California: San Luis Obispo losing yet another mom-n-pop, after 25 years Bali’s Yogurt shutdown, the owners admitted they were shutting down sooner than they thought, due to increasing competition. In Los Angeles, iconic Los Chavos Restaurant shutting down in November. Local news reports say the owner sold-out, and the buyer refuses to comment.
Connecticut: ObamaCare forcing the state to cut Medicare, which in turn forcing Day Kimball Healthcare to eliminate 23 jobs: “Once again, our organization has been dealt a severe financial blow from the state that has far-reaching repercussions. We have no choice but to be proactive in cutting costs…”-Robert Smanik, president and CEO
Idaho: Kaiser Family Foundation study says Idaho is one of dozens of states keeping low income people from affordable ObamaCare (called the Coverage Gap), and that it’s actually costing taxpayers more money as a result, saying the cost of healthcare in The Gem State went up 6.9%!
Washington based electricity supplier Avista has won a settlement that will result in electric rates going up for Idahoan customers of Avista starting in January 2016.
Potato growers are warning of lower crop yields this year, even though acreage is way up. Analysts say this year’s spud harvest will be below the five year average: “We’ve had some unusual weather this year. Some growers were hit by cold, some by heat and some had a lot of water. And with the water came late blight.”-Frank Muir, Idaho Potato Commission
Now for some good news (hopefully), a 20 year lease to create a large solar power project on the property of the Pocatello Airport has been approved. It will be run by Energy Partners-Pocatello Solar One and will sell the electricity to Idaho Power.
Indiana: In Gary, charter school Thea Bowman Leadership Academy laid off seven people due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome, which caused a drop in federal taxpayer funding.
Iowa: In Davenport, Hancock Fabrics shutdown due to the greedy landlord selling out to a greedy property developer.
Kansas: After 17 years Robuck Jewelers shutdown because the owners can make more money off their property management business. It’s been revealed that 1-hundred years old (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Mercy Hospital shutdown last week, admitting they’ve lost a lot of money since Affordable Care Act went into effect. It’s proof that ObamaCare actually prevents access to healthcare in less densely populated areas (known as small town syndrome).
Kentucky: AK Steel shutting down its Ashland plant, starting in December 940 people will be laid off over a six months period! They blame cheap imported steel (which is an excuse I’ve heard since the 1980s).
Louisiana: A surprise announcement; South Beauregard Health Center in Longville shutting down by the end of the month, blaming crashing patient volume caused by Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare)!
Minnesota: In Knife River, the Lighthouse at Emily’s restaurant shutdown when a potential sale to non-profit North Shore Scenic Railroad fell through. After only 26 months Lake State Credit Union shutting down their Duluth Technology Village fully automated office on 01 November. It’s blamed on the merger with Members Cooperative Credit Union. Cliffs Natural Resources threatening to shutdown due to future competition: “…if they [Essar Steel] go online, I will shut down a plant up there the same day.”-Lourenco Goncalves, ceo
New Hampshire: Valley Regional Hospital eliminated eight jobs in an effort to be “not quite break-even but…sustainable”, no thanks to ObamaCare.
New Jersey: Japan based drug pusher Daiichi Sankyo eliminating 1-thousand 2-hundred jobs across the U.S. but mainly at their Parsippany operations! It’s part of their global cutbacks begun earlier this year. Cherry Hill based Too Big to Jail TD Bank began eliminating jobs across United States and Canada, in an effort “push efficiencies”.
New York: County taxpayer funded Summit Park Hospital and Nursing Care Center shutting down after Xmas, due to a potential buyer backing out of the $32-million USD sale. 4-hundred jobs lost!
Oregon: In Newberg the more than 1-hundred years old (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) SP Fiber paper mill shutting down, 2-hundred jobs lost before Thanksgiving! The paper mill was recently taken over by WestRock, which is shutting down operations around the country. ObamaCare killing off yet another affordable insurance co-op, this time it’s non-profit Health Republic. The forced shutdown will affect 8-hundred Oregon businesses and 15-thousand individuals!
Pennsylvania: God refusing to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 166 years old Saint Mary of the Assumption Church due to the loss of $142-thousand USD. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”-1 Timothy 6:10
16 – 17 October 2015:“We are in the throes of a deep depression, and nothing is changing!”
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed
The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”