North American Network

This week [the week of April 19th], senators are scheduled to vote on expanding the “Illinois ‘Secure Choice’ Savings-Program”. And, if they vote “yes”, about a million more Illinoisans would be able to save for retirement, at work. That’s according to Al Hollenbeck—an advocacy-volunteer with “A-A-R-P Illinois”… “Over half of Illinois-workers currently don’t have access to an employment-based savi...

On Friday [April 9th], a federal judge in Washington will hold a hearing that could determine the future of the “Dakota Access”-pipeline. According to Craig Stevens, of “Grow America’s Infrastructure Now”, the pipeline has safely transported “Bakken”-crude from North Dakota to an energy-hub in Illinois, since 2017—and received all of the necessary permits from state- and federal-regulators, before...

Nebraska is one of only 13 states that currently tax “Social Security”-benefits. And, a new bill in the Legislature would gradually eliminate those taxes, by 2030. “A-A-R-P Nebraska’s” state-director, Todd Stubbendieck [“stew-bin-deck”], explains why his group supports “Legislative Bill 64”… “This kind of taxation is grossly unfair. And, passing this bill would allow retirees to use more of their...

Vaccines for “COVID-19” are rolling out, across the country—and throughout Maryland. Unfortunately, scammers are trying to take advantage. That’s according to Hank Greenberg—the state-director of “A-A-R-P Maryland”… “Fraudsters are using telemarketing, text-messages, social media, and even door-to-door visits, to perpetrate vaccine-related scams. Don’t respond to any solicitations about the vaccin...

Earlier in March, the head of America’s largest wholesale mortgage-lender—“United Wholesale Mortgage”—told the nation’s independent mortgage-brokers that, if they wanted to do business with “U-W-M”, they’d have to stop working with two of “U-W-M’s” biggest competitors. According to Gerard Scimeca [“symm-eh-kah”]—from “Consumer Action for a Strong Economy”—limiting brokers’ choice will ultimately m...

(The following statement is from the American Petroleum Institute’s president and CEO, Mike Sommers.) “Confronting the challenge of climate-change—and building a lower-carbon future—will require a combination of policies, industry-initiatives, and continuous innovation: America has made significant progress in reducing emissions to generational lows. But, there’s more work to do. “The natural-gas-...

Every four years, the “American Society of Civil Engineers” issues a “report card” on the nation’s infrastructure: In 2017, the grade was a “D-plus”; this year, it’s a “C-minus”. And, according to John Barton, of “H-N-T-B”, America’s lack of spending on infrastructure has been devastating—especially in light of recent events… “Public safety always comes first; we must also repair seriously deficie...

(These five soundbites are from David Harkey, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s president. For the full list of winners, see iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks.) “We’re recognizing 49 models, this year, for providing the highest level of vehicle-safety; that’s more than double the number that earned our ‘Top Safety Pick – Plus’ award, at this time last year. In total, 90 models earn one...

Many Alaskans who are eligible to get a “COVID-19”-vaccination have found it difficult to make an appointment. That’s why “A-A-R-P Alaska” is providing up-to-date information about the vaccine; the group’s Daryl Royce explains… “Alaskans who are 50 or older—and either have certain medical conditions, or are frontline essential-workers—are now eligible to get their vaccine. That’s in addition to al...

As families recover from the pandemic, this year’s open-enrollment period for “Florida Prepaid College-Savings Plans” is now underway. And, the “Florida Prepaid College Board” is encouraging them to plan for a brighter tomorrow—by finding a plan that meets both their budget, and their goals. Kevin Thompson is the Board’s executive-director… “In a recent study conducted by the Board, we found that...

Older Marylanders are encountering numerous difficulties, in trying to schedule appointments for “COVID-19”-vaccinations. That’s according to Hank Greenberg—the state-director of “A-A-R-P Maryland”… “We’re hearing from our members that the current system just isn’t working as it should—and [that] they can’t schedule an appointment: You know, sometimes their screen might freeze when trying to acces...

“VALENTINE’S DAY” IS ALMOST HERE. AND, IT’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER FOR COUPLES TO SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION FOR EACH OTHER. FINDING THE RIGHT GIFT IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK; AMANDA GIZZI, WITH “JEWELERS OF AMERICA”, OFFERS SOME SOUND ADVICE… “FOR ‘VALENTINE’S DAY’, JEWELRY-GIFTS ARE THE ULTIMATE SYMBOL OF WHAT LOVE SHOULD BE—PRECIOUS AND ETERNAL. THIS YEAR’S TOP STYLES INCLUDE: STYLISH HEART-NECKLA...

Vaccines for “COVID-19” are starting to roll out, across the country—and throughout Mississippi. Unfortunately, scammers are trying to take advantage. That’s according to Kimberly L- Campbell, of “A-A-R-P Mississippi”… “Scammers are using telemarketing, text-messages, social media, and even door-to-door visits, to perpetrate vaccine-related scams. Don’t respond to any solicitations about the vacci...

Even as older Illinoisans await vaccines, Black, Latino, and Asian-American seniors—throughout the state—are dying of “COVID-19” at much-higher rates than their share of the population. That’s according to the first study from Illinois’ new “Disrupt Disparities”-initiative—which also looked at economic stability, overall health, and Internet-connectivity. Rosanna Márquez is the state-president for...

Achieving information-dominance, in a new way, is truly essential to the future of national defense—according to Greg Wenzel—executive vice-president, and leader of “Digital-Battlespace Solutions”, at “Booz Allen Hamilton”… “The wars of the future will be an accelerated race to be both invisible and omniscient, on the battlefield. To win this race, it’s paramount to break down data-silos in a way...

The holidays offer plenty of opportunities for scammers. But, with a little vigilance and preparation, Virginians can cut down on the threat of becoming a victim. That’s according to Natalie Snider, of “A-A-R-P Virginia”… “Many seasonal scams involve bogus websites or mobile-apps. In fact, some fake ‘e-stores’ even mimic trusted retailers—with familiar logos and slogans, plus a Web-address that’s...

Vaccines for “COVID-19” are starting to roll out, across the country—and throughout Alabama. Unfortunately, scammers are trying to take advantage. That’s according to Jamie Harding, of “A-A-R-P Alabama”… “Scammers are using telemarketing, text-messages, social media, and even door-to-door visits, to perpetrate vaccine-related scams. Don’t respond to any solicitations about the vaccines—or about of...