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The Biden administration is slow to act as millions are booted off Medicaid, advocates say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

By AMANDA SEITZ and KENYA HUNTER (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Up to 30 million of the poorest Americans could be purged from the Medicaid program, many the result of error-ridden state reviews that poverty experts say the Biden administration is not doing enough to stop. The projections from the health consulting firm Avalere come as states undertake a sweeping reevaluation of the 94 million people enrolled in Medicaid, government’s health insurance for the neediest Americans. A host of problems have surfaced across the country, including hourslong phone wait times in Florida, confusing government forms in Arkansas, and children wrongly dropped from coverage in Texas. “Those people were destined to fail,” said Trevor Hawkins, an attorney for Legal Aid of Arkansas. Hawkins helped hundreds of people navigate their Medicaid eligibility in Arkansas, as state officials worked to “swiftly disenroll” about 420,000 people in six months’ time....

Trade in rare earth elements increases in 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

In 2022, the EU witnessed a significant increase in the import of rare earth elements (REE+). A total of 18 thousand tonnes were imported, a 9% increase from 2021, and 7 thousand tonnes exported, a decrease of 8% compared with the previous year. The value of imports surged to €146 million, marking a 37% rise compared with 2021, while exports reached €142 million, representing a 2% increase over the previous year. Rare earth elements are a group of 17 specialty metals with a high supply risk and significant economic importance, used in various high-tech applications.Source dataset:  Eurostat extractionThe average price for imports was €7.9 per kilogram, marking a 26% increase compared with 2021, while the price of the exports was €20.7 for each kilogram of rare earth elements, an increase of 11%. China: The largest partner for imports of rare earth elementsChina was the largest partner for imports of rare earth elements, accounting for 40% of the total weight of imports, or 7.4 thous...

Bouie: The GOP’s culture war shtick is wearing thin with voters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

The Republican Party has always leaned on culture war issues to win elections, but for the last three years, since Joe Biden won office in 2020, an aggressive and virulent form of culture war demagoguery has been at the center of Republican political strategy.If the results of last week’s elections in Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio tell us anything, however, it’s that this post-Roe form of culture warring is an abject failure, an approach that repels and alienates voters far more than it appeals to or persuades them.To be fair to Republican strategists, there was a moment, in autumn 2021, when it looked like the plan was working. Glenn Youngkin, the Republican nominee for governor in Virginia, ran on a campaign of “parents’ rights” against “critical race theory” and won a narrow victory against Terry McAuliffe, a former Democratic governor, sweeping Republicans into power statewide for the first time since 2009. Youngkin shot to national prominence, and Republicans made immediate plans...

Indulge in luxury living in this stunning 4-bedroom home with secluded elegance, a chef’s kitchen, wine cellar and natural beauty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

Embraced in the serenity of a .86-acre property dotted with majestic oaks and redwoods at the end of a quiet enclave, this home celebrates an ultra-private setting and classic updated features.Soaring vaulted ceilings, luxury grade wide-plank engineered hardwood flooring, plantation shutters and a light-filled interior create a warm and welcoming first impression at 7174 Wooded Lake Drive, located in the Almaden Country Club neighborhood. Walls of windows frame the beauty of the natural terrain from just about every room.Multiple French doors and sliders, including in the living room, kitchen, family room, and primary bedroom, also open to the multiple levels of Trex deck and inviting outdoor space.About 3,179 square feet of living space features four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the main level, with an expansive living/dining room and a spacious eat-in chef’s kitchen. A guest room, an updated bathroom, a family room and a wine cellar a...

Storm tracker map: Where it’s raining in the Bay Area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

The first of two waves of rain was expected to arrive in the Bay Area in the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 14, the National Weather Service said.Related ArticlesWeather | Wet week expected in Bay Area, but ‘typical winter system’ more likely than atmospheric river Weather | Rain forecast for Bay Area next week. How heavy will it get? Weather | Cold nights, rainy weekend could be in the near future for Bay Area Weather | Rain tracker map: Where it’s wet in the Bay Area, snowing in the Sierra Weather | Light rain has begun in the Bay Area and will last through Monday Heavier precipitation is forecast for Wednesday afternoon and evening.The updating radar map above shows areas of precipitation in green, with greater intensities indicated by yellow and orange.Updates on road closures and chain controls in the Sierra Nevada can be found on CalTrans’ website or mobile app or by calling (...

Marquee doubleheader in Chicago headlines the week in AP Top 25 hoops

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

The opening week of the college basketball season had one marquee game, No. 3 Arizona’s win at No. 9 Duke.Week 2 will have two on the same night at the same place.The opening game of the State Farm Champions Classic in Chicago Tuesday night will feature Duke against No. 18 Michigan State. The nightcap at United Center will pit top-ranked Kansas against No. 17 Kentucky.That’s some night of hoops.Duke opened the season No. 2 the AP Top 25 preseason poll, but dropped seven spots in this week’s poll after a 78-73 loss to Arizona, which moved up nine spots to No. 3.The Blue Devils (1-1) went back and forth with the Wildcats all night at Cameron Indoor Stadium until Arizona hit six straight free throws in the final 20 seconds to win it. Michigan State (1-1) entered the season with high expectations for a team loaded with talent and experience. The Spartans took a big fall in this week’s poll, dropping 14 places after losing in overtime at home to No. 24 James Madis...

UConn stands alone, earning ranking in women’s basketball poll for record 566th consecutive week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

Geno Auriemma has seen hundreds of players come through UConn over the past 30 years.The names have changed from Rebecca Lobo to Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart — the standard has not. The eighth-ranked Huskies passed Tennessee on Monday, earning a spot in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll for a record 566th consecutive week, breaking a tie with the Lady Vols for the most all-time.“Players come and go and eras come and go, but what we’re most proud of is that at Connecticut we expect being in that spot,” Auriemma said. “That’s good and bad.”During their 30-year run, the Huskies have never been worse than No. 18 — the team’s ranking in the preseason poll of 1993-94 when the streak started.“Like many things that this UConn program has accomplished over the past 30 years, this ranked streak is something that no one on that team could have fathomed,” said Lobo, who starred on the team that started the run and now is an analyst for ESP...

Suspects in Buffs Rose Bowl locker room thefts identified as high schoolers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

PASADENA, Calif. (KTLA) — After thousands of dollars in jewelry and other items were stolen from the locker room of players on the University of Colorado football team at the Rose Bowl last month, several high school students from Riverside County, California are considered suspects, authorities confirmed to KTLA.  The thefts occurred on Oct. 28 as the Buffaloes played the UCLA Bruins in Pasadena.  As the team returned to the locker room after losing the game 28-16, at least five players discovered their valuables, including gold and diamond chains, had been taken.   Colorado basketball crashes top 5 in women’s AP Top 25 While authorities in Pasadena confirmed to KTLA that the students are from Beaumont High School, they would not confirm what other media reports claimed, that it was four “recruits on an official visit to UCLA for the game.”  Asked for comment, officials at the Beaumont Unified School District also declined to name the number of students or say if they were on an ...

Denver weather: Sunny, mild before some showers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The middle of the week for the Front Range will be mild, with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures on Tuesday. There is a chance for some showers on Thursday in the Denver weather forecast.Weather today: Sunny and comfyMorning clouds will clear quickly across Denver on Tuesday, leaving behind mostly sunny skies through the afternoon. What Colorado’s Styrofoam food container ban means for you High temperatures will be in the upper 60s with light winds. Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on Nov. 14 Weather tonight: Some extra cloudsClouds will slowly increase overnight on Tuesday with light winds. Low temperatures will dip into the middle 30s, keeping most of the metro area above freezing.Pinpoint Weather: Overnight forecast on Nov. 14 Looking ahead: Shower chances and cooler tempsWednesday will be another warm day with plenty of sunshine and highs in the upper 60s. Avoid this highway in Colorado during Thanksgiving weekend, AAA says Thursday has a change in th...

Miami officer injured in intersection crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:42 GMT

A crash in Miami left a police officer injured as the patrol cruiser endured significant front-end damage. Debris scattered across the intersection near Southwest 12th Avenue and Seventh Street. Officials said both drivers involved were OK.As a precaution, the injured officer was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital for a check-up.