With the busy summer travel season making its approach and Boeing under fire after two fatal crashes, WalletHub today released its report on 2019’s Best Airlines. WalletHub's study focuses not just on price but also many other aspects of the air travel experience, such as safety, delays, baggage issues, animal incidents, passenger complaints and more.

You can find a handful of highlights below:

• Best Overall – Alaska Airlines earned the highest overall WalletHub Score (63.52) for the third year in a row, followed by Delta Air Lines (59.69).
   
• Most Reliable – Delta Air Lines has the lowest overall rate of cancelations, delays, mishandled luggage and denied boardings. The next most reliable company is Hawaiian Airlines.
   
• Safety – Alaska Airlines is the safest, having a low number of incidents and accidents per 100,000 flight operations, no fatalities, under 15 persons injured in the last 6 years and a relatively new fleet of aircrafts. The safety runner-up is Spirit Airlines.
   
• Most Pet-Friendly – Two airlines tied for being most pet-friendly, ExpressJet and Envoy Air, with no incidents.
   
• Most Comfortable – JetBlue Airways leads the pack in terms of in-flight experience, offering free amenities such as Wi-Fi, extra legroom, and complimentary snacks and beverages. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines & Delta Air Lines are tied for the second position for this category.

 
For the full list of 2019’s Best & Worst Airlines, please visit: 
https://www.wallethub.com/edu/best-airlines/20916/

========================

THE KICKDRUMS

SHARE NEW SINGLE "BUBBLEGUM"

LISTEN EXCLUSIVELY ON 

EARMILK: http://bit.ly/2URoCLT

NEW EP LA PLAYA OUT THIS SPRING

MAY 2, 2019 - Brooklyn, NY - The KickDrums have shared their latest single "Bubblegum", taken from their forthcoming EP La Playa, today. Fans can listen now exclusively via EARMILK: http://bit.ly/2URoCLT

The KickDrums is the recording alias of Brooklyn-based producer/singer/songwriter Alex Fitts. Speaking to the track, Alex said, "With this track I was trying to explore new and different combinations of music for me as a producer/singer," he explained. "At times my music may sound like a band, but it's really just me with a drum machine and some instruments. This song was recorded in a small beach town named Estepona in southern Spain which I think helped lend it a breezy vibe."

Alex's musical lexicon spans a wide array of genres, and he is renowned for his ability to convey a wide range of emotions through the soundscapes he creates. As a producer, Alex has made tracks with the likes of Kid Cudi, 50 Cent, K Flay, Lana Del Rey, Freddie Gibbs, and Slaughterhouse, as well as, completed official remixes for Adele, Kanye West and Linkin Park. 

As an artist, The KickDrums have built a cult following through the release of two official albums; Meet Your Ghost (Last Gang Records, 2011) and Thinking Out Loud (Hopeless Records, 2014) and several official mixtapes, as well as the collaborative album Nowhere with Duckwrth.

The KickDrums have shared the stage with revered indie rock acts such as Miike Snow, The Walkmen, Miguel, & Andrew W.K. Alex has also collaborated with such Hip Hop / RnB heavyweights as The RZA, MGK, and SZA, and his music has been featured in several TV shows (Suits, Chuck, Cougar Town, Bloodline, The Wire), the video game SIMS 3 and many more movies & documentaries.

###

La Playa tracklisting:

1. Blurred Color

2. Bubblegum

3. An Afternoon Dream

Follow The KickDrums: 

https://www.facebook.com/thekickdrums/

https://twitter.com/TheKickDrums

https://www.instagram.com/TheKickDrums/

https://spoti.fi/

=======================

5 Money Conversations to Have with Your College Graduate

National nonprofit credit counseling agency Take Charge America guides insightful discussions to help recent graduates embrace financial independence

PHOENIX – (May 2, 2019) – Graduating college represents a pivotal point in any young adult’s journey. While they may be far from the nest, parents can still help steer recent grads toward financial security.

“Making the first moves in their career or moving to a new city are probably at the front of any graduate’s mind,” says Michael Sullivan a personal financial consultant with Take Charge America, a national nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency. “While all of these changes are exciting, they need to start saving, avoid more debt and live within their means to truly become financially independent.”

These five conversation topics can give recent graduates the confidence and know-how they need in the “real world.”

1. The Low-Down on Student Loans - Most student loans have a built-in six-month grace period, but this time goes by quickly. The faster the debt is paid down the better, as you avoid accruing more interest or late fees. Further, too much student debt can negatively impact your ability to qualify for other loans, such as an auto or home loan, stalling other post-graduate goals. You can help recent graduates research the best payment options for their individual circumstances. Overwhelmed? Contacting an experienced student loan counselor may bring clarity.
2. Budgeting isn’t Boring - Gaining the independence that comes with graduating offers the perfect opportunity to learn more about budgeting. There are plenty of smartphone apps and other tools to keep tabs on how much money is coming in and going out. Getting a good grasp on a budget is the first step toward financial security.
3. Everything About Emergency Funds - A safety net should be part of any budgeting strategy. This money is kept for true emergencies — when the car breaks down or for an unexpected hospital visit. Stash as much money away as your budget allows until you reach three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Even $20 a month will add up over time.
4. Don’t Forget Healthcare - It’s required by law to have health insurance, so graduates need to include healthcare costs in their budget as well. While they might be on their parents’ plan now, coverage ends on their 26th birthday. Sooner or later, young adults will need to choose a plan according to individual circumstances, including what deductible and premium they can afford.
5. Credit Card Debt? No Thanks. - Recent college grads are inundated with pre-approved credit card offers. But don’t be tempted by deals that seem too good to be true. Having one credit card payment, paid off in-full every month, is the best way to establish a positive credit history. Emphasize that missing even one payment can result in fees and ding their credit score. Carrying a balance, too, can wreak financial havoc as interest adds to the total balance due.

Take Charge America offers comprehensive financial education to guide recent graduates toward smart and sustainable money management. 

=======================

Fun Family Event raises funds for safer Schools
 

For Immediate Release May 1, 2019
Press Contact:
Brant Taylor
801-608-4095
info@fasterutah.org

Fun Family Event raises funds for safer Schools

Salt Lake City-- To raise scholarship funds for Utah's Educators, FASTER Utah is hosting several Rimfire Challenge matches starting in May. These family-friendly matches provide an opportunity to compete, have fun and win great prizes from local sponsors.

Brant Taylor, the event organizer, encourages the entire family to register. He commented, “Anyone who can safely handle .22 rimfire handguns and rifles is invited to sign-up and participate. The targets used in this event are at least 8 inches across, and the distances are relatively close, allowing participants to have fun while hitting steel targets and hearing the clang of every hit.”

Taylor added, “Shooting .22s in a safe and friendly competition is loads of fun for all participants. Shooters rotate between four stations with different target configurations where competitors can show off their handgun and rifle shooting skills. Although the action is fast and exciting, safety is always maintained.”

Rimfire Challenge matches are being scheduled in several regions of the state to give more families the chance to participate. Individuals who may not have a .22 handgun for the competition are invited to contact FASTER Utah to borrow one for the event. Taylor remarked, “It is all about having fun, developing skills and creating great memories.”

Participants should bring approximately 100 rounds of .22 ammunition for the event and are advised to pre-register at www.FASTERUtah.org. Taylor urged, “Come test your skills, win prizes and support a great cause! Faster Utah is sponsoring a Rimfire Challenge! Admittance is free for family and friends that wish to spectate.”

The FASTER Utah Benefit Rimfire Challenge is scheduled at the following locations:

WASATCH County
Big Hollow Shooting Range
Saturday, May 18, 4 -8 PM
Big Hollow Shooting Range, Big Hollow Rd, Heber City, UT 84032, USA

SALT LAKE County
Lee Kay Public Shooting Range
Friday, May 31
6000 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84128 \, USA

For more information about this event, to donate prizes or volunteer at the event, please contact Brant Taylor at info@fasterutah.org or 801-604-9018.

Proceeds from these events directly fund scholarships for educators to attend FASTER Utah training. It costs approximately $750 to train each Embedded School Protector. This program offers a carefully-structured curriculum which gives hands-on training over three days. Extremely qualified instructors teach the course to help ensure they retain critical life-saving skills and knowledge under these potentially very stressful conditions. Those who graduate will pass a Law Enforcement Qualification Shoot.

The purpose of the FASTER Utah program is not to replace police, school resource officers, and EMT's, but to help teachers and administrators stop school violence rapidly and render medical aid immediately until help arrives. Taylor commented, “When violence strikes and students' lives are on the line, every second matters. Even though police are only minutes away, FASTER trained Embedded School Protectors can bridge the gap until they can respond.”

Brant Taylor added, “Our mission is to make scholarships for Advanced Handgun and Trauma First Aid training available to K-12 school faculty and administrators who have concealed firearms permits.” We never want money to be a limiting factor for teachers to participate.

Taylor concluded, “We invite all school staff with concealed firearms permits to apply for a training scholarship at http://www.fasterutah.org. Training has been scheduled for mid-July 2019. School staff members interested in attending should take a concealed firearms class immediately if they have not done so already.” Some Concealed Carry classes are available at no cost to educators. Taylor suggested contacting instructors early to see if they offer free Concealed Carry classes to educators. This will prepare them for FASTER Utah training. ___________________________________________________________

FASTER Utah is a 501c3 non-profit organization that trains Embedded School Protectors and advocates school safety. Having more trained people in our schools will make them safer. It is essential to train concealed carry permit holders to give them the confidence needed to carry every day and be prepared to stop violence in school when it occurs. FASTER Utah can save lives because already there is faster than a response. Visit www.FASTERUtah.org for more information.

Find Out More