Inslee statement regarding final report for Joint Federal-State Process for salmon recovery in the Columbia Basin.

 

https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-regarding-final-report-joint-federal-state-process-salmon-recovery-0

“The state and federal governments should implement a plan to replace the benefits of the Lower Snake River Dams to enable breaching to move forward,” Gov. Jay Inslee said.

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee released the findings and recommendations of the months-long Joint Federal-State Process that evaluated the feasibility of breaching the Lower Snake River Dams as a way of protecting endangered salmon and steelhead species. The recommendations emphasize that breaching of the Lower Snake River Dams is only feasible after state and federal officials have replaced or mitigated the benefits of the dams

The senator and governor’s recommendations include three key themes:

Status quo is not an option. Changing economic, energy and climate conditions require leaders to plan for changing circumstances in the Columbia Basin region during the coming decades.

Saving salmon and other iconic species in the Columbia Basin is imperative. The scientific review affirms that breaching these specific dams offers the greatest benefit to the salmon.

The impacts and benefits of breaching the dams are significant, but they can and must be mitigated or replaced. Until the energy and economic benefits of the dams are replaced or mitigated, breaching is not a feasible or responsible option.

“The question of whether to breach the Lower Snake River Dams is deeply personal to the many communities and Tribes engaged in this debate. The stakes are high and the debate often devolves into a binary choice to breach now to save the salmon or not breach and maintain the status quo. Neither of those options are responsible or feasible,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement. “The state and federal governments should implement a plan to replace the benefits of the Lower Snake River Dams to enable breaching to move forward.

“We must recognize that breaching the dams does in fact offer us the best chance at protecting endangered salmon and other iconic species that run through these waters. But the hydropower and economic benefits of the dams are significant, and breaching them before we have other systems in place to replace those benefits would be disastrous.

“Many of the actions required to mitigate and replace those benefits will require federal and congressional action. For our part, I’m committed to ensuring we find a way to replace the energy benefits and invite the community and Tribal leaders of the area to help us navigate the siting and planning challenges associated with building that infrastructure. This is work that is already required for us to comply with our Clean Energy Transformation Act. I will also continue working with state leaders on salmon recovery investments and policies so we can continue the urgent work of protecting our salmon today.

“In addition, I’ve been tremendously heartened in recent months by the Biden administration’s commitment to negotiate a regional salmon recovery strategy, the year-long stay that litigants have agreed to in the current lawsuit, and the historic investment opportunities presented by passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. These developments should give us all reason to be hopeful about planning our path forward.

“I appreciate the incredible work of the consultant team who compiled this report, and I thank everyone who offered comments and suggestions during this process. The hardest work is always in figuring out the details, and I hope that people continue to come together in good faith so we can achieve the mutually important goals of a thriving economy, adequate clean electricity supplies for the region, and healthy salmon runs that honor the Tribal treaties agreed to by the federal government decades ago.”

IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES.

Serve Washington receives $21.3 million in federal grants to support 1,490 AmeriCorps members statewide.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that Serve Washington, the state’s commission on national and community service, has been awarded $21.3 million in federal AmeriCorps funding that will help place 1,490 AmeriCorps members statewide.

Pest alert: Everett area residents asked to report sightings of oversized, striped-eyed grasshopper.

It is grasshopper season and, if you live near Everett, it is a good time to keep your eyes peeled for an unusually large grasshopper with unusual eyes.

AG Ferguson seeks to halt expansion of methane gas pipeline by company behind Keystone XL pipeline

Proposed expansion of the Gas Transmission Northwest pipeline will undermine west coast states’ plans to reduce its effects on climate change.

Local businesses invited to tap into global growth strategies at Sept. 8 exporting conference featuring expert trade panels.

Commerce awards over $1.8 million to improve energy efficiency in public buildings.

School districts, Department of Corrections and City of Renton will use funds to modernize facilities, capture energy use and cost savings

Ecology and Energy reach agreement to address Hanford’s leaking underground tanks.

RICHLAND – 

The Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Department of Energy have agreed on a plan for how to respond to two underground tanks that are leaking radioactive waste as well as any future tank leaks at the Hanford Site.

Salmon fishing off Westport (Marine Area 2) will switch to coho non-select beginning Aug. 27.

OLYMPIA – Salmon anglers at Westport (Marine Area 2) will be allowed to retain all coho beginning Aug. 27, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers announced today.

State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers.

Clallam County

In July 2022 the secretary of health suspended the agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional trainee licenses of Daniel Thomas Clemons (CG61163703, CO61198606). Clemons failed to cooperate with an investigation. Charges stated that Clemons told a minor client how attractive she was, and he failed to keep accurate records.

In July 2022 the Nursing Commission suspended the registered nurse license of Jamie Marie Lockhart (RN60383498). Lockhart did not respond to charges that she was working as a nurse while affected by controlled substances.

NEWS FROM OUR STATE DELEGATION TO DC.

Cantwell, Local Leaders Tout Potential Growth for High-Tech Manufacturing in Spokane Thanks to Recently-Passed CHIPS & Science Act

Cantwell: “We’re calling on Spokane. We’re calling on everybody to work together here to create the next innovations.”

SPOKANE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined leaders from Spokane’s biosciences and aerospace industries, higher education, and state government at precision manufacturer Altek, Inc. to tout the major investment opportunities coming to the Spokane area in the recently-passed $250 billion CHIPS & Science Act.

Senator Murray Hosts Roundtable in Kittitas County with Firefighters, Local Leaders on Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation.

WORLD HEADLINE NEWS.

Ukraine: Top UN aid official appeals for access across contact line.

Speaking from Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine, where shelling has intensified in the last week, the UN's top aid official in the country issued an urgent appeal on Friday for guarantees from Russia and affiliated forces, to allow humanitarians to deliver “absolutely necessary” relief items across the contact line. 

Chad: Unprecedented flooding affects more than 340,000 people.

Torrential rainfall has triggered unprecedented flooding in Chad, affecting more than 340,000 people living in 55,000 households – surpassing last year's figure of more than 250,000 impacted, according to a report released on Friday by the UN humanitarian coordination office, OCHA.

WMO: Greater Horn of Africa drought forecast to continue for fifth year.

As millions of people in the Greater Horn of Africa have already “suffered the longest drought in 40 years,” parts of the region are bracing for a fifth consecutive failed rainy season, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported.

UN independent expert proposes action plan to boost human rights in Cambodia.

An expert on the human rights situation in Cambodia has issued a 10-point agenda for the authorities which calls for opening up political space and paving the way for democratic reform. 

Guterres underlines need for peace as Ukraine marks six months of ‘senseless war’

The “senseless war” in Ukraine is now six months old, with no end in sight, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday, repeating his ongoing appeal for peace. 

Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at Chicago State University.

Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Tackling the Global Food Security Crisis at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Remembering the Loss of 13 American Heroes.

One year ago today, 13 American service members lost their lives in a terrorist attack on the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.  These American heroes were engaged in a selfless mission to undertake an unprecedented airlift, making the ultimate sacrifice while helping to successfully move nearly 124,000 people to safety and giving tens of thousands of Afghan families the opportunity to pursue the American dream. We honor their memory and mourn their loss.

NATIONAL & BUSINESS HEADLINES.

U.S. Should Not Surrender Clean Energy Technology to China, DOD Official Says.

China has made it very clear that clean energy technology also results in geostrategic power, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for environment and energy resilience said. 

Justice Department Announces $49.85 Million in Office on Violence Against Women Grants to Support Legal Services and Related Programs for Survivors.

Department Awards Over $29 Million to 10 States for Innovative, Equitable Approaches to Improve Student Learning.

CDC Investigation Notice Update: CDC Updates Number of People Ill in E. coli Outbreak with Unknown Source.

FDA Removes N95 Respirators from Medical Device Shortage List, Signaling Sufficient Supply.

HUD CLOSES RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION (RAD) CONVERSION TRANSACTION WITH FRANKLIN HOUSING AUTHORITY IN FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE TO BUILD 76 NEW CONSTRUCTION AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOMES

RAD transaction supports construction of new affordable rental homes at Cherokee Place property.

HUD RELEASES ALLOCATION STRATEGY AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW STABILITY VOUCHERS

Stability Vouchers Will Incentivize Public Housing Agencies to Partner with Communities to Address Unsheltered Homelessness and Homelessness in Rural Areas

DHS Issues Regulation to Preserve and Fortify DACA.

BUSINESS HEADLINES.

President and Treasurer of Super PAC Sentenced for Dark Money Scheme

The president and treasurer of a Super PAC was sentenced today to 14 months in prison for scheming to lie to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) about the true identities of donors.

USDA Announces Up to $550 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding for Projects Benefiting Underserved Producers and Minority Serving Institutions that Create Career Development Opportunities for Next Generation Leaders.

Treasury Announces Cyber Security Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Israel.

US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AWARDS $8M TO SUPPORT POLICY DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR EQUAL, INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of $8 million to support a four-year cooperative agreement with the National Disability Institute to operate a policy development center focused on employment for people with disabilities.

COVID tax relief: IRS provides broad-based penalty relief for certain 2019 and 2020 returns due to the pandemic; $1.2 billion in penalties being refunded to 1.6 million taxpayers.

Inflation Is Creating a ‘Perfect Storm’ of Challenges for Small Business Owners

Small business owners across the nation say the effects of inflation are hitting the service industry hard.

FTC Publishes New Strategic Plan, Performance Plan, and Performance Report.

Commerce Department Launches CHIPS.gov for CHIPS Program Implementation.

IN FOCUS!

AG Ferguson: Health care giant Centene to pay Washington $19 million for overcharging state Medicaid program in 2nd largest Medicaid fraud recovery in WA history.

https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-health-care-giant-centene-pay-washington-19-million-overcharging

Fortune 50 company allegedly overcharged for pharmacy benefit management services

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Health Care Authority announced today that managed health care giant Centene will pay $19 million to Washington state. The payment resolves allegations that the Fortune 50 company overcharged the state Medicaid program for pharmacy benefit management services. 

The resolution is the second-largest Medicaid fraud recovery for Washington state.

The Health Care Authority (HCA) contracts with managed care organizations like Coordinated Care of Washington, a Centene subsidiary, to manage its Medicaid program. Coordinated Care of Washington in turn contracts with pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, that negotiate prescription drug prices and other pharmacy related costs, including negotiating rebates and discounts on the cost of drugs.

The Attorney General’s Office and HCA’s Program Integrity Team began investigating pharmacy benefit managers in 2019 after a whistleblower provided information that they were failing to disclose true pharmacy benefits and services costs. Centene allegedly failed to pass on discounts it received to the state Medicaid program and inflated dispensing fees. The whistleblower later filed a separate claim against Centene.

The resolution was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Washington Attorney General’s Office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division and the Health Care Authority.

“Medicaid dollars are a precious resource meant to fund care for the most vulnerable among us,” Ferguson said. “My office works to ensure that these dollars go where they are intended — not toward fraud.”

“We commend the AG for their continued partnership in stewarding state resources,” said HCA Director Sue Birch. “Controlling health care expenditures, especially prescription drug costs, remains a top priority for HCA.”

Centene’s payment to Washington

As part of the resolution, Washington recovers a total of $18,999,999.80. Like all recoveries by the Medicaid Fraud Control Division, the amount goes back to the state through the state Medicaid Fraud Penalty Account.

As part of the resolution, an additional $13 million from Centene will be paid to the federal government for administration of Medicaid in Washington state. Ferguson’s resolution with Wyeth in 2016 is the only Medicaid fraud recovery larger than Centene.

Centene has resolved cases with 10 other states over the same conduct.

Senior Counsels Carrie Bashaw, Angela Coats-McCarthy and Bill Stephens, Principal Forensic Analyst David McDonald and Legal Assistant Kim Sobol handled this case for the Attorney General’s Office. HCA’s Program Integrity team has been integral in ensuring appropriate use of Washington State’s Apple Health (Medicaid) funds.

Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division

The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of health care provider fraud committed against the state’s Medicaid program. The Washington State Medicaid Fraud Control Division receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $8,196,720 for federal fiscal year FY 2022. The remaining 25%, totaling $2,732,240 for FY 2022, is funded by Washington state Medicaid fraud recoveries.

Since the implementation of the false claims act in 2012 through Oct. 31, 2021 MFCD recovered $166,392,717.18, of that $87,466,084.22 went to the state.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Division also investigates abuse and neglect of persons residing in residential facilities and in connection with the provision of Medicaid services.

Report suspected Medicaid fraud at 360-586-8888 or MFCUreferrals@atg.wa.gov.

You can also report provider fraud via the AGO website at www.atg.wa.gov/medicaid-fraud.

LOCAL MEETINGS.

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS.

Clallam County work session for 8/29/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1330

Clallam County Board meeting for 8/30/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7332

 

Weekly devotional

BIBLE VERSE:  Isaiah 26:3 (New King James Version)

 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

 

Weekly Bible Study 

 Jephthah's Daughter, by Jeff Hamilton

The story of Jephthah recorded in Judges 11:29-40 has caused difficulties for Bible students. Jephthah, by the Lord's leading, is about to wage a major battle against the Ammonites. Before going off to battle, Jephthah makes a vow to God.

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/JephthahsDaughter.htm

Free bible studies (WBS)

https://www.worldbibleschool.org/

Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)

http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/

(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)

  1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362

 The Chosen: About the life of Christ

https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen

 

The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley

Your donation is appreciated.

 This Week's Video:

 

Glenn: THESE news stories show America has ‘GONE INSANE’

123,005 views  Aug 25, 2022  While prepping his radio show, Glenn says he realized that something about today feels different: ‘It feels like the most important day of my life, of my career.’ In this clip, Glenn describes some of the most INSANE news stories from around the world — like Joe Biden giving MORE money to Ukraine, Spotify ignoring Joe Rogan, and farmers protesting in Europe — to show just how much our world is changing. And if America doesn’t end this insanity soon, we’re at risk of becoming one of the darkest nations in the world…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeyWGpz4KJg

HEADLINES FROM OTHER SOURCES:

New York Times Columnist Gets First Freedom Wrong.--Daily Signal

 

 US Returning to the Moon: Artemis I Set to Launch Monday.--WJ

CONFIRMED: FBI Colluded With Big Tech To Prevent Voters From Learning About Hunter Biden’s Laptop.--The Federalist

First locally acquired human case of tick-borne disease anaplasmosis hospitalizes Washington resident.

  

Link Source: https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/first-locally-acquired-human-case-tick-borne-disease-anaplasmosis-hospitalizes-washington-resident

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is reporting the first locally acquired human case of the tick-borne disease anaplasmosis in a Washington resident discovered on August 8. A Whatcom County man in his 80s was hospitalized with severe disease, and is now in recovery, after working in the brush in Mason County where he was likely bitten by an infected tick.   

Human cases of anaplasmosis have been identified in Washington before, though all previous cases involved travel outside of the state. Until now, only dogs have been diagnosed with locally acquired anaplasmosis in Washington. 

Anaplasmosis usually causes mild to moderate symptoms in people, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite. Symptoms typically begin 1 to 2 weeks after being bit by an infected tick. The disease is treatable with antibiotics. If treatment is delayed, or if a person has other pre-existing medical conditions, anaplasmosis can cause severe illness. 

In Washington, the disease is spread by the western blacklegged tick which are mainly found in the western part of the state as well as along the eastern slopes of the Cascades. Western blacklegged ticks infected with Anaplasma spp. bacteria, which causes the disease, have previously been found in Washington at very low levels.

“Not all tick bites will cause disease,” said Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases. “However, people across Washington are at risk for tick-borne illnesses and should take precautions to prevent tick bites.”

DOH recommends the following to protect people and pets against tick bites:

When possible, avoid wooded and brushy areas with tall grass and fallen leaves, which are where ticks typically live.

When in tick habitats, wear light-colored clothing and long-sleeved shirts and pants, so that ticks can be more easily spotted and to help prevent them from attaching to skin.

Apply EPA-registered insect repellants to clothing and skin, following label instructions.

Carefully check yourself, family members, and pets for ticks after being in potential tick habitats.

Shower soon after being outdoors to wash off any unattached ticks.

If ticks are found, promptly remove them with fine-tipped tweezers, then clean the area with antiseptic.

There is no vaccine to prevent anaplasmosis. Illness can only be prevented by avoiding tick bites.  People that have anaplasmosis symptoms after spending time in a tick-infested area should talk to their health care providers immediately for diagnosis and treatment.  Pet owners should also talk to a veterinarian about preventing ticks on pets.

IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES.

BIRD FLU DETECTED IN WALLA WALLA COUNTY, SELF-REPORTING FLOCK HEALTH IN SURVEILLANCE ZONES ENCOURAGED

OLYMPIA – Washington state domestic flocks had a nearly three-week break from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) until this past Friday. Walla Walla County joined the tally of backyard flocks on Aug. 12, bringing the total of domestic flocks statewide to 31.

AG Ferguson files civil rights lawsuit against mushroom producer Ostrom for discriminating against domestic farmworkers and women.

Facebook parent Meta seeks to gut Washington state campaign finance lawPrinter-friendly version.

OLYMPIA — Facebook parent Meta is attempting to eliminate a key provision of Washington’s campaign finance transparency law in a recent motion in the Attorney General’s case against the company. Instead of changing its practices to comply with Washington’s decades-old campaign finance law, Meta filed a summary judgment motion asking the court to strike down transparency requirements on commercial advertisers.

Commerce awards $3.3 million to support, restart community festivals and events.

Tourism relief grants go to 284 organizations to support small local events, festivals and civic celebrations in 36 counties

OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Washington Festivals and Events Association (WFEA) and ArtsWA, today announced 284 successful applicants in 36 of the state’s 39 counties to receive more than $3.3 million in pandemic relief and recovery grants. The funds will provide much-needed support to “legacy-level” events (those that have taken place for five or more years), festivals, civic and holiday celebrations, cultural and heritage events, music festivals, and street and arts fairs in communities with populations of 100,000 or less.

Unemployment rate falls to historic low in July; payroll employment continues to grow

OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy gained an estimated 6,600 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in July. Job growth was concentrated in the following industries: Leisure and hospitality, government, construction and information..

Federal grant moves Aberdeen levee project forward

Office of Chehalis Basin commits $17 million in state funds.

Commission to decide on land transaction, commercial ticketing application at August webinar

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide whether to move forward with a land transaction and rule making on regulations for dealers when submitting an electronic fish receiving ticket at a virtual meeting next week. 

GRANT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR MARINE PATROL VESSELS ACROSS WASHINGTON

Grant provides funding for marine patrol vessels across Washington

OLYMPIA – August 18, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Boating Program has announced funding recipients to receive just over $554,000 in federal grant dollars to improve patrol capacity on Washington waterways.

NEWS FROM OUR COGRESSIONAL DELECATION DC

Cantwell Hails Bothell Way Project Made Possible by $19M Federal Grant, The Largest in Bothell History

Cantwell: “This kind of capacity for buses, cars, and individuals and roadways will all connect this region.”

Cantwell Touts New Electric Lummi Island Ferry to Replace 60-Year-Old Boat Thanks to $25M Federal Grant

Cantwell: “[We’re] being better stewards of Mother Earth and solving some of our transportation and infrastructure problems at the same time.”

Senator Murray Discusses Supporting Servicemembers’ Transition to Civilian Life in Washington State.

Senator Murray Celebrates Grand Opening of a Seattle Indian Health Board Clinic in Pioneer Square.

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES.

UN chief to rich nations: ‘Open wallets’ and ‘hearts’ for developing countries to purchase Ukrainian grain.

Guterres: World Humanitarian Day salutes ‘the best of humanity’

WFP scales up support for millions who ‘cannot wait’ for food aid amid Horn of Africa drought.

WHO recommends two new lifesaving medicines to treat Ebola.

Facilitators Highlight Progress Over Last Two Days at Intergovernmental Conference to Draft First-Ever Oceans Biodiversity Treaty

The Intergovernmental Conference to draft a new maritime biodiversity treaty continued its fifth session today, with the facilitators of informal discussions on various elements updating on progress made over the last two days.

Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on World Humanitarian Day.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Interview with Dr. Tami Hultman of All Africa.

$775 Million in Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine--US STATE DEPT.

On the Occasion of World Humanitarian Day.

On World Humanitarian Day, we honor the humanitarian aid workers who have sacrificed so much to protect and assist the world’s most vulnerable populations.  

NATIONAL & BUSINESS HEADLINES.

Jamaican National Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Elderly Americans Through a Jamaica-Based Lottery Scam--DOJ

Acting Director Allison Randall of the Office on Violence Against Women Delivers Virtual Remarks at 2022 National Sexual Assault Conference.

Midcourse Defense, Guam, Hypersonics Lead Issues at Missile Defense Agency--DOD

U.S. Department of Education Terminates Federal Recognition of ACICS, Enhances Federal Aid Program Participation Requirements for ACICS-accredited Colleges.

CDC assisting Michigan and Ohio with E. coli O157 outbreak with unknown food source.

FDA Warns Manufacturer for Marketing Illegal Flavored Nicotine Gummies.

FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTS RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY “GREEN MORTGAGE INSURANCE PREMIUM” REDUCTIONS

Guidance issued today explains how lenders participating in FHA’s Section 232 Mortgage Insurance for Residential Care Facility program can obtain mortgage insurance premium reductions on mortgages for eligible “green” facilities.

HUD AWARDS $41 MILLION TO BOOST LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it will make available $41 million for local affordable housing and community development activities that benefit people with low-incomes. The funding is being awarded through HUD’s Capacity Building for Affordable Housing and Community Development program, also known as Section 4.

BUSINESS HEADLINES.

USDA Announces First Three Lenders for Heirs’ Property Relending Program.

Treasury Approves Four Additional State Plans to Support Underserved Entrepreneurs and Small Business Growth Through the State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Working Women in the Pandemic Era

Governor Michelle W. Bowman

At Arkansas Women's Commission Meeting, Russellville, Arkansas--THE FED

El Paso Property Management Company to Pay $107,000 to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

The Justice Department today announced that Integrity Asset Management LLC, a company that manages approximately 55 multi-family apartment properties in and around El Paso, Texas, has agreed to pay $107,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by charging unlawful fees to servicemembers who terminated their residential leases early and by denying other servicemembers’ requests to terminate their leases.--DOJ

IRS Appeals invites input on enhancing video conference options for taxpayers and tax professionals--IRS

IRS adds new information in traditional Chinese to help with tax authorizations, part of growing multilingual effort to support taxpayers and help tax pros, third-party designees--IRS

US DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, TREASURY ISSUE FINAL RULES TO CLARIFY FEDERAL PROCESS TO PROTECT AGAINST SURPRISE BILLING.

FTC undertakes inquiry into commercial surveillance practices and wants your insights.

IN FOCUS!

California County Organized Health System and Three Health Care Providers Agree to Pay $70.7 Million for Alleged False Claims to California’s Medicaid Program.

Source Link: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-county-organized-health-system-and-three-health-care-providers-agree-pay-707

Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission doing business as Gold Coast Health Plan (Gold Coast), a county organized health system (COHS) that contracts to arrange for the provision of health care services under California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) in Ventura County, California; Ventura County, which owns and operates Ventura County Medical Center, an integrated health care system that provides hospital, clinic, and specialty services; Dignity Health (Dignity), a not-for-profit hospital system that operates two acute care hospitals in Ventura County; and Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. (Clinicas), a non-profit health care organization located in Ventura County, have agreed to pay a total of $70.7 million pursuant to three separate settlements to resolve allegations that they violated the federal False Claims Act and the California False Claims Act by submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medi-Cal related to Medicaid Adult Expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Pursuant to the ACA, beginning in January 2014, Medi-Cal was expanded to cover the previously uninsured “Adult Expansion” population – adults between the ages of 19 and 64 without dependent children with annual incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level. The federal government fully funded the expansion coverage for the first three years of the program. Pursuant to contracts with California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), if a California COHS did not spend at least 85% of the funds it received for the Adult Expansion population on “allowed medical expenses,” the COHS was required to pay back to the state the difference between 85% and what it actually spent. California, in turn, was required to return that amount to the federal government.

The three settlements resolve allegations that Gold Coast, Ventura County, Dignity, and Clinicas knowingly submitted or caused the submission of false claims to Medi-Cal for “Additional Services” provided to Adult Expansion Medi-Cal members between Jan. 1, 2014, and May 31, 2015. The United States and California alleged that the payments were not “allowed medical expenses” under Gold Coast’s contract with DHCS; were pre-determined amounts that did not reflect the fair market value of any Additional Services provided; and/or the Additional Services were duplicative of services already required to be rendered. The United States and California further alleged that the payments were unlawful gifts of public funds in violation of Article IV, section 17 of the California Constitution.

As a result of the settlements, Gold Coast will pay $17.2 million to the United States; Ventura County will pay $29 million to the United States; Dignity will pay $10.8 million to the United States and $1.2 million to the State of California; and Clinicas will pay $11.25 million to the United States and $1.25 million to the State of California. 

“Federal health care funds are not intended to serve as a blank check,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Health systems and health care providers will be held accountable when they misuse such funds, including funds intended to support Medicaid expansion programs.”

“We will pursue every health plan and provider that prioritizes profits over patients,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie S. Christensen for the Central District of California. “The money at issue in this case was designated by the federal government to pay for services to treat Medicaid expansion patients, and it never should have been used to double-pay for services that already had been reimbursed or to pay for services that simply were never provided. Medicaid is a taxpayer-funded program that exists to help patients afford health care, and it never should be used to line the pockets of health care providers through fraudulent schemes.”

“Medicaid expansion programs were created to ensure access to coverage for those in need of health care services. Anyone who illegitimately diverts Medicaid funding for their own financial gain prevents valuable taxpayer dollars from being used for their intended purpose,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy DeFrancesca of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will not hesitate to investigate and pursue all forms of health care fraud.”

“Medi-Cal props up our communities by providing access to free or affordable health care services for millions of Californians and their families. Those who attempt to cheat the system are cheating our communities of essential care,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “I want to express my gratitude to the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles for their extensive efforts throughout the course of this investigation. The California Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable those who defraud the Medi-Cal program, and protect those it serves.”

Contemporaneous with the False Claims Act settlement, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agreed to release its right to exclude Gold Coast and Ventura in exchange for their agreements to enter into five-year Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs). The CIAs require, among other things, that Gold Coast and Ventura County each implement centralized risk assessment programs as part of their compliance programs and each hire an Independent Review Organization to complete annual reviews. Gold Coast’s annual reviews will focus on its calculation and reporting of medical loss ratio data under Medi-Cal, while Ventura County’s annual reviews will target hospital claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid, including claims submitted to Medicaid managed care organizations.

The civil settlements include the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Atul Maithel, Gold Coast’s former controller, and Andre Galvan, Gold Coast’s former director of member services. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The whistleblowers also alleged claims under the California False Claims Act. The qui tam case is captioned United States, et al. ex rel. Maithel, et al. v. Ventura Co. Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission d/b/a Gold Coast Health Plan, et al., No. 15-7760AB TJH (JEMx) (C.D. Cal.). 

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the California Department of Justice, with assistance from HHS-OIG and DHCS.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

Trial Attorneys Alison Rousseau and Mary Beth Hickcox-Howard of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack D. Ross for the Central District of California handled this case.

LOCAL MEETINGS.

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:

Clallam County work session for 8/22/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1329

Clallam County Board meeting for 8/23/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7331

Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting 8/23/22

https://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08232022-618

City of Forks Council meeting for 8/22/22

  https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Agenda-20220822.pdf

Clallam County PUD for 8/22/22

https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/8-22-22-WEB-Packet.pdf

Special Board Meeting on Monday, August 22, 2022

There will be a quorum of the PASD Board of Directors attending a Special Board Meeting on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Center in room 208.

This Special Board Meeting (Executive Session) is to consider the position to be taken in collective bargaining in Executive Session. This meeting is open to the public, and no action will be taken.

JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:

Jefferson County Commission meeting for 8/22/22

https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/6989cfd7-f6bf-4b49-a4e1-bbaf77d018c1

Weekly devotional

BIBLE VERSE:  Psalm 16:8 (New King James Version)

I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

 

Weekly Bible Study 

It's Greek To Me, by Roger Blackwelder

Some questions were raised recently about the value of having a knowledge of New Testament Greek.  Some have used arguments based on the translations of words to authorize immorality that the Bible clearly condemns.

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/ItsGreekToMe.html

Free bible studies (WBS)

https://www.worldbibleschool.org/

Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)

http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/

(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)

  1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362

 The Chosen: About the life of Christ

https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen

 

The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley

Your donation is appreciated.

 This Week's Video:

 Are China & Russia WARNING us that the dollar may COLLAPSE?

60,339 views  Aug 19, 2022  The strength of the U.S. dollar is in incredible danger, especially as more countries around the world take BIG moves to distance themselves from relying on it. In fact, a new alliance of nations — which includes both China and Russia and which calls itself the ‘Axis of Good’ — even is WARNING America of their plans. In this clip, Glenn describes their 75 point plan that President Xi encouraged Westerners to read. If this leads to a COLLAPSE of the U.S. dollar, today’s inflation would become much, much worse. Russia and China are warning us of what’s on the horizon, so where is our U.S. leadership? Prepare for impact, Glenn says…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUEF5LMWMm4

HEADLINES FROM OTHER SOURCES:

Biden’s disgraceful withdrawal from Afghanistan

Weakness led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members--WT

America is experiencing a self-censorship epidemic, study reveals--WE

A Surprise Turn in the Trump Search-Warrant Case--NR

AG Ferguson: Providence’s collection agencies broke the law while collecting medical debts.

  

Link Source: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-providence-s-collection-agencies-broke-law-while-collecting-medical

Harris & Harris and Optimum Outcomes illegally failed to notify tens of thousands of patients of the availability of charity care

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that he expanded his lawsuit against 14 Providence-affiliated hospitals, including five Swedish hospitals, by adding two collection agencies that worked for the hospitals. The Attorney General’s underlying consumer protection lawsuit stems from Providence’s charity care and collections practices impacting tens of thousands of patients and hundreds of millions of dollars in medical debt.

When sending a first collection notice, collection agencies must include written notice that an individual may be eligible for charity care. Acting as Providence’s agents, Harris & Harris and Optimum Outcomes illegally failed to inform patients about the availability of charity care discounts before aggressively collecting on their medical debt. These collection agencies also illegally failed to inform patient of their right to request certain information about their debt.

The amended lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, asserts Harris & Harris, and Optimum Outcomes, violated the Washington state Collection Agency Act and Consumer Protection Act.

Washington’s charity care law protects Washingtonians from out-of-pocket hospital costs. The protections apply to both insured and uninsured patients. It requires all hospitals — for-profit and non-profit, public and private — to forgive some or all of the out-of-pocket cost of essential health care for patients who qualify. Thanks to legislation Ferguson requested, which took effect July 1, all Washingtonians within 300 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for financial assistance, with discounts up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level for the vast majority of Washington hospital beds.

“Families live in fear that an unexpected medical emergency could result in crushing medical debt,” Ferguson said. “Collection agencies cannot deceive Washingtonians about their legal right to access medical financial assistance. I fought to expand our charity care law so more individuals can have access to affordable health care — I am going to fight to ensure those laws are honored.”

If you paid for medical services or are in collections for a medical bill from a Providence or Swedish hospital or Kadlec Regional Medical Center, and believe you may be eligible for charity care, contact Attorney General’s Office Investigator Bau Vang at 206-516-2989 or by email at bau.vang@atg.wa.gov.

Debt collectors violated the law while collecting on more than $470 million in medical debt

Ferguson added the collection agencies to the lawsuit when the Attorney General’s Office received consumer complaints that demonstrated the debt collectors failed to include the required charity care disclosures.    

Both collection agencies entered into a contract with Providence in September 2019. The agreement allowed them to collect hospital debts on Providence’s behalf and act as its agents.

When sending a first collection notice, collection agencies must include:

Written notice that an individual may be eligible for charity care;

Contact information for the hospital; and

Notice that the patient has the right to request the hospital account number assigned to the debt, date of last payment, and an itemized statement stating whether the patient was found eligible for charity care, and, if so, the amount due after all charity care has been applied.

Harris & Harris and Optimum Outcomes illegally failed to include this information in its initial collection letters.

In its agreement with Optimum Outcomes, Providence directed Optimum Outcomes to provide information to debtors about charity care only if patients asked for that information, which violates the requirement that debt collectors notify all debtors of the availability of charity care in their initial collection notice.

The Attorney General’s Office estimates that Providence referred more than 54,000 accounts of low-income patients to debt collection agencies, including Optimum and Harris & Harris. These accounts had more than $470 million in medical debt outstanding.

The underlying lawsuit against Providence

In February, Ferguson filed the consumer protection lawsuit against five Swedish hospitals and nine Providence-affiliated facilities. These hospitals are located around the state, from Seattle to Spokane, Walla Walla to Everett. In their communities, many of the hospitals are either the largest, or the only hospital in their area. Swedish’s location at First Hill is the largest hospital in the state with over 800 beds. Together, these hospitals reported more than $18 billion in patient service revenues in 2020.

Ferguson’s lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, asserts that these hospitals committed thousands of Consumer Protection Act violations, including:

Training employees to aggressively collect payment without regard for a patient’s eligibility for financial assistance, instructing them to use a specific script when communicating with patients that gives patients the impression that they are expected to pay for their care. Providence instructed employees: “don’t accept the first no.”

Failing to notify patients they were eligible for charity care financial assistance when the providers determined they qualified for assistance.

This is the third major lawsuit Ferguson has filed related to charity care. Ferguson launched the investigation after receiving complaints about Swedish’s charity care practices.

The lawsuit seeks restitution in the form of full write-off of medical debts, and refunds, plus interest, for patients who did not receive financial assistance. In addition to the $70 million in debt relief and refunds, Ferguson is also seeking millions of dollars in civil penalties. The total number of Consumer Protection Act violations will be determined as the case progresses.

Assistant attorneys general Audrey Udashen, Will O’Connor, Aileen Tsao, Matthew Geyman, and Michael Bradley, investigators Matthew Befort and Bau Vang, paralegal Jen Killoren and legal assistant Josh Bennett are handling the case for Washington.

Previous AGO enforcement of Washington’s charity care law

Ferguson filed lawsuits against two other Washington hospitals for violating Washington’s Consumer Protection Act by preventing low-income patients from accessing charity care. 

As the result of a 2017 lawsuit, CHI Franciscan provided $41 million in debt relief and $1.8 million in refunds, in addition to rehabilitating the credit of thousands of patients who were not offered charity care when they were eligible at eight of its hospitals in Washington. CHI Franciscan also paid $2.46 million to the Attorney General’s Office to cover the costs of the investigation and enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act.

Ferguson also sued Capital Medical Center in Olympia the same year over its charity care practices. To resolve the lawsuit, Capital provided at least $250,000 in refunds and more than $131,000 in debt relief. In addition, Capital paid $1.2 million to the Attorney General’s Office.

Expanding charity care law and access

Starting in July, four million Washingtonians are qualified for free or discounted care at hospitals across Washington as a result of legislation that Ferguson requested.

The legislation requires large hospital systems to provide more financial assistance. Beginning July 1, approximately half of all Washingtonians will be eligible for free or reduced-cost care at hospitals that represent approximately 80 percent of the licensed beds in the state.

Ferguson worked with prime sponsor Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, and Reps. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, and Nicole Macri, D-Seattle, on HB 1616 to strengthen Washington’s charity care law. Ferguson’s Attorney General request legislation expands charity care eligibility to more than one million Washingtonians, and guarantees free hospital care to an additional million Washingtonians who are currently eligible for discounted care.

Ferguson also hosted a tele-town hall on the law in late June and will host further events in the coming months.

IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:

Commerce offers up to $5 million to non-profit organizations assisting underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Eleven agencies and organizations call on Pres. Biden to increase Hanford funding.

RICHLAND – 

The states of Washington and Oregon, and a coalition of organizations, joined together to send a letter to President Joe Biden Tuesday calling for increased funding at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.--DOE

Fecal Matters: Lions Field Park is open for water recreation, Kitsap County--DOE

East Elliott Bay salmon fishing to reopen for additional days.

OLYMPIA – East Elliott Bay will reopen for salmon fishing from Friday, Aug. 12 until noon on Monday, Aug. 15, after Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers determined the Chinook return is large enough to support additional days of fishing.

Busy Potholes Reservoir water access area to close temporarily for safety and site improvements.

SPOKANE – The popular Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)-managed Glen Williams Access Area on the Potholes Reservoir in Grant County will close for construction from Aug. 15 until Dec.15, 2022.

State disciplines health care providers.

Clallam County

In July 2022 the Dental Commission ended probation on the dentist license of Abel Luis Riojas (DE00010763).--DOH

Get answers to your questions about Monkeypox virus (MPV): Call 1-833-829-HELP.

Washington 211 call takers can provide information and answer questions on MPV; assistance is available in 240 languages--DOH

Department of Health releases updated COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools & child care.

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has released its updated COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools and child care. The guidance takes lessons learned from the first two and a half years of the pandemic, and outlines both required and recommended measures for the 2022-23 school year to help reduce COVID-19 transmission in school and child care settings. Schools, child care providers, and families can expect limited changes focused on clarifying and simplifying the guidance. --DOH

FROM OUR CONGRESSINAL DELEGATION TO DC:

ENERGY SECRETARY JOINS KILMER AT PNNL IN SEQUIM

Sequim, WA – On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and U.S. Department of Energy Undersecretary for Science & Innovation Geri Richmond joined U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) for a visit to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory-Sequim (PNNL-Sequim). The PNNL-Sequim campus, which houses the only marine research facilities in the Department of Energy (DOE) complex, conducts marine-based research that is focused on helping the nation achieve sustainable energy, a sustaining environment, and coastal security. It was the first time that a U.S. Energy Secretary or Undersecretary visited the facility.

KILMER INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO HELP VETERANS ATTAIN HOMEOWNERSHIP

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and Marc Veasey (TX-33) announced that they have introduced bipartisan legislation to help ensure veterans have the tools and resources they need to access home loans and attain homeownership.

Cantwell, DOE Secretary Granholm Tour PNNL and Tout Advancements in Domestic Tech

Cantwell: “We want our competitive edge… right here in the United States”

Washington To Get Nearly $100 Million in Infrastructure Investments Through RAISE Grants

Cantwell, Murray announce key federal infrastructure funding coming to Washington state.

Senator Murray Applauds President Biden Signing the Honoring Our PACT Act into Law.

Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement on President Biden’s signing of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act (PACT Act) into law. Before this legislation was signed, VA denied more than 70 percent of disability claims related to burn pit exposure because of veterans’ inability to prove their illnesses or cancers are linked to exposure to burn pits. The PACT Act would, among other things, expand the toxic-exposure coverage for post-9/11 veterans and create a framework for coverage going forward.

Washington To Get Nearly $100 Million in Infrastructure Investments Through RAISE Grants.

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Commerce, Science, and Technology Committee, announced nearly $100 million in Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant funding for Washington state. RAISE grants, which were originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as TIGER grants, can be used for a wide variety of infrastructure projects with local or regional impact.

 WORLD NEWS HEADLINES.

UN chief’s Youth Day message: People of all ages need to ‘join forces’ for a better world

International Youth Day celebrates “the power of partnerships across generations,” the UN chief said in his message for the day.

United States: Concrete actions needed to ‘lay the scourge of racism to rest’ – UN expert.

UN-appointed independent human rights experts commended the United States on Friday for adopting the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, but asked about measures being taken to address gun violence in the country.

Vessel to collect first humanitarian wheat shipment under Ukraine grain deal.

A UN-chartered vessel should soon arrive at the Ukrainian port of Yuzhny, also known as Pivdennyi, to collect wheat that will help feed millions of hungry people in the Horn of Africa, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Friday.

Bangladesh and Cambodia slated for official UN human rights visits.

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, announced on Friday that the High Commissioner will travel over the weekend to Bangladesh.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Interview with Laura Trevelyan of BBC World News--USUN

Remarks by Under Secretary of State Bonnie D. Jenkins at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.

Remarks at a UN Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting on Penholdership.

Designation of Paraguayan Vice President Hugo Velazquez and Yacyretá Bi-National Entity Legal Counsel Juan Carlos Duarte for Involvement in Significant Corruption--US STATE DEPT.

NATIONAL  & BUSINESS NEWS HEADLINES.

FACT SHEET: U.S. STRATEGY TOWARD SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA--WH

Ukrainian Forces Make Some Gains in North, South

Justice Department Closes Review after the South Dakota Unified Judicial System Improves Access for People with Limited English Proficiency.

Former Twitter Employee Found Guilty of Acting as an Agent of a Foreign Government and Unlawfully Sharing Twitter User Information

Federal Jury Finds Former Twitter Middle East Media Partnerships Employee Guilty of Fraud, Conspiracy, Obstruction, and Foreign Agent Charges for Bribe Scheme to Access, Monitor, and Convey User Information on Behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its Royal Family--DOJ

During ‘Raise the B.A.R.’ Summit, Education Department Announces College Completion Fund Competition to Support Postsecondary Student Success

Department also extends its Project Success Initiative to help improve student outcomes at institutions of higher education.

CDC streamlines COVID-19 guidance to help the public better protect themselves and understand their risk.

Monkeypox Update: FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of JYNNEOS Vaccine to Increase Vaccine Supply.

HUD ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR CAPACITY BUILDING IN RURAL AMERICA

Rural Capacity Building grants help non-profits build capacity to create affordable housing and stimulate community development in rural areas.

BUSINESS HEADLINES.

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Passage of Inflation Reduction Act-USDA

Three Nigerian Nationals Extradited to the United States from the United Kingdom for Participating in Business Email Compromise Fraud Schemes

Three Nigerian citizens were extradited from the United Kingdom (UK) and arrived in the United States in relation to their alleged participation in multimillion-dollar cyber-enabled business email compromise (BEC) fraud schemes in the Western District of North Carolina, Southern District of Texas and Eastern District of Virginia. The scams allegedly perpetrated by the defendants and their co-conspirators targeted unsuspecting victims including universities in North Carolina, Texas and Virginia, and attempted to cause more than $5 million in losses.--DOJ

Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen Sends Letter to IRS Commissioner in Support of Funding for IRS to Improve Taxpayer Service & Combat Evasion By High Income Earners and Corporations--DEPT. of TREASURY

Fighting Inflation in Challenging Times

Governor Michelle W. Bowman

At the 2022 CEO & Senior Management Summit sponsored by the Kansas Bankers Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado--THE FED

New school year reminder to educators; maximum educator expense deduction rises to $300 in 2022.

COURT REQUIRES PITTSBURGH HOME CARE AGENCY TO PAY $1.4M IN BACK WAGES, DAMAGES, TO 218 WORKERS AFTER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION FINDS OVERTIME VIOLATIONS.

An Open Letter to the U.S. Business Community: How We Measure Success--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Only scammers demand utility payments in cryptocurrency--FTC

 

IN FOCUS!

Federal Trade Commission Returns More Than $9.7 Million To Consumers Harmed by LendingClub’s Deceptive Hidden Fees.

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/08/federal-trade-commission-returns-more-97-million-consumers-harmed-lendingclubs-deceptive-hidden-fees

The Federal Trade Commission is sending payments totaling more than $9.7 million to 61,990 consumers who were charged hidden fees by LendingClub Corporation.

These payments are the result of a claims process conducted by the FTC in February 2022. It is the second distribution of funds in this matter and brings the total amount refunded to consumers to more than $17.6 million.

Consumers who chose to receive a PayPal payment will have 30 days to accept it. Consumers who chose to receive a check will have 90 days to cash it. Recipients who have questions about their refund should call the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc., at 833-630-1417. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.

The FTC sued LendingClub in April 2018, charging that the company falsely promised loan applicants that they would receive a specific loan amount with “no hidden fees,” when in reality the company deducted hundreds or even thousands of dollars in hidden up-front fees from the loans. The FTC also alleged that LendingClub told consumers they were approved for loans when they were not—which delayed applicants from seeking loans elsewhere—and took money from consumers’ bank accounts without authorization. LendingClub agreed to a settlement in July 2021 that bars them from making misrepresentations to loan applicants and requires that the company clearly and conspicuously disclose the amount of any fees and the total amount of funds that borrowers will receive.

The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of Commission refunds. In 2021, Commission actions led to more than $472 million in refunds to consumers across the country, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the Commission lacks authority under Section 13(b) to seek monetary relief in federal court going forward. The Commission has urged Congress to restore the Commission’s ability to get money back for consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

LOCAL MEETINGS.

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS.

Clallam County Commission Work session 8/ 15/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1328

Clallam County Commission board meeting 8/16/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7330

Housing Authority board meeting for 8/17/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=clallam_62fb00c0a6b057653f65217673239306.pdf&view=1

City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 8/16/22

https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/11960/CC-Agenda-Packet-08162022

OMC BOARD MEETING FOR 8/17/22

https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/AGENDA-August-17-2022.pdf

JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS.

Jefferson County Commission Meeting for 8/15/22

https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/a57ec896-6e38-4b58-bb6e-34105e7dec4c

City of Port Townsend meeting for 8/15/22

https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1707

Weekly devotional

BIBLE VERSE: Ephesians 2:10 (New King James Version)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

Weekly Bible Study 

Is the Condemnation of Homosexuality Universally Immoral? by Doy Moyer

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/IsTheCondemnationOfHomosexualityUniversallyImmoral.html

Free bible studies (WBS)

https://www.worldbibleschool.org/

Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)

http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/

(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)

  1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362

 The Chosen: About the life of Christ

https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen

 

The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley

Your donation is appreciated.

 This Week's Video:

 Trump raid details hint it’s ‘NOT LOOKING GOOD’ for the FBI

330,827 views  Aug 11, 2022  New, alleged details about the raid of Donald Trump's home at Mar-a-Lago hint it's 'not looking good for the FBI,' Glenn says. For example, did agents truly refuse to give Trump's lawyer a copy of the warrant upon arriving at the home? Did they have the proper authority to break into the former president's safe? And where exactly does US Attorney General Merrick Garland stand on it all? While SEVERAL questions remain, one thing is certain: There doesn't seem to be another person in American history who has gone through THIS many investigations — that result in no charges — than Donald Trump...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZNM5Iiu0EU

 

HEADLINES FROM OTHER SOURCES:

 Column: Liz Cheney, the GOP's Joan of Arc?--NEWS BUSTERS

Left Wishes American Citizens Would Just Disappear--NEWS MAX

Trump Attorney: 'This Is What the Democrats Do...Create Fear'--CNSNEWS