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WHO declares Ebola outbreak global health emergency as cases spread into Uganda

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The World Health Organization has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in central Africa a “public health emergency of international concern” after cases linked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo were confirmed in neighboring Uganda.

Health officials say the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a less well-known but still highly dangerous form of the virus.

According to analysis published by The Conversation, the declaration represents the WHO’s highest level of global health alert and is intended to mobilize international cooperation, funding and emergency response efforts. [Read more…] about WHO declares Ebola outbreak global health emergency as cases spread into Uganda

Missouri marijuana workers win union vote after two-year legal battle

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Workers at a marijuana cultivation and manufacturing facility in south St. Louis, Missouri have officially voted to unionize after a two-year dispute over whether they were legally eligible for federal labor protections.

Employees at the Sinse cannabis facility, owned by BeLeaf Medical, won the union vote 11-3 after sealed ballots were finally opened Friday following a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board.

The vote marks a significant labor development within Missouri’s growing marijuana industry, where workers and employers have increasingly clashed over working conditions, representation and labor rights. [Read more…] about Missouri marijuana workers win union vote after two-year legal battle

Missouri lawmakers approve tougher penalties for businesses hiring undocumented workers

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Missouri lawmakers have passed legislation that would give the state attorney general significantly expanded powers to investigate and penalize businesses accused of knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants.

House Bill 2366, sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Vernetti, was approved during the final weeks of the legislative session and now awaits action from Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Supporters say the measure is aimed at businesses that deliberately circumvent labor laws and gain unfair competitive advantages by employing unauthorized workers outside legal hiring systems. [Read more…] about Missouri lawmakers approve tougher penalties for businesses hiring undocumented workers

RFK Jr. says America faces a sperm crisis – but scientists disagree on what it means

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has once again drawn attention to declining sperm counts in men, describing the issue as an “existential crisis” for the United States.

Speaking at a White House event on maternal health last week, Kennedy argued that men today have significantly lower sperm counts than previous generations and suggested the trend reflects a broader decline in American health and fertility.

“The fertility crisis for women began in 2007; for men in 1970,” Kennedy said during the event. “Men had twice the sperm count as our teenagers do today. This is an existential crisis for our country.” [Read more…] about RFK Jr. says America faces a sperm crisis – but scientists disagree on what it means

Why one FDA resignation could affect abortion access across America

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The planned resignation of Marty Makary from the US Food and Drug Administration is creating fresh uncertainty over abortion access across the United States, particularly regarding the future of abortion pills prescribed through telehealth and delivered by mail.

Makary, who faced criticism from anti-abortion groups during his tenure as FDA commissioner, is expected to leave the agency amid growing political pressure from conservative activists and internal tensions within the Trump administration.

The development matters because the FDA now sits at the center of one of the country’s most significant legal and political battles over abortion access. [Read more…] about Why one FDA resignation could affect abortion access across America

US cheese production rises as Italian varieties continue to dominate market growth

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American cheese manufacturers produced more than 1.26 billion pounds of cheese in March 2026, according to newly released figures from the United States Department of Agriculture, highlighting the continued strength of the country’s dairy processing industry.

The latest USDA data showed total cheese production, excluding cottage cheese, increased 1.2 percent compared with March last year and rose 8.1 percent from February 2026 levels.

Italian-style cheeses remained the largest category by volume, with production reaching 542 million pounds during March. That represented an increase of 2.3 percent compared with the same month last year. [Read more…] about US cheese production rises as Italian varieties continue to dominate market growth

Why Trump’s meeting with Xi matters to American jobs, prices and manufacturing

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The meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping last week was dominated by familiar geopolitical flashpoints – trade, technology, Iran and Taiwan – but the broader significance for ordinary Americans may lie much closer to home.

While headlines focused on tensions over Taiwan and military posturing in the Asia-Pacific region, economists and manufacturers will be watching for something more practical: whether Washington and Beijing can stabilize a relationship that remains deeply intertwined with the American economy.

Even after years of tariffs, reshoring initiatives and political hostility between the world’s two largest economies, the United States still relies heavily on China for manufacturing, industrial supply chains, electronics, consumer goods and critical materials. [Read more…] about Why Trump’s meeting with Xi matters to American jobs, prices and manufacturing

Missouri opens applications for specialty crop grants as state seeks to expand fruit and vegetable production

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The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for a new round of grants designed to support specialty crop production across the state, with funding available for projects involving fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, honey, nursery crops and other nontraditional agricultural products.

State officials said applications for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program must be submitted by May 28. Individual producers, universities, nonprofits, research institutions and community organizations are eligible to apply for projects intended to strengthen Missouri’s specialty crop sector.

The program, funded through the US Department of Agriculture, offers grants of up to $50,000 for projects running over a two-year period. [Read more…] about Missouri opens applications for specialty crop grants as state seeks to expand fruit and vegetable production

EU and China are pulling ahead of the US in the global energy transition

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While fossil fuels still dominate much of the global economy, new data suggests the transition toward renewable energy is accelerating rapidly – and the United States risks falling behind Europe and China in the race to build the next generation of energy systems.

A new analysis published by The Better News argues that the global energy transition is already well under way in the electricity sector, with the European Union and China leading large-scale expansion of renewable power generation.

The article, based on analysis by economist Nikolaus Kowall and originally published by Austrian outlet Kontrast.at, says the shift toward renewable electricity is progressing faster than many people realize. [Read more…] about EU and China are pulling ahead of the US in the global energy transition

Missouri lawmakers reject effort to legalize video gambling machines

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Missouri lawmakers have once again rejected efforts to legalize video gambling machines, ending a years-long push to regulate the controversial devices found in gas stations, bars and convenience stores across the state.

According to St. Louis Public Radio, the bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Gaming voted unanimously against the latest proposal on Wednesday, effectively killing the bill for the 2026 legislative session.

The machines – commonly referred to as video lottery terminals, or VLTs – have operated for years in a legal gray area in Missouri. Supporters argued that legalization would allow the state to regulate the machines and collect tax revenue for education programs. [Read more…] about Missouri lawmakers reject effort to legalize video gambling machines