The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has called on Congress to put a label on social media apps similar to those on cigarettes and alcohol, citing a mental health emergency among the young. He warned of the “significant harms associated with social media use,” echoing a 2019 AMA study that linked three hours per day of social media with a doubling of the risk of depression. (CNN)
An NPR analysis found that 50% of active duty military installations are located within federally-designated health professional shortage areas, making access to medical services challenging for troops and their families. This creates “healthcare deserts,” with one in three U.S. troops and their families living in such areas. (NPR)
The IRS and Treasury Department have introduced new rules to combat a tax loophole used by wealthy individuals and companies to avoid paying billions in taxes. The rules target “related party basis shifting” where assets are moved among entities to manipulate tax deductions and minimize tax liability. (UPI)
A Secret Service employee was robbed at gunpoint while returning from work in Tustin, California, on October 9th, where President Biden was attending a fundraiser in Los Angeles. The employee fired their service weapon, but it is unclear whether the assailants were hit. Officers responded to the robbery at 9:30 pm, and the suspects have not been located. (CBS News)
Maryland’s governor has pardoned over 175,000 people with cannabis convictions, aiming to rectify the effects of the war on drugs. It is considered the largest state-level pardon in U.S. history. The move comes as cannabis is legal in Maryland and in over half of all U.S. states. (BBC)