Latest news with #AtlantaNewsFirst
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Families file lawsuit accusing manufacturers of poisoning their land: 'You don't know what's safe'
Families file lawsuit accusing manufacturers of poisoning their land: 'You don't know what's safe' Landowners in north Georgia have filed a lawsuit alleging that carpet and chemical manufacturers contaminated soil and water with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as forever chemicals. According to environmental experts, the contamination has exposed nearby families to "catastrophic" levels of PFAS. What's happening? As Atlanta News First reported, Dalton landowners have said that decades of PFAS exposure from companies like 3M, Shaw Industries, and Mohawk Industries have polluted their land, impacting their property values and posed serious health risks. Testing on a family's property near carpet plants in Dalton showed PFAS contamination. Per the lawsuit and attorneys representing Leroy and Amber Fletcher, the landowners, the test found PFAS levels thousands of times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's limit of four parts per trillion. "It could be in the deer; it could be in the fish," Amber Fletcher said, per Atlanta News First. "You don't know what's safe." Their lawsuit alleges that carpet manufacturers treated flooring materials with PFAS-containing products, which release the forever chemicals through the air. They said the chemicals were dumped into local sewers, which led to the spread of contaminated biosolids on land. The contamination is extensive, according to experts. The lawsuit claims that the companies knew the risks for decades but kept using PFAS without proper warnings or safeguards. Why does the lawsuit matter? PFAS are a group of toxic chemicals often used in the production of various everyday products, including food packaging, cosmetics, nonstick cookware, and clothing. They're also found in food and water. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. They are known as forever chemicals because they can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down, potentially contaminating soil, water, and wildlife habitats in the process. PFAS have been linked to multiple negative health effects, including decreased birth weight, kidney and testicular cancer, and increased cholesterol levels, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The Dalton lawsuit could help raise awareness of PFAS contamination and highlight harmful corporate practices that affect nearby communities. What's being done about the contamination? Experts and lawmakers are working to limit human exposure to PFAS. Scientists are exploring ways to either remove them from drinking water or break them down into harmless compounds. Lawmakers are working to reduce PFAS exposure by keeping them out of everyday products. In Illinois, lawmakers passed the PFAS Reduction Act, a bill that aims to ban sales of certain household items containing PFAS by 2032. Similarly, the European Commission is proposing to ban forever chemicals from various consumer products. You can limit your exposure to PFAS by supporting eco-conscious brands. Learning about greenwashing also helps you identify corporate irresponsibility and understand how companies may mislead customers about their products' safety and environmental impacts. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
10-year-old Beyoncé fan's scream over insect sparked stampede after ‘Cowboy Carter' show in Atlanta, hospitalizing 11
A 10-year-old girl's scream over an insect sparked a wild stampede that landed 11 people in the hospital as chaos erupted after Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' tour stop in Atlanta. Authorities said a wave of panic started at the Vine City MARTA station just after midnight as fans of the 'Tyrant' singer began leaving the nearby Mercedes-Benz Stadium following Queen Bey's performance, according to 11 Alive. Terrifying video from the scene showed people being led into ambulances on stretchers or in wheelchairs and led to local hospitals. Advertisement 4 A 10-year-old girl's scream over an insect sparked a wild stampede that landed 11 people in the hospital as chaos erupted after Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' tour stop in Atlanta. Atlanta News First 'There was someone that started to scream outside of the station, she was startled by a bug outside of the large crowd,' MARTA acting CEO Rhonda Allen said in a press conference this week, saying the scream kick-started a 'chain reaction' spreading inside the station. As panicked concertgoers began running down the escalator, it briefly sped up before coming to a screeching halt — causing people to fall on top of each other. Advertisement 'They began to usher themselves down the escalator,' Allen said, adding that she told board members that the transit authority will do better during the next big event by adding staff and better managing of flow of passengers. 'We're going to have a more aggressive approach to how we staff these events,' she added, saying tighter crowd control will be implemented. 4 Authorities said a wave of panic started at the Vine City MARTA station just after midnight as fans of the 'Tyrant' singer began leaving the nearby Mercedes-Benz Stadium. @pandaapours/TikTok 'The escalator has been barricaded and escalator manufacturer Schindler and MARTA Safety will investigate,' MARTA told The Post in a statement. Advertisement Officials have not said what caused the escalator malfunction. Beyoncé fan Amber Anderson said she was pinned under a man as the mob of at least 20 people fell on top of each other, according to Atlanta News First. 'I see that people are starting to run at the entrance, which of course when you see somebody running, you probably want to run too,' Anderson told the outlet. 4 Terrifying video from the scene showed people being led into ambulances on stretchers or in wheelchairs and led to local hospitals. Atlanta News First Advertisement 'I told my friend on the ride back, I said, 'We're supposed to be talking about how amazing the concert was because it was absolutely amazing, but this is what we're talking about,'' she added. 'I've never been more fearful.' The ordeal took place just hours after Beyoncé's unreleased music was stolen from an SUV belonging to a member of the singer's team in Atlanta. Beyoncé's choreographer, Christopher Grant, and dancer, Diandre Blue, told officers that two suitcases had been stolen from a Jeep Wagoneer that they were renting for the singer's four-show stop at the city's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 4 The singer was performing as part of her 'Cowboy Carter' tour. Julian Dakdouk via PictureGroup/Shutterstock The two stolen suitcases reportedly contained never-before-heard music by Beyoncé, as well as plans for her ongoing Cowboy Carter tour and other 'personal sensitive information.' Clothing valued at over $1K, two laptops and a pair of AirPods were also reportedly taken.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Beyoncé fans injured in stampede sparked by yelling passenger after ‘Cowboy Carter' show in Atlanta
Several Beyoncé fans suffered injuries after a yelling train passenger caused a stampede following Queen Bey's most recent performance in Atlanta early on Tuesday, NY Post reported. Atlanta stampede: The tragedy occurred after stealing of Beyoncé's Atlanta crew member's SUV, which was containing her unreleased songs.(Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) After Beyonce's 'Cowboy Carter' tour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, frightening footage from the scene shows people being shifted into ambulances on stretchers or in wheelchairs for paramedic treatment. Some of the injured were even donning cowboy hats. According to officials who spoke to Atlanta News First, a passenger began yelling and frantically running as fans stepped out of the concert and moved towards Vine City MARTA station, sparking a rush on the escalator. Also Read: Nick Frost takes on Hagrid role in HBO's Harry Potter series, fans react as first look unveiled Eye witness describes Atlanta stampede Meanwhile, one eye witness spoke to Fox 5, the incident led the escalator to accelerate before abruptly stopping, leaving fans to 'smashed together' with several passengers falling on them. Seven people were hospitalized with bruises and scratches, while one suffered injury on ankle. Here's what Atlanta officials have said so far Officials have not revealed what triggered the escalator breakdown as people exited the stadium shortly after midnight following Beyoncé's final gig in Atlanta on her Cowboy Carter tour. 'The escalator has been barricaded, and escalator manufacturer Schindler and MARTA Safety will investigate,' Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority said in a statement to The NY Post. 'Responding officers determined that an escalator had suddenly stopped, resulting in several patrons falling onto one another,' Police stated as per local reports. A probe into the incident is currently underway. The tragedy occurred after stealing of Beyoncé's Atlanta crew member's SUV, which was containing her unreleased songs.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Beyoncé fans hospitalized from ‘stampede' after her ‘Cowboy Carter' show in Atlanta
Multiple Beyoncé fans were injured early Tuesday when a screaming train passenger sparked a stampede after Queen Bey's latest show in Atlanta. Terrifying video from the scene shows people being led into ambulances on stretchers or in wheelchairs, some of them wearing cowboy hats after the star's 'Cowboy Carter' tour at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As fans streamed out of the show into the nearby Vine City MARTA station, a passenger started screaming and running — triggering a stampede on the escalator, officials told Atlanta News First. 4 8 were hospitalized after a 'stampede' at a train station following a Beyoncé concert. Atlanta News First That caused the escalator to speed up — before it suddenly stopped, leaving fans 'smashed together' with multiple passengers falling on them, one witness told Fox 5. One person suffered a broken ankle and seven others were taken to the hospital with cuts and scrapes, Fox 5 reported. 4 People were seen being led away on stretchers or in wheelchairs. Atlanta News First Officials have not said what caused the escalator malfunction as fans left the stadium at around 1:30 a.m. after Beyonce's final show in Atlanta on her Cowboy Carter tour. MARTA and the Atlanta Fire Department did not respond immediately to requests for comment. 4 She was performing as part of her 'Cowboy Carter' tour. Greg Noire via PictureGroup/Shutterstock 4 One person suffered a broken ankle while seven others had minor injuries. Atlanta News First It came after unreleased Beyoncé music was stolen from an SUV belonging to a member of the singer's team in Atlanta. The music, tour plans, and other 'personal sensitive information' were reportedly stolen from a Jeep Wagoneer rented for Beyoncé's four-show stop at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 8, according to an Atlanta Police Department incident report.
TimesLIVE
08-07-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Baby from brain-dead Georgia woman kept alive under abortion law has been delivered
The mother of a 31-year-old brain-dead pregnant woman who was kept on life support under Georgia's strict abortion laws has confirmed her baby has been delivered. Adriana Smith's mother, April Newkirk, told local outlet 11 Alive the premature baby boy, named Chance, was born by caesarian on June 13 and weighed 0.8kg. He is receiving treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit. "Today I held my grandson. His breathing was better. I did skin to skin. I was so afraid. Chance is 1.2kg," Newkirk shared on July 6, updating the GoFundMe page she set up to help Smith's seven-year-old son. Smith, an Atlanta nurse, was nine weeks pregnant in February when she complained about headaches. She was given medication but within days she was found unresponsive. In hospital, extensive blood clots were found in her brain and doctors declared her brain-dead. Despite her condition, doctors treating her decided Georgia law required she be kept on life support to allow the foetus to develop. The hospital said this was in line with the state's "heartbeat" legislation, signed into law in 2019, which bans abortion once cardiac activity is detected, which is typically around six weeks into pregnancy. A spokesperson for Georgia attorney-general Chris Carr has, however, questioned how Smith's situation was handled. There is nothing in the law that requires medical professionals to keep a woman on life support after brain death, Carr's office told AtlantaNewsFirst. "Removing life support is not an action "with the purpose to terminate a pregnancy." A celebration of life for Smith was held on June 28. The GoFundMe fundraiser for her children has raised $488,000 (R8.6m) from more than 13,800 donations.
