Dec 22 New FDA rules allow gay blood center employee to donate after years of denial By Manuel Valdes, Claire Rush, Associated Press The new U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines are the latest step in a yearslong effort to reverse restrictions that were designed to protect the blood supply from HIV, but which were increasingly criticized as discriminatory following scientific advances that… Continue reading
Dec 22 CDC warns flu and COVID infections are on the rise and could get worse By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Health officials are keeping an eye on a version of the ever-evolving coronavirus, known as JN.1. Continue reading
Dec 22 Reported dengue cases spiked tenfold over the last generation, WHO says By Associated Press The agency says reported cases soared to a record 5.2 million in 2019, up from 500,000 in 2000, across 129 countries worldwide – and the figures likely understate the actual toll. Continue reading
Dec 21 Judge says DeSantis spread false information while pushing trans health care restrictions By Brendan Farrington, Associated Press Judge Robert Hinkle said during the last day of the trial that DeSantis repeated his comments even though there’s been no such documented cases of doctors castrating or mutilating children's genitals. Continue reading
Dec 20 States trash masks and pandemic gear as huge stockpiles linger and expire By Jennifer Peltz, David A. Lieb, Associated Press Some states that stockpiled millions of masks and other personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic are now throwing the items away. Continue reading
Dec 20 7 questions answered about the unidentified dog respiratory illness By Justin Stabley, Casey Kuhn An unidentified respiratory illness spreading among canines in more than a dozen states has been causing anxiety and fear among dog owners. Continue reading
Dec 19 Drought-prone California approves new rules for turning wastewater directly into drinking water By Adam Beam, Associated Press It's a big step for a state that has struggled for decades to have a reliable source of drinking water for its more than 39 million residents. Continue reading
Dec 19 As election year approaches, Vice President Harris announces nationwide events focused on abortion By Chris Megerian, Associated Press Democrats successfully harnessed anger over the loss of abortion rights to stem their losses in the 2022 midterms, and they plan to make the issue a rallying cry in 2024 as well. Continue reading
Dec 17 Advocates are trying to put abortion on the 2024 ballot in these states. Here's where they stand now By Grace Panetta, The 19th Here’s an overview of where abortion will — and could be — directly on the ballot in 2024, how many signatures organizers need to collect and the challenges advocates are facing in the states. Continue reading
Dec 16 Watch 6:24 The risks and rewards of prescribing ketamine for pain and mental health By John Yang, Andrew Corkery, Azhar Merchant A coroner’s finding that actor Matthew Perry died from “acute effects” of ketamine is drawing new attention to the drug, a powerful anesthetic intended for use during surgery that has also become a popular treatment for chronic pain and mental… Continue watching