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The new benefits take a cue from a pandemic success story — when an expanded U.S. child tax credit briefly cut child poverty in half. Some states include immigrants and index credits to inflation.

The lower federal credit rating probably won't impact Kansas's credit score. That's according to Kansas Treasurer Ron Estes. Late last week, credit rating agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the federal government’s credit score. Speaking before the downgrade, Estes said lowering the federal rating probably won’t have a significant impact on the state’s own credit rating. A lower credit rating makes it more expensive for a government to borrow money. He says the Kansas score focuses more on how the state spends money.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa79e220000But the federal credit downgrade could still have an impact in Kansas. The federal rating can impact local governments that rely on federal funds or have a significant banking industry. The company Moody’s recently warned more than 160 local governments that the federal rating could affect their credit score. That included governments in Kansas – like Johnson County, Overland Park and Leawood. Last week, Moody’s decided to let all the local governments currently holding AAA ratings keep them -- for now. Local governments across the nation are now watching to see if S&P will lower ratings for states or communities.

(Photo credit: humanevents.com)A wind energy tax credit is set to expire at the end of this year, but Governor Sam Brownback is still holding out hope that lawmakers in Washington will extend the credit. He'd prefer to see it phased out more slowly over several years. Some critics of the credit have called it wasteful spending, but the governor says it’s been the driving factor behind the wind industry in Kansas.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7b8710000Meanwhile, Kansas Congressman Mike Pompeo has said he doesn't believe the wind energy credit will be extended if lawmakers in Washington can't reach an agreement to avoid the fiscal cliff.

Governor Sam Brownback says he's been calling members of Congress and urging them to extend a wind power tax credit. It's set to expire in just over a year. The credit is aimed at spurring wind farm growth. It helped BP develop the state's largest wind farm, slated to begin operation next year. Brownback says cutting off the credit abruptly is a bad idea.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7a44e0000Brownback says ending the credit would be a hard hit to the wind power industry and could hurt new development in Kansas.

Governor Sam Brownback says the federal government should extend a tax credit for wind energy set to expire in just over a year. The credit is aimed at spurring wind farm growth. It helped BP develop the state's largest wind farm, slated to begin operation next year. Brownback says cutting off the credit abruptly is a bad idea.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa7a4380000Brownback says ending the credit would be a hard hit to the wind power industry and could hurt new development in Kansas.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid is not seeking re-election in 2016, but he is leaving no room for a leadership fight. He's throwing his support to his top lieutenant and message maestro.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is probing credit cards being pushed by health care providers, including vets. After a teaser rate expires, the interest charges balloon and leave consumers with unexpectedly big bills.

On this edition of Conversations Kelly Yang talks with host Dan Skinner about the the fifth book in the Front Desk series, “Top Story.”

Foreign nationals with $5 million to spare will be able to register for a "gold card" visa that would give them the right to live and work in the U.S. But details about the program remain unclear.

Americans use debit cards more often than any other form of payment. Cash is still used more often than credit cards.