What Do Trump Voters Know About the Future He Has Planned for Them?
By Jamelle Bouie, Opinion Columnist – November 9, 2024
People watch as election results come in, Times Square, New York, Nov. 5, 2024.Credit…Tanyth Berkeley for The New York Times
On Tuesday, Donald Trump became the first Republican in 20 years to win the national popular vote and the Electoral College.
The people — or at least, a bare majority of the voting people — spoke, and they said to “make America great again.”
What they bought, however, isn’t necessarily what they’ll get.
The voters who put Trump in the White House a second time expect lower prices — cheaper gas, cheaper groceries and cheaper homes.
But nothing in the former president’s policy portfolio would deliver any of the above. His tariffs would probably raise prices of consumer goods, and his deportation plans would almost certainly raise the costs of food and housing construction. Taken together, the two policies could cause a recession, putting millions of Americans — millions of his voters — out of work.
And then there is the rest of the agenda. Do Trump voters know that they voted for a Food and Drug Administration that might try to restrict birth control and effectively ban abortion? Do they know that they voted for a Justice Department that would effectively stop enforcement of civil and voting rights laws? Do they know they voted for a National Labor Relations Board that would side with employers or an Environmental Protection Agency that would turn a blind eye to pollution and environmental degradation? Do they know they voted to gut or repeal the Affordable Care Act? Do they know that they voted for cuts to Medicaid, and possible cuts Medicare and Social Security if Trump cuts taxes down to the bone?
Do they know that they voted for a Supreme Court that would side with the powerful at every opportunity against their needs and interests?
I’m going to guess that they don’t know. But they’ll find out soon enough.
What I Wrote
I wrote about the stakes of the 2024 presidential election. We’ll see if I was right; I hope I had it wrong.
Should the United States take this path on Election Day, then we can expect the America we have to fade into the past, to be supplanted by an American Republic that is far more exclusive — and far more resistant to change. A majority of Americans may not want it, and they may not even expect it, but they’ll be on the way to living in a United States that treats the rights revolution of the 1960s and ’70s, to say nothing of the New Deal, as a legal and political mistake.
Longevity Experts Say This Seemingly “Healthy” Habit Can Actually Take Years Off Your Life
Emily Laurence – October 10, 2024
Aleksandr Zubkov via Getty Images
Getting 10,000 steps a day. Improving your VO2 max. Putting berries on your breakfast. What are the habits you embrace in an effort to live a long, healthy life? Certainly it’s the routines we do regularly that impact our health the most.
But there’s one well-intentioned habit in particular that longevity experts say can actually take years off your life instead of adding more to it: eating too much animal-based protein. Thought a high-protein diet was a good thing? As doctors explain here, getting too much can backfire.
Why Overemphasizing Protein Isn’t Actually Healthy
Ronnie Kaufman / Getty Images
Before we get into why too much protein isn’t good for longevity, it’s important to note that the nutrient is absolutely important. Dr. Suzanne J. Ferree, who is double-board-certified in family medicine and anti-aging and regenerative medicine, told HuffPost that it’s especially important to get enough as we age.
“The common theory is that we need to cut protein-rich foods as we age, but the research actually only supports this in younger people, not in those of us over 50,” Ferree said. Scientific research backs this up, showing that older adults need more protein than younger adults because our bodies naturally lose muscle as we age.
So yes, protein is absolutely important. How much protein a person needs each day varies based on one’s individual health and needs, but the Food and Drug Administration recommends aiming for 50 grams of protein a day as part of a 2,000-calorie diet. The problem is that many people are eating more protein than they need. On top of that, Americans are overconsuming a specific type of protein that isn’t all that healthy.
In general, there are two types of proteins: animal-based proteins and plant-based proteins. Research has shown that plant-based proteins are healthier than animal-based proteins. Unfortunately, Americans are consuming more of the latter than the former.
“A common mistake is the overemphasis on consuming a high-protein diet, particularly one rich in animal-based proteins, with the belief that it is essential for longevity and muscle preservation. Many people assume that the more protein they consume, the healthier they will be, leading to an overconsumption of animal products like meat, dairy and eggs,” said Dr. Monisha Bhanote, a quintuple-board-certified physician and longevity expert.
Most Americans are eating about 100 grams of protein a day, double the recommended amount. According to a Dietary Guidelines for Americans report, 75% of Americans meet or exceed the recommendation for meat, poultry and eggs. Bhanote says this is exactly what can take years off one’s life.
Anna Blazhuk / Getty Images
“Excessive consumption of animal-based proteins can actually accelerate aging and undermine cellular health, contrary to popular belief,” she said. She explained that the biggest reasons for this come down to two harmful compounds: advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO).
“AGEs are harmful compounds that form when proteins or fats combine with sugar in the bloodstream,” Bhanote said. She explained that animal-based foods — especially if they are grilled, fried or roasted — are high in AGEs. Research shows that these compounds can accumulate in your tissues and, over time, can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation, which are key drivers of cellular aging. “AGEs damage proteins, DNA and other vital cellular structures, accelerating the aging process and contributing to chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s,” Bhanote said.
What about TMAO? Bhanote explained that elevated levels of TMAO have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke — all of which obviously are not good for longevity. “TMAO promotes the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries and impairs the body’s ability to remove it, leading to inflammation and further damage to the cardiovascular system. This not only compromises heart health but also affects overall cellular function and longevity,” Bhanote said.
Related to the mistake many people make of overemphasizing protein in their diet, Raghav Sehgal, a Ph.D. student and Gruber fellow at Yale University whose research focuses on human aging, told HuffPost that one common mistake people make when it comes to longevity is focusing on “miracle diets” promising fast results. The biggie that’s relevant here: the ketogenic diet, which prioritizes fat and protein while minimizing carbohydrates. For many people doing keto, meat and eggs are hero foods; however, as previously explained, eating too many animal products can take years off your life.
How To Use Protein To Work For You, Not Against You
Mike Kemp / Getty Images/Tetra images RF
So, how should we approach protein with an eye toward longevity? Bhanote and Sehgal are of the same mind about this: Eat more protein-rich plants and fish.
While fish certainly isn’t a plant, it is thought of differently than animal-based proteins because it has a completely different nutritional makeup than meat, and scientific research has repeatedly shown benefits to human health when consumed regularly. Eating fish regularly has been associated with reducing the risk of premature death by 12%.
Sehgal explained that plant-based proteins (such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, soy, nuts and seeds) are loaded with antioxidants, fiber and nutrients that keep our hearts healthy, reduce inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases. “These foods are naturally low in AGEs and do not contribute to TMAO production, making them much gentler on your cells and overall health,” Bhanote added.
Scientific studies show that having a diet that prioritizes plant-based proteins lowers the risk of mortality associated with cardiovascular disease and other causes. In other words, replacing animal proteins with plant proteins can add years to your life.
Again, no one is disputing that protein is important. It’s crucial to get enough and, as Ferree pointed out, it’s especially important to get enough as we age. But other nutrients are important too, which is why Sehgal said the best diet for longevity is a balanced one that includes a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods.
The benefit of eating a balanced diet full of plants certainly isn’t revolutionary news, but it is backed up by many scientific studies. When it comes to longevity — and health in general — science-backed wins out over trendy and new. This article originally appeared onHuffPost.
A top nutrition scientist had a stroke at 53. He did 2 things to lower his blood pressure — and cutting out salt wasn’t one of them.
Serafina Kenny – October 9, 2024
The nutrition scientist Tim Spector changed his diet to lower his blood pressure after a stroke.ZOE/ Getty
The nutrition scientist Tim Spector had a stroke in 2012 and learned he had high blood pressure.
He made dietary changes to lower his blood pressure, which he shared with Business Insider.
Unusually, these changes didn’t include reducing his salt intake.
Just as he was about to ski down a mountain in 2012, Tim Spector started seeing double. The epidemiologist and nutrition scientist made it down safely, but he later discovered he’d had a mini-stroke.
Spector was 53 at the time — considerably younger than 74, the average age that people in the UK, where he’s from, were found to have strokes in a 2021 study published in the journal Stroke.
While strokes are seen as a condition affecting mostly older people, more younger people are having them. The prevalence of strokes in adults ages 18 to 44 increased by 14.6% from the years of 2011 to 2013 to the years of 2020 to 2022, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
After the stroke, Spector, who’s also the cofounder of the science and nutrition company Zoe, was diagnosed with high blood pressure. This is common after a stroke because most people who have one also have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association.
Spector shared with Business Insider the two things he did to lower his blood pressure after his stroke.
Spector added a salt alternative to his diet
Patients with high blood pressure are commonly told to reduce the amount of salt they eat. This is partly because salt increases the amount of water the body retains, which in turn increases the pressure in the blood vessels.
But Spector said he struggled with eating “tasteless food” when he cut out salt. And it didn’t seem to have any impact on his blood pressure because Spector is “salt-resistant.” That means eating salt doesn’t hugely affect his blood pressure.
Instead, he ate more potassium, which the World Health Organization recommends to reduce high blood pressure, by using a salt alternative made from potassium.
Because levels of sodium and potassium in the body affect each other, the more potassium you eat, the more sodium is lost though the urine, according to the AHA. Potassium can also help the walls of blood vessels relax, easing the pressure inside.
He ate more fruits and vegetables
Spector was already eating a minimal amount of ultra-processed foods, which is also something stroke patients are typically advised to do. So to further improve his diet, he added healthy foods — fruit and vegetables, to be exact.
Eating more fruits and vegetables was linked to a lower risk of high blood pressure in a 2023 review of studies published in the European Journal of Nutrition. Researchers suggested this could be because they contain lots of potassium or because eating plenty of fruit and vegetables is also associated with a lower risk of obesity, which is a risk factor for high blood pressure.
Researchers still aren’t sure which foods are best for lowering blood pressure, but the British Heart Foundation recommends fruits and vegetables that are high in nitrates, such as beetroot, spinach, kale, strawberries, and bananas.
The AHA recommends following the DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, to reduce the risk of stroke. The DASH diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, poultry and fish, and nuts, and is low in fat, sugary beverages, red meat, and sweets.
BI previously reported on how to start the DASH diet.
What’s the healthiest fish to eat? Here are 4 types dietitians recommend — and what they say you should avoid.
Lauren Manaker – October 3, 2024
Salmon gets the stamp of approval from dietitians. But what other types of fish should you be eating? (Getty Creative)Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images
When it comes to healthy eating, you will be hard-pressed to find a health care provider who isn’t a fan of the tip to “eat more fish.” But, as a registered dietitian, I often remind clients that not every fish is considered a nutritional powerhouse. And while some types of fish are perfectly fine to eat frequently, others should be consumed with caution.
So what are the healthiest fish options you should be stacking on your plate, and what should you be skipping? Read on for the seafood scoop.
What are the health benefits of eating fish?
Many varieties of fish, particularly cold-water oily fish like salmon, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, “healthy” fats that support heart, brain and eye health.
Furthermore, fish is a source of high-quality protein while being lower in saturated fat, making it a smart choice for those seeking to maintain a balanced diet. It’s also packed with important nutrients such as vitamin D, selenium and iodine, which support immune function, bone health and thyroid regulation.
Despite the health benefits associated with regular fish consumption, many Americans aren’t eating enough. While the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating 8 ounces, or about two servings, of seafood (which includes fish and shellfish) per week, it notes that nearly 90% of Americans don’t meet that target.
What’s the healthiest fish to eat?
While most fish are excellent additions to a healthy and balanced diet, some stand out as “best” choices for various reasons. Here are four to try.
Salmon
“One of the healthiest fish is salmon, as it is high in health-promoting omega-3 fats,” Melissa Mitri, a registered dietitian, nutrition writer and owner of Melissa Mitri Nutrition, tells Yahoo Life. “Salmon is very nutrient-dense, providing a generous amount of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals in a small portion.” That includes vitamins such as B12 and D and minerals like selenium, which support immune function and bone health.
It’s worth noting that wild salmon contains more protein and potassium — which is great for managing blood pressure — than farm-raised varieties. “Salmon is also low in mercury, a heavy metal that can be toxic to the nervous system and various organs in large amounts,” adds Mitri.
Farmed trout
“Farmed trout is a healthy choice due to its rich content of omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health and reduce inflammation,” according to Mascha Davis, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Eat Your Vitamins. “It is also a great source of high-quality protein, [which is] essential for muscle growth and repair. Furthermore, it provides important micronutrients, including vitamin D and selenium, which contribute to overall well-being.”
Davis notes that there have been concerns about fish farming, also known as aquaculture. But she points to “significant advances” in the practice that have made it “more sustainable and cleaner.” Says Davis: “In the U.S., numerous farmed trout operations grow fish in fresh spring water, provide high-quality feed and ensure ethical care for the fish.” One easy way to ensure your farmed fish choices are responsibly raised and free from antibiotics is to look for an Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) label on your product.
Sardines
Sardines are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They are a low-mercury fish option thanks to being small and low on the food chain, which limits their mercury accumulation compared with larger predatory fish. This makes them a safer choice for regular consumption, especially for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and young children.
Choosing sardines with bones (they are soft and edible!) provides an extra boost of calcium, contributing to bone health.
Atlantic mackerel
Mackerel contains essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids. It is also a good source of protein, B vitamins and minerals such as selenium and potassium.
Why eat Atlantic mackerel in particular? Compared with other types of mackerel, such as king mackerel, Atlantic mackerel has a notably lower mercury concentration, making it a more health-conscious option.
What fish should I limit?
By and large, most fish, particularly oily varieties, is great for you. But there are considerations that should be made when it comes to consuming fish raw, or eating a type with a high mercury level. (And, of course, anyone with a shellfish allergy should avoid anything within that group.)
High-mercury fish
Mercury is a heavy metal that can accumulate in fish tissue. Consuming high levels of it can lead to serious health issues, including neurological and developmental problems. According to the Food and Drug Administration, limiting mercury is crucial for children and anyone who might become pregnant or breastfeeding.
Some high-mercury fish to avoid or limit include:
Shark
Swordfish
Marlin
King mackerel
Tilefish
Bigeye tuna
Raw fish
Consuming raw fish can pose health risks due to potential contamination with parasites, bacteria or viruses often eliminated through cooking. These pathogens can lead to foodborne illnesses when consumed. Certain individuals, including pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, should avoid eating raw fish due to their increased susceptibility to illness.
However, healthy people can generally eat raw fish safely if it is sushi grade, sourced from reputable suppliers and handled properly to prevent contamination. Moreover, certain fish, like salmon and tuna, are deemed safer to consume raw after being frozen at specific temperatures to kill parasites.
Eating too much fish
Eating fish is generally considered healthy. But consuming too much fish can lead to potential health risks, primarily due to the accumulation of mercury and other environmental contaminants in certain fish types. It is important to maintain a balanced intake by choosing fish lower in mercury, like salmon, sardines and trout, and following dietary guidelines to ensure a healthy, varied diet.
How can I get more fish into my diet?
Ready to reap the health benefits of eating fish? Here are some tips to help you hit that two-servings-a-week guidance. (And for anyone who doesn’t like the taste of fish, Mitri suggests starting with a “more neutral-tasting fish” like cod and going from there.)
Start with breakfast: Don’t limit fish to dinner. Add smoked salmon or trout to your morning scrambled eggs or avocado toast.
Experiment with tacos: Fish tacos are an easy and delicious way to add more fish to your diet. You can use grilled, baked or even canned fish as a filling.
Snack on fish: Sliced salmon with cream cheese on whole-grain crackers or tuna-stuffed cucumber boats provide a tasty and nutritious alternative to traditional snacks.
Include fish in soups and stews: This is an excellent way to enhance flavor and nutrition. Make a seafood chowder or add chunks of fish like cod or haddock to vegetable soup for a hearty meal.
Upgrade your sandwiches: Try a grilled fish sandwich with your favorite topping, or make a tuna melt for a quick and satisfying meal.
To maximize the health benefits of fish, opt for cooking methods like baking, grilling or steaming rather than frying your fish, which can add unhealthy fats. When seasoning or cooking, limit the use of butter and use healthier alternatives like olive oil or lemon juice to enhance flavor. Consider the overall composition of your meal by balancing your fish with a variety of colorful vegetables and whole grains, ensuring a well-rounded intake of essential nutrients and fiber.
Egg prices have gone up, but experts say it’s still worth making the protein-packed purchase. Here are the health benefits you’re getting from eggs — and how to extend their shelf life. [Yahoo Life]
Are you trying to cut back on how much meat you consume but not ready to give up meat entirely? Consider the flexitarian diet, which allows for small amounts of seafood and meat alongside whole grains, veggies, fruit, beans and more. [Today]
Hurricane Helene by the numbers: Catastrophic destruction covers 400 miles
Meredith Deliso – September 30, 2024
After making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region Thursday night as a major Category 4 hurricane, Helene has caused catastrophic storm surge, wind damage and inland flooding across a wide swath of the South.
Here’s a look at the storm by the numbers, as impacted communities continue to gain a fuller picture of the deadly destruction.
PHOTO: A drone view shows a damaged area, following the passing of Hurricane Helene, in Asheville, N.C., Sept. 29, 2024. (Marco Bello/Reuters)
Category 4
Helene was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Big Bend region on record, making landfall near Perry, Florida, as a Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds.
400 miles
Helene left a widespread path of destruction across the Southeast — from Florida’s Big Bend to Asheville, North Carolina, nearly 400 miles from where the storm made landfall.
PHOTO: A damaged 100-year-old home is seen after an Oak tree landed on it after Hurricane Helene moved through the area Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (Mike Stewart/AP)
At least 132 people have been killed by Helene in six states — Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia — the Associated Press reported Monday.
Forty people are dead in hard-hit Buncombe County, North Carolina, which encompasses Asheville, according to county officials. Another 600 remain unaccounted for in the county amid widespread power and cell service outages, officials said.
In Unicoi County in Tennessee, at least 73 people remained unaccounted for as of Sunday morning, local officials said.
More than 30 inches of rain
PHOTO: Heavy rains from hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage in Asheville, NC, Sept. 28, 2024. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)
Helene, and a separate system earlier in the week, dumped more than 30 inches of rain on North Carolina and produced the biggest local flooding in recorded history.
The flooding in western North Carolina surpassed records that stood for more than a century. The French Broad River in Asheville peaked at 24.67 feet, breaking the previous record of 23.1 feet from July 1916.
Elsewhere, Georgia saw a historic 11 inches of rainfall from the combination of Hurricane Helene and a storm earlier in the week.
The storm surge was more than 15 feet above ground level in parts of Florida, including Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee, both in Taylor County, and Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County.
Record storm surge also hit the Tampa Bay area, with 7.2 feet reported in Tampa East Bay — beating a record of 4.56 feet set in 2023.
Over 20 reported tornadoes
There were more than 20 reported tornadoes across five states — Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia — amid the storm.
In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, 15 people were injured — including four seriously — after a tornado tore through the city on Friday, the National Weather Service said.
PHOTO: Debris and smashed vehicles are scattered across a parking lot near Hing Ta Restaurant after a tornado hit Rocky Mount, N.C., Sept. 27, 2024. (City of Rocky Mount via AP)
400 roads closed in 1 state
In North Carolina, extreme floods washed away homes and bridges. At one point, authorities closed 400 roads, deeming them unsafe for travel, state officials said.
As of Monday, travel in western North Carolina should only be for emergencies, as hundreds of Helene-related road issues persisted, officials said.
In Florida, emergency responders had to bulldoze 4 to 5 feet of sand off roads in the wake of Helene, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday while updating that all state roads were expected to have reopened by the end of the day.
4 million customers
More than 4 million customers lost power across the South on Friday in the wake of Helene.
Nearly 2 million customers, from Florida to Ohio, were still without power as of Monday afternoon.
PHOTO: An airboat transporting residents rescued from flood waters due to storm surge due from Hurricane Helene is seen Sept. 27, 2024 in Crystal River,Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA via Shutterstock)More
Thousands of successful rescue missions were reported in Florida, DeSantis said Monday.
In North Carolina, more than 200 people had been rescued from floodwaters amid Helene, Gov. Roy Cooper said Saturday. Over 150 rescues were performed in Buncombe County alone, officials said.
In Tennessee’s Unicoi County, 54 patients and staff were rescued via helicopter on Friday after getting trapped on the roof of a hospital amid swiftly rising floodwaters.
ABC News’ Melissa Griffin and Max Golembo contributed to this report.
Hurricane Helene left millions without power. Here’s how electricity outages can impact your health.
Kaitlin Reilly – September 28, 2024
You may want to toss the food in your fridge after a power outage, according to experts. (Getty Creative)Olga Pankova via Getty Images
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways
Hurricane Helene killed at least 50 people and left more than 4.8 million utility customers without power in the Southeastern U.S. on Friday.
Though it is not often considered the top safety risk of hurricanes, power outages can have major implications for one’s health and pose an additional threat to those who are recovering from the natural disaster. Here’s what to know, and how to keep yourself and your family safe.
Heat-related illness
Power outages mean no ability to run an air conditioning system in one’s home, and widespread loss of power in a community means there are no public cooling centers to escape the heat.
This is particularly a problem during summer storms in hot, humid climates, such as Texas, which faced severe challenges when Hurricane Beryl hit in July 2024. The hurricane’s impact led to significant outages and resulted in multiple heat-related deaths.
If you are dealing with heat issues during a power outage, it’s important to stay inside and out of the sun as much as possible, stay hydrated and not exert yourself. If safe water is available (it’s possible for power outages to disrupt water purification and other means of maintaining usable water) you can dampen your clothes to keep cool in the absence of air conditioning.
Also, keep an eye out for signs of heat-related illness, such as headaches, dizziness, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, nausea and confusion, which may require medical attention.
Food safety
Health standards state that food must not be in the zone of 40°F to 140°F for more than two hours to avoid harmful bacteria from growing. When your power goes out, however, so does the cooling mechanism in your refrigerator, which keeps food safe at below that 40°F mark.
This is particularly a problem for people who are unaware of how long their power has been out. If you return home unaware that your food has spoiled due to a power outage in your now-working fridge, you may inadvertently put yourself at risk for foodborne illness. Experts previously told Yahoo Life that you are safest throwing away meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers after you learn of a power outage for this reason.
One trick in order to tell how long your fridge may have been without power is to keep a cup of frozen water in your freezer with a coin on top of the ice, Jill Roberts, a food safety expert and associate professor at the University of South Florida, told Yahoo Life. If it melts, the coin drops to the bottom — so, whether or not it re-freezes, you’ll know a little more about the inner workings of your fridge.
Medical devices
Some people rely on medical devices that are powered by electricity, such as CPAP machines for sleep apnea, insulin pumps for diabetes or nebulizers for respiratory conditions. When the power goes out, so too, can your ability to use these machines.
If you have a device that is compatible, keeping a portable battery charged and on hand during these scenarios can buy you time while you wait for the power to return. You may also want to consider a backup generator in your home for emergency scenarios.
It’s also important to keep information about your local hospitals and clinics nearby during a crisis, so you can reach out for assistance.
Medication
Many medications, such as insulin for managing diabetes, need to be kept at a cool temperature — which can be impossible when the power goes out. In this case, it’s important to have a plan in place for storing medications. This could include using coolers with ice packs, if you are able to freeze them in advance, in order to maintain the necessary temperature.
If you rely on medications that need to stay cool, it’s important to talk to your pharmacist or doctor about how long they can be safely stored without refrigeration and what steps to take if you lose power.
It’s also worth noting that, in an emergency situation, you may be able to get medication you need from a hospital or urgent care center should yours no longer be viable due to temperatures.
Trump listens during a farming event in rural Pennsylvania, then threatens John Deere with tariffs
Adriana Gomez Linconu – September 23, 2024
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at a farm, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Smithton, Pa, as from left, Richard Grenell, Lee Zeldin and Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., listen. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at a farm, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Smithton, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
SMITHTON, Pa. (AP) — Donald Trump sat in a large barn in rural Pennsylvania on Monday, asking questions of farmers and offering jokes but, in a rarity for his campaign events, mostly listening.
The bombastic former president was unusually restrained at an event about China’s influence on the U.S. economy, a roundtable during which farmers and manufacturers expressed concerns about losing their way of life. Behind Trump were large green tractors and a sign declaring “Protect our food from China.”
The event in Smithton, Pennsylvania, gave Trump a chance to drive his economic message against Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that imposing tariffs and boosting energy production will lower costs. He highlighted Harris’ reversal of a previous vow to ban fracking, a method of producing natural gas key to Pennsylvania’s economy.
And he noted the tractors behind him were manufactured by John Deere, which announced in June it was moving skid steer and track loader manufacturing to Mexico and working to acquire land there for a new factory. Trump threatened the firm with a 200% tariff should he win back the presidency and it opted to export manufacturing to Mexico.
“If they want to build in the United States, there’s no tariff,” he added.
Trump opened the event with some of his usual themes. He declared that in 2020: “We had an election that didn’t exactly work out too good. And it was a disgrace.”
But he then did something unusual: He let others do most of the talking.
When one farmer said recent decades had seen scores of family farms shut down, Trump asked what that meant for overall production. The response was that, thanks to larger farms now operating, total production is actually up but “we are losing the small family farms.”
“I know that, yes,” Trump responded somberly. Later, he said, “I am not too worried about the people around this table” supporting him on Election Day, while jokingly adding, “But you never know.”
In response to another participant’s concerns about energy production, Trump said he didn’t know that farmers were so energy-dependent. Another farmer talked about Chinese-subsidized businesses, prompting Trump to respond, “That’s why we need tariffs.”
After the same farmer finished her comments by praising him profusely, he intoned: “Amen. I agree.”
Trump has embraced tariffs as he tries to appeal to working-class voters who oppose free-trade deals and the outsourcing of factories and jobs, and the event wasn’t all about showing a more personable side.
Later, the former president took questions from reporters and got more customarily combative when asked whether he was concerned that tariffs on manufacturers like John Deere would increase costs for farmers. He said of Harris, “She is not going to be good for Pennsylvania.”
Stopping at a neighborhood market prior to an evening rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Trump bought a bag of popcorn and quipped that, if elected, he may send for more from the Oval Office. He also gave a woman paying for groceries a $100 bill, declaring that her total “just went down a hundred bucks.”
The change didn’t last long. At his evening rally, Trump reverted to form, using an abrasive message to energize mostly conservative, white, working-class voters.
“She’s a one-woman economic wrecking ball and if she gets four more years, her radical agenda will smash the economy into rubble and grind your financial situation right into the dust,” Trump said of Harris. He claimed, “She wants to take your guns away” even as the vice president has stressed being a gun owner herself.
“She’s coming for your money. She’s coming for your pensions, and she’s coming for your savings,” he said.
The former president urged supporters to “get out and vote” but scoffed at the idea of casting early ballots, suggesting without evidence that it allowed more time to commit fraud. Citing unknown sources, he declared, “They said, if we don’t win this election, there may never be another election in this country.”
At one point, the former president caught a glimpse of himself on the big screen and joked about a ”handsome man over there” before concluding, “Oh, it’s Trump.”
He also got especially candid with the rally audience saying, “I don’t like anybody that doesn’t like me, I’ll be honest,” before adding, “sounds childish” but “that’s the way it is … call it a personality defect.”
It was a starkly different tone from Trump’s first event in Smithton, which was hosted by the Protecting America Initiative, led by Richard Grenell, Trump’s former acting director of national intelligence, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin.
Grenell told the small group of attendees there, “China is getting into our farmlands, and we have to be able to see China very clearly.”
At the end of 2022, China held nearly 250,000 acres of U.S. land, which is slightly less than 1% of foreign-held acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By comparison, Canada was the largest foreign owner of U.S. land, accounting for 32%, or 14.2 million acres.
Still, the National Agricultural Law Center estimates that 24 states ban or limit foreigners without residency and foreign businesses or governments from owning private farmland. The issue emerged after a Chinese billionaire bought more than 130,000 acres near a U.S. Air Force base in Texas and another Chinese company sought to build a corn plant near an Air Force base in North Dakota.
Rex Murphy, from a nearby rural community who raises cattle and grows corn and hay, said farmers support Trump in this area, and said he wanted fewer taxes and “more freedom.”
“I want him to do everything for the economy,” said Murphy, 48. “If he just becomes president, and he does what he does, he will do more.”
Harris is visiting Pennsylvania on Wednesday. Attending a New York fundraiser on Monday, Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, told a group of about 30 donors focused on climate change that Trump’s energy catchphrase of “drill, baby, drill” is “not a solution to things, and the public knows that it’s a cheap, easy thing.”
Walz, speaking at a midtown Manhattan hotel to an audience that included former presidential candidate Tom Steyer and Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, called climate change an “existential threat” but also “an incredible opportunity to grow our economy.” He specifically cited farmers who use their land to generate wind energy in addition to growing crops.
Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said that “despite all his lies and pandering, Donald Trump used the White House to give handouts to wealthy corporations and foreign companies.”
Costello said in a statement that those came “at the expense of family farmers, drive farm bankruptcies to record levels, and sacrifice small American farmers as pawns in his failed trade war with China.”
Colvin reported from Indiana, Pennsylvania. Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Didi Tang in Washington and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.
Scientists looked deep beneath the Doomsday Glacier. What they found spells potential disaster for the planet
Laura Paddison – September 20, 2024
Scientists using ice-breaking ships and underwater robots have found the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is melting at an accelerating rate and could be on an irreversible path to collapse, spelling catastrophe for global sea level rise.
Since 2018, a team of scientists forming the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, has been studying Thwaites — often dubbed the “Doomsday Glacier” — up close to better understand how and when it might collapse.
Their findings, set out across a collection of studies, provide the clearest picture yet of this complex, ever-changing glacier. The outlook is “grim,” the scientists said in a report published Thursday, revealing the key conclusions of their six years of research.
They found rapid ice loss is set to speed up this century. Thwaites’ retreat has accelerated considerably over the past 30 years, said Rob Larter, a marine geophysicist at the British Antarctic Survey and part of the ITGC team. “Our findings indicate it is set to retreat further and faster,” he said.
The scientists project Thwaites and the Antarctic Ice Sheet could collapse within 200 years, which would have devastating consequences.
Thwaites holds enough water to increase sea levels by more than 2 feet. But because it also acts like a cork, holding back the vast Antarctic ice sheet, its collapse could ultimately lead to around 10 feet of sea level rise, devastating coastal communities from Miami and London to Bangladesh and the Pacific Islands.
Photograph of the high cliffs of Thwaites Glacier taken from the British Antarctic Survey Twin Otter aircraft. – Rob Larter
Scientists have long known Florida-sized Thwaites was vulnerable, in part because of its geography. The land on which it sits slopes downwards, meaning as it melts, more ice is exposed to relatively warm ocean water.
Yet previously, relatively little was understood about the mechanisms behind its retreat. “Antarctica remains the biggest wild card for understanding and forecasting future sea level rise,” ITGC scientists said in a statement.
Over the last six years, the scientists’ range of experiments sought to bring more clarity.
They sent a torpedo-shaped robot called Icefin to Thwaites’ grounding line, the point at which the ice rises up from the seabed and starts to float, a key point of vulnerability.
The first clip of Icefin swimming up to the grounding line was emotional, said Kiya Riverman, a glaciologist at the University of Portland. “For glaciologists, I think this had the emotional impact that perhaps the moon landing had on the rest of society,” she said at a new conference. “It was a big deal. We were seeing this place for the first time.”
Through images Icefin beamed back, they discovered the glacier is melting in unexpected ways, with warm ocean water able to funnel through deep cracks and “staircase” formations in the ice.
Image of Icefin under the sea ice near McMurdo Station. – Rob Robbins/ITGC
Another study used satellite and GPS data to look at the impacts of the tides and found seawater was able to push more than 6 miles beneath Thwaites, squeezing warm water under the ice and causing rapid melting.
Yet more scientists delved into Thwaites’ history. A team including Julia Wellner, a professor at the University of Houston, analyzed marine sediment cores to reconstruct the glacier’s past and found it started retreating rapidly in the 1940s, likely triggered by a very strong El Niño event — a natural climate fluctuation which tends to have a warming impact.
These results “teach us broadly about ice behavior, adding more detail than is available by just looking at the modern ice,” Wellner told CNN.
Among the gloom, there was also some good news about one process which scientists fear could cause rapid melting.
There is a concern that if Thwaites’ ice shelves collapse, it will leave towering cliffs of ice exposed to the ocean. These tall cliffs could easily become unstable and tumble into the ocean, exposing yet taller cliffs behind them, with the process repeating again and again.
Computer modeling, however, showed while this phenomenon is real, the chances of it happening are less likely than previously feared.
The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica – NASA/Reuters
That’s not to say Thwaites is safe.
The scientists predict the whole of Thwaites and the Antarctic Ice Sheet behind it could be gone in the 23rd Century. Even if humans stop burning fossil fuels rapidly — which is not happening — it may be too late to save it.
While this stage of the ITGC project is wrapping up, the scientists say far more research is still needed to figure out this complex glacier and to understand if its retreat is now irreversible.
“While progress has been made, we still have deep uncertainty about the future,” said Eric Rignot, a glaciologist at the University of California, Irvine and part of ITGC. “I remain very worried that this sector of Antarctica is already in a state of collapse.”
America is a land of immigrants. Stop weaponizing false language about them.
Alex Seojoon Kim – September 19, 2024
In the recent presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, both sides traded jabs without much regard for the opposition. It made sense, as pulling punches now could spell disaster for the presidential hopefuls. With election day less than two months away, the national stage in Pennsylvania was the perfect opportunity to sway middle ground voters that often determine the result of an election. Yet, in the heat of lax factual statements, one claim made by Trump sparked immense outrage in a large community.
Trump claimed that Haitian immigrants were eating people’s pets, cats and dogs, in Springfield, Ohio. Not only are these comments harmful, but they are insensitive and dangerous. Assuming these stereotypes about immigrants, specifically those of Haitian descent, can be immensely damaging in the face of the plight and challenges these people face.
Springfield, Ohio, is reported to have “approximately 12,000 to 15,000 immigrants” from Haiti in their county. They are “legally [there] as part of a parole program” in the hopes that they can bring family members from Haiti into the United States. And yet Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have both been targeting this minority community with a lack of reasonable decency behind their claims.
Several reputable leaders from the city, including Springfield’s mayor, police chief and even the state’s governor, have said that these claims are far from true. Troubled by bomb threats at schools since the Trump-Vance pet-eating allegations, at least one with anti-Haitian sentiment, Springfield continues to battle this antilogic.
A cat sits on the porch on a tree-lined street in Springfield, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. The area has attracted national scrutiny after conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance, spread debunked claims that Haitians in the community were stealing and eating people’s pets.More
“We do not have any evidence that [this incident] has happened, and I’ve made it known in multiple interviews that this is absolutely not true,” Springfield Mayor Bob Rue said on BBC Newshour, wanting to make clear that “the weight of [politicians’] words … can negatively affect communities.”
Harsh rhetoric is not new in American politics. Immigrants have been falsely accused of bringing a multitude of undesirable ideas and practices into the United States for a long time ― from disease to overpopulation. For centuries, millions flocked from Europe at first, and later Asia, to the United States to escape harsh living conditions and in pursuit of a fair chance of achieving the “American Dream.” Yet nativist ideology spread rapidly through the states time and time again, leading to limitations such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Immigration Act of 1924. Demoralizing language and actions were key in spurring these laws.
Now, both Trump’s and Vance’s incendiary comments about Haitian immigrants seem to be nothing more than a weaponization of rumors for political gain. Similar tactics have been used by politicians in scapegoating other marginalized groups, such as Asians and Hispanics, as well. When prominent figures use their elevated platforms for statements viciously attacking minority groups, it only adds fuel to the fire by instigating hate crimes. Not only are the Haitians in Springfield at risk, but physical and verbal threats can harm all residents in the area.
It’s important to remember that immigrants make up an important sector of this country’s workforce and contribute to their local communities. According to news reports, before Haitian immigrants arrived on the scene, Springfield had lost a quarter of its population over the past few decades, a startling decline for a once-booming agricultural economy. Now, Haitians are essential to the workforce, especially at Springfield’s Dole Fresh Vegetables, where they’re “hired to clean and package produce” and to work at automotive machining plants. Their businesses, cultural foods and identities have merged into the Ohio city, transforming it into a bustling place of diversity. And this is the main reason Trump’s and Vance’s threats of deporting these civilians is so detrimental.
A nation founded, in part, on the backs of immigrants should not use improper, falsified accusations as political leverage. This is not only offensive to Haitians but to all immigrants in the United States. The speeches talking about eating pets in Ohio are not just wrong but a sad distraction from more authentic issues at hand, such as the reformation of immigration laws. Empathy must come first to create a nation that includes and values its citizens and residents, regardless of their origin.
Alex Seojoon Kim is a high school student in Stillwater
Alex Seojoon Kim is a high school student in Stillwater.
Officials confirm first fatal case of mosquito-borne virus in nearly two decades: ‘A stark reminder’
Juliana Marino – September 3, 2024
County officials in the Bay Area confirmed a death related to a mosquito-borne disease for the first time in nearly 20 years, according to a report published by the San Francisco Chronicle.
What’s happening?
Officials in Contra Costa County announced that a resident died from West Nile virus in July. It was the first death from West Nile in Contra Costa since 2006.
Mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus after feeding on an infected bird. Though many cases of West Nile virus do not lead to any symptoms, some patients experience a fever, headache, body aches, and vomiting.
While most cases of West Nile virus are not fatal, officials in Contra Costa viewed the death as a wake-up call.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Contra Costa County resident to West Nile virus,” Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District general manager Paula Macedo told the Chronicle. “This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting ourselves from mosquito bites and supporting community efforts to control mosquito populations.”
Increasing global temperatures have created more ideal conditions for disease-spreading mosquitoes. The tragic death of the Contra Costa resident is a reminder to take necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites, especially during summer months.
Using insect repellent and wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs are ways you can protect yourself from bug bites.
What’s being done about West Nile in the Bay Area?
Moving toward a more sustainable future to keep the planet’s temperatures in balance not only helps protect the environment but also global health. Simple actions to reduce pollution causing Earth to warm at an accelerated rate include switching to LED light bulbs and unplugging appliances when they aren’t in use.
In Contra Costa, officials are still investigating the cause of the disease, per the Chronicle. While they have not provided updates on where the infection happened, they have detected additional cases of West Nile virus in a bird and five chickens, according to district spokesperson Nola Woods.
