DOD employee tried to leak classified information, prosecutors say
Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, was arrested Thursday and charged with gathering defense information to aid a foreign government, an Espionage Act offense. He did not successfully establish contact with the nation, which is not identified in case filings, but court documents say he offered in an email to provide classified records.
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Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I quit my job as an attorney to follow my true passions. I now want my teens to chase their dreams — not the highest-paying career.
Although I was always creative, the adults in my life pushed me toward a career in law. I eventually quit my job as an attorney to follow my dreams and be a mother. Now that I'm doing what I love, I want my teens to do the same and chase their dreams. When I was growing up, I was taught that the world was mine for the taking. I thought I could be and do whatever I wanted. Although my answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?" changed frequently, I knew that I wanted a job that brought me joy. I wanted to be an artist, astronomer, baseball player, or historian. Eventually, I settled on becoming a writer or photographer. However, as I grew older and college drew near, pressure from the adults in my life to pursue a stable profession began to mount. My future narrowed, and I began considering only two futures for myself: doctor or lawyer. Ultimately, I followed the path laid out for me by others. Now that my teenagers have to make similar decisions about their futures, I want them to have a broader view of what it means to be successful. I became an attorney I took classes in writing and photography in college, but settled on law school after graduation. It was so intense that I had to shut out nearly everything else to focus on studying. After law school. I landed a job that I was good at and that paid well. Eventually, I built a successful career and had a comfortable lifestyle. However, I never developed a passion for practicing law. I often wondered what life would have been like if I had followed my interests rather than succumbing to the well-meaning adults who influenced my career choice. Once I had children, I left my job as a lawyer I got married and became pregnant. Although I had not planned on leaving my job, my priorities shifted. My oldest was born with disabilities and is medically complex. I wasn't sure if she would live or die, and she required an enormous amount of care and attention. The realization that life is short and I didn't want to spend my days filing papers at a desk hit hard. Moreover, even if I had loved my job, spending decades running from an office to childcare pick-up wasn't the type of lifestyle I wanted either. I wanted more freedom to attend school events, travel, and play games with my children after school instead of collapsing into bed at night, too exhausted to enjoy myself or my family. I didn't want to live in a state of constant stress. I was expecting again before my daughter was a year old. I left my job as an attorney for good and went on to have four children in total. I found an alternative career path that provided a better lifestyle Even though I left my job as a lawyer to spend more time with my children, I didn't want to give up working entirely. I still wanted an identity outside motherhood, and I wanted to contribute financially to my family. This pivotal time in my life, with more clarity about my priorities, allowed me to pursue what I had always wanted to do. Finally, I started writing and taking photographs as a freelancer. I didn't earn nearly as much as I did as an attorney, but I began to enjoy my life more. I didn't dread work, and I loved the flexibility I had to work after the kids went to sleep. I could cut back on work obligations when my children were out of school, or life began to feel overwhelming. Even better, I found ways to incorporate my children into my work by writing about parenting issues and photographing them at the endless family-friendly events we attended together. Although I realize this option isn't open to everyone, it works well for my family. I hope my teens follow their dreams I have always been open with my children about my unorthodox career trajectory. They know that even though I earned a higher salary as an attorney, I am happier and more fulfilled doing something I love. I enjoy finally having the type of career I wanted, even as a child. Now that my children are teenagers, they are thinking about college and the types of careers they want to pursue. Like most parents, I want my children to live comfortably and not have to worry about covering their living expenses. I want them to have enough left over after paying their bills for everything that makes life fun. However, I want them to understand that money isn't everything. Their happiness and the ability to achieve a true work-life balance are valuable, too. I don't want them to give up on their dreams or toss their passions aside because they are too consumed with work to find joy. I believe that they will live their best lives by considering more than just a paycheck. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
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Should You Actually Invest Your Own Money in the Trump Baby Accounts?
One of the key provisions of President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' establishes so-called 'Trump Accounts,' designed to encourage savings for newborn children. In addition to receiving an initial deposit from the federal government, the accounts allow for additional contributions by parents or employers. Read Next: Check Out: The question is this: Should you actually invest your own money in these accounts? Or is there a better option among the other types of regular and tax-advantaged accounts that are already available? Here's a brief overview of the provisions of the Trump baby accounts and some recommendations as to whether or not you should invest. What Are the Parameters of the Trump Baby Accounts? The Trump Accounts are custodial, tax-deferred accounts that are somewhat like a hybrid of a traditional custodial account and an IRA account. They are registered in the name of the child, like a custodial account, and the money inside grows tax-deferred, like in an IRA. Money in a Trump Account cannot be withdrawn until age 18. After that, withdrawals can be made, but they are fully taxable and may be subject to a 10% penalty if withdrawn before age 59 1/2, as with IRAs and other tax-deferred retirement accounts. As with IRAs, there are some exceptions to the 10% penalty rule, including withdrawals for higher education and the purchase of a first home. One of the unique benefits of a Trump Account is that the government will fund the first $1,000 in each and every account. After that, parents or employers can contribute up to an additional $5,000 per year, with a limit of $2,500 coming from employers. Unlike investments in other tax-deferred accounts, like 529 plans, IRAs and 401(k) plans, investments within a Trump Account are strictly limited to a U.S. stock market index fund. Find Out: Comparison of Trump Accounts With 529 Plans Here's a side-by-side comparison of the basic provisions of a Trump Account with a 529 plan, which is a commonly used, tax-deferred college funding account. Trump Account 529 Plan Government Contribution $1,000 $0 Contribution Limit $5,000 annually Variable; typically in the $300,000 range over the lifetime of the account Investment Options A U.S. stock index fund Typically a range of mutual funds or ETFs Taxation of Withdrawals Fully taxable; 10% penalty before age 59 1/2, with some exceptions (first-time homebuyer, education, etc.) Tax-free if used for education; earnings are fully taxable otherwise, with a 10% early withdrawal penalty if not used for qualified purpose Account Ownership Child's name; could affect student aid Account owner's name (typically a parent); reduced FAFSA impact Tax Treatment of Contributions Funded with after-tax money Funded with after-tax money Withdrawal Time Frame Not allowed until after age 18; taxable upon withdrawal Anytime, but must be used for education to be tax-free Risk Level 100% equity portfolio; restricted withdrawals until 18 More diversified investment options Asset Management One investment option State investment plans or professional advisor; some DIY options So What's the Verdict? As Michael Reynolds, a certified financial planner at Elevation Financial in the Indianapolis area, told NPR, 'I'm going to take the thousand dollars, definitely. Nothing wrong with that.' But beyond that, most advisors suggest that 529 plans might be the better option. Here are some of the main advantages of a 529 plan over a Trump Account: Higher maximum contributions over life of account More diversified investment options Accounts count as parents' assets, not child's assets Money can be withdrawn at any time, instead of being locked in account until the child turns age 18 (taxes and penalties may apply). The main advantage of the Trump Account is the initial $1,000 in seed funding from the federal government. That, advisors agree, is something parents should take advantage of. But adding more money to these accounts — while better than not saving at all — may not be the optimal use of your child's investment funds. Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on Should You Actually Invest Your Own Money in the Trump Baby Accounts?
CBS News
6 minutes ago
- CBS News
6-year-old shot while inside car in West Lawn neighborhood, police say
A 6-year-old boy is recovering after he was shot while inside a vehicle Friday night on the city's Southwest Side. It happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. in the 3700 block of West 59th Place in the West Lawn neighborhood. Chicago police said the boy was a passenger in a vehicle when someone in a white SUV heading westbound opened fire at the vehicle. The boy was hit in the rear and was taken to Christ Hospital in good condition. No other injuries were reported. As of Saturday, there is no one in custody. Area 1 detectives are investigating.
