In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today!

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced a new rule that "will allow patients to have direct access to their completed laboratory reports," instead of having to get results directly from their physicians.

[Content Note: Rape apologia] On yesterday's episode of The View, Barbara Walters got in on the Woody Allen defense, saying he's a loving father. "I have rarely seen a father as sensitive, as loving and as caring as Woody is and Soon-Yi to [their two daughters]." Thankfully, Sherri Shepherd talked some sense: "Barbara, when you say, 'I'm speaking from what I've seen,' there are so many things that go on behind closed doors." I despair for the world when a seasoned journalist like Barbara Walters doesn't even know, or care, that many parents who abuse their kids appear to be loving parents to outsiders.

The latest in the bridge closing scandal in New Jersey: "Feds seek files from Christie's office; ex-aide Bridget Anne Kelly won't turn over documents in response to subpoena and invokes Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination." Neat.

Minnesota state lawmakers have introduced "an expansive legislative package—dubbed the Women's Economic Security Act of 2014—to address a wide range of issues affecting women working outside of the home, including mandated paid sick leave, increased minimum wage and expanded access to childcare." Right on.

[CN: Gun violence; racism] Michael Dunn, the white man who shot and killed black teenager Jordan Davis following a dispute over loud music in a parking lot, goes to trial this week. Dunn claims he felt threatened by the car full of unarmed teenagers that he approached. While awaiting trial, he's been sending racist missives from prison.

[CN: Gun violence] In California, a man has been arrested after pointing a gun at a Girl Scout who came to his door selling cookies.

Relatedly: "The PTSD Crisis That's Being Ignored: Americans Wounded in Their Own Neighborhoods."