Columbus, OH

Q: My husband of 49 years died a few months ago. I filed for widow’s benefits and started receiving them with no problem. But I got a letter telling me that I was not eligible for the $255 death benefit. When I called the Social Security people to ask about this, they told me that I wasn’t due that one-time benefit because we were not living together when he died. I’m ashamed to admit that my husband had been living with another woman for several years before he died. But it seems odd to me that I can get his monthly widow’s benefits, but I can’t get the burial benefit. Can you explain this?

No Death Benefit for Widow of Husband Who Was Having an Affair

Jacksonville, FL

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Jacksonville Today

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly considering its first regulations for ultra-processed foods, such as soda, prepackaged cookies, and breakfast cereals. These foods make up roughly 60% of all calories consumed by the typical American but are notoriously laden with unhealthy ingredients, from excessive sugar and salt to preservatives that reportedly make Twinkies indestructible. (Actually, that’s a myth. The official shelf life of a Twinkie is 26 days. After 45 days, it starts to become hard and brittle.)

So, Maybe They DO Have a Shelf Life

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” – Jeremiah 17:14. Our bodies so often betray us. They are not made to last, and the aches we feel as we age remind us that life here on Earth is short. We wither like the plants, here and then gone. In our fallen world, sickness, pain, and death follow us. Pain reminds us that this body we are given is merely a tent, housing us until the day we are made new in Heaven. This struggle against sickness and death brings suffering and uncertainty. When we find the lump, get the call, or feel the pain, anxiety sets in because we don’t know what troubles tomorrow could hold. We often wonder why God!

A Prayer for When You’re Facing a Health Crisis

Pompano Beach, FL

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Akeena

In a shocking revelation, Kings Mart, a grocery store in Pompano Beach, has been slapped with a series of severe health violations by the Florida Department of Agriculture. The inspection, carried out by Francis Odio, uncovered a disturbing range of problems that have led to the immediate closure of several sections of the store.

An inspection found bugs in the food and rodent poop on the shelves at a Florida grocery store

“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was swamped. Jesus was in the stern sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” (Mark 4:37-38) When was the last time that...

A Prayer for When Storms Arise

We all need to feel special. But what great joy you have when you become a grandparent and you have the privilege of making the next generation of your family feel the love and encouragement of their grandparents. There are many ways to make your grandchildren feel special. Many of...

4 Ways to Make Your Grandkids Feel Special

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

Kansas State

Missouri State

CJ Coombs

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) helps to locate missing children. Since July 1, 2024, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 174 children have been reported missing in the U.S. Since January 1, 2024, there was a total of 1,445 reported missing in the country.

Missing Missouri children as of July 17, 2024, according to the NCMEC

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Major changes to how real estate transactions are conducted are set to take affect this month that will effect how both sellers, and buyers, compensate their agents. On March 15, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settled a lawsuit brought by home sellers regarding how broker commissions were handled. As a result of that settlement, the NAR will remove agent compensation amounts from Multiple Listing Services, provide detailed compensation information to buyers and sellers and attain a written agreement outlining that compensation structure.

Broker commissions on real estate transactions will look a lot different starting August 17

No, pallet shelters for people experiencing homelessness don’t fold into caskets. It’s a question a reader posed one of the first times I wrote about pallet shelters. I find the pallet shelters to be more palatable than ice fishing tents. The Colorado Village Collaborative operates both micro-communities and the so-called Safe Outdoor Spaces with the tents. We all learned the tents are not safe when a fire roared through a CVC Safe Outdoor Space, destroying the compound quickly. Officials never disclosed a cause of the fire.

Opinion: No, pallet shelters for homeless in Denver, Aurora don’t fold into caskets

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, has recently introduced a tiny 8lb dog named Bingo who is looking for her forever home. Bingo is a 3-year-old Shih Tzu mix with an adorable appearance and a sweet disposition. However, she needs a patient and understanding owner who recognizes that "dogs are not toys, and not all dogs love to be picked up right away," explains Sandy Paws Rescue Inc. This little lady requires some decompression time upon arriving at her new home to settle in comfortably.

Meet The Sweet Little Lady Looking For Love

Chloe, a 9 to 10-week-old puppy, is the last of her litter and is eagerly looking for a forever home. Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a dedicated foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently shared Chloe's story and her endearing qualities.

Meet Chloe: The 10-Week-Old Puppy Who Is The Last Of Her Litter Looking For Love

Emily Standley Allard

In the mystical realm where astrology intersects with spiritual beliefs, certain zodiac signs are thought to possess inherent qualities that offer protection against malevolent entities and negative energies. This intriguing concept has roots in ancient astrology and cultural traditions worldwide, where the alignment of the stars at one's birth is believed to influence not only personality traits but also spiritual protection. This post delves into the 5 celestial shields of the zodiac, highlighting signs that are particularly noted for their protective aura against evil spirits.

5 Zodiac Signs That Possess a Protective Aura Against Evil Spirits

Georgia State

Tallahassee, FL

Daily Coffee Press

The FBI is investigating the disappearance of a now 13-year-old girl who went missing from Florida last year and has ties to Georgia and Tennessee. A $15,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that can lead to her location.

FBI Investigating Disappearance of 12-Year-Old Girl Who Has Ties to Georgia

Retirement may have launched with cake and party hats but now you’re asking, what’s next?. For nearly a lifetime, your purpose snuggled up in a patchwork quilt defined by school, family, or work. Now everything has changed…and you kind of miss the 9-5. You may battle health...

4 Steps to Rediscover Your ‘Why’ in Retirement

Pennsylvania State

For years, A Place for Mom was one of the most trusted names in the senior referral business. Now, they’re the subject of a Senate investigation. According to NBC News, The Senate Special Committee on Aging launched an investigation into A Place for Mom in June 2024. Committee Chair Bob Casey, a representative from Pennsylvania, alleged that the popular senior care referral service misled its users about its referral process and discrimination against low-income families.

Senate Investigates Reputable Senior Placement Service Used by Thousands

Drafting a will is perhaps one of the most important parts of any estate plan. It ensures that your money, property, and other assets will be distributed to the people you want to receive them after your death. Even so, around two-thirds of adults in the US have no will. Why are so many Americans paying no heed to such crucial estate planning? It might be because no one wants to face their own mortality. Or it could be that people are simply too busy with day-to-day life and assume there’s plenty of time for planning later. Unfortunately, this indifference comes with a cost. What’s the cost of dying without a will? As it turns out – a lot.

What Happens if You Die Without a Will?

Taking your grandchildren out for the day is always a treat. However, if you have a group of mixed ages, it’s hard to figure out where to take them. You don’t want anyone to get bored because a place is too babyish or too old for them. Here are some great places to take your older grandchildren for a day out.

20 Best Places to Take Your Older Grandchildren for a Day Out

NewsBreak

How to Change the Executor of a Will

When it comes to estate planning, designating an executor for your will is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The executor is the person...

How to Change the Executor of a Will

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