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Idaho murder suspect Kohberger wearing suicide-prevention vest, police used crime scene DNA: sources

December 31, 2022 Published by

Latest & Breaking News on Fox News 

Bryan Kohberger is wearing a suicide-prevention vest while being held at the Monroe County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania following his arrest in conjunction with a quadruple homicide in Moscow, Idaho, Fox News confirmed Saturday with a law enforcement source.

Suicide vests are used to “ensure warmth and comfort” while not obstructing the wearer’s movements, according to PSP Corp, a suicide prevention company. 

The vests also cannot be rolled or torn and prevent inmates “from using the fabric to create a weapon or hanging mechanism.”

IDAHO MURDERS: SUSPECT BRYAN CHRISTOPHER KOHBERGER ARRESTED IN KILLINGS OF 4 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Kohberger, 28, was arrested Friday for the Nov. 13 murder of four University of Idaho students while at his parents’ home in eastern Pennsylvania.

Authorities used DNA to track him and his vehicle that was placed at the scene of the crime, a separate source told Fox News. 

He has been charged with four counts of murder and burglary for the alleged stabbing of Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Madison Mogen, 21.

Fox News confirmed through a police source that investigators have only been focused on Kohberger as their suspect “the last few days.”

Genetic genealogy work on DNA left at the scene of the crime was instrumental in leading them to Kohberger, Fox News was told. 

The Moscow police faced criticism for the time it took investigators to locate a suspect or persons of interest as questions remained unanswered for roughly a month and a half.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDERS TIMELINE: WHAT WE KNOW

The local police worked with the FBI and Idaho State Police throughout the investigation.

In an interview with Fox News Saturday, Moscow Police Chief James Fry described the process as a “puzzle.”

“We’re building the picture, and we’re putting those pieces to get that picture,” he said. 

Fry said the department “truly believe[s] we have the individual that committed these crimes.”

Kohberger’s connection to the victims – if any – remains unknown.

“That’s part of that investigation that we’re still putting pieces together,” he added. 

Kohberger was a Ph.D. student studying criminal justice at Washington State University in Pullman – roughly 15 miles from the victims’ shared rental home. 

 

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Disney Closing Legendary Roller Coaster for a Long Time

December 31, 2022 Published by

TheStreet 

The Paris version of the ride made a major theme change. Could the U.S. version follow?

Whenever a Disney ride closes, it creates speculation on what will happen to the ride. Will Disney just perform routine maintenance, or will it add to the theme or completely retheme the ride? Walt Disney himself knew before opening any theme park it would take constant updating.

Walt Disney World  (DIS) – Get Free Report in Orlando, Fla., is closing one of its rides for a lengthy time at its Hollywood Studios theme park. Disney World takes advantage of the least appealing weather during the winter and uses it as its ‘off season’ in January and February, meaning lots of rides will be scheduled to be down for periods of time. Hollywood Studios will permanently end these rides, Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple, Star Wars: Galactic Spectacular, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Disney will temporarily close Frozen Sing-Along Celebration in January, it should reopen by the end of January.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close Kali River Rapids starting on Jan 9 with the end date undetermined and ,it will permanently close and demolish Primeval Whirl. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be down for only a few days in January. Over in the Magic Kingdom, it is closing its iconic Splash Mountain on Jan. 2, 2023, and it will get a completely new theme.

Curtain Call on Disney Ride

Hollywood Studios is closing the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster that features legendary band Aerosmith that has been around for roughly half a century. 

Disney has said that the ride is just closed for routine maintenance and should reopen summer of 2023, according to BlogMickey.com. The ride originally opened to the public in 1999. There was a sister coaster in Disneyland Paris, which opened in 2002, closed in 2019 and was rethemed with the Avengers.

Since the Paris ride was rethemed, the speculation is high on whether or not the Hollywood Studios Florida ride meets the same fate. The retheme could be Star Wars or any number of Pixar films. Any retheme of the ride probably wouldn’t be Marvel since there is a deal between Universal Studios Florida and the MCU. So even if the Hollywood Studios Rock ‘n’ Roller coaster does get a makeover, it likely will not be the same as the one in Paris. 

When One Door Closes Another Opens

Disney will always be in the midst of changing its theme parks. Walt Disney knew in the very beginning that to stay relevant and new, the parks would always be refurbishing, retheming and reimagining the rides and attractions all over the park. 

When the news broke about the refurbishment of the Rock ‘N’ Roller ride via Twitter, fans began to pitch new themes and also said the ride definitely needs some work done. 

“It needs it, badly… great ride that is showing some aging scuffs…” – tweeted @GlenCarballo. 

“This lengthy refurbishment probably has more to do with the launch system than anything else. The Aerosmith contract ends in a few days, but Disney can still pay UMG to use the songs.” -tweeted Frank @kingdomadvntrs. 

While other tweets went on to suggest other new themes. It is clear, there are a mixed bag of feelings about the ride and its theme. With such a huge fanbase Disney always faces some sort of backlash for any change to its existing attractions, even after the attraction has truly outlived its purpose and audience. 

Splash Mountain being the perfect case, as Disney fans love the ride, but the outdated theme needs to be redone. The retheme will bring the “Princess and the Frog” to the outdated attraction. Whereas instead of having a profound negative connotation of “Song of the South,” it will showcase a “Princess and the Frog” character Tiana chasing her dreams and empower young women. This is the direction that audiences want to see Disney move towards. 

While many Disney fans will miss rides and attractions that bring that nostalgia back from their childhood, sometimes it is best to retheme.  Disney said it best in “Frozen,” “Let it Go.”

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Your ultimate guide to Hilton hotel brands

December 31, 2022 Published by

The Points Guy 

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, updated with new information.

Think hotels have too many brands? You’re not the only one.

It can be confusing to decipher distinct brand identities when individual hotel companies have so many. For instance, Marriott International ended up with 30 brands following its 2016 takeover of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Meanwhile, Paris-based Accor clocks in at more than 40 brands.

TPG will spend the next few months examining each of the major hotel companies and their many brands, starting today with Hilton. While Hilton might be Marriott’s chief rival in the hotel arena, it follows a different ethos when it comes to its brands.

For starters, Hilton’s brand line-up is a lot smaller, with only 18. The McLean, Virginia-based company also tends to favor organically launching hotel brands as opposed to acquiring them from existing companies. The Hilton brand spectrum also ranges from ultra-luxury — with its Waldorf Astoria collection — to the more affordably priced, extended-stay brand Homewood Suites. It even boasts a timeshare arm with Hilton Grand Vacations.

If you’re already confused, don’t fret. You’ve come to the right place for a crash course in Hilton brands.

Waldorf Astoria

HILTON

32 hotels and resorts located across 15 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “In landmark destinations around the world, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts reflect the culture and history of their extraordinary locations. With a fresh, modern expression of its rich, authentic legacy, Waldorf Astoria provides guests the exceptional environment and the personalized attention of True Waldorf Service that creates unforgettable experiences for our discerning travelers.”

TPG’s takeaway: Waldorf is one of the hotel brand grand dames. A wide array of historical figures and celebrities — from Winston Churchill to Frank Sinatra to Paris Hilton — have stayed (or lived) at the original Waldorf in New York City. Although it stands out for its place in history, Waldorf is no longer a big fish in a small pond of luxury hotel providers. The brand faces tough competition in the points world from Marriott’s St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton brands as well as Accor’s Raffles. Smaller, high-end brands such as Aman and Capella appeal to ultra-luxury connoisseurs who don’t mind cash rates.

The True Waldorf Service initiative is a great selling point for those who want or need butler service during a stay, but that’s a baseline expectation in this stratum of hotel brands. The robust Hilton Honors points and loyalty network gives Waldorf some competitive advantage. However, we are watching to see what happens as Hilton beefs up this iconic brand into more cities — and tries to differentiate it from the pack.

Reviews: The Trump-turned-Waldorf Astoria in D.C., Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Waldorf Astoria Maldives

LXR Hotels & Resorts

BENJI STAWSKI/THE POINTS GUY

Nine hotels across seven countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Found in the world’s most alluring locations, LXR Hotels & Resorts immerse you in truly profound travel experiences. We’ve connected legendary luxury properties into a network of hotels offering singular service and remarkable experiences.”

TPG’s takeaway: Major hotel companies like Hilton desperately want to beef up their luxury footprints. However, that doesn’t mean every luxury hotel owner wants to tap into a Waldorf license agreement and go through all the hassle of retrofitting a property to that brand’s design and experience standards. Enter: LXR Hotels & Resorts. These hotels enjoy inclusion on the Hilton Honors loyalty network but maintain the unique, bespoke feel of an independent top-tier hotel.

Reviews: Oceana Santa Monica, Hotel 1000

Conrad Hotels & Resorts

Agua Viva. MELANIE LIEBERMAN/THE POINTS GUY

44 hotels and resorts across 22 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Never just stay. Stay inspired. Smart luxury is at the core of everything Conrad Hotels & Resorts does. We offer access to a world of infinite connections, intuitive services and inspired experiences along our guests’ journeys. We are the destination of a new generation of smart luxury travelers for whom life, business and pleasure seamlessly intersect.”

TPG’s takeaway: This is essentially the JW Marriott of the Hilton brand family — but not just because they are both named after their respective founders. The brand operates in a bit of purgatory between the upscale spectrum of Hilton Hotels & Resorts and the luxury segment commanded by Waldorf and LXR. Think of these properties as affordable luxury options that work in both cities and resort destinations. While you stay at one, you can debate if Conrad Hilton’s last words really were, “Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub.”

Reviews: Conrad Los Angeles, Conrad Miami, Conrad New York Downtown

Canopy by Hilton

HILTON

37 hotels across 10 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Positively Yours. For those seeking an energizing experience, Canopy by Hilton is the hotel brand that creates ‘a positive stay’ with its simple, guest-directed service and thoughtful, local choices.”

TPG’s takeaway: Canopy is one of Hilton’s newer kids on the block. It was initially included in a wave of brands like Moxy and Aloft that aimed to attract younger travelers — though Hilton refrained from using the m-word (millennial) as much as its competitors. Fast forward to today, and the brand is more of a play for the lifestyle hotel sector. Its properties integrate more into their surrounding neighborhoods and offer elevated food, beverage and dining experiences for guests.

Reviews: Canopy New Orleans, Canopy Reykjavik City Centre

Signia by Hilton

HILTON

Two hotels across the U.S.

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Signia by Hilton is a new portfolio of premier hotels in highly sought-after urban and resort destinations. Each Signia by Hilton hotel offers unparalleled, dynamic meetings and events capabilities with world-class design, state-of-the-art technology, signature food and beverage experiences and premium wellness offerings, all backed by the Hilton name and award-winning Hilton Honors program.”

TPG’s takeaway: While it was a head-scratcher to see Hilton move ahead with a convention brand in the depths of the pandemic (though the brand itself was launched prior to then), the hotel company did just that. The brand fills a hole in Hilton’s network by allowing it to compete with the likes of Omni and Gaylord in the convention business.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

ANTONIO CUELLER/HILTON

601 hotels and resorts across 95 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “For nearly a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has been proudly welcoming the world’s travelers. With more than 584 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts provides the foundation for exceptional travel experiences and values every guest who walks through its doors. The most recognized name in the industry, Hilton remains synonymous with the word ‘hotel.’ From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history, closes the deal, toasts special occasions and gets away from it all. As the flagship brand of Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts continues to set the standard for hospitality, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests’ evolving needs.”

TPG’s takeaway: It’s the namesake brand with locations all over the world. Think of it as the hotel version of a McDonald’s and Starbucks: It offers standardized service that isn’t always going to knock your socks off but reliably offers a clean place to sleep, shower and get on with your travel. Of course, there are a few properties that stand out (such as the Beverly Hilton, which typically hosts the Golden Globes) and give Hilton its global brand power.

Reviews: Hilton Mauritius, Hilton Tel Aviv, Hilton Reykjavic Nordica

Curio Collection by Hilton

VIKTOR KERY PHOTOS/HILTON

133 hotels and resorts across 34 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “For the Curious. Curio is a collection of independent, remarkable hotels whose only unifying characteristic is their glorious individuality. Each hotel is hand-picked for its distinct character and personality, appealing to passionate travelers seeking local discovery.”

TPG’s takeaway: Curio is another of Hilton’s soft brands that seem more like a boutique hotel collection rather than one with rigid brand standards like Canopy and DoubleTree. The portfolio’s outposts are mainly located in North America and Europe, but Curio-flagged properties now dot Asia and the South Pacific. Consider this a way to get a rich, local experience without paying the higher rates of an LXR-branded hotel — all while earning or redeeming Hilton Honors points.

Reviews: Maison Astor Paris, WB Abu Dhabi, SAii Lagoon Maldives

DoubleTree by Hilton

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Fiji. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

649 hotels and resorts across 51 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Come for a stay and see how nice travel feels. Something happens when you stay at a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. Maybe it’s all the little things we do to show we care. From thoughtful touches and friendly service to our warm chocolate chip cookie welcome, we’re here to make your stay as comfortable as possible, right from the start. The niceness you experience with us stays with you long after you check out, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

TPG’s takeaway: Who cares about the guest rooms? We’re just here for the free chocolate chip cookies! DoubleTree is a middle-tier brand catering to business and leisure travelers. It may not be the stuff of a dream vacation, but it offers consistency across its portfolio largely focused on North America and Europe. However, the brand does have a presence in destinations like New Zealand and Fiji.

Reviews: DoubleTree Wellington, DoubleTree Amsterdam, DoubleTree Fiji

Tapestry Collection by Hilton

CHRIS RANDALL/HILTON

90 hotels across 12 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Weave your own story. Tapestry Collection is a gathering of unique hotels that have been chosen because of a commitment to weaving their own story, meant for the traveler who never wants exactly the same experience twice.”

TPG’s takeaway: Rounding out Hilton’s soft brand trinity is Tapestry Collection. The boutique hotel movement centered on the world’s largest cities, but there has been a wake-up call across the industry that travelers to smaller cities also like the feel and experience of a cool, one-off property. These independent-minded hotels that tap into Hilton’s loyalty network are usually more affordable than their siblings in the Curio Collection and are typically found in smaller markets.

Embassy Suites by Hilton

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON NAPA VALLEY/FACEBOOK

261 hotels across five countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Embassy Suites by Hilton defines the upper-upscale, all-suite hotel category with its mix of two-room and studio suites, along with an atrium space designed to house the value-added food & beverage offerings, including free made-to-order breakfast and complimentary Evening Reception. With significant market share premiums and consistent best-in-class customer service, Embassy Suites engenders enormous loyalty amongst owners and customers alike.”

TPG’s takeaway: It is beauty. It is grace. It recently won TPG’s award for best free hotel breakfast in the U.S. The suites-only hotel is good for those looking for more than just a limited-service hotel: Along with the free breakfast (complete with made-to-order omelets), Embassy Suites offers a daily evening reception with free snacks and drinks. My hometown Embassy Suites back in Memphis, Tennessee, is even home to one of the city’s nicer Italian restaurants.

Tempo

HILTON

No hotels open yet

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Tempo by Hilton is a stylish and contemporary lifestyle hotel brand dedicated to exceeding the expectations of the ambitious, yet balanced, class of discerning traveler — the modern achiever. Thoughtfully designed and uplifting, Tempo offers dynamic public space including an open lobby concept with dedicated spaces to relax and work, as well as premium culinary options, such as the brand’s signature coffee fuel bar, a casual breakfast café and an inviting bar experience. Each Tempo will include well-being offerings, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and programs, as well as flexible meeting and working spaces.”

TPG’s takeaway: Tempo is another Hilton play for the lifestyle hotel segment, this time at a more affordable price point. These hotels are meant to feature a midcentury modern style — so travelers can feel like they’re sleeping in a West Elm catalog. They have co-working spaces, elevated fitness centers and even wellness rooms, designed in partnership with Peloton.

Related: Can Hilton win over new travelers with its just-launched brand?

Motto

JOE THOMAS/HILTON

Three hotels across the U.S.

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Motto by Hilton is Hilton’s new micro-hotel with an urban vibe in prime global locations that empowers guests by giving them the freedom to create their own experiences in the world’s most sought-after cities. Motto offers travelers centrally located, reasonably priced and less traditional lodging that provides a one-of-a-kind experience. At its core, Motto is a beacon for today’s modern, global community of travelers, delivering a flexible innovative hospitality experience with guest-empowered service.”

TPG’s takeaway: At first glance, Motto might seem like Hilton’s version of Marriott’s Moxy or Hyatt’s new Caption brand. However, the vibe here doesn’t avoid family travel, either. TPG’s hotels team toured the new Motto in New York City and saw how three adjoining rooms with different floorplans connect to create a two-bedroom suite; there’s even a living room in between thanks to flexible furniture that can make a bed double as a living area couch. It may have a small footprint today, but Motto could grow to become a formidable player in the family travel space for those looking to get to a major city.

Reviews: Motto Philadelphia

Hilton Garden Inn

The Hilton Garden Inn Mongkok is an excellent deal in Hong Kong. HILTON

960 hotels across 56 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Hilton Garden Inn is the laid-back sophisticated brand offering heartfelt service and award-winning amenities.”

TPG’s takeaway: It’s hard to fit Hilton Garden Inn into one box. You’ll find them everywhere from Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Tangier, Morocco. Given that it’s one of Hilton’s larger brands, Hilton Garden Inn is clearly a hit with business travelers as well as leisure travelers looking for a standardized product that offers made-to-order breakfast and amenities like a business center and gym.

Hampton

HAMPTON INN AND SUITES, PORTSMOUTH

2,839 properties across 35 countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Hampton by Hilton is the industry’s leading upper-midscale brand. Every Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites is committed to the 100% Hampton Guarantee providing an exceptional guest experience and consistent, high-quality accommodations and amenities. When you invest with Hampton, you join a brand of more than 2,500 hotels in 29 countries and territories around the world backed by Hilton’s power, reputation, scale and performance engine.”

TPG’s takeaway: Hampton Inns may come in all shapes, sizes and locations, but consider this Hilton’s workhorse in the roadside and airport hotel space. With more than 2,800 locations, Hampton is Hilton’s largest brand by far. The brand is generally a mainstay off highways. It offers a clean, consistent product to road warriors on the hunt for a spot to pull off, grab some shut-eye and enjoy a free breakfast the next morning.

Tru

TRU BY HILTON/FACEBOOK

227 hotels across three countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Catch The Spirit. Welcome to Tru by Hilton, a place that embraces vibrant simplicity and is fun and engaging. We stand for the love of simplicity, we embrace the human spirit, and we champion the value-conscious traveler. This is a back-to-basics experience with soul.”

TPG’s takeaway: When TPG first did a Hilton brand lineup, we said Tru was focused on cost-conscious millennial travelers. In my opinion, the way to appeal to this audience is by launching a vacation platform like Airbnb. After all, are any millennials really staying loyal to any of these millennial-minded brands? That said, Tru and its simple, smaller rooms are taking off with more than 200 hotels largely located across the U.S.

Homewood Suites

Homewood Suites by Hilton Steamboat Springs. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

533 hotels across four countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Homewood Suites by Hilton is the upscale, all-suite, residential-style, extended-stay leader in satisfaction and performance. This innovative brand offers travelers a unique approach to longer stays by allowing guests to stay in their routines while on the road for business or leisure. Homewood Suites offers developers a cutting-edge blueprint for success that has fueled unprecedented growth and demand for the brand. Homewood Suites is an exciting investment opportunity for a balanced hotel portfolio and is flexible enough to complement a variety of site locations.”

TPG’s takeaway: Those on the hunt for a higher-end, extended-stay booking will find solace at Homewood Suites. Suites typically include a kitchen, bedroom and living room along with free breakfast and a complimentary evening happy hour. Extended-stay hotels can often feel like sterile corporate housing, but Homewood Suites has a nice hospitable touch to elevate it over the pack.

Related: Best budget hotels for families who need space

Home2 Suites

HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON/FACEBOOK

560 hotels across three countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “Home2 Suites by Hilton is a fresh take on the mid-scale, all-suite hotel targeted to the value-conscious extended-stay (5+ night) traveler. The brand’s innovative prototype combined with our sustainable practices and products ensures cost-effective development and operation. Home2 Suites drives a strong value proposition for owners while offering unique amenities for guests, including our eco- and pet-friendly spaces plus free breakfast, laundry and fitness centers and more.”

TPG’s takeaway: This is the place to stay when looking for an extended-stay reservation on a budget. Properties in the Home2 Suites portfolio generally offer a pool, outdoor space, a gym and a laundry facility for those needing a place to call (temporary) home.

Hilton Grand Vacations

73 resorts across seven countries and territories

Hilton’s pitch to hotel owners and developers: “A vacation state of mind. At Hilton Grand Vacations, we are committed to the idea that life is incomplete without vacations. With an ever-growing collection of resorts in spectacular settings around the world, Hilton Grand Vacations invites you to experience a lifetime of vacations in spacious, comfortable elegance with our innovative vacation ownership program. Guests enjoy accommodations offering the comforts of home, amenities tailored to each destination, and the legendary service synonymous with the Hilton name.”

TPG’s takeaway: The timeshare sector may not be the sexiest product in the travel orbit, but it — along with all-inclusive resorts — garnered attention from the hotel business community during the pandemic.

Timeshare brand Wyndham Destinations acquired media brand Travel + Leisure in 2021 for $100 million and now goes by Travel + Leisure Co.; this move is a major way to court younger travelers to this type of travel that is typically associated with a more mature demographic. Similarly, Hilton Grand Vacations made its own acquisition play and bought Diamond Resorts for $1.4 billion in 2021. The beefed-up Hilton Grand Vacations has a presence largely in the U.S. and Caribbean, but there are even some properties in Japan.

Members book stays using either Hilton Honors points or ClubPoints accrued via membership in the HGV network. TPG previously noted timeshares are usually lackluster in terms of redemption rates and wasn’t advocating this as an option to redeem points. However, given all the branded blitz in this sector over the last two years, it is certainly one to watch. This is especially true as the competition to court younger travelers — who represent the fastest-growing demographic in timeshare and vacation club membership — heats up.

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Making the hospital price transparency rule a reality on its two-year anniversary

December 31, 2022 Published by

Just In | The Hill 

New Year’s Day marks the second anniversary of a federal hospital price transparency rule that has the potential to substantially lower outrageous healthcare costs burdening patients, workers, businesses, and taxpayers. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services recently announced the nation spent $4.3 trillion on healthcare in 2021, nearly 20 percent of GDP and almost two times the developed-world average. The Biden administration can mark this occasion by committing to robustly enforce the rule to turn it into a reality for American healthcare consumers. 

The rule addresses the root of exorbitant hospital prices: hospitals’ opaque charging practices that blind consumers to prices, then blindside them with inflated bills they often never would have agreed to if prices were known upfront. It requires hospitals to publish their discounted cash prices and negotiated insurance rates by health plan. Armed with this information, consumers can survey well-documented wide price variations for the same care, even at the same hospital, to avoid price gouging and access care at fair market rates. 

Robust price transparency can hold hospitals accountable for egregious overcharging such as $5,000 MRIs and $100,000 knee surgeries that cost $250 and $18,000 at cash-based centers, respectively. Employers and unions knowing pricing data will allow them to benefit from competition. Price discovery will usher in quality transparency. 

Consider the union SEIU 32BJ, which saved $30 million on its health plan by shopping for care. It recently dropped New York-Presbyterian Hospital from its health plan after analyzing its claims data and determining the hospital was price-gouging its members. For example, the hospital billed the plan an average of $10,368 for outpatient colonoscopies versus $2,185 at the city’s public hospitals. Hospital price transparency can make it easier for other employers and unions to follow in SEIU 32BJ’s footsteps and significantly reduce healthcare costs. 

Unfortunately, the price transparency rule has been marred by widespread hospital noncompliance.

A recent study by PatientRightsAdvocate.org finds that only 16 percent of hospitals nationwide are following it. Most are not publishing their prices broken down by health insurer and plan as required, and some post no prices at all. 

By refusing to comply, hospitals are perpetuating a pricing scam that has saddled 100 million Americans with healthcare debt. This patient misery funds hospital private equity. The nation’s “nonprofit” hospitals are sitting on more than $283 billion in financial assets they invest Wall Street-style to generate even higher returns. HCA Healthcare, the nation’s largest private healthcare system, made $7 billion in profits in 2021. 

CMS has assisted hospitals by choosing not to enforce the rule robustly. It has issued financial penalties on only two hospitals out of the thousands nationwide that are noncompliant. Yet even this meager response indicates that enforcement works. The two fined hospitals quickly became compliant and posted exemplary price files. 

At a conference earlier this month, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure was non-transparent about future enforcement, stating: “We have a lot of priorities, and the things that we will do in terms of enforcement always are ongoing and not things that we share.” 

This lack of resolve is out of step with the American public. According to a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll released last week, 95 percent of Americans want policymakers to make healthcare price transparency a key priority — more than any other proposed healthcare reform. 

The two-year anniversary of the hospital price transparency rule is an occasion for the Biden administration to stand up for American healthcare consumers and step up to properly enforce the rule. Doing so can generate a consumer revolution that ushers in a functional, competitive healthcare marketplace that stops hospital overcharging and reverses outrageous national health expenditures.

Cynthia A. Fisher is founder and chair of PatientRightsAdvocate.org

​Healthcare, Opinion Read More 

Foo Fighters confirms band will be ‘different’ after Taylor Hawkins death, but vows to see fans ‘soon’

December 31, 2022 Published by

Just In | The Hill 

(NEXSTAR) – The rock band Foo Fighters, which canceled its tour earlier this year after the sudden death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, is vowing to see its fans again “soon,” according to a New Year’s Eve message posted to the group’s social media channels.

The band had been on tour in South America when Hawkins died at the age of 50 in Bogota, Colombia, on March 25. All remaining tour dates were subsequently canceled.

Foo Fighters performed together twice in the months since, at tribute concerts for Hawkins in London and Los Angeles.


Taylor Hawkins poses with 9-year-old who played drums outside his hotel

On Saturday, the band posted a message on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter addressing the loss of Hawkins while hinting at the announcement of upcoming performances.

“Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were — and without Taylor, we know we’re going to be a different band going forward,” the statement read, in part.

“We also know that you, the fans, meant as much to Taylor as he meant to you. And we know that when we see you again — and we will soon — he’ll be there in spirit with all of us every night,” the message concluded.

No official cause of Hawkins’ death has been given. A toxicology report from the Colombia Attorney General’s Office indicated that 10 substances had been detected in his urine, including “[marijuana], tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and opioids, among others.”

“The National Institute of Forensic Medicine continues to conduct the necessary medical studies to ascertain the cause of death,” the AG’s office wrote at the time.

A statement from the Bogota Ministry of Health also indicated Hawkins was experiencing chest pains before he died.

Hawkins had joined Foo Fighters in 1997. In addition to drums, he also performed lead vocals for several songs included on the band’s albums over the years.

​Nexstar Media Wire News Read More 

Storm brings flooding, landslides across California

December 31, 2022 Published by

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Landslides of rock and mud closed roadways Friday across California as heavy rains kicked off what will be a series of storms poised to usher in the new year with downpours and potential flooding across much of the state and multiple feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada.

The atmospheric river storm, a long and wide plume of moisture pulled in from the Pacific Ocean, began sweeping across the northern part of the state Friday and was expected to bring more rain through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

A winter storm warning was in effect into Sunday for the upper elevations of the Sierra from south of Yosemite National Park to north of Lake Tahoe, where as much as 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow is possible atop the mountains, the National Weather Service said in Reno, Nevada.

A flood watch was in effect across much of Northern California through New Year’s Eve. Officials warned that rivers and streams could overflow and urged residents to get sandbags ready.

Landslides already had closed routes in the San Francisco Bay Area, between Fremont and Sunol, as well as in Mendocino County near the unincorporated community of Piercy and in the Mendocino National Forest, where crews cleared debris into Friday night.

Humboldt County, where a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck on Dec. 20, also saw roadways begin to flood, according to the National Weather Service’s Eureka office. A bridge that was temporarily closed last week due to earthquake damage may be closed again if the Eel River, which it crosses, gets too high, officials said.

It was the first of several storms expected to roll across California over the next week. The current system is expected to be warmer and wetter, while next week’s storms will be colder, lowering snow levels in the mountains, said Hannah Chandler-Cooley, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

The Sacramento region could receive a total of 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 centimeters) of rain over the span of the week, Chandler-Cooley said.

The California Highway Patrol reported some local roads in eastern Sacramento were under water and impassable at times on Friday. By nightfall, nearly 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of rain had fallen over the past 24 hours in the Sierra foothills at Blue Canyon about 70 miles (112 kilometers) northeast of Sacramento, the weather service said.

Sacramento’s fire officials planned to broadcast evacuation announcements from a helicopter and a boat along the American River — a spot where many unhoused people live in encampments — to warn of flooding.

A winter storm warning was in effect through 4 a.m. Sunday for much of the Sierra, including the highest elevations around Lake Tahoe where more than a foot of snow was expected near the shores at an elevation of about 6,200 feet (1,889 meters) and up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) above 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) with winds gusting up to 100 mph (160 kph) over ridgetops.

“Strong winds could cause tree damage and lead to power outages and high waves on Lake Tahoe may capsize small vessels,” the weather service in Reno said.

Avalanche warnings were issued in the backcountry around Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes south of Yosemite.

On the Sierra’s eastern front, flood watches and warnings continue into the weekend north and south of Reno, Nevada, where minor to moderate flooding was forecast along some rivers and streams into the weekend.

At Susanville, California about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of Reno, the Susan River was forecast to rise from about 5 feet (1.5 meters) Friday to a foot (30 centimeters) above the flood stage of 12 feet (3.6 meters) by Saturday morning, causing moderate flooding that could affect some homes, roads and bridges, the National Weather Service said.

In Southern California, moderate-to-heavy rain was forecast for Saturday. The region will begin drying out on New Year’s Day and the Jan. 2 Rose Parade in Pasadena should avoid rainfall.

Heavy showers are forecast for Tuesday or Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Oxnard said.

The rain was welcomed in drought-parched California, but much more precipitation is needed to make a significant difference. The past three years have been California’s driest on record.


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MGM Sells a Notorious Piece of the Las Vegas Strip

December 31, 2022 Published by

TheStreet 

The move paves the way for a new casino and potentially brings a major new player to the Las Vegas Strip.

Most Las Vegas Strip deals are splashy with the land purchase sort of kicking off the publicity cycle for whatever massive casino, resort, or attraction might someday get built on the property. That’s essentially what Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta has done.

The billionaire, who also owns the Golden Nugget on Fremont Street, purchased land on the Las Vegas Strip located between Caesars Entertainment’s (CZR) – Get Free Report  Planet Hollywood and MGM Resorts International’s (MGM) – Get Free Report MGM Grand in April. That purchase was major news, as was his October reveal of his intentions for the property.

Fertitta plans to take on Caesars and MGM in their own backyard with a 43-story, 2,420-room hotel/casino.

“The upscale project, on roughly 6 acres at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue, calls for restaurants, convention space, a spa, wedding chapel, auto showroom, and a theater with around 2,500 seats, Clark County records show. It would also include suites and villas, VIP salons and a bar and lounge for high-limit gamblers, building plans indicate,” the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

No actual construction has happened, but Fertitta has people talking, which probably helps raise financing for the project and will build excitement for its eventual opening.

The NBA owner is not, however, the only player with big plans on the Las Vegas Strip. Another potential Caesars and MGM rival has quietly put together the land required to build a new casino, but it has been taking a much more stealthy approach.

That might at least partially be because of the history of the piece of land it’s buying.

Image source: Shutterstock

MGM Sells a Piece of Strip Land

MGM has sold, “The Village,” a piece of land on the Las Vegas Strip across the street from Luxor and next to the Tropicana, to the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota.

The land has been used as a concert ground and it was the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history,

“Concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest Festival gathered there on Oct. 1, 2017, when a gunman opened fire from his hotel room above. He killed 58 people. Two more died later of their injuries. More than 850 people were hurt by the time the gunfire stopped,” U.S. News reported.

The site has been vacant since the shooting.

MGM CEO sent an email to employees commenting on the sale of the 13 acres of Strip-fronted land.

“We know the importance this location holds to so many and have always put tremendous thought into every consideration involving the site,” Hornbuckle wrote. “This is no exception.”

MGM has already donated two acres of property at the site to Clark County to be used as a memorial.

Meet the Strip’s Newest Player

Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota has been moving very quietly to put together the property needed to build a Strip resort/casino. In July 2021, the group bought a vacant 8.7-acre parcel of land adjacent to its more recent purchase.

“At the time of the 2020 purchase, Tribal Chairman Mark Fox said his organization could build anything from a casino to a parking lot on its new property. Fox told the Brainerd (Minn.) Dispatch, ‘We saw it as an opportunity to get land — prime real estate land — in Las Vegas for a good price, and that’s essentially why we went there,'” the Review-Journal reported.

MGM had once released plans to use the Village site as a parking lot for Las Vegas Raiders games and other events at Allegiant Stadium. It seems unlikely, that the Three Affiliated Tribes, which operates 4 Bears Casino & Lodge on Fort Berthold Reservation land since 1993 would make this investment in Las Vegas merely to open a parking lot.

The new owner has not released a specific plan for the site but shared the following statement.

“This is a sound investment for the MHA Nation,” said John Fredericks III, an attorney representing the Tribes. “There are no immediate specific plans for development but the MHA Nation will be exploring its development opportunities in the near term.”

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Revelers throng to New Year's parties after COVID hiatus

December 31, 2022 Published by

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — With countdowns and fireworks, revelers in major city centers across the Asia-Pacific region ushered in the first new year without COVID-19 restrictions since the pandemic began in 2020.

While COVID-19 continues to cause death and dismay, particularly in China, which is battling a nationwide surge in infections after suddenly easing anti-epidemic measures, countries had largely lifted quarantine requirements, restrictions for visitors and relentless testing that had limited travel and places people can go to.

Celebrations are being held at the Great Wall in Beijing, while in Shanghai authorities said traffic will be stopped along the waterfront Bund to allow pedestrians to gather on New Year’s Eve. Shanghai Disneyland will also hold a special fireworks show to welcome 2023.

On the last day of the year marked by the brutal war in Ukraine, many in the country returned to capital Kyiv to spend New Year’s Eve with their loved ones. As Russia attacks continue to target power supplies leaving millions without electricity, no big celebrations are expected and a curfew will be in place as the clock rings in the new year. But for most Ukrainians being together with their families is already a luxury.

Still wearing his military uniform, Mykyta gripped a bouquet of pink roses tightly as he waited for his wife Valeriia to arrive from Poland on platform 9. He hadn’t seen her in six months. “It actually was really tough, you know, to wait so long,” he told The Associated Press after hugging and kissing Valeriia.

The couple declined to share their family name for security reasons as Mykyta has been fighting on the frontlines in both south and east Ukraine. Valeriia first sought refuge from the conflict in Spain but later moved to Poland. Asked what their New Year’s Eve plans were, Valeriia answered simply: “Just to be together.”

Concerns about the Ukraine war and the economic shocks it has spawned across the globe were felt in Tokyo as well, where Shigeki Kawamura has seen better times but said he needs a free hot meal this New Year’s.

“I hope the war will be over in Ukraine so prices will stabilize,” he said. “Nothing good has happened for the people since we’ve had Mr. Kishida,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

“Our pay isn’t going up, and our condition is worsening. The privileged may be doing well, but not those of us, who are working so hard,” Kawamura said.

He was one of several hundred people huddled in the cold in a line circling a Tokyo park to receive free New Year’s meals of sukiyaki, or slices of beef cooked in sweet sauce, with rice.

“I hope the new year will bring work and self-reliance,” said Takaharu Ishiwata, who lives in a group home and hasn’t found lucrative work in years.

Besides the sukiyaki box lunches, volunteers were handing out bananas, onions, cartons of eggs and small hand-warmers at the park. Booths were set up for medical and other consultations.

Kenji Seino, who heads the meal program for the homeless Tenohasi, which means “bridge of hands,” said people coming for meals were rising, with jobs becoming harder to find after the coronavirus pandemic hit, and prices going up.

More than 1 million crowded along along Sydney’s waterfront for a multi-million dollar celebration based around the themes of diversity and inclusion.

New South Wales police issued an advisory before 7 p.m. stating that only people with tickets to attend the celebrations should head into the city because all vantage points were full.

More than 7,000 fireworks were launched from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a further 2,000 from the nearby Opera House.

It was the “party Sydney deserves,” the city’s producer of major events and festivals Stephen Gilby told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“We have had a couple of fairly difficult years; we’re absolutely delighted this year to be able to welcome people back to the foreshores of Sydney Harbor for Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations,” he said.

In Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, a family-friendly fireworks display along the Yarra River as dusk fell preceded a second session at midnight.

The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first country to greet the new year, with the clock ticking into 2023 one hour ahead of neighbors including New Zealand.

In Auckland, large crowds gathered below the Sky Tower, where a 10-second countdown to midnight preceded fireworks. The celebrations in New Zealand’s largest city were well-received after COVID-19 forced them to be canceled a year ago.

There was a scare in the North Island coastal city of Tauranga, about 225 kilometers (140 miles) from Auckland, when a bouncing castle was blown 100 meters (yards). Tauranga City Council reported one person was hospitalized and four people were treated on site.

In December 2021, five children were killed and four were injured in Devonport, Australia, when a gust of wind lifted a bouncing castle into the air at a school fair.

Authorities in military-ruled Myanmar announced a suspension of its normal four-hour curfew in the country’s three biggest cities so residents can celebrate New Year’s Eve. However, opponents of army rule are urging people to avoid public gatherings, claiming that security forces might stage a bombing or other attack and blame it on them.

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Associated Press journalists Henry Hou in Beijing, Renata Brito in Kyiv, Yuri Kagayema in Tokyo and Grant Peck in Bangkok contributed to this report.

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