environment

Supreme Court Extends Stay On Content Removal Requests, Raises Free Speech Concerns

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has extended a temporary stay until September 27th, blocking a lower court’s ruling restricting federal agencies from contacting social media firms with content removal requests. 

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is at the forefront of the case, accused by critics of collaborating with government efforts to stifle open discourse on public health issues like COVID-19.

This action follows Justice Alito’s initial hold on the July 4th ruling of the U.S. District Judge, Terry Doughty of Louisiana, which was set to expire on September 22nd. Doughty’s order prevented various federal agencies from pressuring social media companies.

Missouri and Louisiana’s attorneys general filed the lawsuit, alleging that the Biden administration coerced platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube into suppressing dissenting voices under the guise of combating misinformation. Concerns regarding freedom of speech loom large as the case unfolds.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

France Orders Apple To Halt iPhone 12 Sales Over Excessive Electromagnetic Radiation Emissions

Regulators in France have taken action to address concerns over excessive electromagnetic radiation emitted by Apple’s iPhone 12.

On September 12th, the country’s National Frequency Agency (ANFR) ordered the tech giant to temporarily suspend sales of the iPhone 12 within the nation.

This decision comes after ANFR conducted thorough tests, revealing that the smartphone’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) exceeded the legal limit. Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the findings, highlighting that the iPhone 12 emitted electromagnetic waves beyond the legally permitted levels.

When held in hand or placed in your pants pocket, the iPhone 12 exhibited SAR values of 5.74 watts per kilogram, surpassing the EU standard of 4.0 watts per kilogram. Nevertheless, compliance was observed when the device was carried at a distance of 5 mm from the body, such as in coat pockets or bags.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Berkey Water Filter Manufacturer Sues EPA Over Alleged False “Pesticide” Label

New Millennium Concepts, the manufacturer behind Berkey water filters, has taken legal action against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), claiming that the federal agency’s classification of its products as “pesticides” is erroneous. 

The dispute arises from a stop-sales order issued by the EPA to multiple Berkey vendors and distributors in May, causing significant financial losses for the Texas-based company, which has been in operation since 1998.

In a 49-page complaint, Berkey asserts that it has operated in the United States for 25 years without any prior regulation or incidents involving the EPA. The lawsuit contends that in 2022, the EPA compelled the company to register its mechanical filter as a “pesticide device” and subsequently labeled it as a “pesticide,” all without adhering to Administrative Procedures Act (APA) guidelines.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Community Foundation Of St. Clair County Hosts 12th Annual 100+ Women Who Care Event At Boardwalk Theatre

This evening the Community Foundation of St. Clair County invites the community to an evening of both enjoyment and philanthropy at the newly unveiled Boardwalk Theatre in St. Clair. The 12th annual 100+ Women Who Care event promises to be a night of collective giving, with over $10,000 slated to be distributed.

From 6 – 8 p.m., guests, dressed in snappy casual attire, will join 100+ other women in contributing $100 each, showcasing the strength of collective generosity. These funds will support local nonprofits and the Women’s Initiative endowment fund.

Adding excitement to the evening, two first-time attendees will be selected by random draw to present their chosen local nonprofit with a $500 grant.

One lucky non profit will also be the winner of a $10,000 grant, or one of two additional grants later this evening as well. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

American Foods Group, LLC Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To E. Coli Contamination

In a precautionary measure, American Foods Group, LLC, operating as Green Bay Dressed Beef, LLC, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has initiated a recall of approximately 58,281 pounds of ground beef products due to potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O103. 

STEC O103 infections can cause symptoms such as severe diarrhea, often bloody, and vomiting. Although most individuals recover within a week, some cases may lead to more severe illness, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure, particularly in children under 5, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

The affected products, bearing establishment number “EST. 18076” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were distributed to distributors in Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for these products and return or dispose of them as necessary to ensure their safety.

For more information, visit: fsis.usda.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Counterfeit Car Seat Sales Raise Safety Concerns During Michigan’s Child Passenger Safety Week

In a disconcerting development, the sale of counterfeit car seats in Michigan has surged, leaving parents and caregivers anxious about their children’s safety on the state’s roads. As Michigan observes Child Passenger Safety Week from September 17th – 23rd, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) have joined forces to combat this growing issue.

Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, warned, “Parents and gift givers are purchasing seats from online deal sites, sometimes with high-end price tags. Even parents that do extensive research can be easily fooled by these unsafe lookalikes or tricked into purchasing car seats that do not meet U.S. regulations or safety standards.” 

To empower buyers and ensure child safety, MDHHS and OHSP are offering essential guidance. 

For more information, visit: Child Car Seat Safety. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell