Maine bans toxic ‘forever chemicals’ under groundbreaking new law
Maine has enacted a groundbreaking law that will ban the use of toxic PFAS compounds in all products by 2030, except in instances deemed “currently unavoidable”.
North & Central America
This archive covers progress stories from North and Central America, spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the nations of Central America. Readers will find reporting on health, environment, community resilience, and policy advances across the region.
Walmart to pay 100% of college tuition plus books for its workers
Walmart will be investing nearly $1 billion over the next five years to help roughly 1.5 million part-time and full-time Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in the U.S. earn college degrees or learn trade skills.
U.S. FDA allows automatic ‘generic’ swap for brand-name insulin
The move will allow pharmacists to automatically substitute the cheaper version, just as they do with generic pills for other kinds of drugs. It could save diabetics and health plans millions of dollars annually.
Bayer to pull glyphosate products, including Roundup, from U.S. home and garden market
In 2015, the World Health Organization declared that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Bayer now faces tens of thousands of legal claims from U.S. customers.
Psychedelics company approved for PTSD therapy study using MDMA in Canada
During the study, research, medical, and therapist staff at Numinus will collect data on the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy to inform Health Canada and support making MDMA-assisted therapy available to individuals living with PTSD in Canada.
Whatcom County in Washington State first in U.S. to ban new fossil fuel infrastructure
Whatcom County’s council unanimously passed a measure that bans the construction of new refineries, coal-fired power plants and other fossil fuel-related infrastructure.
Survival rates are improving every year for most of the common cancers in U.S.
The report, appearing in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, reflects good news for 11 of the 19 most common cancers among men, and for 14 of the 20 most common cancers among women.
Kataluna Enriquez will be the first trans woman to compete in Miss USA pageant
After winning the Miss Nevada USA pageant this past Sunday, Kataluna Enriquez will become the first transgender woman to compete in the national Miss USA pageant.
Biden administration will create non-binary X gender marker for U.S. passports
The State Department just announced that non-binary people will have an option for the gender marker on their U.S. passports and that transgender people will be able to correct the gender marker on their passports without “medical certification” that they are transitioning.
Mexico’s supreme court decriminalizes recreational use of cannabis
The decisive 8-3 ruling comes after advocates pushed for decriminalization as a means to reduce drug-fueled cartel violence in the country.