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Thursday • February 1, 2024
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Roughly 1 in 20 criminal cases in the U.S. results in a wrongful conviction. And those wrongful convictions disproportionately affect Black people, who account for around 53% of exonerations. This Black History Month, Nice News readers have the opportunity to support an organization at the forefront of creating change in the justice system: the Innocence Project. Guided by science and anti-racism, the Innocence Project not only strives to free the innocent, but also works to prevent wrongful convictions and create a system that’s fair, compassionate, and equitable for everyone. Since its founding in 1992, the New York-based nonprofit has helped to exonerate 250 people, almost 60% of whom are Black. Click here to donate and learn more about the individuals who have been freed.
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Culture
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| The IRS Is Piloting a Free Tax Filing Service: Learn Who’s Eligible |
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Irina_Strelnikova/ iStock
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The U.S. government has been working to make tax filing cheaper and easier for the American public for decades, and we finally seem to be close to a lasting solution for making that dreaded April deadline a bit less dreadful. The 2024 tax season began Monday, which also marked the start of the Internal Revenue Service’s new Direct File pilot. Through the program, eligible taxpayers will be able to file federal taxes directly to the IRS for free.
Only a small sect of people will be able to join, beginning with state and government employees in certain states. “By starting with a pilot, the IRS can efficiently learn about Direct File’s effectiveness, identify areas of improvement for future iterations, and ensure it meets the needs of taxpayers who want to use it,” the agency said in a previous statement.
Private sector employees who lived in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming in 2023 are the next group to get access to Direct File. There are also additional limitations based on each individual’s tax situation — for example, people who itemize deductions, claim certain tax credits, or earned gig income are not eligible.
If it’s successful, Direct File could become widely available in subsequent tax seasons and become a real competitor to the often costly third party services currently available to the public.
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Unwind Naturally for Better Rest
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Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Sleep Gummies — the first to be certified USDA organic — are the real deal for helping you unwind naturally at the end of a long day, especially if you’re tired of the grogginess that often tags along with traditional sleep aids. They’re made with high-quality CBD extract and a blend of valerian root, chamomile, and lavender. Almost like a lullaby from nature.
The gummies come in two strengths, 750 milligrams and 1,500 milligrams, so you can choose the dose that’s right for you and avoid waking up with that melatonin-induced hangover feeling. And the best part is that Cornbread Hemp is giving Nice News readers 25% off their first order with the code SLEEP25 today.
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*Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡
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Environment
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| From Dolly Plowton to Taylor Drift, Here’s Minnesota’s 2024 Class of Snowplows |
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Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
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Minnesota has found a way to make its heavy winter snowfall a bit more fun for residents: the annual “Name a Snowplow” contest. Now in its fourth year, the competition drew more than 8,000 names and online votes from 32,500 people. On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced the eight winning names, which will adorn a plow in each of the state’s eight highway districts.
Many of the winners allude to pop culture figures (see: “Dolly Plowton” and “Beyonsleigh”). And, of course, there had to be a Taylor Swift reference in the 2024 class — “Taylor Drift” will be overseeing District 2 in northwestern Minnesota.
“Rain or shine, blizzards or clear skies, we have a fleet of snowplows and drivers ready to clear the roads and make our lives easier and safer in the winter,” Flanagan said, per KARE 11. “From Beyonsleigh to Barbie’s Dream Plow, Minnesotans’ creativity was on full display for this contest that celebrates the important work of our snowplow drivers.”
“Whether it’s a November election or a snowplow naming contest, you can count on Minnesotans to turn out and vote,” added Walz.
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Health & Wellness
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| Public Health Success: Scotland Finds Zero Cervical Cancer Cases in Those Who Got HPV Jab |
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anilakkus/ iStock
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A new study from Public Health Scotland found that zero cervical cancer cases have been detected in women who received the human papillomavirus vaccine at age 12 or 13 when the immunization program began there in 2008. HPV is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer, which is the fourth-most common cause of cancer in women worldwide, according to a press release from the health agency.
“Vaccination against HPV is shown to be effective in preventing cervical cancer, and along with regular screening for early detection and treatment, it is possible to make cervical cancer a rare disease,” said study co-author Dr. Kirsty Roy.
The research was based on immunization and cancer screening records of women born in the U.K. country between Jan. 1, 1988, and June 5, 1996. According to Stat News, of those 450,000 people, 40,000 were vaccinated against HPV between ages 12 and 13 and, to date, none have been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Given the “exciting” study results, Public Health Scotland encouraged all young people, regardless of gender, to talk to their parents or caregivers and consider taking part in this year’s immunization program to help reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.
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In Other News
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Inspiring Stories
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“A love letter to the legacy”
The University of Minnesota Dance Team choreographed a routine to “Dream On” as an homage to the school’s 2004 squad, which won a championship with a dance to the same song. Unexpectedly, a video of the routine recently went viral and even caught the attention of Aerosmith.
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Everyone deserves to be fed
Nearly 7,500 students in Georgia will have their school lunch debt wiped out thanks to a $1 million donation.
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Post Of The Day
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@recordingacademy
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Joni Mitchell is expected to win her 10th Grammy on Sunday for best folk album, according to Billboard. But while she’s a veteran winner (and the 2002 recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award), the iconic singer-songwriter will be performing at the award show this year for the very first time. Listen to the nominated album, Joni Mitchell at Newport [Live], to prepare for a performance that’s bound to be one for the books. (Photo Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/ FilmMagic via Getty Images)
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Quote of the Day
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| “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl — but by all means keep moving.”
- Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
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