More Than 50,000 Californians Told To Stay Inside Over Dangerous Conditions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
More than 50,000 residents in California have been advised to stay indoors due to dangerous air pollution levels.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued an air quality alert across parts of the Coachella Valley including Indio, Palma Springs, Cathedral City, La Quinta and Coachella.
"Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections," the National Weather Service (NWS) said in a statement.
"Everyone can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk."
Residents are urged to monitor air quality levels, limit or avoid outdoor activities depending on Air Quality Index (AQI) conditions, and take precautions to keep indoor air clean.
Smoke billows into the air following wildfires in Los Angeles in January.
Smoke billows into the air following wildfires in Los Angeles in January.
Caylo Seals/Sipa USA/AP
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Newsweek
Dried Fruit Recall Map Shows 19 States With New Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Turkana Food Inc. has issued a recall for their dried apricots because the package label does not disclose that the product contains sulfites. Newsweek reached out to the company via phone Thursday and left a voicemail. Why It Matters Numerous recalls have been initiated this year due to the potential for the following: damaged products, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens. Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or food allergies every year. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine "major" food allergens in the U.S. are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, Crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts. What To Know According to the FDA alert, the Floria brand dried apricots have an expiration date of November 2026. The impacted product has a LOT number of 440090478-15-333 that can be found at the bottom of the packaging. The product has a UPC Label of 2539560010 that can be seen on a sticker at the top of the package, the FDA says. The dried apricots were distributed in Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Ohio, Alabama, Missouri and California. There have been no reported illnesses as of Thursday, the FDA says. The alert also has pictures of the recalled product that potential customers can cross reference. Below is a map of the impacted states: What People Are Saying The FDA alert in part: "The recall was the result of a routine sampling performed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and markets which revealed that the finished products contained Sulfites that were not listed on the product labelling. The company has ceased production and distribution of the products as FDA and the company continue their investigation to correct the issue with the manufacturer." In an email to Newsweek in January, the FDA said: "Most recalls in the U.S. are carried out voluntarily by the product manufacturer and when a company issues a public warning, typically via news release, to inform the public of a voluntary product recall, the FDA shares that release on our website as a public service. "The FDA's role during a voluntary, firm-initiated, recall is to review the recall strategy, evaluate the health hazard presented by the product, monitor the recall, and as appropriate alert the public and other companies in the supply chain about the recall," the FDA continued. It added: "The FDA provides public access to information on recalls by posting a listing of recalls according to their classification in the FDA Enforcement Report, including the specific action taken by the recalling company. The FDA Enforcement Report is designed to provide a public listing of products in the marketplace that are being recalled." Additional information on recalls can be found via the FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts. What Happens Next Customers who have purchased the recalled dried apricots are asked not to eat them and return them to the original place of purchase for a refund, the FDA says. People with additional questions may call Turkana Foods Inc. at 908-810-8800 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Newsweek
Bernie Sanders Introduces Bill Backing RFK Jr., Elon Musk Priority
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Senator Bernie Sanders is leading a new bill to address a key priority of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary. Why It Matters Sanders, a Vermont independent, alongside Senator Angus King, a Maine independent, introduced the "End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act," which, if passed, would ban prescription drug advertising on TV, radio, print and digital platforms as well as social media. Critics say these ads contribute to the high price of healthcare while doing little to improve care in the United States, though proponents say the advertisements can improve patients' knowledge of healthcare. Most wealthy countries, with the U.S. and New Zealand being two notable exceptions, ban pharmaceutical drug advertisements. The bill also represents an issue where Sanders, viewed as perhaps the most progressive senator, has found common ground with Kennedy inside the Trump administration, though the secretary has not commented on this bill specifically. What to Know Sanders and King announced the legislation on Thursday, highlighting that the pharmaceutical industry spent more than $5 billion on TV ads in 2024 and that many of these drugs cost more in the U.S. than in other countries that do not allow drug companies to run ads on TV. "The American people are sick and tired of greedy pharmaceutical companies spending billions of dollars on absurd TV commercials pushing their outrageously expensive prescription drugs," Sanders said, describing the fact that the U.S. stands mostly alone in allowing pharmaceutical ads as an "international embarrassment." vSenator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, questions U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a committee hearing on May 14, 2025 in Washington, D.C. vSenator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, questions U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a committee hearing on May 14, 2025 in Washington, director of communications Anna Bahr confirmed to Newsweek his office has reached out to Republicans to join the bill. Bahr pointed to lobbying from the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries as to why the U.S. has not joined other countries in bannign the ads. "Over the past 25 years, the drug companies have spent $8.5 billion on lobbying. Today, they have some 1,800 well-paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C. – including former leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties," she said in a statement to Newsweek. "Unbelievably, that is more than three lobbyists for every member of Congress. During that same period, they have provided over $700 million in campaign contributions. And they are equal opportunity contributors. They contribute heavily to both Republican and Democratic candidates." Secretary Kennedy—as well as Elon Musk, who previously served in Trump's administration—have expressed support for ending pharmaceutical advertising. "Let's get President Trump back in the White House and me to DC so we can ban pharmaceutical advertising," Kennedy wrote in a post to X (formerly Twitter) on November 3, 2024. During his own presidential campaign, Kennedy said he would have issued an executive order ending the advertisements on his first day in office. Newsweek reached out to DHS for comment via the department's press contact form. Caleb Alexander, professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, told Newsweek that while a potential ban's impact on drug prices remains uunclear, there would be benefits to ending these advertisements. Pharmaceutical advertisements can drive up "inappropriate demand" for prescription drugs in settings where they may not be needed, he said. "In terms of the potential benefits of banning [direct-to-consumer advertisements], the most immediate and likely is that it would temper demand for products in settings where they may not be needed," Alexander said. The U.S. has "evolved to believe" the benefits of the ads, such as empowering patients to identify health concerns, outweigh the risks, though much of the research on the topic indicates that the benefits may not be worth the drawbacks, he said. What People Are Saying Alexander told Newsweek: "Direct to consumer advertising has been a lightning rod for controversy, and it remains a curious and unique feature of the U.S. marketplace. While a ban on direct advertising may be welcomed by many, it's not going to fundamentally transform the marketplace for prescription drugs in the United States, simply because DTCA is highly concentrated among a small number of products. It may be a reasonable political and public health target, but I think that if you just look at the way the dollars flow, there's vastly more money spent on marketing drugs to prescribers." Senator Angus King wrote in a statement: "The widespread use of direct-to-consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies drives up costs and doesn't necessarily make patients healthier. The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act would prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs to protect people. This bill is a great step to ensure that patients are getting the best information possible and from the right source: their providers and not biased advertisements." Elon Musk wrote to X in November 2024: "No advertising for pharma." What Happens Next It's unclear whether a majority of senators are also in support of the bill. So far, Democratic Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Peter Welch of Vermont, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Dick Durbin of Illinois have co-sponsored the bill, according to Sanders' office.
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Newsweek
PGA Tour Winner Makes Shocking U.S. Open Admission Despite Stellar Play
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As expected, the Oakmont Country Club is taking center stage at the 2025 U.S. Open. Even players who performed well during the first round appeared to be almost in disbelief at their results. This was the case for Si Woo Kim, who shot a 2-under for the round yet still seemed far from in control of the situation. "Honestly, I don't even know what I am doing on the course. Hitting good, but feel like this course is too hard for me," Kim shockingly revealed after his round. Si Woo Kim of South Korea plays his shot from the ninth tee during the first round of The PLAYERS Championship on The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 14, 2019 in Ponte Vedra... Si Woo Kim of South Korea plays his shot from the ninth tee during the first round of The PLAYERS Championship on The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 14, 2019 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. MoreThe South Korean golfer had four birdies and two bogeys, and is currently tied for fifth place, with the round still to finish. "Yeah, it was a good start and then didn't even windy much this morning, so that's why I played, I feel like, more easier because I played the last couple days kind of like hard wind," he said. "It kind of feel helpful for me. I started great, so I drive it great, so I think it helps really, kept the good scoring, this course. Yeah, it was a good round." However, his success in the round did not cause him to lose sight of the course's extraordinary challenges: "It was tough. I played three nine holes, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and I saw the past scores, like 5-over win... So kind of like no expectation, but I played great today." Sure seems like Si Woo knows what he's doing. — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 12, 2025 The "no expectations" philosophy is shared by other players, including clubhouse leader JJ Spaun. "I didn't really feel like I'm going to show a bogey-free round 4-under. I didn't really know what to expect especially since I've never played here. But yeah, maybe sometimes not having expectations is the best thing, so I'll take it," he said. Si Woo Kim had never played at Oakmont before, as his US Open run began in 2017. In his eight appearances at the event, he has only made four cuts and has never finished in the top 10. For Spaun, the 2025 edition is only his second US Open appearance. He failed to make the cut in his previous appearance in 2021. More Golf: Did Bryson DeChambeau get caught cheating at 2025 U.S. Open?
