Jul 14 Kentucky's ban on gender-affirming care takes effect as federal judge lifts injunction By Bruce Schreiner, Dylan Lovan, Associated Press The latest ruling means the Kentucky prohibition takes effect. It prevents transgender minors from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Continue reading
Jul 14 A year since 988 started helping callers, here's what experts want to see next By Laura Santhanam In the year since the launch of 988, the U.S. hotline has fielded almost 5 million calls, texts and chats, offering support to people in mental health crises. But officials say more federal and state dollars are needed to build… Continue reading
Jul 14 Watch 4:13 Why aspartame is listed as a possible carcinogenic by World Health Organization By Geoff Bennett, Dorothy Hastings, Nana Adwoa Antwi-Boasiako The World Health Organization has classified the artificial sweetener aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans. That has led to some concerns and confusion about the risks. Besides diet sodas, aspartame can also be found in a variety of foods, including… Continue watching
Jul 14 Watch 5:11 The link between a lack of reproductive rights and domestic violence By Amna Nawaz, Shoshana Dubnow Long before the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, researchers noticed a link between women having abortion access and a reduced risk of violence from men. In the wake of the court's decision, the opposite is happening and abortion… Continue watching
Jul 14 Iowa law banning most abortions after about 6 weeks takes effect as judge weighs hold By Hannah Fingerhut, Summer Ballentine, Associated Press The new legislation prohibits almost all abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant. Continue reading
Jul 14 Mississippi to allow religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations By Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press Mississippi is starting the court-ordered process of letting people cite religious beliefs to seek exemptions from state-mandated vaccinations that children must receive before attending day care or school. Continue reading
Jul 14 U.S. endures deadliest 6 months of mass killings on record By Stefanie Dazio, Associated Press, Larry Fenn, Associate Press Six months. 181 days. 28 mass killings. 140 victims. One country. Continue reading
Jul 13 Watch 5:38 Over-the-counter birth control pill approved for sale in U.S. By Geoff Bennett, Shoshana Dubnow U.S. regulators approved the nation's first over-the-counter birth control pill. The FDA signed off on Opill, a once-a-day tablet available by prescription since 1973 that will soon be readily available online and in stores. The move is being applauded by… Continue watching
Jul 13 Justice Department to investigate jail conditions in Georgia's most populous county By Kate Brumback, Associated Press The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into jail conditions in Georgia's most populous county, with officials citing violence, filthy conditions and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects. Continue reading
Jul 13 Legacy of redlining linked to poor heart health among veterans, study finds By Ambar Castillo, STAT It’s the first major national survey to look at the link between redlining and comprehensive cardiovascular risk, offering the latest evidence of how historical structural racism can affect health for generations. Continue reading