Massachusetts
Massachusetts branded as most expensive state for child care costs, survey shows
From diapers and formula, to daycare and new clothing, it’s no surprise that the financial costs associated with caring for a child in their first years of life can come at a pretty penny — especially in Massachusetts.
While over half of Americans underestimate their state’s average cost to care for a child in their first year, Massachusetts leads the pack as the most expensive, with average annual day care alone costing $24,472 a year, according to a survey published by CardRates.com.
The survey asked 2,100 participants nationwide to estimate five child care expenses including day care, diapers, formula, food and new clothing. It found that Americans nationwide underestimate the annual costs associated with caring for a child in their first year.
- Read more: Have thoughts on child care? The state’s Child Care Task Force wants to hear ‘em
For day care costs, Bay Staters estimated an expense of $12,738 annually — reflecting a $11,734 difference from what actual costs are according to CardRates.com.
“Therefore, the annual cost of day care is 63% higher in Massachusetts than residents expect,” the release states.
Trailing behind Massachusetts is Washington, D.C, at $24,417, New York at $21,826, Hawaii at $20,647, and Colorado at $19,573.
Participants from New York underestimated day care costs by $8,368, while Washington, D.C participants underestimated by $8,217, and Hawaii underestimated by $7,488.
- Read more: Mass. Senate Dems plan vote on bill expanding access to early ed., childcare
Massachusetts ranking as the most expensive in the nation for child care may be less of a surprise to some than others.
Though Massachusetts respondents underestimated day care costs by over $10,00, organizations such as the U.S News & World Reports, reported Massachusetts as the most expensive state for day care costs as early as 2017 — reporting an annual average cost of $17,000 even at that time.
While the Bay State is the most expensive for day care costs and shows the greatest discrepancy between residents expected costs versus reality, the study shows all states underestimated the actual costs of a baby’s first year overall, being 37% more expensive than anticipated.
Respondents underestimated costs of day care, formula and food, while overestimating costs of diapers and clothes.
For day care, the average cost is $13,266 per year whereas the average estimate was $12,055, showing a $1,211 difference, CardRates.com reported.
For formula, the average estimate was $2,287 though the actual annual, average cost is $4,800 — a $2,513 increase from what respondents expected.
- Read more: Free YMCA memberships available for Boston teens this summer
Overall, the survey showed child care costs are nationally underestimated by $6,934. The national average for caring for a child in their first year is $22,111 according to CardRates.com.
Data used in determining national averages was pulled from organizations such as Child Care Aware of America, BabyCenter, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Gerber Childrens wear, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Respondents from Massachusetts and New Hampshire were closest in their total annual cost estimations, differing less than $3,000, according to CardRates.com.
With a widening conflict in the Middle East after the American and Israeli attack on Iran Saturday, global markets are bracing for a shakeup in the energy supply chain.
So, here at home, what can consumers expect at the gas pump?
An increase in oil prices is almost always followed by an increase in gas prices. And the oil market has already reacted to the war. NBC News reported on Sunday that U.S. crude oil initially spiked more than 10%, while Brent, the international oil benchmark, rose as much as 13%.
Early Monday morning, reports were coming in of black smoke rising from the U.S. embassy in Kuwait City.
While Iran’s oil reserves supply less than an estimated 5% of global production, the main concern is the Strait of Hormuz. This maritime passageway borders Iran at the bottleneck of the Persian Gulf, and more than 20% of the world’s oil passes through. If Iran closes or restricts Hormuz, the oil market could face severe disruptions.
Gas prices rise about 2.5 cents for every dollar increase in crude oil prices. As of Sunday, U.S. crude oil prices had already increased by nearly $5 a barrel.
“I fully expect that by Monday night, you could credibly say that gas prices are being impacted by oil prices having gone up,” GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan told NBC News.
GasBuddy characterizes their expectations for price increases as “incremental” rather than “explosive”. The group said to anticipate a potential 10-15 cent increase over the next couple of weeks.
Massachusetts
Body camera video shows Massachusetts police officer save 78-year-old man from burning truck – East Idaho News
EASTON, Mass. (WBZ) — Police body camera video shows an Easton, Massachusetts, officer rescuing a 78-year-old Raynham man from a burning car on Friday morning.
A Mack dump truck was experiencing problems on the side of Turnpike Street just after 2 a.m. when a Ford pickup truck struck the back of it, according to police.
The pickup truck then became stuck under the dump truck, trapping the driver, Francis Leverone, inside. A Toyota Camry then hit the back of the pickup truck and caught fire, police said.
Easton police officer Dean Soucie arrived at the crash and saw that the two vehicles were on fire. Video shows Soucie rushing over before breaking the driver’s side window and then, with the help of the two witnesses, freeing Leverone from the pickup truck. Soucie said he was confused but conscious.
“As I reached inside the vehicle, one of the passersby — he actually jumped into the cab of the truck, and he helped me free the individual,” Soucie said.
They then carried the driver to safety.
Leverone was taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to a Boston hospital. He received serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
No one else was injured in the crash.
Dee Leverone told WBZ her husband is doing OK. “I’m just thankful for the people that got him out,” she said. “Very thankful.”
After watching the police body-cam video on the news she said, “I was shocked, I was like ‘Oh my God!’ I just couldn’t believe it. His truck is like melted.”
She says she realized that something was wrong last night when her husband never made it home from work.
“I kept trying to call him and call him, and I finally got a hold of him at like 4:30 a.m., and he was at (Good Samaritan Hospital) and he told me he’s gotten in an accident,” Dee said.
She says he’s recovering at the Boston Medical Center and being treated for a dislocated hip.
“He’s a trooper,” Dee said. “He’s a strong man — and you know he’s 78, but you know he’s a toughie. He definitely is a toughie.”
Soucie commended the help of the two witnesses and said that before he arrived at the crash, they had attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher and removed a gasoline tank from the pickup truck before it could ignite.
“They jumped into action like it was nothing,” Soucie said. “Those two individuals were absolutely awesome.”
Easton Police Chief Keith Boone said that he is “extremely proud” of Soucie and the witnesses.
“He saved a life last night,” Chief Boone said. “He is an exemplary police officer and this is just one example. I think he’s a hero.”
Turnpike Street was closed for several hours following the crash. Easton Police are investigating.
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A fire broke out Sunday morning in Townsend, Massachusetts.
The Townsend Fire department said shortly before 7 a.m. that firefighters were on scene for a structure fire on Dudley Road.
People have been asked to avoid the area.
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services said state police fire investigators assigned to the state fire marshal’s office are responding to assist the Townsend Fire Department.
There was no immediate word on any injuries, or any information on what caused the fire. It’s also unclear if the large snow piles in the area impeded access to fire hydrants, as was the case at the house explosion in Taunton last week.
This developing story will be updated when we learn more
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