Author: completebodyneeds

The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation Monday into Smith College, an all-women’s institution in Massachusetts, for admitting transgender women. The probe by the department’s Office of Civil Rights will look at whether the college violated Title IX, a 1972 law forbidding discrimination based on sex in education. The move is the latest by the Trump administration — whose rhetoric has frequently included attacks on trans people — to limit transgender rights in the U.S. The administration has said that Title IX prevents trans women from participating in women’s sports, suing several states and launching investigations into schools for…

With more older adults staying behind the wheel longer than ever, understanding how early cognitive changes affect driving has become increasingly important. In the United States, there are more than 50 million licensed drivers age 65 and older, including roughly 5 million in Florida – one of the highest concentrations in the country. As this population grows, so does the need for simple, real-world ways to detect early cognitive decline before it leads to safety risks. As interest in early cognitive decline grows, researchers are exploring whether subtle changes in everyday driving can signal pre-mild cognitive impairment (Pre-MCI) and mild…

The U.S. trade court on Thursday ruled against President Donald Trump’s latest 10% global tariffs, finding they were not justified under a 1970s trade law, however the court only blocked the levy on two small businesses and the state of Washington. The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled in favor of the two businesses and Washington state that challenged the tariffs, which took effect on February 24. The ruling was 2-1, with one judge saying it was premature to grant victory to the small business plaintiffs. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The trade…

Recovery times for injured workers are growing longer even as workplace injury rates decline, according to a new report from Travelers. The rising complexity of injury claims is driven by an aging workforce as well as a disproportionate vulnerability to new employees. Travelers’ 2026 Injury Impact Report found injuries to employees aged 60 and older are more severe, carrying recovery times of 97 days—more than two weeks the overall average of 80 days. Older employees are susceptible to fractures and dislocations, which take longer to heal. Slips, trips and falls are the leading causes of expensive injury claims (those exceeding…

A large cyber insurance provider says it saw the number of ransomware attacks rise 45% last year. Cyber insurance MGA Cowbell’s 2026 claims report also shows average ransom payments fell by roughly 44% between 2022 and 2025. The firm attributed the payment decrease to stronger negotiation strategies and more effective claims handling. According to Stephanie Hewerdine, the MGA’s director of claims, the drop is also being driven in part by increased preparedness among insureds. “It’s likely attributable to several factors, but I think one of the most key factors is that insureds are often better prepared for these events nowadays,”…

A dental services provider is paying more than $2 million to settle charges of false advertising by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Bonta’s office reached a settlement with Aspen Dental Management Inc. for engaging in false and misleading advertising. Aspen Dental describes itself as a dental support organization that provides business management and administrative services to dental offices, each of which operates under “Aspen Dental.” The California DOJ says the company exceeded that role by unlawfully directing the practice, ownership, and management of dentistry in California. The settlement, which remains subject to court approval, includes injunctive terms, $2 million in…

The Virginia Department of Health said on Thursday it is monitoring a resident who recently returned from a cruise ship linked to a deadly Hantavirus outbreak. The person had been aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged expedition cruise ship that is at the center of an international public-health response after multiple cases of the rare virus were identified on board. The department said the person was in good health and posed a low risk to the public. The traveler has returned to Virginia and is under public health monitoring, officials said. Hantavirus usually spreads through contact with infected rodents and…

Ashley Lefebvre has joined Alliant Insurance Services as vice president within its employee benefits group in Houston, Texas. She will serve a national client base, partnering with clients to deliver strategic employee benefits and HR solutions that boost ROI and align with long-term growth strategies. Lefebvre joins Alliant with a multifaceted background that encompasses employee benefits consulting, strategic growth, and operational strategy. With a focus on small businesses, she has extensive experience in plan design, risk assessment, and process improvement. She also supports clients in growing and scaling their operations, driving revenue and client retention. Prior to joining Alliant, Lefebvre…

New York State has a 2026-2027 budget agreement. The budget totals about $268 million and includes some but not all of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposals for auto insurance reform to lower premiums along with some lawmakers’ proposals for consumer protections. The budget was supposed to be ready by April 1. But state lawmakers passed nine deadline extensions to keep the government functioning until they and the governor could come to an agreement. According to Hochul’s summary, the budget does not raise income or statewide business taxes and it maintains the governor’s powers to make future adjustments if actions by the…

Newswise — Adolescents in California consistently perceive cannabis as less harmful than other commonly used substances, according to a new study analyzing data from two large statewide school surveys. Shu-Hong Zhu, PhD, professor at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and co-authors, examined how teens view the risks of everyday and occasional use of cannabis compared to alcohol, nicotine vapes and cigarettes, drawing on responses from more than 175,000 students across surveys conducted in 2019–2020 and 2024. The findings show a clear and persistent pattern: Cannabis is viewed as the least harmful…