tuesday first responders and hospitals in the county are using an app to communicate patient information to area hospitals. The county said the Pulsara App replaces radio reports and phone calls between paramedics and hospitals and can provide faster treatment and better patient care. According to the county, the system will be fully implemented by the beginning of November.Pulsara App (courtesy: Williamson County Public Information Office)“We are thrilled to incorporate this technology into the care we deliver. It enables us to promptly and efficiently notify the hospital of our arrival, facilitating a smoother process,” said Williamson County EMS Director Mike Knipstein in a statement to KXAN. “In addition, it grants us the capability to securely transmit patient information to the hospital, enabling them to activate various service lines, ultimately expediting our patients' care. “

Restaurant group to help Texas workers get health care

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Restaurant Association said Tuesday it will partner with a multinational healthcare company to make sure restaurant workers and their families have health care. According to TRA, HealthiestYou by Teladoc Health is a bundle of physical and mental health services that every restaurant can provide to their employees and their families for $12 a month or $9 a month for TRA members. Over 70% of restaurant workers report high levels of stress and burnout, and nearly one-third report symptoms of depression. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 34% of the leisure and hospitality workforce across the U.S. has access to healthcare benefits. Texas restaurants desperate for staff despite rising wages “Accessing health care has always been a challenge for our industry with a majority of operators being small business owners who seek a scalable solution in an environment built for large companies, oftentimes resulting in workers facing unaffordable pr...

Free paint recycling event coming to Amsterdam

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Do you have unwanted paint cluttering your garage or basement? Grow Amsterdam is hosting a free paint recycling collection event on October 14 that is free for everyone. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the St. Mary's employee parking lot at 4 Ann Street. The paint recycling collection will be held rain or shine.GreenSheen in Rotterdam will recycle the paint. To help avoid traffic congestion, participants are asked to sign up online to reserve a drop-off time.GreenSheen will accept latex paint, stains, shellac, lacquer, varnish, sealers, textured coatings, oil paint, and urethanes. The paint should be in its original sealed can with the label. GreenSheen will not accept aerosol paint, paint thinner, solvents, cleaning agents, gasoline, drywall compounds, caulks, driveway sealers, or household hazardous waste. Trunk-or-Treat events around the Capital Region Gro...

Folk rock duo Indigo Girls to perform in Troy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Folk rock duo Indigo Girls are coming to Troy. The duo is set to perform at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on December 5 at 7:30 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Indigo Girls released their first album in 1987 and have since released 13 more studio albums and sold over 15 million records. The duo is best known for the songs "Closer to Fine," "Power of Two," and "Galileo." Their song "Closer to Fine" was recently featured in the "Barbie" movie.Pre-sale tickets are already on sale with tickets to the general public going on sale on Friday, October 13 at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets on the Troy Music Hall website, by calling (518) 273-0038, or in person at the box office.

DOJ: Saratoga woman stole $50K acting as veteran's fiduciary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:22 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Saratoga Springs woman was sentenced to three months in jail after stealing over $50,000 in a veteran's VA benefits acting as their fiduciary, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). JoAnne Natalie, 65, previously pleaded guilty to the charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the DOJ, Natalie previously admitted that between September 2019 and January 2021, she stole $50,174.42 from a veteran's VA benefits, acting as their fiduciary. The DOJ says the funds were deposited into the veteran's bank account and used for her own needs.The DOJ also says Natalie willfully admitted to neglecting and failing to submit required accountings to the VA. She was sentenced to two years of supervised release, including three months of home detention, and is ordered to pay restitution to the estate of the veteran.