Positive interactions (praise and displays of affection).
Negative interactions (criticism or fighting).
Resource allocation (spending time with a child and material resources).
Behavior control (setting rules and expectations).
They found one of the biggest factors is birth order. Researchers said parents tend give older siblings more autonomy, like later curfews and more freedom to make their own decisions.
A child’s personality characteristics also play a huge role. Basically, children who show more conscientiousness and responsibility have fewer negative interactions with their parents. They’re the kids who do their chores without having to be told, for example.
Agreeable children who show more cooperation and consideration also usually see more positive parental responses.
They said even though the law is meant to keep kids from accessing sexually explicit content online, it’s vague and “imposes significant burdens on adults’ access to constitutionally protected expression.” Opponents also said it also presents privacy and security concerns because adults are forced to share personally identifying information to access the sites.
The law, signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, requires porn sites to verify official documentation like government-issued IDs or face large fines. The law says any website that contains “one-third” sexual material is considered a site that requires age verification, though social media sites are exempt.
The Texas law also requires sites to display health notices on their landing page that says viewing pornography is potentially addictive, weakens brain function and is associated with low self-esteem and body image, among other issues.
A U.S. district judge temporarily blocked the law in September 2024, but then the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals undid that, saying requiring age verification does not violate the First Amendment.
The Supreme Court’s ruling will impact more than just Texas. Multiple other states have passed laws mandating age-verification for porn sites including Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Dementia diagnoses expected to rise to 1 million per year by 2060
The risk of developing dementia may be much higher than health experts previously thought. A newly published study shows two in five people will develop dementia in their lifetime, a large difference from older studies.
Older studies estimated about 14% of men and 23% of women would develop dementia at some point in their life. However, it’s much higher, with 42% of both men and women 55 and older expected to develop the disease, according to the study published this week in the journal Nature Medicine.
The biggest finding from the study is that the number of people diagnosed with dementia every year is expected to double, jumping from 514,000 in 2020 to 1 million per year by 2060.
Researchers say a big reason is because Baby Boomers are aging and they make up the second-largest faction of the U.S. population after millennials. By 2040 all baby boomers will be at least 75 years old, which is when dementia diagnoses were found to increase substantially.
The new research found only about 17% of cases were diagnosed before age 75, with an average age at the time of diagnosis being 81. The study also found Black people and women had the highest risk of developing dementia.
SCOTUS to hear case that could impact ACA’s preventive health coverage
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could impact the future of certain “free preventive healthcare services” under the Affordable Care Act. At the heart of the case is the constitutionality of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends more than 100 preventive services that insurers and group health plans must cover at no cost to patients.
The case was triggered by a legal challenge to the task force’s recommendation that a medication to reduce the risk of contracting HIV be fully covered for recipients of former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. America First Legal, on behalf of four individuals and two small businesses, filed a lawsuit in Texas. They argue they should not be forced to provide full insurance coverage for services like HIV prevention medication. They cite “religious and procedural” objections.
America First Legal also contends that the task force members who make decisions on such matters are unconstitutional. They say it is because they were not nominated by the president or confirmed by the Senate, as required for “principal” officers under the Constitution.
In 2023, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that task force members are, in fact, principal officers who should have undergone the nomination and confirmation process.
The Biden administration appealed to the Supreme Court. They argue the decision “threatens healthcare protections for millions of Americans that have been in place for 14 years.”
If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the individuals and businesses who sued, it could eliminate the requirement for insurers to cover the full cost of services such as birth control, vaccines and mental health screenings.
The challengers are now seeking to reintroduce some of the arguments that the 5th Circuit rejected in their appeal to the Supreme Court.
In a petition filed in September, the Justice Department argued that the task force’s decade of coverage recommendations are legal and should be upheld. They warn that a rollback would jeopardize healthcare protections for millions of Americans.
The timing of the Supreme Court’s action, coupled with President-elect Donald Trump’s November victory, raises questions about whether his incoming administration will support the Biden administration’s position or opt not to defend the panels that set coverage requirements under the ACA, which Trump has criticized. If Trump’s Justice Department does not defend the task force, the high court may appoint a different lawyer to do so.
The case is likely to be heard in March or April. While awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision, both the federal government and the challengers have been operating under a compromise. “Obamacare’s” insurance requirements remain in place nationwide, but the government cannot enforce them against the plaintiffs in the Texas case.
Attacker in 2014 Slender Man stabbing granted release by Wisconsin judge
Morgan Geyser, one of two people convicted in the 2014 stabbing of a classmate that was inspired by the fictional character Slender Man, has been granted conditional release from a psychiatric hospital. Geyser spent seven years in treatment.
Now 22, following evaluations, multiple medical experts no longer view Geyser as a safety risk to the community. A Wisconsin judge ruled Thursday, Jan. 9, supporting her release, marking a significant shift in her legal case.
“The bottom line, common feature is that there’s a unanimous support for Ms. Geyser’s petition for conditional release,” one expert testified in court.
Geyser and her friend Anissa Weier lured their classmate Payton Leutner into a park in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in May 2014. All three girls were 12 years old at the time.
Authorities said Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times in an attempt to prove her loyalty to Slender Man, a fictional horror character. Leutner survived the attack, though she did suffer life-threatening injuries.
Geyser and Weier later claimed that they believed Slender Man would hurt their families if they didn’t carry out the attack.
Geyser pled guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide and was convicted as an adult, but she was found not guilty by reason of mental illness. She received a sentence of up to 40 years in a psychiatric facility.
In 2018, Geyser began treatment for a schizophrenic diagnosis. Over the years, mental health experts said her condition has improved. Her psychologist said she is no longer on her medication and showed no signs of psychotic behavior over the past two years.
“I’ve watched the progress; I think that it was a long time coming,” her defense attorney said. “She got a lot of talents. I think she’s going to be a good person in the community. I think she’s going to thrive.”
The same judge who committed Geyser to the psychiatric hospital also granted her release. Under the court’s ruling, Wisconsin must find Geyser a group home within 60 days.
Weier, also convicted alongside Geyser, was released under supervised conditions in 2021.
Leutner’s mother expressed hope ahead of the hearing that the judicial system would keep Geyser in the facility. She said she believed releasing Geyser would risk the safety of the community as well as her daughter.
Controversy follows Meta’s move to roll back some rules on hateful content
Meta is making some sweeping changes to its policy on what Facebook and Instagram users can and cannot post. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the company not only announced it is doing away with professional fact-checking and replacing it with community notes but it also made updates to its hateful conduct policy, rolling back some content restrictions.
For example, the company removed a line in its policy that prohibited “dehumanizing speech” in the form of “certain objects” – including “women as household objects or property or objects in general; Black people as farm equipment; and transgender or non-binary people as ‘it.’”
Meta did, however, amend a different part of the policy related to “harmful stereotypes historically linked to intimidation or violence” to ban comparing Black people to farm equipment.
The company added a new section to the policy allowing “allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation,” saying transgenderism and homosexuality are both highly debated topics in politics and religion.
Meta also eliminated a ban that prohibited people from saying transgenderism does not or should not exist.
The company also got rid of a ban on blaming the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinese or Asian people. The now-deleted policy had told users not to post “content targeting a person or group of people on the basis of their protected characteristics with claims that they have or spread the novel coronavirus, are responsible for the existence of the novel coronavirus, or are deliberately spreading the novel coronavirus.”
Additionally, Meta is adjusting its automated systems that scan for policy violations, which the company says resulted in “too much content being censored that shouldn’t have been.” The systems will now only focus on extreme violations, such as child sexual exploitation and terrorism.
The changes follow allegations from President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers that Meta was “censoring” conservatives. President-elect Trump responded Tuesday to the news of Meta’s policy changes.
“I watched their news conference, and I thought it was a very good news conference,” he said. “I think they’ve, honestly, I think they’ve come a long way. Meta. Facebook. I think they’ve come a long way. I watched it, the man [Mark Zuckerberg] was very impressive.”
Critics of the new policy changes say they’ll likely lead to more hate speech and more false claims going viral.
Gov. Kathy Hochul aims to change involuntary commitment law in NY
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling for an expansion of involuntary mental health commitments in 2025, a decision she says was driven by the recent wave of violent subway attacks. Hochul plans to use her executive budget to address the lack of mental health resources available to New Yorkers in crisis.
This week, someone pushed a man onto subway tracks. And last month, a woman died after someone set her on fire aboard a Coney Island train. Hochul said these incidents involved individuals struggling with serious mental illness who had failed to get treatment.
“We need to ensure that those suffering from severe mental illness are getting the care they need,” Hochul said in a recent announcement.
Under current New York law, hospitals can involuntarily hold a person believed to be a danger to themselves or others. Once admitted, two doctors must evaluate the person and determine if they pose a threat, allowing doctors to hold them for up to 60 days.
Police officers and other healthcare professionals can also have individuals committed for treatment.
Hochul’s proposal aims to use $1 billion to improve care and expand current laws. It also includes Kendra’s Law, which mandates court-ordered outpatient care for individuals with mental illnesses.
In her announcement, Hochul acknowledged past setbacks. She noted that the legislature had rejected her previous efforts to expand access to mental health resources.
“It is my sincere hope that everyone in the legislature is paying attention to what is unfolding in our city and state,” she said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams supports Hochul’s proposal, saying it responds to the city’s need for enhanced psychiatric care. Similar to Hochul, Adams also pointed to the city’s homeless population. He said many of them lack basic needs and end up making choices that contribute to violent incidents.
However, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) has criticized Hochul’s plan. They argued that involuntary commitments fail to address more systemic issues.
“The current system fails those subject to involuntary commitment. They are bounced from one under-resourced facility after another before returning to the street,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman.
A New York City council member also expressed concern, saying that the real issue isn’t the law but its lack of enforcement in many cases.
Lawmakers say they are open to new legislation. Still, they emphasized the need for a carefully crafted bill that protects public safety while addressing mental health needs.
Colorado is now the 2nd state to allow psychedelic therapy
Colorado is now the second state in the country to legalize the use of psychedelics to help treat mental health issues, like post-traumatic stress and depression. A state law passed in 2022 just went into effect Wednesday, Jan. 1, allowing the therapeutic use of psilocybin, the chemical compound found in psychedelic mushrooms.
Just this month, Colorado Springs passed an ordinance extending the state prohibition on healing centers from 1,000 feet to 1 mile from certain locations, like schools. While psychedelics are still illegal in most states, and on the federal level, Colorado’s law decriminalizes the personal use of five naturally occurring psychedelics.
To be treated with psilocybin, patients will have to go through a risk assessment, preliminary meetings and follow-up sessions, and remain with a facilitator while under the drug’s influence. The psilocybin will also be tested, and the companies that grow them are to be regulated by the state.
This form of treatment is advocated by many U.S. military veterans, who say traditional treatments for combat-related mental health issues don’t work for them. So many veterans have turned to this illegal method for relief that the Department of Veterans Affairs announced last month it’s setting aside $1.5 million to study psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD, and other issues.
Oregon is the only other state to legalize the practice, with treatments having started there in June 2023.
Government shutdown looms as House votes against latest funding bill
A government shutdown looms nearer after the House rejected a bill that would have kept it funded into March. And drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey after a spate of mysterious sightings. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
House votes against latest stopgap bill aimed to avoid government shutdown
The House rejected a stopgap bill Thursday, Dec. 19, that would have kept the government running. The vote came ahead of a potential shutdown starting at midnight Saturday, Dec. 21, when lawmakers head home for the holidays.
The bill fell short of the needed two-thirds majority to speed up its passage. More than three dozen Republicans joined 197 Democrats in voting against it. Republicans split with each other on how the bill handles government spending.
“Three hundred and thirty billion dollars. Congratulations. You’ve added to the debt since you were given the majority again on Nov. 5,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said.
Roy voted against the bill.
He added, “It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. Yes, I think this bill is better than it was yesterday in certain respects. But to take this bill, to take this bill yesterday and congratulate yourself because it’s shorter in pages but increases the debt by $5 trillion, is asinine.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on the House floor, “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party.”
She added, “We will not be going back to the table. This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
The latest spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a quickly amended bill tailored to the liking of President-elect Donald Trump and his top ally Elon Musk.
Musk postedrepeatedlyonX condemning the original bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., worked on it with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, when both Musk and Trump opposed the bill, that guaranteed most House Republicans would vote against it and forced Johnson to craft a new bill.
Now, there are two conflicting interests. Musk wants major government spending cuts, and while Trump agrees, he also wants to permanently suspend the debt ceiling.
The new plan lifts the debt limit, leading Trump to support the bill in a Truth Social post.
“Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” Trump posted.
But Democrats attacked the bill over what spending Republicans chose to cut.
“The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious, it’s laughable,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”
The bill removed funding for a bipartisan program for pediatric cancer research, studying genetic conditions like Down syndrome and treatment options for sickle cell disease as well as cancers.
It will be on Johnson to craft a bill to secure votes from the majority of the House.
However, Johnson may not have the political leeway to rely on support from Democrats. He’ll need nearly every returning member of the House Republican caucus to vote for him next month to remain speaker.
The new Congress takes office in the new year.
New details of accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter’s plan emerge
Newly unsealed court documents put into perspective what led up to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal complaint shed light on 26-year-old Luigi Mangione’s “hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular.”
In a notebook found on Mangione when he was arrested, he allegedly wrote of his plans to “wack” an insurance company CEO at its investor conference. Federal prosecutors said he traveled from Georgia to New York to stalk and kill Thompson.
Magione appeared in a New York courtroom Thursday, and four new federal charges were levied against him. The charges included murder with a firearm, which is an offense punishable by the death penalty.
The hearing followed Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, where police arrested him on Dec. 9, to New York.
Armed guards surrounded Mangione as NYPD officers walked him off a helicopter upon his arrival in Manhattan. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the walk.
“Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and I all want to send a very clear and loud message that this act of terrorism and the violence that stems from it is something that will not be tolerated in this city,” Adams told the press at the site of the helicopter arrival.
Mangione already faces state-level charges in New York. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought charges against him Tuesday, Dec. 17, including for murder as an act of terrorism.
However, Mangione also received a hero’s welcome from protesters outside the courthouse. Thompson’s killing sparked backlash against the health insurance industry and its coverage policies.
While judges have not set any dates yet, Mangione will face state-level charges first. A federal trial will follow.
New York abolished the death penalty, meaning it’s not an option for Mangione in the state-level case. However, the death penalty can still be exercised in the federal case.
FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New York and New Jersey
Drones are now banned in parts of New York and New Jersey — at least for the time being. It comes amid an investigation into multiple mysterious sightings over the last month that set off fear and speculation.
In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Federal Aviation Administration’s bans are “purely precautionary.” Meanwhile, the FAA’s restrictions in New Jersey are largely aimed at limiting drone flights over power stations and infrastructure.
The FAA implemented emergency flight restrictions across New Jersey, prohibiting drone operations until Jan. 17, 2025, for “special security reasons.” Unless operators obtain special government clearance, the directive bans uncrewed aircraft within a one-nautical-mile radius of designated areas and up to 400 feet in altitude.
The FAA designated areas such as Camden, Jersey City, Elizabeth and South Brunswick as “National Defense Airspace.”
Violators may face severe penalties, including interception, detention, certificate revocation and potential criminal charges. In extreme cases, authorities are authorized to use “deadly force” against drones posing an “imminent security threat.”
These restrictions follow a surge in unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and nearby states that began in mid-November. Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), received over 5,000 reports of drone activity.
Dow Jones snaps worst losing streak in 50 years
The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its worst losing streak in 50 years Thursday. The losing streak lasted 10 days.
During the losing streak, the market wiped out all of its post-election gains. The Dow ended Wednesday down 2.5% from when Trump won the election.
Also on Wednesday, Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index, had its second-biggest percentage spike in history. The VIX shot up 74% after the Federal Reserve shared its outlook for the coming year.
On Wednesday, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate for a third time in 2024, which was widely predicted.
Feeling the holiday blues?
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann said the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann said it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommended several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. She suggested getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advised getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick the brain and improve mood.
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encouraged reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommended incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggested engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
Unwrapping the truth behind seasonal depression and the ‘holiday blues’
The holidays are often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but the season can bring about sadness and stress for many. This -emotional shift, commonly known as the “holiday blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can affect millions of people across the country.
Licensed adult psychiatrist Dr. Patrice Mann says the holiday blues are due to several factors. They include social pressures, disruptive routines and financial strain.
“Things like having a bunch of holiday events on the calendar, not to say we don’t look forward to them oftentimes, but they take a toll on us,” says Dr. Mann. “You’re up late, interacting with a lot of people, and that’s not everyone’s nature.”
Grief and seasonal depression can also complicate these feelings. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans every year, but many may not even realize they have it.
Symptoms to watch out for
Symptoms of holiday blues and seasonal depression can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, and changes in eating or sleeping habits. If these symptoms last more than two weeks, Dr. Mann says it could indicate a more serious depressive episode. In such cases, seeking professional help is important.
Dr. Mann recommends several self-care strategies to help manage both the holiday blues and seasonal depression. One of her suggestions is getting tested for vitamin D deficiency and taking supplements during winter. Vitamin D plays a vital role in mood and energy levels.
She also advises getting as much sunlight as possible during the shorter winter days. Light therapy boxes can mimic outdoor sunlight if natural sunlight isn’t available. Using them for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can help trick your brain and improve mood.
Coping with grief and supporting others
For those experiencing grief during the holidays, Dr. Mann encourages reflecting on personal needs and communicating with trusted friends or family members. She also recommends incorporating new social activities into your routine and checking in with yourself after attending events.
For those supporting others through grief, it’s important to recognize that everyone processes emotions differently. Dr. Mann suggests engaging in activities with those less open about mental health, such as cooking or playing games, to help create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.
While the holiday season brings unique challenges, small steps can make a big difference. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining routines, and reaching out for support are important practices to help manage holiday stress. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that professional help is available. The National Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day by calling 988.
