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🚨 MASSIVE MEAT RECALL: More Than 1.5 Million Pounds of Hot Dogs, Bacon, Deli Meat & More!
Check your refrigerator and freezer! The USDA has announced a major recall involving approximately 1.58 million pounds of meat and poultry products after they may have been stored at unsafe temperatures. ⚠️
The recall includes a wide range of products, including:
🌭 Hot dogs and cocktail franks
🥓 Bacon
🥪 Deli meats, including ham, turkey, and bologna
🌭 Bratwurst, kielbasa, and sausages
🍗 Other meat and poultry products
The products were distributed nationwide, and some may still be sitting in refrigerators or freezers because of their long shelf lives.
⚠️ What should you do? Don’t eat any product that matches the recall. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
So far, no confirmed illnesses have been reported. The recall was issued because the products may have been stored in a warehouse cooler that experienced temperature problems.
🔎 Important: More than 100 products may be affected, so check the official recall list for specific brands, labels, and product codes before deciding whether your food is included.
Yes, this is real.
Glyphosate is the weed killer in Roundup, and one of the most used weed killers in the world.
When the CDC tested urine from 2,310 Americans age 6 and older, it found glyphosate in about 8 out of 10 of them. This was from the CDC’s national health survey, 2013 to 2014.
In 2015, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” The US EPA disagrees and has said it is “not likely” to cause cancer. The EPA is reviewing that finding again.
Bayer, which owns Roundup, agreed in 2020 to pay up to about $10.9 billion to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits from people who say Roundup gave them cancer. In 2026 Bayer proposed another $7.25 billion settlement, which a Missouri judge gave early approval in March, but has not yet given final approval.
To be fair: Bayer has not admitted that Roundup causes cancer and says it is safe when used as directed. A settlement ends lawsuits. It is not a court finding that Roundup caused anyone’s cancer. In June 2026 the US Supreme Court ruled for Monsanto in a Roundup case, saying federal law blocks claims that the label needed a cancer warning. The CDC also says that finding a chemical in urine does not by itself mean it causes disease.
Choosing organic foods and washing produce well are two simple ways people try to eat less of it.
Share this with someone who uses weed killer in their yard.
Sources: CDC National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013 to 2014; IARC Monograph 112, 2015; EPA, “Glyphosate”; Bayer statements, June 2020 and March 2026; US Supreme Court, Monsanto v. Durnell, June 25, 2026; CDC National Biomonitoring Program.
Millions of Americans Use Cannabis to Help Them Sleep. It Could Be Doing The Opposite.
Florida doesn’t need to host the Olympics — we already live in them. Summer here is a full‑time competition: sprinting across burning parking lots, dodging 3PM storms, surviving I‑4 traffic, and navigating floods, lightning, lovebugs, and gators like it’s all part of the events lineup. From sandbag powerlifting to hurricane‑prep javelin, every day feels like a humid endurance final. This isn’t a sport. It’s just Florida life.
A morning crash on Florida’s Turnpike in Delray Beach spread across 300 yards, with 14 fire rescue units responding.
https://www.wpbf.com/article/8-hospitalized-6-vehicle-crash-turnpike-delray-beach/74145326
A federal appeals court cleared the way Wednesday for Florida to enforce a law that bans children under 14 from having social media accounts
https://www.fox13news.com/news/floridas-restrictive-child-social-media-law-is-back-after-court-victory
A 5-year-old girl plunged 49 feet from a moving cruise ship into the open ocean. Her father heard his wife screaming and raced toward the railing, only to discover that their daughter was gone.
It happened aboard the Disney Dream near the Bahamas, where a family vacation took a terrifying turn when the little girl fell from the ship’s fourth deck.
When her father realized what had happened, he jumped overboard after her, plunging nearly 50 feet into the ocean. But when he surfaced, he couldn’t see his daughter anywhere.
He began desperately calling out for her, searching the water until he finally heard her calling back. He swam toward her and managed to reach her, but they were still stranded in the open ocean as the massive cruise ship began turning around.
For roughly 20 minutes, he kept his little girl afloat, holding her above the water until a rescue boat finally reached them and brought them back to safety.
Both survived, although the father suffered two fractures in his spine from the fall.
It takes an incredible amount of courage to jump nearly 50 feet into the open ocean, not knowing what awaits you below. But this father didn’t hesitate to put his own life on the line for his little girl. Thank God they both made it home. 💙
The amusement park, which is currently on weekend operations, is scheduled to open on Friday, the park confirmed.
https://abc7.com/story/flags-georgia-reopen-planned-friday-goliath-coaster-remains-closed-fatal-fall/19940172
Coast Guard brings 30,000 pounds of seized cocaine and marijuana to Broward port
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article317634888.html
The children, whose ages ranged from 17 to a 1-year-old baby, were found in “very filthy and deplorable” conditions as cops in Richmond carried out a search warrant into the sprawling child abuse allegations.
https://nypost.com/2026/10/14/us-news/eight-relatives-charged-with-child-abuse-incest-as-7-kids-rescued-from-deplorable-kentucky-home
SeaWorld Orlando temporarily shut down Mako as a precaution after a person fell from a ride built by the same company in Georgia.
https://www.wesh.com/article/central-florida-roller-coasters-death-georgia-sea-world/74121651
Florida drug bust nets 25 arrests and seizes fentanyl, meth, and 45 kg of cocaine across three counties
https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-ag-james-uthmeier-boynton-beach/74119689
A Florida prisoner who said he killed his cellmate to get to death row is set to be executed Tuesday, nearly 18 years later.
https://www.wesh.com/article/james-robertson-execution-florida-state-prison/74120314
One person has died and several others were hurt following an incident involving the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, officials say.
https://www.fox5atlanta.com
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned pet owners that abandoning a dog tied outside during a hurricane can carry serious consequences, including up to five years in prison.
The warning came as Hurricane Isaias approached Florida’s Panhandle on Oct. 9, 2026, and residents were urged to evacuate dangerous areas.
But behind the warning was a dog who had already been left in the path of another storm.
Two years earlier, as Hurricane Milton approached Florida, a dog was found tied to a fence beside Interstate 75 near Tampa.
Floodwater had reached his chest.
People were evacuating. The dog remained tethered beside the highway, unable to leave as the water rose around him.
On Oct. 9, 2024, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper reached him and brought him to safety.
He became known as Trooper.
His rescue video spread across social media, drawing attention to what could happen when an animal was left behind during an evacuation.
An investigation followed. Trooper’s former owner was arrested on an aggravated animal cruelty charge days after the rescue.
The case also helped inspire a change in Florida law.
DeSantis approved Trooper’s Law on May 28, 2025. It took effect that October, making it a third-degree felony to restrain a dog outside during a qualifying natural disaster and then abandon it.
The offense carries up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
As another hurricane approached, DeSantis reminded residents that animals needed to be taken to safety, too.
Officials said every Florida county had at least one pet-friendly shelter. The state also encouraged lodging businesses to relax pet restrictions and waive pet fees for evacuating families.
Trooper, meanwhile, had already found a different life.
After his rescue, Leon County Humane Society cared for him and helped him find a home with a couple named Frank and Carla.
They had another rescued bull terrier named Dallas.
When the two dogs met, they approached each other and pressed their foreheads together, their tails wagging.
The rescue announced Trooper’s adoption in December 2024. Shortly after he arrived at his new home, his family sent back a photograph of him resting on the couch.
He had once stood in rising water with nowhere to go.
Now he had a family, a canine companion and a safe place to sleep.
And the name given to him after his rescue became the name of a law meant to protect other dogs from being left the same way.
The domestic beekeeping industry is facing an existential crisis as American beekeepers, represented by major producers like Adee Honey Farms, wage an intense legal battle against global honey importers, packers and certifiers. Central to class-action litigation is the accusation of widespread “economically motivated adulteration”—a sophisticated scheme where pure honey is systematically diluted with cheap, industrial sugar syrups derived from rice, beets, and cassava. By using advanced chemistry to mimic natural honey and evade outdated border testing, foreign producers have flooded U.S. supermarket shelves with ultra-cheap, counterfeit alternatives. This massive influx of artificial supply has severely suppressed wholesale prices, undercutting genuine domestic products and driving local multi-generation apiaries to the brink of bankruptcy. Beyond the immediate financial collapse of American farmers, experts warn that the systematic eradication of commercial beekeeping threatens the entire U.S. agricultural system, as honeybees serve as irreplaceable pollinators for over a third of the nation’s food crops.
To directly support American beekeepers battling fraudulent honey and unfair trade practices, consumers can take targeted consumer, legislative and grassroots action!
STORM AFTERMATH 🌀: Hurricane Isaias left behind a trail of damage across the Florida Gulf Coast, from flooded streets and battered beaches to downed trees, power outages and significant structural damage. .
PBSO says a West Palm Beach man took a $4,625 deposit for a Lake Worth shed project, but investigators say no work was ever done.
https://www.wpbf.com/article/palm-beach-county-homeowner-scammed-contractor
Butterball is one of the best known turkey brands in America. Three of its plants are on Consumer Reports’ June 2026 list of the most contaminated poultry plants in the US.
The list uses the USDA’s own Salmonella test results, through March 28, 2026. More than 50 plants are on it.
The three Butterball plants are in Carthage, Missouri, Mount Olive, North Carolina, and Raeford, North Carolina. All three are listed for ground turkey.
To make the list, a plant had to sit in the USDA’s worst Salmonella group, Category 3, for “most, if not all, of the past six months.”
Category 3 means the plant went over the USDA’s maximum for positive Salmonella tests. For ground turkey that maximum is 13.5 percent. That is 7 positive samples out of 52.
Here is the part most people do not know. Going over that number does not stop the turkey from being sold. USDA’s own inspection directive tells its offices not to suspend a plant “based solely on the fact that an establishment exceeded a performance standard.” Under current USDA policy, raw poultry with Salmonella in it is not considered adulterated for that reason alone, so it can still be sold.
The CDC estimates Salmonella causes more than a million infections in the US every year, and calls it “the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths linked to foodborne illness.”
A separate analysis of USDA records by the group Farm Forward, reported by Civil Eats in November 2025, found the Carthage plant was in Category 3 every month from 2020 through 2024.
To be fair: this is not a recall, and no outbreak has been tied to these plants in this report. The listing is for ground turkey. Consumer Reports notes that the whole turkey lines at the two North Carolina plants are not in Category 3. The list is a snapshot of tests through March 2026, and USDA categories change as new tests come in, so a plant’s status may be different today. Butterball’s senior vice president for food safety, quality and animal care told Civil Eats in November 2025 that the company takes food safety very seriously and follows all USDA rules and inspections. She said Salmonella occurs naturally in live turkeys, and Civil Eats reports she said it cannot always be eliminated.
Thanksgiving is less than seven weeks away.
Is turkey still going on your table?
Sources: Consumer Reports, “The Most Contaminated Poultry Plants in the U.S.” (June 2026); USDA FSIS Directive 10250.2; CDC, “About Salmonella Infection”; Civil Eats, November 3, 2025.
⚡ FLORIDA POWER OUTAGES: The number of customers without power across Florida has surged to 304,895 as of approximately 7:30 PM CT on October 9.
Escambia County alone is reporting more than 120,000 outages, with tens of thousands more across Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties.
As Category 2 Hurricane Isaias approaches landfall, power outages continue to climb rapidly across the Florida Panhandle.
Stay safe, everyone!
BREAKING – A major 8.0 earthquake just occurred in Panama. Damage has been reported. A tsunami threat exists for the Pacific.
💊 Metformin has treated type 2 diabetes for more than 60 years. A mouse study suggests part of its power may come from the brain.
Doctors have long thought the drug lowers blood sugar mainly by acting on the liver, with some help from the gut.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine looked at a protein called Rap1 in the hypothalamus, a brain region that helps control blood sugar and energy use.
They bred mice that lacked Rap1 in this area and fed them a high-fat diet to mimic type 2 diabetes.
In these mice, low doses of metformin failed to lower blood sugar. Yet other diabetes drugs, including insulin and GLP-1 medicines, still worked.
The amount of metformin in their blood was normal, so the drug was reaching the body. It just could not do its job without brain Rap1.
When the team switched Rap1 on in the brain, blood sugar rose and metformin stopped working.
Next, they injected a tiny amount of metformin straight into the brains of diabetic mice. Blood sugar dropped, even at doses thousands of times lower than those given by mouth.
The drug switched on a group of brain cells called SF1 neurons, but only when Rap1 was present.
This could open the door to new diabetes treatments that target this brain pathway directly. The team also plans to test whether it explains other brain effects linked to metformin.
Still, all of these results come from mice. Human brains and doses differ, and injecting a drug into the brain is very different from taking a pill.
The study does not mean metformin’s effects on the liver and gut are wrong. It suggests the brain is one more piece of the picture.
Anyone taking metformin should not change how they use it based on this research.
📃 RESEARCH PAPER
📌 Hsiao-Yun Lin et al., “Low-dose metformin requires brain Rap1 for its antidiabetic action,” Science Advances (2025).
When PepsiCo recalled 122,000 cases of Gatorade for “undeclared dyes,” it looked like a major win for cleaner ingredients. It wasn’t.
The company didn’t remove the artificial dyes. They fixed a packaging error. Red 40 and Blue 1 were always in the liquid; they just weren’t printed on the label.
If you check the shelves today, the standard Gatorade Thirst Quencher still relies on those exact same synthetic dyes. The only real change is that the label now accurately tells you what you are drinking. While PepsiCo does offer a separate “Dye-Free” line, it remains a limited alternative rather than the default.
For people avoiding synthetic additives, a correct label is the bare minimum, not a victory. Consumers shouldn’t have to play detective with ingredient lists just to avoid artificial colors that many other countries have already phased out. A packaging fix doesn’t make the product cleaner; it just makes the labeling accurate.
We want actual reformulation, not just better stickers. Until the standard sports drink is made with recognizable ingredients, the job isn’t finished.
The infection is evolving into something that’s “close to untreatable,” one expert said.
https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/health/sexually-transmitted-diarrhea-is-morphing-into-a-superbug
ISAIAS BIG TORNADO THREAT🌪️‼- Still one of the BIGGER threats to #Hurricane #Isaias will be the higher-than-normal chances for tornadoes (POTENTIALLY STRONG 💪🌪️💪).
FRIDAY: Outer bands from the northeast quadrant of Isaias will be coming ashore across the #Florida Panhandle and will encounter significant wind shear. Conditions will deteriorate throughout the afternoon. A few tornadoes will be likely
SATURDAY: Isaias moves ashore by Early Saturday morning, and rainbands will be moving well inland. Anywhere, the stronger (several) bands of storms will exist on the “dirty” side Isaias, an OUTBREAK of tornadoes across #Florida, #Alabama, #Georgia, and even into #SouthCarolina…
DO NOT SLEEP NAKED‼- Tornado threats will be happening at night. They form quickly!! Please, have a plan of action.
A triple tropical threat is taking shape. 🌀🌀🌀 Rachel, Isaias and Simon are all expected to bring significant impacts this weekend, from the U.S. West Coast and southwestern Mexico to the central Gulf Coast.
BREAKING: The plague in Russia has claimed another victim, according to reports.
The World Health Organization is pressing Russia for answers following the mysterious death of a Siberian plague lab worker and reports of a potential second death.
The worker, a 28-year-old laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia, died on October 2, 2026. Adding to the international anxiety, the WHO is also investigating reports of a potential second infected employee.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh, writing for Infection Control Today, summed the severity of the ongoing situation: “On October 6, Russian media reported a second death in the Irkutsk region. The disease has, thus, spread, and one must assume the outbreak is growing.”
While Russian public health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor claims that contacts of the worker have been isolated and no high-threat pathogens were detected, the exact cause of the fatal infection remains officially undisclosed — and fears about Russian information suppression are mounting..
The lack of official clarity has sparked widespread concern, with President Trump calling the situation ‘concerning’ and indicating plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin officials, however, have dismissed the reports as largely false and denied that any phone call has been scheduled. Although Russia downplays the risk of an epidemic, global health experts emphasize that timely, transparent information-sharing under international regulations is critical to preventing potential biosecurity disasters and ensuring global health safety.
sources:
Kavanagh, K. “Suspected Plague Case in Russia: What Infection Preventionists Should Know.” (Oct 7, 2026). Infection Control Today.
Swai, F. (2026). WHO questions Russia on reported second plague lab death. The Hill.
Millions of AT&T customers are now eligible for payments to settle a class-action lawsuit filed over two major data breaches.
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/att-data-breach-settlement-gets-final-approval-how-much-will-customers-get
A vaccine-preventable disease has pushed New York to declare an emergency.
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued the declaration on October 5 as measles cases increased across rural parts of the state and neighboring states. The order expands access to vaccination and testing to help health officials respond faster.
New York had reported 108 cases this year in the updates cited: 101 outside New York City as of October 3, plus seven in the city as of October 2.
The emergency measures allow more health professionals, including paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists and midwives, to administer measles vaccines. Nurses can also order testing, expanding the pool of professionals able to help identify infections.
“No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease,” Hochul said.
The declaration comes during a national resurgence. The CDC recorded 3,887 confirmed U.S. measles cases through October 1 — the highest annual total since 1991.
Measles spreads through the air and is exceptionally contagious. The virus can remain infectious in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves, meaning direct contact is not always necessary for transmission.
It can cause more than a rash. Complications include pneumonia, brain inflammation and death, with young children and people with weakened immune systems among those at greater risk.
Vaccination remains the strongest protection. According to the CDC, two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
When vaccination coverage falls, the virus has more opportunities to spread through communities, putting people who cannot be vaccinated at risk too.
New York’s emergency response aims to make protection easier to access and infections quicker to identify. The focus is on getting more people vaccinated and tested as officials work to interrupt transmission.
Panera Bread’s corporate promise of “100% clean” food has collided with a stark reality: independent laboratory testing revealed that the chain harbored the highest levels of glyphosate among major fast-food brands tested. Consumers routinely pay a premium for Panera’s menu options under the impression that they are choosing a healthier, higher-quality alternative to traditional fast food. Yet, third-party investigations—including a prominent study that prompted consumer class-action lawsuits—discovered that a conventional whole grain bagel from Panera contained a staggering 677 parts per billion (ppb) of glyphosate. This concentration was the highest found among dozens of popular restaurants samples. The presence of this synthetic chemical—classified by international health organizations as a probable human carcinogen and heavily scrutinized for its links to endocrine disruption and neurological impacts—shatters the premium health facade of one of America’s most expensive fast-casual establishments. It exposes a deep disconnect between deceptive “greenwashed” marketing and the actual toxicity hidden within everyday grain products.
STATE OF EMERGENCY: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 25 counties that could be impacted by a tropical depression that’s quickly gaining strength in the Gulf. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/desantis-declares-state-of-emergency-for-25-florida-counties-ahead-of-growing-gulf-storm/
https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/desantis-declares-state-of-emergency-for-25-florida-counties-ahead-of-growing-gulf-storm
Florida just declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY… and waiting until the last minute could be the biggest mistake you make.
Hurricane Isaias is a reminder that these storms can change FAST.
Water.
Food.
Medicine.
Fuel.
Flashlights.
Charge your phones and have an evacuation PLAN.
Don’t wait until the shelves are EMPTY and everybody is fighting over the last case of water.
It’s better to prepare for a storm that changes direction…
Than be completely UNPREPARED for one that doesn’t.
What do you do to prepare for a hurricane?
Shoppers have started wearing Hazmat suits to pick their fruit and veg following reports of chemical residues on produce sold at Woolworths, Aldi and Coles.
Pesticide Action Australia’s testing found residues above Australian agricultural limits, including one strawberry sample at 9.5 times the limit.
“I’m taking every precaution,” one shopper said, before heading outside for a vape.
🚨 MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ORDERED FOR OKALOOSA COUNTY
Okaloosa County has ordered mandatory evacuations for coastal Zones A and B beginning Thursday, October 8, at noon, ahead of Hurricane Isaias. The order includes Okaloosa Island and portions of Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Mary Esther and Niceville that fall within those evacuation zones. Residents are urged to check their evacuation zone and make plans to leave early.
The county is also urging out of town visitors in the forecast impact area to evacuate beginning Wednesday, October 7, at 8 p.m
https://myokaloosa.com/gis_ps
🦟 Innovative biological solutions
Picture this: the same insects that spread deadly diseases are now raised in labs and turned against themselves. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has released a massive fleet of mosquitoes through its life sciences division, Verily, to do exactly that. By sending millions of these insects into the wild, the project works to crash the populations of harmful species that carry Zika, dengue, and chikungunya.
🔬 The science of sterilization
The approach depends on a bacterium called Wolbachia. Wolbachia occurs naturally in many insect species, but not in the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Scientists infect male mosquitoes with the bacterium inside a high tech facility, then release them into the environment. When these lab males mate with wild females, the Wolbachia stops the eggs from hatching, breaking the reproductive cycle of the local population. No genetic modification is involved.
🎯 Advanced tracking and automation
Several high tech systems keep the project running smoothly at every stage:
* Automated mass rearing systems that pump out millions of insects every week.
* Algorithms that pick the best release points for coverage across specific neighborhoods.
* Release vans fitted with sensors that track environmental conditions and check on mosquito survival.
* Sorting machines with computer vision that separate males from females with near perfect accuracy.
📈 Proven results in the field
Early trials in California and other countries have hit success rates that blow past traditional pest control. In some test zones, invasive mosquito populations dropped by more than ninety five percent within a single season. That drop happened without chemical pesticides, which can kill bees and butterflies or pollute local water sources.
🌍 A global health vision
As climate change pushes disease carrying mosquitoes into new regions, biological interventions like this one are becoming necessary public health tools. By scaling up the production and release of these specialized males, researchers want to build a sustainable, environmentally friendly way to shield communities from life threatening illnesses. The method targets a problem that hits hundreds of millions of people worldwide every year.
Facts checked by @omgfacts
Sources:
Verily Debug Project Overview
Nature Biotechnology Wolbachia Study
The Fresno Bee Mosquito Trials
#omgfacts #google #innovation #publichealth #science
A dangerous form of diarrhea-causing bacteria is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics in the United States, with sexual transmission emerging as an important route of infection.
The bacterium is Shigella, which causes shigellosis. Symptoms can include severe diarrhea, sometimes bloody, stomach cramps and fever. The CDC estimates roughly 450,000 Shigella infections occur in the U.S. each year.
Shigella traditionally spreads through contaminated food, water or surfaces, but it can also spread during sexual activity involving exposure to tiny amounts of infected fecal material. Only a very small number of bacteria are needed to cause infection.
The major concern is antibiotic resistance. CDC researchers analyzed nearly 17,000 Shigella isolates and found extensively drug-resistant strains increased from essentially 0% in 2011 to 8.5% in 2023. These strains resist five commonly used antibiotics, and there is currently no FDA-approved oral treatment specifically recommended for extensively drug-resistant Shigella.
Most of these highly resistant infections were found in adult men, and more than one-third of patients with XDR infections were hospitalized.
Most ordinary Shigella infections still resolve without antibiotics within about a week. But severe drug-resistant infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat, making surveillance and prevention especially important.
The CDC recommends avoiding sex for at least two weeks after diarrhea ends because Shigella can remain in stool after symptoms disappear.
Source: CDC; MMWR; ScienceAlert
The EPA has officially approved a novel RNA-based pesticide called Vadescana to alter genetic functions right inside honeybee colonies. This cutting-edge tool is designed to save pollinators by genetically silencing parasitic Varroa mites, yet critics warn that the technology could accidentally blindside the bees’ own genetic code across future generations. Compounding the mystery, a permanent tolerance exemption has been established, meaning invisible molecular residues are legally permitted in your honey before multi-generational data can definitively guarantee absolute human safety. To guarantee your honey is completely free of even trace biopesticide residues, prioritize buying raw, single-source honey directly from trusted local beekeepers who are willing to openly discuss their non-chemical past management practices. If in a store, look for explicitly labeled USDA Organic Honey, as organic certification strictly prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals and bio-engineered treatments within foraging zones. Avoid mass-market, blended commercial honeys that pool supply from multiple industrial apiaries, as these operations are the most likely to adopt high-tech genetic treatments to protect their bottom lines. Ultimately, the surest safeguard is to choose unfiltered, small-batch varieties from small-scale artisans who rely entirely on physical mite traps and hygienic bee genetics rather than chemical or genetic interventions.
If you keep bees, check out the comments section for tips on fighting these mites without using any toxins ❤️
Nearly 1,500 stolen firearms. More than 24 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as fentanyl, cocaine, counterfeit pills and a pill press.
Today, FBI Atlanta and our partners announced federal charges against 20 Atlanta residents tied to alleged firearms trafficking, drug trafficking and the theft of hundreds of firearms, including alleged members and associates of the GoodFellas criminal street gang.
We will continue working to dismantle criminal networks that put guns and dangerous drugs on our streets and threaten our communities.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/twenty-atlanta-residents-charged-federal-crimes-arising-massive-gun-heists-and-gang
NEW: Gov. Ron DeSantis just signed an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties before the approach of #Isaias. The order ensures communities have the time and resources necessary to prepare for potential impacts to the Panhandle and Big Bend of Florida. The follow counties are:
• Baker
• Bay
• Calhoun
• Columbia
• Dixie
• Escambia
• Franklin
• Gadsden
• Gilchrist
• Gulf
• Hamilton
• Holmes
• Jackson
• Jefferson
• Lafayette
• Leon
• Liberty
• Madison
• Okaloosa
• Santa Rosa
• Suwannee
• Taylor
• Wakulla
• Walton
• Washington
– Matt Devitt Weathe
Yes, this is real. In June 2026 Consumer Reports teamed up with the food-scanning app Yuka and lab tested 40 popular US snacks and packaged foods for additives. One in four had more of an additive in a single serving than the daily amount some public health agencies in the US or Europe have identified as safe.
The biggest number in the whole test: Hostess Donettes Powdered Mini Donuts had 261 milligrams of titanium dioxide in one serving. That was more than 760 times the amount found in the other three products that contained it, combined.
Titanium dioxide is a white pigment. It’s the same stuff used in paint and sunscreen, and in food it makes powdered donuts, candy, gum and frosting look bright white.
In 2021 the European Food Safety Authority said titanium dioxide “can no longer be considered safe” as a food additive, because its tiny particles can build up in the body and the agency could not rule out damage to DNA. The European Union banned it as a food additive in 2022.
To be fair: titanium dioxide is legal in US food. The FDA allows it at up to 1 percent of a food’s weight, and has said the safety studies it reviewed do not show a safety concern. Health Canada reviewed it in 2022 and found no conclusive evidence that it is a health concern in food. A petition to remove it has been under review at the FDA since 2023.
Consumer Reports also says there is no reason to panic if you have eaten these foods, and that its test results are not a legal judgment. Hostess’s parent company, J.M. Smucker, did not respond to Consumer Reports’ requests for comment. A food industry group, the Consumer Brands Association, called the report misleading and said America has one of the safest food systems in the world.
Same test, other findings: one serving of Jell-O Zero Sugar Chocolate Fudge instant pudding had nearly 9 times the daily Red 40 level that California health officials identified for children. Kraft Heinz, which makes Jell-O, said a safety concern is not supported by the evidence, and that it plans to remove Red 40 from its US products by the end of 2027. Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies had over 9 times California’s cancer risk level for glycidyl esters, a contaminant from processed oils.
Consumer Reports bought the foods over a two-month period starting in November 2025, and says levels on shelves today may differ.
Read the ingredient list. If it says titanium dioxide, that’s the one Europe took off the shelves.
Sources: Consumer Reports and Yuka, “These Popular Snacks Contain High Levels of Additives and Contaminants,” June 9, 2026; EFSA opinion on E171, May 6, 2021; Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63; FDA, “Titanium Dioxide as a Color Additive in Foods”; Health Canada, “Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report,” 2022.
A parasite outbreak linked to lettuce sickened nearly 13,000 people.
Now, FDA investigators have found the parasite where the lettuce was grown and processed.
Two environmental samples collected in Mexico tested positive for Cyclospora, the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis.
One came from a tank holding outgoing wastewater at a Taylor Farms de Mexico processing facility. The other came from a drainage ditch at an iceberg lettuce grower identified during the investigation.
The findings strengthen the link to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce, but they do not establish exactly how the food became contaminated.
The outbreak involved 12,883 cases across 21 states, with 570 hospitalizations and two deaths reported. Both people who died had significant underlying health conditions.
The outbreak is over, and officials say the recalled lettuce is off the market.
Investigators began examining the outbreak in July after illnesses were linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants. Tracing the supply chain led them to Taylor Farms de Mexico and growers in central Mexico.
The company recalled implicated lettuce on July 17. Taco Bell stopped using lettuce from that supplier.
Cyclospora infects the intestines after someone consumes contaminated food or water. Symptoms typically begin about a week later and can include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
Without treatment, illness can persist for weeks or longer, and symptoms may disappear before returning.
Taylor Farms says its central Mexico facility remains closed while it works on enhanced safety procedures. It has also said the independent grower associated with the positive sample is no longer a supplier.
The FDA closed its investigation on October 2.
Finding the parasite in the surrounding environment provides another piece of evidence. The exact route from that environment to the lettuce remains unresolved.
Learn more:
“FDA finds potential source of cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce.” ABC News
If you have one of the recalled products, do not drink it.
https://nypost.com/2026/10/05/lifestyle/popular-gatorade-flavors-recalled-nationwide-by-the-fda
#BREAKING: Broward County confirms first local dengue fever case as health officials coordinate prevention efforts against mosquitoes.
FDOH: 1 confirmed human case of local dengue fever in Broward County
As multiple foodborne illness outbreaks continue to spread, health experts are urging consumers to stay vigilant.
Update! The FDA Is Now Following 12 Foodborne Outbreaks—And They Aren’t All Cyclospora
A buildup of artery-clogging plaque may begin much earlier than many people realize, new research has found. 🔗⬇️
https://www.fox13news.com/news/plaque-buildup-threat-found-adults-under-30-no-known-cardiovascular-disease
Investigators are searching for answers after gunfire erupted at a Sunday morning block party in Georgia, leaving two people dead and 35 others wounded. 🔗⬇️
https://www.fox13news.com/news/georgia-mass-shooting-35-injured-2-dead-after-gunfire-block-party
Shoppers of two popular grocery chains should check their freezers for recalled frozen berry products sold across dozens of states, according to an expanded recall notice shared by the FDA. Here’s what to know ⬇️
https://www.wesh.com/article/frozen-berry-recall-expanded-possible-e-coli-concerns/74009239
More than 122,000 cases of Gatorade sold across 37 states have been recalled.
https://www.newsweek.com/major-gatorade-recall-affecting-more-than-30-states-given-risk-warning-12522173
🍗🇺🇸🇪🇺 Did you know? U.S. chicken has faced a major European restriction since 1997, and the reason comes down to how poultry carcasses are treated during processing.
The controversy centers on antimicrobial rinses. In the United States, poultry processors use pathogen-reduction treatments—including chlorine-based solutions and other antimicrobial substances—to reduce bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter on chicken carcasses.
In April 1997, the EU extended its existing ban on antimicrobial treatments to poultry imports. Because U.S. processing practices did not meet those requirements, American poultry exports to the EU effectively dropped to zero. USDA records describe the disagreement as a major reason U.S. poultry exports were blocked from the European market.
The interesting part is that the two systems take a different approach to food safety.
U.S. processing allows certain antimicrobial treatments as one part of pathogen control. European rules historically placed greater emphasis on preventing contamination throughout the production chain rather than relying on a chemical treatment at the end. An EU scientific assessment examined treatments including chlorine dioxide, acidified sodium chlorite, trisodium phosphate and peroxyacids for their ability to reduce pathogens on poultry.
And this is why the phrase “chlorinated chicken” can be misleading. The issue isn’t that American chickens are soaked in dangerous chemicals. These are regulated antimicrobial treatments used at controlled concentrations to reduce bacterial contamination during processing.
The disagreement is ultimately about which food-safety system should be used—treating contamination at the processing stage versus controlling it throughout the entire production chain.
💡 The fascinating part: Both sides are trying to solve the same problem—reducing harmful bacteria on food—but they take very different paths to get there.
One chicken. Two regulatory philosophies. A debate that’s been going on for nearly three decades.
#FoodSafety #ChickenFacts #USFood
Eric Tennant, a 58-year-old coal-mining safety instructor and father of two from Bridgeport, West Virginia tragically died following a protracted battle with his health insurance provider over critical cancer care. After years of grueling chemotherapy for Stage 4 bile duct cancer, Tennant’s oncologists recommend an innovative, non-invasive ultrasound treatment called histotripsy to shrink a large tumor in his liver. However, his insurance provider, the West Virginia Public Employees Agency—which partners with United Healthcare to administer benefits—repeatedly denied coverage, ruling the procedure “not medically necessary”. Though public backlash and media inquiries eventually forced the insurer to reverse its decision and approve the treatment, the administrative delays dragged on until Tennant became too weak to receive the treatment. His heartbreaking story ultimately inspired the brand new law in West Virginia aimed at limiting the severe, life-threatening delays caused by insurance prior authorization.
Check out the comments section for steps you can take if you receive a letter of denial from your insurance company—did you know an appeal results in a new decision in over 50% of cases?
📸Image Rights (Eric Tennant): NBC News
A grass virus called lethal viral necrosis has been identified in a Naples community, threatening lawns with complete destruction within three to five years.
Scientists are developing a way to correct eyesight with no laser and no cutting, and it reshapes the eye in about one minute.
The technique is called electromechanical reshaping, or EMR. It uses a tiny electric charge and a specially shaped platinum lens placed against the eye.
Your cornea, the clear front layer of the eye, is made of collagen held in shape by electrically charged parts. The small electric current lowers the pH in the tissue, which loosens those bonds and makes the cornea soft enough to mould.
The platinum lens presses it into the right shape. Once the pH goes back to normal, the cornea locks into its new form.
In tests on 12 rabbit eyeballs, 10 were treated for simulated nearsightedness. All of them reached the intended focusing power.
LASIK cuts a flap in the cornea and removes tissue with a laser. EMR needs no incision, could use simpler and cheaper equipment, and might even be reversible.
It is still early. The research was done on isolated eye tissue, and animal studies come next before any human trials.
But a one-minute, cut-free fix for glasses could one day be possible.
(Source: ScienceDaily, September 29, 2026 / Occidental College, UC Irvine)
🦠 A child between 10 and 14 years old was diagnosed with vibriosis in Clay County in September, one of 24 locally acquired cases reported across Florida since March.
Vibrio bacteria live naturally in coastal and brackish water and reach their highest concentrations between May and October, placing the case squarely in peak season. Most infections come from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, or from an open wound contacting coastal water. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, fever and chills, but Vibrio vulnificus can cause life-threatening infections including necrotizing fasciitis. The CDC says roughly 1 in 5 people infected with that species die, sometimes within a day or two.
Santa Rosa County leads the state with three confirmed cases. Duval and St. Johns counties have also reported infections this year. Health officials urge anyone with wound redness, swelling, fever or blistering skin lesions to seek emergency care immediately.
Rescue teams are trying to locate an air ambulance that went missing after it departed from Bermuda overnight, along with the six people on board, while en route to Boston. 🔗⬇️
https://www.fox13news.com/news/coast-guard-searching-air-ambulance-went-missing-during-flight-boston
Pasta sold at Walmart stores nationwide is being recalled over listeria concerns, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
https://www.wkbn.com/news/national-world/recalls/recall-on-pasta-sold-at-walmart-stores-nationwide
🚨 FATAL CRASH | FORT MYERS
One person has died and at least four others have been injured, three seriously, after a multi-vehicle crash at Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers.
South Trail Fire, Fort Myers Fire, and Lee County EMS crews responded to the incident at 3:51 PM Saturday afternoon.
A Mass Casualty Incident was declared due to the number of people involved in the crash.
Two people were reportedly trapped in one of the vehicles involved and had to be extricated by firefighters. One of those victims was transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center with CPR in progress, and later died.
The other victim, an approximately 10-year-old boy, was transported alongside two other people to Gulf Coast Medical Center with serious injuries meeting “Trauma Alert” criteria.
A fifth person was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. One of the victims who was transported also reportedly suffered from a seizure during the course of the incident.
All southbound lanes of Six Mile Cypress Pkwy are currently blocked.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Posted: 10.03.26 — 5:28 PM
——
Our coverage of breaking news in SWFL is made possible thanks to Joseph Law, PLLC. Mark Joseph of Joseph Law, PLLC offers representation in Personal Injury, Property Damage cases, and more. Joseph Law can be reached at (239) 799-6020. Located in Collier County, Florida. info@forthetimes.law. ForTheTimes.Law.
FDA inspectors found cyclospora at a Mexican farm linked to a U.S. outbreak that sickened nearly 13,000 people, though the contamination source remains unclear. More Below 🔗⬇️
https://www.fox13news.com/news/fda-cyclospora-investigation-parasite-detected-mexican-farm-linked-massive-lettuce-outbreak
Strange but true. Missouri is literally asking anglers to chop the heads off these invasive fish, put them in a plastic bag, and throw them in the trash. The Northern Snakehead fish is a threat to many Missouri fish, including sport fish like bass, according to MDC.
Florida officials reported this week that more than 250 locally acquired cases of mosquito-borne dengue fever have been tallied so far this year.
🚨 A Florida woman is facing DUI charges after deputies say she slammed into a horse, killed it, and simply drove home. It started when a witness called 911 to report a vehicle striking a horse on Lake Washington Road in Melbourne and then leaving the scene. Brevard County deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol responded and found the horse dead. Investigators later located the driver at her home and identified her as Anne Cross, who had injuries to her face.
She told deputies she was coming back from shopping when “something” landed on her hood and believed it might have been a deer, adding that her car gave her no trouble afterward. Deputies said the vehicle told a different story, with a crushed hood and a badly damaged windshield. They also reported glassy eyes and slurred speech, and said she refused field sobriety exercises and a breath sample. Cross was charged with DUI, DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to testing. Sheriff Wayne Ivey said there is “no excuse for drinking and driving.”
Eye drops and other eye treatments sold under nine different brand names have been recalled because they may not be sterile. 🔗⬇️
https://www.fox13news.com/news/eye-drops-recall-bottles-sold-under-several-brand-names-may-not-be-sterile-fda-says
Nicotine only interacts with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and different receptors sit on different tissues.
One subtype, the alpha4beta2 receptor, is responsible for nicotine’s appetite-suppressing and metabolism-boosting effects.
This is why quitting nicotine often leads to weight gain: the brain loses a chemical signal that was artificially reducing hunger.
Whether smoked, vaped, or absorbed through the mouth, nicotine enters the bloodstream in minutes and passes straight through the blood-brain barrier.
Once inside, it acts fast, lighting up neural pathways linked to alertness, energy, and mood.
Nicotine directly stimulates the mesolimbic reward pathway, the system that controls motivation, drive, and desire.
It increases dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, while simultaneously decreasing GABA, the neurotransmitter that acts as a brake.
With the brake lifted and the accelerator pressed, dopamine spikes sharply.
This is why nicotine feels rewarding, why it improves mood, and why quitting is notoriously difficult.
Nicotine produces a rapid rise in motivation and a reduction in negative mood.
It increases energy, sharpens focus, and temporarily boosts well-being.
When those effects disappear, the brain wants them back, not because of habit, but because of a neurochemical imbalance nicotine created.
Do you think most people truly understand how nicotine affects motivation and mood, or is this still wildly underestimated?
What’s in your cat’s bowl? Nearly all tested cat foods contain toxic plastic contaminants, the herbicide glyphosate and heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic, according to a new investigation. Full story ⬇️
https://www.wesh.com/article/cat-food-pesticides-plastic-chemicals/73993545
Florida officials went to remove surveillance cameras and found 14 more they hadn’t authorized.
St. Lucie County had identified 52 approved Flock Safety cameras on county roads. During removal work, crews discovered additional license-plate readers that were missing from that approved inventory.
The sheriff’s office subsequently claimed three. Eleven still had no publicly identified owner, according to reporting published October 1.
Officials also did not know whether the remaining cameras were operating or who could access any information they collected.
These devices do more than photograph traffic.
Automated license-plate readers convert images of passing vehicles into searchable records. A record can include the plate number, vehicle characteristics, time, and camera location.
One camera captures a vehicle at a particular place and moment. Records from multiple cameras can reveal repeated journeys and patterns of movement, depending on which data a user can access.
That makes ownership and access controls important.
Police use the technology to investigate crimes, locate stolen vehicles, and find missing people. Flock also sells cameras to private organizations.
But without knowing who operates a particular camera, residents cannot easily determine who controls its records or how those records are being used.
The county has posted removal notices giving the unidentified owners 30 days to act, with deadlines falling between October 16 and 20. Workers plan to cover the cameras with plastic bags in the meantime.
One camera had already disappeared when reporters visited its location. Officials said they did not know who removed it.
Flock says it has contacted the county and offered to help identify the devices and resolve discrepancies.
For now, the discovery leaves a basic question unanswered: Who installed these cameras, and what happened to any data they collected?
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company of Willows, California, is voluntarily recalling all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese currently in the market due to potential E. coli contamination. What the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is telling consumers to do with the products.
One particular group showed a sharp increase in heavy intake.
Recall of popular soft drink hits 77,000 cans after zero-sugar labels found on full-sugar sodahttps
https://www.fox13news.com/news/recall-popular-soft-drink-hits-77000-cans-after-zero-sugar-labels-found-full-sugar-soda
INFECTION ALERT: Three Florida counties declare states of emergency as 190 locally acquired dengue cases spread across the state.
Hillsborough County alone accounts for 170 of those cases, with the mosquito-borne illness now confirmed in six counties, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The emergency declarations allow officials to fast-track mosquito-control operations and pursue state or federal assistance as crews ramp up aerial and ground treatments in affected areas.
Full story here https://www.foxnews.com/health/dengue-fever-outbreak-triggers-states-emergency-3-southern-counties
767 measles cases. Four dead. And Pennsylvania just asked the CDC for emergency backup.
The outbreak now stretches across 38 counties, with 150 people hospitalized. Another 36 cases showed up in just two days, between September 16 and 18.
Here’s the catch. Health Secretary Debra Bogen says the state will pull its request unless the CDC publicly and accurately acknowledges Pennsylvania’s four deaths. That follows reports that RFK Jr. told the agency to leave them out of the national count.
The help on the table is an Epi-Aid, which sends CDC investigators in to trace the spread and figure out how to stop it.
On the ground, 148 pop-up clinics have given out nearly 4,800 MMR shots since late April. Two doses are about 97% effective.
Source: The Guardian, “Pennsylvania asks CDC for emergency help as measles outbreak spreads” |
PINELLAS COUNTY HAS ENTERED THE “FREE TIRE DISPOSAL BECAUSE OF DENGUE” PHASE OF 2026. 🦟😭
Apparently, old tires sitting outside collect rainwater.
Mosquitoes saw that and said:
“Wow. Waterfront property.”
So from Sept. 28 through Oct. 30, Pinellas County residents can dispose of up to FOUR tires for FREE at the county’s Solid Waste Disposal Complex.
Why?
Because those little rubber swimming pools can become breeding grounds for thousands of mosquitoes, and Pinellas is currently dealing with locally acquired dengue cases.
So yes.
The county would now like you to evict the mosquito family living in your Firestone.
Florida continues to Florida.
👇 Be honest: how many suspicious tires are currently sitting somewhere in your neighborhood?
#StPeteVibes #StPete #StPetersburgFL #PinellasCounty #TampaBay #Florida #Dengue #Mosquitoes #OnlyInFlorida
Infections are causing a considerable proportion of new cancer cases.
Some cancers begin with an infection.
A study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that infections caused about 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2024 — roughly 12%, or one in eight.
Published in The Lancet Oncology, the findings suggest that a “significant proportion of the global cancer burden is preventable through better infection control,” the IARC researchers said.
Five infections accounted for much of the burden.
Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that can infect the stomach, was linked to about 760,000 cases, mainly stomach cancer.
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, was linked to about 750,000 cases. These included cervical cancer and cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis and parts of the throat.
Hepatitis B was linked to about 360,000 cases, predominantly liver cancer. Epstein–Barr virus was linked to around 260,000, including certain stomach cancers, nasopharyngeal cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. Hepatitis C accounted for about 160,000, mainly liver cancer.
These infections can contribute to cancer in different ways. Some interfere with the systems controlling cell growth, while others cause persistent inflammation and tissue damage or weaken immune defenses.
Having one of these infections does not mean someone will develop cancer. Most people with cancer-linked infections never do.
The one-in-eight figure is a worldwide estimate, not the share of U.S. cancers caused by infections. The burden varies between regions.
Tools to reduce these risks already exist. HPV and hepatitis B vaccines can prevent infections, while testing and treatment can address infections such as H. pylori and hepatitis C. Cervical screening can identify changes before they become cancer.
Access remains uneven. Costs, stigma and gaps in healthcare keep prevention and treatment out of reach for many people.
Preventing an infection, or treating it early, can also be a step toward preventing cancer.
Learn more:
“Global burden of cancer attributable to infections in 2024: One in eight cancers worldwide linked to infections.” IARC
Yet another death from Vibrio has been reported this year, bringing the total tally up to five, according to the Florida Department of Health.
🔗 in the comments 👇
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/florida/2026/09/29/5th-florida-death-reported-over-rare-vibrio-bacterial-infection
🚨 FRAUD ALERT: Scam Targeting Local Residents 🚨
The Delray Beach Police Department wants to warn our community about a fraud trend making the rounds. Scammers are posing as bank representatives or investigators, contacting victims by phone or text, and claiming their accounts have been compromised.
They instruct victims to:
● Withdraw large amounts of cash or purchase gold coins
● Package the items along with their bank cards for pickup
● Stay silent because “their bank is under investigation”
The fraudsters then send rideshare drivers or couriers to pick up the packages.
❗ Remember:
1️⃣ Banks will never ask you to withdraw money to be placed into a “safe account.”
2️⃣ Banks will never send an Uber or courier to pick up your cash or cards.
3️⃣ Banks will never call you to ask for your PIN.
4️⃣ If you’re unsure about a call or text, hang up and call the number listed on the back of your card to verify.
Stay alert and share this post with friends and family to help prevent others from becoming victims.
Research shows that oral HPV infection has become a major driver of oropharyngeal cancer, particularly cancers affecting the tonsils and base of the tongue. HPV is transmitted to the mouth through sexual contact, including oral sex, and the virus is estimated to cause about 60–70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types, especially HPV-16, can take years to progress to cancer.
Oropharyngeal cancer has also shifted in recent decades, with HPV-related cases increasing while cases linked to other causes have declined. Tobacco and alcohol remain major risk factors for head and neck cancers, but for HPV-positive cancers of the oropharynx, persistent HPV infection is now a major underlying cause.
Florida became the first state in the nation to authorize the d*ath penalty for the r*pe of a child under 12 when Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1297 into law in May 2023, a measure explicitly designed to force the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit its own precedent.
The bill passed 95-14 in the Florida House and 34-5 in the Senate, giving prosecutors the option to seek ex*cution for aggravated s*xual battery of a child under 12 and laying out a penalty phase in which a jury must first convict unanimously before at least eight jurors can recommend d*ath. The law directly conflicts with Kennedy v. Louisiana, the Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling that found ex*cuting a man for r*ping his 8-year-old stepdaughter unconstitutional because the crime did not result in the victim’s d*ath. State Senator Jonathan Martin, the bill’s sponsor and a former prosecutor, told colleagues that s*xual battery on a child needs the most serious punishment and the most serious penalty available.
In November 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier moved to test the law directly, announcing the state would seek the d*ath penalty against Nathan Holmberg, a Hernando County man indicted on seven counts of s*xual battery of a child under 12 after he was accused of recording himself r*ping and coercing young children. Uthmeier called on the Supreme Court to reverse its 2008 precedent, describing the crimes as pure evil, and said such acts deserve the ultimate form of justice.
Tennessee, Idaho, Oklahoma and Arkansas have since passed similar statutes, betting that a reshaped court, with three of the four original dissenting justices, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, still sitting, might reverse course. Opponents warn the strategy is legally reckless. Michelle Suskauer, a West Palm Beach defense attorney and former president of the Florida Bar, has asked where the line will be drawn and what other charges will eventually be included, while Maria DeLiberato of Floridians for Alternatives to the D*ath Penalty has called the state’s push to overturn the precedent unusual and harmful.
Snake bi.te – don’t panic, do the following…
In most hospitals, gloves and gowns are worn to keep patients safe. Research published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases reveals they may be carrying a drug resistant superbug instead. Scientists tracked over 1,000 patient interactions and discovered that Candidozyma auris transferred to medical staff protective gear in 29 percent of visits. That transfer rate is nearly double that of MRSA and triple that of other resistant bacteria, with severe cases carrying a mortality rate up to 62 percent. Direct physical contact tripled the chances of spreading the yeast compared to touching surfaces, making strict hand hygiene and equipment protocols essential to stopping it.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the owners of nearly 40 pounds of cocaine that washed up on the beach earlier this week. ⬇️🔗
https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/fmc-d73si9m9bz4jc5c6
Doctors and safety experts are warning parents about a dramatic rise in pediatric emergency room visits tied to high-speed e-bikes and e-scooters, as new survey data highlights widespread helmet misuse across Florida.
Pennsylvania measles cases are skyrocketing, with 55 new infections reported in just 3 days.
Pennsylvania is grappling with its most severe measles outbreak in over three decades, with confirmed spreading across nearly 40 counties.
The state has already recorded four measles-associated deaths this year, marking its first fatalities from the highly contagious virus in 35 years. Public health experts point to declining vaccination rates as the primary driver behind the resurgence.
Nationally, the uptake of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine among kindergartners has slipped below the critical 95% threshold required to maintain herd immunity, transforming once-isolated cases into a full-blown statewide crisis.
While measles is historically perceived as a childhood illness, this ongoing crisis reveals a surprising shift in demographics, with adults bearing the brunt of the infections. In Pennsylvania, approximately 70% of the confirmed cases have occurred in individuals aged 18 and older, with the 25 to 49 age group being the hardest hit. This demographic trend has resulted in rising hospitalizations and underscores a significant gap in adult immunity.
As health officials scramble to set up free mobile vaccination clinics, they are urging adults to verify their immunization status to help curb the spread of this entirely preventable disease.
source: Jezebel. (2026). Pennsylvania’s Measles Outbreak Is Now the Single Worst of the Last 35 Years, and Still Climbing.
Check your eggs!
Two egg recalls have been linked to dozens of Salmonella illnesses.
Leaping Bear Farm in Vermont and Happy Hens in California recalled eggs in September after separate investigations. State notices reported 14 illnesses in Vermont and 23 in California, including seven hospitalizations in the California outbreak.
That is 37 reported illnesses across the two outbreaks.
In Vermont, Leaping Bear Farm recalled eggs in cartons dated June 1 through September 5, 2026. The eggs were sold at local farmers markets, stores and other businesses.
Officials detected Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs and environmental samples from the farm. The farm agreed to stop selling or distributing chicken eggs until state officials determine the contamination no longer poses a public health threat.
In California, Happy Hens recalled organic shell eggs with these lot codes and sell-by dates:
• Lot 223: September 10
• Lot 226: September 13
• Lot 237: September 24
The egg handler code is CA-0677. Affected packages include dozen and 18-count cartons, 20- and 30-count flats, and 15-dozen foodservice cases.
The eggs went to restaurants, grocery stores and farmers markets in Southern California and the Central Coast, and were also sold at the farm in Ramona.
California officials said Salmonella found in samples from poultry housing matched the strain causing illnesses.
If you have the recalled eggs, do not eat, serve or sell them. California advises throwing them away or returning them for a refund. Vermont says to put affected eggs in the garbage, not the compost.
Wash surfaces and utensils that touched the eggs with hot, soapy water. Check the brand and carton codes on any eggs still in your refrigerator.
Salmonella symptoms commonly include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, beginning six hours to six days after exposure. Contact a healthcare provider if you develop symptoms after eating recalled eggs.
Learn more:
“Eggs Recalled After 37 Salmonella Illnesses Reported in Separate Outbreaks.” The Healthy
Water quality crisis update. Think you can leave the beach to find safe water for swimming? Think again. The feces pollution crisis is throughout South Florida, with Miami and Miami Beach leading the way in Miami-Dade.
82% of these tested sites this week came back with High feces pollution – unsafe for swimming. Miami Waterkeeper tests 11 sites along the bay. 9 out of 11 tested areas came back high for enterococcus (feces pollution.) Only one – Matheson Hammock – tested good for swimming.
This past Friday, the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department conducted a traffic enforcement blitz that resulted in 71 citations. These ongoing operations reflect our continued commitment to keeping our roads safe for everyone.
🌊 The ocean came ashore across South Florida on September 26 and 27, with king tides pushing saltwater into streets in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Fort Lauderdale police shut down about two miles of A1A, from East Sunrise Boulevard to Northeast 14th Street, after the beachfront road went under. 🏖️ Hollywood’s Broadwalk sat beneath several inches of seawater on the morning of September 27, and water surged along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Tide gauges at Port Everglades and Virginia Key measured roughly two feet above a normal high tide.
🚧 Port Everglades recorded its highest tidal flooding since the station was installed in 2018, topping levels logged during Hurricane Nicole in 2022, while Virginia Key ranked the event fourth on its record list. Hollywood crews rolled out tiger dams along the Broadwalk, barricaded low-lying streets and opened beach parking garages to residents. A National Weather Service meteorologist warned drivers that “salt water can damage your car,” urging people not to drive through it. The current king tide window runs through October 1, with more high-water cycles expected later in October
I am writing anonymously to bring attention to a serious safety concern involving the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood.
A team member of the Diplomat was struck by a vehicle today at around 8am while attempting to cross ocean drive (A1A) This incident raises serious questions about pedestrian safety in the area, especially since the pedestrian bridge was removed.
The bridge provided a safer way for guests and employees to cross the road. Now, guests are expected to cross the street while carrying luggage, sometimes with children, and employees also have to cross the roadway as part of their daily routines.
This is not just an inconvenience—it is a safety issue. The incident involving a team member today should serve as a warning that something needs to be done before someone is seriously injured or killed.
I hope you will consider looking into why the bridge was removed? what safety measures are currently in place? and whether enough is being done to protect both resort guests and employees.
People’s safety should come before saving money or reducing costs.
I am choosing to remain anonymous because I am concerned about potential consequences for speaking publicly, but I believe this issue deserves attention.
Thank you for taking the time to look into this matter.
Anonymous
UPDATE: “They were transported to the hospital non-life threatening injuries” – fire chief Levy
If you make ceviche at home, check your freezer. Frozen La Serranita black clams from Ecuador have been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened 37 people and sent 30 to the hospital, and health officials say cooking them will not make them safe.
https://balleralert.com/35cd
🚨 TRAFFIC & WEATHER ALERT — KING TIDES 🌊
Hollywood Beach is experiencing coastal flooding due to King Tides, and several roadways are currently impacted.
⚠️ 10th Avenue & Johnson Street is currently UNPASSABLE.
⚠️ A1A between Minnesota Street and Garfield Street is also UNPASSABLE.
Other streets throughout the beach and surrounding areas are experiencing varying levels of flooding. Conditions can change quickly as water levels rise and fall with the tides.
🚗 If you are driving in the area:
• Never assume you can safely make it through standing water.
• Slow down and use extreme caution in areas where water is present.
• Allow additional travel time and use an alternate route whenever possible.
Please avoid unnecessary travel through affected areas and remain alert for changing road conditions.
We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed.
Nearly 333 pounds of Buckhead tuna have been recalled after two samples tested positive for elevated levels of scombrotoxin, which can cause food poisoning
https://www.fox13news.com/news/tuna-recalled-over-food-poisoning-risk
More than 83 tons of meat connected with a Georgia distributor have been recalled nationwide because the products were not properly inspected by federal authorities and were shipped with falsified USDA inspection stickers, the Department of Agriculture said. Star Meat Delivery Inc., based in Lucama, North Carolina, is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products, though that number could grow as the USDA investigates. The products, produced before Sept. 22, may bear the establishment number “EST. 1363” and were shipped to Georgia distributor A&D Foods for distribution to retailers and restaurants nationwide. The issue was discovered during routine USDA checks.
No illnesses or injuries have been confirmed, but the USDA considers the products unsafe to eat and advises consumers to discard or return them. The company said it is cooperating with authorities and following recall procedures. The USDA did not immediately respond to the statement.
https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/more-than-80-tons-of-meat-connected-with-georgia-distributor-recalled-over-fake-inspection-marks
🌊 King Tide Alert!
Notice the beach looking a little different this morning? You’re not imagining it — today marks one of the year’s highest king tides, according to NOAA/NWS predictions.
King tides are the highest seasonal tides of the year, caused by the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth’s gravitational pull. They can bring extra water further up the shoreline, temporary flooding in low-lying areas, and yes — a reshaped beach!
Our Public Works crews are out early monitoring conditions and keeping our shoreline safe and clean. 💪
A few reminders while king tides are in effect:
🚗 Avoid parking in low-lying areas near the water
🐾 Be cautious of standing water on roads and sidewalks
📸 It’s also a great time to see our beach’s natural resilience in action!
King tides will continue through October 1, so expect similar conditions over the next few days.
Researchers find 485 chemicals used in U.S. pesticide products that may increase breast cancer risk.
The findings include active ingredients that control pests and other chemicals added to help products work. Many fall into a category called “inert,” a label that can sound more reassuring than it is.
Scientists at Silent Spring Institute compared chemicals previously flagged for breast cancer concerns with government databases tracking chemical uses, production, pollution, and human exposure.
The warning signs came from evidence of mammary tumors in animals or effects on hormones involved in breast cancer development. The study did not establish that all 485 chemicals cause breast cancer in people or measure the risk from using a particular product.
Published in Environmental Health Perspectives, the analysis identified 145 chemicals with current EPA registrations as active pesticide ingredients.
The concern extends beyond farms. Pesticide products also include household pest treatments, garden products, and some lice treatments.
“Inert” describes an ingredient’s role in the formula. It does not mean harmless.
These ingredients can help a pesticide dissolve, spread, or penetrate a surface. The EPA explicitly says inert does not mean nontoxic, and manufacturers generally do not have to name these ingredients on product labels.
The agency requires their approval and reviews safety information. The researchers argue that current testing still misses potential effects on the breast and needs to better address whole formulations and exposure from multiple sources.
The findings identify chemicals and exposure sources that deserve closer scrutiny. They do not tell us how many breast cancer cases, if any, these particular uses have caused.
Read the study:
“Guiding Risk Reduction for Breast Cancer-Relevant Chemicals (BC-Chems): Chemical Production Volumes, Sources, Intake Levels, Emissions, and Regulations.” Environmental Health Perspectives
Authorities recovered the bodies of six people, including four Americans, from the rubble of a two-story building that collapsed after an explosion in Athens’ historic Plaka district.
King tide flooding this morning on Hollywood Beach. Expect more coastal flooding around the morning and evening high tide cycles this weekend.
Wearing outdoor shoes inside can bring dirt, bacteria, allergens, pesticides, road residue, and other contaminants onto your floors.
These particles can then spread through carpets and living spaces, especially where children or pets play
➡️ THAT DUST ON YOUR DRIED FRUIT ISN’T SUGAR 🥭
When you open a bag of dried mangoes, apricots, or raisins and see a white dusty coating or an oily sheen, your brain assumes it’s natural sugar blooming out of the fruit. That’s usually wrong. Industrial fruit processors regularly treat commercial dried fruits with synthetic gas and petroleum-derived coatings long before they hit store shelves.
Under FDA regulation 21 CFR 182.3862, processors use sulfur dioxide gas as a chemical bleaching agent and color fixative. Fresh fruits naturally turn brown when dried, but sulfur dioxide stops enzymatic browning in its tracks, giving year-old dried apricots a bright, unnatural orange glow. To fix sticky, high-speed automated packaging lines, processors then spray the fruit with food-grade mineral oil or hydrogenated white oils permitted under 21 CFR 172.878. What looks like natural fruit sugar crystallization is often sulfites dried into a powdery crust or petroleum lubricants added so machines can bag 500 units a minute without jamming.
💡 PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY
Read the ingredients panel on every bag of dried fruit instead of relying on front-of-pack claims. Look for products listed strictly as “100% dried [fruit name]” with zero additives. True untreated dried fruit looks dark, leathery, and brown, not bright neon orange or shiny. Look for explicit packaging certifications like “unsulfured” or USDA Organic, which prohibits synthetic sulfites and mineral oil processing aids.
If you knew your “healthy snack” was coated in petroleum lubricants and sulfur gas to make factory machinery run faster, would you still buy it? Drop your thoughts below.
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Source Integrity Note – Every metric, rule, and timeline in this report comes straight from official government filings and peer-reviewed research. Sources listed below:
1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations — 21 CFR 182.3862 (Sulfur Dioxide Generally Recognized as Safe) & 21 CFR 172.878 (White Mineral Oil in Food Processing) (2025)
2. Journal of Food Science & Technology — “Efficacy and Residue Dynamics of Sulfites and Chemical Pre-treatments in Commercial Fruit Dehydration” (2022)
3. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service — Commercial Item Description: Dried Fruit Standards and Processing Aids Guidelines (2023)
A massive recall of alfalfa sprouting seeds is underway across 42 states due to critical E. coli and Salmonella contamination risks.
Berlin Seeds of Millersburg, Ohio, has initiated a voluntary recall of 950 pounds of its Alfalfa Sprouting Seed after learning the product may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella.
The safety alert was triggered when the company’s supplier traced the seeds back to a grower linked to an active multi-state outbreak.
This outbreak, involving several severe bacterial strains, has already prompted illnesses. The recalled seeds were distributed nationwide through retail stores and online channels between February 13 and August 23, 2026.
Federal health officials advise consumers who purchased these seeds—sold in sizes ranging from a quarter-pound to 50 pounds—to immediately discard them or return them for a replacement.
Because alfalfa seeds are often grown into sprouts in moist, warm home environments, any bacterial presence can multiply rapidly, presenting a severe risk of food poisoning. Symptoms of these infections include severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and potentially life-threatening kidney complications. No other Berlin Seeds products are affected.
source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026). Berlin Seeds Recalls Alfalfa Sprouting Seed Because of Possible Health Risk.
➡️ THAT FRESH BAGGED LETTUCE ISN’T RINSED WITH WATER 🥗
Grab a bag of shredded iceberg or romaine from the display cooler, check the back, and you’ll see the bold promise: “Pre-washed and ready to eat.” Most people picture pristine farm-fresh produce getting a gentle shower of cold tap water before getting packed into clear plastic. It feels clean, convenient, and completely harmless.
Here’s how industrial produce processing actually operates. Under federal food additive regulation 21 CFR § 173.315, major processors submerge shredded greens into high-volume chemical wash systems treated with sodium hypochlorite (industrial chlorine bleach), peracetic acid, or chlorine dioxide. Shredding lettuce ruptures plant cells, triggering immediate oxidation, brown discolouration, and rapid bacterial growth. To stop that decay in its tracks and maintain a two-to-three-week shelf life, industrial plants use sanitizer baths running active chlorine concentrations significantly higher than municipal swimming pools. While these chemical solutions kill surface pathogens, the continuous recirculated wash water can actually spread localized contamination across tens of thousands of pounds of leaf tissue if chlorine levels fluctuate even slightly.
💡 [PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY — Things to Look For, Avoid & Pay Attention To]
If you want to skip the industrial chemical processing, buy whole heads of un-shredded iceberg, romaine, or butterhead lettuce. Whole leaves retain their protective natural cell walls, meaning they only require a cold tap-water rinse at home right before preparation. When purchasing packaged greens, look for “triple-washed organic” brands that utilize peracetic acid or ozone-based processing rather than chlorine hypochlorite solutions, or opt for local greenhouse hydroponic produce.
It’s wild how consumers pay a 300% markup for the “convenience” of eating greens that spent their morning taking a bath in industrial sanitizer tanks just to look crisp on a shelf. Convenience almost always comes with a hidden trade-off in processing. Do you still buy pre-shredded bagged salad, or do you chop whole heads at home? Drop your thoughts below.
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Source Integrity Note – Every metric, rule, and timeline in this report comes straight from official government filings and peer-reviewed research. Sources listed below:
1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 21 CFR § 173.315: Chemicals used to wash or assist in the peeling of fruits and vegetables (2024 Revision)
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service — “Sanitization Procedures for Fresh-cut Produce Processing” (2022)
3. Journal of Food Protection — “Efficacy of Chlorine and Peracetic Acid Wash Treatments in Preventing Cross-Contamination of Fresh-Cut Lettuce” (2021)
NATIONAL: Teen arrested after allegedly causing $10,000 in damage tied to ‘Door Kick Challenge’
https://www.wcjb.com/2026/09/26/teen-arrested-after-allegedly-causing-10000-damage-tied-door-kick-challenge
What is kratom? After two Ole Miss students were found dead in separate incidents, investigators say packaged kratom was found nearby and are urging caution.
https://www.wesh.com/article/kratom-ole-miss-what-to-know/73855457
A multidrug-resistant yeast is spreading in 23 states.
Candida auris is a yeast that can cause severe, sometimes fatal infections, particularly in patients who are already seriously ill.
CDC screening data recorded 3,130 cases across 23 states.
Those were screening detections of people carrying the fungus, rather than a count of active infections. The figure also does not represent every state where Candida auris has been found.
Carrying the fungus without symptoms is called colonization. It can remain on a patient’s skin or other body sites for a long time, spreading onto bedrails, furniture, and shared medical equipment.
From there, it can reach other patients.
People requiring complex medical care are especially vulnerable. Catheters and breathing or feeding tubes can provide pathways for the fungus to enter the body.
Healthy people generally face a low risk of becoming ill.
Drug resistance makes some infections difficult to treat. Most can still be treated with antifungal medicines called echinocandins, but some strains resist all three major antifungal drug classes.
A positive screening result alone does not mean someone needs medication. The CDC recommends treating clinical infections, not colonization without signs or symptoms of infection.
However, both infected and colonized patients need appropriate infection-control precautions.
Healthcare facilities can reduce transmission through screening, hand hygiene, protective clothing, and disinfectants effective against Candida auris. Shared equipment needs careful cleaning between patients.
Patients can remain colonized even after an infection has been treated, making communication between facilities essential.
Patients and families should follow staff precautions, clean their hands, and tell healthcare providers about previous positive Candida auris tests.
Learn more:
“Candida Auris: Drug-Resistant ‘Superbug’ Spreading in 23 States, CDC Says.” Healthline
A social media post circulating among students at Colorado State University is warning of a deadly new illegal drug called cychlorphine.
(Photo: U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah via AP, File)
🦟 Florida mosquitoes are making headlines. In 2026, Florida has reported more than 150 locally acquired dengue cases, with 134 cases occurring in Hillsborough County alone. A dengue-related death was recently confirmed in Hillsborough County, highlighting the importance of preventing mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can transmit viruses, such as dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile virus, through their bites.
While mosquito bites can be difficult to avoid completely, using insect repellent safely can help protect you and your family from these potentially serious illnesses.
✅ DEET-containing insect repellents are safe and effective when used as directed.
Bug Spray Safety Tips 🦟
🔹 Read and follow the label.
🔹 Apply only as directed and avoid eyes, mouth, hands, and irritated skin.
🔹 Adults should apply repellent for children.
🔹 Wash treated skin after returning indoors.
🔹 Store products out of reach of children.
👶 For babies younger than 2 months, do not use insect repellent. Instead, use mosquito netting over strollers and carriers and dress infants in clothing that covers their arms and legs.
☎️ If insect repellent is swallowed, gets in the eyes, causes an unexpected reaction, or is used incorrectly, call the #Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Expert guidance is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
#PoisonPrevention #Mosquito #Dengue #Chikungunya #WestNileVirus #DEET #Bug #spray #PoisonHelp #Florida #tampabay #ChildSafety #Insects #hillsborough
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is bringing a lawsuit against a construction company and its executives, accusing them of scamming customers out of millions in insurance money after hurricanes ravaged Southwest Florida in 2024.
https://www.fox13news.com/news/hurricane-scam-florida-sues-company-over-millions-stolen-insurance-funds
#BreakingNews: Two people were killed and seven others were injured in a violent crash that left wreckage scattered across an Oxnard roadway, authorities say. About six to seven cars were involved in the collision.
Rabies is a viral infection that attacks the central nervous system. After entering the body, the virus can travel through peripheral nerves toward the brain and spinal cord.
Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal. However, the disease can be prevented if appropriate post-exposure treatment is started before symptoms develop.
After a possible exposure, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
#Rabies #Virology
While two tropical systems remain in the Atlantic, the main focus in the tropics Saturday morning has shifted to the Pacific, where three hurricanes are being monitored
https://www.fox13news.com/news/pacific-hurricanes-atlantic-quiet-florida-weather-tropics-forecast
Tanner Horner, 34, pleaded guilty on April 7 to capital murder of a child under 10 and to aggravated kidnapping. On May 5 a jury in Fort Worth sentenced him to death after deliberating for less than three hours. Jurors had to answer two questions: whether he would remain a danger, and whether anything in his life weighed against a death sentence. Yes, then no.
Athena Strand was taken from her driveway in Paradise, Texas, on Nov. 30, 2022, minutes after he delivered a package to the house. Her body was found two days later, about nine miles away. Horner said he had hit her with his van and panicked; the district attorney told the jury that account was a lie.
The sentence now goes automatically to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. No execution date exists, and in Texas the wait between sentence and execution usually runs well over a decade. His lawyers had asked for life without parole, pointing to his autism diagnosis and his upbringing.
Sources: NBC News, CBS Texas, Fort Worth Report, Wise County Messenger
Georgia Homeowner Shot Three Masked Teens Dead After They Tried to Rob His Yard at 4 a.m.
Isaiah Reid, 16, Jaime Hernandez, 15, and Brandon Gresham, 16, of Conyers were masked. Sheriff Eric Levett said one teen opened fire first. The homeowner fired back. All three suspects died.
Levett called it a stand-your-ground case. No charges against the homeowner
Flock cameras and other license-plate recognition cameras are being removed from state roads, but they are far from the only cameras watching drivers in South Florida.
South Florida traffic cameras: Which ones are still watching drivers after Flock ban on state roads?
INMO AIR3 Smart Glasses were pulled from store shelves because the product could pose a severe injury or burn hazard, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
https://www.fox13news.com/news/smart-glasses-recalled-burn-risk
Nearly 48,500 Kesyup mattresses sold on Amazon have been recalled because they violate federal flammability standards and could pose a risk of serious injury or death in a fire.
https://www.fox13news.com/news/kesyup-mattresses-recalled-over-fire-hazard
Did you know? A 2025 study found a surprising association between gabapentin use for chronic low-back pain and dementia risk in adults under 65.
Researchers analyzed medical records from more than 26,000 matched adults with chronic low-back pain. Among people ages 18 to 64, those prescribed gabapentin had about 2.1 times the incidence of dementia compared with those who weren’t prescribed the drug — equivalent to roughly a 110% higher relative risk.
The researchers also found that the association became stronger with more frequent prescriptions. Factors related to chronic pain, other health conditions, or why the medication was prescribed could also contribute.
The finding is important because it highlights an area researchers are still investigating: whether long-term gabapentin use may have cognitive effects in some patients, particularly younger adults.
The United States is having its worst year for reported measles cases since 1991.
The CDC had recorded 3,471 confirmed cases in 2026 (as of September 18), already exceeding the 2,289 reported during all of 2025.
About 95% of this year’s cases were linked to outbreaks.
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. That meant continuous domestic transmission had been interrupted, not that the virus had disappeared worldwide or could never return.
Travel-related infections can still introduce it. When the virus reaches communities with gaps in immunity, it can spread quickly.
Measles is extraordinarily contagious.
It spreads through the air and can remain infectious for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Up to nine out of ten unprotected people close to someone with measles can become infected.
People can also spread the virus before the telltale rash appears.
The illness often begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash follows, usually starting on the face and spreading downward.
Complications can include pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death. Young children, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems face greater risks.
Declining vaccination coverage is leaving more communities vulnerable. National averages can also hide local pockets where protection is much lower.
Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Checking vaccination records is a practical step, especially before travel or during a local outbreak. A healthcare professional can advise whether additional protection is needed.
If you suspect measles, call ahead before visiting a clinic so staff can arrange care without exposing other patients.
Learn more:
“Measles Cases and Outbreaks.” CDC
Leprosy is rising in Florida.
The state reported 36 cases in 2025. By July 29, 2026, another 17 had been reported, including seven in Central Florida, according to state health data cited by ClickOrlando.
The disease has a history stretching back at least 4,000 years. Researchers identified evidence of leprosy in a human skeleton from India dating to around 2000 B.C.
Leprosy is caused by bacteria and is believed to pass between people through respiratory droplets during prolonged, close contact with someone who is untreated.
Today, an unexpected animal is part of the story: the armadillo.
Some armadillos in the southern United States naturally carry the bacteria that cause leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. They can serve as an animal reservoir, allowing the bacteria to persist outside human populations.
University of Florida physician Dr. Norman Beatty said he has treated patients who handled armadillos or worked in soil around their burrows. Doctors are urging people to avoid handling the animals and use caution around areas where they dig.
Those exposure histories do not prove that armadillos caused every case reported in Florida.
Leprosy develops slowly. Symptoms can take years, sometimes up to 20 years, to appear. Cases diagnosed this year may therefore reflect infections acquired long ago.
The disease primarily affects the skin and nerves. A discolored skin patch with reduced sensation is an important warning sign because nerve damage can make injuries harder to notice.
But leprosy is difficult to catch. The CDC says about 95% of people have natural immune protection, and the risk of infection from armadillos is very low. It does not spread through casual contact such as shaking hands or sitting beside someone.
Leprosy is also curable with antibiotics. Recognizing it early can help prevent lasting nerve damage.
Learn more:
“Leprosy cases are on the rise in Florida. Here’s how to reduce your risk.” Independent
Pay an ATM fee? You may be eligible for a share of a $167.5 million settlement. Check your eligibility here
https://www.wesh.com/article/atm-fee-settlement-mastercard-visa/73889820
THIRD DENGUE CASE: The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is notifying residents of a third locally acquired case of dengue and says health officials are working with the Pasco County Mosquito Control District on surveillance and prevention efforts.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, severe muscle and joint pain and, in some cases, a rash. Respiratory symptoms are typically not associated with the illness.
According to health officials, symptoms can appear within 15 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.
Dengue fever is not considered contagious through ordinary person-to-person contact. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.
Health officials are urging residents to take precautions to reduce mosquito exposure and eliminate potential breeding areas around their homes and businesses.
Residents should drain standing water at least once a week from areas including flowerpots, buckets, birdbaths, pet water bowls, gutters, tarps, pool covers and other containers that can collect rainwater.
People are also encouraged to cover exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and pants when practical and to use a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent according to label directions. Window and door screens should also be checked to ensure they are in good condition.
The Florida Department of Health continues statewide surveillance for several mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue.
Residents who experience symptoms consistent with dengue should contact a healthcare provider.
The announcement of the third locally acquired case comes as Pasco County officials continue efforts to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness and encourage residents to follow the state’s “Drain and Cover” recommendations.
Boston told Flock to keep its camera data locked down. Flock let the whole country in anyway.
Now the city’s done with Flock for good.
Boston police ran roughly 45 Flock license plate cameras from April 1 to Sept. 4, 2025. The contract said sharing was disabled, and BPD confirmed the settings were off. Three days in, police discovered outside law enforcement agencies could pull Boston drivers’ plate and vehicle info through a nationwide lookup the vendor had switched on by mistake.
Which agencies looked? What did they search? The report doesn’t say.
Mayor Michelle Wu says the city has abandoned the system.
Turns out a contract is only as strong as a settings toggle.
