A Recap of This Week’s Top News – September 29, 2023

Changes to policy, scientific discovery, and expert recommendations and opinions all have the power to rapidly influence the landscape of a sector. Whether you’re a leader at a non-profit, a member of a university’s marketing department, or a stakeholder for a public health agency, being informed about the latest industry happenings can be the difference between exceeding and falling short of organizational goals. At Hager Sharp, our experts vigorously scan media coverage to identify areas of opportunity. And now, with the introduction of the Sharp Round-Up, you too can review what we consider to be some of the top news of the week.

Below you will find a compilation of news spanning the health and education, labor, and economy sectors. This list includes mainstream, DC-focused, and trade publication coverage from Saturday, September 23, to Friday, September 29. Let these clips serve as a resource when developing thoughtful strategies and use them to further foster organizational innovation and adaptability.

Here’s what you need to know.

General News:

• According to an article by NPR, a government shutdown is a likely to be announced this weekend as a budget deal still far from passing. The shutdown would have wide-reaching implications for people across the country, from furloughs for some government employees to the possible pause of SNAP and WIC benefits and the closing of national parks.

Education News:

• Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to eliminate race-based admissions in colleges and universities across the country, the Biden Administration has released a report with suggested measures to promote diversity on college campuses. The report asked colleges to provide “meaningful consideration” to experiences like “financial hardship and personal experiences of racial discrimination,” said an article in the Washington Post.
• Described as one of the “strongest protections yet for students,” Biden’s gainful employment rule aims to warn students against low-performing college programs— aiming to save them time and money. According to an article on the topic in USA Today, the administration issued the final version of the rule this week.

Health News:

• This week Biden Administration restarted its program to provide four free COVID-19 tests per household in preparation for a possible surge of cases in the fall and winter seasons, according to ABC News.
• Thousands of children experience hearing loss every year, and the high costs associated with hearing aids are not going unnoticed by parents. According to an article by CNN, just 26 states have enacted mandates that require insurance companies to cover the cost of hearing aids for children.
• A recent study by the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed there is a higher risk of developing dementia for people who are seated for long periods of time, even if they exercise. The study describes “how pervasive the consequences of sitting can be, affecting our minds, as well as our bodies, and they hint that exercise by itself may not be enough to protect us,” said a Washington Post article on the study.