Fluoride in drinking water poses enough risk to merit new EPA action, judge says

Fluoride in drinking water poses enough risk to merit new EPA action, judge says

NEW YORK — A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because high levels could pose a risk to the intellectual development of children. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen cautioned that it’s not certain that the amount of fluoride typically added to water is causing lower … Read more

Anna Sorokin eliminated from ‘Dancing With the Stars’ in first round of cuts

Anna Sorokin eliminated from ‘Dancing With the Stars’ in first round of cuts

LOS ANGELES — Anna Sorokin, the convicted con artist who swindled banks, hotels and friends under the guise of being a “heiress” named Anna Delvey, has reached the end of her run on “Dancing With the Stars.” As a controversial casting choice on the competition reality series, Sorokin had to don an ankle monitor on … Read more

Drag queen Pattie Gonia aims to give the climate movement a makeover with joy and laughter

Drag queen Pattie Gonia aims to give the climate movement a makeover with joy and laughter

NEW YORK — Dressed in a sequin-laced, sleeveless top and puffy pink skirt, drag queen Pattie Gonia strides around the stage in white high-heeled boots that come up to the knees, telling the crowd that nature must be a woman. “She is trying to kill us in the most passive-aggressive way possible,” joked Gonia, lip-syncing … Read more

Familiar foes: Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty set for WNBA Finals rematch in playoff semifinals

Familiar foes: Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty set for WNBA Finals rematch in playoff semifinals

NEW YORK — The stage is set for A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces to take on Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty in a star-studded rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals. This time it’s a round sooner. The Liberty and Aces swept their first-round opponents and will meet Sunday in a semifinal … Read more

It’s time to roll up sleeves for new COVID, flu shots

It’s time to roll up sleeves for new COVID, flu shots

WASHINGTON — Fall means it’s time for just about everybody to get up to date on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines – and a lot of older adults also need protection against another risky winter virus, RSV. Yes, you can get your flu and COVID-19 shots at the same time. Don’t call them boosters — … Read more

Last original member of Kool & the Gang to represent group at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Last original member of Kool & the Gang to represent group at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

NEW YORK — You can call the music of Kool & the Gang funky or R&B, soulful or disco, pop or dance. What you cannot call it is partisan. When Iowa’s delegation at this summer’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago announced its vote for the Harris-Walz ticket, they played “Celebration.” That was the same song … Read more

Ex-NYC COVID adviser is fired after video reveals he attended parties during pandemic

Ex-NYC COVID adviser is fired after video reveals he attended parties during pandemic

NEW YORK — A former New York City official who helped coordinate the city’s response to the pandemic was fired from his private-sector job after a recording showed him talking about attending a sex party and other private gatherings when the city was urging people to practice social distancing. Dr. Jay Varma was terminated from … Read more

Can AI make video games more immersive? Some studios turn to AI-fueled NPCs for more interaction

Can AI make video games more immersive? Some studios turn to AI-fueled NPCs for more interaction

LOS ANGELES — For decades, video games have relied on scripted, stilted interactions with non-player characters to help shepherd gamers in their journeys. But as artificial intelligence technology improves, game studios are experimenting with generative AI to help build environments, assist game writers in crafting NPC dialogue and lend video games the improvisational spontaneity once … Read more

UNLV’s starting QB says he will no longer play over ‘representations’ that `were not upheld’

UNLV’s starting QB says he will no longer play over ‘representations’ that `were not upheld’

LAS VEGAS — The starting quarterback for undefeated UNLV announced on social media Tuesday that he will not play in any more games this season. Matthew Sluka said he will instead use his redshirt year. “I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” … Read more

US appeals court says man can sue Pennsylvania over 26 years of solitary confinement

US appeals court says man can sue Pennsylvania over 26 years of solitary confinement

PHILADELPHIA — A man who spent 26 years in solitary confinement despite a history of mental illness can sue Pennsylvania prison officials for alleged cruel and unusual punishment, a U.S. appeals court said in reviving the man’s lawsuit. Roy Lee Williams spent nearly all of his time alone from 1993 until 2019, when a legal … Read more