Latest news with #Crumpler
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Department of Education to resume loan payback for borrowers
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The U.S Department of Education will officially resume collecting defaulted federal student loans on Monday, May 5, marking the end of a three-year pause, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. For thousands of Missourians, and particularly residents of St. Joseph, this could mean renewed pressure from loan services, especially for those whose loans are currently in default. However, for St. Joseph resident Lorna Davis, the deadline will be of no concern as she believes its starts with making smart decision before taking loans. It's a matter of catching it beforehand and deciding if you want to go to a four year school and if you're actually going to stick with it," Davis said. "If there is any way to avoid them, I think that's best." The pause, which began in March 2020, offered temporary relief to more than 40 million borrowers, halting interest accrual and collections on defaulted loans. But starting this month, collections on federally held student loans in default are restarting, with garnishments of wages, tax refunds and Social Security benefits once again on the table. In an April interview with Fox Business, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urged Americans to act swiftly. 'It's very simple, we've announced that by May 5, you must start to repay your loan,' McMahon said. 'This is not meant to cause hardship. There are several different payment plans available.' What This Means for St. Joseph Residents According to the most recent data from the Department of Education, Buchanan County has a significant number of residents with student debt, and many of those loans are currently in default. Local borrowers who have fallen behind could now face renewed garnishments or negative credit reporting if they do not act quickly. For St. Joseph resident Beth Crumpler, the return to repayment is daunting. "Right now I haven't been navigating them because I haven't had to pay with the forbearance going on,'Crumpler said. "But I'm just going to have to work probably until the day I die. I'll just be working to pay what I have to pay." The Fresh Start initiative, a temporary program from the Department of Education, allows borrowers in default to return to good standing and avoid collections. Borrowers can: Remove the default status from their loans, re-enter regular repayment plans, restore eligibility for federal financial aid, and prevent wage or benefit garnishment. Borrowers must act soon, as Fresh Start is not automatic. To enroll, visit or contact your loan servicer. "I don't know if it was worth it to have the loans but college prepared me for my job absolutely, Crumpler said.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minister disappointed after council scraps prayers
A church minister has said he is disappointed by a council's decision to scrap prayers before meetings. The Reverend Peter Crumpler from St Paul's Church in St Albans said the decision was "a shame". St Albans City and District Council voted to go ahead with the move last month. Liberal Democrat Sinead Howland, who proposed the motion, has said it means no councillor will "feel like an outsider in their own chamber". Mr Crumpler said he was "very disappointed", as the prayers said in meetings had not always been Christian. "This isn't a decision taken against the Christian community, it's a decision to make the council meetings no-go areas for religion," said Mr Crumpler, speaking to the BBC Three Counties Radio on Sunday. "Although many people in St Albans would have a faith, and many people in St Albans would be sympathetic to faith, the council is saying 'No, we want no overt space for this in our council meetings', and I think that's a shame." Like many councils across England, St Albans has had a tradition of inviting a local religious leader - often the mayor's chaplain - to say prayers before meetings of the full council. A motion was brought to council to cease the practice and allow for a minute's silence to be held instead, for those councillors who wished to reflect before making decisions. Twenty-five members agreed and 20 voted against. Sinead Howland, who proposed the motion, said: "It ensures that our council meetings mirror the diversity of our community, allowing no councillor to feel like an outsider in their own chamber. "Numerous councils have already implemented this change, recognising the necessity for a neutral and professional environment where all members can begin their work on equal footing." The National Secular Society said: "We congratulate the council on its decision to remove prayers from the beginning of meetings, to ensure no-one in attendance feels alienated or excluded. "The motion allows the council to hold a moment of silence instead, offering everyone the chance to pray or reflect silently if they wish. "We urge all councils across the country which still hold prayers to take heed and follow St Albans's example." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Councils hold fast on prayers stance Call to end prayers before council meetings St Albans City and District Council St Peter's Church, St Albans National Secular Society
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
St Albans council prayer decision disappoints vicar
A church minister has said he is disappointed by a council's decision to scrap prayers before Reverend Peter Crumpler from St Paul's Church in St Albans said the decision was "a shame".St Albans City and District Council voted to go ahead with the move last Democrat Sinead Howland, who proposed the motion, has said it means no councillor will "feel like an outsider in their own chamber". Mr Crumpler said he was "very disappointed", as the prayers said in meetings had not always been Christian."This isn't a decision taken against the Christian community, it's a decision to make the council meetings no-go areas for religion," said Mr Crumpler, speaking to the BBC Three Counties Radio on Sunday."Although many people in St Albans would have a faith, and many people in St Albans would be sympathetic to faith, the council is saying 'No, we want no overt space for this in our council meetings', and I think that's a shame." 'Equal footing' Like many councils across England, St Albans has had a tradition of inviting a local religious leader - often the mayor's chaplain - to say prayers before meetings of the full council.A motion was brought to council to cease the practice and allow for a minute's silence to be held instead, for those councillors who wished to reflect before making members agreed and 20 voted Howland, who proposed the motion, said: "It ensures that our council meetings mirror the diversity of our community, allowing no councillor to feel like an outsider in their own chamber. "Numerous councils have already implemented this change, recognising the necessity for a neutral and professional environment where all members can begin their work on equal footing." The National Secular Society said: "We congratulate the council on its decision to remove prayers from the beginning of meetings, to ensure no-one in attendance feels alienated or excluded."The motion allows the council to hold a moment of silence instead, offering everyone the chance to pray or reflect silently if they wish."We urge all councils across the country which still hold prayers to take heed and follow St Albans's example." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
