A New Online Tool to Help Growers Select the Right Cover Crop

"Whether you’re a home gardener or a commercial grower of vegetables, cotton, or other agricultural crops, as soon as the growing season is over, you may want to consider planting cover crops—grasses, legumes and small grains that protect and improve the soil.

Cover crops, which are typically grown off season, help reduce soil erosion, increase organic matter and control weeds. At the same time, they can lessen the effects of extreme weather conditions such as drought and help improve water and air quality as well as wildlife habitat.

But how do you know which cover crops are right for you? Although a lot of information is available about individual cover crops, there’s a need to show how these crops could potentially complement one another when grown together.

An online tool developed by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists is a good place to start..."

Cover crop

EPA Adds Five Hazardous Waste Sites to Superfund’s National Priorities List and Proposes an Additional Seven

"Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adding five hazardous waste sites that pose risks to human health and the environment to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). A separate action includes a proposal to add seven sites to the list.

“Since the creation of the Superfund program 35 years ago, EPA has been addressing the risk to human health and the environment as well as blight to the economy due to contamination left behind by owners and operators,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “Superfund cleanups protect communities’ health, their environments and their economic wellbeing, including some of the country’s most vulnerable populations.”...
The following seven sites have been proposed for addition to the NPL:
• Iowa - PCE Former Dry Cleaner (dry cleaner) in Atlantic, Iowa;
• Illinois - Old American Zinc Plant (zinc smelter) in Fairmont City, Ill.;
• Indiana - West Vermont Drinking Water Contamination (ground water plume) in Indianapolis, Ind.;
• Louisiana - SBA Shipyard (barge construction and maintenance) in Jennings, La.; 
• Nebraska - Iowa-Nebraska Light & Power Co. (former manufactured gas plant) in Norfolk, Neb.; 
• New Jersey - Former Kil-Tone Company (pesticide manufacturer) in Vineland, N.J.; and
• New Mexico - Lea and West Second Street (ground water plume) in Roswell, N.M..." 
Superfund sites

Measuring wage inequality within and across U.S. metropolitan areas, 2003–13

"Rising wage inequality in recent years has brought increased focus on the disparity between the highest wage earners and the lowest wage earners. Less attention, however, has been paid to how wage inequality varies by location or area. By one measure—the ratio of the 90th wage percentile to the 10th wage percentile, sometimes called the “90–10” ratio, inequality increased by 7 percent in the United States between 2003 and 2013. But this increase varied widely by area. The 90–10 ratio increased by over 20 percent in Oakland, CA, and Corvallis, OR, for example, while it declined in several other metropolitan areas in the United States, including three areas in Florida. This article examines how wage inequality varies by metropolitan area and how average wages, occupational composition, geographic location, and the size of the area contribute to the variation in this inequality measure..."
Wage inequality

Revisions to the Worker Protection Standard

"EPA is announcing stronger protections for the nation’s two million agricultural workers and their families working on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. These revisions to the 1992 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard will afford farmworkers similar health protections that are already afforded to workers in other industries.

Read the revised Worker Protection Standard..."
Worker safety

Crime in the United States: 2014

"Today, the FBI is releasing the 2014 edition of its annual report Crime in the United States, a statistical compilation of offense, arrest, and police employee data reported voluntarily by law enforcement agencies that participate in the Bureau’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. This latest report reveals that the estimated number of violent crimes reported by law enforcement to UCR’s Summary Reporting System during 2014 decreased 0.2 percent when compared with 2013 data. And the estimated number of property crimes decreased 4.3 percent from 2013 levels.

Here are some highlights from Crime in the United States, 2014:

• There were an estimated 1,165,383 violent crimes (murder and non-negligent homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults) reported by law enforcement.
• Aggravated assaults accounted for 63.6 percent of the violent crimes reported, while robberies accounted for 28.0 percent, rape 7.2 percent, and murders 1.2 percent.
• There were an estimated 8,277,829 property crimes (burglaries, larceny-thefts, and motor vehicle thefts) reported by law enforcement. Financial losses suffered by victims of these crimes were calculated at approximately $14.3 billion.
• Larceny-theft accounted for 70.8 percent of all property crimes reported, burglary for 20.9 percent, and motor vehicle theft for 8.3 percent
• Police made an estimated 11,205,833 arrests during 2014—498,666 for violent crimes, and 1,553,980 for property crimes. More than 73 percent of those arrested during 2014 were male.
• The highest number of arrests was for drug abuse violations (1,561,231), followed by larceny-theft (1,238,190) and driving under the influence (1,117,852)..."

Crime statistics

Weekly Address: Dispose of Your Expired and Unwanted Prescription Drugs

"In this week's address, on “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day,” the President spoke about the importance of preventing and treating substance use disorders. Overdoses from prescription pain medications kill thousands of Americans every year, and more often than not, those drugs come from the family medicine cabinet. In addition, many heroin users started out by misusing prescription drugs. That’s why it’s important to take advantage of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and safely, conveniently, and responsibly dispose of expired and unwanted prescription drugs at collection sites throughout your community—no questions asked. Drug disposal programs are part of the President’s 2011 Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan, which also included increasing education for prescribers, expanding Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, and pursuing Smart on Crime enforcement. In his address, the President called on us all to continue to work to reduce substance use disorders through evidence-based treatment, prevention, and recovery..."
Unwanted prescription drug disposal

Income and Poverty in the United States: 2014

"This report presents data on income and poverty in the United States based on information collected in the 2015 and earlier Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2013 income and poverty estimates used in this report are based on the 2014 CPS ASEC sample of 30,000 addresses eligible to complete the questionnaire that included redesigned questions for income. These 2013 estimates differ from those released in September 2014. See the text box “Source of Estimates” and Appendix D for more information.

Summary of findings:
 • Real median household income in 2014 was not statistically different from the 2013 median.
 • The official poverty rate in 2014 was not statistically different from 2013.

For most groups, the 2014 income estimates were not statistically different from 2013 estimates. There were a few exceptions. Real median household income increased for households maintained by a foreign-born householder; income declined for non-Hispanic White households, households maintained by a native-born householder, households in the West and those inside principal cities of metropolitan statistical areas. The 2014 poverty rate increased for two groups: people aged 25 and older with at least a bachelor’s degree and married-couple families.

This report contains two main sections; one focuses on income and the other on poverty. Each section presents estimates by characteristics such as race, Hispanic origin, nativity, and region.2 Other topics, such as earnings and family poverty rates are included only in the relevant section..."
Income and poverty

Memory and Healthy Aging

"Some declines in cognition and memory with age are normal, but sometimes they can signal problems. Learn the signs and symptoms of dementia and cognitive impairments so you can help the older adults in your life seek treatment at the right time.

September is Healthy Aging Month, a great time to learn the signs and symptoms associated with dementia and cognitive impairments. Physical activity, social engagement, and a healthy diet help prevent chronic conditions and increase the longevity and quality of life of older adults, but despite engaging in these healthy activities, some adults may develop memory loss or dementia. Some declines in memory are a normal part of aging, but sometimes they can signal a problem. Learn how to tell the difference..."
Memory

Take a Stand on Falls

"Every day, more than 10,000 Americans turn age 65. Among this age group, falls are the leading cause of injury, making falls a growing problem for older adults across the nation. These injuries are treated in an emergency department every 13 seconds and claim a life every 20 minutes. Every year, 1 out of 3 older adults falls, yet less than half tell their doctor about it. Although falls pose various health risks—they can be prevented.

Join us on the first day of fall, September 23rd, along with our sponsoring partner, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Falls Free Initiative to take a stand to prevent falls. Visit the Falls Prevention Awareness DayWeb page and follow the event on social media with the hashtag #FPAD15.Learn more about what communities across the nation are doing to keep older adults healthy, active, and independent longer..."
Falls

EPA, California Notify Volkswagen of Clean Air Act Violations

"Today, EPA is issuing a notice of violation (NOV) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (collectively referred to as Volkswagen). The NOV alleges that four-cylinder Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars from model years 2009-2015 include software that circumvents EPA emissions standards for certain air pollutants. California is separately issuing an In-Use Compliance letter to Volkswagen, and EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have both initiated investigations based on Volkswagen’s alleged actions. 

“Using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards is illegal and a threat to public health,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Working closely with the California Air Resources Board, EPA is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules. EPA will continue to investigate these very serious matters.”

“Working with US EPA we are taking this important step to protect public health thanks to the dogged investigations by our laboratory scientists and staff,” said Air Resources Board Executive Officer Richard Corey. “Our goal now is to ensure that the affected cars are brought into compliance, to dig more deeply into the extent and implications of Volkswagen’s efforts to cheat on clean air rules, and to take appropriate further action.”

As described in the NOV, a sophisticated software algorithm on certain Volkswagen vehicles detects when the car is undergoing official emissions testing, and turns full emissions controls on only during the test. The effectiveness of these vehicles’ pollution emissions control devices is greatly reduced during all normal driving situations. This results in cars that meet emissions standards in the laboratory or testing station, but during normal operation, emit nitrogen oxides, or NOx, at up to 40 times the standard. The software produced by Volkswagen is a “defeat device,” as defined by the Clean Air Act..."
Volkswagen

Executive Order -- Using Behavioral Science Insights to Better Serve the American People

"A growing body of evidence demonstrates that behavioral science insights -- research findings from fields such as behavioral economics and psychology about how people make decisions and act on them -- can be used to design government policies to better serve the American people.

Where Federal policies have been designed to reflect behavioral science insights, they have substantially improved outcomes for the individuals, families, communities, and businesses those policies serve. For example, automatic enrollment and automatic escalation in retirement savings plans have made it easier to save for the future, and have helped Americans accumulate billions of dollars in additional retirement savings. Similarly, streamlining the application process for Federal financial aid has made college more financially accessible for millions of students..."
Behavioral Science

Another Difference Between the Sexes – Health Insurance Coverage

"Today, the Census Bureau, with support from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released its fifth annual report, The Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2014. This measure extends information provided by the official poverty measure by explicitly including benefits from many of the government programs designed to assist low-income families and individuals.

According to the report, the supplemental poverty measure rate was 15.3 percent last year, which was higher than the official measure of 14.9 percent for 2014. Both the supplemental measure rate and the official poverty rate were not significantly different from the corresponding rates in 2013..."
Health Insurance

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month

"In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. Congress expanded the observance in 1989 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) of the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Sept. 15 is the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively...
Hispanic heritage month

Establishment of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announce the appointment of nationally recognized experts to the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (the Advisory Council).
“Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health threat across our country. That’s why it’s so important that we work together to address this challenge,” said HHS Secretary Burwell. “Work is underway to implement a National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, a research-driven plan to identify and coordinate action across the administration to prevent and control outbreaks of resistant pathogens. We have made progress including CDC’s new recommendations for nursing homes to improve antibiotic prescribing. But there is still more to do. I know this council will be important to this effort and provide invaluable advice on our programs, policies and plans to continue our work to combat this growing global threat.”

Antibiotics reduce illness and death from infectious diseases. However, an increasing number of bacterial infections no longer respond to our most powerful antibiotics, putting patients at risk for severe infections and even death. Detecting, preventing, and controlling antibiotic resistance requires a strategic, coordinated, and sustained effort.  The work of the Advisory Council complements other federal efforts, including the National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria. Together, these efforts provide a roadmap to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics, strengthen surveillance, prevent the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, further new research, and improve international coordination..."
Antibiotic-Resistance Bacteria

Prostate Cancer Awareness

"The prostate is a walnut-sized organ located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. It produces fluid that makes up a part of semen. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis and out of the body).

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. Most prostate cancers grow slowly, and don’t cause any health problems in men who have them. Learn about prostate cancer and talk to your doctor before you decide to get tested or treated..."
 Prostate cancer

Comparison Guidance: Income and Poverty

"Last year, the U.S. Census Bureau implemented methodological changes to the 2014Current Population Survey’s Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC). Based onsubstantial research to improve the quality of the data we collect, we redesigned the way we asked the survey questions about income in 2014. Over the course of the past year, we evaluated the effects of the redesign and sought out experts to review and provide feedback on our efforts. Based on the results of our evaluation, we fully implemented the redesign in 2015.

Maintaining the time series means two estimates for 2013 income and poverty. 

In the 2014 ASEC, we introduced the redesigned income questions using a probability split panel design. Of the 98,000 addresses selected to participate in the 2014 ASEC, approximately 68,000 addresses received the traditional set of income questions. The remaining 30,000 addresses received the redesigned income questions.

The split design functions as a bridge for year-to-year comparisons of the data. Last year, we used the traditional income questions to look at changes between 2012 and 2013. This year, we will use the estimates from the sample eligible to receive the redesigned income questions to look at changes between 2013 and 2014..."
Income and poverty

FTC Sends Warning Letters about Green Certification Seals

 "The staff of the Federal Trade Commission has sent warning letters to five providers of environmental certification seals and 32 businesses using those seals, alerting them to the agency’s concerns that the seals could be considered deceptive and may not comply with the FTC’s environmental marketing guidelines.

“Environmental seals and certifications matter to people who want to shop green,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “But if the seals’ claims are broader than the products’ benefits, they can deceive people. We are holding companies accountable for their green claims.”

 

Green certification

Census Business Builder: Small Business Edition

"The Census Business Builder:  Small Business Edition allows small business owners a way to easily navigate to and use key demographic and economic data to help guide their research into opening a new or expanding their existing business.  These key data includes the most recent and/or relevant data that Census provides that are useful to small business owners.

Access tutorial videos below for guidance on using the Census Business Builder too

   Key Features:

• Easy to use menus to select your type of business and potential business location
• An interactive map that allows selection of the area to explore for business opportunities, including comparisons to neighboring areas
• Dynamically generated, downloadable and printable business county- and city-level reports (including trend charts) that can be easily incorporated into your business plan and research..."
  Census Business Builder

 

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Census Bureau to Announce Findings for 2014 Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage, and Supplemental Poverty Measure

"What:The U.S. Census Bureau will hold an online news conference to announce the findings from three reports:Income and Poverty in the United States: 2014, Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2014, and The Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2014. The income and poverty report, as well as the report on the supplemental poverty measure, are both based on the Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey. The health insurance report is based on both the Current Population Survey and the American Community Survey and contains some state-level findings.

The presenter and other subject-matter experts will take questions from reporters following completion of her remarks.

When:Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015
10 a.m. EDT

News conference page:The reports, data tables and news release will be posted online shortly after the news conference begins and can be accessed at <http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2015/income_poverty.html>.

Access: The Census Bureau will broadcast the event live on
<https://www.census.gov/newsroom/census-live.html>..".
Income poverty and health Insurance

National Preparedness Month (September)

September 2015 is National Preparedness Month and you may find resources at FEMA.com to use in preparing for an unexpected natural emergency.
National Preparedness

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics for Labor Day

"The first observance of Labor Day was likely on Sept. 5, 1882, when some 10,000 workers assembled in New York City for a parade. That celebration inspired similar events across the country, and by 1894 more than half the states were observing a “workingmen’s holiday” on one day or another. Later that year, with Congress passing legislation and President Grover Cleveland signing the bill on June 29, the first Monday in September was designated “Labor Day.” This national holiday is a creation of the labor movement in the late 19th century — and pays tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers. .."
Labor Day

In 1965, 45 Percent of Americans Smoked, Today It's Only 15 Percent

"Taxes. Smoking bans. Strong warnings on cigarette packages. PSAs. It seems that public health officials and lawmakers have tried every trick in the book to stop Americans from smoking — and between 2004 and 2009, the number of smokers hardly budged. That’s changing, though, reports HealthDay’s Dennis Thompson — officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just announced that the number of American smokers just hit its lowest rate ever recorded.

The new data shows that just 15.2 percent of Americans smoke, down from 16.8 percent in 2014. The number has fallen dramatically since 1997, when just under 25 percent of Americans smoked. And Thompson writes that it’s especially dramatic when you consider that in 1965, a whopping 45 percent of Americans were smokers..."
Smoking

Safe Online Surfing Internet Challenge Available for New School Year

"The FBI’s Safe Online Surfing (SOS) Internet Challenge—a free, fun, and innovative program that educates students in grades 3-8 on cyber safety and promotes cyber citizenship—is now open for business for the 2015-2016 school year.

The program engages participants in age-appropriate games, videos, and other interactive materials that cover such topics as cell phone safety, protection of personal information, password strength, instant messaging, social networking, and online gaming safety. FBI-SOS is coming off a banner year with the 2014-2015 school year, when a total of 275,656 students completed the exams, more than triple the previous year. Hopefully, the number of participants will continue to increase during this school year.   

Anyone can complete the activities on the FBI-SOS website. The testing and competition, though, is only open—through teachers and/or administrators—to students in grades 3-8 at public, private, or home schools in the U.S. And at the end of each month during the school year, test scores are aggregated, and top-scoring schools receive an award from the FBI.
More information | SOS brochure | FBI-SOS website.."
Safe online surfing

Healthy Swimming Year-Round

"Stay healthy and avoid recreational water illnesses (RWIs) when you swim or use the hot tub/spa by following a few simple steps.

Even though it is frequently associated with summer, swimming is a physical activity many people enjoy all year long. Indoor pools, hot tubs, and even outdoor pools in warm climates are popular year round.

Swimming is a fun activity for people of all ages and offers many health benefits; however, recreational water (water from pools and hot tubs) can also spread germs that cause recreational water illnesses (RWIs). The germs that cause RWIs are spread by swallowing, breathing in the mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. RWIs can also be caused by chemicals in the water or chemicals that vaporize from the water and cause indoor air quality problems..."
Healthy swimming

Emmett Till's Open Casket Funeral Reignited the Civil Rights Movement

"Sixty years ago Jet magazine published photos of the disfigured and decomposed body of slain 14-year-old African American Emmett Till, rattling communities across the country and reigniting a widespread passion for the Civil Rights Movement. These photos were undeniably important to the dissemination of the story of Till’s murder, but it is the actions of young mother Mamie Till Mobley that pushed her son’s tragic death into the international spotlight.

When Mamie held an open casket funeral on September 3, 1955, she urged the world to look at her son’s beaten, swollen body. The body, which was so disfigured that he was only identifiable by the initials on a ring on his finger, was viewed by thousands of people and photographed and published in newspapers and magazines..."
Emmett Till

Sickle Cell Trait Toolkit!

"Did you know that 1.5% of babies born in the United States have Sickle Cell Trait (SCT). That’s almost 1 in every 50 babies! While people with SCT often lead normal lives with few health problems, it is important for people with SCT to be aware of their trait status and the risk of passing it on to their children. The Sickle Cell Trait Toolkit provides valuable information for people with SCT.

What is sickle cell trait?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is inherited when a child receives two sickle cell genes—one from each parent. People who inherit a sickle cell gene from one parent and a normal gene from their other parent have sickle cell trait (SCT). People with SCT usually do not have any of the signs of sickle cell disease and typically live a life without any problems from their sickle cell gene. However, they can pass the trait on to their children. Additionally, there are a few, uncommon health problems[763 KB] that may potentially be related to sickle cell trait.

What is the sickle cell trait toolkit?

CDC, together with the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) , created the Sickle Cell Trait Toolkit, an online collection of educational materials related to SCT. We hope that the tools and resources provided are both helpful and informative, and they empower you or those you know with SCT to learn more and take action..."
Sickle cell trait

Heart Age: Is Your Heart Older Than You?

"Her age is 53. But her heart is 75 years old because she smokes and has uncontrolled high blood pressure. She's not alone because most American adults have a heart that is older than their actual age. One way to understand your risk for a heart attack or stroke is to learn your "heart age." Heart age is the age of your heart and blood vessels as a result of your risk factors for heart attack and stroke. There are some things that put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke that you cannot change such as getting older or your family history; yet there are many others that you can change. If you smoke or have high blood pressure, your heart age will be much higher than your actual age. The most common reasons for a higher heart age that can be changed or managed are: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and diabetes. At any age, you can make your heart younger by making changes that reduce your risk. Even if you haven't had a heart attack or stroke, most US adults have a heart age older than their actual age placing them at greater risk of having one.."
Heart age

New ‘Digest of EEO Law’ Issued By EEO

"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced the latest edition of its federal sector Digest of Equal Employment Opportunity Law.

     This quarterly publication, prepared by EEOC's Office of Federal Operations (OFO),
     features a wide variety of recent Commission decisions and federal court cases of
     interest. Additionally, it contains a special article entitled Gender Identity and Sexual 
    Orientation Coverage Under Title VII Case Law Update: Review of Pre- and Post-Macy 
    Title VII Protections for LGBT Employees.."
EEOC Laws