Medicare to cover end-of-life counseling

WASHINGTON (AP) – Medicare said Friday it will pay doctors to help patients plan what kind of care they want at the end of life, an idea more broadly accepted than six years ago when it touched off a political uproar about “death panels.” The policy change was urged by numerous physician and health groups. […]

Popemobile gets top prize at Obama’s White House Halloween

WASHINGTON (AP) – A toddler dressed like the pope and pushed along in a popemobile got the top prize at President Barack Obama’s White House Halloween. Upon seeing the costume, Obama turned to the news media and declared “top prize.” The boy was among hundreds of local schoolchildren and children from military families who came […]

Last person jailed in Waco biker shooting to be released

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – The last person jailed in connection with a deadly shootout among bikers and police outside a Waco restaurant was poised to be released from jail Friday, more than five months after authorities rounded up 177 people from the crime scene and initially held them on $1 million bonds on charges […]

Jeb Bush attends tailgate rally in Punta Gorda

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush paid a visit to Charlotte County on Friday to drum up support for his presidential campaign. Bush hopes his experience of helping Charlotte County after Hurricane Charley will give him a boost. He attended a pep rally before a big football game between Charlotte High School and Port Charlotte High […]

Signs warn drivers to slow down on SR-82, changes in the future

IMMOKALEE, Fla. – The last deadly crash on State Road 82 was the last straw for emergency responders and even people who drive the road every day. “There’s always something new being added to 82 when it comes to memorials,” Rick Maus said. Maus and his family live right off of the notoriously dangerous SR-82. […]

True Tours awakens the dead at the Fort Myers Cemetery

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Are you looking for a spooky way to celebrate Halloween? One local business is adding a touch of history to the holiday with a walking tour through the Fort Myers Cemetery. Some of city’s most storied residents lay at the cemetery located on Michigan Avenue. “Our cemetery is particularly old, it’s over a 100 years […]

Warning over spiked soda trend

One of the newest and hippest trends in alcoholic beverages is called “hard” or “spiked” soda. Companies are taking what used to be just plain soft drink flavors and adding booze. When Sarah Sigro picks up adult refreshments for get togethers with friends, she is eager to serve one of the hottest new items on […]

US reaches settlement with 457 hospitals over cardiac device

WASHINGTON (AP) – Hundreds of hospitals will give back $257 million in Medicare payments because doctors implanted cardiac devices in violation of government rules, the Justice Department announced Friday. The settlements encompass nearly 500 hospitals in 43 states where cardioverter defibrillators were implanted in Medicare patients too soon after they suffered a heart attack, had […]

Florida Gov. orders execution for convicted serial killer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – A convicted serial killer is scheduled to die Jan. 7 for the brutal murder of a central Florida bank clerk. Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a death warrant for 53-year-old Oscar Ray Bolin Jr. Bolin was convicted for the December 1986 murder of Teri Lynn Matthews. Matthews, 26, was […]

LeBron managing back, intends to play in all ’82’ games

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James didn’t bat an eye, didn’t flinch. As the NBA keeps an eye on an ongoing issue with his back and wonders if the planet’s best player is beginning to show signs of breaking down, James was asked Friday if he had a number in mind of how many games […]