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A CNN analysis has found that embattled Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt paid himself nearly ,000 in reimbursements from his two campaigns for Oklahoma attorney general, a move at least one election watchdog has sharply criticized as being recorded so vaguely that there was no way to tell if such payments were lawful.The reimbursement method, which Pruitt used in his 2010 and 2014 campaigns, effectively scuttled two key pillars of campaign finance: transparency about how campaign funds are spent and ensuring campaign funds are not used for personal purchases, according to a former top elections attorney and a CNN review of the documents.Some of the reporting may also violate Oklahoma campaign finance rules, according to research done by the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit and nonpartisan group.At EPA, Pruitt is under scrutiny for questionable spending and ethical decisions that have landed him in hot water with investigators and on Capitol Hill. Ethics watchdogs, federal auditors and congressional committees are conducting nearly a dozen inquiries into Pruitt's actions at the agency.During his attorney general bids, records show Pruitt made purchases and then received reimbursement from his campaign -- sometimes thousands of dollars apiece -- rather than having the campaign pay directly for expenses like renting a vehicle or purchasing a meal. When purchases are made directly, the campaign filings would show more details about who received the payments.Instead, dozens of entries on Pruitt's 2010 and 2014 campaign finance filings show payments to him but don't have the same level of detail, making it difficult to tell if the purchases were legitimate.The reimbursements are vaguely stated as being for meals, travel, office supplies, phone service, internet access and office decorations, and in some cases do not list the the vendors.A spokesman for Pruitt, Jahan Wilcox, described the payments to CNN as "standard reimbursements.""This is useless reporting," said Larry Noble, the former general counsel at the Federal Election Commission. He is now at the Campaign Legal Center and is a CNN contributor. "There's no way of telling if this is a personal expense. ... You couldn't do this on the federal (level) -- it's illegal."Noble said Oklahoma rules require campaigns to "show the ultimate vendor and an adequate description so you know what the item was for." Because some of the payments to Pruitt do not do that, "It was not at all clear that these were all lawful," Noble said.Noble noted that the campaigns, however, still made direct payments of more than .6 million."So he's not running the campaign through his credit card," Noble said.All of the payments were made when Pruitt was a candidate for attorney general or after he had been first elected to the office in 2010. The records do not show any payments since Pruitt became administrator of the EPA last year.As EPA chief, Pruitt has faced allegations he took advantage of increased security and made travel arrangements for his own benefit -- demanding to fly Delta in order to get frequent-flyer points and staying at posh hotels more expensive than government limits for reimbursement (which also placed an undue burden on his staff who have to pay out of pocket). He's also been accused of excessive spending on his office, like an ornate restored desk and a soundproof booth. In some cases, he blamed the expenditures on his staff.The reimbursements to Pruitt when he was AG totaled ,204.87 from the 2010 campaign account and ,665.73 from his 2014 re-election account, according to the filings.The filings show Pruitt was frequently reimbursed for dining expenses at The Beacon Club, which was described by a local newspaper as "Oklahoma City's oldest private downtown dining" establishment when it closed last year. "The Beacon Club was where deals got done," The Oklahoman newspaper reported.Some of Pruitt's reimbursements were for "officeholder expenses" -- meaning items needed for his role as attorney general -- after he was elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014.More than ,000 is for items that appear to be office supplies and decorations. Around ,600 is described as "Artwork/Decorations" from retailers like Pier 1 Imports, an Oklahoma florist and a local picture framing shop. Records also show Pruitt purchased a ,400 Apple computer.Because of the limited information and lack of transparency, it's impossible to determine whether the purchases were appropriate and for official purposes, Noble said."Do we know how the campaign spent its money? No," Noble said. "How do you enforce a personal use prohibition unless you know how the money is being used? ... This is not any way you want to have a campaign finance log."The office purchases were made a mere 10 days after the Bank of America skyscraper in downtown Tulsa agreed to lease office space to the attorney general's office, headed by Pruitt. The move expanded the Tulsa AG's offices and placed them in the same building as Pruitt's campaign offices, raising the rent from about ,000 per month to ,000 per month.The office of current Attorney General Mike Hunter told CNN that around the same time, the AG's office was required to expand and hire more staff.One Republican source said Pruitt would sometimes leave the AG's office to work from the campaign office in the same building.His move to Tulsa was seen publicly as a convenience, since he lived in Tulsa and not Oklahoma City, where the AG is headquartered.Wilcox, the Pruitt spokesman, did not address detailed questions from CNN about the expenditures and decision to relocate his government offices to the same building as his campaign office.This week, Democratic lawmakers requested more information about a similar request Pruitt made of the EPA. A letter from three members of the House alleged that Pruitt, through his chief of staff, asked the agency to find a secure facility in Tulsa, where Pruitt lives when not in Washington, where he could work and make phone calls. The EPA says that didn't end up happening.  6121

A do-it-yourself approach for home improvement projects may reduce your initial costs — but for certain jobs, the risks far outweigh any potential savings. If any of these projects are on your to-do list, call in the pros unless you’ve got plenty of related experience.1. Roof replacementRoofing is extremely hard and dangerous work. Any upfront savings you might get with a DIY roof replacement could easily be eclipsed by the costs of making expensive mistakes or causing dangerous accidents. Aside from having the skills and tools needed to do a decent job, you’ll also need to climb ladders, lift heavy materials and navigate a steeply pitched surface high above the ground. Risks include:Severe injury or death: Roofers face among the highest risks of work-related injuries and fatalities of any profession, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — and that’s for trained professionals. In addition to possible slips and falls from significant heights, there’s also risk of burns from hot bitumen (a petroleum-based roofing material) and electric shock from accidentally touching power lines.Warranty issues: Manufacturer warranties for roofing materials may cover workmanship for a limited time if the materials are installed by qualified contractors, but they generally don’t cover DIY installation.Costly damage: Improper material choice or installation may damage the roof — and if water leaks in, your home’s ceilings, walls, flooring, furnishings and wiring will suffer too.Cost of hiring a proRoofers charge about 0 to 0 per roofing square in addition to the cost of materials, which typically brings the total price of installing a new roof over your existing one to about ,400 to ,900, according to the home services company HomeAdvisor. Removing the old roof or repairing damage can add to that cost.In some cases, homeowners insurance might cover some or all of these expenses. Opting for less-expensive materials can also lower the bill. And if you’re installing an energy-efficient roof that meets certain criteria, you might qualify for a tax credit.2. Mold removalEveryone’s cleaned up a bit of mold at some point, and even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gives the green light on DIY mold removal for areas under 10 square feet. But once mold infestation becomes widespread, it might become necessary to open up walls, lift up carpeting or take out fixtures to fully remove it and clean and dry the space thoroughly. A DIY approach, in this case, means risking:Mold exposure: Contact with mold may cause asthmatic reactions, sore throat, skin reactions, allergic reactions, eye and nasal irritation, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and other lung issues. This is especially a concern if you don’t have access to the proper protective gear. During the COVID-19 pandemic, N95 respirator masks — which offer protection from exposure to mold and other particles — have been largely unavailable for public purchase.Harsh chemical exposure: Chemical cleaners commonly used to kill mold are also harmful to lungs, eyes, nasal passages, throats and skin.Making the problem worse: Improper removal or sealing may release mold spores into the air. If spores get into HVAC systems, mold will blow throughout the house. DIYers may also miss mold lurking in unexpected places like crawl spaces or flooring, which could lead to further damage.Incomplete cleanup: Not properly cleaning up after the job may leave traces of mold behind that will just grow back again.Cost of hiring a proProfessional mold remediation generally costs about ,500 to ,150, or to per square foot, according to HomeGuide, a home services referral website.To make sure that money is well-spent, go with an experienced, well-reviewed mold remediation specialist who can do a thorough job.3. Toilet replacementTo install a new toilet, you’ll have to shut off the water; disconnect, drain and remove the old toilet; and seal and connect the new one. That’s a manageable task for someone with basic plumbing knowledge. But if you’re a DIY newbie, it’s trickier. Risks include:Injury: A toilet can weigh about 100 pounds and is awkward to handle. Homeowners may become injured lifting or carrying the toilet.Fumes: Sewage gasses are odorous, unhealthy and potentially flammable. Failing to stuff a rag in the exposed drain pipe after the old toilet is removed may expose you to dangerous fumes — especially in poorly ventilated spaces. (And forgetting to remove the rag before seating the new toilet will cause a very disturbing plumbing issue.)Toilet damage: Improper installation, overtightening connections or simply dropping the toilet may cause serious damage.Leaks and mold: If the base isn’t sealed properly, water can leak into the floor, damaging and weakening the area while creating just the right conditions for mold and mildew growth.Cost of hiring a proThe average labor cost for basic toilet installation runs between and 0, according to the services marketplace website Thumbtack, and that doesn’t include the price of the toilet. Underlying problems your plumber finds (such as leaky pipes, a cracked flange or leaky valves) can increase costs; disposing of your old toilet also runs about to 0, the site notes.If you’re installing a water-saving toilet, you might qualify for a rebate from your state, which could defray some of these costs.4. Window replacementReplacing drafty old windows can reduce your utility bills — but only if it’s done correctly. Installing a window is a meticulous process, and any mistakes may leave your home unexpectedly vulnerable to the elements. Other pitfalls include:Injury: Windows are heavy and fragile, bringing risk of injuries from broken glass and lifting. Falls from ladders are also a concern, along with harming passersby if a window falls out to the street.Poor energy efficiency: Improper fit or sealing can result in drafts, air leaks and higher energy bills.Water damage: A poor seal could allow water leaks that damage your home’s wood, drywall and even wiring.Home damage: You could accidentally hit a plumbing or electrical line.Warranty issues: Installing your own windows improperly may void all or part of the manufacturer’s warranty.Cost of hiring a proProfessional window installation usually runs between 5 to 0 per window, but can be much more expensive for high-end windows, according to Angie’s List, a website that provides referrals for home services pros. If the frame needs to be replaced, that’s extra.Choosing less-expensive materials reduces upfront costs. And if you’re switching to more energy-efficient windows that meet certain specifications and are professionally installed, you might qualify for rebates in some states.More From NerdWalletHome Inventory Tightened in Q3, and First-Time Buyers Felt the SqueezeMortgage Outlook: Rates Stay Low as December Deadlines LoomThe Property Line: 8 Housing and Mortgage Trends for 2021Roberta Pescow is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: USexpansion@nerdwallet.com. 7040

A late snow in a small town might slow down the traffic, but it can't delay the final days for one of the community's gathering spots."This is when they see each other," said Parkman Township, Ohio Trustee Dennis Ikeler. "At the post office."Ikeler says after decades leasing out the building to the post office, the landlords told the township they don't think the building is safe enough for the public. They terminated the lease with a 30-day notice. The U.S. Postal Service says they'll be out by April 28th.The problem is that a lot of homes in the center of the town don't have any curbside delivery or mailboxes to receive mail. The more than 200 boxes inside the small post office have been their only option. When the building closes at the end of the month, they'll have the option to pay for individual boxes at their homes or have their P.O. box transferred to the Middlefield, Ohio Post Office, about seven miles away.Ikeler says traveling a few miles for mail isn't a big deal for most people he's talked to, but Catherine Dudich says it could be an issue for others."There's quite a lot of elderly people that live in the community and they can't get out every day to go get their mail," said Dudich. "It's sad that all these little communities are going by the wayside."Parkman residents say their P.O. Boxes have been free when they are normally rented out for a few months at a time. Residents say they've been told they'll continue to get their P.O. Boxes free of charge, even once they move to another location. 1544

A Fort Hood soldier has been identified as the victim of a drowning in a Texas lake over the weekend.Officials say the body of Spc. Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas was recovered after a boating incident on Stillhouse Hollow Lake. The lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Lampasas River, southwest of Belton. The 24-year-old, whose home of record is listed as Woodside, New York, entered the army in May 2017 as an automatic rifleman and has been assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since December 2017.The Bell County Sheriff's Office was alerted that a male, while riding an inner tube behind a boat, went under water and did not surface on Saturday. This took place in the area of Dana Peak Park on Stillhouse Hollow Lake, according to officials.His body was recovered on Sunday.Hernandezvargas’ awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon.“The Black Knight family is heartbroken by the loss of Spc. Francisco Hernandezvargas. Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” said Lt. Col. Neil Armstrong, commander of 1st Bn. 5th Cav. Regt. “Spc. Hernandezvargas served his country honorably both stateside while at Fort Hood and abroad in Korea and Romania and this tragic loss is felt by every member within our formation.”The unit is cooperating with local authorities as this incident is currently under investigation.The drowning marks the fourth death of a Fort Hood soldier in the past few months. Specialist Vanessa Guillen, Private Gregory Wedel-Morales, and Private Mejhor Morta passed away in separate incidents before Hernandezvargas. This story was originally published by Thalia Brionez at KXXV. 1863

A controversial radio ad airing in the St. Louis area led to mounting criticism on Friday as the campaign for Republican Senate candidate Josh Hawley said it did not support the commercial claiming white Democrats could end up lynching black Missouri voters.The ad was paid for by the Black Americans for the President’s Agenda political action committee, based out of West Virginia, and aired for races in both Missouri and Arkansas.In the 60-second ad, two women are heard talking about the Brett Kavanaugh investigation and alleged threats that could happen if Democrats win on Election Day this year.“What will happen to our husbands, fathers, or sons when a white girl lies on them?” one woman asks. “Girl, white Democrats will be lynching black folk again. Honey, I’ve always told my son, ‘Don’t be messing around with that. If you get caught, she will cry rape,’ ” the other woman responds. 910