WTSA News For Wednesday, December 8th:
Two deaths and 300 new covid 19 cases were reported in Vermont Tuesday. 26 new cases of the virus were reported in Windham County. In New Hampshire, ten deaths and 792 covid cases were reported, one of the deaths and 18 cases of covid 19 came from Cheshire County. The state of Massachusetts reported 51 deaths and 3,720 new covid cases. with 21 newly detected cases of the virus ibn Franklin County
Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak on Tuesday announced an emergency regulation issued by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation requiring health insurers to cover the costs of COVID-19 antigen at-home tests (commonly referred to as “rapid” tests). The emergency rule covers approximately 140,000 Vermonters who purchase commercial insurance in Vermont’s individual, small and large group markets as well as the Vermont Education Health Initiative. The emergency rule requires health insurers to cover the retail purchase of most FDA-authorized COVID-19 antigen tests without cost-sharing for home use.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Education announced the School Vaccine Incentive Program, committing $2 million in federal emergency funds to schools that achieve a student vaccination rate of 85% or higher. Schools that meet this threshold will be eligible for a minimum award of $2,000 and a potential maximum of $15,000 for schools over 90% vaccinated. In order to be eligible, schools must encourage student participation in how funds are spent. To receive these funds schools must be able to certify that they have met a vaccination threshold and that they sought and considered student input when planning the use of these funds. An 85% vaccination rate for eligible students is the minimum threshold to receive funds. Funds will be awarded on a rolling basis through April 1, 2022.
The Department of Vermont Health Access will host Vermont Health Connect’s third Open Enrollment Town Hall event, today, from 12-1pm. Department staff will be joined by representatives from MVP Health Care®, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and Northeast Delta Dental to discuss how customers can choose a plan that’s best for them. Vermonters have the opportunity to ask questions before and during the event. To join the event or ask a question in advance, visit: bit.ly/2022VHC3. Next Wednesday, December 15, 2021, is the last day to get a plan starting on January 1, 2022.
Vermont has filed a brief seeking the reversal of the Purdue bankruptcy order granting unprecedented legal immunity for the Sackler family. The brief, submitted by a five-state coalition, came at the request of the U.S. District Court and argues that the Court should consider the Sacklers’ extraction of $11 billion from Purdue in the years leading up to its bankruptcy in determining whether the Sacklers’ nonconsensual liability release abuses the bankruptcy process. Vermont Attorney General T J Donovan, along with the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington, has appealed the controversial and unprecedented Bankruptcy Court decision that purports to extinguish claims against both Purdue Pharma and the non-bankrupt Sackler family.
The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program will receive $418,549 to better support the goals and objectives of the ICAC Task Force Program. This task force investigates cases of child trafficking, online solicitation of minors, and the possession, manufacturing and distribution of child sexual abuse images. Members of the state congressional delegation made the announcement Tuesday.
LOTTERY NUMBERS:
TRI STATE PICK 3 8-5-3
TRI STATE PICK 4 2-9-2-9
LUCKY FOR LIFE 24-31-41-43-44 LUCKY BALL 15
MEGA MILLIONS 1-7-40-43-68 MEGA BALL 1
MASS CASH 11-14-20-3132
WTSA SPORTS:
Lebron James scored 30 points in the Lakers 117-102 win over the Celtics last night. Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston, scoring 34 points. Next up for Boston, the Clippers in L.A. tonight, tip-off is at 10:30.
The Bruins are in Vancouver tonight, puck drops at 9pm.