National News

Halloween and your furry friends

SEATTLE, Wash. – As Halloween approaches, Trupanion, a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs, scanned its database of more than 750,000 pets and found that historically there is a noticeable increase in chocolate toxicity claims beginning now, through the end of the year. In some years, toxicity claims have spiked more than 70% at Halloween.   In […]

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CDC expands updated COVID-19 vaccines to include children ages 5 Through 11

ATLANTA, Georgia — The Centers for Disease Control has approved the expanded use of the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 through 11 years.   This follows the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization of updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech for children ages 5 through 11 years, and from Moderna for children and

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EPA seeks nominations for Local Government Advisory Committee

LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 14) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a solicitation for nominations to serve on its Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), which advises EPA on critical environmental issues impacting local governments. The agency is also accepting nominations for LGAC’s Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS). “EPA works closely with local governments

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Food prices rise 12.7 percent, energy prices are up 20.7 percent

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Prices in the Midwest Region, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), increased 0.2 percent  in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. The index for all items less food and energy was up 0.4 percent , and the food index rose 0.8 percent 

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Leadership Conference Poll: 54 percent fear America is on the path to another civil war, 53 percent think democracy may be done in four to five years

WASHINGTON – A new national poll commissioned by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and conducted by brilliant corners Research and Strategies has found that ahead of the 2022 midterm election, strong majorities of likely voters, across the political spectrum and across race and gender, believe our democracy is under threat and fear it

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Social Security announces 8.7 percent benefit increase for 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023, the Social Security Administration announced Thursday.  On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January. The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable

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FDA authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for use as a booster dose in younger age groups

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent to authorize their use as a single booster dose in younger age groups. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is authorized for administration at least two months

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Wreaths Across America expands FREE TEACH program curriculum for educators

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — This year’s theme for Wreaths Across America (WAA) is “Find a Way to Serve.” In keeping with this, the organization launched a new TEACH program earlier this year. The program, which was put together by retired educator and Gold Star Mother Cindy Tatum, shares an established curriculum designed to teach the next

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EPA aims anti-lead policies at small aircraft

LENEXA, Kan. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed determination that emissions of lead from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA reviews information on air pollutants and sources of

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EPA celebrates Children’s Health Month, highlighting unprecedented investment in protecting children’s health

LENEXA, Kan. – October is Children’s Health Month and this year the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is spotlighting the historic resources advancing protection of children’s environmental health. The EPA is committed to protecting children at all stages and in all communities. “Protecting the health of our children and the environment where they live, learn and

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