Latest news with #Kauffman
The Hill
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Hill
HHS officially lays off some RIF-ed staffers
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) staffers who received reduction in force (RIF) notices months ago were informed Monday that they were officially separated from the department after the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration could move forward with layoffs. Staffers who were initially received RIF notices in April received an email on Monday at their work addresses stating they were officially separated from HHS, with the message directly citing the high court's decision. The Supreme Court last week ruled in an 8-1 decision that the Trump administration could resume its plans for mass layoffs, though a patchwork of injunctions means that some HHS employees are still exempted from the layoffs for the time being. 'On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Government's Application to Stay the preliminary injunction, issued on May 22, 2025, by Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No. 25-cv-03698-SI), which, at that time, prohibited HHS from further action on any existing RIF notices, including final separation of employees. Given the Supreme Court's ruling, HHS is now permitted to move forward with a portion of its RIF,' the email from HHS stated. 'Accordingly, you are hereby notified that you are officially separated from HHS at the close of business on July 14, 2025.' A court order in an ongoing lawsuit filed by 19 state attorneys general, however, blocked HHS from laying off some staffers. Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose, a Biden-appointee, granted a preliminary injunction on the HHS layoffs after determining they were likely unlawful. The injunction specifically applies to staffers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the Center for Tobacco Products at the Food and Drug Administration; Head Start; and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. An HHS spokesperson declined to say exactly how many staffers were impacted on Monday. According to Tim Kauffman, communications specialist for the American Federation of Government Employees, many of the employees who were affected likely don't know of their official separation from HHS as they have not had access to their work emails since being put on administrative leave months ago. 'Some employees don't even know that they've been terminated yet because they haven't gotten the notices. They're going to be mailed, I believe,' Kauffman told The Hill. He further noted that the emails made no mention of appeals processes or what other rights the staffers have in the RIF process. 'The folks we talked to with CMS management didn't seem to even know this was coming and they're not even clear, you know, which employees have been terminated because, again, there's no list,' said Kauffman.
Business Journals
17-06-2025
- General
- Business Journals
Why Great Jobs KC offers $50k scholarships to hundreds of students each year
Nearly 40 years ago, one of Kansas City's most beloved figures, Ewing Marion Kauffman, returned to Westport Middle School and offered every eighth grader a full scholarship to the college of their choice. 'What's the catch?' a parent asked. 'Your child must graduate from high school,' Kauffman replied. We've learned something essential from building on Kauffman's vision: The size of a scholarship can make all the difference. Today, the organization I lead and which has evolved from KC Scholars, Great Jobs KC, is proud to carry forward that legacy by awarding college scholarships worth $50,000 that can help cover most costs at many local universities. But just as important as the size of the gift is what surrounds it: the structure, support and community that help turn aspiration into achievement. We're not alone in this work. Kansas City's higher education institutions, generous donors, businesses and civic organizations are all helping open doors for the next generation. Our goal is to make sure those doors don't just open, but also that students feel invited and supported all the way through. Each scholar is paired with a dedicated Scholar Advocate from 11th grade through their first year post-graduation. These advocates help students select the right college, navigate financial aid, choose majors aligned with their career goals, and stay on track. Scholars also benefit from bridge programs and mentorship from ambassadors' support, because we know that a sense of belonging is one of the most critical factors in keeping students enrolled and engaged. This works. Our college scholarship program achieves a 73% graduation rate, 2x higher than the national average. That's not just a statistic. It's a pipeline of homegrown talent ready to power our regional economy. Too often, a family's joy at receiving a scholarship is quickly tempered by reality. In 2020, the average award was $7,923. Compare that to the $11,011 in average tuition and fees at in-state public colleges and far below the $43,505 annual price tag at private institutions. Getting part of a meal is good when you're hungry, but it's not sustenance. For many students, piecing together enough aid to attend college remains a steep challenge. That's why when we surprised 100 scholars on Good Morning America with $5 million in scholarships in 2023, one parent said they wouldn't have to sell their car. Another said it meant not needing a second mortgage. We're fortunate — thanks to our community support — to have the capacity to invest widely and deeply in each scholar we serve. Last month, we awarded 901 scholarships worth $50,000 each. Since 2016, the KC Scholars program has provided over $260 million in financial assistance through more than 5,000 scholarships. As we've grown, we've seen how meaningful support can help students reach their full potential. Hajra, a University of Missouri-Kansas City nursing graduate, shared, 'You won't be alone; this program will walk with you, push you and celebrate you every step of the way. It's more than just scholarships — it's about building a future you didn't think was possible.' Tanessa, now training to be a physician assistant, told us, 'KC Scholars truly changed my life. I'll be forever grateful.' And Tim, a UMKC computer science graduate, said: 'I don't know if I could have made it through without the incredible help and support of everyone at Great Jobs KC.' One of our scholars nearly missed his first day of college when his mother's car broke down. When we picked him up, everything he owned was stuffed in a pillowcase with a spare pair of sneakers over his shoulder. It was a powerful reminder that opportunity is about more than tuition. It's about transportation, basic necessities and human dignity. It is our donors' gifts that help provide these essentials to set students up to thrive — not just survive. Our work is made possible by the strength of our community: local colleges that offer strong partnerships, businesses that open doors through internships and Kansas Citians who give generously and volunteer their time. This year, nearly 200 volunteers helped review applications. Next year, we hope to welcome 250 volunteer reviewers. Yet for all this momentum, there are still more Kansas Citians who deserve a shot at college. This year, 882 additional scholars — scholars who had strong GPAs and personal statements — did not receive scholarships, leaving hundreds of dreams each year that we simply can't fund. That's why we're calling on donors who believe in building stronger communities to help us meet this growing demand and fund even more deserving children's futures. Just as Kauffman recognized decades ago, it is still true that a college degree is a key to economic advancement for individuals, their families and our region. I am eager to carry the Kauffman legacy forward, and so is Great Jobs KC. I hope you are open to working alongside us to fuel the untapped brilliance available in Kansas City and turn it into a bonfire of prosperity. Earl Martin Phalen, CEO of Great Jobs KC, is dedicated to transforming Kansas City's workforce. Great Jobs KC provides tuition-free career training, connecting over 5,000 individuals to high-demand industries. A collaborator with businesses and training partners, Great Jobs focuses on building a skilled, diverse pipeline to fuel economic growth.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Berks officials turn over alleged election violations for investigation
Three allegations of potential finance campaign laws violations in Berks County have been turned over to authorities for investigation. At a meeting of the board of elections Thursday, members of the county legal team presented a total of five complaints stemming from the May 20 primary election. Three of the complaints involved candidates who failed to indicate who paid for campaign materials, one involved a letter that appears to have violated the silence period before an election and one involved a text message of unclear origin. Commissioner Christian Leinbach said that in his 18 years in the post he never remembers having to consider five election violation complaints at one time. 'This is not something that happens on a regular basis,' he said. 'If you look at all of these cases there can be no doubt that in some way, shape or form these alleged actions influence voters and that just should not be.' Commissioner Michael Rivera encouraged those who are considering running for office to know the laws outlining the process. He also suggested the Democratic and Republican committees in Berks include training for candidates. 'We want to make sure that candidates are running fair races and that candidates are educated about the process,' he said. 'Do your homework.' The first complaint involved a candidate running for a supervisor post in Alsace Township who failed to include a disclaimer on campaign signs revealing who paid for their production. First Assistant County Solicitor Cody Kauffman said election officials contacted the candidate to alert him of the violation and were told that he would take steps to remedy the situation. However, the office was never notified if he took appropriate action. Kauffman said this action is in direct violation of the finance campaign law and recommended the matter be turned over to the district attorney's office for further investigation. The board agreed, voting unanimously to forward the issue to law enforcement. The second complaint involved a candidate running to represent Washington Township on the board of supervisors who initially failed to include a disclaimer on campaign material sent to voters about who paid for its production. Election officials reached out to the candidate to make him aware of this violation and the candidate took action to fix the situation by posting a disclaimer on Facebook about who had paid for the materials. It was recommended the issue not be sent to the district attorney for further review. The board agreed, voting unanimously to throw out the complaint because the candidate made the effort to remedy the problem. The third complaint involved two candidates running for supervisor posts in Brecknock Township who failed to include a disclaimer on campaign materials revealing who paid for them and did not file the necessary campaign finance reports. Kauffman said after election officials contacted the candidates that they agreed to add disclaimers to campaign signs and file campaign finance reports. However, the candidates were later found to have handed out materials without the disclaimer following the warning from the county. He recommended the matter be turned over to the district attorney's office for further investigation. The board agreed, voting unanimously to forward the issue to law enforcement. The fourth complaint involved an open letter by a resident sent to voters in Robesonia that was critical of some candidates running for mayor and borough council. Kauffman said the letter could have violated the silence period that prohibits candidates, committees and parties acting on their behalf from placing an advertisement in the 120 hours before an election without giving sufficient notice to the opposing candidate. But since the letter was sent by a private citizen, Kauffman recommended the board drop the matter. The board agreed, voting unanimously not to forward the complaint onto law enforcement. The fifth complaint involved an anonymous text message sent to voters a day before the primary that contained negative comments about one of the three candidates running for a county court judgeship. County Solicitor Christine Sadler said the message may have violated the silence period as well as the disclaimer about who paid for its distribution. The challenge, she noted, is that the county is unable to identify who sent the message. She recommended the matter be sent to law enforcement for further review. But since one of the candidates in the race is an assistant district attorney, Berks District Attorney John Adams said he will forward the complaint to the state attorney general's office for investigation. The board voted unanimously to forward the issue to law enforcement.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Thanks to those who won't keep their mouths shut
(Photo by Prostock-Studio/Getty Images) Our admiration goes to the Davids of the world: those who stand up, speak out and fight back, refusing to let the Goliaths intimidate or silence them. A recent example is a story by Clark Kauffman, reporter at the Iowa Capital Dispatch. He detailed the allegations in a lawsuit filed by a former certified nurse aide at a nursing home in Fonda, Iowa. The suit was filed against the Fonda Specialty Care nursing home, its parent company, Care Initiatives, and a licensed practical nurse working at the facility. You can read the April 30 story here. The suit alleges that a certified nurse aide observed an 87-year-old resident with a tracheostomy struggling to breathe. The aide sought help from the on-duty nurse to suction the resident's airway. The nurse refused to intervene despite multiple requests from staff members. The aide attempted to contact off-site management but could reach no one. She asked for permission to call 911 and was rebuffed. The resident ultimately died in a manner the lawsuit describes as 'agonizing and painful.' The suit also claims that after the certified nurse aide finished her shift, she received multiple text messages from the facility's administrator to 'keep your mouth shut and keep your opinions to yourself.' She was also instructed not to communicate with the family of the resident who died. The next day, the aide was fired. The facility cited 'resident complaints' as the reason. The nurse aide said she was fired for reporting the incident to the state. KTIV television in Sioux City posted Kauffman's article on their Facebook page, drawing nearly 600 reactions and 200 comments. Responses were candid and often angry. A small sample includes: 'I would never put my parents or anybody I know in a nursing home.' 'The fact that the nursing home tried to cover it up is just as horrible' (as the death). 'My heart breaks for the family and the aides that witnessed it.' 'This makes me sick.' This makes us sick, too. How about you? Imagine being in the shoes of the staff member who allegedly tried to do the right thing, witnessed a horrible death, was fired by her employer, and then had to decide 'what's next?' This nurse's aide chose not 'to keep her mouth shut' but instead to challenge a powerful corporation in court. Some would say that's a fool's errand. We view it as an admirable act of courage. Put this in a larger context. We live in a time where many people, including elected officials, organizations and businesses, find themselves in situations similar to the nurse aide where they are expected to do what they are told and avoid speaking out or acting on what they believe is right. Here are recent examples: Legislators who don't vote the way a governor or president demands. The student on campus who speaks up for Palestinians. The university president or corporate head who doesn't comply with diversity, equity and inclusion directives. National news organizations that write an editorial or airs programs the powers that be don't like. Foreign leaders who disagree publicly with a U.S. government representative. Law firms that challenge governmental actions. Entertainers who bring attention to social injustices. The list could go on and on. It's not a good time to be an independent thinker, to swim against the tide, or to tell the emperor that they have no clothes. The message to all the rulebreakers out there is this: Toe the line. Do what you're told. There will be hell to pay if you disobey. The fact that it's not a good time to speak out is why we need people to speak out. We applaud the certified nurse aide and all those like her who are courageously standing up for what they believe. They are making what John Lewis called 'good trouble.' Davids can and do defeat the Goliaths. Not all the time, not without great difficulty. But is the fight worth fighting? Indeed, it is. John and Terri Hale own The Hale Group, an Ankeny-based advocacy firm focused on older Iowans, Iowans with disabilities and the caregivers who support them. Contact them at terriandjohnhale@
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trial continued for last of Goshen School Board candidates involved in mailer scheme
GOSHEN — One candidate accused of fraudulent filing in the 2022 Goshen Community Schools election race may yet be going to trial for the charges. Andrea M. Johnson's jury trial scheduled for May 12, was continued in Elkhart County Superior Court 3 on Wednesday. Of the five individuals charged in the election fraud scandal, Johnson is the only one to not plead guilty. Johnson is also the only one who has not previously held public office. Sitting Goshen School Board members, at the time, Roger Nafziger, Jose Elizalde, Allan Kauffman and Mario Garber, along with candidate Johnson first faced election fraud charges from the Elkhart County Election Board due to improperly tracking funds after a mailer was released from their election campaigns back in October 2022. During an Elkhart County Election Board hearing April 27, 2023, Kauffman, who also happened to be Elizalde's campaign chairman, said he was approached by retired school teacher Sue Neeb because of concerns she had about 2022 Primary Election school board candidates Rob Roeder, Ryan Glick and Linda Hartman. At the time, Kauffman would not offer the name of the former educator for the same reasons the educator wished to remain anonymous. The teacher told Kauffman she was concerned about the future of local education should Purple for Parents-endorsed candidates Roeder, Glick, and Hartman gain elected office. At the time, Kauffman said the teacher wished to remain anonymous to prevent backlash to her husband's business. The teacher helped gather funds summing up to $11,770, which Kauffman distributed them between the four election candidates, whose campaign finance committees paid Maple Leaf Printing for the cost of the mailer. The campaigns listed Kauffman as the donor on campaign finance forms, which the election board later discovered was technically untrue as they were gathered by Neeb. Per election law, any person who donates more than $100 toward a campaign should be listed on finance forms. The Elkhart County Election Board found that Neeb had collected funds from a total of 32 individuals and, while she did keep some records, election law dictates that donors offer name, address, occupation, date, and dollar amount for all donations — and Neeb did not collect all of the necessary information. Back in December 2022, during election board proceedings, Johnson said she was concerned from the beginning that she'd made a mistake in her first-ever campaign and went to the clerk on several occasions with questions. 'I actually filed my very first report late because I was in my car going over things and didn't realize it had to be in 'by noon,' so it was in at like 12:30 or something like that,' she said. 'I went back in and checked again and then I was told that there were no other forms until the end of the year when everything would be closed out. It's my fault that I did not look. I just had no idea that there was an amount that I would have to file before the end of the year and so I apologize.' She added that when she learned about the CFA-11 form, she emailed it late at night before the election along with a letter explaining, in hopes that she wouldn't be in violation. She also told the board that she didn't know the funds weren't Kauffman's. As a newbie to campaigning, she said she was just happy to be included but made it clear to the group that she didn't have the money to help fund the mailer with the others, and was told that Kauffman would cover it and she believed the funds came directly from him. Election board members ultimately issued penalties to nearly 40 people involved in the election campaign finance fraud in April 2023, ranging from $150 to $250, following months of proceedings. Neeb was fined $2,000, while the candidates were referred to the prosecutor's office for formal proceedings. Each of the accused faced a charge of filing a fraudulent report, a Level 6 felony, and accepting a contribution made in another's name, a Class B misdemeanor. Kauffman had the same charges but had five counts of the Class B misdemeanor instead of the one. Nafziger, Elizalde and Garber, remain sitting school board members although all were sentenced within the last year, having pleaded guilty to Count 1 — filing a fraudulent report, a Level 6 felony. Their second counts of accepting a contribution made in another's name, a Class B misdemeanor were dismissed, and their felony charges were treated as misdemeanors per the plea agreements. The same plea deal was offered to all but Kauffman; The deal offered to the other members of the election fraud scandal was to plead guilty to the felony and be sentenced to 365 days at the Elkhart County Jail, suspended on reporting probation, with probation to be terminated after one weekend of a community-oriented work program. Former Goshen mayor Allan Kauffman resigned from the school board in February 2024, citing health concerns. The health concerns were also a contributing factor to his sentence. Despite being categorized by the state as the ringleader of the controversy, Kauffman pleaded guilty in open court on Friday and was sentenced on all counts without a plea deal. He was sentenced on Count 1, filing a fraudulent report, a Level 6 felony, to one year at the Elkhart County Correctional Facility suspended on reporting probation; Counts 2 through 6, all reckless contribution to a campaign, a Class B misdemeanor, to 180 days at the Elkhart County Jail suspended on one year of reporting probation, all to be served concurrently. On Wednesday, Johnson's attorney told the court that they're still in discovery, with new and additional information received, they're not yet ready to go to trial over the matter. Her attorney, Phillip Miller said the defense team is also considering taking deposition from Kauffman, but could not do so until his case was resolved. Last Friday, he was sentenced. The state said they are also still in the discovery process. Elkhart County Circuit Court Judge Teresa Cataldo agreed to continue the jury trial. A status conference is scheduled for Aug. 13. DANIEL STARCHER A man accused of stealing a car out of Michigan pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in Elkhart Circuit Court on Wednesday. Police attempted to perform a traffic stop at C.R. 17 and Beck Drive on the stolen blue Ford F-150 at 2:03 p.m. Feb. 26 that fled the scene. While fleeing, the truck was struck after disregarding a lighted red signal at the intersection of C.R. 17 and Beck Drive. The vehicle was determined to be stolen out of Three Rivers, Michigan, after the owner left the truck running at a gas station. Police claimed Daniel Starcher, who was also involved in the crash, had stolen it and brought it home to pick up his dog before the crash. Starcher admitted to stealing the truck. Starcher pleaded guilty on Wednesday to Count 2, resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony. For his plea, Count 1, auto theft, a Level 6 felony, will be dismissed. Sentencing is scheduled for May 28. CRISTIAN A. ANDRADE-PALACIOS A man pleaded guilty to a drunk driving crash that resulted in multiple injuries during Wednesday's court proceedings in Elkhart County Circuit Court. Elkhart County deputies responded to the call for a crash at 4:14 p.m. June 17, 2023, where a 2014 Mercedes Benz driven by Cristian A. Andrade-Palacios had struck a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. Police say Lillian Coffman had been driving southeast on Ind. 119 east of C.R. 9 in the Jeep when Andrade-Palacios in the Mercedes entered oncoming traffic to pass a vehicle in front of him heading north and caused a head-on collision with Coffman's vehicle. Witnesses said traffic was slowed due to a tractor on the road. Coffman suffered several fractures to her hand and remained without proper use of her hand into at least January 2024, was unable to write or type properly, and that gripping the steering wheel was also difficult. In addition, an infant in Andrade-Palacios' vehicle suffered a broken leg that required surgery. After the crash, police conducted field sobriety tests on him and Andrade-Palacios' consented to a blood test showing a 0.214 blood alcohol content. Andrade-Palacios' said he'd had three or four beers prior to the drive that lead up to the crash. Andrade-Palacios pleaded guilty to both counts of causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle while intoxicated, both Level 5 felonies. Sentence is scheduled for May 28.
