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Appeals court blocks reinstatement of probationary workers | National

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www.thecentersquare.com – Brett Rowland – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-09 14:29:00

(The Center Square) – A federal appeals court on Wednesday handed President Donald Trump and his administration another legal win when it stayed an order that would have required the president to rehire probationary employees.

The appeals court put that rehiring order on pause. In a 2-1 ruling Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily set aside a Maryland judge’s injunction that had ordered agencies to reinstate employees in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

The majority found the government was likely to succeed in proving that the Maryland district court lacked jurisdiction over the state claims that federal agencies had engaged in an illegal reduction in force.

“The Government is likely to succeed in showing the district court lacked jurisdiction over Plaintiffs’ claims, and the Government is unlikely to recover the funds disbursed to reinstated probationary employees,” the court said.

It noted that the U.S. Supreme Court stayed a similar preliminary injunction issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the Trump administration can keep thousands of probationary workers off of the federal payroll as lawsuits challenging the administration’s plan to fire them play out in court.

In an unsigned, two-page decision, the Supreme Court stayed a preliminary injunction placed on the administration’s attempt to remove about 16,000 probationary employees from the payroll. Several unions had filed suit arguing the terminations are illegal, but the Supreme Court said the unions didn’t have standing in the case.

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Tax day: Financial literacy lacking among teens | National

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www.thecentersquare.com – Casey Harper – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-15 06:00:00

(The Center Square) – This tax day, one group is pushing for better financial literacy for kids.

The American Parents Coalition is advocating for financial literacy education for kids, arguing that studies show students who go through these classes are less likely to fall into financial trouble.

In a message to parents called “The Lookout,” the group points to a survey showing the majority of teenagers feel unprepared and want more financial training. 

“In fact, three out of four teenagers admit they don’t understand basic financial concepts,” the group said in its message, first obtained by The Center Square, and sent to parents Tuesday. “Half can’t explain what a 401(k) is, and more than one in four can’t tell the difference between a credit card and a debit card. Make no mistake, financial literacy programs are crucial and can be integrated into virtually evert grade level, from elementary and middle school to high school and college. The problem is many schools do not incorporate or require classes that teach these practical skills.”

“Some studies have shown that kids who grow up with good money habits are more likely to become financially independent, make smarter decisions with regard to debt and income, and be prepared for unforeseen emergencies,” the group added.

Most states do not require financial literacy classes in their curriculum. 

“According to one 2020 study, individuals who take financial literacy courses have fewer loan defaults and higher credit scores,” APC said. “Unfortunately, only half of states currently require high school students to be educated in personal finance, and of these states, only 11 currently require the class to be a separate course.”

This Tax Day, many parents will wrestle through the tax law complexities, or hire someone to help. Most of them learned the hard way how to pay taxes, manage debt, take out a loan and more. 

APC argues learning the hard way isn’t the only option. They say parents can start simply by paying kids for chores, helping them open a bank account, and teaching them to save money. 

“As parents, we work every day to protect our kids and set them up for successful adult lives,” APC Executive Director Alleigh Marré told The Center Square. “Personal finance and financial literacy tends to be a place that’s overlooked with so much focus given to the day-to-day needs. This Lookout arms parents with simple tools to build good money habits at home and prepare kids to manage their future with confidence.”

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Helene: Half dozen state temporary housing units occupied 200 days later | North Carolina

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www.thecentersquare.com – Alan Wooten – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-14 14:03:00

(The Center Square) – Six state temporary housing units are occupied as western North Carolina continues to get on its feet from Hurricane Helene, the state auditor’s office says.

Two are in McDowell County, and there is one each in Ashe, Avery, Haywood and Watauga counties.

The 29th week of recovery began over the weekend. State leaders and congressional representatives are continuing to request funding from Washington and Raleigh for what is arguably the state’s worst natural disaster.

The storm, which came ashore in Florida on Sept. 26, dissipated over the mountains of three states and left 107 dead and an estimated $60 billion damage in the Tarheel State. Monday marked 200 days since the hurricane, according to the auditor’s dashboard.

The analysis says 6,930 households “indicated a housing need and were determined to be eligible for housing assistance.” This is the number of total housed (2,727), seeking assistance (503) and not utilizing assistance households (3,700).

The number housed represents eligible for FEMA rental assistance or FEMA transitional sheltering assistance. Seeking assistance means these households are in need but not marked eligible for rental or transitional specifically; the households may be utilizing another form of shelter, the report says.

The number not utilizing assistance means the households are eligible for rental or transitional and chose not to use it.

Buncombe County, where Asheville is the county seat, was among the hardest hit regions. Nearly one-third (870) of the report’s 2,727 total housed is from the county. There are 727 of those on rental assistance, and the remaining 143 utilizing hotels. The county’s seeking assistance number, as of Saturday, is 131.

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Georgia man accused of threatening Tulsi Gabbard | Georgia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-14 14:00:00

(The Center Square) – A Georgia man is facing federal charges of threatening Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and her family, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern Georgia.

Aliakbar Mohammad Amin, 24, of Lilburn, is accused of sending threats that included statements, “You and your family are going to die soon” and “I will personally do the job if necessary,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Monday.

One statement said, “Prepare to die, you, Tulsi, and everyone you hold dear. America will burn,” the federal agencies said.

Amin sent the messages between March 29 and April 1, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Investigators said they found social media threats, including an image that showed a firearm pointed at Gabbard. A second one showed a firearm pointed at Gabbard and her husband.

Amin is being charged under Title 18, United States Code, Section 875, which covers threats made across state lines.

“Threatening to harm public officials is a criminal act that cannot be excused as political discourse,” said interim U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie Jr. “Our Office, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will vigorously prosecute individuals who commit these acts of violence.”

Amin will remain in custody until trial, according to an order by a U.S. Magistrate. The FBI arrested him on Friday.

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