Grumpy Editor

NOT ALL SURGERY CENTER DOCTORS ARE BOARD CERTIFIED: REPORT

 

Grumpy Editor notes a USA TODAY story that reveals more than one in three outpatient surgery centers employ doctors who are not board certified in their respective medical specialty.

 

The information comes from a survey by Washington, D.C.-based Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit that summarizes trends in safety and quality of care for same-day surgical services.

 

Leapfrog Group also reports nearly 30 percent of those that provide anesthesia at doctor-owned centers are not board certified. 

 

Nonprofit Leapfrog Group polled more than 1,400 hospital and ambulatory surgery centers to give the public information on the facilities that now perform the majority of U.S. surgical procedures.  Patients who undergo operations and other procedures at the centers are released the same day.

 

"Unlike hospitals that keep patients overnight and must report quality measures, comparatively little information is available to the public when evaluating same-day-surgery centers, points out the USA TODAY story.  It adds, "The centers handle more than 60 percent of all surgeries and procedures as doctors and specialists shift away from hospital operations, particularly for healthier individuals who don't required the level of monitoring a hospital provides.”

 

It quotes Leapfrog Group’s CEO Leah Binder:  "“Virtually nothing is known in a systematic way about the safety of these centers. When you go under the knife, you want the reassurance of an independent report on their safety. That’s why we did it.” 

 

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…

 

HALLOWEEN OUTLAYS MOUNT.  WalletHub projects Halloween spending reaching $8.8 billion this year, including $3.2 billion going to costumes and $2.6 billion to candy.  It finds 36 percent of parents think children 12 or 13 years old are old enough to trick-or-treat alone.

 

SAILORS ALLOWED TO WEAR FALSE EYELASHES.  Males in the Royal New Zealand Navy, starting Friday, will be allowed to wear discreet makeup, clear or pale nail varnish and "trimmed, neat and natural" false eyelashes when in uniform, under new gender-neutral guidelines. One pair of natural colored stud or sleeper earrings will also be allowed along with moderate amounts of perfume or cologne.

 

MILITARY CASUALTIES IN TRAINING EXERCISES.  It was a bad week for service members undergoing training exercises.  In Laurel, Mississippi, 32 paratroopers were injured, with 18 of them hospitalized, after jumping from a C-130 aircraft when the wind blew them into pine trees. At Fort Stewart in Georgia, an armored vehicle fell from a bridge in post-midnight darkness landing upside down in water, killing three of those inside and injuring three others.  

BLANK FRONT PAGES IN AUSSIE PROTEST.  Australia’s leading media outlets launch a co-ordinated campaign to protest restrictions on press freedom by blacking out texts on front pages.  It comes  amid mounting concerns over what government critics describe as a culture of secrecy, in which national security legislation has been deployed to deliberately target investigative journalism.

BANK HIRES EX-CRIMINALS.  New York-based JPMorgan Chase is expanding its efforts to hire people with criminal backgrounds, continuing the trend of big companies giving people second chances. The bank hired 2,100 people with criminal records in 2018, which equals about 10 percent of total hires last year.  Applicants with criminal records are being considered for entry-level jobs like account servicing and transaction processing.

BILL MAKES ANIMAL CRUELTY FEDERAL FELONY.  The U.S. House of Representatives passes a bill that would make animal cruelty a federal felony. The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act bans abusive behavior including crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling and other bodily injury toward any non-humans. Violators could face criminal penalties of a fine, a prison term of up to seven years, or both.

K-9s ASSIST IN MARIJUANA BUST.  Four Connecticut state police drug-sniffing dogs are credited with helping troopers collar two men on drug-trafficking charges by sniffing out 420 pounds of marijuana.

INSURERS NIX FIRE COVERAGE.  Insurance companies are raising premiums and refusing to renew fire coverage in existing policies to 350,000 Californians.

UNION PUSHES RAISES FOR FINANCIAL NEWS OUTLETS.  The union that represents business journalists at The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch.com and Barron’s asks the parent company for raises of at least 3.25 percent over the next three years.

GWEN IFILL ON POSTAGE STAMPS.  Pioneering journalist Gwen Ifill, who died three years ago, is being memorialized on a U.S. Postal Service Forever stamp, the 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage series. After being a reporter for  The New York Times and The Washington Post, Ifill switched to television in the 1990s and covered politics and Congress for NBC News. She moved to PBS in 1999 as host of "Washington Week" and also worked for the nightly "NewsHour" program.

 

USING B-WORD COULD LEAD TO JAIL TIME.  A bill introduced by a Massachusetts lawmaker seeks to make an expletive a fineable offense --- up to $200 --- with jail time, up to six months, a threat for repeat offenders. The word: b----, to accost, annoy, degrade another person "shall be considered a disorderly person."

ACTRESS'S 14-DAY PRISON TERM GETS WIDE COVERAGE

Is there super abundant coverage by news media with “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman going off to a federal prison — for 14 days? asks Grumpy Editor.

From national publications to local dailies, Huffman’s prison stint gets wide coverage and multiple inches of print space.  Much airtime on radio and TV news, too.

 

Over the weekend, the New York Post gets excited in reporting a photo shows Huffman in a green jumpsuit with her hair bundled under a white baseball cap as she walks between buildings on the grounds of the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, Calif.

 

Huffman was involved in a college admissions scandal that ensnared many other wealthy folks.

 

Compare the extensive Huffman coverage with most murderers who get three or four inches of print paragraphs.

 

Associated Press even includes her federal prison number in the lead of a story on the day she reported for prison.

 

A federal judge sentenced Huffman to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and a year’s probation after she pled guilty to fraud and conspiracy for paying an admissions consultant $15,000 to have a proctor correct her daughter’s SAT scores.

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE...

 

DEMOCRATIC DEBATE AUDIENCE DIPS.   Last week's fourth face-off between presidential hopefuls attracts the smallest audience for the 2020 cycle to date. The debate averaged 8.34 million viewers, below CNN's last debate coverage on July 30-31 and the smallest audience of the four Democratic debates thus far.

 

NEW NAME APPEARS WITH IWO JIMA HISTORIC PHOTO.  The Marine Corps acknowledges that for 74 years it misidentified one of the six fighting men who appeared in the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal showing the U.S. flag being raised over Iwo Jima.  Three historians, using film footage from atop Mount Suribachi and photos taken by others on the scene concludes that Cpl. Harold “Pie” Keller — not Pfc. Rene Gagnon — was one of the flag-raisers.

 

CHINA'S AIRCRAFT CARRIER WORK PROGRESSES.  High-resolution satellite images show construction of China’s first full-size aircraft carrier is progressing steadily alongside expansive infrastructure work that analysts say suggests the ship will be the first of several large vessels produced at Jiangnan shipyard outside Shanghai.

 

BUSY U.S. HOUSE SUPPORTS HONG KONG.  U.S. House takes time to pass three bills --- approved on separate voice votes --- designed to show support for pro-democracy protestors in far-off Hong Kong. 

 

WILDFIRE INSURERS DROPPING COVERAGE.  In fire-prone California, many residents can't afford wildfire insurance.  As the risk of wildfires intensifies in the Golden State, insurers are dropping coverage for many homeowners.

L. A. TIMES EDITORIAL STAFFERS UNIONIZE.  After more than a year of negotiations, the Los Angeles Times reaches a tentative agreement with the union that represents the bulk of its non-management employees.  The agreement covers 475 reporters, copy editors, photographers and others.  A ratification vote is expected by month's end.

MARINE VETERAN WALKS AROUND LAKE MICHIGAN.  Travis Snyder, a Michigan Marine veteran, raises awareness for veteran suicides after the loss of one of his brothers. He completes walking more than 800 miles in 42 days around Lake Michigan.

 

CALIFORNIA CHURCH WILL SEAT 3,000.   St. Charles Borromeo Church, under construction in Visalia, Calif., will seat over 3,000 when it opens in spring 2021, making it the largest seating capacity Catholic parish church in the United States. 

CALIFORNIA FACES INCREASED AIR POLLUTION WITH POWER SHUTDOWNS

With California utilities cutting power to more than two million people late last week, a new problem emerges with shutdowns --- increased air pollution, notes Grumpy Editor.

Generators used as backups by many businesses, hospitals and others, along with purchases by individuals to keep their lights on, kick up emissions that contribute to air pollution, a long-time major problem in the Golden State.

Such backups are powered by gasoline, diesel fuel, propane and natural gas.

Dr. Laki Tisopulos, executive officer of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, warns that with many portable generators kicking in, "All of a sudden you have many localized sources of pollution that are spewing carcinogens right where we breathe.  It can be next door to a school, a hospital."

Vehicles stalled in traffic also are cited with spewing discharges.

California's warm, sunny climate also helps to produce ozone, difficult to combat ever since smog first appeared.

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…

 

 

TRUMP COMMERCIALS NIXED.  CNN rejects two commercials submitted by President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, claiming they are not factual.

 

FREE ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR WRITERS. The fall 2019 issue of Writers Tricks of the Trade, a free online magazine, is unveiled today.  Produced by Las Vegas-based Morgan St. James, author of 17 books, the 52-page issue provides information and news of interest to freelance writers. View it at http://bit.ly/wttFALL2019 

 

TRADE WAR WOULD SMACK ECONOMIC GROWTH.  Business economists believe a trade war with China will contribute to a sharp slowdown in economic growth for the remaining weeks in 2019 and into 2020, leading to a possible recession starting late next year.

 

SHEPARD SMITH'S PARTING WORDS.  With Shepard Smith’s sudden departure from Fox News, he says, “Even in our currently polarized nation, it’s my hope that the facts will win the day, that the truth will always matter, that journalism and journalists will thrive.” 

 

JANE FONDA NABBED.  Actress Jane Fonda, along with 15 other persons in a climate change protest, is arrested for unlawfully demonstrating on the east front of the U.S. Capitol.

 

HEAVY AVOCADO MAKES GUINNESS.  Making the Guinness World Records is a Hawaiian family on Maui that produces the world’s heaviest avocado — 5.6 pounds. 

 

CALIFORNIA LAW BANS FUR ITEMS.  A California law going into effect in 2023 bans residents from selling or making clothing, shoes or handbags with fur.  The fur ban does not apply to used products.

 

JAPAN PAINTS ZEBRA STRIPES ON LIVESTOCK.  Scientists in Japan discover a way to reduce the need for using pesticides on livestock is by painting zebra-like stripes on them.  The routine significantly reduces attacks by biting flies.  

 

MSNBC, WASHINGTON POST BACK NOVEMBER DEBATE.  MSNBC and The Washington Post will co-host the fifth Democratic presidential primary debate during prime time Nov. 20 in Georgia. 

 

 

 

Such backups are powered by gasoline, diesel fuel, propane and natural gas.

Dr. Laki Tisopulos, executive officer of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, warns that with many portable generators kicking in, "All of a sudden you have many localized sources of pollution that are spewing carcinogens right where we breathe.  It can be next door to a school, a hospital."

Vehicles stalled in traffic also are cited with spewing discharges.

California's warm, sunny climate also helps to produce ozone, difficult to combat ever since smog first appeared.

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…

 

 

TRUMP COMMERCIALS NIXED.  CNN rejects two commercials submitted by President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, claiming they are not factual.

 

FREE ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR WRITERS. The fall 2019 issue of Writers Tricks of the Trade, a free online magazine, is unveiled today.  Produced by Las Vegas-based Morgan St. James, author of 17 books, the 52-page issue provides information and news of interest to freelance writers. View it at http://bit.ly/wttFALL2019 

 

TRADE WAR WOULD SMACK ECONOMIC GROWTH.  Business economists believe a trade war with China will contribute to a sharp slowdown in economic growth for the remaining weeks in 2019 and into 2020, leading to a possible recession starting late next year.

 

SHEPARD SMITH'S PARTING WORDS.  With Shepard Smith’s sudden departure from Fox News, he says, “Even in our currently polarized nation, it’s my hope that the facts will win the day, that the truth will always matter, that journalism and journalists will thrive.” 

 

JANE FONDA NABBED.  Actress Jane Fonda, along with 15 other persons in a climate change protest, is arrested for unlawfully demonstrating on the east front of the U.S. Capitol.

 

HEAVY AVOCADO MAKES GUINNESS.  Making the Guinness World Records is a Hawaiian family on Maui that produces the world’s heaviest avocado — 5.6 pounds. 

 

CALIFORNIA LAW BANS FUR ITEMS.  A California law going into effect in 2023 bans residents from selling or making clothing, shoes or handbags with fur.  The fur ban does not apply to used products.

 

JAPAN PAINTS ZEBRA STRIPES ON LIVESTOCK.  Scientists in Japan discover a way to reduce the need for using pesticides on livestock is by painting zebra-like stripes on them.  The routine significantly reduces attacks by biting flies.  

 

MSNBC, WASHINGTON POST BACK NOVEMBER DEBATE.  MSNBC and The Washington Post will co-host the fifth Democratic presidential primary debate during prime time Nov. 20 in Georgia. 

 

 

Such backups are powered by gasoline, diesel fuel, propane and natural gas.

Dr. Laki Tisopulos, executive officer of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, warns that with many portable generators kicking in, "All of a sudden you have many localized sources of pollution that are spewing carcinogens right where we breathe.  It can be next door to a school, a hospital."

Vehicles stalled in traffic also are cited with spewing discharges.

California's warm, sunny climate also helps to produce ozone, difficult to combat ever since smog first appeared.

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…

 

 

TRUMP COMMERCIALS NIXED.  CNN rejects two commercials submitted by President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, claiming they are not factual.

 

FREE ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR WRITERS. The fall 2019 issue of Writers Tricks of the Trade, a free online magazine, is unveiled today.  Produced by Las Vegas-based Morgan St. James, author of 17 books, the 52-page issue provides information and news of interest to freelance writers. View it at http://bit.ly/wttFALL2019 

 

TRADE WAR WOULD SMACK ECONOMIC GROWTH.  Business economists believe a trade war with China will contribute to a sharp slowdown in economic growth for the remaining weeks in 2019 and into 2020, leading to a possible recession starting late next year.

 

SHEPARD SMITH'S PARTING WORDS.  With Shepard Smith’s sudden departure from Fox News, he says, “Even in our currently polarized nation, it’s my hope that the facts will win the day, that the truth will always matter, that journalism and journalists will thrive.” 

 

JANE FONDA NABBED.  Actress Jane Fonda, along with 15 other persons in a climate change protest, is arrested for unlawfully demonstrating on the east front of the U.S. Capitol.

 

HEAVY AVOCADO MAKES GUINNESS.  Making the Guinness World Records is a Hawaiian family on Maui that produces the world’s heaviest avocado — 5.6 pounds. 

 

CALIFORNIA LAW BANS FUR ITEMS.  A California law going into effect in 2023 bans residents from selling or making clothing, shoes or handbags with fur.  The fur ban does not apply to used products.

 

JAPAN PAINTS ZEBRA STRIPES ON LIVESTOCK.  Scientists in Japan discover a way to reduce the need for using pesticides on livestock is by painting zebra-like stripes on them.  The routine significantly reduces attacks by biting flies.  

 

MSNBC, WASHINGTON POST BACK NOVEMBER DEBATE.  MSNBC and The Washington Post will co-host the fifth Democratic presidential primary debate during prime time Nov. 20 in Georgia. 

 

 

SCAMMERS BEHIND SOME APPEALING ONLINE ADVERTISEMENTS

 

 

Some appealing online advertisements are turning out to be routes to scammers, observes Grumpy Editor.

 

For them, it works out better than the long-used telephone calls and emails.

 

Official-looking websites along with fake consumer reviews, pitching everything from sports events to assorted products, are being run by aggressive scammers.

 

The findings are from a survey, based on interviews of 1,408 consumers conducted by the Better Business Bureau, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Stanford Center on Longevity.

 

The survey finds 91 percent of respondents say they failed to recognize fraudulent ads as scams and 53 percent eventually lost money.  Median loss was about $600.

 

The study finds the people are victims of “online purchase” scams stemming from direct seller-to-buyer sites.

 

Scammers pretend to purchase items, send sellers bogus checks, then seek refunds of "accidental" overpayments.

 

Other scammers, posing as sellers, never deliver the promised goods or send fake or inferior items.

 

Consumers last year filed 372,000 fraud complaints, representing a loss of $1.5 billion, with the Federal Trade Commission.

 

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…

 

 

U.S. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HITS HALF CENTURY LOW.   While Wall Street talks “slowdown” about every other day, triggering gyrations in the stock market, the U.S. unemployment rate drops to 3.5 percent in September, lowest since December, 1969.  Job growth, meanwhile, continues at a modest pace.

 

NEWSEUM BUILDING SET TO CLOSE AT YEAR END.  The Newseum, a Washington, D.C. museum dedicated to journalism, the First Amendment and a free press, closes on Dec. 31.  The Freedom Forum, the museum's primary funder and creator, says it can't afford to continue operating the building, which covers more than 400,000 square feet on coveted real estate near the National Mall. 

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED STAFF CUT.  Maven, now managing the 65-year-old Sports Illustrated magazine covering college and professional sports, plans to cut more than 40 jobs from a staff of 150.

ANOTHER FLYING FORTRESS GONE.  Nine-O-Nine, a vintage B-17 Flying Fortress that crashed last week in Connecticut killing seven of the 10 passengers and three crew members aboard, is among 13,000 of that model produced in the buildup to and during World War II.  The workhorse bombers helped the Allies win World War II. 

 

MOUSE SHAKES UP WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM.  White House press room attendees are startled when a mouse falls from the ceiling onto the lap of Peter Alexander, NBC News White House correspondent.  Reporters, producers and cameramen search the room, but the mouse remains on the loose.

TRUMP COMMERCIALS REJECTED BY CNN.  CNN rejects two campaign commercials from President Donald Trump’s campaign committee, claiming they weren’t factual.

PITTSBURG DAILY CUTS PRINT DAYS.  The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, with its first issue off the presses in July, 1786, now delivers print editions only on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, with electronic editions published on other days. 

JAPAN UPS TAXES ON GOODS, SERVICES.  Japan raises taxes on goods and services to 10 percent from 8 percent, hitting consumers who help sustain the country's economy.

CHINA BREEDS GIANT PIGS.  A farm in the southern region of China is breeding pigs that are as heavy as polar bears.  An 1,100-pound giant swine can fetch as much as $1,400. 

MAN SPENDS WEDDING DAY IN JAIL.  In Groveton, Texas, a man pulls off a bank robbery Friday in efforts to pay for his wedding the next day.  But he is nabbed and spends his wedding day behind bars.