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Monday, December 15, 2014

Healthcare.gov deadline for Jan. 1 coverage is Monday

SEANNA ADCOX, Associated Press 1:34 p.m. EST December 14, 2014

Monday is the deadline for South Carolina residents signing up for health insurance through the federal exchange if they want their coverage to start Jan. 1.(Photo: ADAM BERRY / Getty Images)

COLUMBIA South Carolinians have until Monday to sign up for health insurance through the federal exchange if they want coverage to start Jan. 1.

The deadline applies to both the uninsured and current Healthcare.gov customers. While the second year of enrollment under President Barack Obama's signature health care law continues through Feb. 15, the deadline is important for people who want insurance or a new plan to take effect on New Year's Day.

Current customers who do nothing will be automatically renewed in the plan they have now on Jan. 1. But with premiums changing for 2015, administration officials and consumer advocates are urging people to come back and shop.

"There is still a great gap of information. Understandably, people are confused," said Patti Embry-Tautenhan, spokeswoman for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, which is educating people about the deadline and their choices through three retail stores in South Carolina and two roaming recreational vehicles.

South Carolinians have more choices for 2015, with one additional company selling policies through the exchange and the state's largest insurer doubling its offerings.

"We know people value choice, and we wanted to give them as many options as we could," Embry-Tautenhan said.

The online marketplace for private insurance is intended for people who don't have access to affordable coverage through their jobs. According to the state Department of Insurance, 10 companies write individual health insurance policies in South Carolina. Five of those offer plans through the exchange, through which people can get federal subsidies to help offset premium costs.

The fifth company joining the exchange this cycle is Assurant Health. BlueCross BlueShield and its licensee, BlueChoice, as well as the health insurance cooperative Consumers' Choice one of 24 nationwide created by the federal law continue to offer plans statewide. Coventry Health Care, which was bought last year by Aetna, is also again offering plans.

On average, premiums in South Carolina have risen less than 1 percent from the first rollout, but the swings in individual policies vary from a 39 percent increase to a 35 percent decrease, according to the state Department of Insurance.

Consumers' Choice accounts for both ends of that spectrum. Spokeswoman Adrian Grimes said that's because the company implemented a tobacco surcharge, something most carriers did initially.

The health care law requires insurers to accept all applicants regardless of pre-existing medical problems. But it also allows them to charge smokers premiums that are up to 50 percent higher than those offered non-smokers a way for insurers to ward off bad risks.

"We did not do that out of the gate," Grimes said. "We have updated that and now are more on board with other carriers."

More than 118,000 people in South Carolina signed up for plans during the previous enrollment period. Grimes said Consumers' Choice plans insured about 50,000 South Carolinians.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, nearly 214,000 South Carolinians filled out applications for health care during the last enrollment period, but about 45 percent of them didn't complete the process and pick a plan.

Nearly 90 percent of the people who enrolled here were eligible for government subsidies for the private insurance.

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Source: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/health/2014/12/14/healthcaregov-deadline-jan-coverage-monday/20398989/

Local to fly high over Army-Navy game

John Andrew Prime, jprime@gannett.com 9:18 p.m. CST December 12, 2014

U.S. Army Capt. Harrison Carmody in his AH-64 Apache helicopter.(Photo: Courtesy Harrison Carmody)

Story Highlights

A Shreveport-born Army helicopter pilot will have a place of honor at today's Army-Navy game.
Harrison Carmody, 29, graduated from West Point in 2008.
Now a captain, he's stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
He deployed to Afghanistan in 2011-2012 and has flown almost 200 combat missions.

A local pilot and war veteran will have one of the best seats for Saturday's Army-Navy football game.

But it won't be in the stadium.

Instead, Army Capt. Harrison Carmody will look down at the decades-old interservice rivalry from the cockpit of an AH-64 Apache helicopter in an official game overflight that should be part of the local telecast on CBS stations at 2 p.m. today.

"It's a real honor to be able to do this," Carmody, 29, said in a call from Baltimore, Maryland, where the game, the 115th in a series of grudgematches since 1890, will be played. "Only a select few get the opportunity to be chosen by the commander. It was something I did not think I would be selected for. It was a great surprise."

He and three other Apache pilots left Fort Campbell, Kentucky, several days ago, but were held up in West Virginia by weather. Friday was rehearsal day.

"We're just going to do a tight, four-ship diamond formation within one rotor distance of each other," he said.

Carmody, in the Army seven years and single, joined for a number of reasons, patriotism among them of course.

"I just always wanted to do it," he said. "That, and I joined out a sense of service and adventure."

One of six children of Jacquie and Arthur Carmody III of Shreveport, he attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Shreveport, then later went to the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, N.M. Then he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 2008.

"We are so proud of Harrison for his service to his country," Art Carmody says of his son, "After serving as an Apache pilot in Afghanistan, being selected to do the flyover at the Army-Navy game will be a special day for Harrison and his entire family."

Currently stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the younger Carmody flies with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). In military speak, that's A/1-101 AVN REGT. He has served a tour in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 and has flown "probably close to 200 or so" combat missions.

All of that has led to an overflight at the game that closes out the college football regular season and sets the eyes of the nation on a lad from Northwest Louisiana.

"It's good that a Shreveport boy could make his way up north to Baltimore to enjoy a football game and some crab cakes," he said.

Watch

The Army-Navy game will close out the regular college football season with a game in Baltimore, Maryland, today at 2 p.m. It will be shown on CBS affiliates.

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Source: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2014/12/12/local-fly-high-bowl-game/20313329/

Amir Khan Ready to Be Floyd Mayweather's Nightmare After Beating Devon ...

In boxing, the man with the fastest hands, quickest feet and sharpest mind is more often than not the winner on any given night.Speed kills. And, against highly regarded Devon Alexander, British sensation Amir Khan (30-3, 19 KO) once again proved he might just be the fastest draw in the sport, winning a unanimous decision (119-109, 118-110, 120-108) in front of a partisan crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Saturday night.

Khan, using his height (5'9"), boxingacumenand pure physical gifts, dominated a fight many expected to be close, beating Alexander to the punch and re-staking his claim to the greatest prize in all of boxinga potential bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"I really believe I've earned my shot against the best boxer in the world, and that's Floyd Mayweather. We will come back here and take the belt. I want my chance," Khan said after the fight. "... Floyd Mayweather is the ideal fight for me. I think he is the best pound-for-pound boxer, and it would be a game of chess, but against Mayweather I would be too skillful. I have the skill and movement to beat him."

By the Numbers: Khan vs. Alexander Fighter Landed Thrown Percentage Khan 243 563 43% Alexander 91 461 20%

Compubox

Just last week, the thought of Mayweather vs. Khan would have been distinctly disappointinga letdown after continued discussion of a possible match between the pound-for-pound king and Manny Pacquiao. It would be less of a disappointment now. With his dismantling of Alexander, Khan reminded the boxing world exactly why he was considered a potential opponent for Mayweather in the first place.

It's not because he's an unbeatable boxing machine. Far from it. In fact, it's easy to see Khan losing to any number of fighters in or around welterweight. His jaw remains too fragile to imagine a Mayweather-esque string of victories.

But in boxing, styles make fights. Mayweather is unarguably the best fighter in the world. However, he's far from being a strong puncher. Against Money, Khan could afford to make the occasional mistake and really let the leather fly, confident any misstep wouldn't be punished with a one-punch knockout.

Mayweather's vaunted shoulder-roll defense can, theoretically, be beaten with a combination of hand speed and work rate. Those are Khan's calling cards, which make this fight, athletically, perhaps the best possible bout for Floyd. Khan's former trainer, the legendary Freddie Roach, believes the Brit has a chance to shock the world.

"I always thought Amir had the talent to maybe beat someone like Mayweather. I think its a very good fight for Amir. I give him a very good chance to win that fight," Roach told Ryan Songalia ofThe Ring. "Hes fast, hes athletic. Hes a pretty good puncher, not a great puncher. He has all the abilities in the world."

What happens in the boardroom with Pacquiao, more than anything that happens in the ring, will decide Khan's fate in the Mayweather sweepstakes. The champ made clear he finally wants to enter the ring with his greatest rival.

"Manny Pacquiao, Bob Arum, you guys have been ducking us for years," Mayweather told Showtime's Steve Farhood in a televised interview Friday. "We're tired of you guys fooling the public, fooling the critics. You guys didn't want to take random blood and urine testing, so that's why it didn't happen.

"Then I offered you $40 million, then you didn't want to make the fight happen. You lost twice, now you coming back begging for the same money. That's not gonna happen. Let's make the fight happen for the people and the fans. Mayweather versus Pacquiao, May 2, Cinco de Mayweather."

Who's Next for Floyd Mayweather?

As Mayweather made clear, there are millions of potential reasons a fight with Pacquiao won't happen. Percentage points, guarantees and revenue splits are the language of this particular battlemuch more important than hooks or jabs.

Now, thanks to Khan, Mayweather has an additional card in his deck. If Pacquiao doesn't agree to his terms, Floyd has a perfectly appropriate fallback plan.

But it's a playing card that comes with razor-sharp edges.

Because it's entirely possible, after seeing the fight, that Pacquiao suddenly looks awfully appealing to Mayweather. Compared to the surging British sensation, almost anyone would.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2299297-amir-khan-ready-to-be-floyd-mayweathers-nightmare-after-beating-devon-alexander

Miss World 2014 Winner Is Miss South Africa, Rolene Strauss�See Photos and ...

And the winner of the 2014 Miss World pageant is....Miss South Africa, Rolene Strauss!

The 22-year-old beauty queen was crowned onstage at the competition's grand final at theExcel London ICC Auditoriumon Sunday. Strauss, the daughter of a doctor and nurse, is a fourth-year medical student.

Donning a high, blue and golden jeweled crown and pale pink, off-the-shoulder, romantic-style, cleavage-baring, ruffled evening gown, Strauss waved and smiled at the crowd.

PHOTOS: Most bizarre beauty pageants

Strauss was among 122 contestants who competed for the coveted title this year. During the ceremony, contestants wore colorful costumes representing their countries and territories and several also took part in a group performance of the hit ballad "You Raise Me Up," made famous byJosh Groban.

After she was crowned, the remaining contestants on stage danced to l***o's "Party Rock Anthem." Group member Sky Blu, who wore a fairytale prince-like outfit, performed solo.

"Miss World 2014. Put your hands up, ya'll!" he shouted. "Put those hands up! Oh yeah! We love girls all around the world. All around the world, we love girls. I love ya'll."

PHOTOS: Miss World contestants over the yearsincludes Halle Berry!

The two runners-up were:

2. Hungary:Edina Kulcsr, a former finalist of the 2009 Miss Plastic Hungary beauty pageant. The contest featured contestants who had plastic surgery and aimed to promote the benefits of cosmetic procedures.

3.United States:Elizabeth Safrit, whorepresented North Carolina at the 2014 Miss United States pageant, has a BA in political science from the University of South Carolina and has been dancing since she was little.

The other contestants who made it to the top 10 were:

4. Australia:Courtney Thorpe, a marketing student

5. England:Carina Tyrrell, a med student at the prestigious University of Cambridge.

6. Guyana:Rafieya Husain, a business administration student

7. Brazil:Julia Gama, a chemical engineering student

8. Kenya:Idah Nguma, a marketing executive

9. Mexico:Daniela lvarez Reyes,Miss Mundo Mexico

10. India:Koyal Rana,NGO and director of the Moksha Foundation

People's Choice winner:Thailand:Nonthawan NonthawanThongleng, a singer, TV host and model

The ceremony also featured a tribute to Indian actressAishwarya Rai, Miss World 1994.

READ: 5 Things to know aboutRolene Strauss, Miss World 2014

Strauss is the first Miss World titleholder from South Africa in 40 years and the first to win the competition in more than 55 years.

In 1974, Miss United KingdomHelen Elizabeth Morganfrom Wales won the pageant and had to relinquish her crown days after it was discovered that she has a child, which defied competition rules. Miss South Africa at the time,Anneline Kriel, later took her place. The first and last time a competitor from her and Strauss' country was crowned at the annual competition was in 1958, with winnerPenelope Anne Coelen.

PHOTOS: 2014 Miss World winner and other contestants

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Kobe Bryant Passing Michael Jordan and Basketball Bringing Everything Full ...

Dec 12, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) looks to pass against San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (14) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

December 21st, 1996 nearly 18 years ago to the day I saw Kobe Bryant in action for the first time. Bryant was a rookie trying to crack Del Harris rotation. As for myself, I was but a basketball-loving second-grader in the formative years of my fandom.

I can recall getting picked up from my daycare the evening of the game by my Moms then-boyfriend who told me, Were going to see Kobe Bryant! Of course at the time, I had heard of Bryant, but was equally as excited to see Vlade Divac, whom I didnt realize until later had been traded for him. Youd think a kid in 1996 would be excited about Shaquille ONeal, but clearly I was evidently an odd child.

All-in-all, the only recollection I have of watching Bryant that day was an exciting dunk right in front of our baseline seats. Digging up the box score, he was good, not great. Bryant finished withfive points on 2-3 shooting with a rebound and a block in 11 minutes. Funny enough Bryants current coach, Byron Scott, also played in the contest and finished with four points on as many shots.

Nearly two decades later, Kobe Bryant sits at the precipice of surpassing his idol, Michael Jordan, for third all-time in scoring. No, hes not passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the top spot; but considering Jordans place in history, and Jordans highly regarded perception among fans, its a significant milestone for Bryant who is seen as having playedin Michaels shadow his entire career.

Ultimately, Bryant passing Jordan doesnt mean much on a small scale; it doesnt make the Lakers better or anything. On a broader scale, its a part of how well remember Bryant when he eventually retires: five championships, one MVP, first player with 32,000 points and 6,000 assists, and third all-time in scoring after tonight.

You dont have to be a Kobe Stan to appreciate what Bryant has accomplished in his career. After all, Bryant has been a once-in-a-generation player that three generations of fans have now witnessed, and that should not be taken for granted. Appreciating the talent, the journey, and achievements throughout his career doesnt mean that he should be reflexively compared to Jordan or anyone else. For all of Bryants charms, Bryant should be appreciated for what he is and what he has accomplished.

For myself, Ill be there. However, this time Ill be covering the game from media row another thing I never would have imagined happening 18 years ago. If this is the last time I get to see Bryant play in-person, it would make for an unexpected conclusion to an unassuming beginning.

Source: http://hardwoodparoxysm.com/2014/12/14/kobe-bryant-michael-jordan-basketball/

Floyd Mayweather calls out Manny Pacquiao, wants to fight in May

Jae C. Hong/AP

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have been bickering in public for years, but it seems like a long-awaited megafight between the two biggest stars in boxing might be inching closer toward becoming a reality. In an interview with Showtime Sports Friday night in San Antonio, Mayweather called out Pacquiao and said he wants to fight on May 2nd.

Pacquiao dominated Chris Algieri in his most recent fight in November, which drew a reported 300,000 pay-per-view buys. In classic Mayweather fashion, the undefeated champ made it sound like he would be doing Pacquiao a favor.

Absolutely, I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao. We tried to make the fight happen years ago. We had problems with random blood and urine testing. Like I said I just want to be on an even playing field. Now hes in a very, very tight situation he lost to [Juan Manuel] Marquez, hes lost to [Timothy] Bradley. Pay-per-view numbers are down extremely low, so hes desperate.

Take Our PollMayweather accusedpromoter Bob Arum of holding up a potential showdown, but Pacquiao recently starred in a hilarious Foot Locker commercial that implied Mayweather refused to fight him.

Floyd Mayweather is not ducking or dodging any opponent. Bob Arum is stopping the fight. Weve been trying to make this fight happen behind the scenes for years now. we want to fight, were ready. Lets make it happen May 2nd. Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao.

Even though both fighters are past their prime, theres little doubt that Mayweather-Pacquiao could be one of the biggest pay-per-views of all time. Mayweather said that Pacquaio would not be receiving the same type of pay day as he would have years ago.

I offered you $40 million, then you didnt want to make the fight happen, you lost twice, now you coming back begging for the same money. Thats not gonna happen.

Boxing

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Source: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/12/floyd-mayweather-manny-pacquiao-may-fight

Oregon QB Marcus Mariota wins Heisman Trophy

By Ralph D. RussoThe Associated Press

NEW YORK Marcus Mariota, the prototypical 21st-century quarterback, took an old-fashioned approach to become Oregon's first Heisman Trophy winner.

The Ducks' understated star won the Heisman on Saturday night going away, capping a three-year climb to college football's most prestigious individual award.

"I'm humbled to be standing here today," Mariota said, reading an acceptance speech he had a hard time getting through without choking up.

A pinpoint passer with wide-receiver speed, Mariota came into his junior season as the favorite to win the 80th Heisman and delivered a performance that turned the presentation ceremony at a theater in Times Square into a foregone conclusion.

Mariota received twice as many points as second-place finisher Melvin Gordon, the record-breaking running back from Wisconsin. The other finalist, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, was third.

Mariota received the second-highest percentage of possible points (90.92) in Heisman history, behind only Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, who had 91.63 in 2006. Southern California tailback Reggie Bush received 91.77 percent of possible points in 2005, but his victory was later vacated for violating NCAA rules.

The first Hawaii native to win the Heisman has accounted for a Pac-12-record 53 touchdowns (38 passing, 14 rushing and one receiving) while directing the Ducks' warp-speed spread offense. He also led Oregon to a spot in the first College Football Playoff.

It will be a matchup of Heisman-winning quarterbacks in the Rose Bowl semifinal Jan. 1 with Mariota and the second-seeded Ducks facing Florida State and Jameis Winston.

Mariota has been making a whirlwind tour up the East Coast collecting trophies. First stop, Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, to pick up an armful of hardware. Next stop, Baltimore for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He took a train to New York on Saturday morning. It was his first time on a train and his first time in the Big Apple.

"It's breathtaking, really," he said of the city hours before being announced as the winner. "I've never been around so many skyscrapers and lights and people. It's definitely been a different feel, but it's cool."

In an era when so many Heisman winners seemingly come from out of nowhere the last two were the first freshmen winners Mariota's rise was slow and steady.

Three of the last four Heisman winners were in their first seasons as starters, including Cam Newton, who won the award in his only season at Auburn after transferring from a junior college. Before Newton, three straight sophomores won the award (Tim Tebow of Florida, Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Mark Ingram of Alabama). Tebow was the first sophomore winner.

Like Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and Winston, the previous two winners, Mariota started as a redshirt freshman. It didn't take long for him to establish himself as a star, but unlike Johnny Football and Famous Jameis, Mariota wasn't the face of college football in his first season.

In his second season he was even better, putting up numbers that rivaled those of Heisman finalist quarterbacks Winston, Manziel, AJ McCarron and Jordan Lynch, but when it came time to vote for the Heisman, Mariota was forgotten. He didn't even finish in the top 10 in 2013.

This season Mariota was the man to beat from the start and nobody could touch him. Except for a blip in early October, when the Ducks lost to Arizona, Mariota exceeded the hype.

He leads the nation in passer rating (186.2), is fifth in total offense (342.5 yards per game) and has led the Ducks to a Pac-12 title with a chance to play for their first national championship.

Of course, patience and poise have defined Mariota's career. He didn't start for his high school team until he was a senior then led Saint Louis in Honolulu to a state title.

A quiet leader with a nice-guy reputation, Mariota brought no off-field baggage to this Heisman ceremony. After a season beset by off-field troubles, including a school hearing into sexual assault allegations, Winston wasn't a finalist this time around.

Mariota has another year of eligibility, but he's been in Eugene, Oregon, for four years and is on target to graduate soon. He has yet to declare for the NFL draft, but he has likely played his last home game at Autzen Stadium.

Mariota passes the NFL eye test, too. He could have been a high draft pick last year, and his stock has only gone up this season.

Oregon's only Heisman finalists before Mariota were quarterback Joey Harrington in 2001 and running back LaMichael James in 2010. For Harrington, Oregon, with Nike's help, put up a billboard in Times Square to promote their Heisman candidate.

Oregon didn't need a billboard to get the word out about Mariota. His play provided all the publicity he needed

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_27132698/oregon-qb-marcus-mariota-wins-heisman-trophy