TSA Prepares For Record Labor Day Travel, Expected To Screen 17 Million Passengers

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gearing up for the busiest Labor Day travel period on record, spanning from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4. 

TSA expects to screen over 17 million passengers, with the peak travel day projected for Aug. 30, when 2.86 million passengers will be processed.

Air travel volumes this summer have reached historic highs, with passenger numbers up 8.5% from last year. TSA has already screened 239.8 million passengers since Memorial Day.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske praised the agency’s workforce for their commitment to security during this busy time. He encouraged travelers to enroll in TSA PreCheck® to reduce wait times. PreCheck members experience shorter lines and a streamlined security process by not removing shoes, belts, or laptops.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

MDHHS Alerts Michigan Families Of Expanded Cinnamon Recall Due To Lead Contamination

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a warning to Michigan families following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) expanded recall of several ground cinnamon brands due to lead contamination. 

The affected brands include El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, and others. Consumers are advised to immediately stop consuming, selling, or serving these products and to check their homes, as cinnamon often has a long shelf life.

“There is no safe level of lead in the blood for any person, and lead is especially harmful to young children, infants, and fetuses,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive. 

MDHHS encourages concerned families to contact their healthcare providers for blood lead testing. Visit the FDA website for more details on the recall and the MI Lead Safe page to learn more about lead testing.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

NIMHD Launches Online Portal To Improve Minority Health And Reduce Health Disparities

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) has unveiled the HDPulse Interventions Portal, a new online resource designed to help address health disparities and improve minority health. 

The portal offers healthcare providers, researchers, and community groups access to a repository of evidence-based interventions tailored to specific populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and people with disabilities.

Users can easily search and filter interventions by population, targeted diseases, and geographical area, helping them make informed decisions for their communities. Supporting materials, including participant education tools and research publications, are also available.

The HDPulse Interventions Portal is part of NIMHD’s effort to close the gap between research and practical interventions, aiming to boost the dissemination and adoption of effective health strategies.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Heatwaves In Michigan Spark Surge In Rodent Infestations, Warns Expert

As Michigan grapples with summer heatwaves, residents are facing an unexpected consequence: a rise in rodent activity. 

Zachary Smith, from Smith’s Pest Management, warns that the intense heat and drought conditions are driving rodents from the wild into homes, seeking food and shelter. “The summer heatwaves have created the perfect storm for increased rodent invasions,” says Smith.

With vegetation dying and natural food sources dwindling, rodents like rats and mice are turning to homes for survival. Common signs of infestations include droppings, gnaw marks, and scurrying sounds in walls. Smith urges homeowners to seal entry points, store food properly, and eliminate water sources.

“The time to act is now,” Smith advises, stressing that prevention is the best way to protect homes from rodent infestations this summer.

Source: smithspestmanagement.com

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell