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Supreme Court rejects Biden’s plan to wipe away $400 billion in student loans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

By MARK SHERMAN (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — A sharply divided Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Biden administration overstepped its authority in trying to cancel or reduce student loans for millions of Americans.The 6-3 decision, with conservative justices in the majority, effectively killed the $400 billion plan, announced by President Joe Biden last year, and left borrowers on the hook for repayments that are expected to resume by late summer.The court held that the administration needs Congress’ endorsement before undertaking so costly a program. The majority rejected arguments that a bipartisan 2003 law dealing with student loans, known as the HEROES Act, gave Biden the power he claimed.“Six States sued, arguing that the HEROES Act does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court.Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a dissent, joined by the court’s two other liberals, that the majority of the court “overrides the combine...

Glens Falls Bagels cooking again in a new home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Since November, the Glens Falls area's new bagel spot has moved from South Street to the other side of the Hudson River. Now, bagels are back in business in the North Country. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Glens Falls Bagels is celebrating the end of its first full week in business at the plaza at 131 Saratoga Avenue, next door to the Hannaford plaza. Open daily, the shop's exact hours may vary depending on how fast the fresh bagels move. On a Friday morning visit, and on the bagelry Facebook page, the word is that they move fast.Glens Falls Bagels first opened on South Street in the city of Glens Falls last November. Brooklyn native Kerry Smith opened shop following the closure of the Glenmore Lodge on Glen Lake, his previous venture, as a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. His bagel craft started there, and has traveled with him since. The move to South Glens Falls was announced in lat...

The Coat Room opens in downtown Saratoga Springs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Coat Room, a “speakeasy-style” restaurant and bar, had its soft opening in downtown Saratoga Springs over the past week. The eatery officially opens to the public on Friday at 5 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Designed and constructed by Phinney Design Group, the restaurant is located inside 385 Broadway. The menu includes charcuterie, small plates, salads, flatbreads, and signature entrees, as well as cocktails and other drinks.“As you step into the Coat Room, you will get a peak of the walnut, brass, black steel, saddle leather, and lush fabrics and wall coverings,” said Phinney Design Group. “But it’s not until you walk through the coats that you will experience the full grandeur of the space.” ‘Speakeasy-style’ restaurant to open in Saratoga Springs The Coat Room will celebrate the history of the United States Hotel, said Phinney Design Group, which was once the largest hote...

Troy man sentenced for murdering wife

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Troy man was sentenced to prison on Friday for murdering his wife, Georlasia Evans, in Troy on January 15, 2021. Taquan Evans, 37, was sentenced to 25 years to life. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Evans was found guilty by a jury that deliberated on the case for one day. According to the Rensselaer County District Attorney's Office, 20 witnesses testified on behalf of the prosecution, which proved Evans strangled his wife. “As I mentioned at the time of the conviction, Chief ADA Matt Hauf, along with ADA SpencerLane worked tirelessly on this case from the very beginning. Our focus has always been onjustice for Georlasia and her family, and we hope this sentence brings them some comfort,” saidDistrict Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly

Schenectady restaurant owners open new eatery in Saratoga County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

JONESVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The owners of the Manhattan Exchange in Schenectady have opened their second restaurant. The Exchange officially opened at 857 Main Street in Jonesville, a hamlet of Clifton Park, on June 29. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "With an abundance of patience and now a hungry appetite, we are happy to announce our little, bigger, brother restaurant will spread its wings this Thursday," said Manhattan Exchange in a Facebook post. "It’s been a long, long road to this point, but man! Are we excited to reach this point!"A menu has not yet been posted publicly online but includes Pesca di Mare, Shrimp Tacos, Calamari, and Chicken Caesar Salad. The Exchange is located in the former Main Street Grille building, which closed in 2019. Rensselaer eatery to be featured on ‘America’s Best Restaurants’ The kitchen at the Exchange is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with the bar being open til mid...

Supreme Court strikes down Biden’s plan to wipe away $400 billion in student loan debt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A sharply divided Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Biden administration overstepped its authority in trying to cancel or reduce student loans for millions of Americans.The 6-3 decision, with conservative justices in the majority, effectively killed the $400 billion plan, announced by President Joe Biden last year, and left borrowers on the hook for repayments that are expected to resume by late summer.The court held that the administration needs Congress’ endorsement before undertaking so costly a program. The majority rejected arguments that a bipartisan 2003 law dealing with student loans, known as the HEROES Act, gave Biden the power he claimed.“Six States sued, arguing that the HEROES Act does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court.Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a dissent, joined by the court’s two other liberals, that the majority of the court “overrides the combined judgment of the Legislative and ...

Colorado wedding website designer can refuse gay customers, U.S. Supreme Court rules

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

The First Amendment allows a Colorado graphic designer to refuse to make wedding websites for same-sex couples, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday in a decision that could have a sweeping nationwide impact.The high court ruled for Littleton graphic artist Lorie Smith, who said her Christian faith prevents her from creating wedding websites for same-sex couples. Smith, who runs the business 303 Creative, wanted to offer wedding websites solely for straight couples.She challenged Colorado’s public accommodation law, which says that if she offers wedding websites to the public, she must provide them to all customers. Businesses that violate the law can be fined, among other penalties. Most states have such laws.Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the justices’ 6-3 decision, which found that Smith’s free speech rights mean Colorado cannot force Smith to say or create messages that she does not believe.“The First Amendment prohibits Colorado from forcing a website desi...

Oscar- and Tony-winning actor Alan Arkin dies at 89

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

Actor Alan Arkin has died. The Academy Award- and Tony Award-winning actor passed away at his home in Carlsbad, California, on June 29, according to Variety. He was 89 years old. His sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony confirmed his death to People and issued a statement that read: "Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man. A loving husband, father, grand and great grandfather, he was adored and will be deeply missed."Arkin's career spanned decades.He began his career as a stage performer becoming a part of the Second City comedy group in Chicago before heading to Broadway for "From Second City" in 1961. In 1963, he earned a Tony for starring in "Enter Laughing."Over the next five decades, Arkin appeared in over 100 movies and films. He was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 1968's "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter." He also starred in "Argo," "Edward Scissorhands" and "Glengarry Glen Ross."His role in 2006's indie comedy "Little Miss Sunshine," ear...

Supreme Court blocks Biden’s student loan forgiveness program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

(CNN) — In a stinging defeat for President Joe Biden, the Supreme Court blocked the administration’s student loan forgiveness plan Friday, rejecting a program aimed at delivering up to $20,000 of relief to millions of borrowers struggling with outstanding debt. The decision was 6-3 with Chief Justice John Roberts writing for the conservative supermajority.Republican-led states and conservatives challenging the program say it amounts to an unlawful attempt to erase an estimated $430 billion of federal student loan debt under the guise of the pandemic. Roberts said the Biden administration and Secretary of Education rewrote the law.“The Secretary’s comprehensive debt cancellation plan cannot fairly be called a waiver – it not only nullifies existing provisions, but augments and expands them dramatically,” Roberts wrote. “However broad the meaning of ‘waive or modify,’ that language cannot authorize the kind of exhaustive rewriting ...

Supreme Court strikes down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT

The Supreme Court on Friday struck down the Biden Administration’s student loan forgiveness program, one that would have provided up to $20,000 of debt relief for an estimated 40 million Americans.For many students, the decision is a crushing blow, eliminating federal student loan debt for roughly 40% of student loan borrowers.“Debt is a really hard thing to overcome,” said Julien Elliot, a 21-year-old at San Jose State University. “I’ve even seen my mom struggle with it: she just finished paying off her student loan debt, and she’s 55 years old.”The decision came after two suits were brought to the Supreme Court, one from a group of Republican states that challenged the administration’s authority to cancel student debt, and the other from two students who felt they wouldn’t get enough out of the existing program. Since the Biden administration announced the debt relief plan last August, the government has approved 16 million applications fo...