Arizona
Sen. Tester: Arizona Medicaid scam targets tribal members in Montana, leaving them stranded with no way home
![Sen. Tester: Arizona Medicaid scam targets tribal members in Montana, leaving them stranded with no way home](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox10phoenix.com/www.fox10phoenix.com/content/uploads/2023/07/1280/720/billboard.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
PHOENIX – U.S. Senator Jon Tester of Montana is calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for help, claiming tribal members in Montana are being victimized by a widespread Medicaid scam in Arizona. The Democratic senator sent a letter to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the Administrator of CMS on July 19, voicing his concern. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D, Montana)
“By offering promises of treatment in exchange for changing their residency in Arizona, these fraudulent rehab centers have reportedly recruited Montanans and left them without care and stranded in Arizona,” wrote Tester.
The letter of “deep concern” comes after FOX 10 reported on the story of Josh Racine, a member of Blackfeet Nation in Montana, who was found homeless in Phoenix in June after being flown out to Arizona by a treatment facility in the Valley. Racine’s sister Laura McGee told FOX 10 she reported her brother missing a little more than two months after he left home.
Fallout of sober living crisis on Phoenix streets
A sober living Medicaid scheme victimizes as many as 8,000 tribal members, leaving many displaced as fake rehab centers shut down. FOX 10 Investigator Justin Lum went on a ride-along with Navajo Nation Police for “Operation Rainbow Bridge” to confront the crisis head on.
In Tester’s letter, he laid blame Arizona’s Medicaid agency, AHCCCS [Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System], for allowing fraud to “plague Arizona’s Tribal Communities for so long that it spread to other states.”
In May, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and state leaders announced a crackdown on illegitimate facilities that capitalize on vulnerable Native Americans in need, to get paid off their Medicaid benefits. The sober living scheme has defrauded the state for at least hundreds of millions of dollars.
FOX 10’s investigative series “Preying on a People” shows you how the sober living scheme takes advantage of tribal members and other vulnerable groups of people battling addiction, keeping them housed and in some cases, intoxicated and under the influence of drugs rather than providing actual therapy services.
Preying on a People: Trafficking, health care fraud victimizing Native Americans
The series takes a deep look at the FBI’s investigation in claims of Native Americans in several states, including Arizona, who are being targeted in sober-living schemes. These people are looking to get clean and are said to be picked up by unsuspecting vans and are taken to homes where some claim drugs and alcohol are often offered. This, reportedly, is to get the money from Indian health services and other government agencies.
Tester asked CMS for assistance in getting victims from Montana back home, so they can receive proper treatment.
“Finally, I ask the agency to collaborate in facilitating the necessary resources and efforts to warn Tribes nationwide about this deceitful scam,” said Tester.
Read Senator Tester’s full letter:
In June, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed a declaration for a public health state of emergency to increase funding for Operation Rainbow Bridge. The operation is purposed to help up to 8,000 Native Americans impacted by the exploitation of fraudulent behavioral health outpatient treatment centers.
We reached out to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for comment.
For more information on resources for those affected, call 2-1-1 and press 7. If you suspect Medicaid fraud by a provider, click here to submit a complaint to AHCCCS.
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Arizona
Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for June 30, 2024
![Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for June 30, 2024](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2019/06/05/PPHX/c00e418e-69c0-418f-b00b-baec5c88b70b-Arizona_lottery.jpg?auto=webp&crop=3952,2224,x0,y416&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Arizona offers Powerball, Mega Millions, The Pick, Triple Twist, Fantasy 5 and Pick 3 as well as Scratchers, Quick Draw and Fast Play.
Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history. Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.
Pick 3
2-0-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Fantasy 5
05-12-16-19-38
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Triple Twist
01-08-11-19-30-40
Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:
Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.
Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Arizona
Diamondbacks Reportedly DFA Veteran Catcher Tucker Barnhart
![Diamondbacks Reportedly DFA Veteran Catcher Tucker Barnhart](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4968,h_2794,x_0,y_518/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/inside_the_diamondbacks/01j1nyq32cbwcm73c4s7.jpg)
According to the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, the Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly designated veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart for assignment. The move has not yet been made official by the team.
This will free up a roster spot for primary catcher Gabriel Moreno to make his return from the 10-day IL on time, as was expected.
Barnhart, 33, had signed a minor league deal with the club to compete and eventually win the backup catcher role, but, in his limited playing time, had failed to create much of an impact both offensively and defensively.
Such is to be expected of an aging backup catcher, but his .173/.287/.210 slash stands out, despite putting together a couple of clutch RBI hits in recent weeks. Barnhart served as a calming veteran presence for a number of pitchers on the staff, but, at a certain point, a complete lack of production at the plate and defensive prowess gives reason to sacrifice his off-field value.
It comes as a bit of a surprise that Arizona opted to part with the veteran, rather than optioning Jose Herrera back to Triple-A Reno, although Herrera’s low numbers are currently the result of a small sample size. The 27-year-old slashed .260/.351/.362 in Triple-A, and has been with the D-backs’ organization since 2013, signing initially at 16 years old.
This move also implies that Arizona is comfortable moving forward with young prospect Adrian Del Castillo serving as their catcher depth, in the event of another injury to Moreno or Herrera.
Del Castillo has been an offensive force in Reno, slashing a monstrous .324/.399/.603 with 30 doubles, 15 home runs and 49 RBI in 49 games. He’s not the defensive wizard that the D-backs have in Moreno, and provides little value in controlling baserunners, but it’s hard to ignore offensive numbers of that magnitude, even in a hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
But it’s not just Del Castillo raking in Triple-A. Behind him on the depth chart is 26-year-old Ronaldo Hernandez.
Hernandez spent time with the Boston Red Sox in 2022 and 2023, and was signed to a minor league deal with the D-backs in January of 2024. He’s hitting at a relatively close second to Del Castillo. Although only playing 34 games, he’s slashing .333/.379/.556, with six doubles and six home runs.
In any event, the decision to DFA Barnhart does offer some clarity on Arizona’s long-term plans at the catcher position. Although a backup catcher is not generally the player with the strongest bat, the team is likely looking to get younger, and, of course, hope they don’t have to make do without their young stud Moreno for more than an occasional day off going forward.
Arizona
Evacuation orders lifted for some Arizona residents forced from their homes days ago by a wildfire
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Evacuation orders in Arizona have been lifted for some residents of northeast Scottsdale, days after they were forced from their homes by a wildfire, authorities said Sunday.
The Boulder View Fire was 19% contained Sunday after charring nearly 6 square miles (15 square kilometers) on the cusp of the Boulder Heights subdivision since Thursday.
About 60 homes were evacuated Friday. No injuries have been reported and no structures have been damaged.
Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. It began about 5 miles (8 kilometers) outside northern Scottsdale on the edge of the Tonto National Forest.
Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management officials said evacuations were lowered from “GO” to “SET” status Saturday evening for some displaced residents preparing to return home.
Scottsdale officials have notified homeowners that the north part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, including all trails, will be closed until further notice. They called that a precautionary move and said there was no immediate threat to the preserve.
Tiffany Davila, a spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said nearly 270 firefighters were battling the wildfire in triple-digit heat on Sunday.
She said there was a chance of thunderstorms in the fire area Sunday evening and that could make firefighting efforts more complicated due to gusty winds and lightning strikes.
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