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Health insurance call center workers strike in Albany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — With the enrollment period for health care in full swing, hundreds of workers who handle calls about Medicare and the Affordable Care Act plan to strike, including some people here in Albany. MORE NEWS from NEWS10The workers are employed by a federal and state contracted company named Maximus Incorporated. At least eight IT workers demonstrated before their shifts today. Tech department worker Michael Cipolla says the numbers would've been larger if workers did not fear retaliation. He also says the timing of the strike during the enrollment. Period is no coincidence. “It was deliberate. We're trying to slow them down. They need to know how important we are to their organization…” the IT employee told NEWS 10's Zion Decoteau during the strike Thursday morning. The Maximus employees are asking for more affordable healthcare, a living wage of at least 25 dollars per hour, and the ability to organize their union free from employer...

With Colorado set to reintroduce gray wolves, bill backed by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert seeks their removal from endangered species list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert proposing to delist gray wolves from the the nation’s endangered species list.The bill, called The Trust the Science Act, was included in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for the 2024 fiscal year, which House members passed Nov. 3 — less than two months before Colorado reaches a year-end deadline to reintroduce a gray wolf population in the state.The proposed federal legislation would reinstate a 2020 U.S. Fish and Wildlife rule that delisted gray wolves as endangered species, a move later challenged in a lawsuit and overturned by a decision handed down by the U.S. District Court for Northern California in February 2022.Following the court’s decision, President Joe Biden’s administration joined hunting groups in supporting an unsuccessful appeal of the court’s decision.Read more at steamboatpilot.com.Get more Colorado news by signing u...

California-based home goods retailer closing all stores nationwide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

Z Gallerie, a Los Angeles-based furniture and home goods retailer, has announced that it is closing all its brick-and-mortar stores nationwide.“Thank you for shopping with our store teams over the years, you have inspired us,” the company said in a social media post on Wednesday.The company said its products will continue to be sold online.“Even though our retail stores are closing, our signature Z Gallerie style is available to you, our valued customers, 24/7 via our online channel so you can continue to get lost in the details and turn your home into a work of art.”An image from Z Gallerie's message announcing its closure. Nov. 8, 2023. (Z Gallerie)Z Gallerie has 21 locations in nine states, including five in California.On Oct. 16, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a third time citing negative cash flow and mounting debt as high mortgage rates crippled home sales and sapped demand for its products, Bloomberg reported.The company was founded in 1979 as a poster shop...

Disneyland's ‘Fantasmic!’ expected to return in May 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

Performances of Disneyland’s popular nighttime show “Fantasmic!” are expected to return on May 24, 2024, Disneyland officials announced Thursday.“ At a "Fantasmic!" cast meeting earlier this week, we announced that the show will return on May 24," Disneyland officials said. "We look forward to providing more information about Fantasmic! in the coming months."When the show returns next year, it won’t include the dragon figure, but it will include new special effects and a new battle scene between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent, Disneyland officials previously said. Nightly show performances were abruptly halted after a fire destroyed the dragon prop during a performance on April 22. Disneyland releases first look at new Adventureland Treehouse The fire, which caused the nighttime show to go on hiatus, broke out during the show’s finale, sparking first from the “Maleficent” dragon prop’s face before spreading to the rest of its body, photos and video from the scene showed.This photo...

Dylan Blau, Legendary Dog Trainer Continues To Help Dogs and Positively Impact The Dog Training Industry.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

Dylan Blau, a name synonymous with innovation and excellence in the dog training and social media industry, is revolutionizing the way dog trainers and entrepreneurs harness the power of social media. With a career spanning over 15 years, Dylan Blau has not only transformed the lives of countless dogs but has also become a trailblazer in teaching how to leverage social media effectively to grow businesses and make an impact in the digital realm.Dylan Blau is not just another dog trainer; he is a visionary who understands the nuances of social media and how it can be a game-changer for dog trainers and entrepreneurs alike. During the pandemic, when many businesses were struggling to stay afloat, Dylan stepped in to help hundreds of dog trainers pivot to social media as well as hundreds of local businesses in California, including several restaurants and wineries. He provided them with invaluable insights, strategies, and the courage to be authentic and relatable; more importantly to ...

Trends and Strategies for Mergers and Acquisitions During Inflation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

As of November 2023, the Fed’s target interest rate currently sits at a 22-year high of 5.25 to 5.50 percent, while inflation continues to dilute the dollar to the tune of 3.7 percent. According to financial experts, these economic headwinds have important repercussions on corporate mergers and acquisitions.“As the Fed raises interest rates to combat inflation, we’re seeing the cost of debt rise for acquisition debt as well,” says Jay Jung, founder and managing partner of strategic finance advisory firm Embarc Advisors.The effects of inflation and high interest rates on mergers and acquisitionsPreviously, businesses leveraged the low cost of borrowing to finance a wide range of projects, which included lower-quality transactions. “Basically, with lower cost debt, they either had more margin of error or more time to rehabilitate the margin structure of these poorer-performing businesses,” Jung explains.Times have changed, however. As incurring debt becomes more expensive, buyers feel...

What is Bedside Manner? An Inside Perspective from Greg Duhon, MD

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

So much focus on patient care is put on the medical approach to disease prevention and treatment. Yet, as Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD, says, bedside manner has a significant impact on how patients recover as well as their overall well being.When medical professionals practice proper bedside manner, they encourage transparency, make their patients feel more comfortable and even improve their own reputation and that of their practice.Just like medical knowledge and skills can be built over time, so, too, can good bedside manner. Below, Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD, provides valuable insights into how healthcare professionals can provide a more holistic and supportive healing environment by practicing good bedside manner.Cultivate EmpathyOne of the most important aspects of bedside manner is cultivating empathy. Healthcare professionals need to be able to not just understand how their patients are feeling but share in those feelings as well.The truth is that patients want to feel as though they are...

Orlando Gomez Sales Killed in Solo-Car Crash on Bouquet Canyon Road [Santa Clarita, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

39-Year-Old Man Dies after Suspected DUI Collision on Sutters Pointe DriveSANTA CLARITA, CA (November 9, 2023) – Orlando Gomez Sales lost his life Wednesday morning in a solo-car collision on Bouquet Canyon Road. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. near Sutters Point Drive on November 1st.According to reports, Sales was operating a dark blue Ford Edge when he collided with an ornamental tree and crashed into a power pole. Emergency responders worked diligently to extricate Sales, who was trapped inside the vehicle for more than 23 minutes.The 39-year-old passenger, Sales, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency crews. The driver was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for further medical attention.Initial investigations suggest that impairment may have played a role, although a thorough inquiry is currently in progress.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet James team would like to extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of Orlando Gomez Sales. May you f...

Teen Dead, Three Hospitalized in Two-Vehicle Crash on Quail Ridge Road [Nacogdoches, TX]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

Car Collision on Main Street Killed One 13-Year-Old and Injured Three MoreNACOGDOCHES, TX (November 9, 2023) – Monday evening, a two-vehicle crash on Quail Ridge Road killed one teenager.The accident happened around 7 p.m. on October 30th, in the 4500 block of E. Main Street.According to NPD, a Dodge 1500 going east, was struck from behind by a Ford F-250, while slowing down to turn left onto a road. Both automobiles veered off the road as a result of the collision because the Ford’s trailer was loaded with another vehicle.Paramedics later confirmed one unidentified adult victim dead, while two others were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.Furthermore, both directions of the roadway were temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.At the moment, no further details were available about the reason for the deadly crash on E. Main Street. However, the investigation is still ongoing.Sweet James sends out their warm and sincerest sympathies to the fri...

Pac-12 legal affairs: Court filings indicate the 10 departing schools fear punitive action by WSU, OSU

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:25 GMT

Washington fears financial retribution if a lawsuit results in Washington State and Oregon State gaining control of the Pac-12’s governing board for the duration of the current competition year, according to court filings obtained by the Hotline.“If OSU and WSU gain control of the Board, I am concerned that they would claim control over the entirety of UW’s media rights interests,” Washington president Ana Mari Cauce said in a sworn statement, adding: “I am also concerned that, in general, a Board controlled by OSU and WSU would decide not to distribute net revenues earned by UW and the other nine departing institutions for competing during the 2023-24 year.”WSU and OSU are seeking a preliminary injunction from Whitman County (Wash.) Superior Court Judge Gary Libey that would give the two remaining schools sole control of the Pac-12’s board before the other 10 leave for their new conferences next summer.(A hearing is schedule for Nov. 14.)As the only voting members of the fractured ...