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Temp nurses cost hospitals big during the pandemic. Missouri lawmakers are mulling limits

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

To crack down on price gouging, proposed legislation in Missouri calls for allowing felony charges against health care staffing agencies that substantially raise their prices during a declared emergency.A New York bill includes a cap on the amount staffing agencies can charge health care facilities. And a Texas measure would allow civil penalties against such agencies.These proposed regulations — and others in at least 11 more states, according to the American Staffing Association industry trade group — come after demand for travel nurses, who work temporary assignments at different facilities, surged to unprecedented levels during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.Hospitals have long used temporary workers, who are often employed by third-party agencies, to help fill their staffing needs. But by December 2021, the average weekly travel nurse pay in the country had soared to $3,782, up from $1,896 in January 2020, according to a Becker’s Hospital Review analysis of data from hiring...

Disability-rights advocates decry planned cuts to transit service in St. Louis County

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

The St. Louis region’s public transit agency plans to “improve customer service” by making cuts to its paratransit system serving those with disabilities.It’s a move disability rights advocates have decried as a “cruel” solution to a real problem.Metro Transit’s paratransit system, which is called Call-A-Ride, provides services for those with disabilities in St. Louis city and St. Louis county, as required by federal law. Customers with disabilities can call to reserve a ride in a wheelchair-accessible van, which provides curb-to-curb service rather than operating on a fixed route.For years, customers have faced steep wait times and high rates of denials for the service. At the heart of the issue is staffing. Metro said this month that 40% of operator positions for Call-A-Ride are unfilled, while demand for rides “has increased substantially.”In January, roughly 18,000 of the 47,000 requests for Call-A-Ride had to be denied, Metro wrote in a letter to advocates this week.The ag...

Missouri’s Department of Social Services sued for alleged Sunshine Law violations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

A software company that successfully sued the state and was awarded $23 million last year has filed a new lawsuit against Missouri’s Department of Social Services, alleging the agency “knowingly and purposefully” violated open records law.According to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Cole County, Florida-based HHS Technology submitted a request for records to the social services department in late April 2022. The department acknowledged receiving the request in May and said responsive records “may be” available in July. The company says it did not hear back from DSS, despite repeated queries, until last month, when after 10 months the state formally denied the request and refused to turn over records.The state said the documents were exempt from the Sunshine Law because they were related to ongoing litigation.  Top story: Remains in Crawford County possibly of woman missing since 2014 The lawsuit disputes that the documents fall under that exemption to Missouri’s open records la...

Rockies, outfielder Jurickson Profar agree to one-year deal, source says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

The Rockies have been piecing together their outfield all winter. Sunday, they added a major piece to the puzzle, agreeing with switch-hitter Jurickson Profar to a one-year, $7.75 million contract.The Rockies have not announced the signing because it’s pending a physical, but a major league source confirmed that the two sides have reached an agreement. Profar, 30, can earn an additional $1 million possible if he reaches 400 plate appearances.Earlier this month, The Post reported that because of injuries to outfielders Sean Bouchard and Randal Grichuk, the Rockies were showing an increased interest in signing Profar, one of the last free agents available.Profar — who projects as the starting left fielder with Kris Bryant moving to right — hit 15 home runs and slashed .243/.331/.391 in 152 games for the Padres last season. He just finished playing for the Netherlands in World Baseball Classic. Hensley Meulens, the Rockies’ new hitting coach, managed the Netherlands.R...

Wrong-way driver causes pileup on 71 Freeway; at least 4 killed

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

At least four people died when a wrong-way driver caused a pileup involving several vehicles on the 71 Freeway in Chino Hills early Sunday morning, officials said.The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes near the Central Avenue exits.According to CHP, several drivers called 911 to report a driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. The collision, involving four to five vehicles, occurred moments later, officers told news photographers at the scene.Officers tried to rescue several people who were trapped inside a burning vehicle but could not because of the intense flames, CHP said. March 19, 2023 (Key News)Officers tried to rescue several people who were trapped inside a burning vehicle but could not because of the intense flames, CHP said. March 19, 2023 (Key News)The crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the 71 near the Central Avenue exits. March 19, 2023. (Key News)The crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes of th...

After 14 atmospheric rivers, how full are California's reservoirs?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

(KRON) -- As wet weather has continued to impact California, some reservoirs across the state are being managed with scheduled releases of water to prevent flooding, according to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). After 14 atmospheric rivers hit back-to-back this winter, reservoirs began filling quickly. Though most of the major reservoirs aren't full yet, several are significantly higher than they have been historically. This is especially true in Central California at the Don Pedro, Camanche and Oroville reservoirs. Northern California Video shared by DWR shows a large release of water from Lake Oroville down into the Feather River at a rate of 35,000 cubic feet per second. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working with downstream water operators to schedule releases in an effort to manage flood control. The water release has caused a closure of Oro Dam Boulevard between Rusty Dusty Road and Canyon Drive because the water spray across the road reduces driver vis...

Arlington board to address pickleball noise near Walter Reed Community Center

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

While pickleball may be popular in Arlington, Virginia, the noise heard by local neighbors continues to be a big point of debate. The Arlington County Board says they’re working on it.At a county board meeting on March 18, chair Christian Dorsey said that they are looking at community pickleball concerns and potential solutions will be presented at their next meeting in April.“Sparks have been flying between pickleballers and neighbors of the Walter Reed Community Center,” said Tim Dillinger, who is on the leadership team of the Arlington Pickleball Club.More Arlington County NewsMore Virginia NewsMore Local NewsPickleball players in Arlington and nearby residents are clashing over the idea of more pickleball courts being created in the area. Opponents of the new courts say it’s already too noisy for the neighborhood.Arlington Now reported in December that a group of residents living near the park had registered complaints that noise from the game, and activi...

Banco UBS compra a su rival Credit Suisse con el fin de evitar más turbulencias bancarias

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

El gigante bancario UBS está comprando a su rival más pequeño Credit Suisse en un esfuerzo por evitar más turbulencias que sacudan el mercado en la banca global, anunció el presidente suizo, Alain Berset, el domingo por la noche. Berset, que no especificó el valor del acuerdo, calificó el anuncio como “de gran amplitud para la estabilidad de las finanzas internacionales. Un colapso descontrolado de Credit Suisse traería consecuencias incalculables para el país y el sistema financiero internacional”. Según NBC News, UBS acordó comprar su asediado rival Credit Suisse por 3,000 millones de francos suizos ($3,200 millones de dólares) el domingo.Credit Suisse ha sido designado por el Consejo de Estabilidad Financiera, un organismo internacional que supervisa el sistema financiero mundial, como uno de los bancos de importancia sistémica mundial. Esto significa que los reguladores creen que su falla descontrolada provocaría ondas en todo el sistema financiero, no muy diferentes al colapso ...

March Madness: Top-seeded SC moves on after topping USF

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Aliyah Boston showed once more she’s far from a one-dimensional superstar. While South Carolina All-American collected her 81st career double double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in a 76-45 victory over South Florida to advance to the Sweet 16 on Sunday, she also used her uncomparable defense to energize her team and lift them out of a slow start to keep their drive for back-to-back national titles going strong. “She made a lot of plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” South Florida coach Jose Fernandez said. Like when next month’s No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draf t twice dove on the floor to corral a loose basketball, then after blowing up Maria Alvarez’s drive to the basket ran out to the sideline to double team Emma Johansson and force a turnover. “This is who she is,” said South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, who’s watched and admired the effort the past four seasons. Zia Cooke scored 21 points for the Gamecocks, who imp...

Pedestrian dead on I-695 after crash in Anne Arundel Co.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:08 GMT

A woman involved in a three-vehicle crash Saturday night on Interstate 695 in Maryland, was struck and killed by an SUV from oncoming traffic, authorities said.According to the Maryland State Police, shortly after 9:20 p.m., 26-year-old Deja Sharvon May of Baltimore was driving a black Mazda CX-5 on the outer loop of I-695 near Linthicum Heights, Md., when her vehicle collided with a Kia Optima and an Acura MDX.A six-year-old child was in the vehicle with May when the crash occurred.Following the collision, police said May jumped over a concrete jersey wall and ran into oncoming traffic on the highway’s inner loop, where she was hit by a white 2006 Ford Explorer.More Anne Arundel County NewsMore Maryland NewsMore Local NewsMay was taken from the scene to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The child in May’s vehicle was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital.No update has been given on that child’s condition.Police said the driver of the Ford Explorer that ...