Three Things for January 28
1. Reports show US economy grew 5.7% in 2021
On Thursday, Jan. 27, AP News reported the U.S. economy grew 5.7% in 2021 in a rebound after the 2020 recession.
“The U.S. economy grew last year at the fastest pace since Ronald Reagan’s presidency, bouncing back with resilience from 2020′s brief but devastating coronavirus recession,” reports AP News.
The nation’s gross domestic product — its total output of goods and services — expanded 5.7% in 2021. It was the strongest calendar-year growth since a 7.2% surge in 1984 after a previous recession, reports AP News.
The economy ended the year by growing at a 6.9% annual pace from October through December as businesses replenished their inventories, according to the Commerce Department.
“It just goes to show that the U.S. economy has learned to adapt to the new variants and continues to produce,″ said Beth Ann Bovino, chief economist at Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings.
For more information on the economic growth, read the full AP News article.
2. “Jeopardy!” champion’s winning streak ends
After 40 consecutive wins and nearly $1.4 million in prize money, “Jeopardy!” champion Amy Schneider’s winning streak came to an end on Wednesday, Jan. 26.
New champion Rhone Talsma, a Chicago librarian, had the correct response to the final “Jeopardy!” clue for a winning total of $29,600.
“I’m still in shock,” Talsma said. “I did not expect to be facing a 40-day champion, and I was excited to maybe see someone else slay the giant. I just really didn’t think it was going to be me, so I’m thrilled.”
Schneider told AP News Talsma played well and did a “great job of taking the opportunities when they came up and putting himself in position to be able to win.”
Schneider’s success put her in the ranks of Ken Jennings, who is currently serving as guest host, and the quiz show’s other all-time greats, reports AP News.
“It’s still a little hard to believe,” Schneider said of her winning streak. “It’s something that I’m going to be remembered for, and that’s pretty great.”
3. FAFSA priority deadline approaching
The FAFSA priority deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 1. The U.S. Department of Education awards around $115.6 billion in federal grants, loans and work-study funds, according to the most recent Federal Student Aid annual report. The agency reports federal funds assist roughly 10.8 million students in completing their education.
Students can fill out the online FAFSA application using a computer or mobile phone. The paper version can be printed and filled out manually or filled in on the screen prior to printing and mailing.
“It does not take a lot of time to complete a renewal FAFSA, typically about 15 minutes or less,” said Financial Aid Director Marian Dill in an email to Lee students.
For assistance in navigating the financial aid process, students can access video tutorials at leeuniversity.financialaidtv.com.
