A wave of new state laws is making fertility preservation procedures — from egg freezing to the emerging ovarian tissue freezing technology — a covered benefit for cancer patients.
Why it matters: Chemotherapy and radiation can cause reproductive problems, but fertility preservation procedures are costly and can be left out of cancer treatment conversations.
A powerful storm was pummeling the U.S. East Coast with heavy rains, gusty winds and coastal flooding Sunday, with states of emergency declared in New Jersey and New York City and the surrounding region.
The big picture: Coastal flood warnings were in effect for much of the East Coast, including NYC, from the nor'easter that began slamming parts of the Carolinas on Saturday, and which prompted water rescues in Columbus County, N.C., and Georgetown, S.C., on Sunday.
Western Alaska was being slammed by flooding rains and hurricane-force winds from the remnants of Typhoon Halong that are set to impact multiple communities in the region through Monday.
The latest: Flying debris injured some people and there was no immediate health aid for several communities due to the storm that prompted water rescues in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, the Alaska Association of Village Council Presidents said in a statement that noted residents in some communities were sheltering in school gyms.
Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo closed Sunday due to the government shutdown, with their websites urging visitors to check back for updates on when they'll reopen.
The big picture: All of the Smithsonian's institutions, including its research centers, 21 museums and the National Zoo, are affected by the temporary closure. The zoo emphasized on its site that its beloved pandas and other animals "will continue to be fed and cared for."
