Mark A. Favors

Oil prices surge following tonight’s address by U.S. President Donald J. Trump regarding the Iran War, with Crude Oil WTI surpassing $103 per barrel while Brent Crude Oil approaches $106.

A new COVID-19 variant called "Cicada" is spreading. Here's what to know. cbsn.ws/4tfo6I2

Flu and Covid, including a new variant called BA.3.2, nicknamed “cicada,” are still circulating, along with several other respiratory illnesses and a nasty stomach bug. nbcnews.com/health/health-…

Today, on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we honor the strength, service, and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families. Their stories are etched into the landscapes we protect, places of memory, reflection, and healing. Photo by NPS

Pentagon preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, Washington Post reports reut.rs/3PMFQvV reut.rs/3PMFQvV

NEWS: Service Members Have Options Leading Up to Tax Day war.gov/News/News-Stor…

Two U.S. airfields on Okinawa are the likely sources of the highest levels of toxic "forever chemicals" discovered in nearby groundwater in a decade, according to the local government. (from @BrianMcElhiney & @KeishiRKoja) stripes.com/theaters/asia_…

If you notice signs of crisis in a #Veteran you know, don’t wait. Get connected to immediate support right now: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

According to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, the 5 day pause on U.S. strikes on Iranian energy and power infrastructure, at the request of the Iranians, has been extended to 10 days, ending April 6, 2026 at 8 P.M. est.

Today, we recognize National Medal of Honor Day and honor the extraordinary courage of those who have received our nation’s highest award for valor. Since its establishment in 1861, more than 3,500 service members have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Each recipient represents a legacy of sacrifice, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to others. We honor these heroes and remain grateful for the example they set for all who serve.

Firefighters are being exposed to toxic “forever chemicals” at work. PFAS is found in foam, fires and even our kit. They build up in the body and are linked to cancer. This has gone on for too long.

@wbz @tonydokoupil @CBSEveningNews @SecKennedy @VP @SenatorShaheen @Jim_Jordan @HawleyMO 🧵1/2 Quincy approves $2.6M for new PFAS FREE 🧑‍🚒👩‍🚒👨🏾‍🚒 PPE. My Executive Order plea to @POTUS provides the mechanism to levy the gea’ makers for new Firefighter gea’ without PFAS. @bariweiss I’m gonna need Tony’s help with this seeing the response to investigate the toxic gea’ scandal is a bilateral no response. youtu.be/AiMURvILEGo?si…

@fbunational Send your gear to Dr Peaslee to test it here, it’s a simple process foreveranalytical.com/landing-page/f…

Firefighters are significantly more likely to develop and die from cancer than the average worker. While the EU moves toward a blanket ban on all forever chemicals, PFAS is still present in UK firefighting equipment and PPE.

Shay Taylor once worked as a janitor at Yale New Haven Hospital. Nearly a decade later, she’s returning to the same hospital—this time as a doctor after matching into a Yale residency. A full-circle moment years in the making. Read more #OnTheGrio thegrio.com/2026/03/24/sha…

As much as we all want to avoid consuming or breathing in dangerous chemicals and pollutants, they may be impossible to escape. Here are the ones an oncologist is most concerned about: wapo.st/4tchf2d

A new study links Agent Orange to more aggressive bone marrow cancers in Vietnam veterans, which researchers say strengthens the case for granting presumptive service-connected benefits to those diagnosed with the disease decades after their service. stripes.com/veterans/2026-…

Read more about Trump's comments about the "present" here thehill.com/policy/energy-…

youtu.be/EBD1TU789ps?si… Every firefighter should see this documentary. I’m 8 minutes in and my jaw is on the floor. The Angus Foam Plant, 1962 testing .. the citizens and 🧑‍🚒👩‍🚒👨🏾‍🚒 wading through the 7’ drifts of AFFF….

The veteran community has got to stop tearing each other apart. Oh you were a reservist but not active? Not veteran enough. Oh you were active but didn’t deploy? I did so you aren’t veteran enough. Oh you deployed but didn’t see combat? Not veteran enough. Oh you saw combat but didn’t receive a Purple Heart or commendation? Not veteran enough. Oh you were decorated but not special operations? Yes, we all know there is difference between a lifelong special operations veteran with 8 combat deployments vs. someone who held a support role for 4 years and didn’t deploy. And we should rightfully hold reverence for those who did the hardest things and acquitted themselves with honor. But that reverence shouldn’t be weaponized to diminish the value of those who raised their right hand, in a time of war, when less than 1% do it on an annual basis in an all-volunteer force. The argument shouldn’t be those who served minimal time and didn’t see combat don’t have a right to resources from VA. The argument is how to make sure those who deserve it, get it. And believe me, there are plenty of people in DC, including at @DeptVetAffairs, who have dedicated their lives trying to make that happen. Sure, fraud exists. But for all the stories we see online about legitimate cases, @VetAffairsOIG data indicates it is not, in fact, rampant. And it leaves out historical context of VA being historically very slow to award benefits to generations of veterans until they’re old or already dead. Trying to claim fraud is run amok at VA serves to disincentivize those who need help from getting it, for fear they’re somehow taking resources away from veterans who need it more. It doesn’t. Ironically, these claims usually come from people who - despite being young and healthy for the last 20 years - never raised their right hand. Which is clear not because their claim is disrespectful (though it is), but because it’s lazy and not based on an understanding of the system itself. Any veteran will tell you, based on direct experience or through a person they served with, the VA healthcare and benefits system is a complex leviathan and difficult to navigate, which is why accredited representatives through orgs like @AmericanLegion exist. I wish it were easier, and it’s literally my full-time job trying to make it so. But it’s not. I run a team of 20+ accredited people representing veterans in initial claims, appeals, debt collection, pensions, etc. I just had a veteran’s claim finally granted after 12 years…12 YEARS…of fighting VA. He was in medical debt after paying for surgeries out of pocket because his condition hadn’t been determined service-connected. His backpay took care of most of it. And while this was an extreme case, it’s sadly not uncommon for claims and appeals to take years. So if you’re somehow operating under the illusion this is a slush fund of $ for a bunch of fraudsters gaming the system, especially if you have no experience with it, you should exercise your right to shut the hell up.