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Alleged scams cost California doctor, pain clinics $11.4 million in settlement

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

A California physician and his medical practice, which once operated 29 pain clinics statewide, have agreed to pay nearly $11.4 million to resolve allegations of false claims being submitted to federal and state health insurance programs for medically unnecessary procedures and care, a U.S. Attorney in Sacramento said Tuesday.Lags Spine & Sportscare Medical Centers Inc., and Dr. Francis P. Lagattuta, the owner and medical director of Lags Medical, agreed to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting millions of dollars in bogus claims to Medicare, Medi-Cal and the Oregon Medicaid programs for skin biopsies, spinal cord stimulation surgeries and urine drug testing, Phillip A. Talbert, the U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice’s Eastern District of California, stated in a press release.Of the three-part settlement, Talbert said it resolves allegations  from 2016 to 202 that  Lagattuta and Lags Medical performed medically unnecessary skin biopsie...

Anchor Brewing Company to cease operations in San Francisco

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

(BCN) -- A landmark company in San Francisco has turned off its taps. Anchor Brewing Company officials announced early Wednesday that it will cease operations and liquidate the business -- established in 1896 -- citing economic factors including declining sales since 2016. The company gave employees 60-day notices "with the intent to provide transition support and separation packages in line with company practices and policies," according to the announcement from company spokesperson San Singer. Serial South Bay arson suspect arrested; confessed to 15+ fires: police "This was an extremely difficult decision that Anchor reached only after many months of careful evaluation," Singer said in the announcement. "We recognize the importance and historic significance of Anchor to San Francisco and to the craft brewing industry, but the impacts of the pandemic, inflation, especially in San Francisco, and a highly competitive market left the company with no option but to make this...

US consumer inflation reaches 3%, lowest level in more than 2 years, reflecting a steady slowdown in price pressures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — US consumer inflation reaches 3%, lowest level in more than 2 years, reflecting a steady slowdown in price pressures.Source

New detox program helps youth with growing substance use disorders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — In Colorado, fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise. According to Stop the Clock Colorado, an overdose death happens nearly every five hours and experts said more teens are struggling with substance use disorder.  Fentanyl use disorders are spiking in the 14 to 23-year-old age group. Denver Health said they've served about 900 people under 21 with substance abuse-related issues in the last year alone. To meet this need, in May, Denver Health opened the state’s first licensed detox facility for adolescents. Now with this new facility, Denver Health can help them withdraw and recover in a safe environment.    Jeffco deputy gets new K-9 partner The building has always been an impatient adolescent mental health treatment facility. However, now this new unit will allow them to help with mental health diagnoses and substance use disorders.Dr. Kristina Foreman is an adolescent psychiatrist at Denver Health, and she said mental health and substance use disorders can oft...

Father, son in Orlando for University of Central Florida orientation killed in crash involving suspected repeat drunk driver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

(CNN) – A father and son trip to Florida for college orientation ended in tragedy Sunday.Shane and Jakob Lloyd were killed after a suspected drunk driver ran a red light and crashed into them.That suspect is now facing charged for a third DUI in 10 years, along with homicide and manslaughter charges.“We can’t believe that it happened and I keep waiting to wake up,” said Brandy Bowden, the sister and aunt of the victims.Leslie GehretBrandy Bowden is still trying to wrap her head around the devastating news that her brother Shane Lloyd and her nephew Jakob were killed by a drunk driver. “He was like the one all of us looked up to,” Bowden said. “The one we all aspired to be and make proud.” Brandy said they were both loving, smart and caring men.Florida Highway Patrol said Sunday afternoon, 40-year-old Leslie Gehret ran a red light of Lake Underhill Road near Rouse Road, and slammed into the two victims. Krystal Santiago saw the horrific...

Broward School Board, new superintendent agree on contract

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

The Broward School Board has reached an agreement with Dr. Peter Licata, who will assume the role of superintendent, departing from his previous position within the Palm Beach County School System. The contract, spanning a duration of three years, will see Licata receive an annual salary of $350,000.Under the terms of the agreement, Licata will be eligible for additional bonuses amounting to $20,000, provided the district achieves an ‘A’ rating and meets other predetermined goals. This incentivized compensation structure aims to motivate Licata and the district to excel academically.While Licata assumes a significant leadership position within the Broward County education system, a majority vote by the board members can result in his termination without cause. Licata is also obligated to relocate to Broward within a year to fully immerse himself in his new role and better serve the district.

North Korean missile launch ‘risks destabilizing’ the region, White House says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

White House officials condemned North Korea for launching an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday, saying it “needlessly raises tensions” and “risks destabilizing” the region.Pyongyang test-fired its first ICBM in three months days after it threatened “shocking” consequences because of Washington’s military presence along the peninsula. The missile flew about 620 miles before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korean and Japanese officials said.“The United States strongly condemns the DPRK for its test of a long-range ballistic missile,” National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement, using an abbreviated name for North Korea. “This action demonstrates that the DPRK continues to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people.”North Korea has long lambasted the U.S. for its military ties with South Korea, deploying dozens of rockets over the past ye...

UK delays ‘Great British Nuclear’ launch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

The U.K. government has delayed the official launch of a major arms-length body intended to support the country’s nuclear industry.Energy Secretary Grant Shapps had been due to give a heavily-trailed speech at London’s Science Museum on Thursday, setting out his plans for Great British Nuclear and its role helping the U.K. hit its net zero goals.But in an email to attendees, seen by POLITICO, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) confirmed the event was being rescheduled “due to unforeseen circumstances.”Shapps was expected to use his speech to outline the next phase of a planned competition for manufacturing firms — including Rolls Royce and GE Hitachi — vying to develop small modular reactors (SMRs). The government hopes the new technology will provide cheaper, more flexible atomic power to help the U.K. hit its target of 24 gigawatts of nuclear generation by 2050.The reasons for the cancellation were not immediately clear. One government official, granted a...

No jackpot winner in Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing, new jackpot is estimated at $560 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

(CNN) — There was no jackpot winner in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing according to the lottery’s website, prompting another drawing scheduled for Friday at 11 p.m. ET.The estimated jackpot is up to $560 million, Mega Millions said.There were at least three ‘Match 5’ winners from Tuesday’s drawing, with one in California, one in South Dakota and one in Wisconsin. The Match 5 winners each won $1 million, the Mega Millions website said.The Mega Millions jackpot is one of two substantial lottery prizes on offer this week.The next drawing for the Powerball grand prize jackpot, estimated at $725 million, is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 p.m. ET, according to its website.It’s the seventh largest Powerball jackpot, according to lottery officials. There were no jackpot winners after Monday’s Powerball drawing.There have now been 35 consecutive Powerball drawings without a big winner.

Dangerous pregnancy outcomes doubled in Mass. over the last decade, DPH says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:19 GMT

Despite the state boasting world renowned medical care availability and nation leading rates of health insurance coverage, Massachusetts is still struggling to combat some seriously dangerous medical outcomes associated with being pregnant and having a child.According to a new report released by the Department of Public Health, the rate of maternal morbidity among pregnant patients in Massachusetts has soared in the last decade, especially among the state’s most vulnerable populations.“The data show that the rate of severe maternal morbidity for all birthing people in the state nearly doubled during (a) ten year period,” DPH Commissioner Dr. Robert Goldstein told reporters. “The most troubling finding was that for Black, non-Hispanic birthing people the rate of severe maternal morbidity in 2011 was twice that of white non-Hispanic birthing people. But by 2020 it was two-and-a-half times higher.”The report, An Assessment of Severe Maternal Morbidity in Massachusetts: 2011 to 2020, ex...