Robert Benincasa
Stories
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National
Coal miners speak out in support of strengthened silica dust exposure standards
At a hearing in West Virginia, coal miners spoke out in support of better silica dust exposure standards proposed by the government in response to new black lung cases among coal miners.
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Investigations
Coal miners would be protected from black lung disease under proposed silica rule
The Labor Department has proposed a new rule limiting miners' exposure to silica – a toxic dust linked to a recent epidemic of severe black lung disease among coal miners.
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National
Many people living in the 'Diabetes Belt' are plagued with medical debt
More than half of the counties in the nation's so-called Diabetes Belt also have high rates of medical debt among their residents, an NPR analysis found.
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National
Researchers say they've linked silica dust directly to severe black lung disease
A new study links the epidemic of severe lung disease among coal miners to toxic silica dust. The findings echo a 2018 investigation by NPR and the PBS show Frontline.
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National
Next Administration Could Mean New Safety Regulations For Coal Mines
A recent government report called the mine safety standard regulating deadly silica dust "out of date," and difficult to enforce. The Biden administration may finally change that standard.
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National
As Americans Avoided Restaurants And Doctors' Offices, Those Businesses Got Loans
The small business sectors that received the largest share of federal loans from the coronavirus relief package known as PPP include restaurants, doctors' offices, car dealerships and law firms.
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National
As Hospitals Lose Revenue, Thousands Of Health Care Workers Face Furloughs, Layoffs
Faced with lost revenue from canceled elective procedures, hospitals laid off more than 40,000 health care workers in March. Thousands more are expected to be included in April's unemployment figures.
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National
Company With Ties To Trump Receives Millions From Small Business Loan Program
Many businesses have struggled to get any money from the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program. But a company owned by a prominent Chicago family received a $5.5 million loan.
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Politics
A Month After Emergency Declaration, Trump's Promises Largely Unfulfilled
On March 13, President Trump promised to mobilize private and public resources to respond to the coronavirus. NPR followed up on each promise and found little action had been taken.
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National
The Hope And Hype Of Diabetic Alert Dogs
Companies that sell dogs trained to sniff out life-threatening changes in blood sugar for people with diabetes have faced lawsuits or complaints from some of their customers.