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Max Stier: The IRS is becoming a model of efficiency. Really

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

Paying taxes is like paying a visit to the dentist: We might not like doing it, but deep down we know we need to. Among other things, our federal taxes fund national defense, health care for veterans, loans to small businesses, critical repairs for crumbling road and rail bridges, and responses to national emergencies like the COVID pandemic.During the past decade, the pain associated with paying taxes has increased greatly due to the inefficiencies of the Internal Revenue Service. Customer service fell into the abyss because the agency has been starved for resources, understaffed and reliant on outdated technology.As the federal tax filing deadline approaches on April 18, the IRS appears to be at the beginning stages of a major overhaul that promises improved customer service and more efficient tax administration. Time will tell, but the signs are hopeful.Danny Werfel, the newly minted IRS commissioner, has promised speedier processing of tax returns, an end to long taxpayer wait t...

Teen stabbed at Pine Hills Library

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A 14-year-old boy was stabbed at the Pine HIlls Library on Saturday. Police confirm that a 17-year-old suspect was arrested. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Albany police responded to the library on Western Avenue at around 3:20 p.m. They found the boy with two small puncture wounds to his back. He was treated by EMS for non-life-threatening injuries.Shortly thereafter, police claim, they picked up the suspect at the Greyhound Bus Terminal on Hamilton Street. He was charged with second-degree assault.

Downed wires cut power in Rensselaer County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Hundreds in Rensselaer County are without power. Both Rensselaer Police and Fire are on the scene at Broadway and Columbia Street (Routes 9 and 20) and in the Port of Rensselaer with multiple wires down. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Officials urge caution in the area. Any stop light that does not have power must be treated as a four way stop. All vehicles must stop.National Grid was notified. At around 9 a.m., police said there was no estimated restoration time. National Grid's outage map, however, indicates an 11:45 a.m. restoration.

4/16/2023: Mild today, but showers & cool down ahead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

The latest Storm Tracker Forecast from meteorologist Matt Mackie:Another warm one! Temperatures reach the upper-70s for the Albany area, with low to mid-70s elsewhere. More clouds around, with just a couple of isolated rain showers. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Monday will feature better rain chances, especially in the morning - expect widespread rain on the front end of the morning commute. Scattered, on and off showers from late morning through the remainder of the day.A few more showers on Tuesday - but check out the downward temperature trend! 60's on Monday, only 50's for Tuesday and Wednesday! Not that it's terribly cool for April... but it'll feel chilly compared to the upper 80's we just had!Warmer by the end of the week, with more 60's and 70's. A few more April showers by next weekend.

Oakland police seek info after burglar sexually assaults sleeping resident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

Oakland police are asking for tips from the public after a burglar broke into a home and sexually assaulted a person sleeping inside.Investigators say the assault happened at about 3 a.m. Wednesday when a man opened an unlocked window and entered a home on the 100 block of Monte Cresta Avenue, according to the Oakland Police Department.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Watsonville police investigate fatal shooting on city street Crime and Public Safety | Oakley cops probe drive-by shooting that wounds a female Crime and Public Safety | Body is found near San Jose freeway interchange Crime and Public Safety | DA: Suspect in killing of Cash App founder planned attack Crime and Public Safety | Chief assures residents there will be no gaps in service The man then sexually assaulted a person sleeping there before fleeing the residence, police said. The man, who appeared to be in his 20s, had a tattoo ...

BART police arrest seven in one night in separate incidents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

(KRON) – Seven people were arrested by BART police in separate incidents Thursday night, according to the BART Police Department. At one point in the night, four patrol cars were lined up waiting to book people at the Alameda County Jail. The following people were arrested and booked into jail:Jasmine Hatter, 30, of San Francisco was arrested after she allegedly threatened a rider on the train and brandished a knife near the Castro Valley Station. Hatter was found to be in possession of a box cutter and was issued a prohibition order, according to police. Oakland police investigating burglary, sexual assault at residence Antianelle Bigsby, 31, of Oakland was reportedly disturbing a passenger on the train near Lake Merritt Station. Bigsby was found to be in possession of two concealed fixed blade knives. A records check revealed Bigsby had an outstanding misdemeanor arrest warrant.Christopher Harris, 30, of San Francisco allegedly created a disturbance near Lake Merritt Station and...

Dozens of security force members killed in Burkina Faso

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — At least 40 members of Burkina Faso’s security forces were killed by gunmen in the northern part of the country, and dozens of others were injured, authorities said Sunday. Six soldiers and 34 volunteer fighters, civilians who assist the military, were killed near the town of Ouahigouya on Saturday afternoon, northern region secretary-general Kouilga Albert Zongo said in a statement. The 33 wounded were hospitalized in stable condition, he said. The attack comes amid surging violence in the conflict-ridden country that is linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Thousands have been killed and around 2 million people have been displaced. Earlier this month, at least 44 people were killed by Islamic extremists in multiple attacks in the north.The violence has divided a once peaceful nation and fueled frustration that led to two coups last year. The new junta leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, has promised to secure the country. But attacks are intensifyin...

Arsenal held again as West Ham fight back for 2-2 draw

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Arsenal threw away another two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with West Ham on Sunday and prompt further questions over the Premier League leader’s title bid. A week after drawing with Liverpool by the same score, Mikel Arteta’s team was held by relegation-fighting West Ham at London Stadium. Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard had fired Arsenal into a controlling lead, but goals from Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen meant the Gunners could only extend their lead over second-place Manchester City to four points. Defending champions City have a game in hand and also host Arsenal at Etihad Stadium later this month. Pep Guardiola’s team had cut the Londoners’ lead to three points after beating Leicester 3-1 on Saturday. But there was little sign of Arsenal feeling the pressure in the early stages on Sunday, taking the lead in the seventh minute through Jesus. Odegaard added a second in the 10th.West Ham was handed a route back into the game when Gabriel fouled ...

DA: Medford man facing murder charge after bodies of 2 missing men found in Brighton storage unit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

A 37-year-old Medford man is facing a murder charge after the bodies of two missing men were found in a storage unit on North Beacon Street on Saturday, officials announced.Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan and Medford Police Chief Jack Buckley announced the arrest of Leonid Volkov in connection with the deaths of Kiryl Schukin, 37, and Pavel Veshkin, 28, who were found suffering from stab wounds.Investigators executing a search warrant on the unit, which had been rented by Volkov using one of the victim’s names, found the men’s bodies in rubber storage bins. One of the bodies, tentatively identified as Kiryl Schukin, had been dismembered, officials said.Investigators say they also found bleach, rubber gloves, and items belonging to Schukin and Veshkin. The victims, officials said, were known to Volkov.The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) accepted jurisdiction of the case and has ruled the cause of death of the man identified as Schukin as homicide....

Police investigating hate crime in Dartmouth, seeking public’s help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:15:02 GMT

The Dartmouth Police Department are seeking the public’s help to investigate a hate crime. Around 5 p.m. on April 15, officers observed a derogatory word spray-painted at the Burgo Basketball Association facility.Officers responded to the site, located at 101 Slocum Road, to gather information about a hate crime and discovered the vandalism. There are currently no suspects, and police are hoping community members could have information or video footage of the crime.“I am extremely discouraged and upset by this egregious and heinous act of vandalism,” Chief of POlice Brian P. Levesque said in a press release. “It is certainly the hope of every member of the Dartmouth Police Department that if someone has information that can help us identify a suspect that they will immediately come forward with it.”This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.