World Feb 28 UN releases dire climate report highlighting rapid environmental degradation A new United Nations science report warned that the effects of climate change are growing faster and more severe than expected. It cited hunger, disease, poverty and other ills made worse by a warming planet and indicated the repercussions may…
Health Feb 25 CDC changes recommendations on when to wear masks in public The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday loosened its COVID-19 guidance on wearing masks in indoor public settings. The new standard says people don't have to mask-up if case counts and hospitalizations aren’t especially high where they live.
Science Feb 23 Alarming new climate report predicts ‘catastrophic’ global wildfires in the coming years There's grim new reports about potential causes and effects of climate change. The United Nations Environment Program has projected intense wildfires linked in part to climate change could increase 50 percent by the end of the century, and the International…
Nation Feb 22 U.S. women soccer players reach $24 million settlement in fight for equal pay The U.S. women's national soccer team has reached a $24 million equal-pay settlement with the U.S. Soccer Federation. The federation also committed to equalizing future pay for women. Julie Foudy, an ESPN analyst, retired two-time World Cup champion and Olympic…
Science Feb 15 Western states face a bleak future amid the worst drought in more than 1,000 years The so-called megadrought that is afflicting the American West is the worst in 1,200 years, according to a study published this week. It has dried up water supplies, threatened ranchers and fueled wildfires. Park Williams, the lead author of the…
Health Jan 31 Mississippi nurses struggle to contend with soaring COVID cases The pandemic continues to take a heavy toll, with the U.S. averaging more than 2,500 deaths per day. In Mississippi, where just 50 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, hospitalizations have soared and there are simply not enough nurses…
Nation Jan 19 Analyzing the University of Michigan’s $490 million sexual abuse settlement The University of Michigan has reached a $490 million settlement with former athletes and students who say they were sexually abused over decades by long-time university physician, Dr. Robert Anderson. Anderson died in 2008. Last year, a university-commissioned investigation concluded…
Health Jan 14 Boston schools face staff shortages amid sky-high COVID cases Most of the nation’s nearly 100,000 public schools are open. But as the omicron surge continues, some districts are struggling to keep in-person learning going. Boston Public Schools have been operating in person since last spring, though a high number…
Health Dec 20 Vaccines reduce hospitalizations, but slow testing and rapid omicron spread worry experts The rapid and relentless spread of COVID-19 in the midst of a new variant of the coronavirus is leading to growing alarm just ahead of the holidays. Omicron infections are exploding amid a shortage of testing, and governments are imposing…
Health Dec 16 Why a website with explicit directions for suicide remains active Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young Americans, and most websites about suicide are aimed at prevention. But a New York Times investigation looks into one that provides information and directions for how to die. Gabriel Dance and…