Striking CVS workers reach tentative agreement that boosts wages, makes health care more affordable

• October 24, 2024

The union representing CVS pharmacy clerks and technicians has reached a tentative agreement Thursday with CVS that includes higher wages, more secure staffing and affordable health care plans for members, bringing an end to a strike that started a week ago.

The bargaining committee will send the agreement to its members for a vote for approval.

“We are proud to announce a tentative agreement with CVS that we unanimously recommend to our co-workers. For the last five months, we have been fighting hard for a fair contract — from a strike to actions, delegations, rallies, petitions, and conversations with our co-workers and customers; we have shown the strength that comes when workers stand together for a better life,” the UFCW CVS Bargaining Committee said in a statement Thursday.

CVS workers picketed outside stores Saturday and Sunday. Bargaining sessions resumed Wednesday with a tentative agreement reached Thursday.

“Our strength was on display this past weekend as CVS workers from seven stores in Los Angeles and Orange County participated in an Unfair Labor Practice strike to protest CVS’ unlawful activities. Striking workers received customer and community support and showed their determination to secure a contract reflecting the value of our essential healthcare services free from CVS’ underhanded tactics,” the bargaining committee said.

“We are grateful for the solidarity and strength our co-workers have shown throughout negotiations as well as the overwhelming support we have received from our customers and community members during our strike.”

CVS officials told City News Service that the stores remained open and continued to serve customers and patients during the picketing.

Union leaders said they were protesting what they call unlawful activities that have interfered with bargaining and prevented employees from reaching a fair deal. UFCW officials allege CVS has engaged in illegal surveillance of workers, retaliation for union activities and prohibiting workers from engaging in union activities. The allegations came amid continuing labor talks for a new contract to replace one that expired in June.

Related Articles

“Today proves that when workers fight, we win. We look forward to discussing the details of this agreement with our co-workers before we make our voices heard during the voting process,” the bargaining committee said.

According to the union, the average CVS clerk makes less than $20 an hour and can’t afford to buy insurance from CVS, a health insurance company. Pharmacy technicians, who are required to complete an extensive CVS Pharmacy Technician Training Program as well as satisfy all registration, licensing and state certification requirements, currently make only $24.90 an hour after five years, union officials said.

Roughly 3,500 Rite Aid workers in California have also voted to authorize a strike, and they could soon form their own picket lines if negotiations fail to produce a new contract.

​ Orange County Register 

Trump says he will fire special counsel Jack Smith ‘within 2 seconds’ if re-elected

• October 24, 2024

By DAN MERICA and ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will fire special counsel Jack Smith “within two seconds” of taking office if re-elected in November.

Trump was asked during a friendly interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt whether he’d first pardon himself or terminate Smith to remove the legal cloud hanging over him as president. Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022, has charged Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents.

“It’s so easy. I would fire him within two seconds,” Trump responded. “He’ll be one of the first things addressed.”

Trump, who regularly assails Smith and has suggested before that he would fire him if he were president, called Smith a “crooked person.”

Trump, if elected, could order the Justice Department to remove Smith, though he would probably not be able to do it on his own since Smith is not a presidential appointee.

When he was investigated by a different special counsel as president, Trump urged his then-White House counsel, Don McGahn, to press the Justice Department to terminate Robert Mueller. McGahn refused.

Smith has brought two federal cases against Trump. One, accusing him of illegally retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, was dismissed in July, a decision that Smith is appealing. The other, charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 presidential election, has been delayed by a Supreme Court opinion conferring broad immunity for official acts made while president.

After Trump said he would fire Smith, Hewitt raised the possibility that Congress could impeach Trump over that move. Trump said he did not believe that would happen.

“I don’t think they’ll impeach me if I fire Jack Smith,” Trump said. “Jack Smith is a scoundrel.”

Related Articles

Democrat Kamala Harris’ campaign has sought to use revelations from Smith’s investigations into Trump against the Republican candidate. They released an ad earlier this month that featured video from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and headlines from Smith’s investigation.

“He knew what he was doing,” the ad shows on screen.

While Trump criticized Smith, he praised U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump appointee who dismissed the classified documents case against the former president in July.

“We had a brave, brilliant judge in Florida,” Trump said. “She’s a brilliant judge, by the way. I don’t know her. I never spoke to her. Never spoke to her. But we had a brave and very brilliant judge.”

​ Orange County Register 

Stay warm and pain-free with these top heating pads

• October 24, 2024

Which heating pad is best?

Back in the day, people could only relieve their muscle pain with a hot water bottle and Epsom salt baths. But heating pads have come a long way, and advancements in technology have provided plenty of new features for this wellness tool. Hot water bottles became less popular after the first electric heating pads came along, which gave users sustained relief from aches and pains without the mess. Today, there are all kinds of heating pads you can choose from.

What to know before you buy a heating pad

Types of heating pads

There are several types of heating pads, all of which have their pros and cons.

Hot water bottle: A hot water bottle is a rubber bladder with a threaded cap. If you want some substantial head for a smaller area, you can save money with these heating pads. However, they don’t hold heat as long as other methods.
Microwave heating pads: These are fabric bags filled with grains or microbeads. Consider this type if you want a pad for relaxation, muscle tension and occasional pain relief from cramps.
Chemical heating pads: These are small gel packs that heat up when you trigger a chemical reaction by shaking them or exposing them to the air. These are a great option if you need portable heat in a short amount of time.
Electric heating pads: These are perfect for those with chronic soreness in muscles and joints. These allow users to adjust the temperature and get the relief they want and include other features like timers, automatic shut-off and more.

What to look for in a quality heating pad

Temperature control

Hot water bottles, microwavable heating pads and chemical heating pads all have their drawbacks. You cannot adjust the temperature, and they inevitably cool down. An electric heating pad allows you to choose exactly how much heat you want for a sustained period. Budget electric heating pads might have only a few settings, while better electric heating pads have multiple options.

Automatic shut-off

The warm, toasty feeling you get from a heating pad can make you drowsy, which may cause you to fall asleep. Heating pads with automatic timers shut off after an hour or two. This is useful if you drift off to sleep or accidentally leave the heating pad unattended. It also saves you money.

Cord length

Some heating pads have very short power cords. Look for heating pads with long cords to avoid the hassle of wrangling an extension cord every time you want to use it.

Size

Each manufacturer has a different idea of what labels like XL and XXL mean. The best way to make sure your heating pad is the right size for your needs is to check the dimensions and not the label. Remember bigger is better, especially if you plan on using your pad on multiple areas.

How much you can expect to spend on a heating pad

Small electric heating pads and some microwavable pads cost $10-$20. If you want something with a few more size options, features and controls, you can expect to spend $25-$40. High-tech full-body heating pads cost as much as $2,500.

Heating pad FAQ

What setting should I use?

A. Therapists recommend you start at the lowest setting on your heating pad and gradually increase the heat as needed. The lower the setting, the longer the time you can use your heating pad.

How long can I use my heating pad in a single session?

A. Most manufacturers recommend using the highest temperature setting for no more than 15 or 20 minutes.

What’s the best heating pad to buy?

Top heating pad

Sunbeam Heating Pad with Auto Shut-off

What you need to know: This plush heating pad is eco-friendly and easy to use.

What you’ll love: It has four heat settings and shuts off automatically after two hours. It’s got a soft microfiber cover that is machine-washable.

What you should consider: Some people thought it was flimsy.

Top heating pad for the money

iReliev Weighted Moist/Dry Heating Pad

What you need to know: This gently weighted heating pad calms and soothes.

What you’ll love: This three-pound heating pad is clinically proven to reduce muscle tension by increasing blood flow to targeted regions of your body. It has an ultra-soft microfiber heating pad that is machine washable. It heats in seconds and has a two-hour auto shut-off timer.

What you should consider: There are only three heat settings.

Worth checking out

Pure Enrichment PureRelief XXL Electric Heating Pad

What you need to know: At 24 inches by 20 inches, this ultra-wide heating pad is large enough to wrap around your limbs or drape over your shoulders like a cape.

What you’ll love: This machine-washable microfiber heating pad is 60% larger than standard heating pads and has an extra-long nine-foot cord. The digital LCD controller has six heat settings to accommodate your personal comfort level and comes with a moist heat therapy option.

What you should consider: Some users don’t feel this heating pad gets hot enough.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers will wear patch honoring Fernando Valenzuela in World Series

• October 24, 2024

LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers will wear a patch on their uniforms honoring Fernando Valenzuela during the World Series.

Valenzuela died this week at age 63. The patch will feature his uniform number 34 and his first name and will appear on the left jersey sleeve.

MLB has said it will also honor Valenzuela during the World Series. Memorials to Valenzuela are evident at the entrance to Dodger Stadium as well as multiple locations throughout the stadium.

The Dodgers broke from protocol by retiring Valenzuela’s uniform number in August 2023. Previously, they had only retired the numbers of players or managers who were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (with the exception of Jim Gilliam).

Valenzuela pitched 11 seasons for the Dodgers, starting in 1980, and ranks ninth on the franchise’s all-time win list. His rookie season in 1981 sparked the ‘Fernandomania’ phenomenon as he went 8-0 with five shutouts to start the season. He became the first pitcher to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in the same season.

Valenzuela was an All-Star every year from 1981 through 1986 and was a member of World Series championship teams with the Dodgers in 1981 and 1988. He was released by the Dodgers in 1990 and pitched six more seasons with five more teams before retiring.

He joined the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcast team in 2003. He stepped away from the broadcast booth in September due to health problems.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

No coyote DNA found on Irvine boy, authorities say

• October 24, 2024

The 10-year-old boy who reportedly was bitten by a coyote on the way to school in Irvine on Tuesday, Oct. 22 tested negative for coyote DNA, California Department of Fish and Wildlife said on Thursday.

“Coyote DNA was not found on the clothing,” Tim Daly, a Fish and Wildlife spokesman, said. “Dog DNA was detected.”

The boy was riding his bike to Portola Springs Elementary School and was near Pathway when he stopped to remove his jacket, Irvine police Sgt. Karie Davies said. He felt something on his lower leg and realized he’d been bitten.

Once he arrived at school, the boy reported the injury and was treated by his doctor for a minor skin break.

“We have the child’s statement and the minor injury, coupled with him seeing the coyote run away from his direction,” Davies said.

Daly said Fish and Wildlife trappers did not locate a coyote in the area after trying for a couple of days.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

New on vaccine checklist: Pneumonia shot for ages 50 and up

• October 24, 2024

NEW YORK — U.S. health officials on Wednesday recommended that people 50 and older get a shot against bacteria that can cause pneumonia and other dangerous illnesses.

The recommendation was made by a scientific advisory panel and then accepted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The decision lowered from 65 the minimum recommended age for adults to get the shot.

TODAY: Second dose of COVID vaccine recommended for ages 65 and older

The advisory committee voted 14-1 to make the change during a meeting in Atlanta. The guidance is widely heeded by doctors and prompts health insurers to pay for recommended shots.

Pneumococcal shot recommendations are sometimes called the most complicated vaccination guidance that the government issues. The CDC currently recommends shots for children younger than 5 and adults 65 or older, as long as they have never been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. Officials also recommend the shots for children and adults at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, such as those with diabetes, chronic liver disease or a weakened immune system.

There are more than 100 known types of pneumococci bacteria, which can cause serious infections in the lungs and other parts of the body. Each year, the U.S. sees roughly 30,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease, which includes blood infections, brain and spine inflammation, and other illnesses. About 30% of cases are among 50- to 64-year-olds.

An adult will usually need only one pneumococcal vaccination, though some protocols advise two shots about a year apart.

The first pneumococcal vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1977, and since then pharmaceutical companies have been coming up with newer versions that target a dozen or more types in a single shot. Different vaccines have fallen in and out of favor, including Pfizer’s Prevnar 13, which was once a top-seller but is no longer available.

Related Articles

There are four vaccines now in use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year approved the newest — Merck’s Capvaxive, which can cost around $300 a dose and protects against 21 types, including eight not included in other pneumococcal vaccines. A Merck spokesperson said it was specifically designed to help protect against the bacteria types that cause the majority of severe disease in adults aged 50 and older.

The CDC advisory panel in June recommended the vaccine as an option for adults at higher risk. At the time, the committee also talked about the possibility of lowering the age recommendation for older adults. They noted that illness-causing infections peak at age 55 to 59 in Black Americans — a lower age than what’s seen in white people. But the committee put off that decision until this week’s meeting.

The one committee member voting against the proposal was Dr. Jamie Loehr, who cited the changing guidance. “Pneumococcal has been a very confusing recommendation for many, many years, and it’s hard to have a new recommendation every two or three years,” he said.

The CDC website has a vaccine assessment tool that advises which shots to get, based on a number of factors. It has not yet been updated for the new recommendation.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

​ Orange County Register 

Hoping to avoid closure of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, LA County adds another layer of bureaucracy

• October 24, 2024

A week after learning that Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall must close, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has voted to hire a “compliance officer” to independently ensure the Probation Department is properly following state laws and court-ordered mandates from the California Department of Justice.

The motion by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsey Horvath describes the position as a supporting role, similar to ones created to oversee the Sheriff’s Department’s compliance with federal consent decrees involving the county’s jails. The new compliance officer, expected to be hired within 30 days, would answer directly to the county’s chief executive officer, rather than to the chief probation officer, according to the board’s motion.

“We need to do everything we can to ensure that our Probation Department comes into compliance with state standards at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall,” Hahn said in a statement. “We are on the clock now and it is necessary to have a dedicated compliance officer from outside the department who can oversee their work and has the ability to convene multiple departments who can help.”

The Board of State and Community Corrections, the regulatory body overseeing California’s jails and juvenile halls, declared Los Padrinos “unsuitable” for the confinement of youth on Oct. 14 and ordered the county to come back into compliance, or to empty the facility, by Dec. 12.

It’s the second time in a year that Los Padrinos has been declared unsuitable due to a persistent staffing shortage. The Probation Department narrowly managed to avoid closure in April by redeploying more than 100 officers from the field to stabilize the juvenile hall. That proved to be short lived and, by July, dozens of officers failed to show up daily and nearly 20% of the shifts at Los Padrinos were unable to meet staffing minimums.

Corrective plan late

This time, the department failed to request technical assistance from the BSCC prior to submitting a corrective action plan, which details how it would address the staffing crisis, according to Hahn and Horvath. The plan was turned in at the last minute. The BSCC rejected it the same day because it did not “adequately outline how the Department plans to correct” the issues, nor did it provide “reasonable timeframes for resolution of the staffing defiencies.”

Probation Department officials tried to submit a revised version two days later, but it was rejected outright because the deadline had passed.

The department, in an Oct. 15 statement expressing its disappointment, stated it has increased staffing levels at Los Padrinos by “actively recruiting new personnel, conducting training academies, reallocating officers from field assignments and utilizing overtime.”

“We are committed to transforming our juvenile institution into a safe and nurturing environment for the youth entrusted in our care while we endeavor to demonstrate unequivocally to the BSCC that we are meeting all statutory requirements,” the statement reads.

Under the new structure, the Probation Department would be required to submit “all current and future corrective action plan drafts and any related documents” to the compliance officer no later than 20 days before the due date. The new watchdog also would have the authority to coordinate with other departments to ensure probation is receiving all the help it can get.

“Appointing a compliance officer to support the Probation Department will align all County departments in the important work of getting and keeping facilities in compliance with state standards,” Horvath said. “With the many issues the department faces, this additional support will help ensure plans result in action at all levels of the County. Accountability is critical, especially when the well being of our young people is at stake. This is a critical step necessary for lasting change.”

Critics skeptical

Critics, however, are skeptical of the new layer of bureaucracy. The Probation Department already is monitored by the Probation Oversight Commission, the county Office of Inspector General, the BSCC and the state Department of Justice. The issues in the department are well-documented at this point, said Aditi Sherikar, a senior policy associate with the Children’s Defense Fund California.

“The facilities have been in and out of compliance for two years now,” she said. “All this does is give them another scapegoat that is not Probation for the issues that will inevitably come up.”

It is unlikely a compliance officer could be selected, brought on board and make any meaningful difference before the Dec. 12 deadline, she said.

The supervisors should order Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa to explain publicly how he plans to address staffing in such a short time and what he will do if Los Padrinos is closed, she said. There are parents who do not know what is going to happen to their children after the December deadline, she added.

Earlier this year, the Probation Department announced it had no plan for possibility of a closure in April, even as the possibility loomed. If Los Padrinos does close, youth inside the facility would likely need to be transferred to other counties, but such arrangements would take time.

“If they don’t come up with a plan, it is the young people who will suffer, as they always do,” Sherikar said.

Root cause of problems persist

Probation Oversight Commission Chair Eduardo Mundo isn’t convinced another set of eyes will make any difference either. The POC has flagged areas of noncompliance to the department in the past, but those same problems remained unfixed when the BSCC showed up to inspect weeks or months later. The commission also has offered to review corrective action plans in advance, much in the same way that a compliance officer would, but probation officials haven’t accepted.

Regardless, no amount of eyes on the problem will matter until the department can stabilize its staffing, Mundo said. The staffing crisis is behind nearly every issue at Los Padrinos and, until that is fixed, the facility will continue to fail inspections, he said.

“They’re trying on a daily basis to get staff to come to work,” he said. “What technical support can you get for that? This is such a unique problem.”

Mundo compared the problem to the “chicken and the egg.” Officers call out sick, or take medical leaves, because they fear for their safety in the juvenile hall or because they don’t want to be held over for excessively long shifts. Those call-outs then make the juvenile hall less safe, causing more people to call out. Meanwhile, officers redeployed from the field have had their lives disrupted to fill in for the missing detention officers and it has created animosity, Mundo said.

“Until you get the staff back, nothing is going to go forward, because we’re going to keep falling out of compliance,” he said.

Related links

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall declared ‘unsuitable,’ must shut down in 60 days due to low staffing
Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall declared ‘unsuitable,’ must shut down in 60 days due to low staffing
LA County’s troubled juvenile halls allowed to remain open
Nearly 20% of shifts at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall did not meet staffing minimums in July
Probation officers accuse LA County of unfair labor practices over forced redeployments

Reduce juvenile hall population?

Mundo and others have pushed for the department to reduce the population at Los Padrinos to “right-size” it to the available staff. The hope is that through the use of home detentions and community alternatives, the department can limit Los Padrinos to holding only those who could not be safely assigned elsewhere.

The department’s most recently rejected corrective action plan described similar efforts, but the work didn’t start until Oct. 1, less than two weeks before the BSCC’s deadline, and the plan did not include any timeline for its implementation, which BSCC noted in its rejection letter.

The BSCC launched a “comprehensive inspection” at Los Padrinos on the same day that it rejected the most recent corrective action plan. That inspection will be even more thorough than others in the last year.

The Probation Department is expected to present its plans for addressing the potential closure of Los Padrinos at the Oversight Commission’s Nov. 14 meeting.

​ Orange County Register 

Five Dodgers relievers bring home Game 1 victory

• October 6, 2024

LOS ANGELES — Everyone knew that starting pitching might be the Dodgers weakness this October, but they expected to be able to overcome any starter issues with a deep bullpen.

So far, so good.

After starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto got knocked around to the tune of five runs in three innings, five Dodgers relievers shut down the Padres over the next six innings in their 7-5 victory in Game 1 of the Division Series on Saturday night.

The relievers gave up just two hits to a lineup that had five hits in the first three innings against Yamamoto.

“The whole bullpen pitched really well,” catcher Will Smith said. “That’s why we won the game.”

This was a formula the Dodgers figured they might need to use, based on the way the regular season went. The Dodgers ranked fourth in the majors with a 3.53 bullpen ERA, which helped them manage the best record in the majors despite their rotation having a 4.23 ERA, which ranked 19th.

The Dodgers trailed, 5-3, when Yamamoto threw his final pitch of the night in the third inning. Then the bullpen door began to swing open. Only one reliever was ineffective, and his brief hiccup wasn’t costly because the subsequent reliever bailed him out.

Right-hander Ryan Brasier picked up the first five outs, working around a double. Left-hander Alex Vesia then retired all three hitters he faced. Right-hander Evan Phillips retired four straight.

The only weak link in the chain was right-hander Michael Kopech, who has been practically unhittable for most of the time since the Dodgers got him in a deadline deal from the Chicago White Sox. Kopech entered in the eighth with a two-run lead and walked two of the three batters he faced, Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill.

Right-hander Blake Treinen rescued him.

Treinen entered, with the potential tying run on base, and he got Xander Bogaerts on a popup into shallow left — with shortstop Miguel Rojas making a nice over the shoulder catch — and then he struck out Jake Cronenworth.

Treinen remained in the game to work the ninth, pitching around a single and a walk. He struck out Machado to end it.

Treinen had just one save in 50 games during the regular season, and he never recorded more than four outs. His use in the ninth on Saturday was a demonstration of the Dodgers’ bullpen versatility as they’ve used different relievers to finish games since Phillips struggled earlier this season.

“Super proud,” Phillips said. “I think we take a lot of pride in being available for our team like that. We’ve had situations throughout this season and in previous seasons where we’ve been asked to take on a big workload. And I think we take a lot of pride in preparing our bodies and taking a plan out there to get guys out. We just pass it on, one to another. That tells the story the most about how the ‘pen is. We don’t care what inning it is. Up, down however many runs, just pass the torch to the next guy, and just continue to try to stack up those outs and give our offense, which is fantastic, a chance to bounce back and then keep us in the game.”

The bullpen was particularly good at handling more “up-downs” than usual. Typically, relievers start with a clean inning and pitch only that inning, but four of the five relievers the Dodgers used were asked to finish one inning, sit down, and then come back to work a part of the next inning.

“We haven’t done a lot of that this year,” Treinen said. “Sometimes we have for matchups, but the way it was shaping up, it was just going to kind of be, get your guy, get a couple other guys. The next guy comes in and gets the last out, rolls to the next inning. It is what it is. I don’t really put too much thought into it, man.”

Phillips said the relievers typically have an idea going into the game which pocket of hitters they are likely to face, so it’s not as much of a jumble as it may seem.

“A lot of it’s match-up based for what stretch of hitters we’re going to be facing that night,” Phillips said. “When’s the last time we faced those guys, and how tuned in are those hitters to us. Things like that all go into it. That’s really well communicated here. We’re given plenty of notice before the game, before the series, whatever it may be, to basically be ready for whatever situation we’re called upon.”

Related Articles

Treinen said that’s all helped them work together efficiently as a group, not merely a collection of individuals.

“Once the phone rings, we just lock it in, and we just pay attention to what we’re supposed to do,” Treinen said. “And I think that’s a beautiful thing. There’s no egos. There’s no, Why am I here? Why am I not there? When our name is called, we get our lanes, we go execute. We’re a tight knit group that’s very fortunate to have a lot of guys that are pulling on the same rope. I don’t think every team is that way. I’m sure there’s a lot of teams that are still that way, but this organization does a good job putting good pieces together.”

​ Orange County Register