George Bridges

Many think of the holiday season as a time to help others, but scam artists see it as prime time to help themselves.

Employees are much more likely to save for retirement if they can do so through automatic payroll deductions. Yet more than 55 million U.S. workers do not have access to a savings plan at work.

The Magnolia State has a shortage of medical personnel, which limits access to care—especially in rural areas. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration estimates the state will have a third fewer primary care physicians than needed by 2025—as well as a shortage of nurses.

CenturyLink, a telecommunications company serving nearly 30,000 Wyoming households, has petitioned the Wyoming Public Service Commission (PSC) to deregulate landline service in the state. If it is approved, residential customers who now pay, on average, $23 per month for landline service could face higher bills or be forced to move to a more expensive wireless plan.

AARP Illinois is working with the Chicago Sky—the city’s WNBA team—and the Fourth Ward Jewel Osco grocery store in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood to host a food drive, Dec. 11-14. The drive will benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Thousands of older Alaskans stand to lose crucial assistance from a program that is due to expire in 2018. When the legislature convenes Jan. 16, AARP Alaska will be backing a bill to extend the state’s Senior Benefits Program, which provides cash assistance to more than 11,000 low-income Alaskans 65 and older.

This fall Northern California saw some of the deadliest, most destructive wildfires in the state’s history, including wind-driven, ferocious blazes in Sonoma, Napa, Humboldt and Mendocino counties. Dozens were killed, and hundreds injured, including older and disabled adults who couldn’t escape in time.

By Christina Hernandez Sherwood

By Linda H. Lamb

By Miriam Davidson