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After the Maui fire, some Hawaiians rethink aloha spirit. Is it for tourists, family, everyone?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

Jenny Jarvie | (TNS) Los Angeles TimesLAHAINA, Hawaii — Paele Kiakona is not ready to go back to work. Still reeling after August wildfires ravaged his hometown of Lahaina, he doesn’t want to serve tourists, pouring brut champagne or topping their mai tais with honey-liliko’i foam.“I’ve seen people dead on the street,” Kiakona said. “My grandma’s house is gone. My whole town died.”The 28-year-old Hawaii native who worked as a bartender at a farm-to-table restaurant north of Lahaina is wary of fielding questions, including what he says is now the ultimate dreaded icebreaker: “Did you lose your house in the fire?”In this moment, he said, visitors aren’t the ones who need his care.“Our aloha is reserved for our family right now,” Kiakona said. “It’s not just endless aloha.”Hawaii is famous for its “aloha spirit,” a concept rooted in Native Hawaiian culture that long ago was commo...

Abortion coverage is limited or unavailable at a quarter of large workplaces

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

By Rachana Pradhan, KFF Health NewsAbout a quarter of large U.S. employers heavily restrict coverage of legal abortions or don’t cover them at all under health plans for their workers, according to the latest employer health benefits survey by KFF.The findings demonstrate another realm, beyond state laws, in which access to abortion care varies widely across America since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion last year in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.More than ever, where someone works and the constraints of their health insurance can determine whether an abortion is possible. Workers without coverage are left to pay out-of-pocket for abortion care and related costs.In 2021, the median costs for people paying out-of-pocket in the first trimester were $568 for a medication abortion and $625 for an abortion procedure, according to a report from Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health at the University of California-San Francisco. By t...

Health care ‘game-changer’? Feds boost care for homeless Americans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

By Angela Hart, KFF Health NewsThe Biden administration is making it easier for doctors and nurses to treat homeless people wherever they find them, from creekside encampments to freeway underpasses, marking a fundamental shift in how — and where — health care is delivered.As of Oct. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began allowing public and private insurers to pay “street medicine” providers for medical services they deliver anyplace homeless people might be staying.Previously, these providers weren’t getting paid by most Medicaid programs, which serve low-income people, because the services weren’t delivered in traditional medical facilities, such as hospitals and clinics.The change comes in response to the swelling number of homeless people across the country, and the skyrocketing number of people who need intensive addiction and mental health treatment — in addition to medical care for wounds, pregnancy, and chronic diseases like diabetes.“It’s a game-changer....

What to know about the Chicago Bulls roster — and the expectations for the 2023-24 NBA season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

The Chicago Bulls open the 2023-24 NBA season Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the United Center (7 p.m., NBCSCH).After losing their second play-in tournament game to miss the playoffs last season, the Bulls have set a goal to advance past the first round of the postseason. That would be a critical milestone to reach in their third season centered around Zach LaVine, Nikola Vučević and DeMar DeRozan.Here’s what to know about the roster and expectations for this season’s team.What should fans expect from the 2023-24 season?Starting lineupCoby White, point guardZach LaVine, shooting guardDeMar DeRozan, small forwardPatrick Williams, power forwardNikola Vučević, centerAreas of improvementThe Bulls have targeted three areas of their offense to improve — 3-point volume, free-throw attempts and offensive rebounds — all of which hinge on their ability to get into the paint. They were a bottom-five team in all three categories last s...

‘The Royal Hotel’ review: In this triumph of tension, check in at your peril

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

Michael Phillips | Chicago TribuneIn “The Royal Hotel,” director Kitty Green’s gripping, grubby Australian Outback noir, the Royal Hotel is a comically unregal place lit by the dead glare of fluorescent lights, dotted with predatory eyes lurking in the shadows.The eyes belong to the men working for the local mining company. At this remote, two-story dump in the middle of nowhere — part saloon, part boarding house for temporary workers — two American women arrive to make some quick money behind the bar. Sensible and wary Hanna, played by Julia Garner, and her more reckless, up-for-anything friend Liv, played by Jessica Henwick, (both superb) realize very quickly that they’ll be putting up with trash talk, harassment, uncertain pay schedules and worse.They’re expected by the owner of the Royal, the frequently drunk Billy (Hugo Weaving, a long, shaggy way from “The Matrix”), to perform the usual female paradox while they’re there and the customers are thirsty: Shut up, take it and smil...

AP sources: Tom Emmer withdraws as GOP nominee for speaker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

By Lisa Mascaro, Stephen Groves, Farnoush Amiri and Kevin Freking, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Tom Emmer abruptly abandoned his bid to become House speaker, withdrawing hours after winning the internal party nomination once it became clear he would not have enough support from GOP colleagues for the gavel.Emmer reversed course after Donald Trump objected to his nomination and hardliners in the House denied the Minnesota Republican the votes he would need for the gavel. That’s according to Republican sources familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it.He becomes the the GOP third candidate to fall short, leaving the Republicans no closer to resolving the chaos. It has been three weeks since Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.“We’re going to have to figure out how to get our act together — I mean, big boys and big girls have got to quit making excuses and we just got to get it done,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., a conservative caucus leader.U...

7 hospitalized amid E. coli outbreak linked to Miguel's Cocina 4S Ranch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Seven people have been hospitalized with E. coli infections after eating at Miguel's Cocina in 4S Ranch, local health officials said Tuesday.The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is investigating a total of 13 "confirmed or probable" cases linked to the restaurant. Those who fell ill reported eating at the location from Oct. 6 to Oct. 18 and had symptoms from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19.Of the seven who were hospitalized, at least one person developed a severe complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. Woman rescued from East County cave after spending 16 hours stuck It is not known yet which food item or items items were the sources of the bacteria, county officials say. The restaurant decided Tuesday to close its doors until that's determined.“People who visited the restaurant and are feeling ill should see their doctor as soon as possible,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “We want them to get tested and have the resul...

What is super fog? The mix of smoke and dense fog caused a deadly pileup in Louisiana

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

The National Weather Service called it “super fog” — a combination of thick smoke from fires in marshy wetlands of south Louisiana and the fog that often hangs thick in the air on cool, windless mornings. It was a deadly combination this week. Smoke spreading through the region from a marsh fire east of New Orleans combined with thick fog and reduced visibility on highways to near nothing. It caused a series of horrific crashes that turned a section of Interstate 55 near New Orleans into a virtual junkyard of mangled and charred vehicles.Officials said 158 vehicles were involved. There were 25 reported injuries, and the death toll from Monday’s accident stood at seven as of Tuesday afternoon. SUPER FOG OR SMOG?Super fog and smog are both types of fog, according to the National Weather Service. But smog — often a problem in cities with heavy car traffic or industry — is formed when fog combines with smoke from pollutants. It can reduce visibility and pose a health hazard. The t...

Advocates call on City of Toronto to do more to boost shelter system ahead of winter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

Several advocates are urging the City of Toronto to do more to boost the shelter system as we approach the winter season. The Economic and Community Development Committee is debating the strategy released last week by city staff on Tuesday and over 40 people were signed up to speak on the issue.The strategy, which will be implemented on November 15 if passed, includes adding up to 180 spaces in the shelter system and opening a 24-hour respite centre with capacity for 40 people.There will also be 170 spaces activated in four warming centres when temperatures reach -5 C. Additional surge spaces will be made available when temperatures reach -15 C.“I want to stress that the winter services plan may continue to evolve as we monitor demand for warming centres and continue to search for appropriate locations to add capacity,” said Gord Tanner, general manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration. “Staff have connected with real estate brokers, faith leaders, co...

States sue Meta claiming its social platforms are addictive and harm children’s mental healthRefirl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:28 GMT

Dozens of US states, including California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. A lawsuit filed by 33 states in federal court in California, claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law. In addition, nine attorneys general are filing lawsuits in their respective states, bringing the total number of states taking action to 41 and Washington, D.C. “Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms,” the complaint says. “It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit a...