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In survey, more Minnesota hospitals say they are losing money this year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

The Minnesota Hospital Association reported Monday that many of the state’s health systems are losing money at a growing clip.The MHA, a trade group that represents care providers that include large Twin Cities health systems and small rural hospitals, said that 67% of its members that took part in a recent survey reported losses in the first half of 2023. That’s a sharp increase over the 55% that reported negative operating margins in 2022.“These hospitals are clinging and hanging from the side of a very dangerous cliff, and their arms are getting tired. We must act before they crash,” MHA President Dr. Rahul Koranne said in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio News.Koranne said that overall, labor costs are up 7%, and inflation has pushed up supply and service costs 6%. He said hospitals are also taking on larger numbers of Medicare and Medicaid patients, and those programs’ reimbursement rates are far below what providers spend on care.Another problem is that a lack of capaci...

Central Minnesota physician killed by hit-and-run driver, sheriff says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

ONAMIA, Minn. — A 56-year-old central Minnesota physician was killed Monday after she was struck by a vehicle while walking along U.S. 169 in Mille Lacs County.The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the hit-and-run, reported at 4:51 p.m. in Kathio Township, north of Onamia. According to the crash report, Cathy Ann Donovan, Onamia, was walking along the highway when she was struck by a northbound vehicle, which left the scene.Donovan was a doctor for the past 27 years with Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia, said Marilyn Phillips, a spokeswoman for the hospital.Phillips said Donovan worked in family practices at the hospital, nursing home and various clinics in the area.“She was beloved by her colleagues, her coworkers and her patients,” Phillips said. “She’s a wonderful person that will be desperately missed.”Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton asked for the public’s help in identifying the driver of the vehicle that hit Donovan as they did not have any witness or a v...

Ivan Pace Jr.? Anthony Barr? How will the Vikings proceed at linebacker with Jordan Hicks on IR?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

It’s no secret what veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks has meant to the Vikings this season. He’s an unquestioned leader in the locker room, and maybe more importantly, a conduit to the coaching staff whenever the defense is on the field.Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) is introduced before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)As the player who wears green-dot helmet with a direct line of communication to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Hicks has been tasked with getting everybody in position before the snap. Now that responsibility will fall squarely on somebody else’s shoulders.After undergoing emergency surgery on Sunday in the immediate aftermath of the Vikings’ 27-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Hicks has been placed on injured reserve. He has to miss a minimum of four games, per league rules, which means the earliest he can return is on Christmas Eve when the Vikings...

House votes to avert government shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

The House on Tuesday passed a stopgap bill to prevent a government shutdown, sending the unconventional two-step continuing resolution to the Senate and marking the first major hurdle Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has cleared since winning the gavel.The chamber approved the short-term funding measure in a 336-95 vote, days before Friday night's shutdown deadline. Two Democrats and 93 Republicans opposed the bill.With conservatives opposed to the spending levels in the bill, Republican leaders leaned heavily on support from Democrats, who overwhelmingly backed the legislation despite strong reservations about the unusual two-part approach.The bifurcated bill would extend funding at current levels for some agencies and programs until Jan. 19 and all others through Feb. 2. It would also extend the authorization of programs and authorities in the Farm Bill until Sept. 30.The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it has support from both party leaders. Senate Majority Leader Chu...

Mother of five fatally shot in East St. Louis after argument

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Neighbors tell FOX 2 that a young mother of five died in East St. Louis following an argument. Authorities have not yet disclosed the victim's identity or any suspect information to FOX 2.Illinois State Police are assisting the East St Louis Police Department with the investigation, which has more questions than answers as they try to figure out what led up to the tragedy. Bump-run carjackers strike in Webster Groves One of the victim's friends, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “She was a sweet young lady. She made sure she took care of her five kids.”  Friends and family of the Metro East mother are grieving after investigators say she was found lifeless early Friday morning. She died in the 400 block of North 41st Street.Residents say they hope police catch the person responsible.“I hope they catch them soon. Now, I want to know who is responsible for it. Who is waking around here killing people?“ said the anonymous woman. Close ...

California man sentenced for leading drug trafficking operation in Missouri

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

MISSOURI — A man from Bakersfield, California was sentenced in federal court today for leading a drug trafficking operation across Missouri and Oklahoma. According to the U.S. District Court, 48-year-old William D. Johnson was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison without parole. Springfield homicide victim identified Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in February 2022. A release from the U.S. District Court states that Johnson had distributed the drugs from May 2019 to January 2021 in Newton, Laclede, Lawrence and Greene counties.Johnson was stopped by a Joplin, Missouri police officer in June 2019. Officers discovered 90.63 grams of meth and just over $16,000 in cash during that stop. His vehicle was searched again in May 2020, this time by Lebanon, Missouri police officers. Johnson was in possession of a 9 mm pistol, a stolen .380 firearm, 180 grams of meth and just over $33,000 in cash.At the time of Johnson's arrest in January 2...

All but two of Colorado’s members of Congress support plan to avert government shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

One of Colorado’s Republican U.S. House members joined all five Democrats in the state’s delegation Tuesday in voting for a measure to avert a federal government shutdown.Congress passed the funding plan 336-95 after new Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, suspended regular rules and relied on the minority Democrats to carry the measure. It would temporarily fund some agencies through Jan. 19 and others through Feb. 2, pending likely approval by the Senate later this week.Two Colorado Republicans voted against the measure, which did not include deep spending cuts demanded by many conservative members. Ninety-three of the 95 no votes came from Republicans.Here’s how the state’s House delegation voted:Diana DeGette, D-Denver: YesJoe Neguse, D-Lafayette: YesLauren Boebert, R-Silt: NoKen Buck, R-Windsor: NoDoug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs: YesJason Crow, D-Aurora: YesBrittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood: YesYadira Caraveo, D-Thornton: YesRelated ArticlesPolitics | ...

Jacob Jordan Nimz Arrested, Woman Dead after Car Crash on Lilienthal Lane [Redondo Beach, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

Female Driver Pronounced Dead after Fatal Accident on Alvord LaneREDONDO BEACH, CA (November 14, 2023) – Jacob Jordan Nimz was taken into custody Sunday morning following a fatal car crash on Lilienthal Lane. At approximately 9:35 a.m., authorities arrived at the scene, located near Alvord Lane just west of Hawthorne Boulevard.Per reports, a physical altercation between a female driver and a male passenger preceded the collision. Due to the extent of injuries sustained, the female driver was pronounced dead by responding emergency personnel. Although her identity has not been disclosed.Meanwhile, paramedics transported the male passenger, identified as Jacob Jordan Nimz, 34, from North Dakota, to a hospital for minor injuries. Nimz was later arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.As of now, no additional details regarding the fatal crash have been made public. Individuals with additional information are urged to promptly contact Redondo Beach Officials.The team ...

Laura Carrick: A Visionary Marketing and Creative Strategist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

Laura Carrick stands as a creative force redefining the marketing and communications industry. Her journey from her hometown in Hobart, Tasmania, to becoming a head of marketing and communications at an education institution in New York is a testament to her determination, creative prowess, and dedication to social advocacy.Hailing from a charming yet small city, Carrick harbored a burning desire to explore the world beyond her hometown’s borders. Her early years were marked by a profound immersion in creativity. She tinkered with her parents’ film cameras, amassed magazines for collages and scrapbooks, and devoured books, fueling her insatiable curiosity. Carrick went on to graduate with honors with a Bachelor of Business Degree in Marketing. She further honed her creativity by obtaining a diploma in commercial photography, leading her to explore the fascinating realm of consumer psychology.Inspired by her father’s relentless work ethic, Carrick adopted the belief...

House passes funding measure to avoid government shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:49 GMT

By Stephen Groves and Lisa Mascaro | Associated PressWASHINGTON — The House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to prevent a government shutdown after new Republican Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan.The bipartisan tally — 336-95 with 93 Republicans voting no — showed Johnson’s willingness to leave his right-flank Republicans behind and work with Democrats to temporarily keep government running — the same political move that cost the last House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, his job just weeks ago.This time, Johnson of Louisiana appeared on track for a temporarily better outcome. His approach, which the Senate is expected to approve by week’s end, effectively pushes a final showdown over government funding to the new year.“Making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us. We owe that to the American people,” Johnson said earlier Tuesday at a n...