Federal Report Criticizes EPA's Response to Lead in Michigan City's Water Supply
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
Federal Report Criticizes EPA's Response to Lead in Michigan City's Water Supply
Federal Report Criticizes , EPA's Response to Lead in , Michigan City's Water Supply.
According to a new report, high levels of lead in drinking water in an impoverished Michigan city were not quickly reported to U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) leadership.
.
Fox News reports that the EPA said that staff monitoring the state's response failed to "elevate"
the issue of health risks to the city's residents.
.
In October of 2018, the Benton Harbor water system
was notified by the state that water samples
tested for lead had exceeded 15 parts per billion.
Fox News reports that those numbers remained high
through 2021, when the issue gained national attention.
At the time, residents were told to switch to
bottled water for basic needs while state officials
worked to quickly remove the city's lead pipes.
In 2016, the EPA passed its Policy on Elevation of
Critical Public Health Issues following a similar
lead-contaminated water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
In February of 2022, federal auditors announced
a probe into the government's response to
lead contamination in Benton Harbor.
.
Because the elevation policy was not
used, the Office of the Administrator’s
senior-level team did not have an
opportunity to assess and recommend
steps for resolving elevated lead levels
in the Benton Harbor water system, Federal auditors' report on EPA response, via Fox News.
According to Cyndi Roper, the Natural Resources Defense Council's senior policy advocate, the Benton Harbor response was , "another abject failure of the EPA.".
The EPA must do better to end the
public health disaster linked to lead-
contaminated drinking water, starting
with issuing and enforcing a new federal
lead and copper rule that will finally tackle
the lead crisis, so no other community
is poisoned by leaded tap water, Federal auditors' report on EPA response, via Fox News
US Water System May Be , Vulnerable to Cyberattack, by China, Russia and Iran.
CNBC reports that the United States
water system has been the target of a series
of cyberattacks over the past few years. .
In response, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has been forced to issue an alert warning
that 70% of water systems do not comply
with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
According to the EPA, some have “alarming
cybersecurity vulnerabilities,” including
unchanged default passwords and former
employees who retain access to vital systems.
In February, the FBI issued a warning to
Congress that Chinese hackers have embedded
themselves into the U.S. cyber infrastructure. .
Those hackers have targeted water treatment
plants, the electrical grid, transportation
systems and other vital infrastructure.
Those hackers have targeted water treatment
plants, the electrical grid, transportation
systems and other vital infrastructure.
Water is among
the least mature
in terms of security, Adam Isles, head of cybersecurity
practice for Chertoff Group, via CNBC.
Stuart Madnick, an MIT professor of engineering
systems and co-founder of Cybersecurity at
MIT Sloan, warns that an attack that shuts off
water to the population is the main concern.
We have demonstrated in our
lab how operations, such as
a water plant, could be shut
down not just for hours or
days, but for weeks, Adam Isles, head of cybersecurity
practice for Chertoff Group, via CNBC.
Recently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sent a letter
to governors stressing the urgency of the threat. .
Recently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sent a letter
to governors stressing the urgency of the threat. .
CNBC reports that budgets, outdated
infrastructure and an overall reluctance to take
action may prevent necessary fixes from
being made before a serious attack.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA's New Limits on PFAS , in Drinking Water Could Be , Upended by the Supreme Court.
'Newsweek' reports that the United States Supreme Court
is scheduled to hear a case against new water rules put
in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
'Newsweek' reports that the United States Supreme Court
is scheduled to hear a case against new water rules put
in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In April, new national limits were placed on per-
and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the nation's
drinking water, otherwise known as PFAS. .
Also known as "forever chemicals,"
PFAS have been linked to a number of
health concerns, including cancer.
According to the EPA, of the 66,000 public drinking water
systems impacted by the new limits, an estimated 6% to
10% will need to make updates to meet the new standards.
According to San Francisco, the EPA's new
"narrative" regulations fail to meet the Clean Water
Act's requirement to lay out clear restrictions.
The lawsuit headed to the Supreme Court accuses the EPA of setting vague rules without quantifiable standards.
Rather than specify pollutant limits
that tell the permitholder how much
they need to control their discharges
as required by the CWA, these
prohibitions effectively tell
permitholders nothing more than
not to cause 'too much' pollution, Lawyers representing San Francisco, via 'Newsweek'.
These generic water quality terms
expose San Francisco and numerous
permitholders nationwide to
enforcement actions while failing
to tell them how much they need
to limit or treat their discharges
to comply with the Act, Lawyers representing San Francisco, via 'Newsweek'.
We simply want to know in advance
what requirements apply to us, and
we want the EPA to fulfil its duty
under the Clean Water Act to
determine those requirements. , Lawyers representing San Francisco, via 'Newsweek'.
'Newsweek' points out that the Supreme Court has sided against
the EPA in the past, most recently in 2022 when it ruled
6-3 against the Biden administration's climate agenda. .
'Newsweek' points out that the Supreme Court has sided against
the EPA in the past, most recently in 2022 when it ruled
6-3 against the Biden administration's climate agenda.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA Issues , National Drinking Water Warning.
On May 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a countrywide alert urging water utilities to take immediate action to safeguard drinking water from cyberattacks. .
On May 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a countrywide alert urging water utilities to take immediate action to safeguard drinking water from cyberattacks. .
The agency said that recent inspections indicate that 70% of water systems in America don't comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, 'Newsweek' reports. .
Some water utility systems have "critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities, such as default passwords that have not been updated and single logins that can easily be compromised.".
Cyberattacks have the potential to disrupt water treatment and storage, damage equipment.
and change chemical levels to dangerous amounts.
In many cases, systems are not doing what
they are supposed to be doing, which is to
have completed a risk assessment of their
vulnerabilities that includes cybersecurity
and to make sure that plan is available
and informing the way they do business. , EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe, via press release.
According to the EPA's warning,
countries like China, Russia and Iran.
have "disrupted some water systems with cyberattacks and may have embedded the capability to disable them in the future.".
Drinking water and wastewater systems
are an attractive target for cyberattacks
because they are a lifeline critical
infrastructure sector but often lack
the resources and technical capacity to
adopt rigorous cybersecurity practices, Michael S. Regan, EPA administrator, and White House National Security
Adviser Jake Sullivan, via March 18 letter to all 50 U.S. governors.
The EPA is offering to train water utilities
at no cost to correct some of the issues, .
but other issues are more complex and costly,
which many utilities companies aren't equipped for. .
Certainly, cybersecurity is part of that,
but that's never been their primary expertise.
So, now you're asking a water utility to
develop this whole new sort of department, Amy Hardberger, water expert at Texas Tech University, to AP
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Fox News reporter Peter Doocy and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clashed over President Biden's plan to limit events after 8 PM. Doocy sarcastically questioned late-night decision-making, while Jean-Pierre insisted Biden was joking. The exchange highlighted tensions between the press and the White House. Biden's campaign team defended his schedule, comparing it to previous presidents and contrasting it with Trump's habits.
#FoxNews #PeterDoocy #KarineJeanPierre #WhiteHouse #WhiteHousePressBrief #WhiteHousenews #USnews #Biden #JoeBiden #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~HT.178~PR.320~ED.101~GR.124~
Spinach Recalled , After Testing Positive for Listeria.
Over 40 spinach products are being recalled after testing positive for the bacterial illness, according to federal health officials. .
The recall for "Fresh Spinach" was issued by
Solata Foods LLC in New York, Fox News reports. .
The spinach was tested by the New York State Department
of Agriculture and Market Food Inspectors.
Listeria was found in a "9-ounce package of Bogopa fresh spinach," Fox News reports. .
Production of the product has been halted.
Consumers are being advised to
return the affected product for a refund. .
No illnesses have been reported yet.
People who consume listeria can
develop listeriosis, which ranges in
severity and can last up to several weeks.
Symptoms include "fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea," Fox News reports.
Serious cases can result in "headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions," Fox News reports.
The bacterial infection can be fatal in
children and other susceptible people.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Boycotts Lead SXSW to, Drop US Military Sponsors, for 2025 Festival.
On June 26, South by Southwest (SXSW) announced that the
United States Army would no longer be sponsoring the
2025 festival after boycotts by artists and panelists occurred in 2024.
On June 26, South by Southwest (SXSW) announced that the
United States Army would no longer be sponsoring the
2025 festival after boycotts by artists and panelists occurred in 2024.
After careful consideration,
we are revising our sponsorship
model. As a result, the U.S. Army,
and companies who engage in
weapons manufacturing, will
not be sponsors of SXSW 2025, SXSW statement, via Fox News.
Fox News reports that over 80 artists and panelists pulled
out of the 2024 festival "in solidarity with Palestine,"
according to the Austin for Palestine coalition.
Fox News reports that over 80 artists and panelists pulled
out of the 2024 festival "in solidarity with Palestine,"
according to the Austin for Palestine coalition.
The group called for a boycott of SXSW
over the organization's ties to the U.S. military
and weapons-manufacturing companies. .
In 2024, the U.S. Army, Defense Department, , Raytheon and L3Harris , all sponsored the SXSW festival.
In 2024, the U.S. Army, Defense Department, , Raytheon and L3Harris , all sponsored the SXSW festival.
We appreciated the opportunity
to join South by Southwest in 2024.
With U.S. Army Futures Command
headquartered in Austin, we value
any opportunity to join with our
community to ignite discovery
and make new connections. , Lt. Col. Jamie Dobson, U.S. Army Futures Command Spokesperson, via Fox News Digital.
The Army will continue to
seek opportunities to meet
technology innovators and
leaders, explore new ideas
and insights, and create dynamic
industry partnerships because
tomorrow is worth protecting. , Lt. Col. Jamie Dobson, U.S. Army Futures Command Spokesperson, via Fox News Digital.
Bands and artists participating in the boycott,
including Squirrel Flower, Scowl and Okay Shalom,
explained why they protested the 2024 festival. .
There are many ways SXSW is harmful
to working musicians, but I am pulling
out specifically because of the fact
that SXSW is platforming defense
contractors including Raytheon
subsidiaries as well as the U.S. Army,
a main sponsor of the festival, Squirrel Flower, also known as
Ella Williams, via Instagram.
Genocide profiteers like Raytheon
supply weapons to the IDF, paid for
by our taxes. A music festival should
not include war profiteers. I refuse
to be complicit in this and withdrawl
[sic] my art and labor in protest, Squirrel Flower, also known as
Ella Williams, via Instagram.
Genocide profiteers like Raytheon
supply weapons to the IDF, paid for
by our taxes. A music festival should
not include war profiteers. I refuse
to be complicit in this and withdrawl
[sic] my art and labor in protest, Squirrel Flower, also known as
Ella Williams, via Instagram
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
McDonald’s Ends , AI Drive-Thru Test With IBM.
Fox News reports that McDonald's has decided to end its artificial intelligence drive-thru program. .
According to 'Restaurant Business,'
McDonald's Chief Restaurant Officer Mason Smoot said
the decision was made "after a thoughtful review.".
McDonald's has decided to end
our current partnership with IBM
on AOT [automated order taking]
and the technology will be shut
off in all restaurants currently testing
it no later than July 26, 2024, Mason Smoot, McDonald's Chief
Restaurant Officer, via Fox News.
The program, which started
in 2021, saw over 100 McDonald's
locations help test the new technology.
While there have been successes
to date, we feel there is an
opportunity to explore voice
ordering solutions more broadly, Mason Smoot, McDonald's Chief
Restaurant Officer, via Fox News.
According to Smoot, McDonald's will make
"an informed decision on a future voice
ordering solution by the end of the year." .
The goal of the test was
to determine if an automated
voice ordering solution could
simplify operations for crew
and create a faster, improved
experience for our fans, McDonald's statement, via Fox News.
The company echoed Smoot's sentiment in
a statement to Fox News, while also addressing
the future of AI programs at McDonald's.
After thoughtful review, McDonald’s
has decided to end our current global
partnership with IBM on AOT beyond
this year. IBM remains a trusted
partner and we will still utilize
many of their products
across our global system, McDonald's statement, via Fox News.
We see tremendous opportunity in
advancing our restaurant technology
and will continue to evaluate
long-term, scalable solutions that
will help us make an informed decision
on a future voice ordering solution
by the end of the year, McDonald's statement, via Fox News.
We see tremendous opportunity in
advancing our restaurant technology
and will continue to evaluate
long-term, scalable solutions that
will help us make an informed decision
on a future voice ordering solution
by the end of the year, McDonald's statement, via Fox News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
George Strait Sets New , US Concert Attendance Record.
Strait played in front of 110,905 fans at Texas A&M's Kyle Field on June 15, Fox News reports. .
The feat broke the all-time concert attendance record in the U.S. which was previously held by the Grateful Dead. .
The feat broke the all-time concert attendance record in the U.S. which was previously held by the Grateful Dead. .
In 1977, the Grateful Dead played to
107,019 fans at New Jersey's Raceway Park. .
Breaking records isn't anything new for Strait.
He has the most No. 1 singles in any music genre, and he's the only musician to get a top 10 hit every year for the past three decades, Fox News reports. .
He's also had the most No. 1 country albums, selling over 120 million records globally.
Among those in attendance at Kyle Field on
June 15 were Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz.
Among those in attendance at Kyle Field on
June 15 were Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Court Refuses to Revive , Charges Against Key Figures , in Flint Water Scandal.
On September 20, the Michigan Supreme Court
rejected an effort to revive criminal charges against
seven people..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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