No Big Parties For St. Patrick’s Day, Boston Mayor Urges
Private gatherings are still limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, Mayor Marty Walsh said. Other places in the news include Utah, Kentucky, Michigan and Alaska.
ABC News:
No Big Gatherings For Saint Patrick's Day In Boston: 'We Are So Close To A Finish Line'
As Saint Patrick's Day approaches, Boston's mayor is urging residents to avoid large gatherings, warning that they could become super-spreader events that would set back progress made in the fight against COVID-19. "There should be no large gatherings of any kind for Saint Patrick's Day," Mayor Marty Walsh said at a news conference Monday. "We are so close to a finish line here that what we don't need now is a step backwards." (Shapiro, 3/2)
Salt Lake Tribune:
Utah Lawmakers Give Final Approval To Increased Regulation Over "Troubled Teen" Industry In The State
The Utah House gave final approval Tuesday to a bill that would enhance oversight of the state’s “troubled-teen” industry and place limits on their use of restraints, drugs and isolation rooms. Passage of the bill comes after celebrity Paris Hilton gave emotional testimony during a committee hearing earlier this session that detailed the abuse and mistreatment she says she endured while at a youth residential treatment center in Utah. If signed by the governor, this would be the first time Utah legislators have put more oversight in place on the nearly 100 youth residential treatment centers in 15 years. Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Highland, said Tuesday that the proposal was an “essential bill” to add “some guardrails and some oversight that, frankly, has been lacking.” (Stevens, 3/3)
AP:
Initiative To Provide More Mental Health Services On Campus
A new initiative is aimed at providing more mental health services to college students. The initiative will use $1.5 million in federal relief funds to boost mental health on campuses as COVID-19 continues to drive stress and uncertainty among students, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education announced on Tuesday. (3/3)
AP:
Detroit To Help Firefighters After Drinking Incidents
The mayor of Detroit acknowledged Tuesday that the fire department has a “very serious problem” after two on-duty employees were involved in alcohol-related crashes. Mayor Mike Duggan said the city will conduct an audit in which employees can step forward and speak confidentially about alcohol use and other issues. He said firefighters who face the additional strain of serving as medical first responders will be provided with mental health services. Duggan said the stress of COVID-19 has been a contributing factor. (3/2)
Anchorage Daily News:
Alaska Marijuana Control Board Is Considering Doubling The Amount Of THC Allowed In Edibles
Alaska marijuana regulators are considering loosening restrictions on edible marijuana products in the state. The regulation change would double the amount of THC, the plant’s psychoactive compound, allowed in a single serving. Proponents of the change say it would benefit the industry, giving manufacturers more flexibility and saving money for them and for consumers. Alaska’s limit on edibles is currently the strictest compared with other states where recreational marijuana is legal, and some states allow much higher doses. Still, some worry that the change could have a negative public health effect and cause an increase in accidental overconsumption and emergency calls related to marijuana. (Goodykoontz, 3/2)
