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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Texans work the most hours per week. See average hourly pay in Texas, how yours compares
Do you make more money than the average Texan? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its total private average hourly earnings by state, along with the average weekly earnings and the average number of hours Americans work per week. Here are the average hourly and weekly salaries for Texas, average weekly hours, and how these figures compare to those in other states, as of April 2025. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total private average hourly earnings in Texas are $34.25 as of April. That hourly rate is not seasonally adjusted. The data shows that the average gross weekly earnings are $1,239.85. Extrapolated over 52 weeks, that weekly earnings figure equates to $64,472.20 per year, Texas' average hourly earnings rank in the middle among states, with its average weekly earnings falling in the upper-middle category. Employees in the nation's capital of Washington, D.C., earn the most money with an average hourly pay of $52.25 per hour. This is a full $18 above Texas' average. Mississippi lands in last place as the state that earns the least on average. Its average hourly earnings are just $27.88, which is $6.37 less than Texas'. Washington, D.C.: $52.25 Massachusetts: $42.21 Washington: $41.61 California: $40.69 Colorado: $39.10 Minnesota: $39.04 New York: $38.50 Connecticut: $38.43 Hawaii: $37.84 New Jersey: $37.68 Mississippi: $27.88 New Mexico: $29.13 Louisiana: $29.38 Arkansas: $29.69 West Virginia: $29.90 Kentucky: $30.07 Tennessee: $30.68 Iowa: $30.75 Oklahoma: $30.76 Alabama: $31.08 At 36.2 hours per week, the average Texas employee spends the most time at work compared to those in other states. This is nearly four hours more than the average employee in South Dakota, with the fewest weekly hours. Texas: 36.2 hours Louisiana: 36.0 hours Mississippi: 35.6 hours Alabama: 35.3 hours Oklahoma: 35.2 hours West Virginia: 35.0 hours North Dakota: 34.9 hours Kentucky: 34.8 hours Arkansas: 34.7 hours Arizona: 34.6 hours South Dakota: 32.4 hours Delaware and New York: 32.5 hours Hawaii: 32.6 hours Wisconsin: 32.7 hours Minnesota: 32.9 hours Colorado, Maine and New Hampshire: 33.1 hours Montana: 33.2 hours — The Columbus Dispatch's Alex Perry contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What's the average hourly pay in Texas? See how your paycheck compares
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ohio woman, 76, swindled out of $89K after scammer claimed she'd won $3M — but she had to pay the taxes first
A 76‑year‑old Franklin County, Ohio woman thought she'd hit the jackpot when an unexpected caller told her she'd won $3 million in a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. All she needed to do, he said, was pay taxes on her winnings, according to The Columbus Dispatch. So, she mailed more than $89,000 in 'tax' checks to an Arkansas address before realizing the prize was a scam. Detectives traced the money to a 68-year-old man in Little Rock, Arkansas who was arrested on a felony‑theft warrant and remains in an Arkansas jail waiting to be extradited. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Scams like this are increasingly common because the scammers are smart and know how to convince you that they're from legitimate companies. They often use pressure or fear tactics to keep you on the hook. But understanding how these scams work — and how to protect yourself — can be key as fraud attempts grow. Investigators say the fraudster posed as a sweepstakes employee, phoning the victim in March and insisting the windfall couldn't be released until upfront taxes were paid — an approach straight out of the classic prize‑scam playbook. Scammers often add pressure by invoking trusted names — like Publishers Clearing House — claiming official oversight and urging victims to 'act now' before the offer expires, says the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They may direct targets to wire money, send gift cards or — in this case — mail checks to out‑of‑state addresses that are hard to trace. Con‑artists may also spoof caller ID so the number looks like it comes from Publishers Clearing House or even a government agency. Or, they might mail official‑looking letters, complete with fake seals or phony tax forms to build trust. Once the victim pays the first fee, the scammer often invents new hurdles — customs duties, courier charges or even 'anti‑terror compliance' certifications to milk the victim for even more payments. The FTC notes three tell‑tale signs of prize and sweepstake scams: Real prizes never require payment Odds of winning can't be boosted by a fee No legitimate contest needs your banking or Social Security numbers. Fraud like this is increasingly common, especially for seniors, who may be lonely, less tech-savvy or less aware of new scam techniques. According to the FTC, Americans over the age of 70 lose more per scam than any other age range. But young people fall for scams more often, so people of all ages need to know how to spot these scams. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs According to the FTC, genuine sweepstakes are free and random. Any request for cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency or personal data is a red flag. If a stranger contacts you about a prize, look the company up yourself — using a verified phone number or website — to verify the company is real. Never rely on numbers or links that the caller or an email provides. If you've paid already, the quicker you act, the better. Report the transaction to your bank or card issuer, file a complaint at and contact your state attorney general. If the scammer contacted you by mail, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The faster you report the scam, the more likely you are to get some of your funds back. If personal data was shared, visit for recovery steps. Spreading the word to friends and relatives — especially older family members — can prevent the next would‑be winner from becoming the next victim. A final reminder: Unsolicited prize calls, emails or brochures in the mail are almost always too good to be true. The safest response is to hang up, delete or recycle — before the only thing you're left holding is an empty checkbook. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- USA Today
24-year-old man arrested, accused of posing as a teen at Ohio high school
A 24-year-old man was arrested after police said he posed as a teenager to attend an Ohio high school. Anthony Emmanuel Labrad Sierra, a Venezuelan national, is accused of pretending to be a 16-year-old and enrolling in Perrysburg High School, according to The Columbus Dispatch, part of USA TODAY Network. In a letter sent by Perrysburg Schools Superintendent Thomas Hosler, Sierra presented himself as an unaccompanied minor at the high school under the name "Anthony Labrador." He was reportedly involved in the junior varsity swim and soccer programs at the school. Sierra allegedly received various letters of documentation while enrolled at Perrysburg High School, including a driver's license, Social Security number, and federal Temporary Protective Status from the United States Immigration Department. WTOL11 and WTVG reported that the family who had taken guardianship of Sierra initially found out about his age from a woman claiming to be the mother of his child, who sent them photos and other documentation. According to the reports, Hosler said the district learned about Sierra's fraudulent identity on May 14 when the family contacted the school. 'Deceptive circumstances' The school district contacted the Perrysburg Police Department, which then conducted an investigation. According to reports, the border patrol informed police that Sierra's visa status expired in 2023. "This case involves highly unusual and deceptive circumstances that impacted many local, state, and federal agencies," Hosler said in the letter. Court records viewed by the Dispatch say Sierra was arrested on May 19 and charged with felony forgery. He is currently in custody at the Wood County jail and was issued a $50,000 to Perrysburg police, they located Sierra riding in a vehicle at around 4:15 p.m. on May 19 and took him into custody. If he is released, he is not allowed to leave Wood County. Perrysburg is about 10 miles from Toledo. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OHSAA changing football playoff format? Listen to the Dispatch High School Sports Report
It is a busy time on the Ohio high school sports calendar, and not just because the spring postseason has arrived. Football is a year-round topic of conversation, if not a year-round sport, thanks to college recruiting and 7-on-7 events. This spring, there also has been discussion about the Ohio high school football playoff format with the OHSAA surveying member schools. Advertisement In our latest High School Sports Report, Frank DiRenna, Dave Purpura and Andy Resnik discuss the possibility of the OHSAA changing the football playoff format, the OHSAA's expanded postseason tournaments, the spring postseason and more. Listen via the player below. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OHSAA football playoffs: Listen to Dispatch High School Sports Podcast
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What were the most popular baby names in Ohio in 2024? How do they compare to the US? See top 5
What's in a name? When it comes to naming your little bundle of joy, Ohioans kept with tradition, where the most popular boy and girl newborn names remained the same for another year. The Social Security Administration released the 100 most frequent baby names for male and female births in 2024 for Ohio, which was different from the most popular baby names in the U.S.: Olivia and Liam. Every year, the SSA shares the top baby names for each state for the previous year around Mother's Day. Take a look at the most popular Ohio baby names of 2024. Like in previous years, new Ohio parents chose the names Oliver and Charlotte as the most popular in the state. Last year, 617 male babies were given the name Oliver, while 531 baby girls were named Charlotte. Both names have remained in the top spot since 2022. In Kentucky, Charlotte was also the top baby girl name of 2024, while Liam was most popular among newborn boys. Oliver Noah Theodore Liam Henry Charlotte Amelia Olivia Evelyn Sophia Olivia Emma Amelia Charlotte Mia Sophia Isabella Evelyn Ava Sofia Liam Noah Oliver Theodore James Henry Mateo Elijah Lucas William These are the top five girls names that increased the most in popularity in 2024: Ailany Aylani Marjorie Scottie Aneleia These are the top five boys names that increased the most in popularity in 2024: Truce Colsen Bryer Halo Azaiah This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What were Ohio's most popular baby names in 2024? See Ohio top 5, US top 10
