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Vallante: Legal issues loom over health care staffing apps

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

As the Associate Administrator of the federal Small Business Administration, I learned about the challenges facing entrepreneurs. Among the most pressing concerns were liability and lawsuits. The emergence of the health care apps and the resulting issue of worker misclassification will make those problems worse for many small businesses.Small businesses are the backbone of the United States economy but their limited resources makes them more vulnerable to legal entanglements. The costs associated with legal battles can be overwhelming, potentially closing the business altogether.Health care apps revolutionized how individuals manage their medical needs. Venture capitalists poured hundreds of millions of dollars into a new health care gig economy — health care staffing apps.Health care staffing apps match workers to opportunities. Health care workers upload their certifications, educational information, and areas of expertise, while health care facilities post staffing needs. Workers...

Moore: GOP must be the party of small business

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

A recent Wall Street Journal lead story reported that “Republicans and big business broke up.” The amount of corporate donations to Republicans was cut sharply in the last election cycle to a lower amount than in nearly a decade. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has backed many Democrats running for Congress in close and competitive races, which puts the GOP slim majority in jeopardy.The writing is on the wall: Corporate America is increasingly aligning itself with liberal Democrats, not Republicans.Some of this shift in corporate allegiances is due to some bad decisions by Republicans. The GOP has shortsightedly pursued a “break up Big Tech” campaign, and the party’s slide toward tariffs and away from free trade, one of the pillars of prosperity, is worrisome to any free marketeer. We should have free trade with countries, unless they are like China, threats to American security.The real question is whether the GOP should want or even need support from the...

Marchand: Postal Service fails to protect workers from rising crime

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

Recently, mail delivery has proven a risky endeavor. In early June, New York Post contributor Allie Griffin reported that a “pair of masked muggers violently attacked and robbed a New Jersey postal worker on just his second day on the job.”Two weeks before, two mail carriers were robbed in Portsmouth, Virginia.These are not isolated incidents.  In fact, there were an astounding 500 mail robberies in 2022, and there’s little indication that security is improving. Yet, the U.S. Postal Service refuses to allow the postal police force to conduct patrols and protect mail carriers, instead sequestering them around agency buildings. Postal leadership must protect its workforce and ensure a safe, secure mail system.Amid soaring postal theft, lawmakers have vented their frustration to postal leadership that mail carriers don’t have anyone watching their backs. During a May House Oversight and Accountability subcommittee hearing, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, asked Postmaster General Louis D...

Sweet/tart blueberries stars of luscious parfait

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

There are so many reasons to include blueberries in recipes. Not only are they plentiful in supermarkets and at fruit stands, blueberries often perfectly balance the sweet with the tart in flavor. These little berries also are one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits you can find, plus they are very high in fiber. That makes eating blueberries – whether they’re nestled in pancakes or served atop a slice of cheesecake – a little less indulgent.“Honey-Laced Blueberry Parfaits” can be enjoyed any time of day. Made with tasty layers of blueberries, yogurt and angel food cake, these parfaits are light, flavorful and refreshing. To tailor them for patriotic celebrations, add a few red berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, to embrace a red, white and blue theme. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Cooking Light¨ Fresh Food Superfast” (Oxmoor House) by The Cooking Light Editors.TAG GOES HEREHoney-Laced Blueberry ParfaitsINGREDIENTS1 6-ounce carto...

Fresh berries add taste of summer to salads

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

I love this time of year when there’s a plentiful display of colorful berries. I decided to create a summer salad dinner, adding them to cooked turkey strips.Here are a few tips on selecting and using berries. Strawberries don’t ripen off the vine. Look for bright red ones when buying them. The sweetest raspberries are the darker red ones. Although you won’t be able to tell until you get them home, blueberries should be firm to touch. Look to make sure there is no mold on the berries. They should be washed just before using them.Helpful Hints:You can use any type of berries can be used.You can use any type of salad greens can be used.If cooked turkey breast isn’t available in the meat case, use cooked turkey breast from the deli.TAG GOES HERESummer Berry and Turkey SaladINGREDIENTS4 cups washed-ready-to-eat salad greens3/4 pound cooked turkey breast1/2 cucumber washed, skin on, cut into 1-inch cubes (1 cup)1 cup sliced celery1 cup fresh strawberries cut in half1 cup fresh blueberrie...

Fire up the grill – for pizza

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

Grilling can and should be a year-round endeavor. But summer seems to be when we up the ante, becoming self-proclaimed barbecue masters seemingly overnight. We get saucy with new marinades and rubs, boost burgers by experimenting with different meats and accompaniments, and work in our farmers market finds, putting everything from berries and stone fruits to vegetables and cheese over hot coals.This vegetable-heavy pizza recipe uses a pizza pan on the grill. A pizza stone also works great, and we’ve also cooked pizzas (with pre-baked crusts) right on the grates. From “The BBQ Companion” by Oscar Smith (Smith Street, 2023; $24.95), a handy 50-recipe deck that covers everything from seafoods to sides with vegan options, too.TAG GOES HEREBarbecued Mediterranean Pizza with Basil Oil and RicottaINGREDIENTSFor the basil oil:1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil1/2 c. basil leaves2 cloves garlic, thinly slicedFor the pizza:2 zucchini, cut diagonally into 1/2-in. slices1 yellow be...

Editorial: Equal justice for Hunter Biden – that’s rich

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

Must be nice.The perks of being a fortunate son were on full display when it was announced Tuesday that President Biden’s son Hunter will plead guilty to federal tax offenses but avoid prosecution on a separate gun charge in a deal with the Justice Department that likely spares him time behind bars.As the Associated Press reported, Hunter Biden, 52, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement made public Tuesday.The agreement will also avoid prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions set by prosecutors. It’s somewhat unusual to resolve a federal criminal case at the same time charges are filed in court but not unheard of.True, this sort of deal isn’t unheard of, but it’s not often heard in connection with ordinary people.Hunter Biden is in violation of 18 USC § 922(g) & (n). under the Federal Firearms Laws. According to the Justice Dept., that can carry a pen...

Dear Abby: Husband’s female friend gets a bit too ‘hands-on’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

Dear Abby: I need advice regarding my husband’s friend and how I should handle a delicate situation. My husband has a woman friend. (She has a boyfriend.) They recently helped us move, which we really appreciate. She likes to make sexual jokes, and my husband does, too. I’m not a prude, but I don’t enjoy the kind of flirty vibe she puts out.When they were helping us move, we went out for meals. She and I had privately shared that my husband and her boyfriend would sometimes forget to zip up after using the bathroom. Well, while we were walking to the car, she zipped up my husband’s zipper for him! I laughed it off, but it kind of caught me off guard. Later, my husband told me he thought it was weird, and so do I.Should I tell her it was crossing a line? She seems pretty clueless, but I don’t want it to happen again. — Awkward in the WestDear Awkward: Your husband’s friend appears to have a difficult time understanding boundaries. Because it ...

Canadian aircraft has detected underwater noises in search for missing sub near Titanic

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

The US Coast Guard says a Canadian aircraft has detected underwater noises during search for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic.As a result of the noises detected by the Canadian P-3 aircraft, search efforts have been relocated. Those searches had not found anything, but are continuing.Rescuers have been racing against the clock because even under the best of circumstances the vessel could run out of oxygen by Thursday morning.In addition to an international array of ships and planes, an underwater robot had started searching in the vicinity of the Titanic and there was a push to get salvage equipment to the scene in case the sub is found.Three C-17 transport planes from the U.S. military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. John’s, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokesperson for U.S. Air Mobility Command said. The Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircra...

With Trump under indictment, House GOP calls on Trump-era special counsel who studied Russia probe

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:11 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Donald Trump faces a 37-count federal indictment and the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted, House Republicans are using a special counsel’s report to renew their argument that federal law enforcement is tainted by political bias. John Durham, who recently completed his report on the FBI’s investigation of Trump’s 2016 campaign, will testify Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. That’s one day after Durham met behind closed doors with members of the House Intelligence Committee. While Durham produced just three prosecutions — with two acquittals — in a four-year investigation, his report highlighted FBI agents withholding key information from judges and contended the bureau disregarded reasons not to investigate Trump’s campaign. Republicans who control the House say they’re still angry about the 2016 campaign probe, known as “Crossfire Hurricane,” and intend to push new curbs on the FBI in exchang...