Dem moves to force vote over release of Gaetz ethics reportEvery Ariana Grande Acting Role, RankedBilly Long speaks during a press conference before filing for election during the Missouri Senate primary in 2022 in Jefferson City (Madeline Carter/Missouri Independent) Former Missouri Congressman Billy Long has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Internal Revenue Service. Trump called Long — who served six terms representing a Southwest Missouri district — a “consummate people person,” adding “taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm.” Oregon’s senior U.S. senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, called President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of former Missouri congressman Billy Long to head the IRS alarming. He said the current IRS commissioner, Danny Werfel, is doing a good job and that the only reason for Trump to name Long likely would be to weaponize the IRS against his political enemies. Wyden said Long also was a “bizarre” choice for other reasons: “What’s most concerning is that Mr. Long left office and jumped into the scam-plagued industry involving the Employee Retention Tax Credit. These ERTC mills that have popped up over the last few years are essentially fraud on an industrial scale, conning small businesses and ripping off American taxpayers to the tune of billions of dollars.” The current IRS commissioner’s term doesn’t expire until 2027. Long was one of the first elected officials to jump on the “Trump train,” a phrase he claims to have coined . When most considered Trump’s candidacy a joke or publicity stunt, Long said he was all in, touting Trump to foreign leaders and GOP insiders who snickered at the notion that the real estate mogul and reality TV star would be the next president. “Trump, I saw it early on,” Long told The Independent in 2022, “he has the ‘it’ factor.” After a long career as an auctioneer, and a few years as a conservative talk radio host, Long decided to jump into the 2010 race for the congressional seat being vacated when Roy Blunt decided to run for U.S. Senate. Long said no one took him seriously. “It was an eight-way race,” Long said, “and I was supposed to come in ninth. I was the Donald Trump of the race.” He was pegged as a candidate who was only in the race “for publicity,” Long said, “to help my business and blah, blah, blah, the same things they said about Trump.” His own campaign consultants told him he was “too fat to put on TV,” he said. “And you can put that in the newspaper. They said, ‘You’re too fat. You can’t go on TV. You’ll scare people.’” In the end, Long won the primary by around 7.5 percentage points. He cruised to victory that fall, joining a massive class of freshmen Republicans who swept into office in the Tea Party wave. He says the key to his victory was authenticity. “I may not look the part,” Long said. “But I guaranteed to voters that I would be the part, that I would do the right thing for the right reason every day. And that resonated with people.” His first year in Congress, according to The Lever , Long signed a letter urging the IRS to launch a probe of the tax-exempt status of the Humane Society of the United States, a nonprofit that focuses on animal welfare and opposes animal cruelty. The letter followed the Humane Society’s support of a successful Missouri ballot measure strengthening regulations on dog breeders. In 2022, Long gave up his congressional seat to run for U.S. Senate, finishing fourth in the GOP primary behind the eventual winner, Eric Schmitt. According to Trump’s Wednesday announcement, since leaving Congress Long has worked as a business and tax advisor, “helping small businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” “I have known Billy since 2011,” Trump said. “He is an extremely hard worker, and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress... Congratulations Billy!” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Missouri Independent , like Oregon Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com . Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X .
SHENZHEN, China , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 26, 2024 , Access Advance LLC ("AA") and TCL Electronics Holdings Limited ("TCL" or "Client") announced that TCL had officially joined the HEVC Advance Patent Pool as a licensee. PurpleVine IP Group ("PurpleVine") played a pivotal role in this achievement, providing full-spectrum services, including strategic planning, global litigation management, and licensing negotiation support. PurpleVine's efforts were instrumental in helping TCL finalize agreements with AA and multiple HEVC Advance licensors, resolving years of complex global litigation over HEVC standard-essential patents("SEPs"). Since 2021, leading HEVC Advance licensors - including Dolby, GEVC, Philips, Mitsubishi Electric, JVCKENWOOD, NEC, ETRI, and IP Bridge - have filed dozens of infringement lawsuits and sought injunctions against TCL across jurisdictions such as Germany , the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in Europe , and Brazil . PurpleVine provided TCL with a comprehensive defense strategy tailored to each jurisdiction. Working closely with local counsel, the PurpleVine team devised FRAND-compliant arguments, non-infringement defenses, and patent invalidation strategies that not only neutralized injunction threats but also achieved an outstanding success rate of over 90% in invalidating asserted patents during first-instance rulings. PurpleVine also spearheaded counteractions against AA and HEVC Advance licensors in multiple jurisdictions, including China , Brazil , and Germany . Notably, PurpleVine assisted TCL in filing two landmark cases in Chinese courts - one challenging SEP licensing rates and another alleging abuse of market dominance. These cases were the first in the world where courts asserted jurisdiction over SEP pool licensing rates and alleged monopolistic practices, setting a groundbreaking legal precedent. Daniel Fu , General Counsel of TCL, stated, "We are pleased to have signed a license with Access Advance's HEVC patent pool, with the help of PurpleVine IP. The transaction is beneficial to the licensing ecosystem and the development of cutting-edge technologies for the welfare of consumers." This multi-jurisdictional case, involving complex legal challenges, spanning several years, highlights PurpleVine's expertise in managing high-stakes IP disputes. PurpleVine's strategic leadership, effective litigation management, and skilled negotiations reaffirm its position as a leading provider of cross-border intellectual property services. Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an official statement regarding litigation. About PurpleVine IP Group PurpleVine IP Group, based in Shenzhen, China , is a leading intellectual property service provider with a global perspective. The firm offers one-stop IP services, including patent and trademark prosecution, analysis, global transactions, licensing negotiations, and dispute resolution. The core members of PurpleVine's litigation and dispute resolution team have backgrounds in top international law firms and leading corporate legal departments. They have managed patent litigation and invalidation cases in over 50 courts worldwide. The firm also includes SEP (Standard Essential Patent) experts from the telecommunications industry, who have been involved in hundreds of patent licensing negotiations and litigations. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/purplevine-drives-tcls-successful-entry-into-the-hevc-advance-patent-pool-302320761.html SOURCE PurpleVine IPRobbins LLP Urges WOLF Stockholders with Large Losses to Contact the Firm for Information About the Wolfspeed, Inc. Class Action Lawsuit
Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to be out four to six weeks, an injury that pauses the Washington Capitals superstar captain’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record. The Capitals updated Ovechkin’s status Thursday after he was evaluated by team doctors upon returning from a three-game trip. The 39-year-old broke the leg in a shin-on-shin collision Monday night with Utah's Jack McBain, and some of his closest teammates knew it was not good news even before Ovechkin was listed as week to week and placed on injured reserve. “Everyone’s bummed out,” said winger Tom Wilson, who has played with Ovechkin since 2013. “We were sitting there saying: ‘This is weird. Like, it’s unbelievable that he’s actually hurt.’ It’s one of those things where like, he’s going to miss games? I’ve been around a long time, and it’s new to me.” Ovechkin in his first 19 seasons missed 59 games — and just 35 because of injury. Durability even while throwing his body around with his physical style is a big reason he is on track to pass Gretzky’s mark of 894 goals that once looked unapproachable. “He doesn’t go out there and just coast around,” Wilson said. “He’s played 20 years every shift running over guys and skating. He’s a power forward, the best goal-scorer ever maybe, and he’s a power forward that plays the game really hard.” Ovechkin surged to the top of the league with 15 goals in his first 18 games this season. He was on pace to break the record and score No. 895 sometime in February. “You know when goal-scorers start scoring, it’s dangerous,” said defenseman John Carlson, who has been teammates with Ovechkin since 2009-10. “There was a bit of that in the downs that everyone was feeling about it too, of course. We see him coming to the rink every day, we know what’s at stake. You never want anyone to get injured, but there’s a lot to it and certainly he was playing his best hockey in years.” AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Harry Siegel: Adams must let Commissioner Tisch run the NYPDWashington — House Republicans on Thursday blocked two Democratic resolutions that would have compelled the House Ethics Committee to release a potentially damaging report on its investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, voting to refer the matter back to the committee. Democratic Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois and Steve Cohen of Tennessee introduced twin privileged resolutions, forcing floor action within two legislative days. In a 206 to 198 vote, all but one Republican voted to refer Casten's resolution back to the Ethics Committee. Cohen's resolution met the same fate in a 204 to 198 vote, with one Republican voting with Democrats. Republican Rep. Tom McClintock of California was the only member to cross party lines. In a statement, Casten accused his Republican colleagues of voting "to sweep these allegations under the rug and set an unfortunate precedent." He said he would continue to pursue the report's release. The votes came after President-elect Donald Trump announced last month that he intended to nominate Gaetz for attorney general, prompting intense scrutiny over the Florida Republican's background and the House Ethics Committee's investigation into allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Gaetz, who has denied the allegations, withdrew from consideration for the attorney general nomination a little over a week after Trump made the announcement. Gaetz immediately resigned from Congress after Trump announced he wanted the Florida Republican to join his Cabinet. The timing of his resignation came days before the House panel was set to vote on releasing its report on Gaetz. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, urged the committee to keep the report secret, arguing that a former member is beyond the panel's jurisdiction and it would set a "terrible precedent." "I believe it is very important to maintain the House's tradition of not issuing ethics reports on people who are no longer members of Congress," he said on Nov. 15. "The House Ethics Committee's jurisdiction is over sitting members of Congress. That's an important rule." Casten's resolution cited four instances in which the Ethics Committee has released reports on its investigations into members after they've resigned. The bipartisan committee met Nov. 20 to consider whether to release the report , but was evenly split along party lines about how to move forward. A day later, Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration, facing a tenuous path to Senate confirmation. There was growing interest from senators on both sides of the aisle in seeing the report before a confirmation vote. The House Ethics Committee met again Thursday to discuss its investigation into allegations against Gaetz. In a statement, the panel said it is "continuing to discuss the matter." The committee's top Democrat, Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, who wanted the report made public, did not attend the meeting. Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.
Microsoft announces quarterly dividendMacron calls Haitian officials 'total morons' over PM sackingMacy’s announced Monday that a single employee was responsible for so many accounting irregularities that the company was forced to delay its quarterly earnings report, which the retailer had planned to release Tuesday. The company recently discovered the unnamed employee intentionally hid as much as $US154 million ($A236m) in expenses over the course of nearly three years, prompting the retailer to conduct an independent forensic accounting investigation. The employee, whom Macy’s said was no longer with the company, “intentionally made erroneous accounting accrual entries” to hide small package delivery expenses. Macy’s did not say why the employee hid the expenses. Although the questionable expenses were a small fraction of the $US4.36 ($A6.7) billion in delivery expenses Macy’s recognised between the fourth quarter of 2021 through its most recent period, Macy’s found that the errors were significant enough to delay reporting its full quarterly earnings until December 11. Still, the company said there was “no indication that the erroneous accounting accrual entries had any impact on the company’s cash management activities or vendor payments”. So far, the company’s investigation points just to the one former employee. Investigators have not found any other employees who may have participated in the creation of the fake accounting entries. “At Macy’s Inc, we promote a culture of ethical conduct,” Macy’s CEO Tony Spring said in a statement. “While we work diligently to complete the investigation as soon as practicable and ensure this matter is handled appropriately, our colleagues across the company are focused on serving our customers and executing our strategy for a successful holiday season.” Accounting issues will do little to soothe investors who have sent Macy’s stock down nearly 20 per cent this year. The accounting problem “raises the question as to the competence of the company’s auditors,” Neil Saunders, retail analyst and managing director at GlobalData Retail, told CNN. “Such things create more nervousness for investors who are already concerned about the company’s performance.” Macy’s released a preliminary earnings report Monday and revealed that quarterly sales slipped 2.4 per cent to $US4.7 ($A7.23) billion because of weakness in its digital channels and cold weather categories as the country experienced its warmest fall on average. The retailer’s decline in sales is “to be expected given that the middle-market isn’t great, and that Macy’s is far from being on the front foot across all of its stores. But it still underlines the fact the company is in overall decline,” Saunders said. The company has identified hundreds of stores it plans to close as part of a turnaround plan. The stores the company plans to keep open performed somewhat better but their sales still fell. Bloomingdale’s fared better — sales at those higher-end stores rose 1.4 per cent. Bluemercury sales rose 3.2 per cent. The 165-year-old retailer in July rejected talks with private investors attempting to take over the company and opted to pursue its own strategy to remake the chain. Shares of Macy’s (M) fell nearly 3 per cent at the open.
Your full guide to Kmart Australia's Black Friday sale: See the best deals as store ships in high-end buys for 'biggest event ever' Kmart is set to launch a huge Black Friday sale Deals will be available from 8am (AEDT) on Thursday, November 28 By LAURA HOUSE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 20:30, 21 November 2024 | Updated: 20:32, 21 November 2024 e-mail View comments Kmart has revealed its top Black Friday deals for 2024, with 'unmissable' offers on more than 100 new products. Spanning across home, beauty, tech, toys and fitness, the sale will include huge savings on one-off big ticket items shipped in for a limited time. Shoppers will be able to preview the sale list today, with items available to add to carts both in-store and online from 8:00am (AEDT) on Thursday 28 November 2024. Much to the delight of savvy shoppers ahead of Christmas , blockbuster brands include De'Longhi, NutriBullet, Braun, Singer, Apple, and more. In addition to an eagerly anticipated Pilates Reformer machine for just $249, other big ticket buys include a $59 LED Lip Mask (RRP $139) and a $119 Body Dome (RRP $329). For the home, shoppers can score a fun $59 Light Up Wavy Floor Mirror, $9 28CM frypans and a $99 De'Longhi Espresso Machine - the latter usually retails for $235. Other home buys set to sell out include the $169 Singer Sewing Machine (RRP $299), a $75 NutriBullet Mega Pack (RRP $119), an $89 23L French Door Air Fryer and a $69 Braun Juicer. For kids (and those looking to treat their inner child), the $69 Slide and Pool Set is a hot pick, followed by the $199 Razor HoverTrax Hoverboard (RRP $319), $179 Racer E Go Kart and a $120 Bestway 3M Rectangle Pool. For the home, shoppers can score a fun $59 Light Up Wavy Floor Mirror (right), $9 28CM frypans and a $99 De'Longhi Espresso Machine (left) - the latter usually retails for $235. $9 28CM frypans are likely to be one of the best sellers in the kitchen category Among the top deals, which are available both in store and online, is a Pilates Reformer machine for just $249 There's also a $99 XXXL Human Pet Bed on offer, a $99 32' electric guitar and a refurbished iPhone 12 for $469. 'Black Friday has firmly established itself as a key event on the Australian retail calendar, with more customers planning their purchases to get ahead on their Christmas shopping,' the store's Chief Merchandise Officer, Callum Smith, said. 'We understand that value is more important than ever to shoppers, which is why we are thrilled to offer a range of incredible gifting options at accessible price points. 'Our team has carefully selected each product to ensure there is something for everyone.' Kmart's huge range of Black Friday deals can be viewed online now and will be live in-store, online and via the app on the 28th - and only while stocks last. OnePass members will have early access from 8pm till midnight (AEDT) on Wednesday November 27. Kmart Australia's 'big ticket' sale items for Black Friday Under $50 28CM Frypan, $9 Rainbowcorns Epic Giant Golden Egg, $39 SBB Hair Styling Tools, $29 Squishmallows 24” Assorted, $29 Under $100 Light Up Wavy Floor Mirror, $59 Nutribullet Megapack, $75 25L French Door Air Fryer, $89 Roller Coaster Ride On, $99 Under $250 Body Dome, $119 LED Face and Neck Mask, $155 Singer Sewing Machine, $169 Razor HoverTrax Hoverboard, $199 Pilates Reformer, $249 Advertisement Apple Share or comment on this article: Your full guide to Kmart Australia's Black Friday sale: See the best deals as store ships in high-end buys for 'biggest event ever' e-mail Add comment
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks activated center Nico Sturm off injured reserve Monday and made room for him on the 23-man roster by assigning defenseman Jack Thompson to the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. The transactions mean that the Sharks currently have 14 forwards, six defensemen, and three goalies: Mackenzie Blackwood, Vitek Vanecek, and rookie Yaroslav Askarov. Sturm’s return to the Sharks’ active roster was believed to be imminent after he showed signs of improvement last week and practiced with the team on Sunday. He also took part in the Sharks’ morning skate on Monday, when he was officially considered a game-time decision by coach Ryan Warsofsky. The Sharks play the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night in the second game of a four-game homestand. Warsofsky did not say who his starting goalie would be. Warsofsky said he had a few players who were “nicked up” and considered game-time decisions, although it would be a surprise not to see Sturm, a mainstay as the Sharks’ fourth-line center, play against the Kings. Sturm, injured in the Sharks’ game earlier this month against the New York Rangers, is the Sharks’ faceoff leader by percentage and is one of the team’s leading penalty-killing forwards. Thompson has been on the Sharks’ roster for almost the entire season and played in 13 of the team’s 23 games. His five points are third-most among all Sharks defensemen, as he’s averaged just under 16 minutes of ice time per game. The Sharks have had three goalies on their roster since Nov. 18, when they recalled Askarov from the Barracuda. At the time, Vanecek was considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, but Vanecek backed up Blackwood on Saturday in the Sharks’ 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Askarov made his Sharks debut on Thursday, making 29 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues.Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far
After Trump’s win, Black women are rethinking their role as America’s reliable political organizers
Bear Clan is the newest club in the Winnipeg School Division, joining the ranks of extracurriculars ranging from basketball teams to LGBTTQ+ alliances. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Bear Clan is the newest club in the Winnipeg School Division, joining the ranks of extracurriculars ranging from basketball teams to LGBTTQ+ alliances. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Bear Clan is the newest club in the Winnipeg School Division, joining the ranks of extracurriculars ranging from basketball teams to LGBTTQ+ alliances. None of the lunchtime or after-school activities at R.B. Russell Vocational School had stood out to Kaylan Wellwood before the spring. It was then the now-Grade 12 student first joined a North End patrol, alongside peers, teachers and community advocates clad in high-visibility vests. The smiles of neighbours who accepted their food and water bottle donations stuck with him, the 18-year-old said. “Things I’ve learned is just: help those who need support, care and love,” added Wellwood, who has become a full-fledged member of Bear Clan, both at R.B. Russell and after the bell. WSD and the Indigenous-led organization, which has a peacekeeping mission using a non-confrontational and harm-reduction approach, are partnering to help more students find a sense of belonging at school and volunteer in their community. R.B. Russell, located at 364 Dufferin Ave., is running daytime patrols every other Tuesday afternoon. Children of the Earth High School launched a similar collaboration last week that will see teens invited to craft upcycle mittens and patrol on Thursdays for the remainder of the academic year. “It’ll be almost like a chess club or a drama club or a dance club or a music club,” said Kevin Walker, executive director of Bear Clan Patrol Inc., following an introductory assembly at the Salter Street high school that simultaneously delivers academic and cultural education. “It’s important that kids have some pride in the community, pride in being together as a group, all working together, and getting them introduced to some of the challenges and some of the struggles in the community.” Walker said he and his colleagues from the charity want to be more visible in schools on a regular basis, serving as mentors and older-sibling-like figures students can lean on for advice. The goal is to show local youth how to be compassionate and empathetic, and empower them to make a difference, he said. “They’re going to be the next generation to fix the problems. Why do we have relatives freezing in bus shacks? We should be able to figure that out,” the executive director said. Bear Clan, initially started in 1992 by community-minded residents who led group walks in the inner city for several years, has grown exponentially since it was restarted in 2015. There are now about 25 paid employees who oversee everything from fundraising to leading land-based education programs, per the latest report from the Canada Revenue Agency. The charity collects individual donations and annual government funding. In 2022, it raised upwards of $900,000. Teacher Will Jones inquired about formalizing a relationship between R.B. Russell and Bear Clan in the 2023-24 winter term after participating in a patrol with his rotary club. Jones sought advice from a former teacher at the school who’d introduced students to Bear Clan during her tenure, and proceeded to make some calls. More than 200 students took part in a patrol in June. Attendance fluctuates, but there have been about 10 regulars showing up this autumn to make sandwiches to distribute, talk to residents and walk around. “Students are now coming to me and saying, ‘Will, can I go out with you?’ As long as they’ve got a signed consent form from their parents or guardian, then they can come,” said the teacher supervisor who has been seeking donations wherever possible. Local workwear brand Tough Duck donated 200 vests. The vocational school’s graphics department is working on a custom R.B. Russell-Bear Clan crest for each one. Manitoba’s largest school division and Bear Clan are leveraging each other as community organizations with similar interests, superintendent Matt Henderson said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “We’re both committed to creating just, sustainable and healthy societies and part of that is through education and experiential education,” he said, noting Elmwood High School is preparing to join forces with Bear Clan. As for their neighbours in the community, many of whom are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, Jones said he’s seen firsthand the gratitude for simple conversations sparked by students. “There’s a lot of people that will just walk past the people (accessing social services) on Main Street and don’t give them the time of day,” said Jones, a supported education teacher at R.B. Russell. “Our kids are stopping. They’re saying, ‘Hi.’ They’re talking with them, and they’re learning that they are people, people with their own stories.” maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the . Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she joined the newsroom as a reporter in 2019. . Funding for the education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the . Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the . Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she joined the newsroom as a reporter in 2019. . Funding for the education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the . Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement AdvertisementA LIFE-SAVING initiative is coming to an end after two years, meaning certain families will see their final cash distribution. The direct payment opportunity comes as part of a guaranteed basic income pilot program in one state. Qualifying residents in Mountain View, California , about 14 miles northwest of downtown San Jose, have been benefiting from Elevate MV. Elevate MV is run through the Community Services Agency in Mountain View, along with support from the YMCA and Community Financial Resources. It's also used as part of a research study from the University of Pennsylvania Center for Guaranteed Income Research. The program offers financial assistance to those with "extremely low income" for access to living necessities and more security, per its website. Read More on Direct Payments Funds are sent out in $500 monthly payments over two years, a total of $6,000, and are also unrestricted. That means eligible candidates can choose to use the money however it "best meets the basic needs of their family and is not tied to conditions," according to Elevate MV. The guaranteed income pilot decided to leave it unrestricted as a way to financially "empower" residents. At least 166 candidates were randomly selected in an unbiased lottery process to receive funds from Elevate MV after submitting applications. Most read in Money ELIGIBILITY Those applications must've met two crucial requirements: First, residents must have cited income per household below the 30% Area Median Income (AMI). They must've also been pregnant or a caregiver for at least one child under 18 when the application was filed. The first payments to the 166 Mountain View residents were sent out on December 15, 2022. A final payment was issued on November 15, but some participants may not have seen their last $500 as of yet. Elevate MV noted on its website that the "pilot program concludes December 2024." Guaranteed Income and Universal Basic Income programs have taken off in popularity recently. After the Biden administration's American Rescue Plan of 2021 sent stimulus money to local governments, dozens began testing guaranteed income (GI) systems. The specifics vary, but GI typically involves payouts to people with low incomes. Unlike traditional welfare, there are no job requirements, drug tests, or other strings attached. Some have pushed for a Universal Basic Income (UBI), which would go to everyone regardless of how much money they make at work. Alaska has used a similar system since the 1970s. Proponents say this alleviates poverty while incentivizing work, unlike classic welfare, which cuts benefits from people who begin earning "too much" money to qualify. Opponents argue such a system is too expensive to function on a large scale and suggest Americans should avoid becoming reliant on government money. With some cities heralding the success of GI programs, some Republican-led states have moved to ban them. States like Texas and Iowa, for example, have undermined major spending plans by pushing against GI . It's unclear if Elevate MV will conduct another application process to benefit other candidates for an additional two-year period. CALIFORNIAN CARE Californians should also remain aware of the Family First Economic Support Pilot (FFESP) in Sacramento. FFESP will assist about 200 low-income households in select zip codes, with a mission of combating financial disparity among Alaska Native, American Indian, and Black families. It seeks to offer parents an opportunity to not only provide for themselves and their children while building solid financial footing but also take care of their mental health, per behealthysacramento.org . Payments worth $725 per month are sent out to the eligible households that apply for one year, a total of $8,700. Applications closed on October 13, but those who know they were approved to be part of FFESP can expect their first payment on December 15. Read More on The US Sun There's also a no-strings-attached 'artist' program in another state that will send out $500 monthly checks to qualifying applicants for five years. Some families were also able to get $1,000 monthly payments as part of a "music" program in Georgia.