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2020 = 23 named storms

First time since possibly since 1893 that 3 new storms were named in one day.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/fl-ne-tropical-storm-wilfred-hurricane-alpha-names-20200918-gi6afrxwr5bnhp77ymk2u2lqum-story.html

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will give tax breaks to more immigrants — including those living in the country illegally — under a new law that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Friday.

The earned income tax credit gives cash back to people who have jobs but make so little that they often don't owe any income taxes. The idea is to encourage people to work by promising to boost their pay with a tax credit. People get the money as a refund when they file their taxes each year. Combined with the federal credit, qualifying families can earn up to $8,000.

California has had its own earned income tax credit since 2015. But it was only available to people who had Social Security numbers. That excluded immigrants who paid taxes with an individual taxpayer identification number issued by the IRS.

In June, California expanded its earned income tax credit for the first time to immigrants who have jobs and pay taxes but don't have Social Security numbers. But they were only eligible for the credit if they had a child under 6. The law Newsom signed Friday removes that requirement.

“These Californians are taxpayers and should be treated like taxpayers, eligible for the same credits, and pay the same tax rates,” the Democratic governor said.

California has nearly 40 million people and its economy, if it were its own country, would be the fifth largest in the world. But the state also has the nation's highest poverty rate, according to figures released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 17% of California households live below the supplemental poverty level — a measure that takes into account things like the cost of housing and child care.

Advocates say the law will help bring people out of poverty.

“Things like the earned income tax credit put real money in people's pocket,” said Mike Herald, director of policy advocacy at the Western Center on Law and Poverty.

The law is one of several in California aimed at increasing services for immigrants living in the country illegally. In 2016, California was the first state to offer government-funded health insurance to low-income children regardless of their immigration status. Last year, that was expanded to cover low-income adults 25 and younger in the country illegally.

Republicans have generally opposed these efforts, arguing the state should not spend public money helping people who are not in the U.S. legally.

https://www.chron.com/news/article/New-California-law-expands-tax-credit-for-15579115.php

A firefighter died battling the California wildfire that was sparked by pyrotechnics at a gender-reveal party and could lead to criminal charges, authorities said Friday.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/firefighter-dies-battling-california-wildfire-sparked-by-gender-reveal-party/ar-BB19bplD

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Doctors at the University of Michigan have separated 1-year-old conjoined twin sisters.

Sarabeth and Amelia Irwin of Petersburg, Michigan, each had their own arms and legs and heart, but their livers were connected, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital said Friday.

The nearly 11-hour surgery to separate them was performed in August, about 14 months after their birth. They’re now at home.

“For everyone in the room, it was a very emotional and extraordinary moment when the last incision was made to separate these girls from one to two,” said Dr. George Mychaliska, who led the surgical team at Mott.

“I’m a father of twins and know twins are very close,” Mychaliska said. “Sarabeth and Amelia will always share a really unique bond, and I think the future is bright for both of them.”

The parents, Alyson and Phil Irwin, learned about the conjoined twins during a pregnancy ultrasound in 2019, four months before the birth by cesarean section. The Irwins knew the girls might not survive long enough for surgery, but they did.

“I remember them briefly putting the girls on my chest. It was very sweet and special being able to hold them and see them for the first time,” Alyson told the Detroit Free Press.

The surgery had been planned for February, but the girls developed pneumonia and then the coronavirus pandemic followed.

The parents had to stay outside the hospital in their car during the surgery. Sarabeth came home in late August, followed by Amelia on Sept. 5. They have an older sister, Kennedy

“This has been a giant experiment in the power of positive and the power of prayer,” Phil said. “You know, so positive news, people need that. People live on that.”

https://www.twincities.com/2020/09/18/power-of-positive-michigan-conjoined-twins-separated/