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Missouri Ranks High for Diabetes, Utah Ranks the Lowest

December 11, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

Utah’s natural rate of physical activity, combined with the state’s low obesity rates explains why they rank the lowest for diabetes in the country, says the SL Trib.

Gallup Healthways Report Released

The new Gallup report released at the end of November discovered that Utah’s rate for diabetes was 7.4 percent for 2015. This was dramatically lower than the national average of 11.5 percent. Rhode Island and Colorado had impressive rates at 8 percent.

Missouri Ranks in the Top 10

The south did not fare well in the study. In fact, the Gallup and Healthways State of American Well-Being report found that Missouri’s diabetes rate was 13.5 percent; making them the ninth highest in the nation.

Out of the 190 metropolitan areas, St. Louis had the 75^th largest diabetes rate of 12.3 percent, says CBS.

Diabetes is a Growing Concern in the United States

Diabetes is a growing concern for the United States. In fact, the same study found that the diabetes numbers are up from 10.6 percent in 2008 to 11.5 percent for 2015; despite public awareness of the dangers of diabetes and how to remain healthy, says The Guardian.

Risk factors for diabetes development include genetics, age, obesity, and lack of physical activity. The reason Utah has such a low diabetes diagnosis rate is because Utahns are active, younger, and less obese than the rest of the country.

When diabetes is not diagnosed, or managed properly, people may experience blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, and other life-threatening complications.

Obesity Rate Increases, So Does Threat of Diabetes

The obesity rate for the United States has increased by three points since 2008, which means the rate rests at 28.3 percent nationally. The increased obesity numbers mean there is a risk for more diabetes diagnosis. Obesity is a key factor in what makes patients develop Type 2 Diabetes.

It should be noted, however, that not all people with diabetes are overweight or obese. And, not all obese people develop Type 2 Diabetes. Research shows that middle-aged Americans that are obese and have not been diagnosed with diabetes.

Utah Offers Diabetes Education and Testing

Another reason Utah may have low diabetes diagnosis rates is that the state offers a free diabetes as well as pre-diabetes classes to educate Utahns about the risks of becoming overweight or improper dietary management. They also help those diagnosed with diabetes better manage their disease so that it remains under control and does not threaten their life.

Utah also has seen a decrease in their own obesity rate, going from 25.7 percent in 2014 to 24.5 percent in 2015.

Utah is one of the only seven areas with an obesity rate resting between 20 and 25. The other states that join Utah include California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, and Washington, D.C.

Researchers feel that education is the first step for consumers understanding their risks, and those with a risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes should manage their health and work toward reducing their risk.

California Kidnapped Mom Branded by Her Kidnappers

December 8, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

As more details are released about the California mom, Sherri Papini, who was abducted, police and the public are massively concerned.

The California mother, according to ABC News, was found alive on Thanksgiving after missing for three weeks. The 34-year old mother of two had a message from her kidnappers that was branded on her skin.

Per experts, the message was the kidnappers’ exertion of power and control, or there was something in the message that meant something to the kidnapper. However, law enforcement made it clear that it was not a symbol; it was a message.

Police Do Not Doubt Her Story

Police in Shasta County believe every detail from Papini’s story. They held a press conference where they stated that the woman was branded, but they did not disclose where or what she was branded with because they wanted to preserve the details of their investigation, says Fox News.

Suspects may have been attempting to humiliate the mother; they even cut her long blonde hair off and then branded her. However, the Sheriff will not go into details about the branding other than indicating that it was a message.

Papini was covered in bruises and burns when she was found. It was apparent that she was chained at her waist and wrists and still had chains when located along Interstate 5.

Papini initially disappeared while jogging on the morning of November 2^nd near her home in Redding, California.

The mother has been interviewed multiple times by police, says ABC 7. She has described the two women that abducted her as Hispanic female adults who spoke in Spanish during the attack and abduction. They even concealed their faces to help hide their identity.

Papini described one suspect was younger than the other, and she had long curly hair, pierced ears, and thin eyebrows. The other was described as having long black hair that was straight and had some signs of gray.

The Public Does Not Believe Papini

Unfortunately, social media has exploded with people claiming this mother of two’s abduction was nothing more than a hoax. Her husband lashed out against those rumors on social media and in interviews, making sure the world knew his wife did not have to share photographs to prove that she was beaten, humiliated and branded for over two weeks.

Investigators have made it clear that they have no doubts about the woman’s story, and they are investigating to find the captures.

At the time she was discovered, she weighed only 87 pounds, and her nose was broken. It appears that she was tossed from a moving vehicle on the Interstate with her hands still tied up and a bag over hear head.

Papini used the bag to flag down a motorist and contacted the police.

Unfortunately, Papini has been having difficulty recalling details, which is common for a victim of such a horrific crime. The police still have no idea as to motive, because there was no ransom demand.

Tennessee Fires to Destroy Two Resorts and Continue Destructive Path

December 7, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

The fires in Tennessee are by far some of the most devastating ever seen. Motorists have fled the area, and now two resort towns are being threatened by the flames, reports USA Today.

Three people have died in the wildfires that took over Sevier County, says CNN, and more than 15,000 acres have already been destroyed. These fires claimed more than brush and trees; in fact, they have taken more than 250 buildings in the resort towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Luckily, some tourist attractions were spared.

The blaze took out local golf courses, hotels, craft schools, and homes, says WFAA.com. The center of the town is the epicenter for command, and the entire area has been described as an apocalypse.

The fire destroyed one structure, a 16-story hotel, as well as an apartment complex. The flames spared the local elementary school.

So Far Dollywood Unaffected

Dollywood, an infamous attraction in the area, has not been hit by the fires. The park’s structures remain intact, reports USA Today, and fire crews were by the attraction to combat any fire that made its way to the park.

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort was evacuated as the flames grew closer to the park and the Upper Middle Creek Ridge close to the park was also evacuated.

Crews used school buses to help transport evacuated visitors and residents from the area. These buses are being dispatched to areas as they evacuate.

Entire Town of Gatlinburg Evacuated

The flames have especially threatened the resort city of Gatlinburg. The local fire department for the town has already told residents to leave, and local call centers were not reaching 911 callers. The area was under an immediate and mandatory fire evacuation by evening hours.

Wind speeds were picking up, which were thwarting the fire department’s attempts to contain the flames. Some gusts reached as much as 74 miles per hour and winds averaged 40 miles per hour.

Police were going from home to home knocking on doors to tell them to evacuate immediately. Sadly, three victims did not escape in time, reports CNN.

Areas being evacuated had downed trees and power lines, which made evacuation efforts difficult.

More Fires Expected

Firefighters continue to put out flames, but they are preparing for more fires to come due to the high winds.

The entire area is currently under a high wind advisory. However, they are expecting some rain, which may help slow the fires.

With the rain comes thunder and lightning storms. With the already dry brush in the area, firefighters are concerned that a lightning strike could cause other fires.

Unfortunately, fire officials cannot tell residents when they would be able to return to their homes, and there is no definite answer to the extent of the damage now.

Aerial photographs posted of the area show the devastation. Some towns are surrounded by the fires, with half already burnt.

Clinton Campaign Takes Part in the Recount Requests

December 3, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

For a few days now, Green Party Jill Stein has been demanding a recount in the primary swing states that helped elect Donald Trump. On November 26^th, Clinton’s campaign lawyer announced that the campaign plans to participate in these vote recounts for Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. However, they do not expect it actually to overturn the election results, reports Bloomberg.

The campaign is going to participate alongside the Green Party to push for recounts, says CNN. Already Jill Stein has raised millions to go toward the costs of the vote recount in Wisconsin.

Clinton’s campaign has conducted their investigation, and they admit there is no evidence that they have found to show there was hacking of the voting systems. However, they did make it clear that they were not going to contest the results, but they did want to decide how they would take part in the effort to ensure the results were accurate.

The Clinton team has been doing their review of the election results, says The Hill. They have reported that there was no tampering that they could find and they have no evidence that concludes the election was swung purposely in Trump’s favor. They also stated that they were grateful to all of those who continue to support the Clinton campaign after.

Wisconsin Recount Underway

Stein has already petitioned the Wisconsin recount and has pledged to do the same in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Both states are where Trump won by very narrow margins and helped swing the electoral votes in the Republican’s favor.

The Hill reports that the Clinton campaign will join the recount process if Stein follows through on her promise, but they noted that the margins in those states are larger and unlikely to be reversed by a recount.

The Green Party, per CNN, is taking it more than just a simple recount. They want to create an investigation into the state’s voting system and its integrity. They are currently seeking a reconciliation of paper records. This process will ensure that the democracy system is indeed working.

Trump’s Party Responds

Trump’s Kellyanne Conway has already responded to the recounts and the claims that the election was rigged against Clinton. She went on to state that people should graciously concede the election and wish the winner well, rather than work behind the scenes to enlist help for a recount, reports Bloomberg.

What is ironic about that statement is the fact that Donald Trump made it clear during the election that he would not concede if he were to lose; therefore, it seems he does not appear to catch the irony in his controversial statements.

The Democrat’s do not plan to initiate recounts on their own, says Bloomberg, but they will support the groups that are requesting them. This is because they feel that they have an obligation for the 64 million Americans that voted for Hillary Clinton to make sure that Trump was the true winner and that an accurate vote count is reported.

Students Cannot Tell the Difference Between Real and Fake News

December 2, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

Students may seem as though they know everything and know how the web works. They are especially talented when it comes to posting and interacting via social media. However, one thing today’s student does not know how to do is weigh the credibility of a source before using it or sharing it.

According to The Wall Street Journal, 82 percent of middle school children could not tell the difference between a sponsored content advertisement and a real news piece available on the internet. The study was conducted by Stanford University and assessed over 7,800 students ranging from middle school up to college level.

The Rise of Fake News

Fake news is a growing problem in the United States. It is also a topic that has received plenty of attention after social media platforms have blatantly said they will do nothing about it, reports Fortune. Sadly, this fake news epidemic is likely to get worse, especially if students today cannot tell the difference between a credible source and blatant misrepresentation of the facts.

In the study, researchers were shocked by how many students could not evaluate the credibility of the information they read, reports NPR. In fact, students were consistent at being repeatedly duped by fake news websites and articles they were shown. The students were not looking for anything high-level or credible; instead, they had a reasonable bar they set.

They also could not tell the difference between a credible news site and one run by activist groups, says NPR.

Two out of three students assess could not see a reason to mistrust a post that was written by a bank executive. Also, four out of 10 high school students believed that the headline and a photo showing daises deformed was evidence enough of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan – even though there was no source listed for the photograph, says the Wall Street Journal.

Most students did not even bother to look at the author of the piece or even considered the sponsored nature. Therefore, when they were told to do something by a company, they took that article’s word without thinking about how the piece was sponsored to benefit that company specifically, says Fortune.

Young People are Not Perceptive

While the younger generation knows how to operate technology, they do not know how to assess the value or credibility of what they find with their technology. In fact, it is alarming at how many individuals could not tell the difference between their articles and how unperceptive they were to falsified reports, says Fortune.

Most of the middle-school-aged students assessed had no idea what the difference was between an advertisement or an article. Worse, they did not understand what paid branded or sponsored content was. Most believed that sponsored content was a real news story and not an advertisement, reports NPR.

Also, when the fake news is shared on Facebook, students could not tell the difference nor did they question the accuracy of the story shared on social media, says NPR.

Trump University Lawsuit Ends in a $25 Million Settlement

December 1, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

President-Elect Donald Trump never settles, but this year he had to on his Trump University lawsuit, reports Reuters. He agreed to pay $25 million to settle the fraud lawsuit against his university for real estate seminars hosted in New York. This was a stunning decision on Trump’s behalf, especially since he made a point of saying that he never settles.

The settlement means that the new president will not be the first president of the United States to testify in a trial, reports NBC News.

The New York Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman, called the settlement a major victory for the 6,000 victims named in the suit. The attorneys involved in the case said the funds would be spread among all plaintiffs involved.

The Lawsuit and Trump’s Election

This trial began long before Trump began his run for president. Fortune points out that it cast a massive cloud over his reputation in the campaign, but did not seem to sway voters. Also, Trump’s claims that the judge of the trial was against him because of his American-Mexican heritage was insulting to some but seemed not to impact his case.

Trump continued to deny that there was any wrongdoing by his organization but still agreed to a $25 million settlement to students that feel otherwise.

Students across the country were defrauded out of $40 million during his University’s opening.

Trump claims that he had to settle because he was too busy to handle the trial, but continued to say that had he gone to court, he and his university would have succeeded, says Fortune.

The NY Attorney General states that Trump continually refused to offer a fair settlement to plaintiffs in the case, reports Reuters. The attorneys constantly argued against the students, filed multiple motions, and even attempted to delay the trial until after the inauguration.

Three lawsuits are covered in the $25 million settlement, but the agreement must still be approved by the judge in San Diego before it is officially closed.

Trump tried to offset the settlement by saying he only chose to settle because he needed to focus on the American people and improving the country; not his lawsuit, says NBC News.

About the Lawsuit

The Trump University lawsuit was brought by students who alleged that the university defrauded them. The university misrepresented itself and told students that they would be taught tricks that would turn them into real estate millionaires. Instructors were supposedly hand-picked by Trump, but later it turned out he never met any of the instructors teaching in his school, says NBC News.

Some students had to pay as much as $35,000 to take courses from the school, and that they would learn real advice from how Trump won his millions, says Fortune.

There were 6,000 victims in the class-action lawsuit, and the attorneys have asked the students to not seek attorney’s fees, but only a reimbursement on costs.

The judge overseeing the case had already been on record urging both sides to settle, reports Reuters.

Suicide Hotlines See a Surge in Calls Post-Election

November 30, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

Courtesy: Daniel Lobo

When November 9^th rolled around, the United States was stunned by the results. Not only were the candidates affected, but the American people. Per CNN, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline began receiving an unbelievable amount of phone calls.

In fact, calls started pouring in right after the election was officially called, and between 1:00 am and 2:00 am, their volume was two to three times what they usually see. Their network took on more than 660 calls in that timeframe, and that was already an uptick from the usual as the election results were slowly being called in states around the country.

Increase in LGBTQ Callers

At The Trevor Project, a crisis group that focuses on the LGBTQ community, they also reported receiving heightened numbers of callers post-election, says NBC News.

They reached their all-time peak call volume since the election, with chats and text messages to counselors equally impressive. They stated that 95 percent of their callers specifically mentioned the election as part of the reason they were calling for crisis assistance. Some were worried their same-sex marriage would be reversed, while others worried about the Affordable Care Act reversal Trump promised, and more worried about their rights as a member of the LGBTQ community.

The non-profit stated that they typically take 100 to 150 calls, messages, and texts daily. However, two days after the election results, they received up to 700 per day.

Another group supporting the transgender community, Trans Lifeline, also received a heightened number of callers worried about their future. Some that live in hostile environments stated that they were already feeling the harassment about the vote, and there was an increase in the number of harassment, violent acts, and slurs.

Many members of the LGBTQ community think that the hard work and victories they have had over the past decade will be reversed with Trump as president.

The Crisis Text Line saw a doubling in their pleas for assistance within 24 hours of the election, says The Washington Post. The terms “election” and “scared” were the most noted.

People Wanted to Take Their Lives

Per The Washington Post, a vast majority of callers wanted to commit suicide after the results were announced. There were also an astounding number of callers reporting extreme anxiety after the election results.

Most importantly, these hotlines noted that they did not receive this high of a call volume after the 2008 or 2012 election results. Therefore, this election specifically impacted the American people.

Even after Clinton’s speech, the calls kept coming. Women around the world felt the hit, and women in the United States were reaching out to crisis prevention for help and a way to make sense of what they think is a grim future.

The only other time they can note such a spike in caller activity was after the September 11^th event. Now that the election has passed and some are relaxing back into reality, there are still a heightened number of callers reaching out to crisis and suicide networks. The numbers are continuing to climb for some, especially those that accept text messages, reports CNN.

Concerned About Climate Change Under Trump? Here’s How to Make a Difference

November 28, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

President-elect Donald Trump has frequently expressed his opinion on global warming, even calling it a hoax.

He recently appointed Myron Ebell to lead his Environmental Protection Agency transition team, Elite Daily reports. Mr. Ebell is known for his claims that warming caused by greenhouse gas pollution is modest and may be beneficial.

On the other hand, the Pentagon classifies climate change as an “immediate risk” to national security, while recent reports show that climate change could cost Millennials up to $187,000 each.

Combatting climate change would require nations with large carbon footprints, such as China and the US, to take the lead and start taking action towards reducing their greenhouse emissions.

A scientific think tank providing data to many governments concluded that the US would account for about 20 percent of the expected reduction in global greenhouse emissions by 2030. The cuts were agreed upon in the Paris plan which was supported by more than 190 countries last year, The New York Times reports.

While President Obama has said his endeavours to establish the United States as the global leader in climate policy were his proudest legacy, global warming may be the biggest example of how governance in Washington is going to change under the Trump administration.

It seems like Trump plans to scale back America’s efforts in the area, at the same type increasing fossil fuel dependency even further.

As president, Mr. Trump can choose not to carry out the Paris plan in the United States which could substantially slow down the proposed reductions and introduce future setbacks. For example, countries such as India may also reconsider their contribution to the plan – if the United States does not participate, why should developing countries?

The potential consequences of a new climate change policy could be mitigated somewhat by the actions of large corporations, with Fortune 500 companies such as Starbucks, Walmart, and Nike pledging to adopt using 100-percent clean energy, regardless of government actions.

Newsweek reports that efforts by Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress to reverse Obama’s Clean Power Plan would be challenged by advocates. David Goldston of the Natural Resources Defense Council said that “There’ll be a backlash if he tries to do that.”

While the direction Trump’s administration will take on climate change and global warming remains to be seen, there are several things concerned individuals can do to make a difference and help decrease temperature increases.

The first option is education. People who are educated about the issues can better spread awareness and take proactive steps to mitigate them.

Additionally, individuals who are concerned about climate change can take personal action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. For example, reusing and recycling as much as possible, while minimizing consumption. Simple things like unplugging laptop cords when not in use can make a real difference.

You can also get more active by joining climate change organizations or contacting your local leaders such as your mayor or governor. Pressuring them to address this issue could lead to tangible results.

Would You Try an All-in-One Thanksgiving Doughnut?

November 27, 2016 By Kevin Kopas Leave a Comment

Courtesy: PVDonuts Instagram

For as long as we can remember, most of us have been advised to eat dessert last, and maybe even skip calorie-rich treats at the end of a copious meal for various reasons. First of all, according to science, a dessert course would only trick the brain into craving more food. Secondly, we should always strive to keep the best for last. So why do we find it so difficult to obey this basic rule?

Would You Eat Dinner on Top of Your Dessert?

Here’s a pressing problem that most of us are familiar with: as we are waiting for our mouthwatering desserts during the Thanksgiving dinner, we are forced to interact with family members whom we’ve tried very hard to avoid all year, and respond to more or less disturbing, inquisitive questions regarding taboo subjects, such as our finances, or marital status.

In this context, it goes without saying that most of us would give just about anything to keep the Thanksgiving dinner short and sweet, without having to say no to an absolutely stunning, finger-licking good dessert.

In 2016, it seems that a Rhode Island company has finally figured out how to address this need in a truly original manner. PVDonuts in Providence have introduced the Friendsgiving doughnut, which turns the whole Thanksgiving feast into a simple, yet incredibly filling, Instagrammable one-course meal. Their secret recipe for success defies the conventional by placing dinner on top of the dessert course.

Putting Dinner on Top of the Dessert Is Now a Thing

The top layer of the brioche donut can pamper all our senses with its unusual mix of slices of fried chicken, gravy, mashes potatoes, and cranberry glaze. As a matter of fact, the top of this odd, yet extremely tempting doughnut features all the ingredients that you will most likely be sampling on Thanksgiving.

The only difference is that its makers have decided to replace turkey with perfectly seasoned friend chicken. The unusual creation was rolled out on Wednesday, and is available in limited quantities. If you live in Rhode Island and want to become acquainted with the Friendsgiving concept that is now trending on social media, you should go to PVDonuts as fast as you can, and order your doughnuts before they’re sold out.

As unconventional as it may be, this ingenious doughnut recipe can be linked to a series of notable benefits. For starters, it can be considered the equivalent of finger food for Thanksgiving dinner, considering that it enables you to taste several ingredients and experience different flavors without filling your plate over and over again. One doughnut can be seen as a satisfying all-in-one Thanksgiving meal that will make you feel full and happy for many hours in a row.

Secondly, this new product would allow you to simplify your cooking and serving ritual for Thanksgiving. This convenient two-for-one deal allows you to eat the main course and the dessert course from the same plate, save some money at the grocery store, and reduce the amount of time that you would have to spend in the kitchen trying to cook and carve the turkey to perfection, and surprise your guests with other specialties.

Last but not least, this doughnut recipe gives you the opportunity to expedite the annual Thanksgiving dinner, and limit interaction with relatives who are likely to put you in uncomfortable situations, taking the fun out of your family gathering.