The hearing will come to order. Without objection the chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time. Today is the third panel of the oversight investigation subcommittee hearing spielgtsed learning from v. A. Whistleblowers. On june 25th, the subcommittee began this hearing to discuss the importance of va whistle bloergs we heard testimony from people inside the va raising Major Concerns questions and kwerns critical problems affecting the health and well being of veterans. These witnesses were willing to below the whistle even when at risk their livelihood and careers. Unfortunately we learned the va continuing to struggle with the culture of retaliation against whistleblowers. In too many instances leadership and supervisor turned a blind eye in those in v. A. Worker frs pointed out sowers problems or pointing out bad actors ace abuseding positions or broken laws. Even worse the whistleblowers are target of active retaliation one striking example dpram dr. Catherine mitchells t
Unfortunately, we learned that the v. A. Is continuing to struggle with the culture of retaliation against whistleblowers. In too many instances leadership and supervisor turned a blind eye in those in v. A. Worker frs pointed out sowers problems or pointing out bad actors ace of using positions or breaking laws. Even worse the whistleblowers are targeted for active retaliation. One striking example dpram dr. Catherine mitchells testimony. In 2014 she was one of a group of people working at the Phoenix Medical Center to expose the secret waiting list of veterans in need of medical care. Instead of addressing the issue , the leadership actively worked to hide the exorbitant wait times. And it turned out such practices occurred at v. A. Facilities nationwide. The coverup was extensive and deliberate, and health and well the health and well being of veterans was put at risk. Congress responded to the allegations with hearings that confirmed the whistleblowers revelations of long and activ
A slight chance for isolated shower or two. Ben . Hurricane matthew is kurning in the caribbean this morning. Tim is standing by with a look at how parts of the u. S. Are bracing for the storm. First we are going to Jeremy Nelson that is tracking the Hurricane Matthew making a second landfall on the far eastern tip of cuba and going to cross the warm waters of the caribbean and headed to the bahamas and tracking to the u. S. Now the Current Conditions are a category 3. Hurricane. The 3 could strengthen to a 4. It could skirt just along the eastern coast of florida. The time frame would be some Time Thursday night into friday and friday night as it is going up the coast. The official track is keeping it just off of land. We have a cone area here. There is a little uncertainty with the forecast when you get two, three, four days down the ro if you are along the east coast, keep a heads up. We have more on that and the very latest updates in a few minutes. We are getting a look at the dam
If you recognize him or have any idea who this is, call peoria police. An arrest over an unpaid restaurant bill leads to a murder conviction. 25yearold Michael Cooper stabbed his roommate to death two years ago and today he pleaded guilty to murder and burglar charges. Cooper admitting to the stabbing after being arrested. He will be sendtested next month. Sentence next money. An elementary school. A special Education Teacher killed in a car crash last month and today the school held a special ceremony in her honor. Kristy siefkin was there and joins us live. Was obviously a tough day for both students and for faculty. Their teacher asia calhoun was a special Education Teacher at western valley elementary. She was a published author who passed her love of reading on to her students and today faculty 37yearold. Memorializing her with a special edition to the School Addition to the schools courtyard. Reporter student at western valley elementary honoring a beloved teacher, asia calhoun,