(NAPSI)—For 30 million Americans, diabetes is an everyday reality. Diabetes can affect every decision, including what they eat, wear and do. Yet the 24/7 management of diabetes is often misunderstood, carrying a social burden, as too many Americans wrongfully assume the disease is the result of poor choices.
The American Diabetes Association is setting the record straight. Here’s what’s real and what’s not when it comes to diabetes:
Myth: Being overweight causes diabetes.
Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes but it’s not the only one. Family history, ethnicity and age also play a significant role. In fact, people with type 2 diabetes are often at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.
Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating sugar.
Fact: Type 1 diabetes is a disease, in which the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to use the insulin it produces and progresses so that less insulin is produced over time. Eating sugar doesn’t cause either type, though a diet high in calories can contribute to weight gain, which increases one’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—With all the sad stories of conflict and desperation from around the world, it can be heartening to hear of loved ones reunited.
Here are just two of the happy examples:
- Lydia spent months wondering if her daughter Odette was alive. Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo forced Lydia to seek asylum in the U.S., leaving her far away from her family and with a heavy heart. With the help of the Red Cross, Lydia located her daughter and sent her a message through the Restoring Family Links (RFL) program. Odette responded to her mom—she was indeed alive. “I don’t know how the Red Cross managed to connect me with someone who I thought was dead. There was no other way for me to talk to her. There was no other way.”
- Conflict in Burundi forced Fidele to flee and lose touch with his loved ones, including his father. After living in Tucson, Arizona, for some time, he connected with the Red Cross RFL program to open up a search for his father to help give him peace of mind. After months of searching, Fidele finally received the welcome message: His father was alive and well.
(NAPSI)—Recycling is one of the easiest ways the average person can help the environment. Not only does recycling prevent items from ending up in landfills, it reduces the amount of raw materials used to make new products. Here are some myths and facts about recycling commonly used food and beverage cartons:
Myth: Cartons can’t be recycled.
Fact: Cartons are certainly recyclable. They can be turned into new products, such as paper towels, tissues and writing paper. They can also be turned into environmentally friendly building materials, in a process that uses no water or chemicals.
Myth: If a package doesn’t have a recycling logo on it, it’s not recyclable.
Fact: What can and can’t be recycled varies by community and is primarily dependent on the recycling facility. Cartons can carry the standard “Please Recycle” logo under the Federal Trade Commission’s green guidelines. It’s best to contact your community or check its website to find out what can and can’t be recycled. Continue reading
by Tom Charlier
(NAPSI)—Amid thousands of other runners at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, James Eversull was determined to build on his story, though he has no memory of it.
It began in 1964, when Eversull, all of a year and a half old, became a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which had opened just two years earlier. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia—a virtual death sentence back then with a survival rate of only 4 percent—he was part of a group receiving a treatment regimen involving chemotherapy and radiation.
“They gave it to five of us, and I was the only survivor,” said the now-55-year-old Texan, who cites the experience as a reason for running the full marathon benefiting St. Jude. “Anything I can do to help kids is something I want to do. God saved me for a reason.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced $24 million in funding awarded to 36 small and rural Florida communities across the state through the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant and the Rural Infrastructure Fund programs. These programs, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), help communities fund economic activities, infrastructure improvements and housing rehabilitation.
Since December 2010, every county in Florida has experienced a drop in its unemployment rate. During the same time, Florida has created nearly 1.7 million private-sector jobs.
Governor Scott said, “Florida is the greatest melting pot and it is vital that we support our rural and small communities to preserve our state’s unique identity. Providing small and rural communities the opportunity to make investments in infrastructure and housing programs is key to growing our economy.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida’s high school graduation rate has reached a 15-year high according to data released today by the Florida Department of Education. For the 2017-18 school year, Florida’s statewide graduation rate rose to 86.1 percent, an increase of 3.8 percentage points over last year and 17.1 since the school year before Governor Scott took office.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s high school graduation rate has once again risen and has reached an all-time high. Access to quality public education played a critical role in my life, and as a father and grandfather, it has always been important to me that every Florida student has the opportunity to pursue their goals and achieve the American Dream. This accomplishment would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of Florida’s teachers and school administrators. I’m also proud of the work we’ve done to provide record amounts of funding to Florida schools so they can continue to deliver results. I will never stop working to ensure students are prepared to succeed.” Continue reading
ORLANDO, Fla. – Today, at Wyndham Destinations headquarters in Orlando, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses have created more than 1.67 million private-sector jobs since December 2010, including 23,000 private-sector jobs in November. This brings Florida’s unemployment rate down to 3.3 percent, a 12-year low.
Florida’s unemployment rate of 3.3 percent represents a drop of 7.5 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 
5.6 percentage points. This is while 116,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.1 percent in the past year. Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.3 percent continues to exceed the nation’s rate of 1.9 percent.
To view the November 2018 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following widespread issues with voting in Broward County, Governor Rick Scott today issued Executive Order 18-342 to immediately suspend Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes from office for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty. The authority for the Governor to take this action is outlined in Article IV Section 7 of the Florida Constitution. The Governor has appointed Peter Antonacci to serve as Supervisor of Elections in Broward County. Mr. Antonacci will serve for the remainder of the term until a replacement can be chosen by voters in November 2020. During the 2018 General Election, according to numerous media reports, Broward County election officials missed deadlines, lost ballots and couldn’t report basic information to the public, which resulted in multiple violations of Florida law. This follows multiple documented instances throughout Ms. Snipes’ term where Florida laws were broken including posting election results before polls closed and authorizing the improper destruction of ballots. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi is co-leading a bipartisan group of 38 state attorneys general supporting criminal justice reform in the federal prison system. Today, the coalition sent a letter, co-authored by Attorney General Bondi, to Congress asking legislative leaders to fully consider criminal justice reforms like those contained in the First Step Act.
“I am proud to co-sponsor this letter supporting a true bipartisan compromise concerning much needed prison reform in our country. The First Step Act will keep so many individuals from returning to prison and help them lead productive lives,” said Attorney General Bondi.
The letter explains that many states have experienced success through state criminal justice reforms similar to those in the First Step Act. The First Step Act would create programs that incentivize federal inmates to participate in recidivism-reducing programs including vocational training and academic courses. The act would also put more tools in the hands of prosecutors. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced a $625 million multistate and federal settlement with a major pharmaceutical distributor. The settlement resolves allegations that AmerisourceBergen Corporations introduced adulterated drugs into interstate commerce. As a result, ABC, a Delaware corporation headquartered in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, will pay the states and the federal government $625 million dollars—including nearly $100 million going directly the state Medicaid programs.
As part of the massive national litigation, ABC subsidiary AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group pled guilty to illegally distributing misbranded drugs in September 2017. ABSG is the parent entity for companies in the specialty pharmaceutical market, including biotechnology and oncology, in addition to pharmaceutical manufacturers and providers. ABSG agreed to pay $260 million in criminal fines and forfeitures. Continue reading
