7 minutes

Indiana Capital Chronicle
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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita can’t compel an Evansville manufacturer and migrant support group to cooperate with a human trafficking investigation in the absence of a specific allegation, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday. The three-judge panel’s opinion affirms an earlier ruling from the Vanderburgh Superior Court denying Rokita’s petition to enforce civil investigative […]

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Indiana Capital Chronicle
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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita can’t compel an Evansville manufacturer and migrant support group to cooperate with a human trafficking investigation in the absence of a specific allegation, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday. The three-judge panel’s opinion affirms an earlier ruling from the Vanderburgh Superior Court denying Rokita’s petition to enforce civil investigative […]

SummerFest is the venerable annual chamber music festival that brings classical musicians from around the world to The Conrad in La Jolla.

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Times of San Diego
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SummerFest is the venerable annual chamber music festival that brings classical musicians from around the world to The Conrad in La Jolla.

In August, Michigan Democrats will once again be asked to vote in a bellwether statewide election that could also determine the future electoral prospects of the national party. Whether voters choose the progressive Abdul El-Sayed or center-left U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham on the Aug. 4 ballot could be a key determinant for whether […]

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Michigan Advance
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In August, Michigan Democrats will once again be asked to vote in a bellwether statewide election that could also determine the future electoral prospects of the national party. Whether voters choose the progressive Abdul El-Sayed or center-left U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham on the Aug. 4 ballot could be a key determinant for whether […]

(The Center Square) – Fallout from widespread fraud in Minnesota continues to play out in both state and federal courts. In one of dozens of cases, four men pleaded guilty to defrauding Minnesota's Housing Stabilization Services program of about $2.2 million. “These defendants corruptly exploited vulnerable people and a vulnerable program to enrich themselves,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Taxpayer dollars designed to provide shelter and support for the homeless and needy instead went to the pockets of these men. They have now admitted their fraudulent conduct and will face justice for their crimes.” The HSS program was shut down after investigations revealed systemic fraud that allegedly siphoned millions of dollars from the Medicaid-funded program. “Medicaid fraud is a serious offense with real consequences,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel N. Rosen. “These defendants stole funds intended to support vulnerable Minnesotans who rely on housing and recovery services. Their guilty pleas underscore my office’s commitment to holding accountable those who exploit public programs.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and the DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force continue to collaborate to “combat prolific fraud on government programs in Minnesota.” In the case of the four men that pled guilty, they submitted thousands of claims to Medicaid for reimbursement. In total, Moktar Hassan Aden, Mustafa Dayib Ali, Khalid Ahmed Dayib, and Abdifitah Mohamud Mohamed signed up about 350 people for services that were never provided. This is just one example of many out of Minnesota, which ultimately led to the federal government freezing more than $200 million in Medicaid funds to Minnesota last week. “They violated the social contract that makes this country strong and makes our democracy function,” said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a news conference one week ago. Funds were also frozen in California. Kennedy said California and Minnesota can restore their funding if they provide documentary proof that the payments are legitimate. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has released a website addressing federal claims about fraud in the state. “The federal government’s mischaracterization and misrepresentation of Minnesota’s good faith efforts to fight fraud and improve our systems, makes it difficult to trust that our federal partners are really trying to help us better our systems, rather than penalize Minnesotans,” MDHS said on that website. “Medicaid is a foundation for our entire health care delivery system, and major funding losses threaten to destabilize care for all Minnesotans.” The DOJ has promised to continue combating taxpayer fraud in Minnesota, which is estimated to total between $9 and $20 billion. “They have now admitted their fraudulent conduct and will face justice for their crimes,” McDonald said. “In the meantime, our work to stamp out fraud in Minnesota will continue in abandon.”

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The Center Square
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(The Center Square) – Fallout from widespread fraud in Minnesota continues to play out in both state and federal courts. In one of dozens of cases, four men pleaded guilty to defrauding Minnesota's Housing Stabilization Services program of about $2.2 million. “These defendants corruptly exploited vulnerable people and a vulnerable program to enrich themselves,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Taxpayer dollars designed to provide shelter and support for the homeless and needy instead went to the pockets of these men. They have now admitted their fraudulent conduct and will face justice for their crimes.” The HSS program was shut down after investigations revealed systemic fraud that allegedly siphoned millions of dollars from the Medicaid-funded program. “Medicaid fraud is a serious offense with real consequences,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel N. Rosen. “These defendants stole funds intended to support vulnerable Minnesotans who rely on housing and recovery services. Their guilty pleas underscore my office’s commitment to holding accountable those who exploit public programs.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and the DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force continue to collaborate to “combat prolific fraud on government programs in Minnesota.” In the case of the four men that pled guilty, they submitted thousands of claims to Medicaid for reimbursement. In total, Moktar Hassan Aden, Mustafa Dayib Ali, Khalid Ahmed Dayib, and Abdifitah Mohamud Mohamed signed up about 350 people for services that were never provided. This is just one example of many out of Minnesota, which ultimately led to the federal government freezing more than $200 million in Medicaid funds to Minnesota last week. “They violated the social contract that makes this country strong and makes our democracy function,” said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a news conference one week ago. Funds were also frozen in California. Kennedy said California and Minnesota can restore their funding if they provide documentary proof that the payments are legitimate. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has released a website addressing federal claims about fraud in the state. “The federal government’s mischaracterization and misrepresentation of Minnesota’s good faith efforts to fight fraud and improve our systems, makes it difficult to trust that our federal partners are really trying to help us better our systems, rather than penalize Minnesotans,” MDHS said on that website. “Medicaid is a foundation for our entire health care delivery system, and major funding losses threaten to destabilize care for all Minnesotans.” The DOJ has promised to continue combating taxpayer fraud in Minnesota, which is estimated to total between $9 and $20 billion. “They have now admitted their fraudulent conduct and will face justice for their crimes,” McDonald said. “In the meantime, our work to stamp out fraud in Minnesota will continue in abandon.”

9 minutes

The Center Square
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(The Center Square) – Candidates for the U.S. House, Senate and Michigan governor's office basked in President Donald Trumps endorsement at a rally Monday. Trump was joined by U.S. House candidate Amir Hassan, U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, and gubernatorial candidate and current U.S. Rep. John James. The event was part of Trump’s visit to General Motors Milford Proving Ground to push his policies on taxes, trade and the border. “In 18 months, we turned this country completely around,” Trump told the crowd. “We have more factories being built now than in any time in history . . . Will you please remember that I did it?” Hassan, Rogers, and James all spoke during the rally. “Talk about the American dream. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan – the birthplace of General Motors,” Hassan said. “The contrast is clear. The time is now.” Hassan is running in Michigan’s eighth congressional district against Democrat incumbent U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., who is seeking a second term. Rivet won the 2024 election with 51.3% of the vote against the Republican Paul Junge’s 44.6%. The 2016 election was the last to see a Republican win the seat. In the U.S. Senate race, Republican support has rallied around Rogers in one of the nation's most closely watched races. In 2024, the state’s U.S. Senate race was decided by less than half a percentage point, with U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeating Rogers. It remains undecided who Rogers will face in the general election, as Democrats head to the polls in next week's Michigan primary. Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed and establishment-backed U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens are currently running neck and neck in polls. Stevens addressed Trump’s visit. “Donald Trump doesn’t know the first thing about what Michiganders need,” she said in a statement. “Instead of coming to hear from Michigan families about the ways he’s hurt our state, Trump is here for politics. Trump wants nothing more than someone like Mike Rogers who will let Trump do whatever he wants instead of standing up for Michigan. I won’t let that happen.” Rogers has aligned himself closely with Trump and his policies, announcing he would support the SAVE America Act if elected. “When I get back there . . . I will work with you to protect our families, to protect our freedoms, to protect our factories, to protect our finances,” Rogers said, “I promise you . . . if you haven’t gotten it done, we’re gonna pass the SAVE Act to save America.” The Sentinel Action Fund, a conservative political action committee, has endorsed Rogers and has pledged $15 million to his campaign. “Michigan has already suffered enough under Democratic representation for the last 25 years; it is time for a change,” said SAF President Jessica Anderson in a statement on Trump’s visit. “Mike Rogers is working for Michiganders and will win in November.” James, who’s lost the race for U.S. Senate in Michigan twice, is backed by the establishment. He will likely face against Democrat Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for the governorship. “We have a president who keeps his promises,” James said at the rally on Monday. “We’re going to make sure that we have an environment where we can bring that investment back to the state of Michigan to create jobs right here.” Americans for Prosperity-Michigan, a conservative advocacy group, released a statement regarding the rally. “President Trump’s endorsement of John James for governor reflects that same understanding of the vital role Michigan plays in this country's economic future,” said AFP-MI State Director Tim Golding. “James is the candidate ready to build on it.”

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The Center Square
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(The Center Square) – Candidates for the U.S. House, Senate and Michigan governor's office basked in President Donald Trumps endorsement at a rally Monday. Trump was joined by U.S. House candidate Amir Hassan, U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, and gubernatorial candidate and current U.S. Rep. John James. The event was part of Trump’s visit to General Motors Milford Proving Ground to push his policies on taxes, trade and the border. “In 18 months, we turned this country completely around,” Trump told the crowd. “We have more factories being built now than in any time in history . . . Will you please remember that I did it?” Hassan, Rogers, and James all spoke during the rally. “Talk about the American dream. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan – the birthplace of General Motors,” Hassan said. “The contrast is clear. The time is now.” Hassan is running in Michigan’s eighth congressional district against Democrat incumbent U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., who is seeking a second term. Rivet won the 2024 election with 51.3% of the vote against the Republican Paul Junge’s 44.6%. The 2016 election was the last to see a Republican win the seat. In the U.S. Senate race, Republican support has rallied around Rogers in one of the nation's most closely watched races. In 2024, the state’s U.S. Senate race was decided by less than half a percentage point, with U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeating Rogers. It remains undecided who Rogers will face in the general election, as Democrats head to the polls in next week's Michigan primary. Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed and establishment-backed U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens are currently running neck and neck in polls. Stevens addressed Trump’s visit. “Donald Trump doesn’t know the first thing about what Michiganders need,” she said in a statement. “Instead of coming to hear from Michigan families about the ways he’s hurt our state, Trump is here for politics. Trump wants nothing more than someone like Mike Rogers who will let Trump do whatever he wants instead of standing up for Michigan. I won’t let that happen.” Rogers has aligned himself closely with Trump and his policies, announcing he would support the SAVE America Act if elected. “When I get back there . . . I will work with you to protect our families, to protect our freedoms, to protect our factories, to protect our finances,” Rogers said, “I promise you . . . if you haven’t gotten it done, we’re gonna pass the SAVE Act to save America.” The Sentinel Action Fund, a conservative political action committee, has endorsed Rogers and has pledged $15 million to his campaign. “Michigan has already suffered enough under Democratic representation for the last 25 years; it is time for a change,” said SAF President Jessica Anderson in a statement on Trump’s visit. “Mike Rogers is working for Michiganders and will win in November.” James, who’s lost the race for U.S. Senate in Michigan twice, is backed by the establishment. He will likely face against Democrat Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for the governorship. “We have a president who keeps his promises,” James said at the rally on Monday. “We’re going to make sure that we have an environment where we can bring that investment back to the state of Michigan to create jobs right here.” Americans for Prosperity-Michigan, a conservative advocacy group, released a statement regarding the rally. “President Trump’s endorsement of John James for governor reflects that same understanding of the vital role Michigan plays in this country's economic future,” said AFP-MI State Director Tim Golding. “James is the candidate ready to build on it.”

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly voted Tuesday morning, offering a laughing “halleleujah” when she was asked about seeing a ballot that didn’t have her name on it.  “I have told you that I would never run again for an office, and, other than school board, I’m going to stick to that,” she said. “I will […]

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Kansas Reflector
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TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly voted Tuesday morning, offering a laughing “halleleujah” when she was asked about seeing a ballot that didn’t have her name on it.  “I have told you that I would never run again for an office, and, other than school board, I’m going to stick to that,” she said. “I will […]

12 minutes

Outras Palavras
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O que foram os dois incidentes nos EUA apresentados ao mundo como sinal de alerta contra “agentes” robóticos muito poderosos? Por que suspeita-se de ação de marketing e os fatos, além de opacos, revelam mais a fraqueza dos laboratórios do que a “força” de suas criaturas The post Estaria a IA ameaçando a humanidade? appeared first on Outras Palavras.

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Outras Palavras
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O que foram os dois incidentes nos EUA apresentados ao mundo como sinal de alerta contra “agentes” robóticos muito poderosos? Por que suspeita-se de ação de marketing e os fatos, além de opacos, revelam mais a fraqueza dos laboratórios do que a “força” de suas criaturas The post Estaria a IA ameaçando a humanidade? appeared first on Outras Palavras.

12 minutes

FactCheck.org
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Our quarterly series presents just the statistics on various measures since Trump reentered the White House. The post Trump’s Numbers, July 2026 Update appeared first on FactCheck.org.

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FactCheck.org
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Our quarterly series presents just the statistics on various measures since Trump reentered the White House. The post Trump’s Numbers, July 2026 Update appeared first on FactCheck.org.

12 minutes

Connecticut Inside Investigator
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The Treasurer received contributions and donations from pension investment managers routed through nonprofit companies. The post Hartford treasurer had ties to investment firms through campaign contributions, nonprofits appeared first on Inside Investigator.

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Connecticut Inside Investigator
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The Treasurer received contributions and donations from pension investment managers routed through nonprofit companies. The post Hartford treasurer had ties to investment firms through campaign contributions, nonprofits appeared first on Inside Investigator.

17 minutes

Times of San Diego
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Twin sisters Coco and Izzy Tihanyi reflect on how a La Jolla surf school they launched 30 years ago grew into a global influence on surf instruction.

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Times of San Diego
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Twin sisters Coco and Izzy Tihanyi reflect on how a La Jolla surf school they launched 30 years ago grew into a global influence on surf instruction.

19 minutes

ده‌نگی ئه‌مه‌ریکا
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بەرەبەیانی ڕۆژی سێشەممە لە واشنتن مەراسیمی ماڵئاوایی لە سیناتۆری کۆچکردووی کۆمارییەکان و پشتیوانی دۆزی کورد، لینزی گراهام، دەستی پێکرد. لینزی گراهام بەردەوام لە کۆنگرێش پشتگیری لە کورد دەکرد و سەرپەرشتی دانانی پڕۆژەیاسایەکی کرد بەناوی "پاراستنی کورد."

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ده‌نگی ئه‌مه‌ریکا
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بەرەبەیانی ڕۆژی سێشەممە لە واشنتن مەراسیمی ماڵئاوایی لە سیناتۆری کۆچکردووی کۆمارییەکان و پشتیوانی دۆزی کورد، لینزی گراهام، دەستی پێکرد. لینزی گراهام بەردەوام لە کۆنگرێش پشتگیری لە کورد دەکرد و سەرپەرشتی دانانی پڕۆژەیاسایەکی کرد بەناوی "پاراستنی کورد."

Policiais deram versão diferente, de que teriam recebido várias denúncias de perturbação do sossego, na ocasião em que apreenderam tambores em casa de axé em Manaus. Sacerdote diz que fala de denunciante reforça racismo religioso O conteúdo Invasão da PM a terreiro no AM se baseou em uma única queixa sobre ‘manifestações malignas’ Pode ser acessado em Ponte Jornalismo.

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Ponte Jornalismo
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Policiais deram versão diferente, de que teriam recebido várias denúncias de perturbação do sossego, na ocasião em que apreenderam tambores em casa de axé em Manaus. Sacerdote diz que fala de denunciante reforça racismo religioso O conteúdo Invasão da PM a terreiro no AM se baseou em uma única queixa sobre ‘manifestações malignas’ Pode ser acessado em Ponte Jornalismo.

In an article about the trials of participants in the 1825 uprising on St. Petersburg’s Senate Square, the Russian business daily Vedomosti mistakenly labeled the Decembrists an “undesirable” organization — a legal status that bans a group from operating in Russia and criminalizes any involvement with it.

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Meduza
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In an article about the trials of participants in the 1825 uprising on St. Petersburg’s Senate Square, the Russian business daily Vedomosti mistakenly labeled the Decembrists an “undesirable” organization — a legal status that bans a group from operating in Russia and criminalizes any involvement with it.

Zjarrfikësit në Francë dhe në Spanjë vazhdojnë përpjekjet për të vënë nën kontroll zjarret masive pyjore që kanë detyruar dhjetëra mijëra njerëz të largohen nga shtëpitë e tyre. Të dyja vendet po përgatiten, po ashtu, për një valë të re të të nxehtit që pritet ta përkeqësojë situatën nga e mërkura, transmeton Radio Evropa e […]

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Portalb
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Zjarrfikësit në Francë dhe në Spanjë vazhdojnë përpjekjet për të vënë nën kontroll zjarret masive pyjore që kanë detyruar dhjetëra mijëra njerëz të largohen nga shtëpitë e tyre. Të dyja vendet po përgatiten, po ashtu, për një valë të re të të nxehtit që pritet ta përkeqësojë situatën nga e mërkura, transmeton Radio Evropa e […]

Les absences répétées de Kaïs Saïed ont ramené une question restée théorique depuis 2019. Le texte de 2022 confie l'intérim présidentiel au chef d'une Cour constitutionnelle qui n'a jamais été installée.

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Inkyfada
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Les absences répétées de Kaïs Saïed ont ramené une question restée théorique depuis 2019. Le texte de 2022 confie l'intérim présidentiel au chef d'une Cour constitutionnelle qui n'a jamais été installée.

گزارش‌ها حاکی است که مهدی توکلی، مدیر خانه عکاسان کردستان و زندانی سیاسی پیشین، به همراه خواهرش سمیه توکلی و مادرشان مریم اصلانی، که بنا بر گزارش‌ها روز یکشنبه چهارم مرداد در پی تیراندازی نیروهای حکومتی جان باختند، روز دوشنبه ۵ مرداد تحت محدودیت‌های امنیتی و نظارت نیروهای حکومتی به خاک سپرده شدند.

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صدای آمریکا
Public Domain

گزارش‌ها حاکی است که مهدی توکلی، مدیر خانه عکاسان کردستان و زندانی سیاسی پیشین، به همراه خواهرش سمیه توکلی و مادرشان مریم اصلانی، که بنا بر گزارش‌ها روز یکشنبه چهارم مرداد در پی تیراندازی نیروهای حکومتی جان باختند، روز دوشنبه ۵ مرداد تحت محدودیت‌های امنیتی و نظارت نیروهای حکومتی به خاک سپرده شدند.

Američki republikanski kongresmen Džo Vilson (Joe Wilson) kaže da bi Srbija trebalo da prestane da kupuje ruske energente i da se udalji od Moskve, Pekinga i Teherana ukoliko želi da bude u potpunosti integrisana u zapadne institucije.

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Radio Slobodna Evropa/Radio Liberty
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Američki republikanski kongresmen Džo Vilson (Joe Wilson) kaže da bi Srbija trebalo da prestane da kupuje ruske energente i da se udalji od Moskve, Pekinga i Teherana ukoliko želi da bude u potpunosti integrisana u zapadne institucije.

Dispersed Camping in Minnesota 101
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24 minutes

Good Info Newswire
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Learn all about dispersed camping in Minnesota, from the North Shore to Bluff Country. The post Dispersed Camping in Minnesota 101 appeared first on Good Info Newswire.

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Good Info Newswire
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Learn all about dispersed camping in Minnesota, from the North Shore to Bluff Country. The post Dispersed Camping in Minnesota 101 appeared first on Good Info Newswire.

26 minutes

Radio France Internationale
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Cabo Verde vai fazer a sua estreia num Campeonato Africano das Nações de futebol feminino a 29 de Julho diante do Gana em Casablanca, em território marroquino.

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Radio France Internationale
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Cabo Verde vai fazer a sua estreia num Campeonato Africano das Nações de futebol feminino a 29 de Julho diante do Gana em Casablanca, em território marroquino.

Health care costs have spun out of control. Nearly one out of five dollars spent in the U.S. goes toward health care. Average spending is more than $15,000 per person per year. That’s about six times more than we spend on groceries and is even more than we spend per person on housing. Much of the blame focuses on skyrocketing drug prices or the crush of administrative costs ushered in due to Obamacare. But the largest and fastest-growing expense for health care providers has been labor. Since health care constitutes such a massive portion of American spending, we all pay the price. Providers shift the costs to taxpayers, patients and the insured. While there are many factors, one key driver of increased labor costs is rarely examined: unionization. That dynamic becomes especially visible during strikes. What happens when the people who deliver care are locked into workplace conflicts they can’t easily escape? Recent labor disputes – from Kaiser Permanente’s multi-state walkout to nurses striking in New York City and Minnesota – have demonstrated how quickly disruptions can ripple through the health care system. During strikes, hospitals must replace staff on short notice, often relying on temporary or travel nurses who command significantly higher rates. This, in turn, pushes overall costs higher. Yet the financial impact is just part of the story. Staffing shortages also disrupt care itself. Patients may experience longer wait times or care delivered by temp teams unfamiliar with their histories or doctors’ expectations. Emergency departments can become overwhelmed. Health care labor disputes that lead to staff shortages don’t happen in a vacuum. They cause ripple effects. The challenge is that many health care employees think they’re stuck with union representation, even if it no longer serves their best interests. Those who’d rather address challenges directly with their employers in a nonconfrontational manner aren’t aware that there’s an alternative solution. But there is another way. One example comes from Wellstar Health System’s Atlanta and South Fulton locations, where roughly 1,000 employees were represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Due to a prior agreement with the hospital’s former owner, workers were bound to a collective bargaining structure that limited their ability to renegotiate compensation and benefits. According to employees involved, after the union took its share, the negotiated annual increase was a meager one percent raise. At the same time, some workers reported minimal communication from the union. Though frustrated, many employees were unfamiliar with labor law and unsure how to pursue change. A group of employees began to seek a way out, with Wellstar employee Vince Battaglia as their leader. Battaglia had returned from deployment with the Georgia Army National Guard in Iraq, where he served as a medical platoon sergeant overseeing care for more than 1,200 soldiers. Unhappy with the union’s stranglehold on Wellstar’s employees, Battaglia began gathering others to join him in his mission to free Wellstar Atlanta and Wellstar South Fulton from the SEIU. With outside legal and hands-on guidance provided by my organization, the group navigated union stall tactics and thorny legal requirements, which included identifying filing windows, collecting signatures, and submitting a petition to the National Labor Relations Board. The process required sustained coordination among employees, as well as careful adherence to federal labor rules. Ultimately, a majority of participating workers at two Wellstar hospitals voted to remove the union. Following decertification, employees moved to a much more favorable compensation and benefits structure, bringing their pay into alignment with market rates. When health care employees are stuck in the middle of adversarial, unproductive disputes between their union and their employers, everyone suffers. But when employees regain their independence, the result is a better working environment and increased employee stability—both of which are critical to keeping health care costs in check and quality high. That’s not just good news for our care providers. It’s good news for all of us.

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The Center Square
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Health care costs have spun out of control. Nearly one out of five dollars spent in the U.S. goes toward health care. Average spending is more than $15,000 per person per year. That’s about six times more than we spend on groceries and is even more than we spend per person on housing. Much of the blame focuses on skyrocketing drug prices or the crush of administrative costs ushered in due to Obamacare. But the largest and fastest-growing expense for health care providers has been labor. Since health care constitutes such a massive portion of American spending, we all pay the price. Providers shift the costs to taxpayers, patients and the insured. While there are many factors, one key driver of increased labor costs is rarely examined: unionization. That dynamic becomes especially visible during strikes. What happens when the people who deliver care are locked into workplace conflicts they can’t easily escape? Recent labor disputes – from Kaiser Permanente’s multi-state walkout to nurses striking in New York City and Minnesota – have demonstrated how quickly disruptions can ripple through the health care system. During strikes, hospitals must replace staff on short notice, often relying on temporary or travel nurses who command significantly higher rates. This, in turn, pushes overall costs higher. Yet the financial impact is just part of the story. Staffing shortages also disrupt care itself. Patients may experience longer wait times or care delivered by temp teams unfamiliar with their histories or doctors’ expectations. Emergency departments can become overwhelmed. Health care labor disputes that lead to staff shortages don’t happen in a vacuum. They cause ripple effects. The challenge is that many health care employees think they’re stuck with union representation, even if it no longer serves their best interests. Those who’d rather address challenges directly with their employers in a nonconfrontational manner aren’t aware that there’s an alternative solution. But there is another way. One example comes from Wellstar Health System’s Atlanta and South Fulton locations, where roughly 1,000 employees were represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Due to a prior agreement with the hospital’s former owner, workers were bound to a collective bargaining structure that limited their ability to renegotiate compensation and benefits. According to employees involved, after the union took its share, the negotiated annual increase was a meager one percent raise. At the same time, some workers reported minimal communication from the union. Though frustrated, many employees were unfamiliar with labor law and unsure how to pursue change. A group of employees began to seek a way out, with Wellstar employee Vince Battaglia as their leader. Battaglia had returned from deployment with the Georgia Army National Guard in Iraq, where he served as a medical platoon sergeant overseeing care for more than 1,200 soldiers. Unhappy with the union’s stranglehold on Wellstar’s employees, Battaglia began gathering others to join him in his mission to free Wellstar Atlanta and Wellstar South Fulton from the SEIU. With outside legal and hands-on guidance provided by my organization, the group navigated union stall tactics and thorny legal requirements, which included identifying filing windows, collecting signatures, and submitting a petition to the National Labor Relations Board. The process required sustained coordination among employees, as well as careful adherence to federal labor rules. Ultimately, a majority of participating workers at two Wellstar hospitals voted to remove the union. Following decertification, employees moved to a much more favorable compensation and benefits structure, bringing their pay into alignment with market rates. When health care employees are stuck in the middle of adversarial, unproductive disputes between their union and their employers, everyone suffers. But when employees regain their independence, the result is a better working environment and increased employee stability—both of which are critical to keeping health care costs in check and quality high. That’s not just good news for our care providers. It’s good news for all of us.