Weekend News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on August 23, 2024
The average price for a gallon of regular gas is on the decline statewide but is increasing slightly locally. The national average price is currently $3.38; the state average is at $3.52 and that’s down a dime from last month. Meanwhile, in Batavia, the average price per gallon calculates out to $3.58, that’s the same as it was a week ago but up 4 pennies from a month ago today.
Governor Hochul says progress is being made in the Empire State against the ongoing opioid and overdose epidemic. Overdose deaths outside of New York City fell 9% during the 12-month period ending in March 2024 compared to the previous one-year period. The state has also distributed almost 700,000 Naloxone kits and nearly 20 million test strips. Anyone struggling with addiction can get assistance 24 hours a day by calling 1-877-8-HOPENY.
Fisher Price and Wegmans are again giving Buffalo Bills fans the chance to take home miniature versions of their favorite players. The latest Little People collection featuring the NFL franchise includes quarterback Josh Allen, linebacker Matt Milano, offensive tackle Dion Dawkins and a member of Bills Mafia. These figures go on sale tomorrow at Wegmans stores and cost $23.99 each. Proceeds will benefit Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Nearly $40 million is being awarded for the next phase of New York’s Youth Employment Program, which aims to reduce gun violence. Governor Hochul says job opportunities and training will be provided to another 2,500 at-risk youth in communities across the state, including Western and Finger Lakes regions. Hochul says the program has already connected thousands of young people with jobs in recent years and helped drive down gun violence. She announced earlier this week that shootings declined 29% through July in communities across New York.
Indigenous people across the state are going to benefit from a new $2.5 million grant to help pay for their dental care. The state Department of Heath said the funding will support and expand care through the American Indian Health Program, which provides access to preventive, medical, and dental care to members of recognized Indigenous nations. Nine nations, including the Seneca, Tonawanda and Tuscarora in Western New York, will be getting dental assistance. Some others include the Onondaga, Saint Regis Mohawk, and Oneida, just to name a few others. Services also include pediatric care, diabetes education, mental health counseling and assistance with enrolling in child and family health programs.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is officially rolling out a newly designed website. The agency says the website will make it easier for drivers to navigate dozens of transactions and get important information from DMV. Key features include an up-to-date content management system, a user-friendly design and additional website security. The web address remains unchanged and is still dmv.ny.gov.
The United Way and Genesee Symphony Orchestra will present Summer Serenade on Saturday, September 7th. The show will be held at Terry Hills in the Banquet Facility and proceeds will benefit the United Way’s Backpack program. Tickets are $50 each and a cash bar will be available. For more information, visit www.unitedwayrocflx.org/summerserenade or contact a GSO member.
A golf tournament will be held at the LeRoy Country Club to benefit Crossroads House and the Emily Holt Scholarship. Mark Saturday, September 7th on your calendar and visit fpcbatavia.org for details.
NBC News Features…
Human beings age faster at two points in their lives, scientists have found. A new study showed that humans have two faster bursts of aging at a molecular level at the ages of 44 and again at 60. Research showed that aging happens this way rather than in a consistent, linear fashion. At those two ages, the ability to metabolize caffeine and alcohol notably decreases, and see they more muscle injuries and fat accumulation.
The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving a long-term mark on society in the form of decreased life expectancy. According to an analysis of all 50 states by the CDC, babies born in a majority of states in 2021 should expect to live a nine-month shorter life than the 79-year average the prior year. That is the case in 38 states, while eleven states held steady or in the case of New Jersey, the projected lifespan increased by a year-and-a-half.
Smoking one or two cigarettes a day before pregnancy can cause health problems for the newborn. Researchers in China studied data from the U.S. and found that light cigarette smoking before pregnancy increased the newborn’s risk of pre-term delivery, low birth weight, restricted fetal growth and other health issues by 16 percent. That risk increased by more than 30 percent if the mother smoked during pregnancy. The findings were published this week in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
The CDC says the U.S. birth rate appears to be at a new low. Data out this week shows the U.S. birth rate fell by nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022, and dropped again last year. The data shows there were about 3-1/2 million registered births in the U.S. in 2023, about two percent fewer than the year before. Population experts say there could be several reasons for the decline, including the high cost of having children, concerns about the future, and that it’s more socially acceptable now to not have children.
The U.S. will restart the government’s free at-home COVID-19 test program next month. Health officials announced Friday that the program will be re-launched ahead of the holiday season as families begin to spend more time indoors. The government has also launched an awareness campaign aimed at those at risk of severe disease. The decisions come as COVID hospitalization and death rates have spiked in the U.S. recently. On Thursday, the FDA approved updated COVID vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer.
A rate cut is likely in September. That’s according to the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s meeting last month. The vast majority of those at the meeting observed that if U.S. financial numbers keep coming in at expectations, then a cut to rates is very probable next month. The rate cut would be the first since the early days of the COVID pandemic. According to the minutes, investors are confident about the direction of inflation.
