Nation Dec 24 Why a judge rejected a settlement with the Sackler family for their role in opioid crisis Experts link a record number of overdoses this year from black market opioids back to the original marketing and distribution of legal opioids made by Purdue Pharma, the company owned by the Sackler family that made OxyContin. Last week, a…
Health Dec 16 As the holiday season nears, concerns of a resurgent virus are growing From Broadway to Britain, COVID-19 is spreading new fears, forcing new shutdowns and prompting people to wonder when it will all end. And experts warn omicron is likely to become the dominant strain in the U.S. William Brangham reports on…
World Dec 15 Melting of the Thwaites Glacier could rewrite the global coastline A warming atmosphere is creating concern in the Arctic Circle and on the continent of Antarctica. The Arctic Report Card shows high temperatures, shrinking sea ice and extreme melting events are transforming the region. At the opposite pole, in Antarctica,…
Nation Dec 14 Tornado-hit communities brace for long-term mental health, financial impact of disaster Search teams, utility crews and property owners have spent another long day in the tornado wreckage that was strewn across five states last weekend. The confirmed death toll remains at 88 — most of them in western Kentucky. William Brangham…
Nation Dec 13 Rescue and recovery efforts underway in Kentucky, other states hit by tornadoes The death toll has reached 74 in Kentucky, three nights after a swarm of tornadoes struck. At least 14 people died in Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee, but the worst was in Mayfield, in far southwestern Kentucky. William Brangham reports.
Nation Dec 13 Do safe drug consumption sites save lives? Here’s what we know about NYC’s new venture Since last spring, more than 100,000 Americans have died of drug overdoses — many caused by the opioid, fentanyl. Officials are searching for solutions to try to save lives, including setting up authorized centers where people can use illegal drugs…
Health Dec 09 Despite strong vaccination rate, Vermont sees COVID spike amid booster shot lag As the country braces for the unknowns of the new omicron variant, the delta variant is still overwhelming parts of the United States. Some states in the Northeast and Midwest have seen sustained record-breaking case numbers. William Brangham reports on…
Health Dec 02 Does South Africa’s COVID uptick signal greater threat from omicron? Here’s what we know While we don't know whether the omicron variant will lead to more severe cases of COVID-19, its ability to spread is becoming clearer. Cases in South Africa are spiking at the fastest rate since the pandemic began, and European officials…
Health Dec 01 U.S. to release new rules for foreign travelers amid growing concerns over omicron variant The first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus was detected in the U.S. Wednesday — a discovery most health officials had said was inevitable. A case was confirmed in San Francisco, California, on the eve of new requirements…
Health Dec 01 What early evidence tells us about omicron, and how it may affect need for booster shots The first case of COVID-19 from the omicron variant in the U.S. was in a person who had been vaccinated, but hadn’t received a booster. Dr. Fauci said it was a mild infection, and none of the traveler’s close contacts…