A new law looks to change how forever chemicals are used in firefighting gear. At a signing ceremony on Beacon Hill on Thursday, Governor Maura Healey signed a bill into law meant to protect firefighters from harmful PFAS in their equipment which have been linked to higher rates of cancer. This crucial law requires firefighting equipment manufacturers to provide written notice to local, state government, and other buyers if their equipment contains forever chemicals.
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WWLP-TV NBC/CW+ 22 Springfield

VIDEO: Living proof of the American dream now has a home inside Lexington Firehouse #7. Nihad Smlatic recently completed his probationary period, but that’s not the only thing he’s accomplished of late. “I can’t believe it’s finally here, I’m a U.S. citizen,” he said from the station house on a Tuesday morning between alarms.
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLEX-TV NBC 18 Lexington

As students across the country begin a new school year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about an uptick in a highly-contagious respiratory virus. The virus, known as parvovirus B19, is on the rise across the United States, and particularly in children ages 5 to 9, the CDC said in an Aug.
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: ABC News

PHOTOS: Residents and businesses in Capitol Hill were asked to closed their windows and doors to prevent smoke from entering Friday morning amid a vacant-building fire. The Seattle Fire Department first posted about the fire — located on the 1700 block of Belmont Avenue — at 4:32 a.m. The SFD said 20 minutes later that the building was all clear, and crews transitioned to a defensive position as the roof was at risk of collapsing.
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

The Cougar Creek Fire, which has been burning since July 15, 2024, has reached 65% containment as of Friday morning, August 16. Fire officials report the fire has now scorched 24,091 acres, located southwest of Clarkston, Washington, near the Grand Ronde River and Highway 129 intersection. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
- PUB DATE: 8/16/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Big Country News