Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

CHICAGO, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri granted final approval of the National Association of Realtors^®’ proposed settlement agreement to resolve class action claims related to broker commissions. The Court heard from all parties as well as objectors and the Department of Justice. Once arguments concluded, the Court quickly ruled to grant final approval. The Court is expected to soon issue a formal written order.

The settlement secures a release of liability for more than 1.4 million NAR members, all state/territorial and local Realtor^® associations, Realtor^® Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), NAR’s affiliate organizations and all brokerages with an NAR member as principal that had a residential transaction volume in 2022 of $2 billion or below. The settlement also releases MLSs and brokerages that chose to opt-in to the agreement.

“This is an important moment for NAR members, home buyers and sellers, and the real estate industry,” said NAR President Kevin Sears, broker-associate of Sears Real Estate/Lamacchia Realty in Springfield, Massachusetts. “As consumer champions, NAR’s members have been working tirelessly to implement the practice changes required by the settlement and shepherd consumers through this period of transition. The principles of transparency, competition and choice are core to the settlement agreement and empower real estate professionals and consumers to negotiate the services and compensation that work for them.”

NAR CEO Nykia Wright said, “NAR is committed to empowering Realtors^® to help home buyers and sellers successfully navigate what is often the most important financial transaction of their lives. Today and every day, NAR is focused on demonstrating the importance of agents who are Realtors® in the marketplace, creating a transparent and inclusive home buying and selling process, and advancing the right to real property for all.”

More information about the practice changes in the settlement agreement can be found at NAR Settlement FAQs. NAR members must adhere to the practice changes in good faith to maintain released status under the settlement agreement. NAR strongly opposes any attempts to circumvent the settlement.

Under the settlement, NAR will also pay $418 million over approximately four years to the settlement fund. Membership dues for 2025 will remain unchanged from 2024.

For complete information about the settlement and the approval order once available, please visit facts.realtor.

About the National Association of Realtors^®
The National Association of Realtors^® is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The term Realtor^® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors^® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes – from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation – visit facts.realtor.

Story Continues

ST. LOUIS (MBU) – The John Mason Peck Institute at Missouri Baptist University has awarded its first Fellow Scholarship to Michael T. Byrd Sr. in conjunction with the Missouri Baptist Foundation. The award was presented by Dr. Keith Ross, president of MBU; Dr. Neil Franks, president and treasurer of the Missouri Baptist Foundation; and Dr. Aaron Lumpkin, associate vice president for Spiritual Formation and assistant professor of Theology.

The John Mason Peck Institute at MBU exists to equip the next generation of Christian leaders who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry, offering workshops, mentorship opportunities and scholarships. MBU partners with the Missouri Baptist Foundation, a ministry dedicated to allocating financial assets for ministry partners through redemptive investing, to sponsor John Mason Peck Institute scholarship opportunities.

“President Ross and I are thankful for the partnership with the Missouri Baptist Foundation. This wouldn’t be possible without the Foundation’s support. And I couldn’t think of a better recipient of the first Fellow Scholarship in the Peck Institute than Michael Byrd,” said Dr. Aaron Lumpkin. “Pastor Byrd is a leader in our community, helping advance the good news of Jesus Christ across our city through church planting, discipleship and mentorship. We’re delighted to have him complete his degree at MBU and for him to be a part of the MBU community,” Lumpkin added.

Michael T. Byrd Sr. received the John Mason Peck Institute Fellow Scholarship for his ministry impact in St. Louis. Byrd is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry while serving as pastor of Faith Community Bible Church in Jennings, Mo. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he is the Send City Missionary for St. Louis with the Send Network, the church-planting arm of the North American Mission Board. Byrd also oversees the Faithful Men Network, which seeks to connect with and encourage inner city pastors for mission and gospel partnerships. Byrd and his wife, Traci, have four children.

Missouri Baptist University is a Christ-centered university located in St. Louis. MBU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees in education, business and religion and the Doctor of Education. MBU offers degree programs at regional learning centers throughout the St. Louis metro area and online. For more information, visit www.mobap.edu or call 1-877-434-1115.