Utah Department of Wildlife Resources inspects 11K boats for invasive species over Memorial Day weekend

SALT LAKE CITY () — The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) said it inspected about 11,000 boats for an invasive species this Memorial Day weekend. DWR said it was looking for quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil.
Quagga mussels can destroy fisheries, damage boats, and even pollute shorelines, DWR reported. Officers say they found about 140 boats with the invasive mollusk.
Eurasian watermilfoil is an invasive plant that has made its way through Utah. It blocks out sunlight, killing native plants and hurting fish. According to DWR, bringing even one piece of watermilfoil to a body of water can start a new population.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said invasive species like mussels and watermilfoil impact everyone in Utah.
'We have pictures that show PVC pipes that are being completely closed off with these growing mussels within a year's time we can completely close off a 2-inch waterline. So, those costs go to even non-boaters,' Bruce Johnson, Lieutenant of AIS Operations at DNR, told ABC4.com in an interview.
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Johnson said that the solution is simple: When you leave the water, clean, drain, and dry your boat.
'Clean, drain, and dry. That program, that concept works for everything,' Johnson stated. 'As soon as a boater pulls out of any water body, pull all the drain plugs, let all the water drain out, let your boat air dry out, and that will prevent so many problems down the line.'
However, it is important to drain and dry a boat at the body of water. Draining into a gutter or a storm drain is 'the worst thing you can do,' Johnson said. That can contaminate other bodies of water that the DNR may not be able to track, causing problems and clogging pipes.
According to DWR and DNR, in order to keep Utah's water bodies healthy, boaters also must stop at an inspection station before going in the water. Inspection stations are found throughout the state. An inspection technician will help you and give you a receipt.
'It is mandatory that while we are open at any of these locations, those boaters are required to pull in and get that inspection,' Johnson told ABC4.com, 'and it's a good thing for them, […] if they are carrying water, we're preventing that water from being transported from that infested water body and being deposited in a clean water body up here.'
Carly Wasserlein and Nick Butts contributed to this story.
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Utah Department of Wildlife Resources inspects 11K boats for invasive species over Memorial Day weekend
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Miami Herald

12 hours ago

• Miami Herald

Nurse practitioners are treating older adults as ranks of geriatricians shrink

On Fridays, Stephanie Johnson has a busy schedule, driving her navy-blue Jeep from one patient's home to the next, seeing eight in all. Pregnant with her second child, she schleps a backpack instead of a traditional black bag to carry a laptop and essential medical supplies — stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter. Forget a lunch break. She often eats a sandwich or some nuts as she heads to her next patient visit. On a gloomy Friday in January, Johnson, a nurse practitioner who treats older adults, had a hospice consult with Ellen, a patient in her 90s in declining health. To protect Ellen's identity, KFF Health News is not using her last name. 'Hello. How are you feeling?' Johnson asked as she entered Ellen's bedroom and inquired about her pain. The blinds were drawn. Ellen was in a wheelchair, wearing a white sweater, gray sweatpants and fuzzy socks. A headband was tied around her white hair. As usual, the TV was playing loudly in the background. 'It's fine, except this cough I've had since junior high,' Ellen said. Ellen had been diagnosed with vascular dementia, peripheral vascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Last fall, doctors made the difficult decision to operate on her foot. Before the surgery, Ellen was always colorful, wearing purple, yellow, blue, pink, and chunky necklaces. She enjoyed talking with the half-dozen other residents at her adult family home in Washington state. She had a hearty appetite that brought her to the breakfast table early. But lately, her enthusiasm for meals and socializing had waned. Johnson got down to eye level with Ellen to examine her, assessing her joints and range of motion, checking her blood pressure, and listening to her heart and lungs. Carefully, Johnson removed the bandage to examine Ellen's toes. Her lower legs were red but cold to the touch, which indicated her condition wasn't improving. Ellen's two younger sisters had power of attorney for her and made it clear that, above all, they wanted her to be comfortable. Now, Johnson thought it was time to have that difficult conversation with them about Ellen's prognosis, recommending her for hospice. 'Our patient isn't just the older adult,' Johnson said. 'It's also often the family member or the person helping to manage them.' Nurse practitioners are having those conversations more and more as their patient base trends older. They are increasingly filling a gap that is expected to widen as the senior population explodes and the number of geriatricians declines. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects a 50% increase in demand for geriatricians from 2018 to 2030, when the entire baby boom generation will be older than 65. By then, hundreds of geriatricians are expected to retire or leave the specialty, reducing their number to fewer than 7,600, with relatively few young doctors joining the field. That means many older adults will be relying on other primary care physicians, who already can't keep up with demand, and nurse practitioners, whose ranks are booming. The number of nurse practitioners specializing in geriatrics has more than tripled since 2010, increasing the availability of care to the current population of seniors, a recent study in JAMA Network Open found. According to a 2024 survey, of the roughly 431,000 licensed nurse practitioners, 15% are, like Johnson, certified to treat older adults. Johnson and her husband, Dustin, operate an NP-led private practice in greater Seattle, Washington, a state where she can practice independently. She and her team, which includes five additional nurse practitioners, each try to see about 10 patients a day, visiting each one every five to six weeks. Visits typically last 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the case. 'There are so many housebound older adults, and we're barely reaching them,' Johnson said. 'For those still in their private homes, there's such a huge need.' Laura Wagner, a professor of nursing and community health systems at the University of California-San Francisco, stressed that nurse practitioners are not trying to replace doctors; they're trying to meet patients' needs, wherever they may be. 'One of the things I'm most proud of is the role of nurse practitioners,' she said. 'We step into places where other providers may not, and geriatrics is a prime example of that.' Practice limits Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training that enables them to diagnose diseases, analyze diagnostic tests, and prescribe medicine. Their growth has bolstered primary care, and, like doctors, they can specialize in particular branches of medicine. Johnson, for example, has advanced training in gerontology. 'If we have a geriatrician shortage, then hiring more nurse practitioners trained in geriatrics is an ideal solution,' Wagner said, 'but there are a lot of barriers in place.' In 27 states and Washington, D.C., nurse practitioners can practice independently. But in the rest of the country, they need to have a collaborative agreement with or be under the supervision of another health care provider to provide care to older adults. Medicare generally reimburses for nurse practitioner services at 85% of the amount it pays physicians. Last year, in more than 40 states, the American Medical Association and its partners lobbied against what they see as 'scope creep' in the expanded roles of nurse practitioners and other health workers. The AMA points out that doctors must have more schooling and significantly more clinical experience than nurse practitioners. While the AMA says physician-led teams keep costs lower, a study published in 2020 in Health Services Research found similar patient outcomes and lower costs for nurse practitioner patients. Other studies, including one published in 2023 in the journal Medical Care Research and Review, have found health care models including nurse practitioners had better outcomes for patients with multiple chronic conditions than teams without an NP. Five states have granted NPs full practice authority since 2021, with Utah the most recent state to remove physician supervision requirements, in 2023. In March, however, Mississippi House Bill 849, which would have increased NP independence, failed. Meanwhile, 30 Texas physicians rallied to tamp down full-scope efforts in Austin. 'I would fully disagree that we're invading their scope of practice and shouldn't have full scope of our own,' Johnson said. She has worked under the supervision of physicians in Pennsylvania and Washington state but started seeing patients at her own practice in 2021. Like many nurse practitioners, she sees her patients in their homes. The first thing she does when she gets a new patient is manage their prescriptions, getting rid of unnecessary medications, especially those with harsh side effects. She works with the patient and a family member who often has power of attorney. She keeps them informed of subtle changes, such as whether a person was verbal and eating and whether their medical conditions have changed. While there is some overlap in expertise between geriatricians and nurse practitioners, there are areas where nurses typically excel, said Elizabeth White, an assistant professor of health services, policy, and practice at Brown University. 'We tend to be a little stronger in care coordination, family and patient education, and integrating care and social and medical needs. That's very much in the nursing domain,' she said. That care coordination will become even more critical as the U.S. ages. Today, about 18% of the U.S. population is 65 or over. In the next 30 years, the share of seniors is expected to reach 23%, as medical and technological advances enable people to live longer. Patient and family In an office next to Ellen's bedroom, Johnson called Ellen's younger sister Margaret Watt to recommend that Ellen enter hospice care. Johnson told her that Ellen had developed pneumonia and her body wasn't coping. Watt appreciated that Johnson had kept the family apprised of Ellen's condition for several years, saying she was a good communicator. 'She was accurate,' Watt said. 'What she said would happen, happened.' A month after the consult, Ellen died peacefully in her sleep. 'I do feel sadness,' Johnson said, 'but there's also a sense of relief that I've been with her through her suffering to try to alleviate it, and I've helped her meet her and her family's priorities in that time.' Jariel Arvin is a reporter with the Investigative Reporting Program at the University of California-Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. He reported this article through a grant from The SCAN Foundation. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

Hamilton Spectator

a day ago

• Hamilton Spectator

Moose Kerr students graduating into new beginnings

The Class of 2025 from Moose Kerr School in Aklavik left their high school days behind them in fine style during this years' graduation ceremony. Janine Johnson, the school's principal, said the gymnasium was well-decorated with a country and western theme to greet attendees of the event. 'We had it really beautifully decorated. And some of the kids came with their cowboy boots on, and their family members with their cowboy hats on. So it was a really nice, fun theme,' Johnson said. Seven Grade 12 students - walked across the stage this year to accept their diplomas she said, adding that it was a nice size for a graduating class in the close-knit community. The graduating guests of honour included Erwin Elias, Loretta Koe, Coby Elanik, Edyn Arey, Jordan Archie, Talina Storr, and Jesse Irish. Awards presented Johnson said this years' class valedictorian was Edyn Arey, who also received the Governor General's award. 'And we have a new award that we created this year, a really beautiful award called the Philip Elanik Memorial Award. 'Philip Elanik was a community member who was a beautiful drum dancer, and he died of cancer, but he actually saved his children in a house fire. So the award was created in memory of him, and it shows courage, resilience, and a real love of their Inuvialuit culture.' Johnson said that award was presented to Jordan Archie along with a $500. grant which was just recently donated by a relative of Arnold J. (Moose) Kerr who lives in Toronto. Two other students, Talena Storr and Jesse Irish, each won a Leadership award - a $500. grant from the Hockey Hall of Fame, she said, adding that they were two of 25 grants provided to students from across the North. For Jesse, Johnson said he has been instrumental in volunteering with the junior kindergarten class 'and they love him.' 'He's been with them for three or four years, and he creates these beautiful creatures out of pipe cleaners. And you know, he shares that with them. And he comes to school every single day. He never misses a day. He's a very diligent student.' One of the students, Talena, volunteers as an official at regional sports events, she noted. 'She loves sports, but she has a really great relationship with the elders in her life. And, you know, she's very respectful of them. 'So they kind of won each of those grants based on those qualities.' Johnson said the school has worked closely with the Hockey Hall of Fame organization over the year. 'They provide live virtual sessions that we sign up for if we want to, but kids do traditional things, like, they make beaded earrings and all kinds of amazing things, like birch bark baskets and stuff, and so they've been a really good partner with us.' 'They also offer a digital scholarship for kids. So I wrote probably about 15 letters for kids to get them a MacBook Pro, and they all were approved for that. 'So each of the kids got this beautiful MacBook Pro computer laptop, and they sent them here, and we presented them,' she said. Moral support Graduation is a significant event in the school of 120 pupils, and Grade 12 students will become role models for the younger grades, Johnson said. 'Each of our classrooms in the school adopted a grad. And a couple of times throughout the year, they might post something on their locker, or they might post a big picture on their wall near their high school classroom, saying, 'Hang in there. Loretta, your graduation is coming up. We're proud of you.' 'So the good thing about a small school and a small class is that everybody in the school knows them, and they really become like role models for the little kids. And they look at them and they say, 'I can't wait until I graduate. I know I can.' 'And I heard some of the little ones in Grade 4 and 5 talking about when they get there. So in that way, its real nice.' Many paths to success 'We're really proud of those kids too, right? Especially, you know, the kids who are in it for the long haul, it's not always easy for them. And they really show some resilience. Some have come back after years of being away. And we've got some kids graduating at 18 and 19, and we have one that was 21, so everybody's path is different.' Johnson said community support is key to ensuring a memorable graduation ceremony and both staff and community organizations help raise the necessary funds for the big celebration. 'Everybody steps up, so they shut down the offices, local offices, and everybody comes and attends. It's a really nice time for the community, and everybody celebrates in the success of these young people, And we've got a big gym, and we kind of go all out with graduation. And we had a community feast, and so we had beautiful night,' she added. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Business Wire

a day ago

• Business Wire

Tandem Diabetes Care Announces t:slim X2 ™ Insulin Pump Compatibility with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre® 3 Plus Sensor in the United States

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNDM), a leading insulin delivery and diabetes technology company today announced the Tandem t:slim X2™ insulin pump with Control-IQ+ automated insulin delivery (AID) technology now works with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre® 3 Plus continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor. The Company has initiated an early access program in the United States (U.S.), and intends to scale availability in the second half of 2025. 'This is an exciting first step in our strategy to connect Tandem's portfolio of insulin pumps to Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors worldwide.' - John Sheridan, president and chief executive officer of Tandem Diabetes Care. 'Diabetes management is not one-size-fits-all and it is critical for people living with diabetes to be able to personalize their AID systems to fit their unique healthcare and lifestyle needs,' said Dr. Jordan Pinsker, chief medical officer of Tandem Diabetes Care. 'The American Diabetes Association recommends AID systems as the preferred insulin delivery method in people with type 1 and other types of insulin-deficient diabetes, and this integration with Abbott's latest generation sensor allows even more CGM users to access the life-changing benefits of our Control-IQ+ technology.' The FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor has an extended 15-day wear time, transmitting automatic glucose readings every minute directly to the pump. This data is also available to view on the Tandem t:slim mobile app, providing users with multiple, convenient ways to access their current glucose trend. The t:slim X2 insulin pump is powered by Control-IQ+ technology, the latest generation of Tandem's advanced hybrid closed-loop algorithm, which adjusts insulin every 5 minutes based on predicted glucose values. It's the only system with the unique AutoBolus™ feature that calculates and delivers a correction bolus to help with missed meal boluses.* Control-IQ+ is easy to start, use, and personalize, and this latest integration works with the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor and extends its benefits to even more people with diabetes. 'This is an exciting first step in our strategy to connect Tandem's portfolio of insulin pumps to Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors worldwide,' said John Sheridan, president and chief executive officer of Tandem Diabetes Care. 'We look forward to expanding access to our t:slim X2 users outside of the U.S. beginning later this year.' When available, Tandem will email eligible users in the U.S. with more information.† About Tandem Diabetes Care Tandem Diabetes Care, a global insulin delivery and diabetes technology company, manufactures and sells advanced automated insulin delivery systems that reduce the burden of diabetes management, while creating new possibilities for patients, their loved ones, and healthcare providers. The Company's pump portfolio features the Tandem Mobi system and the t:slim X2 insulin pump, both of which feature Control-IQ+ advanced hybrid closed-loop technology. Tandem Diabetes Care is based in San Diego, California. For more information, visit Follow Tandem Diabetes Care on X @tandemdiabetes; use #tslimX2 #TandemMobi and #TandemDiabetes. Follow Tandem Diabetes Care on Facebook at Follow Tandem Diabetes Care on LinkedIn at Forward Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, our ability to provide the software update for current t:slim X2 pump users and the t:slim X2 pumps pre-loaded with Freestyle Libre 3 Plus sensor integration software. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including our ability to sustain commercial scale manufacturing of the t:slim X2 pumps pre-loaded with Freestyle Libre 3 Plus sensor integration software, our ability to operate and maintain a system to facilitate online training for existing t:slim X2 pump customers upgrading their existing devices, and the risk that we may encounter other challenges that may delay the availability of the software update for current t:slim X2 pump users or the t:slim X2 pumps pre-loaded with Freestyle Libre 3 Plus sensor integration software. These and other risks are identified and described in greater detail under the 'Risk Factors' heading of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. Tandem undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement in this press release because of new information, future events, or other factors. Important Safety Information – FreeStyle Libre Systems Product for prescription only; for Important Safety Information, please visit Important Safety Information – Tandem Diabetes Care RX ONLY. The t:slim X2 pump with interoperable technology (the pump) and Control-IQ+ technology (Control-IQ+) are intended for single patient use. The pump and Control-IQ+ are indicated for use with NovoLog or Humalog U-100 insulin. t:slim X2 insulin pump: The pump is intended for the subcutaneous delivery of insulin, at set and variable rates, for the management of diabetes mellitus in persons requiring insulin. The pump is able to reliably and securely communicate with compatible, digitally connected devices, including automated insulin dosing software, to receive, execute, and confirm commands from these devices. The pump is indicated for use in persons 2 years of age and greater. Control-IQ+ technology: Control-IQ+ technology is intended for use with compatible integrated continuous glucose monitors (iCGM, sold separately) and alternate controller enabled (ACE) pumps to automatically increase, decrease, and suspend delivery of basal insulin based on iCGM readings and predicted glucose values. It can also deliver correction boluses when the glucose value is predicted to exceed a predefined threshold. Control-IQ+ technology is intended for the management of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons 2 years of age and greater and of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in persons 18 years of age and greater. WARNING: Control-IQ+ should not be used in anyone under the age of 2 years old with Type 1 diabetes or under the age of 18 years old with Type 2 diabetes. It should also not be used in patients who require less than a total daily insulin dose of 5 units of insulin per day or who weigh less than 20 pounds (9 kilograms), as those are the required minimum values needed for Control-IQ+ to operate safely. Users of the pump and Control-IQ+ must: use the insulin pump, iCGM, and all other system components in accordance with their respective instructions for use. Failure to follow these instructions for use could result in an over delivery or under delivery of insulin. This can cause hypoglycemia (low BG) or hyperglycemia (high BG) events. Visit for additional important safety information. © 2025 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. All rights reserved. Tandem Diabetes Care, the Tandem logo, Control-IQ+, t:slim X2, t:slim, and Tandem Mobi are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The sensor housing, FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are marks of Abbott and used with permission. All other third-party marks are the property of their respective owners. * If glucose values are predicted to be above 180 mg/dL (or 10.0 mmol/L), Control-IQ technology calculates a correction bolus using the Personal Profile settings and a target of 110 mg/dL (or 6.1 mmol/L) and delivers 60% of that value. † Future updates for all or some Tandem products may not be developed and may not be offered everywhere and would be subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Software updates are only available to customers who are in warranty at the time they update their pump. Additional training may be required to access certain software updates. Charges may apply. Tandem may discontinue select software and features over time at its discretion.