Charleston Currents – Kyra Morris

Post Tagged with: "Kyra Morris"

1/7, full issue: Neighborhood LRT benefits; Tax shell game; Palmetto Poem

IN THIS ISSUE | Jan. 7, 2019

FOCUS: Neighborhoods should benefit from Lowcountry Rapid Transit
COMMENTARY, Brack: Don’t play verbal shell games with tax reform
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SCIWAY
PALMETTO POEM, Wentworth: One river, one boat
GOOD NEWS: On cloud study, new TUW CEO, more
FEEDBACK: Goodwill president thanks community
MYSTERY PHOTO: Looks like something under construction
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Coker College
CALENDAR: Charleston Jazz Festival set to start Jan. 24

by Charleston Currents · 01/07/2019 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue

FOCUS, Morris: Lowcountry Rapid Transit project makes whole lot of sense

By Kyra Morris, contributing editor | Community anticipation has been growing in recent months for the Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) project, which would serve as the spine of a premium mass transportation system in the Charleston region.

As proposed, LCRT would connect Summerville, North Charleston and downtown Charleston, running largely in dedicated, separated lanes, while providing relief from traffic congestion.

The LCRT is often referred to as “light rail on wheels.” LCRT would perform more like a train service than a bus route with many of the same conveniences, such as level boarding and wide doors on both sides of vehicles, modern transit stations, pre-payment, free Wi-Fi and more.

by Andy Brack · 12/10/2018 · 2 comments · Focus, Good news

12/10: Bus rapid transit; Tax reform: Remembering #41

IN THIS ISSUE | Dec. 10, 2018

FOCUS, Morris: Lowcountry Rapid Transit project makes whole lot of sense
COMMENTARY, Brack: No halfway needed on tax reform
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Charleston Gaillard Center
MY TURN, Felkel: Bush had a life well-lived
GOOD NEWS: Rotary holiday party raises thousands for charity
FEEDBACK: Do you have any opinions? Send them to us
MYSTERY PHOTO: Clues in photo might give away where it is
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Blacksmith Philip Simmons
CALENDAR: From a book launch to more holiday events

by Charleston Currents · 12/10/2018 · 1 comment · Full issue

FOCUS: The October effect and the markets

By Kyra Morris, contributing editor | What is going on in the markets?

* The third quarter of 2018 ended as the best quarter on the S&P 500 since 2013 – around a 7.2 percent increase.

* From Sept. 30 through Oct. 26, the S&P lost around 8.6 percent, the worst beginning of a quarter since 2008.

Is this the October effect, or is there something substantial going on? What are the realities?

It’s difficult to come up with convincing fundamental explanations for this poor performance. As expected, the Feds did increase interest rates at the end of September. Investors can also purchase U.S. Treasuries yielding 3 percent.

by Andy Brack · 10/29/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news, Money

10/29, full issue: October markets; Election reform; New flight

IN THIS ISSUE | Oct. 29, 2018

FOCUS, Morris: The October effect and the markets
COMMENTARY, Brack: State should make it easier for people to vote
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
GOOD NEWS: Nonstop flight to London to start in April at Charleston airport
FEEDBACK: Send us your comments … share your thoughts
MYSTERY PHOTO: A tough mystery
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Eugene Robinson
CALENDAR: Just in time for Halloween

by Charleston Currents · 10/29/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue

MORRIS: Prepaid tuition 529 plans offer flexibility over 529 savings plans

By Kyra Morris, contributing editor | 529 education saving plans are not all savings plans, as we discussed recently in this space, and all of them are not all are run by the state. There is another alternative: prepaid 529 tuition plans.
As the name implies, you lock in future tuition costs at today’s prices.

by Kyra Morris · 06/17/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Money, Views

6/18, full issue: Slavery apology; Governor’s runoff; Private 529 plans

IN THIS ISSUE | June 18, 2018

FOCUS, Group calls for Tuesday passage of slavery apology resolution
COMMENTARY, Brack: Is S.C. ready for a political pig in a poke?
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Charleston Gaillard Center
MONEY, Morris: Prepaid tuition 529 plans offer flexibility over 529 savings plans
WHAT WE LOVE, Burkel: Charleston brings out the best in us
FEEDBACK: On ferries, Michaux mural and governor’s race
MYSTERY PHOTO: A house that may look familiar
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Peaches, our state fruit
CALENDAR, June 18+: Portrait unveiling, jazz, yoga, book sale

by Andy Brack · 06/17/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue

MORRIS: Rules have changed on using 529 plans to fund education

By Kyra Morris, contributing editor | No longer limited to college funding, 529 plans can now be applied for private elementary and secondary education. While this addition sounds like a good idea, it does introduce some new complexities. This new feature using 529 plans to fund secondary and elementary education requires a fresh lens to be fully appreciated. We’ll take a look at the new developments of this plan, the state’s position and what this could mean for your family.

by Kyra Morris · 05/21/2018 · 1 comment · Money, My Turn, Views

5.21: Coming elections; Immigrant exclusion; What’s new with 529 plans

IN THIS ISSUE of Charleston Currents #10.28 | May 21, 2018

FOCUS: Elections coming to the Lowcountry
COMMENTARY, Brack: S.C. not so polite to immigrants
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Charleston RiverDogs
MONEY, Morris: Rules have changed on using 529 plans to fund education
WHAT WE LOVE: Tell us about something you love
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
MYSTERY PHOTO: Impressive brick building
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Highway 301
CALENDAR, May 21+: Spoleto season gears up for 17 days on May 25

by Charleston Currents · 05/21/2018 · Comments are Disabled · Full issue

MY TURN, Morris: Tips to review for the new tax season

By Kyra Morris, contributing editor | Taxes matter. Whether we agree the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed on Dec. 22, 2017, is good for the middle class, good for the wealthier taxpayer or simply good for the debt structure of America, it is here. It is happening now and it is different.

As you prepare for 2018 tax season, here are some highlights you should know:

Tax Rate: The top individual tax rate dropped from 39.6 percent to 37 percent. It will take more taxable dollars to get to the highest bracket.
A single filer has to have over $500,000 taxable income in 2018 to reach the 37 percent.
A filer who is married, filing jointly, must have over $600,000. Roughly, a 2 percent decrease in taxes on $600,000 is a $12,000 savings.