Six New State Laws: Rideshare Drivers, Screen Time Limits & More – NPR

Teh fight to save hawaii’s coral reefs is getting a high-tech boost

By Emma Bowman
published February 28, 2024 at 5:00 AM PST

A team of scientists and engineers in Hawaii are racing against the clock to save the state’s coral reefs, which are increasingly threatened by climate change and other stressors. Their approach? A combination of cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned coral gardening.

Hawaii’s reefs are vital to the islands’ ecosystem and economy, providing habitat for countless marine species, protecting shorelines from erosion, and supporting tourism. But rising ocean temperatures are causing coral bleaching, a phenomenon where corals expel the algae living in their tissues, turning them white and making them more susceptible to disease and death.

“We’re seeing bleaching events happen more frequently and more severely,” says Ruth Gates, a marine biologist at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, who sadly passed away in 2020 but whose work continues to inspire this effort. “The reefs are really struggling to keep up.”

To help the reefs adapt, researchers are using a technique called “assisted evolution.” This involves identifying coral colonies that are naturally more resilient to heat stress and then breeding them in a lab to create more heat-tolerant offspring.

But growing enough coral to restore entire reefs is a slow process. That’s where the technology comes in.

A team at the University of Hawaii at Manoa has developed a system called “Coral Lifeboats” – underwater nurseries equipped with sensors, cameras, and robotic arms. These nurseries monitor water conditions, track coral growth, and even automate the process of fragmenting and propagating coral.

“It’s like a high-tech coral garden,” explains Chris Kelley, a robotics engineer leading the project. “We can grow corals much faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.”

The Coral Lifeboats also use artificial intelligence to identify and remove diseased or stressed corals, preventing outbreaks from spreading. The system is currently being tested on several reefs around Oahu, with promising results.

Another innovative approach involves using 3D printing to create artificial reef structures. These structures provide a substrate for coral larvae to settle on and grow, accelerating the reef restoration process. Researchers are experimenting with different materials and designs to create structures that are both durable and environmentally amiable.

“We’re trying to give the reefs a helping hand,” says Mariana Rodriguez, a coral reef ecologist involved in the 3D printing project. “We can’t stop climate change overnight, but we can use these tools to buy the reefs some time.”

While these technological advancements offer hope, scientists emphasize that they are not a silver bullet. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing other stressors, such as pollution and overfishing, are crucial for the long-term health of Hawaii’s coral reefs.

“Technology can help us restore reefs, but it’s not a substitute for addressing the root causes of the problem,” says Kelley. “We need a multi-faceted approach to save these precious ecosystems.”

New State Laws taking Effect in 2024

Here at NPR, we like to ring in the new year by looking at new state laws taking effect on Jan. 1.

This year, states are enacting a slew of laws focused on wages, social media rules, restrictions on gender-affirming care, AI regulation and much more.

Here is a sampling of some of those changes, as reported by public media journalists across the country.

California rideshare drivers can unionize

Under a new law, California’s 800,000 rideshare drivers have the right to unionize starting on Jan. 1. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom brokered the deal between organized labor and major rideshare companies, including Uber and Lyft.

The rideshare giants supported the expansion of collective bargaining rights to their drivers in exchange for lawmakers agreeing to slash the companies’ insurance costs for underinsured drivers.

after Massachusetts voters decided to do so in 2024, California became the second state to extend collective bargaining rights to rideshare drivers.

– Laura Fitzgerald

Virginia Lawsuit Challenges ban on TikTok for State Employees

A lawsuit filed in federal court this week argues that Virginia’s ban on tiktok for state employees violates their first Amendment rights. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia is representing two state employees in the case, claiming the ban is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit contends that the ban, enacted by Governor Glenn Youngkin in December, is overly broad and restricts access to a widely used platform for communication and details. It argues the ban doesn’t adequately demonstrate a legitimate government interest and infringes upon the employees’ ability to express themselves and access information.

“This law is the latest attempt in a long line of government efforts to restrict new forms of constitutionally protected expression based on concerns about their potential effects on minors,” the ACLU of Virginia stated in a press release. A preliminary injunction hearing is set for mid-January.

Eighteen states restrict SNAP money for candy, sodas

Eighteen states have implemented restrictions on the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase sugary drinks and non-essential snacks like candy. The aim is to promote healthier eating habits among recipients.

These restrictions vary by state, with some prohibiting the purchase of specific items while others impose broader limitations. Supporters argue the measures help reduce healthcare costs and improve public health, while critics raise concerns about limiting food choices for low-income individuals. The USDA has approved these state plans, allowing them to move forward with the restrictions.

SNAP Benefits and Sugary Drinks: What’s Changing in 2026?

For millions of Americans, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – often called food stamps – is a vital lifeline, helping to put food on the table. But in 2026, some states will see significant changes to what SNAP benefits can buy, specifically targeting sugary drinks and other less nutritious items.

Currently, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase most food items, including soda, candy, and other treats. Though, a growing number of states are moving to restrict these purchases, aiming to promote healthier eating habits among SNAP recipients.

what’s happening and where?

The changes stem from provisions within the 2018 Farm Bill, which allowed states to implement restrictions on the types of foods that can be purchased with SNAP benefits. While the federal government doesn’t mandate these changes, it provides funding for states that choose to adopt them.

As of now, several states are actively planning or have already begun implementing these restrictions. These include:

* Colorado: Will prohibit the purchase of sugary drinks starting in 2026.
* Oklahoma: Plans to ban sugary drinks and unhealthy snack foods.
* Louisiana: Is considering a similar ban.
* Other states: Several others are exploring the possibility of implementing restrictions.

What will be banned?

The specific items targeted vary by state, but generally, the focus is on:

* Sugary drinks: This includes soda, sweetened teas, energy drinks, and fruit juices with added sugar.
* Candy and sweets: Items like chocolate, cookies, and other sugary treats.
* Unhealthy snack foods: Processed snacks high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Why the change?

proponents of these restrictions argue that they will:

* Improve public health: By discouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods, the changes could help reduce rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related illnesses.
* Promote healthier choices: The goal is to encourage SNAP recipients to purchase more nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
* Reduce healthcare costs: By improving health outcomes,the changes could potentially lower healthcare expenses in the long run.

Concerns and criticisms

The proposed changes have also faced criticism from some quarters. Opponents argue that:

* They are paternalistic: Some believe that individuals should have the freedom to choose what they eat, nonetheless of their income or assistance programs.
* They are stigmatizing: Restricting SNAP purchases could further stigmatize recipients and create a sense of shame.
* They are ineffective: Critics argue that simply banning certain items won’t necessarily lead to healthier eating habits and may just shift spending to other less healthy options.
* Implementation challenges: Determining exactly what constitutes an “unhealthy” food can be complex and create administrative burdens.

The changes to SNAP benefits in 2026 represent a significant shift in how food assistance is provided in the United States.As more states consider implementing these restrictions, the debate over the role of government in promoting healthy eating is likely to continue.