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Seniors’ medical debt soars to $54 billion in unpaid bills

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

(The Hill) - Seniors face more than $50 billion in unpaid medical bills, many of which they shouldn’t have to pay, according to a federal watchdog report.In an all-too-common scenario, medical providers charge elderly patients the full price of an expensive medical service rather than work with the insurer that is supposed to cover it. If the patient doesn’t pay, the provider sends the bill into collections, setting off a round of frightening letters, humiliating phone calls and damaging credit reports.That is one conclusion of a recent report titled Medical Billing and Collections Among Older Americans, from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.The report recounts a horror story from a patient in southern Pennsylvania over a hospital visit, which should have been covered by insurance.“I never received a bill from anyone,” the patient said in a 2022 complaint. Then came a phone call from a collection agency. “The woman on the phone started off aggressively screaming at me,” sayi...

Texas lawmakers passed safety bill after Uvalde. How schools are paying for it

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

JARRELL, Texas (KXAN) – After a mass shooting killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, a school district four hours away in Jarrell started the process of getting shatterproof film on the windows of its high school.The invoice, according to the superintendent, was $50,000. Jarrell Middle School campus (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson)With the passage of the state’s latest school safety bill, House Bill 3, lawmakers handed districts new requirements to place one armed officer on every school campus and bring campuses up to new safety standards. But some districts KXAN spoke with are struggling to come up with the money and personnel to comply with the new law by the time it goes into effect Sept. 1. “Everybody recognizes safety for our children is the number one priority. We all say it — but to prove that, the dollars have to follow,” Jarrell ISD Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks said. The price of safetyThe original bill authored by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, ...

AFD: Grass fire in east Austin 100% contained after burning 100 acres

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department responded to a brush fire in east Austin, the agency said on social media.Shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, AFD said it responded to the fire at Decker Lake Road and Hog Eye Road. As of around 7 a.m. Thursday, the fire is 100% contained after burning approximately 100 acres, according to AFD. The Austin Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in east Travis County on Wednesday, Aug 9. | Courtesy Austin Fire DepartmentThe Austin Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in east Travis County on Wednesday, Aug 9. | Courtesy Austin Fire DepartmentThe Austin Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in east Travis County on Wednesday, Aug 9. | Courtesy David MarshallThe Austin Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire in east Travis County on Wednesday, Aug 9. | Courtesy David MarshallTwo vacant structures were caught in the fire, AFD said. No evacuations were needed, but AFD urged people to avoid the area.AFD said crews...

Taylor ISD finds success with Samsung internship program

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The second-floor library at Taylor High School provides a great view of the largest building in the city. The skyline is covered in cranes as the new Samsung Semiconductor plant, located just down the street from the school, gets bigger everyday. The proximity of the two buildings mirrors the type of relationship the South Korea-based company has made with the town and the school district. Samsung has committed to taking two dozen incoming seniors, 12 from Taylor High School and 12 from Legacy Early College High School, and placing them in a summer internship program. The second class of 24 students just recently finished the summer program and the school district said it has been an extraordinary success. Rachelle Fink, the director of guidance and counseling at Taylor Independent School District, said over the past two years the district has seen excitement and competition for the program grow substantially. Last school year, Fink said she received between ...

Williamson County elections administrator resigns

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Williamson County Election Commission immediately accepted the resignation of election administrator Chris Davis on Wednesday, according to a county announcement. “We thank him for his service to Williamson County,” said County Judge Bill Gravell.  According to the agenda for the Wednesday Election Commission meeting, members were to, "discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding acceptance of resignation, suspension with or without pay, or termination, if any, for the Elections Administrator." The agenda gave no reason for any action. The county said the Election Commission will meet on Tuesday at 1 p.m. to discuss appointing an interim elections administrator.

Planning to visit Hawaii? Here’s what you need to know about the wildfires

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

Large wildfires burning across the islands of Maui and Hawaii, fueled by intense winds, turned scenic beach destinations into smoky, catastrophic scenes Wednesday. The fast-moving flames have scorched hundreds of acres, destroyed homes and businesses, and prompted a series of evacuation orders, road closures, and power and cellphone service outages. At least six people have died.The fires are most intense along the western coast of Maui, according to local news reports, with the historic town center of Lahaina severely damaged.Declaring a state of emergency in all counties, the Hawaiian state government has asked travelers to leave west Maui as soon as possible and is discouraging travel to the affected areas.Here’s what travelers need to know.Where are the fires?According to the local news outlet Hawaii News Now, at least three wildfires are burning on Maui, including one in Lahaina, a major tourist destination on Maui, and the upcountry section of the island. There are at least th...

Price Chopper/Market 32 issues voluntary pizza recall

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Price Chopper/Market 32 has issued a voluntary recall of their store-made "corner to corner" pizzas that were manufactured on July 2. The pizzas are being recalled because the manufacturer of the pizza dough, Deiorio's, says fragments from the conveyer belt used in the manufacturing may be found in the dough. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Price Chopper/Market 32 says there are no harmful side effects from the products, however, customers who bought them can return them to their local store for a full refund. The store has released a list of the affected UPCs. Affected UPCs23314, 23317, 23320, 23325, 23330, 23331, 23334, 23338, 23340, 23344, 23382, 23750, 23751, 23752, 23753, 23754, 27104, 23104, 23105, 23107, 23303, 23304, 23309, 27738500000, 29730100000, 29730200000, 29730400000, 29730700000, 29730900000, 29734000000, 29739300000, 29739500000, 29739900000, 29741000000, 29742000000, 29743000000, 2974...

9 years after son's fatal shooting, Michael Brown Sr. reflects on positive changes in community, nationwide

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. – Wednesday marks nine years since the fatal shooting of Michael Brown Jr. in Ferguson. City leaders, family members, and community activists gathered that evening to reflect not only on what changes have been made over the years but also to make a change in the community.“Well, it's a lot of work that needs to be done between the community and the police, but you know, I think the police need to start giving in a little bit because they have to earn the trust again,” Michael Brown Sr. said.His son’s death gained national attention and ignited protests across the country, sparking an uproar for changes in policing in communities.Brown continues to keep his son’s memory alive through the Michael Brown sr. Chosen for Change Foundation.The foundation hosted its 2nd annual Black Ball Fundraiser and Awards Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton to honor educators and award academic scholarships in memory of both Michael Brown Jr. and former CVPA student Alexandria Bell. The org...

Downtown locals discuss teen violence and 911 dispatching issues

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Downtown safety was front and center at a meeting with Alderwoman Cara Spencer and Alderman Rasheen Aldridge. Residents say some of the items they want to see the aldermanic board address include teen violence and 911 dispatching issues.Wednesday night, Alderwoman Spencer took time to address a new bill involving parking lot safety. New law requires doctors to assess Missouri kids under 6 for lead exposure "Solidifying and making our parking lots a safer place, Alderwoman Cara Spencer said. "It is where so many bad behaviors start; there's so many break-ins, there is so much mayhem that gets going in those parking lots. So holding those parking lot owners accountable for making those safer places, I think it's going to do a lot to help downtown."Alderwoman Spencer and Alderman Aldridge share the downtown district and said that meetings like this offer locals the opportunity to raise concerns about any issues they may be having.

Police investigating 'Family Dollar' store break-in

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:58:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS -  Thieves broke into a business overnight in the Southwest Garden neighborhood of south St. Louis.That was just before 1:30 a.m. at the 'Family Dollar' store on Southwest Avenue at Magnolia Avenue. Someone smashed the glass on the front door to get inside. New law requires doctors to assess Missouri kids under 6 for lead exposure There is no word yet on what was taken. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.