Will artificial intelligence find and cure breast cancer?

• October 17, 2023

Can a machine catch a breast cancer tumor better than a human?

Radiologists at Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute at Boca Regional Hospital have been working to find that answer. They began adding artificial intelligence technology to existing 3D mammography for breast cancer screening in 2020. With three years of results, they discovered AI can make a significant difference in finding cancer.

Both the radiologists at the Institute (part of Baptist Health South Florida) and the machines read thousands of mammogram results each year. In some instances, AI helped catch cancers before they could be detected by the human eye. Since implementing AI, their detection rate has improved 23%.

“In the past, if we found 100 cancers, today with AI we will find 123,” said Dr. Kathy Schilling medical director of Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute.

“This is significant, because finding a cancer earlier could mean that a patient may not require chemotherapy or radiation therapy,” she says. “The types of cancers we are currently finding are smaller and of lower stage, reducing the need for advanced treatments.”

Dr. Louise Morrell, an oncologist at Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, said the findings have led Baptist Health to expand the use of AI to all imaging centers across the hospital system.

Artificial intelligence also is being studied for customized treatment. A team at University of Florida is studying whether the right combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy can combat aggressive breast cancer and how AI can help. Mohammed Gbadamosi, a researcher in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, has secured a $1.25 million grant to launch his own independent academic research laboratory and build a team focused on developing breast cancer treatment strategies. The team will apply artificial intelligence to construct computer models for personalizing treatment based on a patient’s tumor genetics.

Other local research and clinical trials

Medication is evolving to better treat certain types of breast cancer and keep them from spreading. Oncologists at The Michael and Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale are enrolling patients with HR+, HER2-negative breast cancer in a clinical trial for a drug made by Tolmar called TOL2506. The trial is evaluating whether the medication suppresses ovarian estrogen production in premenopausal women who are undergoing chemotherapy. If effective, this would reduce the risk of the breast cancer coming back. It also is evaluating the safety of the drug in men. So far, Holy Cross has one patient participating and is screening three more for the trial.

A chemical compound may help stop breast cancer in the earliest of stages.  A team of University of Florida medicinal chemists and cancer biologists has created a compound that can help cells dispose of proteins that cause cancer cells to grow. In laboratory testing in breast cancer cells, the compound, known as YX968, effectively targeted unwanted proteins in cancer cells and then degrading them —  without harming healthy genes. Only a small amount of the YX968 compound was needed.

“These compounds act like matchmakers, bringing together two proteins so one can destroy the other one,” said Yufeng Xiao, the study’s co-first author. The researchers are refining the compound’s design to make it more of a drug so it can be tested in animal models. The long-term goal is to develop a new therapeutic that is safe and effective.  Xiao said that will require a clinical trial in humans which will take several years.

Race may be affecting the late stages of breast cancer diagnosis. Black women have a 40% higher death rate compared to white women, according to the American Cancer Society. Studies are underway in South Florida to learn more.

Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing researchers recently conducted a study in a sample of about 400 Black women receiving care at its nurse-led FAU/Northwest Community Health Alliance Community Health Center in West Palm Beach. They looked at mammography screening frequency, beliefs about breast cancer including perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits and perceived barriers to screening. Almost half reported having annual mammograms; the remainder reported having mammograms every two to three years, and some women never had a mammogram in their lifetime, despite being age 40 or older. The majority of the women believed their chances of getting breast cancer was “very unlikely” but they did feel that having a mammogram would be beneficial. “Perceived barriers to and beliefs about mammography screening should be taken into consideration when designing interventions to increase breast cancer screening in Black women,” said Karen Wisdom-Chambers, co-author of the study and an assistant professor in FAU’s College of Nursing.

University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers are participating in a clinical trial designed to understand why Black men and women are at higher risk of developing and dying from aggressive prostate and breast cancer. The national trial, called the African Cancer Genome Registry, is recruiting cancer patients to participate. “Please, please do it, if not for yourself, then for the next generation,” said Charinus Johnson-Davis, a Miami breast cancer survivor and one of the first local trial enrollees.

Treatments and interventions

Mindfulness is a technique Dr. Ashwin Mehta, who leads Memorial Cancer Institute’s Integrative Cancer Survivorship Program, sees as a key component to breast cancer treatment. In a new report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, he recommends cancer patients use mind-body techniques to manage their feelings, anxiety and depression during and after treatment as part of integrative medical approach to care.

“Depression and anxiety often emerge when patients complete their treatment and begin to reflect on the trauma they have endured,” Mehta said. “Recognizing that not all patients prefer traditional medication for these symptoms, we’ve achieved remarkable success with mindfulness-based interventions and other integrative therapies in helping patients overcome these challenges.”

Survivors’ groups make a difference, says Isabel Toca, a 59-year-old Miami resident whose breast cancer was detected early. Toca needed lumpectomies for removal, a three-week course of radiation therapy, and a long-term regimen of an oral drug that treats hormone-dependent breast cancer. After her medical treatment, she joined a cancer survivors’ group, which is part of a study at UHealth’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study is aimed at helping survivors recognize and combat the many manifestations of cancer-related stress. The members benefit not just from the structured program, complete with exercises and homework, but from talking to and learning from each other.

Reconstruction advances

Nipple Preservation.  UHealth’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center physician-scientist Dr. Crystal Seldon Taswell has a new approach to nipple-preserving therapy for patients with early-stage breast cancer. In a phase 1 clinical trial, enrolled patients were not candidates for a nipple-sparing mastectomy. The approach, which uses delayed radiotherapy after breast surgery, resulted in 100% nipple preservation without compromise of local control, as well as excellent patient-reported satisfaction. Seldon Taswell believes study results support further exploration of this nipple-preservation technique, and she is advocating for a broader group of patients to be included.

Fundraising

CEOs of some of Florida’s large and small businesses have formed a power group called CEOs Against Cancer to share ideas for raising funds and encouraging screenings. The group has about 30 CEO members thus far, and this month the focus is on breast cancer.

For Spero Georgedakis, founder of South Florida’s Good Greek Relocation Systems, participation is personal. Georgedakis lost his mother, Stella, to breast cancer in 2001 when she was only 52.

As a newly committed member of  the CEO group, Georgedakis will be featured in a campaign for early detection. He also is using his company as a platform to encourage donations for breast cancer research and treatments. A pink Good Greek Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Moving Truck has been making rounds in South Florida, and on it is a QR code for people to make donations. “The truck pops and is eye catching. We have the QR code on there, so it is easy to donate right off the truck,” Georgedakis said. The QR code also is on the company website, television ads, and business cards, he said. “It’s a quick and easy way to get donations.”

Another member of CEOs Against Center, Andrew Koenig, CEO of CITY Furniture, also participates in breast cancer awareness, and like Georgedakis, the cause is personal to him too.  Andrew lost his mother, Doreen Koenig, to breast cancer in 2015. During October, CITY Furniture gives out pink pumpkins to spread awareness and hosts a Test Rest Program. When shoppers visit a CITY showroom and complete a mattress test, they get a $25 gift card and trigger a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society on their behalf.

​ Orange County Register 

US work-from-home rates drop to lowest since pandemic

• October 17, 2023

By Zachary Fleming, Redd Brown and Ignacio Gonzalez | Bloomberg

The push by employers to get American workers back into the office appears to be working.

Fewer than 26% of US households still have someone working remotely at least one day a week, a sharp decline from the early 2021 peak of 37%, according to the two latest Census Bureau Household Pulse Surveys. Only seven states plus Washington, DC, have a remote-work rate above 33%, the data shows, down from 31 states and DC mid-pandemic.

The reversal reflects the continued push by many employers to get staff to return to offices. Remote employees have been blamed for dwindling profits and costing cities billions, and fears of a recession have eroded their ability to demand the telework perks they won early in the pandemic when the labor market sat squarely in their favor.

Also see: Employers would gladly replace workers with AI technology

Some companies, like Goldman Sachs Group Inc., now expect a return to five days in the office, though boardroom disagreement abounds — nearly three of out four organizations see RTO as the topic most likely to foment leadership conflict.

At the state level, the data shows all 50 have seen work-from-home rates drop from their pandemic highs. But the unevenness in their rates of decline suggests the trend doesn’t have one cohesive explanation, and is instead the result of a hodgepodge of migration, socio-economic, gender and race factors, and possibly even politics — Democratic states tend to have higher remote-work rates than Republican ones.

Illustrating the complexity: States whose remote-work rates have fallen by as much as half to around post-pandemic lows include Mississippi and Louisiana, which weren’t able to widely embrace remote work due to a reliance on in-person industries like manufacturing and oil and gas, but also more white-collar states that did welcome it, like California and Connecticut.

Also see: CEOs still make more annually than a typical worker does in 186 years

New York City workers fled during the pandemic to towns like Greenwich, Connecticut, driving a boom in home sales and remote work rates. Now, they may not be moving back, but they’re commuting to the city. As Connecticut’s work-from-home rate has fallen — to 28% from its early-2021 peak of 46% — average ridership along the Metro-North train lines that link the state to New York City and its offices has risen — to a peak of about 70% versus pre-pandemic levels, up from just 20% in early 2021.

“People exited New York City, they’re not selling their homes to go back,” Bill Raveis, founder of Connecticut-based William Raveis Real Estate Inc., said in an interview. “They’re staying here and they’re making their adjustments to the community.”

Report: Remote-work searches outstrip available supply

The latest Census data also underlines that employees’ demand for remote jobs is outpacing the number of companies offering them.

In 157 of the largest metro areas in the US, more than half of job applications were for fully remote or hybrid roles in August, according to LinkedIn data generated for Bloomberg, but postings for those jobs have been falling since early 2022, data from Indeed Inc. shows. In Colorado — widely seen as a work-from-home haven and one of the few states that has maintained a rate above one third — 76% of job applications in Colorado Springs were for fully remote or hybrid roles in August, the LinkedIn data showed.

Some areas are capitalizing on that scarcity. Alabama, with a work-from-home rate of just 15% according to the Pulse data, offers $10,000 to remote workers who move to the state’s northwest Shoals area. The program has attracted about the same number of applications so far this year as in all of 2021 and 2022 combined, about 3,400.

All 50 states pale in comparison to their largest cities’ metro areas. In Washington, DC, where government bureaucrats are loath to go back to their offices, the remote-work rate is above 50%, the data shows. Similarly, Seattle, Boston and San Francisco all had rates near or above 40%. Average office attendance across ten big US cities remains about 50% of pre-pandemic levels, according to security firm Kastle Systems International LLC, no higher than where it was early in 2023.

​ Orange County Register 

Chargers review: Is Justin Herbert failing to meet expectations?

• October 17, 2023

Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next after the Chargers’ 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, their third defeat in five games in 2023 by three points or less offering further evidence that they haven’t come close to fulfilling their promise:

GREAT(ER) EXPECTATIONS

Among the many burning questions facing the Chargers is whether quarterback Justin Herbert is truly living up to the gargantuan five-year, $262.5 million contract extension he signed back in July, on the eve of training camp. So far, there is plenty of evidence that he’s fallen short.

Way short.

To be clear, he does make some remarkable throws and can be extraordinarily effective creating something from nothing when the pass rushers swarm him and his receivers have to change course and look for new routes through the secondary. He is an elite-level quarterback.

However, and this is where it gets to the heart of the matter, he hasn’t come through in the clutch when handed a late opportunity this season. He failed to guide winning touchdown drives against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 and against Dallas in Week 6.

Against the Dolphins, Herbert had 75 yards and 1:45 to work with, but he drove the Chargers only as far as their own 33 before he was sacked on a fourth-and-12 and turned the ball over on downs with 55 seconds left. Miami ran out the clock for a 36-34 victory at SoFi Stadium.

Against the Titans, he drove the Chargers down the field for Cameron Dicker’s game-tying 33-yard field goal on the last play of regulation, sending the game to overtime. But once in OT, the visiting Chargers went three-and-out on their lone possession and Tennessee kicked a field goal to win 27-24.

Against the Cowboys, he had 2:19 and 75 yards to negotiate, but his desperation third-and-10 throw intended for rookie Quentin Johnston as he was about to be sacked was picked off by the Cowboys’ Stephon Gilmore. Dallas ran out the final 1:22 for a 20-17 victory at SoFi Stadium.

In the Chargers’ two victories, their defense stopped first the Minnesota Vikings and then the Las Vegas Raiders with red-zone interceptions in the closing minutes. The Chargers held off the Vikings for a 28-24 victory in Week 3 in Minneapolis and the Raiders for a 24-17 win in Week 4 at SoFi.

“I think we can do a lot better on offense, especially at quarterback,” Herbert said late Monday night, after praising the Cowboys’ defensive pressure against him, which limited him to pedestrian totals of 22-of-37 passing for 227 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

“I can play a lot better.”

Indeed.

Herbert declined to fault the fractured left middle finger on his non-throwing hand for some of his misfires Monday, including one possible touchdown and another likely big gain to sure-handed wide receiver Keenan Allen. Herbert wore padding and a white glove on his left hand for protection.

Of his missed connections with Allen, Herbert said, “I missed a couple of receivers and threw some bad passes. There was a lot left out there. There’s a lot to work on and a lot to improve on.” Of his interception, he said, “I threw it and the guy (Gilmore) picked it off. He made a good play on it.”

It all added up to another less-than-stellar showing from Herbert.

COSTLY PENALTIES

Coach Brandon Staley was troubled by two personal fouls called against safety Derwin James Jr., a three-time Pro Bowl selection, including one that followed a 15-yard completion from Dak Prescott to Jake Ferguson that ended up being a 30-yard gain that led to a field goal and a 10-7 halftime deficit.

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“What I know is that we can’t have 30 yards, two defensive penalties like that because it’s worth a lot of yardage and it keeps drives alive,” Staley said. “We have to keep educating, which we do, and we have to make sure that we’re penalty-free because there’s a lot at stake when you make penalties like that.”

 WHAT COMES NEXT

The Chargers face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Will a certain pop singer of some renown be on hand to watch her boyfriend play for the reigning Super Bowl champs? Of slightly lesser interest, will visiting reporters find a parking spot among the throngs of early-arriving tailgaters?

​ Orange County Register 

House nears vote on Rep. Jim Jordan for speaker, but Republican holdouts remain

• October 17, 2023

By LISA MASCARO, FARNOUSH AMIRI and STEPHEN GROVES

WASHINGTON — Republicans are trying Tuesday to elect firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan as the new House speaker, elevating a chief ally of Donald Trump to a center-seat of U.S. power and showing just how far the hard-right flank has moved into the GOP mainstream.

After two weeks of angry Republican infighting since the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, the House is to vote in a showdown for the gavel. At least a handful of holdout Republicans are refusing to give Jordan their votes, viewing the Ohio Republican as too extreme for the powerful position of House speaker, second in line to the presidency.

But with public pressure bearing down on lawmakers from Trump’s allies including Fox News’ Sean Hannity, it’s not clear how long the holdouts can last. Jordan swiftly flipped dozens of detractors in a matter of days, shoring up reluctant Republicans who have few options left after McCarthy’s ouster.

Ahead of voting Trump restated his support of his top ally in Congress.

“Jim Jordan will be a great speaker,” the former president said outside the courthouse in Manhattan, where he is facing business fraud charges. “I think he’s going to have the votes soon, if not today over the next day or two.”

The political climb has been steep for Jordan, the combative Judiciary Committee chairman and a founding member of the right-flank Freedom Caucus. He is known more as a chaos agent than a skilled legislator, raising questions about how he would lead. Congress faces daunting challenges, risking a federal shutdown if it fails to fund the government and fielding President Joe Biden’s requests for aid to help Ukraine and Israel in the wars abroad.

Upset that a small band of hardliners have upended the House, Republicans have watched their majority control of the chamber descend into public infighting. All House business has ground to a halt.

To seize the gavel, Jordan will need almost the full majority of his colleagues behind him in a House floor vote, as Democrats are certain to back their own nominee, Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

With the House Republican majority narrowly held at 221-212, he can only afford to lose a few votes to reach the 217 majority threshold, if there are no absences. While eight hard-right ousted McCarthy, the holdouts this time range from seasoned legislators worried about governing, to newer lawmakers from swing-districts whose voters prefer Biden to Trump.

After a late-evening meeting Monday at the Capitol turned into a venting session of angry Republicans, Jordan acknowledged: “We’ve got a few more people to talk to, listen to.”

One holdout, Republican Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, said Jordan’s role in the runup to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and his refusal to admit President Joe Biden won the 2020 election remained an issue.

“Jim, at some point, if he’s going to lead this conference during the presidential election cycle and particularly in a presidential election year … is going to have to be strong and say Donald Trump didn’t win the election and we need to move forward,” Buck said.

But Jordan can rely on Trump’s support as well as pressure on colleagues from an army of grass-roots activists who recognize him from cable news and fiery performances at committee hearings. Republicans say it will be hard for rank-and-file lawmakers to oppose him in a public floor vote.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who engineered McCarthy’s ouster by a handful of hardliners, publicly praised each lawmaker who has flipped to Jordan’s column — and berated those who have not.

“Thank you Rep. Ann Wagner!” Gaetz posted on social media, after the Missouri Republican announced her support.

One by one, others also announced their support. Still, it could take multiple rounds during House floor voting not unlike in January when it took McCarthy 15 ballots to win the gavel.

Democrats have decried the far-right shift, calling Jordan the leader of the chaos wing of the GOP.

The Democratic whip, Rep. Katherine Clark, said her party is trying to stop Republicans from putting “an insurrectionist in the speaker’s chair.”

Jordan has been a top Trump ally, particularly during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack by the former president’s backers who were trying to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden. Days later, Trump awarded Jordan a Medal of Freedom.

“Jim Jordan is an insurrectionist who has no place being second in line to the presidency,” said Michael Fanone, a former District of Columbia police officer who was wounded fighting the mob on Jan. 6.

Now the Republican Party’s front-runner to challenge Biden in the 2024 election, Trump backed Jordan to replace McCarthy early on, and was working against the nomination of Majority Leader Steve Scalise who withdrew last week after colleagues rejected their own rules and failed to coalesce around him.

Tensions remained high among Republicans ahead of voting. Rank-and-file Republicans are exhausted by the internal party infighting with no other work being done in Congress.

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Some Republicans resent being pressured by Jordan’s allies and say they are being threatened with primary opponents if they don’t support him as speaker. One aide said their office received an email from Hannity’s team pushing Jordan.

Others are simply upset at the way the whole process has dragged out. One, Scalise backer Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., began circulating an option to give Rep Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., the interim speaker pro-tempore, more authority to lead.

“I think we still need conversations,” said Rep, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa.

First elected in 2006, Jordan has few bills to his name from his time in office. He also faces questions about his past. Some years ago, Jordan denied allegations from former wrestlers during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University who accused him of knowing about claims they were inappropriately groped by an Ohio doctor. Jordan has said he was never aware of any abuse.

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick and Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.

​ Orange County Register 

Convicted criminal Dave Min loses ground in race for Katie Porter’s seat

• October 17, 2023

California Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine, is continuing to pay the price for his drunk driving conviction and prison guard union corruption.

According to recently published data from the Federal Election Commission, Min’s fundraising in his campaign to represent the open seat in the 47th congressional district has been in a free fall.

From the time he announced as a candidate until March 31 of this year, he raised an impressive $521,000. After his arrest for driving drunk in a California Senate vehicle at night without his lights on through a red light in May, his fundraising totals have plummeted. In them most recent quarter, he raised just $311,000.

Meanwhile, Min has blown through $400,000 as part of his desperate attempt to remain a candidate.

As of this writing, the Min campaign has $825,542.68 on hand, compared to $832,638.54 reported by the Joanna Weiss campaign and $1,374,856.05 reported by the campaign of Republican Scott Baugh. And this is, of course, before the ads and mailers go out highlighting Min’s arrest.

For context, Scott Baugh narrowly lost to Katie Porter last year despite being outspent by tens of millions of dollars. That he is in fact the top fundraiser this time means Democrats will need to do better than a drunk driver who can’t out-fundraise Baugh if they want to make the race remotely competitive.

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This newspaper has already called for Dave Min to drop out of the race and to refrain from seeking public office as long as he remains on probation.

There is a viable Democratic alternative to Min, Joanna Weiss, who in recent weeks has earned endorsements from Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.

Unlike Min, she hasn’t been arrested for driving drunk and she hasn’t voted to give away hundreds of millions of dollars per year to the state prison guard union. That alone speaks to better judgment.

Again, we repeat: Dave Min should drop out of the race. The people of the 47th congressional district deserve better than to be represented by a drunk driving, corrupt politician like Dave Min.

​ Orange County Register 

4 ways married couples can use tax breaks to build wealth

• October 17, 2023

By Elizabeth Ayoola | NerdWallet

The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.

“Two is better than one” is an old adage that translates to finances, too. Two incomes can go much further than one, especially between married couples.

People who say “I do” also have access to various tax breaks that can give them a financial edge when it comes to building wealth. For instance, married couples filing their taxes jointly get a standard deduction of $27,700 in 2023, while single filers get a $13,850 deduction.

How can married couples act on the many tax breaks they have access to and use them to build wealth? Two certified public accountants share a few strategies for couples to consider.

Strategy 1: Investing

When married couples get a tax deduction or tax credit, there’s an opportunity to invest that extra money. There are a string of ways to invest the money, but couples could benefit from investing in themselves, says Sheneya Wilson, a CPA and founder of Fola Financial in the Bronx in New York City. Couples may choose to use their tax savings to invest in courses that improve their skills, market value and salaries, she says.

Retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs or regular brokerage accounts are also an option for couples. Investing those extra dollars from tax breaks means couples have more money that can potentially grow and enjoy the benefits of compound interest.

Wilson adds that married folks can also consider alternative investments, such as commodities, gold, silver, royalties or music catalogs.

Ultimately, couples can choose investments that align with their goals and legacy.

“The best investments are going to be in line with how that person wants to leave an influence on the world,” Wilson says.

Strategy 2: Real estate

Married couples who own a property may be able to sell it and exclude some of the real estate capital gains tax from their income. For married couples filing jointly, that means they can keep up to $500,000 of the profit tax-free. Single filers, on the other hand, are capped at $250,000.

“Now think about what you can do with around $500,000 of tax-free income,” says Williams. That extra money could go toward investing in another property, she adds.

Note that couples have to own the house, use it as their main home, live there for at least two of the five years before selling and meet other rules in order to qualify for the exclusion.

Strategy 3: 529 plans

529 plans — investing plans for education that allow tax-free growth and withdrawals — are another way couples can use tax breaks to build wealth, says Jasmine Young, a CPA and founder of Southern Heritage Financial Group in Atlanta.

“It could be your niece, your nephew, your cousin, it could be you, whoever’s gonna use the money for educational expenses,” Young says. ”That’s one way for you to reduce your tax liability and put the money somewhere that’s going to give you a resource to build generational wealth.”

Some states offer deductions or credits for 529 plan contributions. A perk for married couples is that in many states, joint filers can deduct double the amount than single filers, lowering their taxable income. The amount joint filers can deduct varies from state to state.

Another way married people can benefit from 529 plan tax benefits is with the federal gift tax exclusion. While 529 plans don’t have an annual contribution limit, contributions are considered “gifts” by the IRS, which means gifting over a certain amount could lead to extra paperwork at tax time. In 2023, those married filing jointly could gift $34,000 without needing to file a gift tax return versus $17,000 for single people.

Married couples who take advantage of this larger limit can save more annually for their kids or loved one’s kids and potentially help them grow wealth faster.

Another wealth-building strategy couples can potentially use beginning in 2024 is rolling unused funds in a 529 account into a Roth IRA account for the beneficiary. By rolling unused funds into a Roth IRA, the beneficiary — be it a child or family member — can get a head start on saving for retirement. There are several conditions account owners must meet to do this, so consult a financial advisor beforehand.

Strategy 4: Entrepreneurship

If one spouse is an entrepreneur, or a couple runs a joint venture, there’s an opportunity to write off business losses during tax season, Wilson says.

“If you are married, filing jointly and your spouse is investing in starting a business, there may be a net loss from that business venture on the joint tax return because that spouse was investing in maybe educational courses [to] start their business,” she says.

In 2023, married couples with their own business can take a loss of up to $524,000, compared with $262,000 for single filers. The dollars that may have gone to paying taxes can be funneled into growing an existing business, starting a new one, or paying down debt.

Couples curious about exploring more strategies they can implement may want to speak with a finance professional like a tax advisor or financial planner.

This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.

The article 4 Ways Married Couples Can Use Tax Breaks to Build Wealth originally appeared on NerdWallet.

​ Orange County Register 

Sofia University’s New Doctorate in Business Administration Program: Transcending Business Education

• October 17, 2023

In the bustling landscape of Orange County, where businesses thrive and innovation reigns supreme, a unique educational opportunity has emerged. Sofia University proudly introduces its Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program, adding a new dimension to the educational offerings in the region. Rooted in the rich tradition of transpersonal education, this DBA program goes beyond traditional business studies, focusing on the holistic growth of its students. Here’s a closer look at what sets this program apart.

A Distinctive Approach

Sofia University’s DBA program is unlike any other in Orange County. While other programs may emphasize business knowledge alone, Sofia’s approach is holistic. It integrates transpersonal principles into its curriculum, encouraging students to explore not only the intricacies of business but also their personal growth. This unique blend of business acumen and personal development sets Sofia’s DBA program apart from the rest.

Competitive Pricing

Education is an investment, and Sofia University recognizes the importance of making this investment accessible. The DBA program at Sofia is competitively priced, ensuring that students receive exceptional value without an exorbitant financial burden. This affordability is a testament to Sofia’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities for all.

Benefits of Pursuing a DBA

A DBA degree opens doors to a world of opportunities. Graduates of DBA programs are equipped with advanced business knowledge, critical thinking skills, and leadership acumen. They are often sought after for senior leadership roles in corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Furthermore, a DBA can provide a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business environment, where expertise in research, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making is highly valued.

Mary Kay Chess, DBA Program Chair at Sofia University

Sofia University’s DBA Program Options

Sofia University is currently accepting applications for its DBA program, offering two unique tracks to cater to diverse needs:

1.     Chinese Language DBA: Designed for international students seeking a DBA education with a focus on the Chinese business landscape.

2.     English Language DBA (Domestic): Launching in January 2024, this program will cater to domestic students, providing them with a transformative DBA experience rooted in transpersonal education.

Join Us on this Transformative Journey

Whether you aspire to expand your career horizons, engage in meaningful research, or embark on a journey of personal growth, Sofia University’s DBA program offers a distinctive path forward. Join us in exploring the world of business through a transpersonal lens and discover the limitless possibilities that await you.

For program details and application information, visit our Sofia University DBA Program page. To speak with our admissions team, call 888.820.1484.

Sofia University – Where Business Education Meets Personal Transformation.

​ Orange County Register 

Ramen burgers, shaved ice, ube rolls coming to OC Japan Fair 2023

• October 17, 2023

Billed as one of the largest Japanese cultural festivals in Southern California, the OC Japan Fair returns to Costa Mesa from Oct. 27 through Oct. 29. Organizers expect upward of 45,000 people to attend the three-day festival, which is a lot of mouths to feed. Luckily, this year’s abundant lineup of Japanese and Asian food vendors are reason alone to check out the fair, now in its 13th year.

A handful of culinary highlights will include katsu chicken from Kagura, which has locations in Costa Mesa, Torrance and Gardena; Kuramoto Shavery, which creates Japanese-style shaved ice made with Kuramoto Ice; Tamuken’s Japanese barbecue bowls; noodles by Tokyo Yakisoba; Big and Long Potato Swirl frying up eponymous potato snacks; Rated R Ramen Burger, whose ramen-sandwiched burgers are made with wagyu beef; and ube cinnamon rolls from Ubenabon.

Beer and sake will also be on hand to quench any 21-and-over thirst, with boba teas and matcha drinks available for all ages. OC Japan Fair’s 2023 food roster is as follows:

Sukiyuki LA
Big Takoyaki
Big and Long Potato Swirl
Miniyaki Cheese Taco
Ajaj Cafe
Mr. Bully
Kagura
Got Corn?
Yakitoriyado
Yakitori Yado Matcha Latte
Gong Su Gan
Nikuman-Ya
Lobsterdamus
Ubenabon
Egghasuted
Otafuku
Rated R Ramen Burger
Kuramoto Shavery
Gluten Free Meister
Kanto Filipino Street Food
Takouaki Yamachan
Mochill Mochil Crepe
Boba Bestie
All Dat Dumpling
Iwate Wagyu
Aki Takoyaki
Gindaco USA
SVR BBQ
Amami-Ya
Waffleland
Japadog
Hot Bamboo
Tokyo Yakisoba
Hawaiian Honey Cones
Wagyu Street
RE&S
Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori
Kuramoto Shavery
Aoki No Chuuka
La Musubi
Lucky Ball Korean BBQ
Mr. Teddy Baker
Midoh
Daikokuya
Tokyo Style Food Truck
Okamoto
Tamuken
Arcance Cafe

The fair will also have a live blue tuna-cutting demonstration, in which a sushi chef slices a Maguro fish on stage, as well as sushi galore available for eating.

In addition to the many food offerings, guests can look forward to the “Oiran Dochu,” (which translates into “alluring procession”), a recreation of the procession done by Yoshiwara courtesans during the Edo Period; taiko drum performances, an appearance by comedian Mr. Yasumura, aka Tonikaku, who appeared on “Britain’s Got Talent” in June (the clip of his performance has since accrued 7 million views); and more.

When: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27; Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29

Where: OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Tickets: General admission is $10 for adults; free admission for children 6 and under and seniors over 65; parking is $10

​ Orange County Register