Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised to have an influential role in the next Trump administration as the president-elect’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Recently, Kennedy told news outlets that a top priority will be directing communities to take fluoride out of their drinking water. Fluoride has been a pillar of public health for decades, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Experts point to evidence that it strengthens teeth and improves oral health. But fluoride has also inflamed local debates, where some oppose the government putting something in public drinking water. Recent research also raises questions about potential benefits and harms of fluoride. Yet these growing debates are already well underway in Oregon, which is home to Portland, the largest U.S. city without fluoride in its drinking water. The liberal suburb of Hillsboro and the small conservative town of Lebanon may also foreshadow the impassioned fights that could soon spread across the country . Whether to add or remove fluoride from drinking water was on the ballots in both places this month, fueling intense battles in person and online. National health reporter Fenit Nirappil recently traveled to Oregon to understand up close the science and politics of fluoride. He spoke with host Elahe Izadi about what he learned. Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon, who also contributed reporting. Sabby Robinson contributed production help. It was edited by Reena Flores, with help from Lucy Perkins, and it was mixed by Justin Gerrish. Thanks to Tracy Jan. Subscribe to The Washington Post here . You can also read the oral history of Elphaba ahead of the opening weekend of the movie, Wicked, here .
Day: November 21, 2024
Israel and allies denounce the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. Newshour hears from former MK Ruth Wasserman Lande. Also in the programme: Matt Gaetz withdraws nomination for US attorney general; and Ukrainians evacuating from the east. (Picture: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the plenum, during a discussion on the subject of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem. Credit: Reuters)
P.M. Edition for Nov. 21. WSJ chief economics commentator Greg Ip explains how President-elect Trump’s economic team will work on his policy priorities. And Justice Department reporter Sadie Gurman discusses the fallout from former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal of his U.S. attorney general nomination. Plus, WSJ Middle Eastern correspondent Omar Abdel-Baqui discusses the implications of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tracie Hunte hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The former Florida congressman’s nomination encountered controversy from the start, over allegations that he participated in sex parties, used illegal drugs and had sex with a minor. Both the House ethics committee and the FBI investigated the allegations; the federal investigation closed without charges, and the House investigation was not made public. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Susan Davis, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
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