July 31, 2021 9:21 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The federal government has sued Kaiser Permanente, alleging the health care giant committed Medicare fraud and pressured doctors to list incorrect diagnoses on medical records in order to receive higher reimbursements. The Department of Justice lawsuit was filed Thursday in San Francisco federal court. It consolidates allegations made in six whistleblower complaints. Oakland, California-based Kaiser told the Sacramento Bee that its practices are good-faith interpretations from guidance received from the agency that oversees Medicare. A lawyer for one whistleblower says if Kaiser loses, it might have to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and damages.
July 31, 2021 9:18 am
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – Florida’s coronavirus cases jumped 50% this week, continuing a six-week surge that has seen it responsible for 1 in 5 new infections nationally, becoming the outbreak’s epicenter. Friday’s report by the Health Department came shortly after Gov. Ron DeSantis barred school districts from requiring students to wear masks when classes resume next month. He says there is no evidence they prevent outbreaks among students or staff. More than 110,000 new coronavirus cases were reported statewide over the past week, up from 73,000 last week and 11 times the 10,000 that were reported the week of June 11, six weeks ago. Case numbers are now back to where they in January, just before vaccinations became widely available.
July 31, 2021 9:14 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – U.S. Navy explosive experts believe a “drone strike” targeted an oil tanker that came under attack off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea, killing two on board. That’s according to a statement Saturday from the U.S. Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet. The 5th Fleet added that the American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and the guided missile destroyer USS Mitscher now are escorting the Mercer Street as it heads to a safe port. While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Israeli officials alleged Tehran launched the drone strike. Iran has not directly discussed the attack yet, though tensions remain high over its tattered nuclear deal.
July 31, 2021 4:36 am
A major storm system that ran through Somerset County on Thursday caused significant damage to Laurel Hill State Park. The storm uprooted and snapped as many as 75 mature trees and damaged several buildings in Camp Tree Army. No one was in the buildings at the time of the storm. The damage was focused along Buck Run Road, Laurel Hill Park and Camp Tree Army. There were no injuries to staff or visitors. Clean up at Camp Tree Army has begun and park and forestry crews are working to clear roadways and remove hazardous trees. Laurel Hill Campground was not impacted and remains open with access from the County Line Road entrance. The main day use and beach area are also open.
July 31, 2021 4:27 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – A transportation funding commission set up by Gov. Tom Wolf to find ways to end Pennsylvania’s reliance on its gas tax will issue a $15.6 billion package of recommendations, which lean heavily on shifting to a vehicle-miles-traveled fee that numerous states are exploring. The Transportation Revenue Options Commission reviewed its final recommendations at a Wednesday meeting, with the final report to be handed over Friday. It faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled Legislature, and is expected to kick off a debate that could last years. The recommendations are projected to raise $11.5 billion annually in the fifth year and beyond when an 8.1 cents-per-mile vehicle-miles-traveled fee is introduced.
July 31, 2021 4:05 am
MOUNT LEBANON, Pa. — (WPXI) – Authorities have identified the man who killed his parents before getting into a shootout with police in Mount Lebanon, then led officers on a chase before being found dead after a crash. The 25-year-old man, George Tratras, called police shortly after 12 a.m. Thursday to a home on Gilkeson Road. He said he had shot and killed his mother, Ana Tratras, 59, and his father, 65, who’s name hasn’t been released. He told police he was ready to surrender. During the 911 call, George Tratras alluded to an argument with his parents that resulted in their deaths. Police said he was calm at first, but he then began shooting at officers. Officer Rob Barnes, an 8-year veteran of the Dormont Police Department, was shot in the torso, and his bullet-proof vest likely saved his life, police said. He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was later released. He is expected to make a full recovery. A Mount Lebanon officer was also hurt, but was not hit by gunfire. That officer was treated at a hospital and released. George Tratras then took off in a car, leading police on a chase that ended in a crash in the area of Route 19 and McLaughlin Run Road in Upper Saint Clair. Police found him dead in his car, which had flipped. At least five guns were found in his vehicle. Police say George Tratras had a single gunshot wound to the head and believe it was be self-inflicted.
July 31, 2021 2:09 am
Washington County Commissioners approved an ordinance that will place a referendum question on the November 2 election ballot. By a 2-1 vote the referendum question will ask Washington County voters if a Government Study Commission should be formed to study the current form of county government and make recommendations to the commissioners as to what changes should be made to government or if no changes to county government should be made. Nearly 100 people turned out to a special meeting to consider the question. Two hours of public comment from emails and live speeches started the meeting before commissioners took their vote. The vast majority of public comment was against the formation of a Home Rule system of government, even though that was not what the voting issue was about. Some felt that the formation of the committee was rushed and politically motivated. Commissioners Diana Irey-Vaughn and Larry Maggi voted in favor of the formation of the Commission. Commissioner Nick Sherman voted against it stating that he would not vote for a commission that may put forward a suggestion that he does not agree with, specifically the formation of a home rule government.
July 30, 2021 4:49 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – COVID-19 vaccinations and masks will be required for all Broadway audience members when theaters reopen in the coming weeks. The Broadway League announced Friday that audience members will have to wear face coverings and show proof they’re fully vaccinated when they enter the theaters. There’ll be exceptions to the vaccine rule for children under 12 and for people with a medical condition or religious belief that prevents vaccination. Those individuals will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Vaccinations will also be required for performers, crew members and theater employees.
July 30, 2021 4:22 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department says the Treasury Department must provide the House Ways and Means Committee former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, apparently ending a long legal showdown over the records. During the Trump administration, then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he wouldn’t turn over the tax returns because he concluded they were being sought by Democrats who control the House of Representatives for partisan reasons. The committee sued for the records under a federal law that says the Internal Revenue Service “shall furnish” the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers. The committee said it needed Trump’s taxes for an investigation into whether he complied with tax law.
July 30, 2021 4:19 am
BOSTON (AP) – The Biden administration will allow a nationwide ban on evictions to expire Saturday. The end of the moratorium comes as advocates and some lawmakers call for it to be extended in the face of rising coronavirus cases and the sluggish pace of distributing rental assistance. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in June this would be the last time the moratorium would be extended when she set the expiration for July 31. As of July 5, roughly 3.6 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey.
