DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, October 06, 2020
Eddie Van Halen, legendary rock guitarist, dead at 65
One of rock 'n' roll's singular and most gifted guitarists, Eddie Van Halen, has died. He was 65.
Van Halen's son, Wolf, confirmed the news on Tuesday.
"I can't believe I'm having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning," he wrote on Twitter.
"He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I've shared with him on stage and off stage was a gift," Wolf continued. "My heart is broken and I don't think I'll ever fully recover from this loss."
"I love you so much, Pop," he concluded.
According to TMZ, citing sources, Van Halen died at a Santa Monica hospital on Tuesday. Wolf, his brother Alex, and his wife, Janie, were by his side.
Van Halen told Billboard magazine in 2015 that he had one-third of his tongue removed due to cancer that had also spread to his esophagus.
“I used metal picks -- they’re brass and copper -- which I always held in my mouth, in the exact place where I got the tongue cancer,” he said at the time. “Plus, I basically live in a recording studio that’s filled with electromagnetic energy. So that’s one theory. I mean, I was smoking and doing a lot of drugs and a lot of everything. But at the same time, my lungs are totally clear. This is just my own theory, but the doctors say it’s possible.”
CNN’s Chris Cuomo slammed for coronavirus hypocrisy after ‘off-the-wall rant’ attacking Trump
CNN’s Chris Cuomo was roasted on Monday night after attacking President Trump’s return to the White House amid a battle with coronavirus.
Cuomo, the younger brother of Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, specifically questioned Trump’s timeline even though the CNN anchor’s own coronavirus timeline was scrutinized earlier this year.
The “Cuomo Prime Time” namesake famously videotaped his “official reentry” into normal society after recovering from coronavirus back in April, claiming he had been stuck in his basement for weeks. But Cuomo had previously admitted he was involved in a heated altercation that took place outside his second property, not the home where he was allegedly confined to the basement.
New York Times media columnist Ben Smith even mocked the situation at the time, comparing CNN to a reality TV show.
Days later, Cuomo dug himself a hole when he tried to combat a Twitter critic by claiming he was “past quarantine” on the date of a now-infamous altercation with a cyclist, which appears to have occurred days before he claimed he was first healthy enough to emerge from his basement.
But Cuomo’s debacle didn’t stop him from criticizing Trump’s return to the White House.
Cuomo, the younger brother of Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, specifically questioned Trump’s timeline even though the CNN anchor’s own coronavirus timeline was scrutinized earlier this year.
The “Cuomo Prime Time” namesake famously videotaped his “official reentry” into normal society after recovering from coronavirus back in April, claiming he had been stuck in his basement for weeks. But Cuomo had previously admitted he was involved in a heated altercation that took place outside his second property, not the home where he was allegedly confined to the basement.
New York Times media columnist Ben Smith even mocked the situation at the time, comparing CNN to a reality TV show.
Days later, Cuomo dug himself a hole when he tried to combat a Twitter critic by claiming he was “past quarantine” on the date of a now-infamous altercation with a cyclist, which appears to have occurred days before he claimed he was first healthy enough to emerge from his basement.
But Cuomo’s debacle didn’t stop him from criticizing Trump’s return to the White House.
New York woman accused of using six kids to steal Trump lawn signs
A woman was arrested Sunday for allegedly using six kids to steal Trump campaign lawn signs from numerous sites in upstate New York, a report said.
Deana Algarin, 45, was busted with the signs in her car by the New York State police on Highway 103 in Montgomery County, Fox News reported, citing the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The stolen signs were from locations in Montgomery and Schenectady counties, the report said.
Algarin was charged with six counts of endangering the welfare of a child, criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny and marijuana possession, police said.
She was also slapped with two citations for seatbelt violations.
It’s unclear if Algarin was related to any of the children.
Deana Algarin, 45, was busted with the signs in her car by the New York State police on Highway 103 in Montgomery County, Fox News reported, citing the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The stolen signs were from locations in Montgomery and Schenectady counties, the report said.
Algarin was charged with six counts of endangering the welfare of a child, criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny and marijuana possession, police said.
She was also slapped with two citations for seatbelt violations.
It’s unclear if Algarin was related to any of the children.
Pence faces tall task in VP debate
Vice President Pence faces a challenging environment in the first vice presidential debate on Wednesday, which will take place against an unprecedented backdrop of events.
Pence will take the stage as President Trump, his running mate, battles the coronavirus. Trump left the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday evening amid continued questions about his health.
The White House is also dealing with a growing outbreak within its walls. On Monday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two of her deputies came down with COVID-19.
A Biden aide said Harris will continue the Biden campaign’s strategy of homing in on Trump’s failed leadership “which of course includes the handling of COVID-19.”
“Harris has every advantage coming into this debate,” one GOP strategist conceded. “Pence is going to have to try and turn this around all on his own and that’s a pretty daunting situation to be in.”
The White House is also dealing with a growing outbreak within its walls. On Monday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two of her deputies came down with COVID-19.
A Biden aide said Harris will continue the Biden campaign’s strategy of homing in on Trump’s failed leadership “which of course includes the handling of COVID-19.”
“Harris has every advantage coming into this debate,” one GOP strategist conceded. “Pence is going to have to try and turn this around all on his own and that’s a pretty daunting situation to be in.”
Speaker Pelosi, House Democrats leave town, fail the American people
Wheels up, off to California after adjourning the House until after Election Day. It’s a shameful display of partisanship in the wake of our recovery from the coronavirus. Rather than help small businesses continue to access unused funds from the Paycheck Protection Program, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is willing to block reasonable relief efforts, all in the name of politics. She doesn’t want to risk President Trump and congressional Republicans getting an ounce of credit in the final weeks of this election.
Some things are simply more important than political posturing, like ensuring American small businesses can weather the storm of the coronavirus pandemic. We have unspent funds from the Paycheck Protection Program, a COVID relief program that saved 51 million jobs in the United States, 2 million in Ohio alone. Its authorization is expiring, meaning the program is closing up shop, despite $138 billion left in the coffers.
More
Some things are simply more important than political posturing, like ensuring American small businesses can weather the storm of the coronavirus pandemic. We have unspent funds from the Paycheck Protection Program, a COVID relief program that saved 51 million jobs in the United States, 2 million in Ohio alone. Its authorization is expiring, meaning the program is closing up shop, despite $138 billion left in the coffers.
More
Virginia governor displaying mild symptoms after positive COVID-19 diagnosis
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) said Monday that he is displaying mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.
The 61-year-old Democratic governor released a video on Facebook, in which he said he and first lady Pam Northam “continue to make good progress” in their recovery. Northam reported he developed “mild cold-like symptoms” and lost his sense of smell.
“But otherwise, we’re doing well and staying in good spirits,” he said, while sitting next to his dog Pearl.
Northam told The Washington Post in an interview, shortly after the Facebook video went up, that he hasn’t experienced a fever, shortness of breath or coughing and said Pam “is doing well also.” The couple has not received treatment for the virus but are making efforts to keep track of their health and oxygen levels.
The 61-year-old Democratic governor released a video on Facebook, in which he said he and first lady Pam Northam “continue to make good progress” in their recovery. Northam reported he developed “mild cold-like symptoms” and lost his sense of smell.
“But otherwise, we’re doing well and staying in good spirits,” he said, while sitting next to his dog Pearl.
Northam told The Washington Post in an interview, shortly after the Facebook video went up, that he hasn’t experienced a fever, shortness of breath or coughing and said Pam “is doing well also.” The couple has not received treatment for the virus but are making efforts to keep track of their health and oxygen levels.
Here’s What You Need To Know About The Donut Hole And Medicare Open Enrollment
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is a very important time for anyone who has a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan. Here are some important points.
The OEP begins October 15 and ends December 17. This is your opportunity to review your coverage for next year.
Watch for a notice of changes from your plan around October 1.
Review the changes and figure out the impact on you.
If you are satisfied with the premium, benefits, and costs, don’t do anything and your plan will renew automatically. However, if there are changes that you don’t like or they won’t work for you, review other plans and enroll in one by December 7. The new coverage will begin January 1.
Remember: If you do not take action, you’ll be stuck with whatever coverage you have, come January 1. Pay attention and avoid unpleasant surprises.
The donut hole
Those who take costly medications should know about the donut hole.
Its official name is the Coverage Gap.
It is the third payment stage in Medicare Part D drug coverage.
In 2016, over 5 million beneficiaries hit the donut hole.
By design, the beneficiary is responsible for most or all of the costs in this stage. However, discounts were introduced in 2012.
In 2020, the donut hole closed and discounts on all medications now and in the future will be 25%.
The OEP begins October 15 and ends December 17. This is your opportunity to review your coverage for next year.
Watch for a notice of changes from your plan around October 1.
Review the changes and figure out the impact on you.
If you are satisfied with the premium, benefits, and costs, don’t do anything and your plan will renew automatically. However, if there are changes that you don’t like or they won’t work for you, review other plans and enroll in one by December 7. The new coverage will begin January 1.
Remember: If you do not take action, you’ll be stuck with whatever coverage you have, come January 1. Pay attention and avoid unpleasant surprises.
The donut hole
Those who take costly medications should know about the donut hole.
Its official name is the Coverage Gap.
It is the third payment stage in Medicare Part D drug coverage.
In 2016, over 5 million beneficiaries hit the donut hole.
By design, the beneficiary is responsible for most or all of the costs in this stage. However, discounts were introduced in 2012.
In 2020, the donut hole closed and discounts on all medications now and in the future will be 25%.
Statement from Comptroller Peter Franchot
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (October 5, 2020) - Comptroller Peter Franchot announces that Len Foxwell will no longer serve as chief of staff as of today and will separate from the agency at the end of the month.
Comptroller Franchot thanks Mr. Foxwell for his 12 years of dedicated service and contributions to the Comptroller’s Office and the State of Maryland, and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.
Emmanuel Welsh will assume the role of acting chief of staff. Mr. Welsh has served as deputy chief of staff since 2016.
Comptroller Franchot thanks Mr. Foxwell for his 12 years of dedicated service and contributions to the Comptroller’s Office and the State of Maryland, and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.
Emmanuel Welsh will assume the role of acting chief of staff. Mr. Welsh has served as deputy chief of staff since 2016.