Latest news with #ButlerCounty
CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
99-year-old "superfan" gifts grand piano to Butler County Symphony Orchestra
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra recently received a special gift from one longtime fan. The orchestra celebrated its 75th birthday in 2025, and Shirley Mould, 99, was at the very first concert in 1949. Mould, a supporter of the orchestra for over seven decades, gifted a new grand piano to the organization. "Shirley's lifelong devotion to the BCSO and her enduring passion for music serve as a powerful reminder that the arts flourish through the dedication of individuals," said BCSO Executive Director Edward DeSantis. Mould also served as an orchestra board member and previously ran a consignment store whose proceeds benefited the symphony, according to a news release from Experience Butler County. While gifting the instrument, Mould met with the orchestra's newest music director, Moon Doh. Doh was announced as the new director at the beginning of May. He was selected following a two-year search from a field of over 150 applicants, representing 23 states and 11 countries, the news release added. "This generosity strengthens our musical heritage, rooted in (Mould's) attendance at our very first concert over 75 years ago, but also ensures that the entire community will continue to experience the transformative power of music for generations to come," DeSantis said.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
‘Well, we all are going to die': GOP senator's stark mic drop to town hall over Medicaid cuts
Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa had a grim message for her constituents furious over proposed cuts to Medicaid that could end health coverage for millions of Americans. Over a chorus of groans from the crowd at a town hall in Butler County on Friday morning, Ernst said her Republican colleagues were making 'corrections' to the federal healthcare program to stop 'overpayments' and prevent 'illegals' from receiving benefits. 'People are going to die,' one person shouted out. 'Well, we're all going to die,' Ernst snarkily replied. When she was greeted with a mixture of stunned groans and shout-backs, the senator exasperatedly added: 'For heaven's sakes, folks.' Democratic officials and advocacy groups pounced on the moment, accusing Ernst of airing what the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee called a 'stunningly callous' remark that points to a wider failure among Republican members of Congress to face criticism over threats to a program that supports millions of lower-income Americans. 'Joni Ernst said the quiet part out loud: Republicans don't give a shit about whether their own constituents live or die as long as the richest few get richer,' according to Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin. 'And that's precisely why they're ramming through a budget bill that would rip away health care and food from millions of Americans, including kids and seniors,' he added. 'Ernst and the Republican Party are putting American lives at risk to give a massive tax handout to billionaires while working families struggle to put food on the table and get basic medical care. This isn't just what Joni Ernst believes — it's what the entire Republican Party stands for.' Donald Trump 's ' Big, Beautiful Bill ' — which contains $4 trillion in tax cuts that would largely benefit America's wealthiest household — also adds strict work requirements and other changes to Medicaid eligibility. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that proposed cuts and the expiration of funding for federal health insurance programs could strip coverage for more than 13.7 million Americans by 2034. More than 78 million people are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, including more than 600,000 people in Ernst's home state. 'While Democrats fear monger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans,' a spokesperson for the senator told The Independent. 'There's only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she's working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse,' the statement added. Republicans have long opposed offering health coverage to younger, lower-income adults and families, arguing that Medicaid and other programs incentivize Americans to avoid working. GOP lawmakers insist their new proposal won't directly cut benefits for low-income and disabled people, but Democrats and advocacy groups argue the bill threatens coverage from people who could fall between the cracks if they can't meet new requirements. Adult Medicaid recipients would need to prove they're working or engaging in 'community service' for at least 80 hours per month to maintain eligibility. Other requirements include verifying addresses, proving lawful immigration status and screening every six months. Speaking over uproar at her town hall, Ernst said the GOP proposal will 'focus on those that are the most vulnerable. 'OK, but no, what you don't want to do is listen to me when I say we're going to focus on those that are the most vulnerable,' she said. 'Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, we will protect. We will protect them.' She said the federal government should 'leave those dollars for those that are eligible for Medicaid.' Democratic Rep. Greg Casar called Ernst's remarks 'outrageous.' 'Most might not say it this directly, but this is what any member of Congress who votes to slash Medicaid really means,' he said.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Ernst's Remark About Medicaid Cuts Draws Jeers at Iowa Town Hall
Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, had a gloomy message for constituents at a town hall in Butler County, Iowa, on Friday morning: 'We all are going to die.' Ms. Ernst was fielding questions about cuts to Medicaid that were included in the domestic policy bill working its way through Congress, when someone in the audience yelled out that the effect would be that 'people are going to die.' 'Well, we all are going to die,' Ms. Ernst responded, drawing jeers from the crowd. Ms. Ernst appeared taken aback by the negative response. 'For heaven's sakes, folks,' she said. Democrats moved quickly to call attention to the comment from Ms. Ernst, a second-term lawmaker who is up for re-election next year. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee circulated a video clip of the moment, calling Ms. Ernst's remark 'stunningly callous' and saying that it came as Republicans in Congress were pushing massive cuts to Medicaid that would leave 'millions of Americans uninsured in order to pay for a tax giveaway for billionaires.' The sprawling legislation, which contains a $4 trillion tax cut that would provide the biggest savings to the wealthy, also would make several changes to Medicaid, including adding a strict new work requirement. The independent, nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected that the bill would cause around 10 million Americans to become uninsured. Ms. Ernst comment on Friday came after town hall attendees interrupted her as she was highlighting provisions in the measure that sought to ensure that undocumented immigrants, who are not eligible to enroll in Medicaid, would not receive any services. As they defend the legislation, Republicans often refer to that aspect of it, suggesting that the only major changes it would make to Medicaid would be cracking down on waste and abuse in the program, including illegal use by undocumented people. Still, it is the more morbid portion of Ms. Ernst's remarks that Democrats are likely to play on repeat in campaign aids against her in the coming months. With her re-election top of mind, Ms. Ernst, a survivor of sexual assault and the Senate's first female combat veteran, earlier this year caved to a right-wing pressure campaign and voted to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth despite expressing reservations about his bid. A spokesman for Ms. Ernst said in a statement: 'While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans.' The spokesman added: 'There's only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she's working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.'
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Butler man, woman killed in apparent murder-suicide
A man and woman were found dead in what police believe to be a murder-suicide in Butler County. The Butler City Police Department said it was called to a welfare check shortly before 4 p.m. on Wednesday on Cottage Hill Avenue. After forcing their way in, police said they found a 66-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man dead. The preliminary investigation suggests one of them killed the other before killing themselves, police said. Police didn't release the victim's identities, saying the next of kin haven't been found yet. No other details were released. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
1 hospitalized after being ejected in 3-vehicle crash, police say
Medics transported a person to the hospital after being ejected from a vehicle in Butler County. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officers and medics responded around 1:50 p.m. to State Routes 4 and 129 on reports of a crash, according to our news partner, WCPO, in Cincinnati. TRENDING STORIES: 71-year-old man dead after motorcycle hits house in Clark County Officer who arrested college student detained by ICE resigns from department Officers, medics respond to reported crash near NATO secure zone Butler County dispatchers told WCPO that three vehicles were involved, and a person was ejected. The person's condition is currently unknown. The crash remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
