Latest news with #Elkins
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Did Cowboys waste $7.5 million in acquiring this former 1st-round pick?
Paper is not reality. During the spring and summer months, fans are able to look upon each of their team's offseason moves with optimism. The upside of a player is first and foremost, because the idea of his new coaching staff getting the most out of his talent is the goal. The guy who doesn't play to his potential until in the right environment is a story as old as free agency and the trade market. But oftentimes, the player is who he is, and another man's trash being the new team's treasure never materializes. Dallas hopes this isn't the case for linebacker Kenneth Murray, who will be the best-paid player in his position group heading into 2025. The Cowboys decided to take the financial cost on, hoping Murray's first-round pedigree will shine in the hands of noted linebacker-whisperer Matt Eberflus, the club's new defensive coordinator. The Cowboys had the cap space and the cash to spare, so the gamble seems worth the risk. Rundown Position: Linebacker Age: 26 Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 241 pounds Hometown: Missouri City, TX High School: Elkins College: Oklahoma (Highlights) Draft: 2020 First-round pick (No. 23 Overall) Acquired: 2025 Trade Contract: Two-year contract (2024), $15.5 million 2025 Base Salary: $5.99 million | Cap Hit: $7.41 million Career Earnings: $20.9 million (per Over The Cap) Profile The Cowboys already have a star linebacker; DeMarvion Overshown just can't stay on the field. The former Texas Longhorn is a heat-seeking missle, capable of sideline-to-sideline pursuit and rushing the QB. But with his 2025 debut date up in the air due to a second ACL injury, the club had to bring in some help. Along with Overshown's injury, the team's leading 2024 tackler Eric Kendricks was seen as a perfect fit for Mike Zimmer's group, but apparently wasn't of interest to Eberflus. Dallas swapped inconsequential Day 3 picks with Tennessee to bring in Murray, who played just one season for the Titans. The cost was more financial, as he's set to count $7.4 million against Dallas' 2025 cap due to $6 million in base salary and $1.5 million in bonus money. Dallas also signed LB Jack Sanborn as a free agent, and there's a strong possibility he is given the authority of starting middle linebacker that will allow Murray to be in more a outside backer role. The Cowboys do have some young talent at the position in second-year pro Marist Liafau and fourth-year player Damone Clark. Liafau showed relatively well in spurts as a rookie, and could be surprise competition for Murray's snaps. And if Overshown shows his remarkable recovery abilities yet again, Murray might really need to step up his game to not be a liability on the field. His play diagnosis is the biggest knock on him, so that will more likely be the area of emphasis for his new coaching staff to improve on. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
The Age
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Your five-point super plan for EOFY
'If you're paying 30 per cent tax or higher, you may want to consider salary sacrificing or a personal super contribution,' Cross says. 'You'll likely save on your tax by getting contributions taxed at just 15 per cent in super instead of your marginal rate. 'If you're in a lower tax bracket, after-tax contributions might be more effective, especially if you're eligible for government co-contributions.' You'll also need to look at how much of your $30,000 concessional contribution cap you've already used this year, including your employer's contributions. You may be able to use unused cap space from the previous five years to make a larger concessional contribution this year. After-tax contributions allow you to place larger amounts into super. 'You can choose to use a combination of concessional and after-tax contributions up to the limits allowed,' Cross says. 'What is most advantageous for you will depend on your personal situation.' What are some common EOFY mistakes? One of the most common EOFY mistakes, Cross says, is failing to lodge a notice of intent to claim a deduction. 'If you make a personal contribution and want to claim a tax deduction, you must submit a formal notice to your fund before lodging your tax return.' Loading Exceeding the $30,000 concessional contribution cap is another mistake – and can be a costly one. 'Exceeding the cap can lead to additional tax and charges,' Cross says. Not taking advantage of the carry-forward rules and not taking advantage of government initiatives are also common errors. 'There are several government incentives that you could consider, like the government co-contribution, spouse contribution tax offset, and the low-income super tax offset... it's worth exploring to see how you might be able to benefit.' Super goals for the next financial year If you want to make next financial year a prosperous one for your super, Cross recommends a five-point plan: Seek expert advice and engage with your super fund. 'This can lead to higher super balances, better investment outcomes, and more financial security in the longer term.' Boost your super with voluntary contributions. 'You can stop and start whenever it suits and adjust how much you contribute based on your circumstances.' Review and update your nominated beneficiaries. ' Make sure your nominated beneficiaries are up to date and correctly recorded with your super fund.' Check how your super is invested. 'It's worth checking whether your current mix aligns with your stage of life, financial goals and comfort with risk.' Consolidate. 'If you have multiple super accounts, consolidating them could help you save on fees and boost your retirement savings. Before making the move, think about potential impacts like losing insurance cover from another fund, how it might affect your investment strategy, and any tax implications.' Elkins says it's important to engage with super and take action, rather than just assume your super will look after itself. 'The default settings we have in this country, like the compulsory superannuation guarantee and MySuper are fantastic – they are the envy of the world,' she says. 'But they can create that 'she'll be right, mate' attitude, and can stop people from engaging and doing a little bit of work to think: am I maximising my opportunities?'
Sydney Morning Herald
10-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Your five-point super plan for EOFY
'If you're paying 30 per cent tax or higher, you may want to consider salary sacrificing or a personal super contribution,' Cross says. 'You'll likely save on your tax by getting contributions taxed at just 15 per cent in super instead of your marginal rate. 'If you're in a lower tax bracket, after-tax contributions might be more effective, especially if you're eligible for government co-contributions.' You'll also need to look at how much of your $30,000 concessional contribution cap you've already used this year, including your employer's contributions. You may be able to use unused cap space from the previous five years to make a larger concessional contribution this year. After-tax contributions allow you to place larger amounts into super. 'You can choose to use a combination of concessional and after-tax contributions up to the limits allowed,' Cross says. 'What is most advantageous for you will depend on your personal situation.' What are some common EOFY mistakes? One of the most common EOFY mistakes, Cross says, is failing to lodge a notice of intent to claim a deduction. 'If you make a personal contribution and want to claim a tax deduction, you must submit a formal notice to your fund before lodging your tax return.' Loading Exceeding the $30,000 concessional contribution cap is another mistake – and can be a costly one. 'Exceeding the cap can lead to additional tax and charges,' Cross says. Not taking advantage of the carry-forward rules and not taking advantage of government initiatives are also common errors. 'There are several government incentives that you could consider, like the government co-contribution, spouse contribution tax offset, and the low-income super tax offset... it's worth exploring to see how you might be able to benefit.' Super goals for the next financial year If you want to make next financial year a prosperous one for your super, Cross recommends a five-point plan: Seek expert advice and engage with your super fund. 'This can lead to higher super balances, better investment outcomes, and more financial security in the longer term.' Boost your super with voluntary contributions. 'You can stop and start whenever it suits and adjust how much you contribute based on your circumstances.' Review and update your nominated beneficiaries. ' Make sure your nominated beneficiaries are up to date and correctly recorded with your super fund.' Check how your super is invested. 'It's worth checking whether your current mix aligns with your stage of life, financial goals and comfort with risk.' Consolidate. 'If you have multiple super accounts, consolidating them could help you save on fees and boost your retirement savings. Before making the move, think about potential impacts like losing insurance cover from another fund, how it might affect your investment strategy, and any tax implications.' Elkins says it's important to engage with super and take action, rather than just assume your super will look after itself. 'The default settings we have in this country, like the compulsory superannuation guarantee and MySuper are fantastic – they are the envy of the world,' she says. 'But they can create that 'she'll be right, mate' attitude, and can stop people from engaging and doing a little bit of work to think: am I maximising my opportunities?'
Metro
05-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Meet the business behind the recent Kent 'thought crime' case
You don't need to be locked away to have your future be limited. An act as simple as entering a name into a police database can serve the same purpose. In the United Kingdom, a caution or arrest, without trial, without charge, will remain on the Police National Computer for 100 years. That record becomes a dark cloud that can hover over professionals long after the moment has passed. It may appear in hiring checks, immigration screening, licensing decisions and security clearances. It follows silently but speaks loudly. Legisia, a legal practice founded by solicitor Matt Elkins, challenges this quiet punishment. The company focuses on removing unwanted data and appealing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) decisions. This work, grounded in law and driven by human consequences, offers not just technical relief but a path to reclaiming dignity. These records extend consequences far beyond the initial incident. Doctors, lawyers, finance workers and healthcare professionals find that a police caution, often misrepresented as merely a 'slap on the wrist', creates a criminal record appearing on background checks, preventing them from obtaining visas or work permits for countries with strict entry requirements. 'If a professional gets a record like this, it can completely ruin a valuable and hard-fought career,' Elkins notes. 'They cannot work overseas. Often clients want to move to the US, so with a caution for, say, possession of cocaine, they are never going to be able to get green cards.' According to Elkins, Legisia's police data removal services directly address these barriers. Professionals seeking international roles often face barriers due to police records, especially in countries like the United States, China and several Middle Eastern nations. Even low-level cautions or simple arrests — regardless of conviction — can trigger visa denials. Though policies vary, these records can quietly block global mobility and career progression. For those in regulated fields such as healthcare, education or law, such disclosures can lead to referrals to professional regulators. Even without proof of wrongdoing, careers can be suspended or permanently halted based on records that remain undisputed. Cautions were once informal warnings. Today, they are formal legal outcomes, digitised and retained on the Police National Computer. Unless successfully deleted or filtered under narrow disclosure rules, they remain disclosable. Police often describe cautions as minor, but their real-world impact is profound. According to Elkins, clients routinely accept cautions without realising they are permanent admissions of guilt. This disconnect between perception and consequence leaves professionals with records they never intended to carry. Legisia's expertise in police data removal becomes crucial in these cases. They help clients understand the full implications of their records and challenge them based on procedural flaws, disproportionality, misinformed consent, and under data protection laws. Most troubling are the circumstances under which some of these records are created. Elkins notes that some clients may have been pressured into accepting cautions without understanding the consequences, or where they were actually victims themselves. 'They might actually be the victim of assault. They might be the victim of a coercive relationship, having been bullied for years,' Elkins says. 'And then they find themselves getting arrested, and they often fold when they are in front of the police and end up accepting a caution.' Legisia's police data removal process involves gathering evidence to demonstrate innocence or procedural impropriety, which can reveal that clients were pressured or misinformed during the cautioning process. In a case that recently received national attention, Elkins represented retired special constable Julian Foulkes, whose caution sparked national outrage. Foulkes, from Gillingham, was detained at his home by six police officers — from the same force he had worked for as a special constable for ten years — after a comment labelled a 'thought crime' was posted on social media. After Legisia's intervention, the record was successfully deleted. The case was viewed by some as a crackdown on free speech, which has fuelled a debate on police powers. Since Legisia's successful application, Chief Constable Tim Smith rang Foulkes to apologise on behalf of Kent Police, and a full review of the case has been commenced. Elkins' focus on police data and DBS cases sets Legisia apart. While other firms offer this as one service among many, Elkins has concentrated on this area for over a decade, with 20 years of experience as a defence lawyer. This specialisation has given him insight into the varying approaches of different police forces. 'Each police force is different; they have a kind of different mentality. They do not all act the same,' Elkins explains. His expertise extends to understanding the nuances of how records are created and maintained. This depth of knowledge allows Legisia to navigate the complexities of police data management with a precision that generalist firms cannot match. The firm's police data removal success stems from this specialised knowledge. Elkins' work goes beyond statutory remedies. Many clients contact Legisia after years of living with the psychological burden of a police record. Some report shame, isolation, or missed opportunities. Others had given up on international roles, teaching careers, or security-vetted positions. Legisia's work offers not only legal redress but personal relief. Clients frequently describe the outcome as life-changing. Deletion restores reputations and opens paths once thought permanently blocked. Awareness of the consequences of police data retention is increasing. Elkins has observed rising demand for police data removal services, especially as individuals learn that records they assumed were closed remain active and disclosable. He also points to the controversy around non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) — cases where police document behaviour perceived to be hateful but not unlawful, and the rising use of facial recognition technology. This expansion of data collection has created a wider environment in which reputational risk is greater, and police record scrutiny is more essential. In a society where data is increasingly permanent and accessible, people must be able to challenge outdated or unfair records. Legisia offers a mechanism to do so, backed by legal precision and human understanding. Elkins and his team continue to help hundreds reclaim control over their professional identities. Each deletion is not just the removal of a data entry — it is the restoration of potential, confidence, and a future. DISCLAIMER: There is no guarantee of your police record being cleared. Legisia Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office: Registration Reference ZA338412. Legisia Legal Services is not a solicitors firm but is an unregulated legal practice conducting non-reserved legal services. All cases conducted by Legisia Legal Services are led by qualified and regulated solicitors. All solicitors that are employed by, or are owners of, or are consultants to Legisia Legal Services are regulated by the SRA in their individual capacity.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man with 3 active felony warrants arrested in Randolph Co.
ELKINS, (WBOY) — A man with three active felony warrants was arrested on Saturday after trying to escape through the basement of a residence. According to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, they and the Beverly/Randolph County detachment of the West Virginia State Police responded to the Mabie area on May 31 for a 'felony fugitive apprehension attempt.' Man accused of sexually assaulting woman at Upshur County gas station State Police had been searching for 45-year-old Pete Perez who had three warrants from an investigation, charging him with child neglect with gross risk of injury, distribution and displaying child phonography and soliciting a minor via computer. Law enforcement was able to apprehend Perez without incident. He was booked into the Tygart Valley Regional Jail the same day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
