Cinnamon in contaminated applesauce pouches had ‘extremely high levels of lead,’ FDA says – 2023

One sample of cinnamon used as an ingredient in the recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree contained lead levels that were more than 2,000 times higher than proposed safety limits, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday. The FDA tested samples of the spice as it investigates at least 65 cases of lead poisoning in … Read more

Man accused in 4 deaths lured Washington victims to woods with promise of buried gold, police say – 2023

A Washington man charged with killing one person has been accused of killing three others by luring his alleged victims to the woods by telling them he needed help digging up gold, authorities said. Richard Walter Bradley, 40, pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder Thursday, said the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Bradley … Read more

These parents didn’t know why their children had lead poisoning. An applesauce recall offered clues. – 2023

In the days and months leading up to the Food and Drug Administration’s nationwide recall of WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree in late October, a number of families found themselves frantically searching their homes for sources of lead, desperately trying to understand how their children had been exposed to the heavy metal. “This was a … Read more

Southwest fined $140 million over 2022 holiday flight disruptions – 2023

The Department of Transportation fined Southwest Airlines $140 million for major flight disruptions during the 2022 holiday season and resulted in nearly 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights, the DOT announced Monday. The civil penalty — which the DOT said is 30 times larger than any prior department penalty for consumer protection violations — will … Read more

Strongest solar flare in years could produce auroras, northern lights – 2023

Northern Lights spectacle: The science behind the aurora borealis Ever wonder how the northern lights occur? Unique solar events occasionally allow northern U.S. states to view the aurora borealis. The strongest solar flare in over six years erupted from the sun Thursday afternoon, causing radio blackouts here on Earth, primarily in South America. Within the … Read more

Boston holiday party furor reflects growing anti-DEI sentiment – 2023

Boston mayor defends annual party for elected officials of color Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is defending an annual holiday party for elected officials of color after a mass invitation was accidentally sent out. A mistake involving an invitation to an annual holiday party for elected officials of color in Massachusetts sparked controversy this week, a … Read more

Mississippi police officer faces no charges in shooting of 11-year-old – 2023

A Mississippi police sergeant did not commit any crime when he shot an unarmed 11-year-old boy in his home after his mother called police for help, a grand jury decided. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced Thursday that Sgt. Greg Capers of the Indianola Police Department will face no criminal charges for the shooting. Indianola … Read more