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Politics

New York Lawmakers Strip Cuomo's Power To Issue New Emergency Orders During Pandemic

The New York Senate has passed a bill to limit Gov. Andrew Cuomo's emergency powers but the legislation still allows the governor to extend or amend many of his COVID-19 mandates.

New York Lawmakers Strip Cuomo's Power To Issue New Emergency Orders During Pandemic

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Drug Overdose Deaths Surge Among Black Americans During Pandemic

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say fatal drug overdoses nationwide surged roughly 20% during the pandemic, killing more than 83,000 people in 2020. A growing body of research suggests Black Americans have suffered the heaviest toll. Jamiel Law for NPR hide caption

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Jamiel Law for NPR

The Coronavirus Crisis

Drug Overdose Deaths Surge Among Black Americans During Pandemic

Black Americans with addiction face "pervasive and continuing systemic racism" and often struggle to gain access to treatments that prevent fatal overdoses.

Drug Overdose Deaths Surge Among Black Americans During Pandemic

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As Addiction Deaths Surge, Profit-Driven Rehab Industry Faces 'Severe Ethical Crisis'

This 2017 photo shows a slogan is on the storefront of Journey, a former substance abuse treatment center, in Lake Worth, Fla. Now closed, it was one of two centers owned by Kenneth Chatman, who is now serving a 27-year federal prison sentence for health care fraud and money laundering convictions. Lynne Sladky/AP hide caption

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Lynne Sladky/AP

National

As Addiction Deaths Surge, Profit-Driven Rehab Industry Faces 'Severe Ethical Crisis'

Many drug rehab programs use aggressive sales techniques, price-gouge patients and provide substandard care. The system often pushes people struggling with addiction into debt, but not recovery.

As Addiction Deaths Surge, Profit-Driven Rehab Industry Faces 'Severe Ethical Crisis'

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Grand Jury Clears Buffalo N.Y., Police Accused Of Assaulting Elderly Protester

A video shows officers shoving an older man during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in June 2020 in Buffalo, N.Y. Mike Desmond/WBFO via AP hide caption

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Mike Desmond/WBFO via AP

America Reckons With Racial Injustice

Grand Jury Clears Buffalo N.Y., Police Accused Of Assaulting Elderly Protester

Officers Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe were seen on cell phone video shoving Martin Gugino to the ground. He cracked his skull on the pavement and sustained a brain injury. The video went viral.

New York Scrambles To Improve Vaccination Acceptance In Black And Latino Communities

People wait in line to enter a COVID-19 vaccination site at Yankee Stadium on Friday in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

New York Scrambles To Improve Vaccination Acceptance In Black And Latino Communities

The state opened a mass vaccination site at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Friday and is working with Black pastors to overcome worries about vaccine safety.

Consulting Giant McKinsey To Settle States' Opioid Claims For $573 Million

OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. The global business consulting firm McKinsey & Company has agreed to a $573 million settlement over its role in the opioid crisis. Toby Talbot/AP hide caption

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Toby Talbot/AP

National

Consulting Giant McKinsey To Settle States' Opioid Claims For $573 Million

McKinsey is the latest major American corporation to face legal, financial and public relations peril stemming from its role in the nation's deadly opioid epidemic.

Consulting Giant McKinsey To Settle States' Opioid Claims For $573 Million

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With Biden Team Focused On Other Crises, Experts Say Drug Epidemic Is Exploding

President Biden speaks about the coronavirus pandemic in the State Dining Room of the White House on Tuesday. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images

National

With Biden Team Focused On Other Crises, Experts Say Drug Epidemic Is Exploding

The Biden administration had Day 1 plans for the pandemic, economy and climate change. Experts say they haven't yet seen that same focus on the addiction crisis, which is killing 220 people a day.

With Biden Team Focused On Other Crises, Experts Say Drug Epidemic Is Exploding

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Investigation: Cuomo Team Undercounted N.Y. COVID-19 Nursing Home Deaths

Families of COVID-19 victims who died in New York nursing homes gather in front of the Cobble Hill Heath Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City in October. A report issued Thursday by New York's state attorney general says health officials undercounted nursing home deaths by as much as 50%. Yuki Iwamura/AP hide caption

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Yuki Iwamura/AP

Coronavirus Updates

Investigation: Cuomo Team Undercounted N.Y. COVID-19 Nursing Home Deaths

A report issued by Attorney General Letitia James concluded the New York State Department of Health numbers fell short by "as much as 50%."

Mental Health

Biden Administration Criticized For Delay In Tackling Opioid Crisis

More than 200 Americans are dying from drug overdoses daily. Now the Biden administration faces criticism for reportedly delaying a Trump administration policy widely seen as a way to help save lives.

Biden Administration Criticized For Delay In Tackling Opioid Crisis

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Politics

In New York, Some Pro-Trump Conservatives Ready For Fresh Start With Biden

In a conservative congressional district in upstate New York, some Trump supporters say they're ready for a fresh start under President Biden.

In New York, Some Pro-Trump Conservatives Ready For Fresh Start With Biden

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National

State Capitals Strengthen Security Ahead Of Inauguration Day

Officials in state capitals across the U.S. are guarding against potential violence. Authorities have boarded up buildings, installed protective fencing, and called up the National Guard.

State Capitals Strengthen Security Ahead Of Inauguration Day

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Trump Administration Will Let More Doctors Prescribe Drug To Fight Opioid Addiction

The Trump administration's decision to relax rules regarding the prescription of buprenorphine comes as record-level drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S. in the 12 months ending in June 2020. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Medical Treatments

Trump Administration Will Let More Doctors Prescribe Drug To Fight Opioid Addiction

The change means that doctors will no longer need a special federal waiver in order to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication to treat opioid use disorder.

Trump Administration Will Let More Doctors Prescribe Drug To Fight Opioid Addiction

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