States file lawsuit challenging federal limits on gender-affirming care

BALTIMORE — A coalition of states filed a lawsuit this week challenging a recent action by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that seeks to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The suit, filed in federal court, asks a judge to block what HHS has labeled a “declaration,” issued Dec. 18, asserting certain forms of gender-affirming care are unsafe and ineffective. The declaration also warns that doctors, hospitals and clinics continuing such care could face exclusion from federal Medicare and Medicaid programs.

HHS also announced two proposed rules that would bar providers and hospitals offering such care from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs and prohibit Medicaid payments for gender-affirming care. Those proposed rules are not yet in effect. HHS has opened a public comment period that runs through Feb. 17.

The coalition contends that the federal agency is using the declaration as an improper workaround to impose immediate nationwide policy changes without public input or consultation with medical professionals, patients, or state governments.

—The Baltimore Sun

Long Island break-in foiled by 12-year-old boy left home alone

In a scene reminiscent of the 1990 Christmas classic “Home Alone,” a quick-thinking Long Island boy foiled a robbery by leaping out of his bedroom window and calling police as he hid in the backyard of his Medford home.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the 12-year-old child heard glass breaking in the kitchen and someone moving around the house, according to Suffolk County police. He then jumped from his window and saw an unknown man creeping around inside the home.

Taking cover behind his garage, the composed seventh grader, identified by CBS News as Tristen Taylor, called 911. Cops said they arrived to the Eagle Avenue home within three minutes and found that 53-year-old Christian Garcia had “broken a kitchen window and was inside the residence.”

Police were unable to tell the Daily News where the child’s parents were at the time of the break-in, but confirmed the boy was unharmed in the incident.

—New York Daily News

The life of a Christmas tree

One common argument we hear against having a natural Christmas tree is the misconception that the trees are cut down from the forest then hauled away to market. The belief is that fewer trees are left to help capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

What actually happens is that Christmas trees are grown as a harvestable farm crop much like wheat, corn or vegetables. It’s just that this crop takes more than one growing season to be ready for harvest.

The typical lifespan of a Christmas tree is around seven to 10 years, and the evergreen goes through different stages during its life to eventually become a Christmas tree.

The tree begins its life as a seed inside a pine cone. Each scaly section of a cone usually contains two seeds. Seeds separated from the cone by growers are planted into high-density growing beds at a rate of around 50 tree seedlings per square foot.

—The Detroit News

Russia to seek changes to peace plan seen as starting point

Russia will seek key changes to the latest U.S. peace plan to end its war on Ukraine, including more restrictions on Kyiv’s military, according to a person close to the Kremlin.

Moscow regards the 20-point plan worked out between Ukraine and the U.S. as a starting point for further negotiations, as it lacks provisions important for Russia and fails to answer many questions, the person said, asking not to identified discussing sensitive policy.

While Russia views the current document as a fairly typical Ukrainian plan, it will study it with a cool head, the person said.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin hasn’t yet commented on the latest proposals for ending Europe’s worst conflict since World War II, which have been worked out in weeks of negotiations involving U.S., Ukrainian and Russian officials.

—Bloomberg News