..."Since deer move, some experts predict 1.5 million accidents yearly. Other sources suggest that deer collision statistics are much higher" On average, 440 people die. There were over 1.8 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. in one year, and State Farm reported 1,288,714 deer collisions. On top of deer-vehicle accidents"..... More at the World Animal Foundation ➜

"How does poverty in the US compare with what’s going on in similar economies? ... ..."The U.S. has one of the highest rates of poverty among Western industrialized nations. Whether the focus is on working-age adults,  children, people over 65 or the population as a whole, the U.S. is near the top in terms of the extent and depth of its poverty. More at The Conversation ➜

"Every year has been catastrophic for Palestinians around the world, but the past 12 months have been unimaginable".... More at The Guardian ➜

"For 365 days we have watched unspeakable horrors unfold in front of our eyes. It is hard to believe that one year later, the same atrocities continue unabated, not only in Gaza but across Palestine and the Middle East"  More at Mondoweiss ➜

..."Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported products, and they are paid not by foreign countries but by American consumers. Economists warn that Trump’s tariff plan would cost a typical family an average of more than $2,600 a year, with poorer families hardest hit; spike inflation as high as 20%; result in 50,000 to 70,000 fewer jobs created each month; slow economic growth; and add about $5.8 trillion in deficits over ten years".....More at Letters from an American

"In the spring of 2022, Gary Bent underwent surgery to remove a bleeding lesion in his brain resulting from melanoma. The procedure left him with severe mobility and cognitive impairments — he couldn’t walk or remember how to read a calendar.
Bent’s physicians said he needed intensive rehabilitation. Luckily, there was a spot available at one of only three facilities in the state that provide that level of care. Then, Bent’s Medicare Advantage plan denied the prior authorization." More at The Connecticut Mirror ➜

"In September, the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) located six earthquakes at Mount Adams, ranging from magnitudes 0.9 to 2.0. Typically, earthquakes at this volcano are located at a rate of about 1 earthquake every 2-3 years. With just one seismic station near the volcano, monitoring capabilities are currently limited. CVO and PNSN plan to install temporary seismic stations in the Mount Adams area, which will allow detection of smaller earthquakes and better estimates of size, location, and depth, information necessary to assess the significance of the activity. Currently, there is no indication that the level of earthquake activity is cause for concern, and the alert level and color code for Mount Adams remain at GREEN / NORMAL. CVO and the PNSN will continue to monitor earthquake activity and release further updates as the situation warrants". More

"When 19-year-old Aleysha Ortiz, told Hartford City Council members in May that the public school system stole her education, she had to memorize her speech......That’s because she was never taught to read or write — despite attending schools in Hartford since she was 6"  More at The Connecticut Mirror ➜

"...In each case, success came after years of persistent efforts by scientists, public health officials and advocates to sway public opinion, often against the deliberate efforts of corporations to undermine them"... More at The Conversation ➜

A political ideology is a certain set of common ethical ideals, principles, and doctrines of a social movement, institution, or group, which promotes the gathering of like minded individuals and groups to pursue and support those common ideals and goals. So, what happens when political leaders outright lie to us or purposely mislead us?... Each one of us has our own opinion in answer to this question, the bottom line is, if we are fed misinformation we are not able to pursue our ideals, as we are being channeled to pursue the goals of those who are lying to us and ignore our own. This happens in different degrees and on both sides of the political spectrum. As an example, please read yesterdays issue of Letters from an American by Heather Cox

Consuming a healthy diet throughout the life-course helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms as well as a range of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions. However, increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in dietary patterns. People are now consuming more foods high in energy, fats, free sugars and salt/sodium, and many people do not eat enough fruit, vegetables and other dietary fibre such as whole grains. More