News

New Mexico Fire Information reports that the South Fork Fire in southern New Mexico has burned 13,921 acres and has impacted 500 structures. It is zero percent contained. The town of Ruidoso has been evacuated and 270 individuals have checked in to shelters in Roswell, and 120 in Capitan. New...Read more about New Mexico Wildfires Lead to Evacuation

The California Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, has proposed a new plan to provide insurance for homes in areas that are at high risk for wildfires. The plan addresses the problem that insurers have been canceling policies for these homes. While the State cannot force insurers to provide...Read more about California Insurance Commissioner Proposes Insurance Strategy

The New York Times reports that a new unpublished study has found evidence of transmission of bird flu between mammals ("Bird Flu Virus Adapted to Sea Mammals, New Sudy Finds," June 7, 20204). The study is based on a genetic analysis of elephant seals, which died in great numbers off...Read more about New Study Finds Bird Flu Spreads Between Mammals

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a report that predicts an "80 percent likelihood that the annual average global temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one of the next five years" (WMO Media Release, June 5, 2024) and an...Read more about World Meteorological Organization Predicts Temperature Rise

The New York Times ("Insiders Warn of OpenAI's Reckless Race to No. 1," June 5, 2024) reports that a group of current and former OpenAI employees are criticizing OpenAI for putting profits and growth ahead of safety. A senior employee formerly involved with managing risk at OpenAI, Dr....Read more about Current and Former OpenAI Employees Warn of Safety Concerns

The New York Times ("Papua New Guinea Landslide Said to Kill at Least 670") reports that a landslide in Papua New Guinea has killed at least 670 people and displaced another 1250.

The article reports that search-and-rescue efforts have been difficult due to access and conditions...Read more about Major Landslide in Papua New Guinea

In "Dangers Grow as Workplaces Become Hotter," the New York Times points out that "Heat kills more people each year than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined, according to the National Weather Service."

The article argues that policy is misaligned with the rising threat. As...Read more about Extreme Heat in Workplaces

The World Health Assembly is meeting in Geneva to develop a treaty to address future pandemics. In "Countries Are Stalled in Talks for Treaty to Prespare World for the Next Pandemic," the New York Times reports that "A major bone of contention in the draft treat is a section called...Read more about World Health Assembly Meets to Discuss Pandemic Treaty

One of the largest hospital chains in the U.S. has been the target of a ransomware attack, limiting access to patient records and slowing patient care (New York Times, "Patient Care Delayed as Fallout from Hack on Hospitals Persists").

A 2023 University of Minnesota report found that...Read more about Ascencion Endures Ransomware Attack

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that the EPA and the Department of Justice had reached a $310 million settlement with Norfolk Southern for the February, 2023 train derailement in East Palestine, Ohio. During the incident, thirty-eight freight cars derailed, dumping vinyl...Read more about Norfolk Southern Derailement Settleement

In "Farm Animals are Hauled All Over U.S. So Are Their Pathogens," The New York Times reports on national shipment of chickens, cows and pigs and examines the role this transport plays in spreading the bird flu pathogenRead more about Long-Distance Transport of Farm Animals Can Increase Bird Flu Spread

In "Homewoners Feel Pinch as Insurers' Losses Rise," The New York Times reports that insurers lost money in 18 states in 2023, up from 8 states in 2013. In California, the highest-cost hazard since 2000 has been from wildfire.

These insurance losses are leading insurers to drop...Read more about Insurer's Losses Lead to Homeowner insurance coverage cancellation

On May 20, after a six year inquiry, the UK Infected Blood Inquiry released its 2000 page report on "why men, women and children in the UK were given infected blood and/or infected blood products; the impact on their families; how the authorities (including government) responded; the...Read more about The UK Releases the Infected Blood Inquiry