The Air Force has discovered unsafe levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at two underground launch control centers at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. To address the issue, they are removing and replacing contaminated materials, providing medical screenings and health monitoring for personnel, and continuing to sample other launch facilities across the country.
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Key takeaways: Bryan Randall passed away peacefully on August 5th after a three-year battle with ALS. Randall’s family released a statement expressing their immense gratitude…
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the greater D.C. area on Monday, warning of dangerous hurricane-force winds, large hail, and tornadoes. At least two people died as a result of the storms, with thousands of flights canceled and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses losing power. The Weather Service urged people to take cover if they were in the path of the storms, and is continuing to monitor the situation.
On Friday, a 4-year-old girl in Michigan was struck and run over by a golf cart after a Labrador retriever stepped on the gas pedal. Fortunately, the girl had no obvious injuries and was back to playing shortly after the incident. The incident has raised questions about the safety of golf carts, and the Westland Fire Department is reviewing the incident to ensure it does not happen again.
A Texas judge has issued a temporary injunction exempting women with complicated pregnancies from the state's abortion bans. Judge Jessica Mangrum found that there was uncertainty regarding the medical exception to the abortion bans, and that a physician should be able to provide abortion care in the event of a physical emergent medical condition. The ruling is a victory for women's rights advocates, who have long argued that abortion bans should not be enforced in cases of medical emergencies.
The CDC has recommended a new injectable drug, Beyfortus, to protect infants from the respiratory virus RSV. It is a lab-made antibody that helps the immune system fight off the virus and is the first of its kind to be approved by the CDC. It is recommended for babies up to 8 months old born during or entering their first RSV season, and infants between 8 and 19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. It is expected to be available in the fall and will be given as a single shot.
Three women were seriously injured in a rare attack by a river otter in southern Montana on Wednesday night. The incident occurred while the women were floating on inner tubes in the Jefferson River near the town of Cardwell. One of the victims suffered wounds on her face and arms that were so severe that she had to be airlifted to a hospital. Officials are still investigating the incident.
The FDA has issued a warning about two batches of the contraceptive pill Tydemy, which may have reduced effectiveness due to decreased levels of ascorbic acid and high levels of a "known impurity." Consumers taking the pills are advised to continue but to also contact their health care provider for advice regarding an alternative contraceptive method. Lupin is asking consumers to return any unused pills from the recalled batches to their pharmacy.