NEW YORK (AP) — A preliminary study done mostly in mice suggests that artificial sweeteners may set the stage for diabetes in some people.
The study authors said they can’t make dietary recommendations but that their results should inspire more research into the topic.
Basically, the study suggests that artificial sweeteners alter the makeup of normal, beneficial bacteria in the gut. That appears to hamper how the body handles sugar in the diet, a situation that can lead to developing diabetes.
The results, from researchers in Israel, were released Wednesday by the journal Nature.
NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says it plans to hire 60,000 temporary holiday workers for the crucial holiday season, an increase of 10 percent from last year.
The world’s largest retailer also says current workers who want more hours during the holidays will get priority for them. The retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark., has been criticized by labor groups for low pay and intentionally keeping employees’ hours low.
The news follows similar announcements from UPS, FedEx and Kohl’s, which are also making more temporary hires this year.
A retailer’s hiring plans can indicate its expectations for the holiday shopping season, which accounts for 20 percent of the retail industry’s annual sales, according to the National Retail Federation.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The past two weeks, when the Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone, Andy Reid has insisted that he needs to put his players in better position to succeed.
What happens when he puts the Chiefs in a bad position, though?
Well, the Chiefs are paying quarterback Alex Smith a bunch of cash to get them out of it.
Smith said Wednesday that while his coach often takes responsibility for the shortcomings of the offense, the burden lies on the players to execute on the field.
For Smith, who just signed a new contract extension, that means making wise decisions with the ball – and checking out of bad plays that Reid may have called.
Venida Chenault during Wednesday’s inauguration-courtesy photo
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The new president of Haskell Indians Nations University says she’s focusing on the future.
Venida Chenault was inaugurated Wednesday as the seventh president of the university in Lawrence. She is the first former Haskell student to become president of the school for American Indians.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the inauguration was the beginning of the school’s celebration of its 130th anniversary.
Chenault, a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi and Kickapoo tribes, has held various faculty and administrative positions at Haskell since 1991, most recently as vice president of academic affairs. She was named president in January.
In her speech, Chenault said she was a single mother on government assistance while she earned college degrees. She says she is an example of how higher education can help American Indians.
The St. Joseph Health Department, along with physicians and pharmacies, offer the flu vaccine
to protect against influenza. The health department will offer a clinic at the Mayes Memorial
Army National Guard Armory on Wednesday, October 1 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, or until
supplies are depleted. There will be no out‐of‐pocket charge for the vaccine, however, if a
person has insurance, such as Medicare, Missouri HeatlhNet (Medicaid) or a private health
insurance provider, please present that card at the clinic so that your insurance company can
be billed for the vaccination. The health department offers this free vaccine in order to protect
our community as fully as possible from the complications of influenza.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Air Force officials say they’re changing their policy on enlistment oaths and will allow airmen to omit the words “so help me God” if they choose.
The decision comes after an airman at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada struck out the words on his Department of Defense reenlistment paperwork and ran up against a policy that prohibits omissions.
The case went up to the Department of Defense General Counsel, which issued an opinion Wednesday saying the language could be left out if the airman preferred.
Attorney Monica Miller of the American Humanist Association is representing the airman, who she says has requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.
Miller says the airman was told by his commanders Aug. 25 that he must swear to God or leave the Air Force.
On Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the St. Joseph Police Department and the St. Joseph Youth Alliance will be conducting a prescription drug take back event at the East Hills Mall on the parking lot near Sears and Dillards.
This event is part of the national program sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
It’s a free service to allows people to discard unwanted drugs, prescriptions and over the counter medicines, in a safe manner that doesn’t pollute the water supply, or allow them to fall into the wrong hands.
This is an excellent opportunity for citizens to safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs. The Police Department Mobile Command Post will be set up during the event.
Senator Blunt congratulated Jason and Carri Kern for receiving the “Angels in Adoption” award for their efforts to raise awareness about the challenges facing the adoption and foster care systems.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) has selected Jason and Carri Kern of Wentzville, Mo. as 2014 “Angels in Adoption” awardees for their outstanding advocacy of adoption and foster care issues. This week, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption program honored the Kerns and other families in Washington, D.C. Blunt met with the Kern family today in his Washington, D.C. office.
“Jason and Carri Kern have dedicated their lives to caring for and providing a loving home for children in need – overcoming unfathomable setbacks in their seven-year quest to bring their son, Hudson, home from Guatemala,” said Blunt. “Hudson has an incredible story and I’m glad to recognize Jason and Carri Kern as Angels in Adoption for their efforts to raise awareness about the challenges facing the adoption and foster care systems.”
Jason and Carri Kern first began their adoption journey in 2006 when they became licensed foster parents in the state of Missouri. In 2007, they began to pursue an international adoption in Guatemala and were matched with Hudson in the fall of that year. In 2008, Guatemala halted adoptions as the country began trying to reform their system. As a result, a large number of cases were caught in the pipeline.
In 2010, as they waited for Hudson’s case to process, they agreed to foster a pair of siblings. The Kerns quickly fell in love and decided to pursue adopting the siblings and their other sister. In February 2013, Jason and Carri officially adopted Trenton, Tatum and Tia.
Meanwhile, Hudson’s case continued to drag on with countless court hearings. During this process, the Kerns traveled to Guatemala 27 times to make sure Hudson knew he had a loving family fighting to bring him to the United States. Blunt sent a number of letters and attended meetings with Guatemalan officials urging movement of Hudson’s case.
On July 25, 2014, Hudson was able to join his forever home after seven years of waiting. Hudson is home because of his parents’ unshakeable faith and unbelievable determination. The family now has four adopted children: Hudson (age 7), Trenton (age 7), Tatum (age 6) and Tia (age 4). For more information on the their story, please click here.
PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — A commission created by the Colorado Legislature has begun looking into funding to upgrade the route of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief and keep the passenger train running through the southeast corner of the state.
The Pueblo Chieftain reports
Southwest Chief Route
the commission met Wednesday to gather information for a funding request to lawmakers.
The commission is also examining what it would take to alter the train’s route and add a stop in Pueblo. The train currently stops in Lamar, La Junta and Trinidad, Colorado.
Last week, federal officials announced a $12.5 million grant for the most urgently needed repairs on the route, in western Kansas and eastern Colorado. Upgrades are also needed elsewhere in Colorado and in New Mexico.
Amtrak says repairs are needed so trains can maintain 60- to 70-mph speeds.
LOS ANGELES — Kansas ranks fifth in the nation in overall highway performance and cost-effectiveness in the latest Annual Highway Report by Reason Foundation. This is a slight decline from 2011 when Kansas ranked third and from 2009 when the state ranked second.
Missouri’s highways rank 27th in fatality rate Kansas 33rd.
Kansas was 15th in the percentage of deficient bridges and Missouri was 34th.
Kansas was first in rural interstate pavement condition and Missouri was 23rd.
Kansas was 11th in urban interstate pavement condition and third in urban Interstate congestion. Missouri was 24th in urban interstate pavement condition and 4th in urban interstate congestion.
On spending, Missouri ranked 6th in total disbursements per mile and 4th in administrative disbursements per mile.
Kansas ranks 27th in total disbursements per mile and 17th in administrative disbursements per mile.
Missouri’s state-controlled highway mileage makes it the 7th largest system and Kansas is the 27th largest system.
MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science Writer
