AP National News

Experts: Spend opioid settlement funds on fighting opioids

By BEN FINLEY and GEOFF MULVIHILL - Associated Press
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by Rayos Syndication User

Public health experts are citing the 1998 settlement agreement with tobacco companies as a cautionary tale ahead of the expected $26 billion settlement with opioid producers. Only fractions of the $200 billion tobacco settlement have gone toward preventing smoking and helping people quit in many states. Much of the money has instead helped to balance state budgets and repair roads. A group of advocacy organizations is pushing for governments to follow a set of principles regarding how they’ll use the opioid settlement money. Lawyers involved in the planned settlement say there are requirements to use most of the money to combat addiction and the toll of opioids.

The Latest: South Korea hits pandemic high for daily cases

By The Associated Press
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by Rayos Syndication User

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has reported a new daily high for coronavirus cases, putting pressure on authorities to extend their toughest distancing rules. The 1,784 cases confirmed in the previous 24-hour period is the biggest single-day jump since the pandemic began. The new cases brought the country’s total to 182,265 cases, with 2,060 deaths from COVID-19. South Korea’s…

US opioid lawsuits on verge of settlements with 4 companies

By GEOFF MULVIHILL - Associated Press
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by Rayos Syndication User

The three biggest U.S. drug distribution companies and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson are on the verge of a $26 billion deal to settle lawsuits brought by state and local governments across the country over the toll of prescription opioids, lawyers suing on behalf of local governments said. Full details of the settlement involving AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson could come this week but it could take months to get final approval from state and local governments. A $1 billion-plus deal involving the three distributors and the state of New York was also announced Tuesday.

Some drought-imposed fishing limits lifted on Colorado River

By JAMES ANDERSON - Associated Press
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by Rayos Syndication User

Colorado is lifting some fishing restrictions along a stretch of the drought-stricken Colorado River, thanks to recent rain and lower water temperatures essential to fish. But biologists warn that historically low water flows caused by drought, high water temperatures and wildfire sediment that all starve trout of oxygen could force future bans. Colorado Parks and Wildlife had imposed a rare 120-mile voluntary fishing ban earlier this month. Tuesday’s changes allow anglers who are a key driver of Colorado’s summer tourist economy to fish a 27-mile stretch of river anytime between midnight and noon, when waters are cooler. Reservoir releases upstream and recent rain contributed to the decision.