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Puerto Rico’s rising Hurricane Maria death toll a political matter
Michelle R. Matisons Civil & GovernmentWhy do death tolls matter? Puerto Rico’s experience after Hurricane Maria reveals that deaths are deeply political — and financial. Just as we approach the one-year anniversary of Maria hitting the island, officials added 2,911 names to the list of the dead — from 64 to 2,975. What changed? More growing public frustration on an island already vulnerable to exploitation from its arguably antiquated status as a U.S. colony.
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Tighter opioid laws may not work
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalMore restrictive laws surrounding opioid prescriptions do not always have the results they intended. That appears to be the conclusion of a study published recently in a JAMA Surgery article dated Aug. 22. The study focused on the impact of the October 2014 change of hydrocodone products from Schedule III to Schedule II. The law intended to reduce the total quantity of hydrocodone prescribing, and it did. The number of hydrocodone products (HCP) prescribed across the nation declined significantly. But the recent study noted that the schedule change appears to have resulted in a slight increase in the amount of opioids prescribed initially.
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The environmental rule changes that will impact us the most
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalEven the most diligent climate change policy trackers are having a hard time keeping abreast of recent changes at the federal level. Apparently, the replacement of Scott Pruitt with former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yielded new results when it comes to the big environmental picture. So far, 46 environmental rules have been overturned by the Trump administration, with another 30 proposed rollbacks waiting in the wings. The EPA itself is responsible for one-third of these changes.
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Is a ‘new’ NAFTA in the cards?
Seth Sandronsky ManufacturingThe U.S. and Mexico have reached an initial agreement to change the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). What we also know is that many eyes are Canada, the third nation in NAFTA, now. "It would surprise me if Canada remained outside the agreement," Martin Hart-Landsberg, an author and economics professor at Lewis and Clark College, told MultiBriefs. While details of the new NAFTA remain largely unknown, it appears that there are some improvements.
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American K-12 education needs a massive rethink
Bambi Majumdar EducationFormer Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s new book has recently been a topic of discussion across various news outlets. Duncan’s book offers a critical view of America's schools, which he feels are way behind their international counterparts. He also suggests ways to improve the system so that both teachers and students benefit in the future. American students do not rank in the top 10 in for K-12 or higher education internationally. This does not bode well for the future. Rethinking America’s education system has, therefore, become a priority.
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3 tips for hiring general counsel
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEvery organization can benefit from a formal relationship with general counsel. But how do you know what type of general counsel to get? Are they all the same? Should they be staff or on retainer? What about personality: should they be the same or serve as checks and balances to the team? Getting clear on the reasons it is good for the organization, the purpose the attorney will serve, and the associated costs are necessary steps to ensure a proper vetting process and a successful partnership going forward.
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Texas wildlife commission finally approves air guns for game hunting
John McAdams Recreation & LeisureAfter months of meticulous consideration and debate, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently issued a final decision regarding hunting with air guns and arrow guns (the new term for air bows) at its recent commission meeting in Austin on Aug. 22-23. Starting this fall, air guns and arrow guns that meet certain minimum requirements will be an approved method of take for hunters pursing small and big game in the state of Texas. The commission also approved some changes to the restrictions on archery and crossbow equipment.
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Colorado gets its first spaceport
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveA seven-year wait has paid off for a general aviation airport near Denver, as it has received approval to become only the 11th commercial spaceport in the country. However, not all parties are as pleased with the news and its potential impact. Front Range Airport, less than 8 miles from Denver International Airport, is a two-runway general aviation field with no airline service but a number of based aircraft and private operators. The airport has now been renamed Colorado Air and Space Port following approval by the Federal Aviation Administration, which spent 180 days reviewing the application.
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California fires still burning, new report anticipates more
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalAs California fires still burn, the state has released its fourth Climate Change Assessment, a report that surveys the scientific data and governmental action on climate change preparedness. While today’s environmental news sounds terrible, there’s more to come. By the end of the century, we will witness a 77 percent increase in volume of burning acres. These are just wildfire predictions. There are also anticipated problems with drought, beach erosion, and rising ocean levels to contend with — according to the report.
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The evolution of the school lunch menu
Brian Stack EducationFor anyone in their 30s or older, it comes as no surprise that over the past two decades, America’s palate has evolved and diversified. Tuna casserole and meatloaf dinners have been replaced with meals that have much bolder flavors and are influenced by many ethnic backgrounds. As you might expect, the changing palate for adults also means a new palate for kids, and that has had a big impact on school lunch programs from coast to coast.
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