SUMMARY: NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have had their mission extended, delaying their return to Earth until late March or April, 10 months after launching on June 5 aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. Initially planned for just a week, their stay has grown to eight months due to a delay in launching their replacements. NASA had to push back the next crew’s launch, originally set for February, because SpaceX requires more time to prepare a new capsule. The agency chose to wait for this capsule to ensure a smooth transition with overlapping crews at the International Space Station.

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SUMMARY: Monarch caterpillars rely exclusively on milkweed, which is vital for their survival. However, the monarch butterfly has been declining across the U.S., prompting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to propose federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. They may be designated as “threatened.” Widespread support is anticipated, especially after Tennessee launched “Project Milkweed,” providing free milkweed seeds to residents, distributing nearly 1 million packets. Monarch populations face threats from climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides, with some predicting potential extinction in the U.S. by the century’s end. Environmental groups have advocated for this federal listing for years.

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SUMMARY: A settlement of $102.5 million was reached with Suboxone maker Indivior Inc. over anti-competitive practices. In Tennessee, opioid overdose deaths surged in 2022, with over 3,000 fatalities. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including Suboxone and methadone, is seen as an effective solution to combat addiction but faces stigma and opposition. Locals criticized a proposed methadone clinic, fearing it would increase crime, despite studies showing otherwise. Concerns about MAT are heightened by poor operators in the field. An investigation revealed that a Tennessee-based chain, Acadia Healthcare, compromised patient care by prioritizing profit over effective treatment, offering methadone inappropriately and neglecting therapy.

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