Tag: Public Health

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Prevention groups fear consequences from Noem’s proposal to reduce funding for anti-tobacco efforts

Gary Dickson

An anti-smoking group warns that reducing South Dakota’s Tobacco Prevention and Reduction Trust Fund from $5 million to $2 million could significantly harm public health. The fund supports the QuitLine and prevention programs, which are crucial as tobacco tax revenues decline. Critics emphasize the importance of maintaining funding to combat rising nicotine use among youth. Continue reading Prevention groups fear consequences from Noem’s proposal to reduce funding for anti-tobacco efforts

Agriculture, Environment, Government, Health, PoliticsLeave a comment

Health and farmworker advocates urge ban of herbicide linked to Parkinson’s

Gary Dickson

Public health advocates are calling for a federal ban on paraquat dichloride, a toxic herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease and other severe health issues. The EPA will decide in January 2025 whether to renew the herbicide’s license. Farmworkers emphasize the need for safer agricultural practices to protect public health. Continue reading Health and farmworker advocates urge ban of herbicide linked to Parkinson’s

Energy, Environment, Government1 Comment

24 attorneys general challenge California regulation on big trucks

Gary Dickson

Twenty-four Republican-led states, led by Nebraska’s Attorney General Mike Hilgers, are urging the EPA to reject California’s request for stricter truck emissions regulations, claiming it overreaches and could increase costs for consumers. They argue rural areas lack infrastructure for electric vehicles and would bear the brunt of higher logistics costs. Continue reading 24 attorneys general challenge California regulation on big trucks

Government, Health, Iowa3 Comments

Siouxland restaurant inspection update

Gary Dickson

City, county and state food inspectors have been visiting Siouxland area restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, school cafeterias, hospitals and convenience stores in November and December.

Below are some of their findings over the past two months as reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level.

The state inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a “snapshot” in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment. Continue reading Siouxland restaurant inspection update

Family, Health, Iowa, South DakotaLeave a comment

A new era of vaccines leaves old questions about prices unanswered

Gary Dickson

The world is entering a new era of vaccines. Following the success of COVID-19 mRNA shots, scientists have a far greater capacity to tailor shots to a virus’s structure, putting a host of new vaccines on the horizon. These shots are welcome since RSV can be dangerous, even deadly, in the very old and very young. But the shots are also expensive. So their advent is forcing the United States to face anew questions it has long sidestepped: How much should an immunization that will possibly be given — maybe yearly — to millions of Americans cost to be truly valuable? Continue reading A new era of vaccines leaves old questions about prices unanswered