Oil, gas and coal proponents spending heavily on TV ads attacking Obama policies. An analysis found that spending on TV ads promoting coal and more oil and gas drilling, or criticizing clean energy, has exceeded $153 million this year. That includes spending by the presidential campaigns, political parties, energy companies, trade associations and others. The tally is nearly four times the $41 million spent by clean-energy advocates, the Obama campaign and Democratic groups to defend the president’s energy record or raise concerns about global warming and pollution. The lopsided energy messages this year contrast sharply with 2008, when green ads outpaced those for fossil fuels, $152 million to $109 million. The New York Times
Warning issued about rare chemical burns from pain relief products. The subject of the Food and Drug Administration warning were over-the-counter products — including Bengay, Icy Hot and Flexall — designed to provide short-term relief from minor muscle and joint aches. FDA officials say they have received reports of skin injuries ranging from first- to third-degree chemical burns, some requiring hospitalization, caused by the products. The agency says consumers should stop using the pain relievers if they experience signs of skin injury, such as pain, swelling or blistering of the skin. The Associated Press
Yosemite National Park confirms 9th case of hantavirus. The park said the latest person infected with the rodent-borne virus, which has killed three, stayed in Yosemite in July and has recovered. Meanwhile, officials expanded their warning about the outbreak. They previously alerted 30,000 visitors who slept in two locations where officials believe the nine visitors were infected but now have emailed 230,000 more who stayed elsewhere. “Because we have heard from concerned guests who stayed throughout the park, today we are reaching out to additional overnight visitors to raise awareness about this rare disease and to ensure they know where to find information,” a park statement aid. Reuters, Los Angeles Times
Beef company sues ABC News over “pink slime” coverage. South Dakota-based Beef Products Inc., claiming it was defamed, filed a state court suit seeking at least $1.2 billion in damages. BPI makes what the industry calls “lean, finely textured beef” but what is more widely is known as pink slime — beef scraps treated with ammonium hydroxide to keep the product safe from bacterial contamination. The product had been common in ground beef and school cafeteria food until becoming a topic of intense controversy this year. BPI’s lawyer said ABC was singled out because of its “sustained, concerted, long-duration attack.” BPI also is suing the former Agriculture Department scientist who first called the product pink slime. The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal
State agencies often flub whistleblower cases. A recent annual review by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration found continuing problems last year in state programs intended to protect from retaliation public sector workers who report safety or health problems. The flaws identified in the report, which covered 25 states and two territories, included instances of authorities failing to even interview workers who claimed to be the victims of retaliation. In California — which, as FairWarning has reported, has a track record of dragging its feet — OSHA officials found that in 21 cases reviewed, complainants were never interviewed in 12 instances and witnesses were never interviewed in 17 instances. Occupational Safety & Health Reporter
Recalls: Lamborghini’s 2004-20066 Gallardo Coupe and Spyder models, 2007-2011 Honda Element, DFI cantaloupes, Berkey Creamery ice cream and frozen yogurt
Compiled by Stuart Silverstein
