Tea bags found to contain ‘huge’ and ‘concerning’ amounts of microplastics
Tea is known for its calming and relaxing qualities, but a new report may cause a little stress. Scientists have discovered that three different types of commercially available teabags release millions, sometimes even billions, of nanoplastics and microplastics into tea, which then get absorbed into the intestinal cells of whoever consumes the drink.
Microplastic contamination is an ongoing concern. These plastics have been found in hearts, testicles and this year, scientists found a “scary” amount in brain tissue.
While scientists do not yet know how exactly microplastics impact human health, they are known to release chemicals called “endocrine disrupters,” which are believed to impact human hormones and increase the risk for certain cancers.
One of the study’s authors said they hope the research helps spur a push to regulate single-use plastics and cut down on plastic contamination.
While the study’s authors did not identify the brands of tea bags it tested, this is not the first study of its kind. The digital platform “I’m Plastic-Free,” which helps people find plastic-free household products, has compiled a list of plastic-free tea brands across the world.
Explosion kills top Russian general in Moscow: Officials
A top Russian general was killed in a blast in Moscow, according to officials. And police identify the suspect in a deadly school shooting in Wisconsin. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
Officials say explosion kills Russian general in Moscow
Russian officials said an explosion near an apartment building in Moscow killed the head of Russia’s nuclear and chemical forces Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. Officials said the explosive device, which was planted in a scooter and triggered remotely, killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov and his assistant.
Russia’s investigative committee said it is treating the bombing as a terrorist attack. Kirillov has been the head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces since April 2017.
On Monday, Dec. 16, Ukraine’s security services charged Kirillov with the use of banned chemical weapons during the war. He also faced sanctions from several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his role in the war in Ukraine.
A Ukrainian official, who spoke to the Associated Press anonymously, said the security service carried out the attack.
2 charged in connection with drone strike that killed 3 American soldiers
Two Iranian men, one of whom is a dual-American citizen, were charged in connection with a deadly drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan earlier this year.
FBI specialists analyzed the drone and were able to trace its navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants. According to prosecutors, the defendant relied on parts and technology funneled into the country by his alleged co-conspirator.
Authorities identified the suspects as Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedini. Prosecutors said Sadeghi worked at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company. Abedini was arrested in Italy, and the Justice Department is seeking extradition to Massachusetts.
Both men are charged with export control violations. Abedini also faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Iran.
Police identify 15-year-old suspect in deadly Wisconsin school shooting
Police said a 15-year-old girl, who was a student at Abundant Life Christian School, opened fire inside a classroom Monday morning. Another student and a teacher were killed.
“The shooter has now been identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. “She was a student at the school and evidence suggests she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
Barnes added, “At this time, we believe there was only one shooter involved. We are still working to determine a motive. Detectives have talked to her family members this evening as well as conduct a search of the shooter’s home here in Madison.”
Six others were injured in the shooting. Police said two of the injured students remain in critical condition. Authorities said it is not clear if the teacher and teenage student who were killed were targeted.
In response to the shooting, President Joe Biden issued a statement that called for Congress to pass more gun safety laws. He called for universal background checks, a national red flag law and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Judge rejects Trump’s bid to throw out hush money conviction
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year on presidential immunity, a New York judge said he will not throw out President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 charges of falsifying business records related to payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Trump denied any wrongdoing regarding Daniels’ claims of a sexual relationship between the two.
Trump was originally set to be sentenced in the so-called “hush money” case on Nov. 22, but Judge Juan Merchan postponed it to allow both sides more time to present arguments related to potentially dismissing the case. Trump’s lawyers asked to dismiss the case, citing the SCOTUS ruling in July giving a president wide immunity from prosecution.
Trump communications director Steven Cheung called Monday’s decision to allow the case to continue a “direct violation of the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence.”
It’s still unclear when or if a sentencing date will be set. Prosecutors have already agreed the president-elect would not be sentenced while he is in office. However, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has argued in legal filings that the felony conviction should still stand.
Trump meets with TikTok CEO as app faces U.S. ban
President-elect Trump met with the CEO of TikTok Monday at his Mar-a-Lago resort, according to multiple reports. The meeting came as the popular social media platform faces a ban in the U.S.
Earlier this year, in a show of bipartisan support, Congress passed a measure that would ban TikTok in the U.S. as of Jan. 19, 2025, and President Biden signed it into law. A federal court upheld that move earlier this month.
Trump originally tried to ban TikTok during his first administration. However, he has since reversed course, vowing on the campaign trail to “save” the app.
During a press conference before Monday’s meeting with TikTok’s CEO, the president-elect addressed the matter.
“We’ll take a look at TikTok,” he said. “You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with it.”
TikTok filed an emergency application with SCOTUS on Monday asking for a temporary injunction that would delay the ban while the company seeks a formal review by the justices.
Trump is set to meet with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Dec. 17. He is then expected to sit down with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
‘Red One’ brings in 50 million viewers in record Prime Video debut
The movie pulled in a record-breaking 50 million viewers worldwide during its first four days of streaming. The film, which cost $200 million to make, was originally set to be a Prime Video exclusive. The studio switched course and first premiered it in theaters last month.
“Red One” surpassed Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Road House” for Prime Video’s most-watched film debut. Now, Amazon said “Red One” will “clearly be a perennial holiday favorite for years to come.”
EPA bans 2 solvents used in everyday products and dry cleaning
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned two solvents used in many everyday products that have been proven to cause multiple types of cancer, as well as other diseases. Trichloroethelyne (TCE) and perchloroethelyne (PCE or Perc) are chemicals used in things like cleaners, spot removers, lubricants and glue.
TCE is known to cause liver and kidney cancers and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, as well as damage to the nervous and immune systems. The EPA is banning it completely.
PCE is used for dry-cleaning and automotive care products. It’ll now be banned for commercial uses but will still be allowed for industrial use — like aviation and defense — as long as strict rules are in place to protect workers. Perc has been found to cause liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancers and to damage the kidneys, liver and immune system.
The EPA said safer alternatives to these solvents are already available for most of their uses anyway.
‘Risk and uncertainty’ as Syrian rebels oust Assad after decades in power
Syrian rebels oust dictator Bashar al-Assad, who has fled the country after nearly 25 years in power. And the suspected killer of a health care CEO in New York City is still at-large after eluding a massive manhunt for almost a week. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
‘Risk and uncertainty’ as Syrian rebels oust Assad after decades in power
It’s the dawn of a new era in Syria. After more than a decade of civil war in the country, President Bashar al-Assad was ousted after rebel groups overtook the capital in a coup on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Now Syria and its people are left with the question of what comes next as countries around the world, including the United States, react to the changing landscape.
Syrians could be seen celebrating in the streets as word spread that Assad had fled the country. State media reported the president and his family landed in Russia Sunday evening and Assad has been granted political asylum in Moscow.
The toppled leader, who had been in power since 2000 and whose family had ruled for five decades, was forced to vacate after rebel forces quickly captured city after city leading to them taking control of Damascus.
Since the civil war broke out in the wake of the pro-democracy Arab Spring demonstrations of 2011, Assad’s forces have been accused of brutal severe human rights violations, including using chemical weapons against their people. They’ve been held responsible for the deaths of more than 5,000 people and the displacement of millions of others.
The rebels who led to Assad’s ouster were headed by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Jolani called the coup “a victory for the whole Islamic nation.”
Jolani’s group used to be linked to Al Qaeda. Though it has cut those ties, the U.S. still designates it a terrorist group.
President Joe Biden spoke from the White House Sunday, calling the end of Assad’s regime a “fundamental act of justice.” Biden added the U.S. will support Syria’s neighbors Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq should any threat arise from this period of transition.
Biden referred to this as a time of “risk and uncertainty.”
“We will remain vigilante. Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” Biden said. “We’ve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days and they’re saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.”
Biden said Assad’s downfall came in part due to allies Iran, Russia and Hezbollah being weaker today than when Biden began his term.
President-elect Donald Trump issued a statement on his Truth Social platform Sunday, saying Iran and Russia are in weakened states right now and calling for the end of the war in Ukraine. However, in a post on Saturday, Dec. 7, Trump said the U.S. should not get involved with Syria, saying, “This is not our fight. Let it play out.”
Iran’s president said it is up to the Syrian people to decide the future of their country.
Amid the time of transition in Syria, the U.S. showed it will continue its efforts against ISIS in the region. U.S. Central Command said it launched a series of airstrikes Sunday targeting ISIS camps and leaders in central Syria, confirming 75 “targets” had been hit. U.S. officials said it will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria.
Trump promises to pardon Jan. 6 rioters on first day in office
In his first network TV interview since winning the election, President-elect Trump touched on some of his biggest campaign promises and his plans to start following through with them immediately when he takes office in January.
In an interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker for Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” Trump said, “A lot of it will have to do with economics. A lot’s gonna do with energy. A lot’s having to do with the border. We’re gonna immediately strengthen up the border and do a real job.”
Trump also doubled down on his promise to pardon Americans jailed for their role in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, saying they had no other choice than to plead guilty. Department of Justice records show more than 1,500 people have been arrested or charged in connection with that attack and nearly 900 have pleaded guilty.
While Trump said he will not tell his nominees for FBI director and attorney general to go after his political rivals, he did share his opinion on what should happen to lawmakers who were on the House’s select committee to investigate January 6.
“Everybody on that committee, for what they did, honestly, they should go to jail,” he said.
After that interview, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY), who was on the committee, issued a statement saying, “Donald Trump’s suggestion that members of congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.”
Trump did reiterate multiple times during Sunday’s interview he has no plans to go after political rivals, but as we’ve reported here at Straight Arrow News, President Biden is considering preemptive pardons for Cheney and others who were part of the House Jan. 6 investigation, as well as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Police release new images of suspect in NYC deadly shooting
The manhunt for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson enters a new week.
Over the weekend, the NYPD released new images of the apparent suspect. Police identify the man in the pictures as “a person of interest” wanted for questioning for the fatal shooting outside a Hilton hotel Wednesday, Dec. 4.
One image shows the masked man in the back of a taxi. Another shows him walking on the sidewalk outside a vehicle. Police are hoping these images, along with others released last week, will help lead to the gunman.
Authorities reportedly traveled to Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 7, and have been searching a lake near Central Park. On Friday night, Dec. 6, reports said investigators found a backpack believed to belong to the shooter. Inside they found two items: a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money.
Jay-Z accused of raping 13-year-old girl alongside Diddy
Music mogul Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs. In a civil suit filed Sunday, the anonymous accuser claimed the assault happened in 2000 at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.
The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October only listing Combs as a defendant, but it was refiled Sunday to include Carter.
Jay-Z, who is married to Beyonce, denied the accusation and said in a statement directed at the attorney who filed the suit, “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!”
Combs’ lawyer also responded, calling the suit a “shameless” publicity stunt.
In September, federal prosecutors in New York criminally charged Combs with racketeering, sex trafficking and other offenses. He is in jail awaiting trial, which is scheduled to start May 5.
Kennedy Center honors Coppola, Grateful Dead, The Apollo
President Biden was among those in attendance — a tradition President Trump did not continue during his first term in office, saying he did not want to be a political distraction as some attendees had threatened to boycott his appearance. As Trump gets ready to start his second term in office, there are questions about whether federal funding for the arts might be on the chopping block.
Reports: Juan Soto, Mets agree on largest contract in pro sports history
Former New York Yankees star outfielder Juan Soto is staying in the Big Apple, but moving leagues in reportedly the largest deal in professional sports history.
But should Soto decide not to opt out, his pay will reportedly go up an extra $4 million a year for the remainder of the deal — meaning in the end, this could be an over $800 million deal.
The agreement also reportedly includes a $75 million signing bonus. Soto’s deal surpasses the record set just last year by Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract.
Note: The headline has been corrected to Assad. A previous version had the incorrect name.
Holiday-scented candles could be health risk: Study
Popular holiday-scented candles might smell great, but a new U.K. study found they’re not great for the lungs. The study researched the impact scented candles and incense can have on indoor air quality, finding they could be worse for people than just inhaling smoke.
When scented candles and incense burn, they release chemicals and particles into the air, including toxic gases like carbon monoxide.
They can also produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that easily evaporate into the home’s air supply. VOCs can also lead to several short-term health effects, including coughing, sneezing and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
Breathing in these chemicals also increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer.
A similar study burned equal amounts of cigarettes and incense sticks, finding incense created four times as much particulate matter as cigarettes. Additional studies have found candles and incense can be major sources of particulate matter pollution in non-smoker homes.
Mystery chemical in drinking water finally identified, but is it safe?
For more than 40 years scientists have known about a mysterious chemical in many Americans’ drinking water, but now they’ve finally found out what it is. The authors of a new study say they believe the chemical is a byproduct of chloramine, which some water plants use to treat water and make it safe to drink.
The study says about a third of Americans, or 113 million people, drink tap water that exposes them to this newly identified chemical. While scientists don’t yet know if it is dangerous, some are worried it could be toxic because of its similarities to other chemicals of concern.
In the early 20th century, many public water systems started using low levels of chlorine to make drinking water safe. Chlorine is safe to consume in low levels, but it was later discovered when it came into contact with other elements that naturally occur in water, it created toxic byproducts.
Those byproducts could be linked to higher risks certain cancers, miscarriages in pregnant women and low birth weights, so some systems switched to chloramine.
It could be years before it’s confirmed whether chloramine’s byproducts are safe or not. Some research shows that active carbon filters used in home water purification devices or refrigerators can remove these byproducts. Whether or not this is enough prevention remains to be seen.
More than 2,000 cleaning supplies contain chemicals linked to health issues
Keeping a clean home is a big step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but what if the products a person uses to clean their home are part of the problem? According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that researches and advocates for safer products, more than 2,000 cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems like asthma, cancer risk and chemical burns.
These substances are known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are gases that can be emitted from certain products. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the impact of these chemicals depends on how often a person is exposed to them and to what degree they are exposed.
The agency said the concentration of VOCs are often much higher indoors.
One top EPA official said it can be hard to avoid these chemicals because the list of ingredients in cleaning products can be long and it’s hard to tell what exactly you could be exposed to based on that list.
The EPA has made it easier to choose healthier products, though. It has a label a person can look for on cleaning supplies that says the EPA has deemed them a “safer choice.”
The agency also has a dedicated website where people can search for a product to see if it measures up to the EPA’s standards.
At least 15 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
The death toll from Hurricane Milton rises as millions are left without power in the storm’s aftermath. And one person is killed and 12 others rescued after a disaster during a tour of a Colorado mine. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
At least 8 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
At least 15 people are dead (that number has risen since Unbiased Updates was recorded Friday morning, Oct. 11), and 2.6 million homes and businesses remain without power as Florida begins to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Milton roared across the state. It was the second devastating storm to batter the Sunshine State in less than two weeks.
Now a post-tropical cyclone, Milton is expected to continue to weaken over the next few days.
While Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast near Sarasota, most of the deaths reported have been in the eastern part of the state, where dozens of tornadoes have been reported. While the storm did not prove to be the worst-case scenario, rescuers have been very busy pulling and dragging hundreds of people from flooded areas to safety.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have both said in this case, warnings came early and often, spurring tens of thousands of people to evacuate and saving countless lives.
Still, the cleanup and recovery processes are expected to take weeks, if not months — especially in the areas that were also hit by Hurricane Helene just 13 days before Milton barreled in.
1 dead, 12 rescued after elevator malfunction at Colorado gold mine
In Colorado, 12 people are now safe after getting trapped at the bottom of a gold mine for six hours Thursday, Oct. 10. One person died after the elevator at the Mollie Kathleen Mine, a popular tourist attraction, experienced a mechanical problem 500 feet below the earth’s surface.
The 12 adults had access to water and were able to communicate with authorities via radio while trapped. As that group was stuck, rescuers were able to get to 11 other people who were riding the elevator and get them to safety.
The local sheriff said it is not yet known what caused the malfunction. An investigation is underway.
The incident happened during the final week of Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine‘s tourist season before it shuts down for the winter.
Chemical leak at Houston oil refinery kills 2, injures dozens more
Two people are dead and 35 more are injured after a chemical leak involving hydrogen sulfide, a potentially toxic gas, at an oil refinery in Deer Park, Texas — near Houston. Officials said a group was working on a flange Thursday when some kind of accident happened, and gas started leaking.
Emergency officials urged residents in the area to shelter in place after the incident, but this morning, that’s since been lifted after air monitoring showed no signs hazardous chemicals had gotten into the air.
Trump talks economic plan in Detroit; Obama rallies for Harris in PA
With just 25 days until Americans head to the polls, voters in two battleground states heard from two former presidents on Thursday. Republican nominee former President Donald Trump spoke to supporters in Detroit, Michigan while former President Barack Obama – stumped for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
While delivering his economic address to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump spoke about his goal to revive the auto industry and bring a “rebirth” to Detroit. He then turned to international companies and his plan for them to open facilities in America.
“So, here is the deal that I will be offering to the world to companies outside of our world — big companies, powerful companies that have become powerful because we were stupid, we were stupid, we allowed them to come and raid and rape our country,” Trump said. “That’s what they did. ‘Oh, he used the word rape.’ That’s right, I used the word. They raped our country. The United States will give you the lowest taxes, the lowest energy cost, we have more liquid gold under our feet than any other country in the world and it’s the best…But only if you make your products here in America. In other words, you get all of these assets, but you have to make your product here in America and you have to hire American workers.”
“Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been,” Obama said. “That’s who Kamala is.”
He added, “I’m sorry gentlemen; I’ve noticed this especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior of bullying and of putting people down is a sign of strength. I am here to tell you, that is not what real strength is. Real strength is about working hard and carrying a heavy load without complaining and telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves. That is what we should want for our daughters and for our sons and that is what I want to see in a president for the United States of America.”
Hezbollah official escapes during deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities say Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Beirut killed 22 people and injured 117 others. Sources told Reuters a senior Hezbollah official, targeted by Israeli forces during the Thursday night strikes, was able to survive.
Israel has not commented on the attack.
The United Nations said its personnel is facing increasing danger in Lebanon as two U.N. peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower at its main headquarters in the southern portion of the country. Israel issued a statement on that incident, saying its military operated “next to” the U.N.’s base and had instructed U.N. officials to remain in protected spaces before its troops opened fire.
Hezbollah operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near @UNIFIL_ posts.
The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.
IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base.…
The peacekeepers were said to be in good condition after being treated for their injuries.
Sports leagues come together to combat hate in America
In a sign of true sportsmanship, eight American sports leagues have come together to back a new campaign targeting hate in the U.S. It is an idea from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his foundation to combat antisemitism.
The initiative brought together the heads of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHK, NASCAR and others to come up with plans to curb hate of any kind in the country. The sports leaders are spending $50 million to get the word out.
The campaign, titled “Timeout Against Hate,” launched during Thursday night football on Oct. 10, with a commercial featuring legendary figures and current-day athletes from all sports speaking out against hate.
Black-colored plastics found in kitchen utensils, toys linked to toxic chemical
A study published on Tuesday, Oct. 1, found that black-colored plastics may contain concerning levels of a toxic flame retardant that could be leaching in through the recycling process. The study, done by environmental advocacy group Toxic-Free Future, found the highest levels of the toxic chemical in costume jewelry kids often wear when dressing up as pirates.
The study’s lead author said these necklaces contain toxic chemicals equal to almost 3% of their weight.
Researchers found one PBDE, in particular, known as decaBDE was found in 70% of samples tested even though it was completely banned in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2021.
The European Union allows a level of decaBDEs up to 10 parts per million in products. The study’s authors said they found levels ranging from 5-1,200 times greater than that in the products they tested.
Take black plastic kitchen utensils for example. Researchers say based on how often they’re used, you could be exposed to nearly 38 parts per million of decaBDE per day — more than three times what the E.U. has deemed acceptable.
Most of the contamination can be traced back to flame retardants used in electronic devices like TVs, smartphones, gaming systems, and computers. This contamination occurs when these items are improperly recycled.
However, these flame retardants can also be found in the padding of things like couches, yoga mats, children’s car seats, just to name a few.
The study also only looked at black plastics, so it’s unclear if the toxic chemicals can be found in any other color of plastic.
Researchers say if you want to cut down your exposure, you can replace your kitchen utensils with stainless steel, dust, mop, and vacuum regularly to get rid of any dust that has been contaminated, and never wash and reuse the black plastic containers your food comes in or put them in the microwave.
East Palestine residents may wait years for payments due to appeal of settlement
East Palestine residents may have to wait up to two years before getting paid out by Norfolk Southern for a disastrous train derailment in 2023, according to lawyers on Monday, Sept. 30. Settlement checks were reportedly supposed to go out by the end of this year but now that appears it will not happen after an appeal by one of the plaintiff’s last week.
The appeal challenges whether a federal judge’s decision to approve a more than $600 million settlement gave enough money to East Palestinians.
Some residents reportedly expressed outrage over the weekend about the appeal by a local pastor because they said they needed those payments to move out of town.
Other residents said that they had deeper concerns about the chemicals they were exposed to from the rail disaster after officials decided to blow up the boxcars filled with toxic chemicals. Those residents want the plaintiff’s lawyers to reveal what their expert found when he tested for any lingering contamination in East Palestine.
Now, an appeals court will have to determine whether or not the settlement offers enough money to residents and if enough information was given to East Palestinians before an agreement was reached.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys vowed on Monday to do everything in their “power” to “quickly resolve this appeal,” adding, “It is tragic that one person is substituting their judgement for the entire community who wants this settlement, and instead of opting out, they have gone this route.”
Lawyers say it is likely the payments will be delayed six months to a year. However, they say the wait may be even longer if the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court or gets sent back to federal court.
The settlement offers payments of up to $70,000 per household and up to $25,000 per individual. The funds are meant to cover health issues and property damage to the community from the derailment disaster.
