Health & Safety

The Kentucky Supreme Court says the two abortion bans should remain in place

5:56pm February 16, 2023

by Divya Karthikeyan

The Kentucky Supreme Court weighed in on a challenge to the state's abortion bans, saying the two bans should remain in place despite voters rejecting an anti-abortion ballot measure in November.

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Spain's Equality Minister Irene Montero looks down during a press conference in Madrid on Jan. 27. Spain's parliament passed laws on Thursday expanding abortion and transgender rights for teenagers, while making Spain the first country in Europe entitling workers to paid menstrual leave.

Spain approves menstrual leave, teen abortion and trans laws

12:14pm February 16, 2023

by The Associated Press

Among the enacted changes, 16- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to undergo an abortion without parental consent. And workers suffering debilitating period pain can take paid time off.

A young student attends online school from her bedroom.

10 things to know about how social media affects teens' brains

12:01pm February 16, 2023

by Cory Turner

Eye-opening testimony from a top scientist offers a useful primer on the role social media may play in the teen mental health crisis.

Last week in Florida, at the University of Tampa, President Joe Biden promised to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare, as well as lower health care costs.

How seniors could lose in the Medicare political wars

12:01pm February 16, 2023

by Julie Rovner

Politicians are again pointing fingers over cutting Medicare. Any party accused of threatening the program tends to lose elections, but without a bipartisan agreement, seniors stand to lose the most.

Michael Jordan (pictured in January 2020) is celebrating his 60th birthday on Friday by making a $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish America.

Michael Jordan sets another record — a $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish

11:32am February 16, 2023

by Roshan Fernandez

Make-A-Wish said the NBA legend's donation is the largest individual contribution it has ever received. It said Jordan's gift will create an endowment to fulfill future wishes.

Residents near the train derailment are told it's safe to go home. Is it?

7:36am February 16, 2023

This month's train derailment in Ohio unleashed toxic fumes into the air around East Palestine. NPR's Steve Inskeep asks Johns Hopkins expert Peter DeCarlo about safety concerns.

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Austin Hunt holds a sign with current and former Michigan State University students during a rally at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich., Wed., Feb. 15, 2023, after a gunman opened fire on the Michigan State University campus Monday night.

Democrats control Michigan for the first time in 40 years. They want gun control

7:09am February 16, 2023

Having been blocked by Republican legislatures on regulation in the past, Michigan Democrats are forging ahead on tighter gun restrictions after the shooting at Michigan State.

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Child influencers have a huge following on social media. Now a new study from the University of Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health finds these videos are frequently exposing young viewers to junk foods like candy, salty snacks and sugary drinks.

Health & Safety

Kid YouTube stars make sugary junk food look good — to millions of young viewers

7:01am February 16, 2023

by Maria Godoy

The platform banned food advertising, yet many videos viewed by millions of kids continue to showcase candy, soda and packaged snacks, likely affecting kids' food preferences, researchers say.

Morning news brief

5:58am February 16, 2023

Russian forces have begun an offensive in eastern Ukraine. Residents near a derailed freight train in Ohio worry about toxic chemicals. One of the deadliest U.S. federal prison units is closing.

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Children share apples in Sydney, Australia.

Health & Safety

New childhood obesity guidance raises worries over the risk of eating disorders

9:21pm February 15, 2023

by Kaitlyn Radde

Many eating disorder specialists oppose the new guidance's focus on weight loss and BMI, and say it minimizes the risk of disordered eating and will perpetuate deep-rooted, damaging stigmas.