npr--2020-02-19--It's Not Just Hospitals That Are Quick To Sue Patients Who Can't Pay

It 's Not Just Hospitals That Are Quick To Sue Patients Who Ca n't Pay Nashville General Hospital is a safety-net facility funded by the city .
For a patient without insurance , this is supposed to be the best place to go in a city with many hospitals .
But for those who are uninsured , it may have been the worst choice in 2019 .
Its emergency room was taking more patients to court for unpaid medical bills than any other hospital or practice in town .
A WPLN investigation finds the physician-staffing firm that runs the ER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
They include patients like Sonya Johnson , a 52-year-old social worker and single mother .
By juggling her care between a nonprofit clinic and Nashville General , Johnson had figured out how to manage her health problems , even though she was , until recently , uninsured .
In 2018 , she went in to see her doctor , who charges patients on a sliding scale .
Her tongue was swollen and she was feeling weak .
The diagnosis ?
She was severely anemic .
`` He called me back that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need you to get to the emergency [ room ] , stat — and they 're waiting on you when you get there , ' `` she recalls .
Nashville General kept her overnight and gave her a blood transfusion .
They wanted to keep her a second night — but she was worried about the mounting cost , so asked to be sent home .
Staying overnight even the one night meant she was admitted to the hospital itself , and the bill for that part of her care was n't so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's financial counselors offered a 75 % discount , because of her strained finances and because her job did n't offer health insurance at the time .
But emergency rooms are often run by an entirely separate entity .
In Nashville General 's case , the proprietor was a company called Southeastern Emergency Physicians .
And that 's the name on a bill that showed up in Johnson 's mailbox months later for $ 2,700 .
`` How in the world can I pay this company , when I could n't even pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Johnson asks .
Johnson did n't recognize the name of the physician practice .
A Google search does n't help much .
There 's no particular website , though a list of web pages that do turn up in such a search suggest the company staffs a number of emergency departments in the region .
Johnson says she tried calling the number listed on her bill to see if she could get the same charity-care discount the hospital gave her , but she could only leave messages .
And then came a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer .
It was a Davidson County sheriff 's deputy with a summons requiring Johnson to appear in court .
`` It 's very scary , '' she says .
`` I mean , [ I 'm ] thinking , what have I done ?
And for a medical bill ? ''
Being sued over medical debt can be a big deal because it means the business can get a court-ordered judgment to garnish the patient 's wages , taking money directly from their paycheck .
The strategy is meant to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debts .
But this is not good for the health of people who are uninsured , says Bruce Naremore , the chief financial officer at Nashville General .
`` When patients owe money , and they feel like they 're being dunned all the time , they do n't come back to the hospital to get what they might need , '' he says .
Under Naremore 's direction in the last few years , Nashville General had stopped suing patients for hospital fees .
He says it was rarely worth the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , since 2016 , has been contracted by the hospital to run and staff its emergency department , went the other way — filing more lawsuits against patients than ever in 2019 .
Naremore says the decision on whether to sue over emergency care falls to the company that staffs the ER , not Nashville General Hospital .
`` It 's a private entity that runs the emergency room , and it 's the cost of doing business , '' he says .
`` If I restrict them from collecting dollars , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go up , or I 'm going to have to find another provider to do it . ''
This is a common refrain , says Robert Goff .
He 's a retired hospital executive and board member of RIP Medical Debt .
The nonprofit helps patients who are trapped under a mountain of medical bills , which are the number one cause of personal bankruptcy .
`` So the hospital sits there and says , 'not my problem . '
That 's irresponsible in every sense of the word , '' Goff says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't new for Southeastern Emergency Physicians or its parent company , Knoxville-based TeamHealth .
But such lawsuits have picked up in recent years , even as the company has stopped its practice of balance billing patients .
TeamHealth is one of the two dominant ER staffing firms in the nation , running nearly 1 in 10 emergency departments in the United States .
And its strategy of taking patients to court ramped up after it was purchased by the private equity giant Blackstone , according to an investigation by the journalism project MLK50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists , TeamHealth ultimately pledged to stop suing patients and to offer generous discounts to uninsured patients .
Officials from TeamHealth declined WPLN 's request for an interview to answer questions about how widespread its practice of suing patients for ER doctors ' services and fees has been .
`` We will work with patients on a case by case basis to reach a resolution , '' TeamHealth said in an email .
According to court records obtained by WPLN , the firm filed some 700 lawsuits against patients in Nashville during 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 and just seven in 2017 .
Its only contract in the city is with Nashville General 's ER , and the patients reached by WPLN say they were uninsured when they were sued .
What 's surprising to Mandy Pellegrin , who has been researching medical billing in Tennessee at the nonpartisan Sycamore Institute , is that it was all happening at Nashville General — where treating uninsured patients is part of the hospital 's mission .
`` It is curious that a company that works for a hospital like that might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Pellegrin .
As for Sonya Johnson — she eventually went to court and worked out a payment plan of $ 70 a month over three years .
And now TeamHealth tells WPLN that its intent is to drop pending cases .
`` We will not file additional cases naming patients as defendants and will not seek further judgments , '' a TeamHealth spokesperson says in an emailed statement .
`` Our intent is not to have these pending cases proceed .
We 're working as expeditiously as possible on resolving individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been told that the lawsuit Southeastern Emergency Physicians filed against her will be dropped — but that she still owes the $ 2,700 bill .

It's Not Just Hospitals That Are Quick To Sue Patients Who Can't Pay
Enlarge this image toggle caption Blake Farmer/WPLN Blake Farmer/WPLN
Nashville General Hospital is a safety net facility funded by the city. For a patient without insurance, this is supposed to be the best place to go in a city with many hospitals. But for those who are uninsured, it may have been the worst choice in 2019.
Its emergency room was taking more patients to court for unpaid medical bills than any other hospital or practice in town. A WPLN investigation finds the physician-staffing firm that runs the ER sued 700 patients in Davidson County during 2019.
They include patients such as Sonya Johnson, a 52-year-old social worker and single mother.
By juggling her care between a nonprofit clinic and Nashville General, Johnson had figured out how to manage her health problems, even though she was, until recently, uninsured. In 2018, she went in to see her doctor, who charges patients on a sliding scale. Her tongue was swollen and she was feeling weak. The diagnosis? She was severely anemic.
"He called me back that Halloween day and said, 'I need you to get to the emergency [room], stat — and they're waiting on you when you get there,' " she recalls.
Nashville General kept her overnight and gave her a blood transfusion. They wanted to keep her a second night — but she was worried about the mounting cost, so asked to be sent home.
Staying overnight even the one night meant she was admitted to the hospital itself, and the bill for that part of her care wasn't so bad, Johnson says. The institution's financial counselors offered a 75% discount, because of her strained finances and because her job didn't offer health insurance at the time.
But emergency rooms are often run by an entirely separate entity. In Nashville General's case, the proprietor was a company called Southeastern Emergency Physicians. And that's the name on a bill that showed up in Johnson's mailbox months later for $2,700.
"How in the world can I pay this company, when I couldn't even pay for health care [insurance]?" Johnson asks.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Blake Farmer/WPLN Blake Farmer/WPLN
Johnson didn't recognize the name of the physician practice. A Google search doesn't help much. There's no particular website, though a list of Web pages that do turn up in such a search suggest the company staffs a number of emergency departments in the region.
Johnson says she tried calling the number listed on her bill to see if she could get the same charity-care discount the hospital gave her, but she could only leave messages.
And then came a knock at her apartment door over the summer. It was a Davidson County sheriff's deputy with a summons requiring Johnson to appear in court.
"It's very scary," she says. "I mean, [I'm] thinking, what have I done? And for a medical bill?"
Nashville General Hospital was no longer suing patients
Being sued over medical debt can be a big deal because it means the business can get a court-ordered judgment to garnish the patient's wages, taking money directly from their paycheck. The strategy is meant to make sure patients don't blow off their medical debts. But this is not good for the health of people who are uninsured, says Bruce Naremore, the chief financial officer at Nashville General.
"When patients owe money, and they feel like they're being dunned all the time, they don't come back to the hospital to get what they might need," he says.
Under Naremore's direction in the past few years, Nashville General had stopped suing patients for hospital fees. He says it was rarely worth the court costs.
But Southeastern Emergency Physicians — which, since 2016, has been contracted by the hospital to run and staff its emergency department — went the other way, filing more lawsuits against patients than ever in 2019.
Naremore says the decision on whether to sue over emergency care falls to the company that staffs the ER, not Nashville General Hospital.
"It's a private entity that runs the emergency room, and it's the cost of doing business," he says. "If I restrict them from collecting dollars, then my cost is going to very likely go up, or I'm going to have to find another provider to do it."
This is a common refrain, says Robert Goff. He's a retired hospital executive and board member of RIP Medical Debt. The nonprofit helps patients who are trapped under a mountain of medical bills, which are the No. 1 cause of personal bankruptcy.
"So the hospital sits there and says, 'Not my problem.' That's irresponsible in every sense of the word," Goff says.
The practice of suing patients isn't new for Southeastern Emergency Physicians or its parent company, Knoxville-based TeamHealth. But such lawsuits have picked up in recent years, even as the company has stopped its practice of balance billing patients.
TeamHealth is one of the two dominant ER staffing firms in the nation, running nearly 1 in 10 emergency departments in the United States. And its strategy of taking patients to court ramped up after it was purchased by the private equity giant Blackstone, according to an investigation by the journalism project MLK50 in Memphis.
Under pressure from journalists, TeamHealth ultimately pledged to stop suing patients and to offer generous discounts to uninsured patients.
Officials from TeamHealth declined WPLN's request for an interview to answer questions about how widespread its practice of suing patients for ER doctors' services and fees has been.
"We will work with patients on a case by case basis to reach a resolution," TeamHealth said in an email.
According to court records obtained by WPLN, the firm filed about 700 lawsuits against patients in Nashville in 2019. That's up from 120 in 2018 and just seven in 2017. Its only contract in the city is with Nashville General's ER, and the patients reached by WPLN say they were uninsured when they were sued.
What's surprising to Mandy Pellegrin, who has been researching medical billing in Tennessee at the nonpartisan Sycamore Institute, is that it was all happening at Nashville General — where treating uninsured patients is part of the hospital's mission.
"It is curious that a company that works for a hospital like that might resort to those sorts of actions," Pellegrin says.
TeamHealth halts suits, pledges to drop cases
As for Sonya Johnson — she eventually went to court and worked out a payment plan of $70 a month over three years.
And now TeamHealth tells WPLN that its intent is to drop pending cases.
"We will not file additional cases naming patients as defendants and will not seek further judgments," a TeamHealth spokesperson says in an emailed statement. "Our intent is not to have these pending cases proceed. We're working as expeditiously as possible on resolving individual outstanding cases."
Johnson says she's been told that the lawsuit Southeastern Emergency Physicians filed against her will be dropped — but that she still owes the $2,700 bill.
This story comes from NPR's reporting partnership with Nashville Public Radio and Kaiser Health News.


npr--2020-02-19--Harry Reid: Iowa's Caucus Problems Strengthen Nevada's Case For Going First

Harry Reid : Iowa 's Caucus Problems Strengthen Nevada 's Case For Going First Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev. , the man largely responsible for making his state 's presidential caucuses a prominent early contest , has declined the opportunity to defend caucus systems in an interview with NPR .
`` I will talk about that after Super Tuesday , after when we get California and Texas out of the way , '' Reid said .
`` Right now , we 're gon na make the best we can of the system we have . ''
Reid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas ahead of Saturday 's Nevada Democratic caucuses , said he thinks the state party in Nevada is `` doing quite well . ''
Caucuses are an hours-long , in-person process that are difficult for many people to attend , meaning only the most committed activists turn out .
In 2016 , just around 84,000 people showed up to Nevada 's Democratic caucuses , out of more than 600,000 registered Democratic voters in the state .
In an effort to make the caucuses more accessible this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters an early caucusing option for the first time , where they could register their preferences on paper .
It proved so popular that some people found themselves waiting for hours .
Asked if this was an indication that caucusing may not be the best system , Reid was coy .
`` States are looking at this all over and saying maybe it 's not such a good idea , but I 'm not going to say anything about caucuses until we get rid of ours on the 22nd , '' Reid said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucuses are `` over with '' on the Feb. 22 .
`` I do n't want do anything to harm our caucus , '' he said .
All eyes are on Nevada after the epic caucus blunder in Iowa earlier this month .
Reid insists his state wo n't have the same problems .
He sees an opportunity in Iowa 's failing that could be used to vault Nevada into the first-in-the-nation spot next election cycle .
`` I think we have a tremendously good case now , '' Reid said , emphasizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more reflective of the Democratic electorate than Iowa and New Hampshire , which currently precede it on the nominating calendar .
You `` get a false perception of what 's happening around the country when you have those two states determining what 's going to happen in a presidential election , '' Reid said .
`` I do n't think it 's fair . ''
Even with a currently splintered Democratic field , Reid said he doubts there would be a brokered Democratic convention this year , but would n't rule it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stays tight all the way up to the convention , `` then is the time that we 're going to have to see if we can broker a deal . ''
In that case , party leaders might need to say to some of the remaining candidates that they are `` better off throwing [ their ] support to somebody else so we do n't have to have a brokered convention . ''
Asked whether he , as a former top leader of the party in Congress , would have a role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd be willing if asked .
`` Maybe we could even get Barack Obama to do it , '' he said .
`` The two most popular people in the country , and perhaps the world , are Barack and Michelle Obama . ''
Reid said he has n't spoken to the former president about this possibility .
But they do chat from time to time and he considers Obama a friend .
When Reid cast his early caucus vote , he chose `` uncommitted '' to maintain his neutrality in the race @

Harry Reid: Iowa's Caucus Problems Strengthen Nevada's Case For Going First
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Locher/AP John Locher/AP
Updated at 1 p.m. ET
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., the man largely responsible for making his state's presidential caucuses a prominent early contest, has declined the opportunity to defend caucus systems in an interview with NPR.
"I will talk about that after Super Tuesday, after when we get California and Texas out of the way," Reid said. "Right now, we're gonna make the best we can of the system we have."
Reid, who spoke to NPR at his office in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas ahead of Saturday's Nevada Democratic caucuses, said he thinks the state party in Nevada is "doing quite well."
Caucuses are an hours-long, in-person process that are difficult for many people to attend, meaning only the most committed activists turn out. In 2016, just around 84,000 people showed up to Nevada's Democratic caucuses, out of more than 600,000 registered Democratic voters in the state.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tamara Keith/NPR Tamara Keith/NPR
In an effort to make the caucuses more accessible this year, Nevada's Democratic Party offered voters an early caucusing option for the first time, where they could register their preferences on paper. It proved so popular that some people found themselves waiting for hours. More than 70,000 people participated in early voting, a spokeswoman for the Nevada State Democratic Party said early on Wednesday.
Asked if the popularity of early voting was an indication that caucusing may not be the best system, Reid was coy. "States are looking at this all over and saying maybe it's not such a good idea, but I'm not going to say anything about caucuses until we get rid of ours on the 22nd," Reid said, clarifying that he meant when the caucuses are "over with" on Feb. 22.
"I don't want to do anything to harm our caucus," he said.
All eyes are on Nevada after the epic caucus blunder in Iowa earlier this month. Reid insists his state won't have the same problems. He sees an opportunity in Iowa's failing that could be used to vault Nevada into the first-in-the-nation spot next election cycle.
"I think we have a tremendously good case now," Reid said, emphasizing that with its diverse population, Nevada is more reflective of the Democratic electorate than Iowa and New Hampshire, which currently precede it on the nominating calendar.
You "get a false perception of what's happening around the country when you have those two states determining what's going to happen in a presidential election," Reid said. "I don't think it's fair."
Even with a currently splintered Democratic field, Reid said he doubts there would be a brokered Democratic convention this year but wouldn't rule it out.
He said if the field stays tight all the way up to the convention, "then is the time that we're going to have to see if we can broker a deal."
In that case, party leaders might need to say to some of the remaining candidates that they are "better off throwing [their] support to somebody else so we don't have to have a brokered convention."
Asked whether he, as a former top leader of the party in Congress, would have a role in such a deal, Reid said he'd be willing if asked.
"Maybe we could even get Barack Obama to do it," he said. "The two most popular people in the country, and perhaps the world, are Barack and Michelle Obama."
Reid said he hasn't spoken to the former president about this possibility but that they do chat from time to time and he considers Obama a friend.
When Reid cast his early caucus vote, he chose "uncommitted" to maintain his neutrality in the race.


npr--2020-02-18--Satellite Photos Show Rapid Growth Of Syrian Refugee Camps

Since Dec. 1 , some 900,000 people have been uprooted by violence in Syria , according to the United Nations .
Now , new satellite images give a sense of scale to that crisis .
Syrian troops and the Russian air force are attempting to retake the northwest province of Idlib , the last rebel-held province in Syria 's ongoing civil war .
NPR 's Deb Amos reports the offensive has killed over a thousand civilians .
Many others have sought shelter near the Turkish border , the U.N. says .
Photos collected by a commercial satellite company show the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and around three Syrian towns near the border .
Maxar Technologies photographed Sarmada , Deir Hassan and Ad Dana in February 2019 and again this week .
( Drag the white slider bar left and right to compare . )
The U.N. says the majority of those who have been displaced are women and children .
`` They are traumatized and forced to sleep outside in freezing temperatures because camps are full , '' U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock said Monday .
`` Mothers burn plastic to keep children warm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the cold . ''
Lowcock called the violence `` indiscriminate , '' with attacks on aid workers , hospitals , schools and mosques .
The conflict in Syria has been ongoing since March 2011 and has forced more than half of the population to leave their homes , the U.N. says .
Turkey has taken in about 3.5 million refugees .
But the country says it 's at its limits .
The U.N. 's Lowcock is urging a cease-fire , saying it would be the only way to avert `` the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Satellite Photos Show Rapid Growth Of Syrian Refugee Camps
Since Dec. 1, some 900,000 people have been uprooted by violence in Syria, according to the United Nations. Now, new satellite images give a sense of scale to that crisis.
Syrian troops and the Russian air force are attempting to retake the northwest province of Idlib, the last rebel-held province in Syria's ongoing civil war. NPR's Deb Amos reports the offensive has killed over a thousand civilians. Many others have sought shelter near the Turkish border, the U.N. says.
Photos collected by a commercial satellite company show the refugee camps that have popped up in and around three Syrian towns near the border. Maxar Technologies photographed Sarmada, Deir Hassan and Ad Dana in February 2019 and again this week. (Drag the white slider bar left and right to compare. Photos are large and may take a moment to load).
Sarmada
The U.N. says the majority of those who have been displaced are women and children.
"They are traumatized and forced to sleep outside in freezing temperatures because camps are full," U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock said Monday. "Mothers burn plastic to keep children warm. Babies and small children are dying because of the cold."
Deir Hassan
Lowcock called the violence "indiscriminate," with attacks on aid workers, hospitals, schools and mosques.
The conflict in Syria has been ongoing since March 2011 and has forced more than half of the population to leave their homes, the U.N. says.
Ad Dana
Turkey has taken in about 3.5 million refugees. But the country says it's at its limits.
The U.N.'s Lowcock is urging a cease-fire, saying it would be the only way to avert "the biggest humanitarian horror story of the 21st Century."


npr--2020-02-18--Ontario's New License Plates Have A Problem: You Can't Read Them

Ontario 's New License Plates Have A Problem : You Ca n't Read Them A little background : The Canadian province 's new design was unveiled by the provincial government — led by center-right Ontario Premier Doug Ford — last year .
Almost immediately , people started comparing the plate design unfavorably to a box of Q-tips .
The plates also had a new slogan – `` A Place to Grow '' – which drew the ire of some critics , who preferred the previous `` Yours to Discover , '' which the plates had sported since 1982 .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the new plates had the same blue color scheme as Ford 's Progressive Conservative Party .
But the real problems began once the plates went into use this month .
`` Has anyone else noticed that the newly designed @ ONgov license plates are totally unreadable from distance at night ? ''
tweeted videojournalist Andrew Collins on Friday .
`` Could be an issue for [ Toronto ] police forces in the future . ''
A Twitter user who describes himself as a police sergeant in Kingston , Ont.
, tweeted another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day : `` Did anyone consult with police before designing and manufacturing the new Ontario licence plates ?
They 're virtually unreadable at night . ''
It appears the new plate design is struggling with its most important job : clarity .
`` It 's crazy , right ?
It 's unbelievable , '' says Collins , the videojournalist .
`` If citizens ca n't read them and call in impaired drivers and traffic complaints , a police officer is certainly not going to be able to read them in a chase situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toronto 's CTV network wanted to see if they could recreate the problem , so they shined a light on the new and old plates while slowly moving away .
In their video , the old plate remains plainly legible , while the letters on the new one quickly disappear into a blaze of white .
Unsurprisingly , police chiefs in the province are concerned .
`` Some officers are surprised and have been taking photos , saying this is what they 're looking at , '' Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It shows very clearly that , especially at night , there may be some visibility issues . ''
He said some police departments reported that their handheld scanners were n't able to read the new plates .
In an emailed statement , Ontario 's government says it `` consulted with key stakeholders to test the readability , reflectivity and functionality of the new high definition plate design .
Ontario 's new high definition licence plates were tested using advanced plate reader technology under multiple visibility conditions , and plates were successfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it acknowledged that `` some Ontarians are reporting concerns with readability to the naked-eye under certain light conditions , '' and says it is looking into the issue .
One silver lining ?
The plates are so new that very few vehicles have them .
`` You pretty much have to have bought a new or used car in the last few weeks , '' says Collins .
`` Or , you 're super with this government and you rushed out to get the Doug Ford plates . ''

Ontario's New License Plates Have A Problem: You Can't Read Them
Ontario's newly-designed license plates just hit a speed bump. Call it plate-gate.
A little background: The Canadian province's new design was unveiled by the provincial government — led by center-right Ontario Premier Doug Ford — last year.
Almost immediately, people started comparing the plate design unfavorably to a box of Q-tips.
The plates also had a new slogan – "A Place to Grow" – which drew the ire of some critics, who preferred the previous "Yours to Discover," which the plates had sported since 1982.
Then there was the palette: Observers noticed that the new plates had the same blue color scheme as Ford's Progressive Conservative Party.
But the real problems began once the plates went into use this month.
"Has anyone else noticed that the newly designed @ONgov license plates are totally unreadable from distance at night?" tweeted videojournalist Andrew Collins on Friday. "Could be an issue for [Toronto] police forces in the future."
A Twitter user who describes himself as a police sergeant in Kingston, Ontario, tweeted another photo with the same complaint the next day: "Did anyone consult with police before designing and manufacturing the new Ontario licence plates? They're virtually unreadable at night."
It appears the new plate design is struggling with its most important job: clarity.
"It's crazy, right? It's unbelievable," says Collins, the videojournalist.
"If citizens can't read them and call in impaired drivers and traffic complaints, a police officer is certainly not going to be able to read them in a chase situation," he posits.
Journalists at Toronto's CTV network wanted to see whether they could re-create the problem, so they shined a light on the new and old plates while slowly moving away. In their video, the old plate remains plainly legible, while the letters on the new one quickly disappear into a blaze of white.
Unsurprisingly, police chiefs in the province are concerned.
"Some officers are surprised and have been taking photos, saying this is what they're looking at," Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police spokesman Joe Couto told the Ottawa Citizen. "It shows very clearly that, especially at night, there may be some visibility issues." He said some police departments reported that their handheld scanners weren't able to read the new plates.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
In an emailed statement, Ontario's government says it "consulted with key stakeholders to test the readability, reflectivity and functionality of the new high definition plate design. Ontario's new high definition licence plates were tested using advanced plate reader technology under multiple visibility conditions, and plates were successfully read under those conditions."
But it acknowledged that "some Ontarians are reporting concerns with readability to the naked-eye under certain light conditions," and says it is looking into the issue.
One silver lining? The plates are so new that very few vehicles have them.
"You pretty much have to have bought a new or used car in the last few weeks," says Collins. "Or, you're super with this government and you rushed out to get the Doug Ford plates."


npr--2020-02-18--Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Released Following Trump's Commutation

Ex-governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich was released from federal prison Tuesday evening following a commutation earlier in the day from President Trump that cut short his punishment on corruption charges over his attempt to sell the Senate seat vacated by then-President Barack Obama .
The White House announced that Blagojevich is among 11 people who received clemency .
Those individuals include Edward DeBartolo Jr. , the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal ; convicted Wall Street financier Michael Milken , who became known as the `` junk bond king '' ; and Bernard Kerik , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who pleaded guilty in 2009 to tax fraud and lying to federal officials .
`` Oftentimes , pretty much all the time , I really rely on the recommendations of people who know them , '' Trump told reporters .
For years , Blagojevich 's family and allies have been attempting to persuade the White House to intervene in the case after exhausting all legal appeals .
His wife , Patti , has made repeated pleas on Fox News and other national outlets .
In a statement , the White House said Blagojevich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his eight years in prison .
`` He tutors and teaches GED classes , mentors prisoners regarding personal and professional development , and speaks to them about their civic duties , '' the statement said .
A 2016 court filing from Blagojevich 's lawyers noted that the former Illinois governor studied guitar and vocals with another federal inmate and they formed a band called `` The Jailhouse Rockers . ''
The legal memo also noted he taught other inmates Civil War history .
Such prison behavior helped pave the way for his commutation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blagojevich 's lawyers during the corruption trials .
`` To this day , if you look at what goes on in the state of Illinois and throughout the country , the bribery that happens every day , it is a bit of a headscratcher a ) that he was convicted on so many counts and b ) that he was sentenced so significantly . ''
Others criticized Trump 's move , including Republicans in Illinois .
`` In a state where corrupt , machine-style politics is still all too common , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison sentence in its entirety , '' said Tim Schneider , the chairman of the Illinois Republican Party .
The move freed Blagojevich from prison four years before his scheduled release date .
The commutation will keep his corruption convictions in place .
Blagojevich , once seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party , was a contestant on Trump 's former reality show The Celebrity Apprentice .
Trump has made sympathetic comments about Blagojevich in the past , having said publicly multiple times that Blagojevich 's sentence was unfair .
Blagojevich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted for `` being stupid , saying things that every other politician , you know , that many other politicians say . ''
Among the evidence federal prosecutors gathered on Blagojevich was his now-famous profanity on a phone call , secretly recorded by the FBI , about his attempt to profit from Obama 's vacated Illinois Senate seat .
`` I 've got this thing , and it 's f****** golden , '' Blagojevich said in the wiretapped call .
`` And I 'm not just giving it up for f****** nothing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by any means , '' Goldstein , his former lawyer , said on Tuesday of the the comments on the recorded call .
Yet Goldstein continued to defend the blunt statements from his former client .
`` Blagojevich , whether you want to call it stupidity or hubris or what , said those words that many , many people think to themselves , '' Goldstein said .
A U.S. appeals court in 2015 threw out five of Blagojevich 's extortion convictions but the court described the evidence against him , `` much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` overwhelming . ''
The team that prosecuted Blagojevich reacted to the news of his commutation , saying in a statement to WBEZ that extortion by a public official is a `` very serious crime . ''
`` While the President has the power to reduce Mr. Blagojevich 's sentence , the fact remains that the former governor was convicted of very serious crimes .
His prosecution serves as proof that elected officials who betray those they are elected to serve will be held to account , '' the prosecution team said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving a 14-year prison sentence since 2012 , and he would be eligible for release in 2024 .
In 2010 , after Blagojevich was removed as governor of Illinois over the corruption scandal , he appeared on Apprentice , where Trump fired Blagojevich before saying , `` I feel badly for him .
He tried , but I feel badly . ''
A jury convicted Blagojevich in 2010 on one count of lying to FBI agents and was unable to reach a consensus on 23 other charges .
But in 2011 , another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of soliciting bribes .
A judge sentenced him to 14 years in federal prison .

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Released Following Trump's Commutation
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Updated at 8:43 p.m. ET
Ex-governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich was released from federal prison Tuesday evening following a commutation earlier in the day from President Trump that cut short his punishment on corruption charges over his attempt to sell the Senate seat vacated by then-President Barack Obama.
The White House announced that Blagojevich is among 11 people who received clemency.
Those individuals include Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal; convicted Wall Street financier Michael Milken, who became known as the "junk bond king"; and Bernard Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner who pleaded guilty in 2009 to tax fraud and lying to federal officials.
"Oftentimes, pretty much all the time, I really rely on the recommendations of people who know them," Trump told reporters.
For years, Blagojevich's family and allies have been attempting to persuade the White House to intervene in the case after exhausting all legal appeals. His wife, Patti, has made repeated pleas on Fox News and other national outlets.
In a statement, the White House said Blagojevich has exhibited "exemplary character" during his eight years in prison.
"He tutors and teaches GED classes, mentors prisoners regarding personal and professional development, and speaks to them about their civic duties," the statement said.
A 2016 court filing from Blagojevich's lawyers noted that the former Illinois governor studied guitar and vocals with another federal inmate and they formed a band called "The Jailhouse Rockers."
The legal memo also noted he taught other inmates Civil War history.
Such prison behavior helped pave the way for his commutation, said Aaron Goldstein, one of Blagojevich's lawyers during the corruption trials.
"To this day, if you look at what goes on in the state of Illinois and throughout the country, the bribery that happens every day, it is a bit of a headscratcher a) that he was convicted on so many counts and b) that he was sentenced so significantly."
Others criticized Trump's move, including Republicans in Illinois.
"In a state where corrupt, machine-style politics is still all too common, it's important that those found guilty serve their prison sentence in its entirety," said Tim Schneider, the chairman of the Illinois Republican Party.
The move freed Blagojevich from prison four years before his scheduled release date. The commutation will keep his corruption convictions in place.
Blagojevich, once seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, was a contestant on Trump's former reality show The Celebrity Apprentice.
Trump has made sympathetic comments about Blagojevich in the past, having said publicly multiple times that Blagojevich's sentence was unfair.
Blagojevich, Trump said in 2018, was convicted for "being stupid, saying things that every other politician, you know, that many other politicians say."
Among the evidence federal prosecutors gathered on Blagojevich was his now-famous profanity on a phone call, secretly recorded by the FBI, about his attempt to profit from Obama's vacated Illinois Senate seat.
"I've got this thing, and it's f****** golden," Blagojevich said in the wiretapped call. "And I'm not just giving it up for f****** nothing."
"They don't sound good by any means," Goldstein, his former lawyer, said on Tuesday of the the comments on the recorded call.
Yet Goldstein continued to defend the blunt statements from his former client.
"Blagojevich, whether you want to call it stupidity or hubris or what, said those words that many, many people think to themselves," Goldstein said.
A U.S. appeals court in 2015 threw out five of Blagojevich's extortion convictions but the court described the evidence against him, "much of it from Blagojevich's own mouth" as "overwhelming."
The team that prosecuted Blagojevich reacted to the news of his commutation, saying in a statement to WBEZ that extortion by a public official is a "very serious crime."
"While the President has the power to reduce Mr. Blagojevich's sentence, the fact remains that the former governor was convicted of very serious crimes. His prosecution serves as proof that elected officials who betray those they are elected to serve will be held to account," the prosecution team said.
Blagojevich, 63, has been serving a 14-year prison sentence since 2012, and he would be eligible for release in 2024.
In 2010, after Blagojevich was removed as governor of Illinois over the corruption scandal, he appeared on Apprentice, where Trump fired Blagojevich before saying, "I feel badly for him. He tried, but I feel badly."
A jury convicted Blagojevich in 2010 on one count of lying to FBI agents and was unable to reach a consensus on 23 other charges. But in 2011, another jury convicted him on 17 counts, including 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of soliciting bribes.
A judge sentenced him to 14 years in federal prison.
WBEZ's Dave McKinney contributed to this report.


npr--2020-02-20--Coronavirus Is Contagious, But Kids Seem Less Vulnerable So Far

Coronavirus Is Contagious , But Kids Seem Less Vulnerable So Far As the case count of coronavirus infections continues to rise in China , the number of reported infections among children is remarkably low .
`` We 're seeing [ about ] 75,000 total cases at this point , but the literature is only reporting about 100 or so pediatric cases , '' says Terri Lynn Stillwell , a pediatric infectious disease expert at Mott Children 's Hospital at the University of Michigan .
It 's possible that many more kids are infected but do n't get sick enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible that some infected children may develop no symptoms at all .
`` So far , it appears that more than 80 percent of the [ coronavirus ] infections are pretty mild , no more severe than the common cold , ' says Cody Meissner , an infectious disease expert and professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine .
`` And children appear to have even milder infections than adults , '' Meissner says .
This is based on preliminary data , he says .
He points to the findings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Researchers in Wuhan , China , identified 9 hospitalized infants who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 after being infected by a family member .
They ranged in age from one month to 11 months old .
The researchers documented their symptoms .
They found that 4 of the infants had fevers , two developed a cough .
`` It was very mild illness , '' Meissner says .
None of the infants had severe complications .
So far , it seems the new virus is more likely to infect older adults , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And those who 've died from the virus in China tend to be much older , with an average age in their 70s .
Another group that public health officials worry about during an infectious disease outbreak is pregnant women .
But , so far , there 's no evidence that women suffer severe complications .
A small study published in The Lancet followed nine women who were tracked during their third trimester of pregnancy .
They were all admitted to Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University , Wuhan , China , and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They all delivered by C-Section , and none of the women developed severe pneumonia or died .
All gave birth to babies that appeared to be in relatively good health , with Apgar scores in the normal range in the minutes after birth .
To test whether the virus had been passed on , the researchers took samples of amniotic fluid , cord blood and breastmilk .
`` They did not find virus in those tissues or fluids , '' says Sallie Permar , a professor of Pediatrics and Immunology at Duke University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the study , but reviewed the findings for NPR .
`` The good news is we have not seen evidence of vertical transmission in coronaviruses . ''
Permar says .
But she says it 's important to keep studying this novel virus , because this initial research is based on so few cases .
In some ways , it 's not completely surprising that there have not been a lot of reported cases of the new virus among young children .
Going back to another coronavirus that caused harm with severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also ] mostly reported in adult populations and not children , '' Permar says .
`` So there may be similarities to this coronavirus . ''
It 's not clear why young children may be less vulnerable .
But there may be some protection from their mother .
`` Infants are born with maternal antibodies , '' Permar says .
`` So whatever their mother had been exposed to , they may have some protection [ against ] when they 're first born . ''
She says whether this is contributing at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of severity in infants `` will be something to study going forward . ''
Meanwhile , children are certainly being affected by the current flu season in the United States .
So far this year , almost 100 children have died from the flu in the U.S. And , in past year , the vast majority of those pediatric deaths occurred in children who did not receive a flu vaccine .

Coronavirus Is Contagious, But Kids Seem Less Vulnerable So Far
Enlarge this image toggle caption Wang Zhao /AFP via Getty Images Wang Zhao /AFP via Getty Images
As the case count of coronavirus infections continues to rise in China, the number of reported infections among children is remarkably low.
"We're seeing [about] 75,000 total cases at this point, but the literature is only reporting about 100 or so pediatric cases," says Terri Lynn Stillwell, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan.
It's possible that many more kids are infected but don't get sick enough to seek medical treatment. It's also possible that some infected children may develop no symptoms at all.
"So far, it appears that more than 80% of the [coronavirus] infections are pretty mild, no more severe than the common cold,' says Cody Meissner, an infectious disease expert and professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine. "And children appear to have even milder infections than adults," Meissner says. This is based on preliminary data, he says.
He points to the findings of a small study, published in JAMA. Researchers in Wuhan, China, identified nine hospitalized infants who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 after being infected by a family member. They ranged in age from one month to 11 months old. The researchers documented their symptoms. They found that four of the infants had fevers and two developed a cough. "It was very mild illness," Meissner says. None of the infants had severe complications.
So far, it seems the new virus is more likely to infect older adults, particularly people with chronic health problems. And those who have died from the virus in China tend to be much older, with an average age in their 70s.
Another group that public health officials worry about during an infectious disease outbreak is pregnant women. But so far there's no evidence that women suffer severe complications.
A small study published in The Lancet followed nine women who were tracked during their third trimester of pregnancy. They were all admitted to Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan, China, and were all confirmed to have the virus. They all delivered by C-section, and none of the women developed severe pneumonia or died. All gave birth to babies that appeared to be in relatively good health, with Apgar scores in the normal range in the minutes after birth.
To test whether the virus had been passed on, the researchers took samples of amniotic fluid, cord blood and breastmilk. "They did not find virus in those tissues or fluids," says Sallie Permar, a professor of pediatrics and immunology at Duke University School of Medicine. She was not involved in the study but reviewed the findings for NPR.
"The good news is we have not seen evidence of vertical transmission in coronaviruses," Permar says. But she says it's important to keep studying this novel virus because this initial research is based on so few cases.
In some ways, it's not completely surprising that there have not been a lot of reported cases of the new virus among young children. Going back to another coronavirus that caused harm with severe respiratory infection, "SARS was [also] mostly reported in adult populations and not children," Permar says. "So there may be similarities to this coronavirus."
It's not clear why young children may be less vulnerable. But there may be some protection from their mother.
"Infants are born with maternal antibodies," Permar says. "So whatever their mother had been exposed to, they may have some protection [against] when they're first born." She says whether this is contributing at all to the reports of a low degree of severity in infants "will be something to study going forward."
Meanwhile, children are certainly being affected by the current flu season in the United States.
So far this year, almost 100 children have died from the flu in the U.S. And, in the past year, the vast majority of those pediatric deaths occurred in children who did not receive a flu vaccine.


npr--2020-02-20--Shootings In Germany Kill 10; Police Suspect Far-Right Extremism

Updated at 9:45 a.m .
ET At least 10 people were shot and killed by a gunman in western Germany late Wednesday at several locations , including two different hookah lounges frequented by ethnic Kurdish customers .
The suspected shooter , who was later found dead , left a letter and video claiming responsibility , according to multiple German news agencies .
The suspect had also reportedly posted materials online that were vehemently anti-immigrant , prompting federal prosecutors to take over the case .
`` Racism is a poison .
Hate is a poison , '' German Chancellor Angela Merkel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence began to point to the gunman being motivated by extreme right-wing views .
Merkel added that her government will stand up to anyone who tries to use hate to divide Germany .
The gunman first opened fire at a lounge in downtown Hanau , east of Frankfurt .
He then drove to a second location about 1½ miles away , killing a total of nine people at the two locations , according to a spokesperson for the South Hesse state police .
At least six people were also injured , including one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutor 's office said at a briefing Thursday .
Police say they do n't believe any other perpetrators were involved .
Following a manhunt , police located the body of the suspect in his apartment , along with another body , at about 10 p.m. local time ( 4 p.m .
ET ) .
The second body was later identified as the suspect 's 72-year-old mother .
Peter Beuth , the interior minister for the state of Hesse , where Hanau is located , confirmed that the second body was the suspect 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that federal authorities are investigating the shooting as likely linked to far-right extremism .
Earlier , Steffen Seibert , a spokesman for Merkel , tweeted : `` Our thoughts are with the people of # Hanau this morning , where a horrific crime was committed . ''
Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky , speaking to Bild newspaper , called it `` a terrible evening that will certainly occupy us for a long , long time and we will remember with sadness . ''
In the aftermath of the shooting , police said a dark-colored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first attack and that the vehicle was also present at the scene of the attack at the second hookah lounge .
Hookah lounges , also known as shisha bars , are places where people gather to smoke flavored tobacco from water pipes .
The attacks follow by four days another shooting that killed one person near a Turkish comedy show in Berlin .
It also comes months after an attacker killed two people while trying to attack a synagogue in the city of Halle on Yom Kippur , the Jewish holy day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-right extremism in Germany , the country 's parliament , the Bundestag , approved new gun laws last month , further tightening regulations on firearms that are already among the world 's most stringent .
After the bill was approved , federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said the government 's goal was to make sure there were `` no weapons in the hands of extremists . ''
Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht said , `` I do not want to wait until arms get into the hands of right-wing extremists . ''

Shootings In Germany Kill 10; Police Suspect Far-Right Extremism
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ralph Orlowski/Reuters Ralph Orlowski/Reuters
Updated at 9:45 a.m. ET
At least 10 people were killed by a gunman in western Germany late Wednesday at several locations, including two hookah lounges frequented by ethnic Kurdish customers. The suspected shooter, who was later found dead, left a letter and video claiming responsibility, according to multiple German news agencies.
The suspect had reportedly posted materials online that were vehemently anti-immigrant, prompting federal prosecutors to take over the case.
"Racism is a poison. Hate is a poison," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a video statement Thursday as evidence began to point to the gunman being motivated by extreme right-wing views.
Merkel added that her government will stand up to anyone who tries to use hate to divide Germany.
At least six others were hurt, including one person with critical injuries, the federal prosecutor's office said at a briefing Thursday.
The gunman first opened fire at a lounge in downtown Hanau, east of Frankfurt. He then drove to a second location about 1½ miles away, killing a total of nine people at the two locations, according to a spokesperson for the South Hesse state police.
Police had said that a dark-colored vehicle was seen leaving the scene of the first attack and that the vehicle was also present at the scene of the attack at the second hookah lounge.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Thomas Lohnes/AFP via Getty Images Thomas Lohnes/AFP via Getty Images
Following a manhunt, police found the body of the suspect in his apartment, along with another body, at about 10 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET). The second body was later identified as the suspect's 72-year-old mother.
Police say they don't believe anyone else was involved.
Earlier, Steffen Seibert, a spokesman for Merkel, tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the people of #Hanau this morning, where a horrific crime was committed."
Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky, speaking to Bild newspaper, called it "a terrible evening that will certainly occupy us for a long, long time and we will remember with sadness."
At hookah lounges, also known as shisha bars, people gather to smoke flavored tobacco from water pipes.
Peter Beuth, the interior minister for the state of Hesse, where Hanau is located, confirmed local media reports that federal authorities are investigating the shooting as likely linked to far-right extremism.
The attacks come four days a shooting that killed one person near a Turkish comedy show in Berlin and months after an attacker killed two people while trying to attack a synagogue in the city of Halle on Yom Kippur, the Jewish holy day.
In response to the surge in far-right extremism in Germany, the country's parliament, the Bundestag, approved new gun laws last month, further tightening regulations on firearms that are already among the world's most stringent.
After the bill was approved, federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said the government's goal was to make sure there were "no weapons in the hands of extremists."
Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht said, "I do not want to wait until arms get into the hands of right-wing extremists."


npr--2020-02-20--White House Appoints Outspoken Ambassador As New Acting Head Of Intelligence

White House Appoints Outspoken Ambassador As New Acting Head Of Intelligence President Trump has named Richard Grenell , the vocal and controversial U.S. ambassador to Germany , as the new acting director of national intelligence , replacing the current acting head of the nation 's 17 spy agencies .
Grenell , who has been the U.S. envoy to Berlin since May 2018 , is known to be fiercely loyal to Trump , but critics have noted that he has no background in intelligence and no top-level management experience .
Grenell replaces the current acting director of national intelligence , Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was ousted by President Trump in July , just as events surrounding what would become the Ukraine scandal were brewing .
Like Maguire , whose term is up on March 11 , as an acting director Grenell will be limited by law to serving for 210 days .
The president has shown a preference in many cases for `` acting '' Cabinet members who do not require Senate confirmation and have time-limited tenures .
However , Maguire likely attracted the ire of administration officials by testifying before the House Intelligence Committee during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told the committee that he believed the Ukraine whistleblower `` did the right thing '' and that the intelligence community 's inspector general — whose report helped trigger Trump 's impeachment – acted in good faith .
Grenell — who is openly gay and announced last year that he would lead a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality — was appointed in 2001 as U.N. spokesman by President George W. Bush and held the position for the next seven years , serving four ambassadors .
He later became a Fox News contributor on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefly a foreign policy spokesman for Mitt Romney 's 2012 presidential campaign .
He resigned , citing `` hyper-partisan discussion of personal issues '' as the cause .
At the time , his sexual orientation was rumored to be the cause of friction within Republican circles .
In addition to being ambassador to Germany , Europe 's largest economy , Grenell has served as the Trump administration 's special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo .
The ambassador frequently turns to Twitter to defend the president and to engage in less-than-diplomatic exchanges over U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed Trump 's position that Germany is not spending its fair share on NATO 's collective defense of Europe .
`` It is offensive to assume that the U.S. taxpayers continue to pay for more than 50,000 Americans in Germany but the Germans get to spend their ( budget ) surplus on domestic programs , '' Grenell told the German news agency DPA in August .
Late last year , the German magazine Der Spiegel accused Grenell of meddling in the country 's internal affairs when he appeared on Fox News ' Tucker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's refugee policy .
The magazine added , `` These days , the spotlight on Grenell seems to have grown dimmer , though not necessarily by choice .
He still tweets assiduously and he never seems to say no when Fox News calls , but in Berlin , he has largely become isolated .
The powerful avoid him .
Doors have been shut . ''
Most recently , Grenell took up the administration 's warning that countries using 5G technology from China 's Huawei risked their relationship with the U.S .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president had called him from Air Force One to tell him to `` make clear that any nation who chooses to use an untrustworthy 5G vendor will jeopardize our ability to share intelligence and information at the highest level . ''
After the appointment became public , Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner , the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee , tweeted : `` It appears the President has selected an individual *without any intelligence experience* to serve as the leader of the national intelligence community in an acting capacity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the integrity and independence of the DOJ has been called into grave question , our country needs a Senate-confirmed intelligence director who will provide the best intelligence and analysis , regardless of whether or not it 's expedient for the President , '' Warner tweeted .
The New York Times , citing an unnamed administration official , reports that Grenell is expected to remain ambassador to Germany while serving as director of national intelligence in an `` acting '' capacity .

White House Appoints Outspoken Ambassador As New Acting Head Of Intelligence
Enlarge this image toggle caption Darko Vojinovic/AP Darko Vojinovic/AP
President Trump has named Richard Grenell, the vocal and controversial U.S. ambassador to Germany, as the new acting director of national intelligence, replacing the current acting head of the nation's 17 spy agencies.
Grenell, who has been the U.S. envoy to Berlin since May 2018, is known to be fiercely loyal to Trump, but critics have noted that he has no background in intelligence and no top-level management experience.
Fifty years ago a gay man or woman couldn’t work in the intelligence community. Today President Trump is appointing an openly gay man to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence. Congratulations, Ambassador @RichardGrenell — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 20, 2020
Grenell replaces the current acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire. Maguire replaced Dan Coats, who was ousted by President Trump in July, just as events surrounding what would become the Ukraine scandal were brewing.
Like Maguire, whose term is up on March 11, as an acting director Grenell will be limited by law to serving for 210 days.
The president has shown a preference in many cases for "acting" Cabinet members who do not require Senate confirmation and have time-limited tenures.
However, Maguire likely attracted the ire of administration officials by testifying before the House Intelligence Committee during its Ukraine probe. In September, he told the committee that he believed the Ukraine whistleblower "did the right thing" and that the intelligence community's inspector general — whose report helped trigger Trump's impeachment – acted in good faith.
Grenell — who is openly gay and announced last year that he would lead a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality — was appointed in 2001 as U.N. spokesman by President George W. Bush and held the position for the next seven years, serving four ambassadors.
He later became a Fox News contributor on foreign affairs and the media, and briefly a foreign policy spokesman for Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. He resigned, citing "hyper-partisan discussion of personal issues" as the cause. At the time, his sexual orientation was rumored to be the cause of friction within Republican circles.
In addition to being ambassador to Germany, Europe's largest economy, Grenell has served as the Trump administration's special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo.
Diplomacy is for the people. Wanting to control the conversation in the back rooms with just a few people present is very swampy of you. Your decisions impact every person. https://t.co/5PdO7nAuPy — Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 16, 2020
The ambassador frequently turns to Twitter to defend the president and to engage in less-than-diplomatic exchanges over U.S. foreign policy.
He has also vocally backed Trump's position that Germany is not spending its fair share on NATO's collective defense of Europe.
"It is offensive to assume that the U.S. taxpayers continue to pay for more than 50,000 Americans in Germany but the Germans get to spend their (budget) surplus on domestic programs," Grenell told the German news agency DPA in August.
Late last year, the German magazine Der Spiegel accused Grenell of meddling in the country's internal affairs when he appeared on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight to criticize Chancellor Angela Merkel's refugee policy.
It appears the President has selected an individual *without any intelligence experience* to serve as the leader of the nation's intelligence community in an acting capacity... https://t.co/Yvq5UVSPpA — Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) February 20, 2020
The magazine added, "These days, the spotlight on Grenell seems to have grown dimmer, though not necessarily by choice. He still tweets assiduously and he never seems to say no when Fox News calls, but in Berlin, he has largely become isolated. The powerful avoid him. Doors have been shut."
Most recently, Grenell took up the administration's warning that countries using 5G technology from China's Huawei risked their relationship with the U.S. In a tweet on Sunday, he said that the president had called him from Air Force One to tell him to "make clear that any nation who chooses to use an untrustworthy 5G vendor will jeopardize our ability to share intelligence and information at the highest level."
After the appointment became public, Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, tweeted: "It appears the President has selected an individual *without any intelligence experience* to serve as the leader of the national intelligence community in an acting capacity."
"And at a time when the integrity and independence of the DOJ has been called into grave question, our country needs a Senate-confirmed intelligence director who will provide the best intelligence and analysis, regardless of whether or not it's expedient for the President," Warner tweeted.
The New York Times, citing an unnamed administration official, reports that Grenell is expected to remain ambassador to Germany while serving as director of national intelligence in an "acting" capacity.
NPR National Security Correspondent Greg Myre contributed to this report.


npr--2020-02-20--Human Trafficking Survivor Settles Lawsuit Against Motel Where She Was Held Captive

Human Trafficking Survivor Settles Lawsuit Against Motel Where She Was Held Captive Editor 's note : This report includes graphic and disturbing descriptions of assault .
In the summer of 2011 , Lisa Ricchio received a call from a man she knew .
He said he was in Massachusetts , in pain from a recent surgery , and needed help .
`` I went down to meet him , and from there , that 's where my nightmare kind of began , '' says Ricchio , who lived in Maine at the time .
Together , they checked into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once they closed the door , he suddenly turned violent .
`` I was held against my will for several days , and during that , he sexually assaulted me nonstop .
He had burned me on my privates , '' Ricchio says .
`` He had cut me ; he did n't allow me to eat or drink .
It was truly a nightmare .
Along with him telling me that I was going to be a prostitute to make him income . ''
At least twice while she was held captive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in distress but failed to intervene .
Ricchio ultimately escaped , and her abuser was arrested and sentenced to prison .
Then , Ricchio did something novel .
Under a federal law called the Trafficking Victims Protection Act , or TVPA , she sued the motel , alleging that the owners financially benefited from the crime .
Legal experts and anti-trafficking groups say her 2015 case was the first filed against a hotel or motel for its role in a trafficking crime .
`` It is not that any hotel is liable just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' explains Cindy Vreeland , a partner at the firm WilmerHale , which handled Ricchio 's case pro bono .
`` The question is whether the company that 's been sued knew or should have known about the trafficking . ''
After a number of appeals and delays , the case finally settled in December 2019 with Ricchio receiving an undisclosed monetary award .
Owners of the Shangri-La Motel did n't respond to a request for comment .
`` I never thought it would be , like , an eight-year process , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court system seems to take forever . ''
That slow process is n't deterring other survivors of trafficking from bringing their own suits .
According to the Human Trafficking Institute , there were at least 25 new cases filed nationwide against hotels and motels last year under the TVPA .
Some of the named defendants include major chains such as Hilton , Marriott and Red Roof Inn .
`` You ca n't just let anything happen on your property , turn a blind eye and say , 'Too bad , so sad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm not responsible , ' `` says Paul Pennock with the firm Weitz & Luxenberg .
Pennock has filed an estimated two dozen cases against hotels on behalf of victims in an effort to stop what he considers an epidemic of forced prostitution .
For its part , the hotel industry says it 's actively working to stop forced prostitution in its rooms and takes the issue seriously .
`` Every major U.S. hotel brand along with thousands of independent hotels have already begun training their employees , '' writes Chip Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hotel & Lodging Association , in a statement .
`` Hotels across the country are dedicated to helping victims and survivors , and training gives them the tools to recognize and report instances of trafficking . ''
Employees are trained to be on the lookout for warning signs , such as guests checking in without luggage , paying in cash , or heavy foot traffic in and out of the same room .
`` It is not necessarily to avoid criminal charges or a lawsuit , '' says Robert Beiser with the Polaris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotline , the nonprofit also works with the hospitality industry to lead training .
`` It is more because this is a crime of violence and harm , and certainly no one wants to go into work knowing that their business is associated with that kind of tragedy . ''
One challenge is getting this training and awareness into smaller and more isolated hotels .
For Lisa Ricchio , she says her lawsuit against the Shangri-La Motel was about more than money .
It was also about accountability .
`` Even if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for even one person , just to prevent everything I went through , it 's worth it to me , '' she says .
For years , Ricchio has felt the effects of PTSD and chronic pain from her assault .
With the legal case now behind her , she 's also now feeling a sense of relief .

Human Trafficking Survivor Settles Lawsuit Against Motel Where She Was Held Captive
Enlarge this image toggle caption Todd Bookman/New Hampshire Public Radio Todd Bookman/New Hampshire Public Radio
Editor's note: This report includes graphic and disturbing descriptions of assault.
In the summer of 2011, Lisa Ricchio received a call from a man she knew. He said he was in Massachusetts, in pain from a recent surgery, and needed help.
"I went down to meet him, and from there, that's where my nightmare kind of began," says Ricchio, who lived in Maine at the time.
Together, they checked into the Shangri-La Motel in Seekonk, Mass. Once they closed the door, he suddenly turned violent.
"I was held against my will for several days, and during that, he sexually assaulted me nonstop. He had burned me on my privates," Ricchio says. "He had cut me; he didn't allow me to eat or drink. It was truly a nightmare. Along with him telling me that I was going to be a prostitute to make him income."
At least twice while she was held captive, Ricchio claims motel employees saw her in distress but failed to intervene. Ricchio ultimately escaped, and her abuser was arrested and sentenced to prison.
Then, Ricchio did something novel.
Under a federal law called the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, or TVPA, she sued the motel, alleging that the owners financially benefited from the crime.
Legal experts and anti-trafficking groups say her 2015 case was the first filed against a hotel or motel for its role in a trafficking crime.
"It is not that any hotel is liable just because trafficking occurred on their premises," explains Cindy Vreeland, a partner at the firm WilmerHale, which handled Ricchio's case pro bono. "The question is whether the company that's been sued knew or should have known about the trafficking."
After a number of appeals and delays, the case finally settled in December 2019 with Ricchio receiving an undisclosed monetary award. Owners of the Shangri-La Motel didn't respond to a request for comment.
"I never thought it would be, like, an eight-year process," Ricchio says. "Anything in the court system seems to take forever."
That slow process isn't deterring other survivors of trafficking from bringing their own suits.
According to the Human Trafficking Institute, there were at least 25 new cases filed nationwide against hotels and motels last year under the TVPA.
Some of the named defendants include major chains such as Hilton, Marriott and Red Roof Inn.
"You can't just let anything happen on your property, turn a blind eye and say, 'Too bad, so sad, I didn't do it, so I'm not responsible,' " says Paul Pennock with the firm Weitz & Luxenberg.
Pennock has filed an estimated two dozen cases against hotels on behalf of victims in an effort to stop what he considers an epidemic of forced prostitution.
For its part, the hotel industry says it's actively working to stop forced prostitution in its rooms and takes the issue seriously.
"Every major U.S. hotel brand along with thousands of independent hotels have already begun training their employees," writes Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, in a statement. "Hotels across the country are dedicated to helping victims and survivors, and training gives them the tools to recognize and report instances of trafficking."
Employees are trained to be on the lookout for warning signs, such as guests checking in without luggage, paying in cash, or heavy foot traffic in and out of the same room.
"It is not necessarily to avoid criminal charges or a lawsuit," says Robert Beiser with the Polaris Project. Along with operating a nationwide hotline, the nonprofit also works with the hospitality industry to lead training. "It is more because this is a crime of violence and harm, and certainly no one wants to go into work knowing that their business is associated with that kind of tragedy."
One challenge is getting this training and awareness into smaller and more isolated hotels.
For Lisa Ricchio, she says her lawsuit against the Shangri-La Motel was about more than money. It was also about accountability.
"Even if I can just change, change the outcome for even one person, just to prevent everything I went through, it's worth it to me," she says.
For years, Ricchio has felt the effects of PTSD and chronic pain from her assault. With the legal case now behind her, she's also now feeling a sense of relief.


npr--2020-02-20--Disparities In Government Contracting Hurt Minority-Owned Businesses

State and local governments spend billions of dollars hiring contractors for goods and services , but most of those contracts go to white-owned businesses , not minority contractors — despite decades of affirmative action and other policies meant to make up for disparities .
A federal study released by the Minority Business Development Agency in early 2017 found the needle has barely moved on boosting minority business participation in public contracts .
Albert Shen , the former deputy chief of minority business development under President Obama , believes one reason is that government procurement officials just hire who they know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large projects are — to be blunt — very homogeneous .
They do n't have diverse networks , so they do n't know who to reach out to , '' Shen said .
`` [ But ] because they do n't know does n't mean they do n't exist . ''
There are more than 11 million minority owned businesses in the U.S .
In places such as Massachusetts , minority entrepreneurs are now getting a smaller slice of the pie when it comes to doing business with local government .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the value of Massachusetts contracts going to minority-owned businesses has fallen 24 % .
That 's $ 135 million less per year paid to minority entrepreneurs .
`` The smart thing to do '' In Massachusetts and many other states , public projects are required to hire a certain percentage of minority and women-owned businesses .
But Larry Cole , who runs a trucking company in Springfield , Mass.
, said there 's very little oversight to make sure that happens .
In 2007 , a construction company promised him hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Cole got only a fraction of the work – despite sometimes showing up onsite with trucks and drivers .
`` You 've got to feed a family .
At that time , I had three kids in college , plus the trucks , the insurance , payroll taxes , '' said Cole , remembering how he challenged the construction company when they turned him and his dump trucks away .
`` I said , 'Wait , I 'm supposed to be doing all the trucking here . '
Well , next thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it . ''
Cole 's trucking company shrank , he said , partly because of his frustration of getting work in the public sector .
Massachusetts ' leaders began decades ago trying to fix economic disparities facing minority businesspeople such as Cole , passing laws and creating agencies to even the playing field .
Last fall , Massachusetts Lt. Gov .
Karyn Polito praised efforts to boost minority participation in building two casinos approved by the state .
`` The one thing the Mass Gaming Commission did was to be intentional to diversify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding everyone accountable , measuring progress , '' she said .
James Jennings , an expert on race and politics and an emeritus professor at Tufts University , said the state 's efforts to increase fairness and equity for minority business owners are n't cutting it .
`` The pushing has been going on for 25 to 30 years now , '' Jennings said .
`` I think leadership has to be more aggressive in saying we 're going to do something about this because it 's the right thing to do ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart thing to do . ''
Critics in Massachusetts have pointed to Philadelphia as a model for local government getting more aggressive about hiring minority contractors .
On a raw December afternoon in North Philadelphia , a dozen kids are chasing a soccer ball on a blacktop basketball court on a city-owned playground slated for renovation .
It 's part of a $ 400 million initiative aimed at fixing up recreation centers , parks and libraries in low-income neighborhoods like this one .
The city of Philadelphia also intends to spend a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minorities to do the work .
`` These poor communities that are mostly minority in the city of Philadelphia : It makes a lot of sense that if you have people coming in and working and fixing things and designing things , let them look like [ local people ] , '' said Cappy Sabir , an engineer and minority business owner whose company is working a new vision for this playground .
`` You 're giving a level of motivation and pride to the community .
'See ?
I can be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I can be a contractor . '
'' Sabir is a co-owner of SRW Engineering & Architecture , which won five contracts with the city worth almost half a million dollars .
City-wide , minority-owned businesses landed 23 % of Philadelphia city contracts last year , totaling $ 166 million .
Iola Harper , who heads up Philadelphia 's office of economic opportunity , said Philadelphia 's mayor — now in his second term — has prioritized contracting with minority businesses .
`` You really have to have buy-in from the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss of the city , not their boss , but their boss 's boss , expects that there 's going to be some inclusion .
They know that part of my evaluation or part of what my boss is looking at is my ability to be inclusive and be equitable . ''
Underlying this mandate is simple economics , said Harper , especially in a city with a poverty rate at 26 % — one of the country 's highest for a big city .
`` Businesses that are owned by people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` That 's people that are going to be employed and that 's going to impact the poverty rate . ''
Harper 's office also sets minority hiring goals and enforces compliance .
Since 2017 , Philadelphia has disbarred three vendors from working with the city that violated minority contracting regulations .
The city has also lowered barriers that have historically favored big contractors by offering assistance to smaller , minority-owned and women-owned firms before they even bid on projects .
Sabir 's company — with just 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's new rules and is now treated as a prime contractor , not just a subcontractor that has to lobby other private businesses for a share of the work .
`` Opportunities come out from the city ( were ) worded in a way , structured in a way that is impossible for either for any minority , or woman-owned business to even have a chance , '' Sabir said .
`` Offering the opportunity for minority firms to be primes ?
To us , that 's like Obama becoming president .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Sabir has welcomed in Philadelphia , though , is not happening across the country .
The federal report at the end of the Obama administration analyzed 100 disparity surveys done by cities and states across the country .
The majority of those places found minority-owned businesses face significant disparities .
President Trump 's budget for next year calls for cutting the Minority Business Development Agency budget by 76 % .

Disparities In Government Contracting Hurt Minority-Owned Businesses
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chris Burrell/WGBH Chris Burrell/WGBH
State and local governments spend billions of dollars hiring contractors for goods and services, but most of those contracts go to white-owned businesses, not minority contractors — despite decades of affirmative action and other policies meant to make up for disparities.
A federal study released by the Minority Business Development Agency in early 2017 found the needle has barely moved on boosting minority business participation in public contracts.
Albert Shen, the former deputy chief of minority business development under President Obama, believes one reason is that government procurement officials just hire who they know.
"The people that manage these large projects are — to be blunt — very homogeneous. They don't have diverse networks, so they don't know who to reach out to," Shen said. "[But] because they don't know doesn't mean they don't exist."
There are more than 11 million minority owned businesses in the U.S. In places such as Massachusetts, minority entrepreneurs are now getting a smaller slice of the pie when it comes to doing business with local government. Over the last two decades, adjusted for inflation, the value of Massachusetts contracts going to minority-owned businesses has fallen 24%. That's $135 million less per year paid to minority entrepreneurs.
"The smart thing to do"
In Massachusetts and many other states, public projects are required to hire a certain percentage of minority and women-owned businesses.
But Larry Cole, who runs a trucking company in Springfield, Mass., said there's very little oversight to make sure that happens. In 2007, a construction company promised him hundreds of hours of work as a minority subcontractor but Cole got only a fraction of the work – despite sometimes showing up onsite with trucks and drivers.
"You've got to feed a family. At that time, I had three kids in college, plus the trucks, the insurance, payroll taxes," said Cole, remembering how he challenged the construction company when they turned him and his dump trucks away. "I said, 'Wait, I'm supposed to be doing all the trucking here.' Well, next thing you know, you're not doing it."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Christopher Burrell/WGBH Christopher Burrell/WGBH
Cole's trucking company shrank, he said, partly because of his frustration of getting work in the public sector.
Massachusetts' leaders began decades ago trying to fix economic disparities facing minority businesspeople such as Cole, passing laws and creating agencies to even the playing field. Last fall, Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito praised efforts to boost minority participation in building two casinos approved by the state.
"The one thing the Mass Gaming Commission did was to be intentional to diversify their workforce — setting these goals, holding everyone accountable, measuring progress," she said.
James Jennings, an expert on race and politics and an emeritus professor at Tufts University, said the state's efforts to increase fairness and equity for minority business owners aren't cutting it.
"The pushing has been going on for 25 to 30 years now," Jennings said. "I think leadership has to be more aggressive in saying we're going to do something about this because it's the right thing to do (and) it's also economically the smart thing to do."
Inclusive and equitable
Critics in Massachusetts have pointed to Philadelphia as a model for local government getting more aggressive about hiring minority contractors.
On a raw December afternoon in North Philadelphia, a dozen kids are chasing a soccer ball on a blacktop basketball court on a city-owned playground slated for renovation. It's part of a $400 million initiative aimed at fixing up recreation centers, parks and libraries in low-income neighborhoods like this one.
The city of Philadelphia also intends to spend a third of that money hiring businesses owned by minorities to do the work.
"These poor communities that are mostly minority in the city of Philadelphia: It makes a lot of sense that if you have people coming in and working and fixing things and designing things, let them look like [local people]," said Cappy Sabir, an engineer and minority business owner whose company is working a new vision for this playground. "You're giving a level of motivation and pride to the community. 'See? I can be an architect. I can be an engineer, I can be a contractor.'"
Sabir is a co-owner of SRW Engineering & Architecture, which won five contracts with the city worth almost half a million dollars. City-wide, minority-owned businesses landed 23% of Philadelphia city contracts last year, totaling $166 million.
Iola Harper, who heads up Philadelphia's office of economic opportunity, said Philadelphia's mayor — now in his second term — has prioritized contracting with minority businesses.
"You really have to have buy-in from the top," Harper said. "The boss of the city, not their boss, but their boss's boss, expects that there's going to be some inclusion. They know that part of my evaluation or part of what my boss is looking at is my ability to be inclusive and be equitable."
Underlying this mandate is simple economics, said Harper, especially in a city with a poverty rate at 26% — one of the country's highest for a big city.
The Indicator from Planet Money How Economics Excludes Black Women How Economics Excludes Black Women Listen · 9:57 9:57
"Businesses that are owned by people of color hire people who look like them," she said. "That's people that are going to be employed and that's going to impact the poverty rate."
Harper's office also sets minority hiring goals and enforces compliance. Since 2017, Philadelphia has disbarred three vendors from working with the city that violated minority contracting regulations.
The city has also lowered barriers that have historically favored big contractors by offering assistance to smaller, minority-owned and women-owned firms before they even bid on projects.
Sabir's company — with just 20 employees — took advantage of the city's new rules and is now treated as a prime contractor, not just a subcontractor that has to lobby other private businesses for a share of the work.
"Opportunities come out from the city (were) worded in a way, structured in a way that is impossible for either for any minority, or woman-owned business to even have a chance," Sabir said. "Offering the opportunity for minority firms to be primes? To us, that's like Obama becoming president. It's huge."
The huge change that Sabir has welcomed in Philadelphia, though, is not happening across the country. The federal report at the end of the Obama administration analyzed 100 disparity surveys done by cities and states across the country. The majority of those places found minority-owned businesses face significant disparities.
President Trump's budget for next year calls for cutting the Minority Business Development Agency budget by 76%.