Month: March 2021

On Tuesday, President Biden announced that he would extend the special enrollment period for people to purchase Affordable Care Act health plans by three months, until Aug. 15, as part of his administration’s effort to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands had signed up for Obamacare during the special enrollment period that Biden ordered from Feb. 15 to May 15. The second extension will help new and current enrollees take advantage of the enhanced subsidies in the Covid-19 relief package that was signed into law this month.

The federal ACA insurance marketplace typically is open for only a limited annual enrollment period, usually six weeks at the end of the year. Buying a plan outside that period is generally allowed only after a major change in life circumstances, such as the birth of a child or the loss of a job.

The Covid-19 relief package raises subsidies for most people who have coverage through the ACA’s marketplaces. The Department of Health and Human Services has estimated that Biden’s American Rescue Plan will, on average, decrease the premiums by $50 a person per month and $85 a policy per month. The additional assistance will be available starting April 1 to people enrolling in coverage through HealthCare.gov.

Biden extending Obamacare special enrollment season

Via www.msn.com

The Biden administration is giving Americans three more months to sign up for Obamacare through…

03/23/2021 5:12 PM

 

Editorial credit: txking / Shutterstock.com

On Tuesday, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy debuted his 10-year plan to cut costs at the U.S. Postal Service. The 58-page plan includes raising prices, slowing some first-class mail service, and reducing office hours. The plan lowers the service standard for first-class mail from three days or less to five days or less, shifting from air to surface transportation.

DeJoy and Ron Bloom, U.S. Postal Service board of governors chair, said in a letter noted in the plan that unless the proposed changes are made the post office stands to lose $160 billion over the next decade. The plan also offers some areas of expansion, including recruitment and retention, new offerings designed to expand use of the mail by small businesses in communities, expanded seven-day delivery outreach, and $40 billion allocated for investment. According to a statement, the $40 billion investment will go toward “workforce, new vehicles, improved Post Offices, technology improvements, and infrastructure upgrades.”

Mail Will Be Slower, More Expensive Under DeJoy Postal Service Plan

Via www.msn.com

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said his plan to slow First Class mail and hike rates will help…

03/23/2021 5:40 PM

 

Editorial credit: LisaCarter / Shutterstock.com

Two North Carolina vacationing in South Florida during this year’s spring break season have been charged with drugging and raping a woman who later died.  Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, both of Greensboro, N.C., were arrested Sunday after using the victim’s credit cards at a Miami Beach liquor store, authorities said. Charges against the men could be upgraded to manslaughter or murder if it is determined the woman died as a result of an overdose.

According to a police report, Collier and Taylor were charged in Miami Beach, Fla. with stealing credit cards belonging to the victim, identified as 24-year-old woman visiting from Pennsylvania. Police said Collier admitted he and Taylor had sex with the woman in a room at the Albion Hotel after she had been administered “a green pill” believed to be a powerful painkiller. She was later found dead on the room’s bed, the report said.

On Sunday, Miami officials extended the Thursday-through-Sunday 8 p.m. curfew to April 12 — the official end of the spring break season. Miami Beach Interim City Manager Raul Aguila said more than 1,000 arrests have been made since February, including 350 on felony charges, and more than 80 firearms seized.

Spring breakers accused of drugging, raping woman who later died in Miami Beach

Via www.nbcnews.com

Officials in Miami Beach have struggled to handle waves of beachgoers who’ve flocked to the area…

03/22/2021 7:18 PM

 

Editorial credit: Francisco Blanco / Shutterstock.com

10 people, including a police officer, were killed in a shooting at a grocery store in Colorado on Monday afternoon. Boulder, Colo., Police Department Commander Kerry Yamaguchi said that a suspect was taken into custody following a shooting at King Soopers supermarket in the city. The suspect was injured during the shooting and was being treated for his injuries. Yamaguchi said police were not aware of any other serious injuries related to the shooting. No motive was immediately identified for the shooting, but Yamaguchi said an investigation was ongoing.

Boulder police tweeted that there was an active shooter at the supermarket on Monday afternoon, urging residents to avoid the scene and for those who live in the area to stay inside. Kroger, which owns the King Soopers brand, issued a statement saying it is “horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless violence. The entire Kroger family offers our thoughts and prayers and support to our associates, customers and the first responders who so bravely responded to this tragic situation.”

10 people dead, including police officer, after shooting at Colorado grocery

Via www.nbcnews.com

The officer, an 11-year veteran of the Boulder force, was the first to arrive at the scene.

03/23/2021 6:25 AM

10 people, including a police officer, were killed in a shooting at a grocery store in Colorado on Monday afternoon. Boulder, Colo., Police Department Chief Maris Herold announced the death toll in a Monday night press conference, identifying the slain officer as Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley, an 11-year veteran.

Boulder, Colo., Police Department Commander Kerry Yamaguchi said that a suspect was taken into custody following a shooting at King Soopers supermarket in the city. The suspect was injured during the shooting and was being treated for his injuries. Yamaguchi said police were not aware of any other serious injuries related to the shooting. No motive was immediately identified for the shooting, but Yamaguchi said an investigation was ongoing.

Boulder police tweeted that there was an active shooter at the supermarket on Monday afternoon, urging residents to avoid the scene and for those who live in the area to stay inside. Kroger, which owns the King Soopers brand, issued a statement saying it is “horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless violence. The entire Kroger family offers our thoughts and prayers and support to our associates, customers and the first responders who so bravely responded to this tragic situation.”

10 people dead, including police officer, after shooting at Colorado grocery

Via www.nbcnews.com

The officer, an 11-year veteran of the Boulder force, was the first to arrive at the scene.

03/23/2021 6:25 AM