Al Capone’s favorite gun, personal items head to auction
By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Al Capone is infamous for having been a ruthless mob boss, but one of his granddaughters says Capone’s softer side will shine through when the family auctions some of his personal belongings in October. Items heading for the block include a diamond-encrusted pocket watch, family photographs and his favorite handgun. The Prohibition-era gangster’s three surviving granddaughters will also sell a letter he wrote to their father and his only child from the now-closed federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. That’s where he served 11 years after his 1934 tax evasion conviction in Chicago. The auction will be held on Oct. 8 in Sacramento.

Kabul airport attack kills 60 Afghans, 13 US troops
By SAYED ZIARMAL HASHEMI, RAHIM FAIEZ, LOLITA C. BALDOR and JOSEPH KRAUSS Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Two suicide bombers and gunmen have targeted crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. An Afghan official says at least 60 Afghans were killed and 143 wounded. U.S. officials said 13 U.S. service members also died, including 11 Marines and a Navy medic. A U.S. official said the attack was believed to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. President Joe Biden spoke directly to the attackers in a speech to the nation and said “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania school leaders are figuring out how to use billions in federal coronavirus relief. It’s a flood of cash that can help lower class sizes, underwrite construction projects and assist children in catching up after a year and a half of pandemic-caused educational disruption. One school superintendent calls it “a game changer.” In Pennsylvania, the largest cities collected the most in federal pandemic relief money, with the 130,000-student Philadelphia public schools receiving nearly $1.8 billion. Districts are looking at ways to help kids catch up, to address their mental health needs and to make their buildings cleaner and safer, among other things.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission says superintendent of Pittsburgh’s public schools submitted “negligent” reimbursements for travel and was improperly paid for days off when he was not working for the school district. The three-page order issued Thursday also says Superintendent Anthony Hamlet violated ethics rules by taking money for public appearances, speeches or presentations related to his public position. The commission is ordering Hamlet to pay $1,750 to the state and $6,200 to the school district and to forfeit 14 vacation days. Hamlet’s lawyer says the violations were the result of clerical errors, lack of ethics training and Hamlet’s contract letting him receive pay for speeches.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvanians are growing more concerned with the affordability of their health care, according to a new poll.

More than 600 registered voters were polled last month in the state, and 75% said the amount they pay for health care seems to increase each year. And about a year-and-a-half into the pandemic, 65% said they are worried people who are diagnosed with COVID may have to pay higher amounts for their health care.

Fred Yang, CEO of Hart Research, said residents want the health-care system to work better for them, especially in the context of COVID-19.

“I think there’s recognition that we’re going to have to deal with a lot of aftereffects of the pandemic, including people’s health,” Yang observed. “But also a recognition that the people who contracted COVID-19 and are recovering, they’ll also have a further hit on their wallets.”

About 58% of the Pennsylvanians polled said they’ve struggled to pay a medical bill, even if they had health insurance. The polling was done by Hart Research and ALG Research, on behalf of Consumers for Quality Care.

According to the poll, a majority of Pennsylvanians don’t want a complete overhaul of the health-care system, but specific solutions. Some 93% said they want policy changes from Congress that lower deductibles and hold insurance companies accountable for selling plans that offer little coverage.

Jim Manley, board member of Consumers for Quality Care, said voters want high-quality, affordable care and access to good health-care providers.

“What we’re seeing throughout this polling is, voters agree that the cost of health care continues to rise,” Manley explained. “And they have serious concerns of out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, premiums and co-pays, when it comes to the biggest issues facing their future.”

Another priority the poll confirmed is voters want to see improvements to home- and community-based care for older adults and people with disabilities.