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☆ Over a million boomers on Medicare could save big on prescription drugs next year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSome Medicare recipients could save thousands of dollars on out-of-pocket drug costs next year as even more boomers reach their spending threshold. In 2023, 50.5 million Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Part D plans. About 65 million people in total are enrolled in Medicare, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. If the national cost cap had been in place in 2021, KFF estimates that 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries would have seen relief. Are you a Medicare beneficiary who has seen relief from the out-of-pocket drug cost cap?

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, California Medicare enrollees Organizations: Service, Medicare, Business, Kaiser Family Foundation, Institute, Social Security, Centers, Medicaid Services, California Medicare, Services Locations: California, California , Florida , Texas , New York, Pennsylvania

☆ Data from sponges suggest the world has overshot a climate limit, new study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

These findings, published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change, are alarming but also controversial. Other scientists say the study contains too many uncertainties and limitations to draw such firm conclusions and could end up confusing public understanding of climate change. Researchers say the results also suggest global temperature could overshoot 2 degrees of warming by the end of the decade. Changing that baseline would mean the world has already warmed at least 1.7 degrees (scientists say long-term global warming currently stands at between 1.2 to 1.3 degrees). Whatever the baseline for measuring global warming, what remains clear, experts say, is that the impacts will worsen with every fraction of a degree of warming.

Persons: ” Malcolm McCulloch, Gavin Schmidt, ”, Gabi Hegerl, Yadvinder Malhi, It’s, Amos Winter, Joeri Rogelj, “, Winter Organizations: CNN, University of Western, NASA, University of Edinburgh, Environmental, Institute, University of Oxford, Indiana State University, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London Locations: Puerto Rico, Caribbean, Paris, University of Western Australia

☆ Global warming: Humanity just lived through the hottest 12 months in at least 125,000 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

A temperature display reading 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius) in Houston, Texas, on June 21, 2023. “October 2023 has seen exceptional temperature anomalies, following on from four months of global temperature records being obliterated,” Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus, said in a statement. Every month since June has smashed monthly heat records and every month since July has been at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The year to-date is averaging 1.43 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to Copernicus — perilously close to the internationally agreed ambition to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. China saw more than 12 monthly temperature records broken on Monday, with temperatures reaching 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) in some places.

Persons: ” David Reay, Niño, ” Andrew Pershing, “, Chen Chen, Samantha Burgess, Copernicus, ” Hannah Cloke, Hurricane Otis, ” Reay, it’s what’s, Friederike Otto, ”, “ El Niño, ” Pershing, ” CNN’s Robert Shackelford, Sara Tonks, Brandon Miller Organizations: CNN, University of Edinburgh, Climate, University of Reading, Hurricane, Southern, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, UN Locations: Edinburgh, India, United States, South, Southwest, Houston, Iceland, Lesotho, Houston , Texas, Xinhua, Southern Mexico, China, Texas, Dubai, Paris

That is especially concerning for parents of younger kids and those whose disabilities can make finding child care an extra challenge. One failed legislative proposal would have let students in four-day districts transfer or attend private schools, with their home districts picking up the tab. “If everybody becomes a four-day school week,” she said, “that is no longer a recruitment strategy.”In some communities, a four-day week is better for families. “They’re making the shift to the four-day week because all the districts around them have adopted a four-day week,” he said. However, the Rand Corporation found achievement differences in four-day districts, while initially hard to spot, became apparent over multiple years.

Persons: — It's, Callahan, contorts, Keegan, ”, Hudson, Brandi Pruente, “, Paul Thompson, Harry Truman, Dale Herl, Jon Turner, Margie Vandeven, Tony Warren, Warren, Thompson, Karyn Lewis, Will Pierce, hasn't, Frank James Perrone Organizations: French, Oregon State University, Economic Commission, Missouri State University, Rand Corporation, Indiana University, Associated Press, Carnegie Corporation of New, AP Locations: Mo, U.S, Independence , Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, Independence, Turner, Montana, Denver, 27J, ”, Carnegie Corporation of New York

☆ As the sea warms, struggling Cambodian fishermen seek to preserve crab stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Thomas Suen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Fisherman Ung Bun, 39, sits in his boat out at sea off the coast of Cambodia's southern Kep province, Cambodia August 18, 2023. Ung Bun dropped the crab - a male that was too small - back into the sea. The Cambodia government's crab releasing campaign dates back to 2010 but this year it began working with Wild Earth Allies, a non-profit organisation. I can hardly afford to buy gasoline to go out to fish or pay for my children's school fees, and so I face problems with my family," Ung Bun said. "If the villagers see my work, many would not understand what I'm doing," Ung Bun said.

Persons: Bun, Thomas Suen, Ung Bun, Ung, hasn't, Kay Johnson, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, University of Maine's, Allies, Thomson Locations: Kep province, Cambodia, Kep, Kampot

☆ House Democrats see the Biden Administration's crusade against junk fees as a winning strategy for 2024 and are joining in on the fight against the 'hidden and deceptive' add-ons
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In October 2022, the Biden Administration announced its plans to fight against hidden "junk fees." House Democrats now see it as a winning issue and are planning more than a dozen events addressing it. According to a recent report from the Associated Press, with assistance from the Progressive Change Institute, some House Democrats have already held events addressing junk fees and there are at least a dozen or more planned across the country. Speaking to the AP, House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries said that "House Democrats will continue to work with President Biden to fight these excessive fees, hold corporations accountable and lower costs for families across the country." The push from House Democrats comes at a time when the party is attempting to regain the majority in the House of Representatives, which it lost control of in the 2022 midterm elections.

Persons: It's, Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, Elissa Slotkin, Democratic Sen, Debbie Stabenow Organizations: Biden Administration, Ticketmaster, House Democrats, Service, Democrats, White House, Entertainment, Associated Press, Progressive Change Institute, AP, Democratic, Senate, Representatives Locations: Wall, Silicon, New York , Alabama

☆ What This Year’s ‘Astonishing’ Ocean Heat Means for the Planet
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Elena Shao | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly on July 31, 2023 –6°F 0° +6° +9° Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly on July 31, 2023 –6°F 0° +6° +9°What This Year’s ‘Astonishing’ Ocean Heat Means for the PlanetBrutal heat waves have baked the world this summer and they haven’t been contained to land. Note: Average sea surface temperatures for ocean areas between 60 degrees north and 60 degrees south latitude are shown. The planet’s average sea surface temperature spiked to a record high in April and the ocean has remained exceptionally warm ever since. Some have suggested that international rules aimed at reducing air pollution from maritime shipping could have inadvertently increased ocean warming. Warmer ocean temperatures also provide more fodder for tropical cyclones and atmospheric river storms.

Persons: Jan, ”, Gregory Johnson, El, Michelle L’Heureux, Zeke Hausfather, Hausfather, El Niño, von Schuckmann, Dr, Johnson Organizations: Mar, University of Maine, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Locations: Atlantic, Florida, Berkeley, Tonga

Tracking Heat Across the WorldAn onslaught of heat waves is gripping parts of the Northern Hemisphere, as some cities face dangerously high temperatures. Where Tuesday’s maximum temperature forecasts were extremely high 70 °F 80 °F 90 °F 100 °F 110 °F 120 °F AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA Source: Climate Reanalyzer, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, using data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Forecast SystemIn Europe, much of Italy is engulfed by the heat, with temperatures expected to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) in the central and southern part of the country. Soaring temperatures and strong winds have fueled wildfires in seaside towns in Greece, the Canary Islands and a coastal village in Croatia. Where Tuesday’s forecast temperatures were warmer than normal Degrees warmer or cooler than the 1979-2000 average for July 18 +0 °F +5 °F +10 °F +15 °F AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA N. AMERICA ASIA EUROPE S. AMERICA AUSTRALIA Source: Climate Reanalyzer, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, using data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Forecast SystemLast month was Earth’s warmest June on record, according to researchers at the World Meteorological Organization, and scientists have said that the first two weeks of July have been the hottest since at least 1940. Hot surface air temperatures have been accompanied by marine heat waves, too.

Persons: El Organizations: Northern, AMERICA, Change Institute, University of Maine, National Centers for, World Meteorological Organization Locations: AFRICA, AMERICA ASIA EUROPE, AMERICA AUSTRALIA AFRICA, Italy, Greece, Croatia, China, United States, California, Arizona , Texas, Waters, Florida, Caribbean

“The excesses of the Supreme Court are going to backfire,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat. “The Supreme Court is becoming not just conservative, but almost – it’s like a throwback. For months the White House publicly said there was no alternative plan if the Supreme Court struck down the student debt relief program. The White House also stayed in touch with and fielded suggestions for next steps from debt relief advocate groups and congressional allies throughout the process. A team from the White House counsel’s office came to brief him on the ruling.

Persons: Joe Biden wasn’t, ”, Biden, Donald Trump –, Ritchie Torres, “, Roe, Wade, it’s, ” Biden, hasn’t, we’re, Jeff Zients, –, Natalie Quillian, “ I’m, cancelation, Wisdom Cole, galvanizing, Congress –, Adam Green Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Biden, New, New York Democrat, Republican Party, Seagram, MSNBC, White House, White, Council, National Economic Council, Department of Education, Department of Justice, Justice Department and Education Department, Higher, Youth & College, NAACP, Congress, Progressive, Institute Locations: New York, New York City

☆ Here’s How Much Hotter Than Normal This June Has Been
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Elena Shao | Raymond Zhong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

64° F June 11, 2023 62° 2022 60° 1979-2021 58° Global Daily Average Air Temperatures 56° 54° 52° 50° Jan. 1 Mar. “We’re putting heat into the system — through climate change, through the greenhouse effect — and that heat is going to manifest. NOAA last month said there was a 40 percent chance that this year’s hurricane season would be near normal. But it also assigned 30 percent probabilities to the season’s being above or below normal. There’s another factor that could also have made the world hotter recently, though it’s not clear how much.

Persons: ” Rick Spinrad, “, Spinrad, El Niño, it’s, Daniel L, Swain, Dr, ” Organizations: University of Maine, National Centers for, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, University of California Locations: Canada, United States, Siberia, Antarctica, El, Pacific, Tonga, Los Angeles

☆ How did Democrats make it so close in the House midterm elections?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +18 min

While the GOP did still take the House, the close margin of victory was a performance well below what was possible. Here are eight perspectives from across the ideological spectrum on why the Democrats were able to make it so close. And this reality was essential given the defection of Black and Latino voters to the Republican Party and its candidates. America can credit Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin’s obstruction of a democracy bill and an economic bill for the narrow Republican House majority. But now, America needs to deal with a Republican House, thanks in good part to Manchin’s obstruction.

☆ As Maine’s winters shorten, tiny ticks threaten state’s mighty moose
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Lauren Owens Lambert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

“We’ve seen that areas with lower moose density tend to have healthier moose with fewer ticks,” said state Moose Biologist Lee Kantar, who is running the study. Maine's moose population is currently the largest of all the lower 48 states at over 60,000 animals, according to state figures, thanks to an ideal habitat and careful management of the annual moose hunt. Kantar is now leading research to test whether thinning the moose population through increased hunting can help. It is unclear, he said, what an ideal moose population would be for Maine but he hopes the study will help answer that. Each year, the Maine moose hunt draws around 50,000 applications in a lottery for the 2,000 to 3,000 moose permits typically issued.

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