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Push to finalize changes to Medicare Wage Index payments

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Local hospital leaders called on the federal government to finalize proposed changes to the Medicare Wage Index. The index determines how much federal funding is given to hospitals for labor costs when they treat Medicare patients.At 86 cents on the dollar, Capital Region hospitals are currently paid less than the national average, but a proposed rule change would increase payments by 43 percent. With the proposed changes, local hospitals could see nearly $1 billion in additional payments every single year. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Supporters said the additional funding could help hospitals address staff shortages and financial problems in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic."We can move forward with more flexibility and more certainty, continuing to grow our workforce, managing the rising expenses, and providing our communities with the care that they expect, and they, in fact, deserv...

Rockies’ closer Pierce Johnson relying on poise to stay perfect in save situations

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

When things have gotten dicey in the ninth, Pierce Johnson’s cool head has prevailed. The Rockies have been the beneficiaries.The Denver native and graduate of Faith Christian High School locked down his 10th save in 10 chances Tuesday night in the Rockies’ 5-4 win over the Marlins at Coors Field. Johnson’s 10 saves were tied for third-most in the National League entering Wednesday’s play, and he was one of just four major-league pitchers, with at least 10 save opportunities, to have not blown a save.He hasn’t always been dominant and he’s had to play traffic cop more than he would like, but, so far, he’s made pitches when he’s had to.“I’ve had a lot of experience with traffic, whether that’s good or bad,” Johnson said with a laugh. “When I was in San Diego in 2020-21, I was the fireman. I’d come in when the starter got in early trouble and that was always kind of my spot to come in. So I’ve ha...

Runaway horse rescued by police in Burbank caught on video

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

A riderless, but saddled horse named Oreo, discovered grazing on the front lawn of a Burbank home, was returned by a police officer who was able to ride the horse back to its owner, officials announced on Wednesday.  Officers with the Burbank Police Department responded to calls of the runaway horse near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Mariposa Street at around 12:30 a.m. on May 23. Video of the incident shows an officer riding the horse at quick trot out of the home’s front yard and down Main Street. A resident called police after spotting the horse “running frantically down the street with a saddle,” making her fear the horse’s rider might have fallen off and gotten injured, Burbank police officials told KTLA.  At the scene, officers spotted the saddled horse feeding on a resident’s grass and noticed the animal did not have a bridle attached.  “Burbank Police Officer Nicholas Moreno grew up around horses and calmly mounted the animal,” police ...

Fullerton elementary school cutting Nazi elements from 'The Sound of Music' production

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

Amid backlash from parents, a 6th-grade production of “The Sound of Music” in Fullerton will be altered to remove Nazi elements, the district superintendent announced.The musical, which is being produced at Rolling Hills Elementary School, tells the classic story of the von Trapp family’s escape from the Nazis in Austria prior to World War II.When parents found out that the production would include swastikas and other Nazi props, and involve children giving a “Hail Hitler” salute, Fullerton School District Superintendent Bob Pletka intervened.“These social media posts of our children could leave them vulnerable to co-opting of these photographs by nefarious individuals or groups meant to mock or exploit our children for their own purposes,” Pletka said in a statement. Parents protest Pride event at North Hollywood elementary school “When my wife called me, she said, ‘Our son was whispering ‘little Nazi boy, little Nazi boy.’ I'm like, what? Where's that coming from?” one parent sa...

Southern California couple sentenced for intentional car crashes posted on YouTube channel

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

A San Bernardino County couple charged with intentionally causing car crashes and then posting videos of them on YouTube was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading no contest.Christopher Phelps, 40, and his wife, Kimberly Phelps, 40, both from Yucaipa, were arrested in March and accused of causing crashes in an attempt to collect fraudulent insurance payouts, officials said.Christopher was sentenced to three years in state prison and Kimberly was sentenced to 90 days in weekend county jail/work release, three years of supervised probation, and a 52-week child abuse prevention program.Authorities began investigating the couple after the discovery of a YouTube channel called “BLU3 GHO57” where dashcam videos involving Christopher were posted, according to the California Department of Insurance.Dashcam video showing a crash involving Christopher Phelps and a victim. (Christopher Phelps)The channel had around 162 videos of “vehicle collisions, attempted or near collisions, road rage incide...

Police: Teen dies in social media stunt on LA bridge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

Associated PressLOS ANGELES — A 17-year-old boy fell to his death this weekend while climbing a Los Angeles bridge in an apparent social media stunt, police said.Police were sent to the 6th Street Viaduct around 2 a.m. Saturday and found the boy, who was pronounced dead at a hospital. His name wasn’t immediately released.The teen slipped and fell “when climbing upon one of the arches, in order to post, apparently, a social media broadcast,” Police Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday during a meeting of the Los Angeles Police Commission.The bridge opened last July. The $588-million span, which replaced an 84-year-old Art Deco span, runs 3,500 feet (1,066.80 meters) over the concrete-lined Los Angeles River and connects downtown to the historic Eastside.The bridge, which has thousands of LED lights and views of LA’s skyline, is the largest and most expensive span ever built in the city. It was designed to become a city landmark.But police closed the bridge several ...

Ghost Ship artist warehouse where dozens died in fire razed. What will happen to the site?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

OAKLAND — The Ghost Ship is gone.What remained of the burned-out artist warehouse where 36 people died in California’s worst single structure fire — a tragedy that led to a criminal conviction, lawsuits, a landlord bankruptcy and fire inspection reforms — was quietly demolished this month.The property that includes the warehouse site was acquired earlier this month by The Unity Council, a nonprofit community development organization based in Oakland’s Fruitvale District. Unity Council CEO Chris Iglesias said the organization had been working for years on acquiring the property and is considering building housing, although no final use has been determined.“We did not take this decision lightly for sure,” Iglesias told the Bay Area News Group on Wednesday. “We’ll give this land much-needed care moving forward, the whole time being sensitive to the families. We just want to be really, really thoughtful in this process and just under...

San Jose: Woman dies of injuries suffered in five-vehicle crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

SAN JOSE – A woman has died of injuries she suffered in a five-vehicle collision earlier this week in San Jose, police said.The crash was reported around 6:15 p.m. Monday near Monterey Road and Live Oak Avenue, according to the San Jose Police Department.Police said a man was driving a Dodge Durango southbound on Monterey Road at a “high-rate of speed” when he sideswiped a Lexus sedan and then rear-ended a Hyundai sedan.The Hyundai was pushed forward into a Chevrolet pickup truck, which collided with a Toyota sedan, according to police.Police said the adult female driver of the Hyundai suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital, where she died Tuesday. No other injuries were reported.The death marked the 16th fatal collision and 17th traffic fatality of the year on city streets. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release the woman’s identity once it is confirmed and her next of kin is identified.Police have not announced any arres...

How to see Tiburon’s newest public art installation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

(KRON) -- A colorful art installation just went up in Tiburon, right along the water at the South of Knoll Park. It’s called “Collaborative Nature.” Lightweight fabric is attached to fiberglass poles, catching both wind and light. That means the installation looks different depending on the time of day you visit. The project is part of Tiburon’s relatively new Public Art Program. East Bay spot named in Yelp’s top 10 best burgers in US This installation is the work of photographer, and former Marin resident, Thomas Jackson. Dozens of volunteers helped him set up the roughly 800 poles, over about a week. To see the work in person, head to the Southeast corner of the park, along the Old Rail Trail, near the playground. Jackson says his work will be there until July 9.Check out more of the artist’s work here. Submit your ideas for Tiburon’s Public Art Program here.

PGA Tour’s ‘Block party’ moves to Colonial along with local favs Scheffler and Spieth

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:26:32 GMT

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Michael Block entered the gates at Colonial Country Club for the first time this week to the screams of “Block Party!” and that was on a day of practice rounds when most of the people around were players and tournament volunteers.Block’s surreal journey is still going after the once little-known club pro from California tied for 15th at the PGA Championship last weekend, and had a hole-in-one in the final round. “It’s just a dream. I’m just cruising. I’m actually kind of glad that at this point I haven’t come to the reality about what’s happening so I can actually play pretty good golf,” Block said. “I think if I sit down and think about it too much, I’m not sure I could swing the club on Thursday.”That is when Block will tee off for the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge in a 120-player field that includes local favorites Scott Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world, and Jordan Spieth. Scheffler, who tied for second at the PGA Championship,...