>>Paid Leave Fraud
Some people who haven’t applied for benefits through Paid Leave Oregon are receiving letters saying they did. The agency says fraudsters are attempting to access benefits by stealing the identity of Oregonians. Officials say the Paid Leave Oregon system was not hacked… and contend the identity verification system is working exactly as designed. Without confirmation of a person’s identity, the fraud attempt is halted.
>>Senate Passes Stopgap Funding Bill
(Washington, DC) -- The Senate has passed a stopgap bill to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. The vote was 87-to-11, with just 60 votes needed to pass. It will now head to the desk of President Biden to be signed. Both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell say they support the bill that extends government funding through early next year. House Speaker Mike Johnson passed the measure with mostly Democratic votes after dozens of Republicans opposed the plan due to a lack of spending cuts.
>>Suit Accuses UnitedHealth Group Of Using AI To Deny Claims
(Minnetonka, MN) -- UnitedHealth Group is getting sued. The healthcare and insurance company is accused of using a faulty artificial intelligence algorithm to wrongly deny coverage for Medicaid patients who need rehab after being hospitalized. The lead plaintiffs are the families of two patients, who needed long-term care in post-acute facilities. The suit alleges that UnitedHealth's Medicare Advantage health plans denied payments for claims from the patients medical caregivers, forcing up to 70 thousand dollars in out-of -pocket costs for continuing care.
>>Unionized Starbucks Workers On 1-Day Strike
(Seattle, WA) -- Unionized Starbucks baristas are going on strike for one day today. Thousands of employees across the nation will hit the picket lines on the company's Red Cup Day, a popular promotional event when Starbucks gives out holiday-themed reusable cups. Workers are accusing the company of refusing to fairly negotiate at cafes that voted to organize.
>>Target CEO Claims Customers Grateful For Locked Up Merchandise (Minneapolis, MN) -- The CEO of Target claims customers are thankful for stores locking up certain merchandise. While discussing the retailer's third-quarter earnings with reporters, CEO Brian Cornell said shopper response to Target's decision to lock up items like toothpaste and deodorant has been "positive." Cornell said customers have been grateful they are finding items they are looking for in stock since Targets started putting the items in locked cases. He added that Target has invested in making sure team members are available to unlock cases quickly for customers. Target recently closed nine stores in New York City, California's Bay Area, Seattle and Portland citing violence and theft.
>>Retail Experts Predict Fewer Toys Under The Christmas Tree This Year
(New York, NY) -- Retail experts say there may be fewer presents under the Christmas tree this year because consumers are buying fewer toys. They say Barbie dolls, Transformers and Hot Wheels are on the top of children's wish lists this year, but that parents worldwide are struggling with high inflation. Many retailers ordered fewer toys than usual this holiday season, anticipating lower demand. Some experts, however, are expecting a late surge in demand.
