November 28, 2019

Despite Flu Outbreaks, CBP Says It Will Not Vaccinate Migrants In Its Care

Around this time last year, flu outbreaks in migrant facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, to recommend the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, start giving flu shots to detained migrants. But a new report in the Washington Post says even though flu outbreaks turned deadly in some facilities, CBP rejected the flu shot recommendations.

El Paso-based journalist Bob Moore has been covering the story for the Washington Post. He says flu outbreaks between October of 2018 and June of 2019 corresponded with the traditional flu season, and were exacerbated by crowding large number of migrants into cramped facilities. CBP asked CDC to make recommendations on how to deal wit the outbreaks.

CBP accepted most CDC recommendations, but did not agree to vaccinate migrants as they enter CBP custody. The agency cited logistical difficulties, and said that migrants are not in their custody long enough to be vaccinated.

CBP has not vaccinated migrants during the current flu season. The agency has also declined offers from volunteer doctors to vaccinate migrants being held by CBP in California. The agency suggests volunteer groups vaccinate migrants who are being detained in Mexico.

https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/despite-flu-outbreaks-cpb-says-it-will-not-vaccinate-migrants-in-its-care/

November 28, 2019

Act of kindness softens police 'sorrow' over spilled doughnuts

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — The loss of Krispy Kreme doughnuts documented by police in Georgia has come to a bittersweet ending.

A Facebook post from Brookhaven police shows officers respond to the scene of "total carnage" Tuesday morning. It says dozens of doughnuts fell from a delivery truck into the gutter. Police say their response time to the call was stellar, but they missed the five-second rule. The post asked for thoughts and prayers as the total loss of the doughnuts deeply affected all the department's officers.

Police later added a comment with an update. It says officers in Gainesville sent a batch of sympathy doughnuts to Brookhaven police in their time of mourning.

http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/national/story/2019/nov/28/act-kindness-softens-police-sorrow-over-spilled-doughnuts/805969/

November 28, 2019

Wynn will pay Wynn Resorts as part of $41M settlement

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Wynn Resorts has agreed to accept $41 million from former CEO and chairman Steve Wynn and insurance carriers as part of a settlement stemming from shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose the casino mogul’s alleged pattern of sexual misconduct.

The company said in a statement late Wednesday neither the company nor its current or former directors or officers were found to have committed any wrongdoing in connection with the pending settlement.

The deal is subject to approval of a judge in Las Vegas.

Wynn has denied all allegations of misconduct. He resigned in February 2018.

Wynn Resorts said the settlement reached Wednesday afternoon credits the company with $49 million for changes the company has made since then, including new policies to protect workers and realignment of the board of directors with eight independent members, including four women.

https://www.news-journal.com/ap/business/wynn-will-pay-wynn-resorts-as-part-of-m-settlement/article_665e02ed-ce88-545b-ae4f-5e31ffdb7d02.html
(Longview News-Journal)

November 28, 2019

Evacuation ordered for 4-mile radius of plant explosion

Jefferson Co. Judge Jeff Branick issues a mandatory evacuation in place for everyone within a 4-mile radius of TPC Group (Port Neches, Groves, Nederland, Central Gardens, Beauxart Gardens, and NE part of Port Arthur due to potential for more explosions.

A 10 p.m. curfew has been ordered for the affected areas. Gov. Abbott has sent additional law enforcement (DPS) to patrol neighborhoods.

https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Evacuation-ordered-for-4-mile-radius-of-plant-14867497.php

November 28, 2019

Lt. Gov. Patrick threatens medical board over surprise billing rule

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is threatening to wage war against the Texas Medical Board over a rule the board has proposed that he says would undermine a new law that cracks down on surprise medical bills.

But officials with the Texas Medical Board told the American-Statesman on Wednesday that it is not their intention to weaken the law.

The Texas Senate, led by Patrick, approved legislation earlier this year — signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott — that prevents patients with state-regulated health insurance and who have no choice in selecting medical providers from paying exorbitant medical bills for out-of-network services. Instead, insurers and doctors will negotiate how to pay the non-patient share of the costs. The law takes effect Jan. 1.

Earlier this month, however, the Texas Medical Board, which regulates medical practices in the state, publicly proposed a rule that patient advocates have said would create a loophole in the law. The rule, which is set to be adopted Dec. 8, would require physicians to provide patients who are set to undergo a non-emergency medical procedure with a waiver outlining out-of-network charges and agreeing to pay those charges. Patient advocates fear the rule as written would allow surprise billing to occur in all non-emergency health services.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20191127/lt-gov-patrick-threatens-medical-board-over-surprise-billing-rule

November 28, 2019

UT-Austin investigating former procurement official after review finds irregularities

by Shannon Namjabadi, Texas Tribune


The University of Texas at Austin is investigating financial irregularities tied to a former procurement director who resigned from the system flagship in mid-April and now holds a similar position at the Austin Independent School District.

An internal UT review found that Felix Alvarez, former assistant vice president for procurement, business and payment services, double-dipped on travel funds, may have misused purchasing cards and raffled off athletic tickets for personal gain, costing the university several thousand dollars, according to one source who has seen the document. The review has not been released publicly and appears to be related to a university police investigation.

Alvarez did not respond to requests for comment.

In August and September, The Texas Tribune requested memorandums and reports about UT’s procurement practices and the university’s assistant vice president for procurement — the position Alvarez held until April. But the university’s police department objected to releasing the information because “it relates to and is being utilized in the investigation of an ongoing criminal investigation,” according to a letter sent from a UT System lawyer to the Texas attorney general’s office. The Tribune received the letter as part of the public information request process.

Asked about the internal review, a UT-Austin spokesperson, J.B. Bird, said he could not provide information beyond the letter.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/11/26/ut-austin-investigating-former-procurement-official/

November 27, 2019

State Troopers Remove Activists from Capitol Entranceway

State troopers today arrested five state capitol activists seeking driver’s licenses for undocumented workers. The protesters, affiliated with Cosecha*, sat in an entranceway to the statehouse blocking foot traffic and refused to budge.

-snip-

Arriving in Trenton from New Brunswick, Newark, Maplewood, Lakewood and other points statewide, the activists want the legislature to secure the legalization of licenses for undocumented workers prior to the end of the year.

Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-20) is set to post the bill in her committee on Dec. 9th, even as the activists acknowledge expectations of a long lame duck process.

The five protesters sat in the entranceway for about 15-20 minutes prior to succumbing to peaceable removal and arrest by the state troopers.

Read more: https://www.insidernj.com/state-troopers-remove-activists-capitol-entranceway/

November 27, 2019

'I thought you were high': Cory Booker, Joe Biden and complications of race, legal weed

It was the biggest laugh of the night.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., offered a few words of respect toward former Vice President Joe Biden, standing at another podium on the debate stage just a few feet away.

A few days earlier, Biden said that there was "not nearly enough evidence as to whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug."

To an African American senator from the biggest city in New Jersey, where black people make up more than half the population, this was proof of a candidate out of touch with black voters.

"This week, I hear (Biden) literally say that I don’t think we should legalize marijuana," Booker said. "I thought you might have been high when you said it."

Read more: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/marijuana/2019/11/25/new-jersey-legal-weed-vote-marijuana-cory-booker-joe-biden-2020-debate/4259289002/

November 27, 2019

Trump trade war gives a hangover to wine sellers to China

Caught in the crossfire of President Donald Trump’s trade war with China, U.S. vineyards are struggling to sell Syrah in Shanghai and Chardonnay in Shenzhen. They risk losing their foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing wine markets.

The 16-month dispute between the world’s two biggest economies has nothing to do with wine. The Trump administration accuses China of stealing U.S. technology and forcing American companies to hand over trade secrets and has slapped tariffs on more than $360 billion worth of Chinese imports. China disputes the allegations.

When the Chinese hit back with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, they put a bull’s eye on American wine.

Since June, China has been imposing 93% tariffs and taxes on American wine, up from 48% before the hostilities began, according to the Wine Institute, a trade group for 1,000 California wineries and related businesses. Unless the two countries reach a ceasefire — and they’re working on it — the levies on U.S. wine in China will ratchet up to 106% on Dec. 15.

Read more: https://www.app.com/story/money/business/2019/11/27/trump-trade-war-negatively-impacts-wine-sellers-china-hangover/4181711002/
(Asbury Park Press)

November 27, 2019

Solvay iron foundry fined $460k for safety violations

SOLVAY, N.Y. -- The company that owns a Solvay iron foundry has been fined more than $400,000 for safety and health violations that exposed workers to injuries and long-term health problems, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Frazer & Jones Company Inc. was cited for 33 violations at the foundry.

Violations include exposing employees to crystalline silica, iron oxide and combustible dust. And there were safety hazards like unsafe floors and walking surfaces, inadequate respiratory protections and unavailable fire extinguishers, OSHA inspectors found.

The company employs 180 people in a facility that is 210,000 square feet. It was established in 1845 as Frazer & Benedict Company and was acquired by The Eastern Company in 1945, according to its website.

Read more: https://www.syracuse.com/news/2019/11/solvay-iron-foundry-fined-460k-for-safety-violations.html