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SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KGO) — We first met Pedro and Maryanne during the government shutdown; at the time, the San Leandro couple was hoping to celebrate their engagement, but instead they were among the millions left worrying while cut off from their SNAP benefits.
We recently caught up with the couple at a holiday party at the East Bay Center for the Blind.
“It sounds like you got your SNAP benefits back – you were able to have a Thanksgiving dinner?” ABC7 News reporter Tara Campbell asked.
“Yes, we have a lot to be grateful for this year. We have food, and we have other stuff people don’t have, and it makes me feel concerned about other people,” said Maryanne Escobar.
PREVIOUS STORY: Disabled Bay Area couple feel ’emotional roller coaster’ of SNAP benefits dispute
“It was really good. The people stepped up and if it wasn’t for that I don’t know what would have happened,” said Pedro Alvarez.
While SNAP benefits were reinstated following the reopening of the federal government, many now face a new threat under new guidance as part of President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” that went into effect this month, expanding work requirements and limiting access for refugees.
“I just want this interview to help other people to see if they can give other people what we have,” said Maryanne.
As for their wedding, a date is set and planning is underway.
“That’s what we’re trying to hope and clinch for the holidays, and marriage and New Year’s and everything,” said Pedro.
Health-conscious Australians might be thinking twice about having that second or third beer, but not everyone is getting the message when it comes to alcohol and risky drinking.
While many drinkers have been guilty of having one too many at times, it turns out older Australians are actually the biggest offenders when it comes to exceeding national health guidelines.
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report showed people in their 50s (32.3 per cent) and 60s (33.2 per cent) were more likely to drink at levels that exceeded national guidelines, compared to the general population aged 14 and over (30.7 per cent).
The Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia report also found women in their 50s (28 per cent) and men in their 60s (44 per cent) were among those most likely to do so.
According to national guidelines, men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four in one day.
The AIHW report highlighted Australia’s older population faced different circumstances compared to their younger counterparts, including chronic pain, health co-morbidities, and other challenges such as increased social isolation.
Statistics show underage drinking has been on the decline for the past 20 years, but older drinkers are still taking risks when it comes to alcohol. (Unsplash: Jason Jarrach / woman holding yellow solo cup / licence)
Careful drinking amid health concerns
Health authorities warn that drinking more than recommended levels can place people at higher risk of alcohol-related disease and cancers.
An AIHW Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 shows the 60–84 year age group has a very high burden of disease due to alcohol use.
Sydney woman Cathy, 66, said she was not surprised her generation was among those taking the biggest risks with their health when it came to drinking and assumed it was just as much of a cultural as an age and generational issue.
While admitting to liking a drink herself, Cathy said her weekly total varied according to social events, but that she was also aware of the various health issues excessive drinking could cause.
“I’m much more careful about drinking these days because of my reflux, which is definitely a condition that’s age-related and afflicts lots of 60-somethings I know,” she said.
Cathy also said the advisable limits kept getting further reduced on medical grounds, which possibly caused confusion over what was considered a risky level of drinking.
She was also concerned about the power of the alcohol lobby as well as the tax revenue the government made from alcohol sales, along with the links between drinking, gambling, domestic violence, and poor mental health.
“Plus the power of the alcohol lobby effectively restricts access to other drugs — hallucinogens and marijuana, etc — which would arguably be better for lots of individuals and society as a whole,” she said.
“But unless big pharma can harness them, there’s not the money in … such easy tax revenue streams for governments.”
People in their 50s and 60s are exceeding national health guidelines more than other age groups. (Unsplash: Pamela Buenrostro / man holding a wine glass in his hand / licence)
Health and harm concerns
CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) Ayla Chorley said the reality was that alcohol still caused significant harm across all age groups in Australia.
“Younger people are drinking at harmful levels,” Ms Chorley said.
“The stats also don’t take into account broader harms.
“The industry is pushing the narrative that people are drinking less while targeting people with marketing on digital platforms.”
A recent pilot study by FARE found 14–17 year olds were targeted with one instance of gambling, six alcohol, and 24 junk food ads in one day.
“The alcohol industry targeting them is a real concern for us,” she said, adding that one-sixth of young people had experienced alcohol-related harm from adults around them, and two-thirds of this had taken place within the home.
Health advocates and domestic violence advocates say risky drinking habits increase harms across all age groups. (ABC: Michael Franchi)
FARE has renewed calls for a complete ban on alcohol advertising during sporting events, as well as a two-hour delay between online ordering and delivery in a bid to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Online delivery, which spiked under lockdown, had made alcohol more easily accessible than ever, Ms Chorley said.
“At a bar, there are checks in place for alcohol, but in the home, there are none. The marketing is going unchecked,” she said.
“There are checks in the store, but now your phone is effectively a bottle shop.”
Sensible habits growing
The alcohol industry is quick to point out Australians’ drinking habits have shifted, and younger people are taking fewer risks when it comes to consumption.
The AIHW’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 shows levels of underage drinking have decreased over the past two decades. Those aged 14–17 who had consumed alcohol in the previous year dropped from 7 in 10 people in 2001 (69 per cent) to 3 in 10 (31 per cent) in 2022–2023.
Alcohol Beverages Australia executive director Alistair Coe said his industry supported a culture of moderation and sustainability.
“While 77 per cent of Australians continue to enjoy a drink, government data shows a clear shift toward more responsible drinking habits,” Mr Coe said.
“Over the past two decades, risky drinking and underage drinking have both significantly declined.”
Pointing to AIHW figures, Mr Coe said government statistics showed more teens were choosing not to have alcohol.
He said risky drinking in general had decreased with sales being highly regulated, and disagreed that being able to order alcohol over the phone was making it more accessible.
“The industry operates under world-leading codes of conduct and regulations, covering all aspects of responsible service, advertising, and online sales,” he said.
“By the same logic, every phone is also a supermarket, a library, and a GP clinic. Convenience doesn’t equal harm. Regulations apply, and strict processes are followed.”
Powerful marketing
FARE said it remained concerned about targeted marketing and the overall power of the alcohol lobby.
It also accused the industry of taking advantage of Australians drinking more at home.
A study from the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University, funded by (FARE), found alcohol companies targeted people who drank the most, selling 36 per cent of products to 5 per cent of people, placing them at greater risk of harm.
Ms Chorley said women had been relentlessly bombarded with marketing from the alcohol industry via online platforms since the COVID lockdowns.
“The industry took full advantage of COVID and targeted these women who were under significant stress,” she said.
“The messaging, especially for women during that time, really gave that message that they deserved [a drink].”
DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan said he believed the majority of Australians were aware of the health risks when it came to excessive drinking.
Mr Strahan also said that while risky drinking remained a problem among older Australians, many others were sticking to recommended health guidelines.
DrinkWise conducted its own research, which showed 42 per cent of people who were cutting back had either switched to zero or lower-strength alcoholic options.
“While there are pockets of cohorts where they consume at risky levels, we are seeing an overall decline in risky consumption across the population over the past two decades: 32.3 per cent of Australians aged over 18 years said they drank at risky levels in 2022–23, down from 40.2 per cent in 2004,” Mr Strahan said.
“While 40.8 per cent of young people aged 18–24 years reported drinking more than four standard drinks in a single day at least monthly in 2022–23, which is of concern, this has decreased from 56.9 per cent in 2004, indicating a positive trend.
“Similarly, while 23.6 per cent of older people over 70 years in 2022–23 said they consumed more than 10 standard drinks per week, this has declined from 26.9 per cent in 2004.”
As the year comes to a close, many investors are reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and how to position their portfolios in 2026- myself included. Dividend stocks often move to the top of that list, especially for those looking to create a new or additional source of reliable income. Indeed, not all dividend stocks are created equal.
Sure, high yields are tempting- but the long-term winners are usually the companies that manage to balance dependable payouts with disciplined reinvestment and market conviction. Especially today, balance matters more than ever.
Using Wall Street’s top picks, alongside sustainable dividend metrics, I screened for companies that are not just paying dividends but are also positioned to grow through any economic cycle. The result is a list of dividend stocks with strong fundamentals, balanced payout policies, and “Strong Buy” analyst ratings.
Using Barchart’s Stock Screener, I selected the following filters to get my list:
5-YR Dividend Growth (%): At least 1%. These are companies that consistently increased their payouts
Annual Dividend Yield (FWD),%: Left blank to be sorted from highest to lowest
Dividend Payout Ratio: 35 to 65%. This is the sweet spot where companies are paying sustainable dividends while balancing customer value and company growth.
Current Analyst Rating: 4.5 to 5. “Strong Buy” or best of the best stocks according to Wall Street.
Number of Analysts: 12 or more. The more the analyst, the better.
Dividend Investing Ideas: Best Dividend Stocks, Dividend Aristocrats, and Dividend Kings
I ran the screen and got four results. While I’d normally cover the top three, I’ll add in the fourth as a bonus.
Let’s start with the first dividend stock:
Cenovus Energy Inc. manufactures oil and natural gas through oil sands, conventional oil and gas, and thermal projects. The company operates across the entire value chain, from exploration to production, and maintains a strong commitment to sustainability through its environmental, social, and Indigenous reconciliation initiatives.
In its recent quarterly financials, the company reported that sales are down 8% YOY to $9.6 billion, while its net income rose 55% to $933 million. Cenovus Energy also pays a forward annual dividend of $0.80, translating to a yield of around 4.8%. Its five-year dividend growth is up over 268% with a dividend payout ratio of 43.44%, which I think is fair for company growth and investor value.
A consensus among 14 analysts rates the stock a “Strong Buy” with a high target of $24.46, suggesting as much as 46% upside over the next year.
The second dividend stock on my list is Linde Plc, the world’s largest industrial and engineering company. It provides various gases for industries such as healthcare, electronics, and food & beverage, while advancing sustainability through carbon management, hydrogen infrastructure, and large-scale decarbonization solutions.
In its most recent financials, Linde reported that sales rose 3% YOY to $8.6 billion and net income grew 24.5% to $1.9 billion. The company also pays a forward annual dividend of $6, translating to a yield of approximately 1.41%, and over the last five years, its grown the dividend almost 59%. Linde’s payout ratio sits at around 36%, a bit conservative but still provides flexibility to reinvest in growth while supporting long-term dividend sustainability.
A consensus among 25 analysts rates the stock a “Strong Buy”, a rating consistent over the past three months. Further, stockholders could be in for as much as 33% upside over the next 12 months if it hits its high target of $565.
Next on my list is Walmart Inc., the world’s largest company by revenue. Walmart dominates the retail industry, especially in groceries, with over 4,700 stores and clubs here in the U.S., and continues to invest in community-focused sourcing strategies that strengthen local economies and improve access to affordable products.
In its most recent financials, the company reported that sales grew almost 6% YOY to $179 billion, while its net income is up over 34% to $6.1 billion. Walmart also pays a forward annual dividend of $0.94, translating to a yield of about 0.84%, the lowest in this list, and it has a five-year dividend growth rate of 17%. Walmart’s dividend payout ratio of over 35% suggests that the payout remains well covered.
A consensus among 37 analysts rates the stock a “Strong Buy”. Further, it has a high target of $136, which could mean as much as 22% upside over the next year.
The last and a “bonus” dividend stock on my list is Hasbro Inc., a toy and board game company. You may have heard of its products, which include: Nerf, Monopoly, and more. The company is also expanding its portfolio through high-profile entertainment partnerships with global brands like Netflix to monetize iconic IP across toys, games, and licensed merchandise.
In its recent financials, Hasbro reported that sales rose 8% YOY to $1.4 billion, and its net income was also up 4.5% to $233 million. The company also pays a forward annual dividend of $2.80, translating to a yield of about 3.4%. Hasbro last increased its dividends in 2023, and has grown its marginally over the last five years. Its dividend payout ratio is almost 62%, suggesting the dividend is more income-focused, with less flexibility for aggressive growth compared to others on this list.
With that, a consensus among 13 analysts rates the stock a “Strong Buy”. The stock also has an upside potential of as much as 22.5% if it hits its high price of $100 over the next year.
So, there you have it, the four top-performing Dividend stocks based on what Wall Street analysts say. These companies balance shareholder and customer value, ensuring consistent future performance. While these stocks may not have the highest yields, strong analyst buy ratings suggest they are well-positioned to benefit from long-term growth and potential bullish momentum.
On the date of publication, Rick Orford did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Anyone with ticket numbers 12451 through 12460 is urged to contact the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie for a replacement ticket in advance of tomorrow’s big draw
If you’re one of the many people hoping to win big in tomorrow’s ‘Take Your Pick’ draw, now is a good time to double check your tickets.
“The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie is advising the public that 10 ticket stubs for the Rotary Take Your Pick Draw have not been returned and are presumed missing,” says a news release issued this afternoon by the club.
The affected ticket numbers are 12451 through 12460, or one single book of tickets. Anyone holding a ticket with one of these numbers is asked to email [email protected] so a replacement ticket can be issued.
“These tickets may be unsold or may have been purchased from a father/daughter volunteer team,” the news release states. “Both Rotary and the volunteers are taking all necessary steps to locate the book of tickets, and will refund any affected tickets should they be located following the draw. All other tickets have been accounted for and are in the Rotary drum.”
The big draw is set for Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.
“The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie thanks the community for its understanding and support,” the release says.
State officials expect an increase in violations of Oregon’s mover certification rules in 2026, as a new law that expands what constitutes a violation goes into effect.
Current rules state that proof that a move was in process was required before a penalty can be assessed.
But a new law that goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, will allow companies that advertise, offer or complete a move within Oregon without an ODOT certification to be cited.
And those violations will come with a $3,000 fine, which is triple what current violations cost.
An official who oversees compliance said the ability to penalize companies that advertise moving services without a certification will be the biggest change.
“We expect to have an uptick of cases early in the year, and hopefully that will reduce as these entities come into compliance,” said ODOT Investigations and Compliance Unit Manager Leah Cisneros.
The changes come after a two-year resurgence in violations. The state handed out one violation a year in 2022 and 2023. Since then, it has handed out eight in 2024 and nine so far in 2025.
The numbers are still well shy of 2020, when 25 violations were cited.
Cisneros said fines commonly come after attempts to educate uncertified movers, and the rules do not apply to interstate moves.
An ODOT media release said movers in the state are regulated “to protect Oregonians’ personal safety and belongings,” and it encourages people to consult its list of certified movers before hiring a company.
ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno participated in a fireside chat with Michael Dickey, director of the Force Design Integration Office at the U.S. Space Force’s Space Warfighting Analysis Center. The conversation happened on the final day of the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference on Dec. 12, 2024. Image: Will Robinson-Smith/Spaceflight Now
Blue Origin announced on Friday that Tory Bruno, who left United Launch Alliance four days ago, would head the company’s newly formed National Security Group.
“Tory Bruno is joining Blue Origin as president, National Security, reporting to CEO Dave Limp,” Blue Origin posted on social media.
“Welcome to Blue Origin, [Tory Bruno]. We share a deep belief in supporting our nation with the best technology we can build,” Limp wrote in a separate social media post. “Tory brings unmatched experience, and I’m confident he’ll accelerate our ability to deliver on that mission. Glad to have you with us.”
In addition to Bruno’s work at ULA, which saw the launches of numerous government satellites to a variety of orbits, he previously worked for decades at Lockheed Martin, where he had a hand in a number of weapons systems, like the Air Force’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Reentry Systems, the Navy’s Trident 2 D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) and the Missile Defense Agency’s Terminal High Area Altitude Defense (THAAD).
Bruno was President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of United Launch Alliance for more than a decade. He led the company through the transition from Atlas and Delta rockets to the Vulcan rocket, which has a first-stage powered by Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines.
That launch vehicle made its debut in January 2024, completed two certification flights and was approved by the U.S. Space Force to launch national security payloads. The first of those payloads, the USSF-106 mission, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Aug. 12, 2025.
United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket roared off the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 to begin the USSF-106 mission for the U.S. Space Force. This was the first national security launch using a Vulcan rocket and the 101st national security mission for ULA. Image: Michael Cain/Spaceflight Now
“I came to ULA to save it from closing back in 2017, field Vulcan, and put it on a solid path. Did that. My Duty was complete,” Bruno wrote in a Dec. 26 social media post. “There is a new set of national security capabilities that need to be created ASAP. Blue is the best place for me to serve that mission.”
Bruno’s transition comes as Blue Origin is finding its footing on the orbital launch front. It’s heavy lift rocket, New Glenn, launched its first two missions successfully in 2025 and managed to land one of its boosters on its recovery vessel, ‘Jacklyn.’
Blue Origin is one of three companies, alongside ULA and SpaceX, that was recognized by the Space Force to be allowed to launch its most valuable and sensitive satellites. The contract, which is officially called National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2, was announced in April 2025, with seven missions contracted to Blue Origin (though no specific missions have been assigned as of yet).
The company, founded by billionaire and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, opted for a certification path that will require Blue Origin to launch four successful flights with New Glenn, followed by a thorough data review by the government.
Rob Meyerson, Blue Origin’s president, presents a photo of the BE-4 engine being mounted on a test stand in West Texas during remarks at the 33rd Space Symposium on April 5, 2017. Credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now
Bruno’s relationship with Blue Origin started in September 2014 when ULA picked Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines to power the Vulcan rocket, which at the time was scheduled to debut in 2019. As history played out, Blue Origin didn’t deliver the first flight engines to ULA until October 2022 and the first flight of Vulcan was delayed until January 2024.
Time will tell what types of government-focused initiatives Bruno will bring to Blue Origin as it looks to flex its muscles as it competes for more of the billions of dollars of national security contracts in the future.
Residents in the North Bay region are being warned to prepare for significant snowfall today, with up to 10 centimetres expected by tonight
Special weather statement – issued for:
North Bay – Powassan – Mattawa,
West Nipissing – French River,
Significant snow expected today.
Snowfall amounts of up to 10 cm this evening into tonight.
Snow is expected to continue through the afternoon before ending from west to east through this evening. There is still some uncertainty regarding the track of the low pressure system, which may impact the eastern edge of the significant snowfall area.
Snow may be heavy at times for some regions during theAdditionally gusty southeast winds up to 50 km/h may cause reduced visibility due to local blowing snow.
Travel may be difficult due to the accumulating snow. Motorists should exercise caution and adjust travel plans accordingly.
