Salem-News.com Business articles

Is Interest on HELOCs and Home Equity Loans Tax Deductible?

Tap into your home equity lenders advice on the topic as well.

(SALEM, Ore.) - For homeowners who decide to borrow against the equity in their homes, either via a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a home equity loan, it is possible to sometimes deduct the insurance expense on a federal tax return.

The laws have recently changed due to the legislation called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In most cases, it's now harder to deduct loan interest than it used to be.

ZIP Code: Amazing Facts That May Surprise You

With the help of only five (or nine) symbols the post office is able to find the destination fast and easy.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Do you often send letters? If not, then it's very possible you have wondered about that strange set of numbers at the end of the mailing address. Some people are sure that those numbers aren't important and omit the ZIP code. In a couple of days, they get their mail back.

So, why is the ZIP code an essential part of postal service? What does it actually mean? Let’s get acquainted with these seemingly erroneous numbers.

On the Virginia Beach Mass Shooting

Ignoring the gun violence problem is only making it worse.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - I am saddened at the killing of 12 people in Virginia Beach by a disgruntled government employee who later died after a shootout with police.

“It’s not just mass shootings,” said U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), adding that each day in America gun violence occurs “on sidewalks and playgrounds and people’s backyards.

"It’s happening family by family across the country. And it doesn’t get the same headlines. And that is wrong.”

Texas Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Oregon Pill Mill

Pill mill clinic manager will go to Federal Prison for illegal opioid distribution

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Idumwonyi and DeMille split the clinic’s cash proceeds. In a typical day at the clinic, DeMille saw up to 20 patients, charging each $200 in cash. In 2015, the clinic generated at least $388,000 in revenue.

DeMille's prescriptions resulted in the distribution of more than 219,000 pills, 96.7% of which were opioids.

National Animal Rights Day

Each state has enacted laws to punish those who engage in cruelty to animals.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - The 9th National Animal Rights Day was celebrated on Sunday June 2, 2019. Let’s salute our non-human friends and companions.

Anyone whose family includes a pet knows that animals think and feel. In fact, a number of scientific studies has shown that animals are far closer to us than recently believed. The Cambridge Declaration of Consciousness in Human and Nonhuman Animals, signed by a group of leading animal researchers, asserts that mammals, birds and other creatures posses consciousness and, in all likelihood, emotions and self-awareness.

Chainsaws Aren`t Only Dangerous in Horror Movies

Approximately 36,000 people are injured by chainsaws annually.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - It’s the stuff of horror movies—the villain chasing teenagers through the dark woods, brandishing a chainsaw.

But nothing is scarier than the statistics on chainsaw use. While chainsaws can be a useful tool to trim, prune, or remove trees, 36,000 people are injured by them in the U.S. every year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Portland-Based Timeshare Scam Exposed by BBB

Victims of this scam are from across the U.S. and Canada.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific is alerting consumers to a Portland, OR-based timeshare scam operating under the name M&T Property Management. Consumers have so far lost nearly $37,000 to this company.

BBB’s investigations team found that M&T is pretending to be a timeshare resale company and has gone through great lengths to make the company and associated website seem real.

PC Games and Upcoming Changes

We can expect numerous tech inventions in the gaming field.

(SALEM, Ore.) - It seems that traditional gambling may soon be a thing of the past. According to the Jon Peddie Research (JPR), classic computer chances and gaming technology can finish their era. From now on, players will be able to switch from traditional desktop games to cloud-based chances.

All these games are expected to be broadcast on television providers either by consoles or cloud-based streaming.

State Anti-Abortion Laws

The Republican war on women continues.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - Alabama became the eleventh state to pass anti-abortion legislation. Now eleven of the 22 states with both a Republican governor and legislature have passed an anti-abortion law. I expect it to be eventually 22 of 22.

The Republicans know or should know that these laws are unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s earlier decision in Roe v. Wade.

Mazda Toyota Breaks Ground with $1.6 Billion Construction Project

Alabama receives a huge boon to their auto industry

(SALEM, Ore.) - On Tuesday, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing officially began development on their $1.6 billion development project. The company erected its first steel column in Alabama Limestone County, signaling the start of its major auto assembly construction plant, which will make 300,000 vehicles annually upon completion in 2021.

This marks one of the largest development projects to ever come to the state of Alabama.