While most of the South is bouncing back from the ongoing winter storms, the crisis in Nashville and parts of Mississippi is dragging into another week, with at least 37 dead and tens of thousands still without power.
Why it matters: Unlike Texas in 2021, power generation held up. The failures were more mundane: Icy trees snapped power lines, and crews struggled to reach damaged poles. That's left a patchwork recovery: Most of the region is recovering, but tens of thousands remain stuck without heat in freezing temperatures.
Pharmacy benefit managers are facing more pressure after the Department of Labor issued new requirements for disclosing their financial dealings with drugmakers, pharmacies and others health system players.
Why it matters: The proposed rule stems from President Trump's executive order on lowering drug prices and comes as Congress is targeting the drug supply intermediaries with more transparency rules.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s push to remove fluoride from public water supplies is playing out on dual tracks, as the Environmental Protection Agency advances a fast-track review of health risks and at least 16 states weigh new restrictions.
Why it matters: The efforts show how key parts of Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda are being steered outside of the department he oversees.
