By Alan Greenblatt, KFF Health News

When one of Adam Burkhammer’s foster children struggled with hyperactivity, the West Virginia legislator and his wife decided to alter their diet and remove any foods that contained synthetic dyes.

“We saw a turnaround in his behavior, and our other children,” said Burkhammer, who has adopted or fostered 10 kids with his wife. “There are real impacts on real kids.”

The Republican turned his experience into legislation, sponsoring a bill to ban seven dyes from food sold in the state. It became law in March, making West Virginia the first state to institute such a ban from all food products.

The bill was among a slew of state efforts to regulate synthetic dyes. In 2025, roughly 75 bills aimed at food dyes were introduced in 37 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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Chemical dyes and nutrition are just part of the broader “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Promoted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., MAHA ideas have made their deepest inroads at the state level, with strong support from Republicans — and in some places, from Democrats. The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program — created last year as part of the GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act to expand health care access in rural areas — offers incentives to states that implement MAHA policies.

Federal and state officials are seeking a broad swath of health policy changes, including rolling back routine vaccinations and expanding the use of drugs such as ivermectin for treatments beyond their approved use. State lawmakers have introduced dozens of bills targeting vaccines, fluoridated water, and PFAS, a group of compounds known as “forever chemicals” that have been linked to cancer and other health problems.

In addition to West Virginia, six other states have targeted food dyes with new laws or executive orders, requiring warning labels on food with certain dyes or banning the sale of such products in schools. California has had a law regulating food dyes since 2023.

Most synthetic dyes used to color food have been around for decades. Some clinical studies have found a link between their use and hyperactivity in children. And in early 2025, in the last days of President Joe Biden’s term, the Food and Drug Administration outlawed the use of a dye known as Red No. 3.

Major food companies including Nestle, Hershey, and PepsiCo have gotten on board, pledging to eliminate at least some color additives from food products over the next year or two.

“We anticipate that the momentum we saw in 2025 will continue into 2026, with a particular focus on ingredient safety and transparency,” said John Hewitt, the senior vice president of state affairs for the Consumer Brands Association, a trade group for food manufacturers.

This past summer, the group called on its members to voluntarily eliminate federally certified artificial dyes from their products by the end of 2027.

“The state laws are really what’s motivating companies to get rid of dyes,” said Jensen Jose, regulatory counsel for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit health advocacy group.

Andy Baker-White, the senior director of state health policy for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said the bipartisan support for bills targeting food dyes and ultraprocessed food struck him as unusual. Several red states have proposed legislation modeled on California’s 2023 law, which bans four food additives.

“It’s not very often you see states like California and West Virginia at the forefront of an issue together,” Baker-White said.

Although Democrats have joined Republicans in some of these efforts, Kennedy continues to drive the agenda. He appeared with Texas officials when the state enacted a package of food-related laws, including one that bars individuals who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — SNAP, or food stamps — from using their benefits to buy candy or sugary drinks. In December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved similar waivers sought by six states. Eighteen states will block SNAP purchases of those items in 2026.

There are bound to be more. The Rural Health Transformation Program also offers incentives to states that implemented restrictions on SNAP.

“There are real and concrete effects where the rural health money gives points for changes in SNAP eligibility or the SNAP definitions,” Baker-White said.

In October, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that sets a legal definition for ultraprocessed foods and will phase them out of schools. It’s a move that may be copied in other states in 2026, while also providing fodder for legal battles. In December, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu sued major food companies, accusing them of selling “harmful and addictive” products. The lawsuit names specific brands — including cereals, pizzas, sodas, and potato chips — linking them to serious health problems.

Kennedy has also blamed ultraprocessed foods for chronic diseases. But even proponents of the efforts to tackle nutrition concerns don’t agree on which foods to target. MAHA adherents on the right haven’t focused on sugar and sodium as much as policymakers on the left. The parties have also butted heads over some Republicans’ championing of raw milk, which can spread harmful germs, and the consumption of saturated fat, which contributes to heart disease.

Policymakers expect other flash points. Moves by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that are making vaccine access more difficult have led blue states to find ways to set their own standards apart from federal recommendations, with 15 Democratic governors announcing a new public health alliance in October. Meanwhile, more red states may eliminate vaccine mandates for employees; Idaho made them illegal. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing to eliminate school vaccine mandates.

Even as Kennedy advocates eliminating artificial dyes, the Environmental Protection Agency has loosened restrictions on chemicals and pesticides, leading MAHA activists to circulate an online petition calling on President Donald Trump to fire EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

Congress has yet to act on most MAHA proposals. But state lawmakers are poised to tackle many of them.

“If we’re honest, the American people have lost faith in some of our federal institutions, whether FDA or CDC,” said Burkhammer, the West Virginia lawmaker. “We’re going to step up as states and do the right thing.”

©2026 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By MARTHA BELLISLE

The U.S. has never won an Olympic medal in biathlon, the only winter sport where that’s the case.

The drought could come to an end next month at the Winter Olympics.

The team brought on Campbell Wright, a rising star and dual citizen from New Zealand who combined fast skiing and precision shooting to win two world championship silver medals last year and has had strong results this season.

In addition, the team has a homecourt advantage, of sorts: Their Italian head coach, Armin Auchentaller, grew up in Antholz, the village that’s hosting the Olympic biathlon competitions. His assistant coach and support staff are also from the region, ensuring the team has the inside scoop on the ski trails, snow, climate, food and housing.

“We feel Antholz is almost a second home to us,” said U.S. Biathlon CEO Jack Gierhart. “Armin made it easy for us to operate there. That will enable our athletes to focus and feel relatively relaxed, which is really important in this level of competition.”

FILE – U.S. Coach Armin Auchentaller looks on at the shooting range of the World Cup of Biathlon in Oberhof, Germany, Thursday Jan. 8, 2026. (Jennifer Brückner/dpa via AP, File)

Winning athlete and coach

Wright said he trusts his fitness and training as he heads to the Games, where the pressure will be on him to perform.

“I think having success in the past just gives me confidence because I’ve already done more than I thought I could do in this sport, so the way I see it anything extra is just cream,” he told The Associated Press.

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Auchentaller said working with Wright has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.

“From the very start, you could tell he had something special — not just raw talent, but that spark of joy when he moved, competed, trained. That early talent was obvious,” Auchentaller said. “But what made working with him truly remarkable was how quickly he combined that talent with professionalism.”

Wright will be joined by Olympic newbie Maxime Germain and Paul Schommer, who is competing in his second Games, while Sean Doherty will race in his fourth. On the women’s side, Joanne Reid returns to competition after two years off and heads to her third Olympics. Teammate Deedra Irwin returns for her second and two new members, Margie Freed and Lucinda Anderson, will make their Olympic debut.

Who is Campbell Wright?

Wright, a 23-year-old from Wanaka, New Zealand, was born and raised Down Under by American parents who emigrated there in the 1990s. He spent his early years at the Snow Farm cross-country ski center, learned biathlon in Europe and raced for New Zealand at the Beijing Olympics. Seeking support from a seasoned team, his dual citizenship allowed him to join the U.S. in 2023.

That support has helped him to thrive.

In February 2025, he became the first U.S. biathlete to win two medals at one world championship event, taking home back-to-back silvers in the sprint and pursuit competitions in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. They were the first U.S. world medals since Susan Dunklee won silver in 2020. She also won silver and Lowell Bailey gold in 2017.

Auchentaller said he was proud but not surprised by Wright’s performance.

“I knew that beneath his talent lay a core of grit, a fearless heart, and a grounded, simple work ethic,” Auchentaller said. “His success didn’t feel like luck or a one-off; it felt like the natural outcome of years of hard, intelligent work, fueled by genuine love for what he does. Watching him step onto that podium, I saw a young man’s passion and dedication pay off — and I felt fortunate to have witnessed his growth from early promise to world-class performer.”

Keeping it fun

Wright’s Kiwi accent and light-hearted nature has endeared him to fans around the world. He often smiles and waves at adoring supporters who call his name from the stands, looking like his having the time of his life.

Wright’s multiple top-10 finishes on the World Cup circuit last season secured him the the U23 Globe for the best athlete 23 years old or younger, another first for a U.S. biathlete. He said his youth helps makes racing less stressful.

“I’m hopefully at the start of a long career and I think that also helps take the pressure off,” he said. “If this season goes poorly, there are a lot more years for me to try again.”

Training plan that works

Early in the World Cup season, Wright made his presence known by skiing to the front of the pack and consistently shooting well even in high-stress head-to-head battles. He said his training plan worked for him last season, so he has no intention of changing things, even though it’s an Olympic year.

“I think it’s a good one,” he said. “I think a lot of athletes tie themselves in knots trying to reinvent the wheel, but what we do isn’t complicated, it’s just hard.”

Auchentaller said what makes Wright special as a biathlete goes beyond a single skill. He has speed, focus, a positive attitude, sure, “but the real difference lies in his simplicity.” He doesn’t overthink things and maintains a calm confidence even when things don’t go as planned, which is inevitable in biathlon.

Suddenly the wind changes direction, you miss the first two shots, you drop your sunglasses, someone crashes in front of you, you drop a magazine. Every race has the potential for mishaps.

“Instead of panicking or doubting himself, he stays grounded, believes in the work he’s done, and keeps moving forward,” Auchentaller said. “That trust, combined with his simplicity and adaptability, is what makes him truly stand out in the sport.”

If Wright can keep it up, it could fulfill a dream that has eluded the U.S. for decades.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle in Inver Grove Heights over the weekend.

Inver Grove Heights police and fire and M Health Fairview EMS responded about 5:30 p.m. Saturday to Upper 55th Street and Blaine Avenue on a report of a crash, according to the police department. First responders found the pedestrian in the street and provided medical aid.

The person, whose name hasn’t been released, was transported to Regions Hospital and pronounced dead.

The driver “is cooperating with authorities and showed no signs of impairment,” police said in a statement. Inver Grove Heights police are investigating with assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol.

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Eric Ramsay has more than one job to do at West Bromwich Albion.

After two years at Minnesota United, the Welshman last week took over as head coach of the underperforming English club at midseason. His primary objective is to improve West Brom’s results on the field and avoid dreaded relegation from the country’s second-tier league to its third.

Ramsay is also doing so behalf of MLS. No pressure, coach.

Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay watches game action in the first half of a MLS game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Allianz Field in St. Paul on Saturday, Mar. 22, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

The North American league has lacked a track record of coaches having success in moves to Europe; the latest example ended in stunning whiplash.

Wilfred Nancy had earned deep respect in his four years with the Columbus Crew, winning the 2023 MLS Cup and reaching two other finals. The 48-year-old Frenchman, who won MLS coach of the year in 2024, was hired at Celtic in early December, but was sacked by the Scotland’s top club in early January. He had lost six times across eight matches.

In 2016, Bob Bradley became the first American coach in the English Premier League with Swansea City, but the former MLS and U.S. men’s national team coach’s stint in the EPL lasted only 11 games.

In 2022, Jesse Marsch took over at Leeds United after stints in MLS, Austria and Germany. The Racine, Wis., native lasted less than one calendar year before being fired midseason. Leeds finished the season relegated from the Premier League to the Championship, where Ramsay currently resides with West Brom.

During his introductory press conference last week, Ramsay was asked by a local reporter about the “completely different” task at West Brom compared to what he faced in Minnesota and MLS.

“It’s completely understandable,” Ramsay said about the question. “But I know what MLS has meant for me or my coaching journey.

Then Ramsay ticked through some of his coaching experiences, including at his hometown club, Shrewsbury Town, which is mere miles from West Brom’s home stadium, The Hawthorns. He also mentioned stints as an assistant coach at Manchester United, with Chelsea’s Under-23 team and at two of Swansea’s youth squads. He has also been an assistant for the Wales national team.

“I know very well the demands from a playing perspective, and I feel like the experience around the Championship that I’ve complemented with two years (at Minnesota) in a very demanding setting as a head coach,” Ramsay said. “It could not have prepared me better for this. And I’ve said repeatedly that I wouldn’t be sat in this chair if I didn’t feel like I’d done everything to make sure that I was prepared, that I would have taken that risk in that sense.

“So I feel very comfortable with the depth of experience I’ve gotten. I think if it was analyzed very carefully, you’d see that amounts to a really good grounding for this league.”

A previous question posed Ramsay last week centered on underestimating “the toughness” of MLS.

“It’s a top 10 league” in the world, Ramsay replied. “It’s growing very quickly. The level is high. You see that with the outs from the league, you see it with the ins. (Players leaving and entering MLS in the transfer market.) It’s changing very rapidly. It’s uniquely demanding league.”

Ramsay, who was the youngest coach in MLS at age 34, cited the multicultural demands in the Loons locker room, with more than 20 different nationalities on last year’s roster, the travel demands across four time zones in the U.S. and Canada and a spectrum of different climates to play in.

When Ramsay took over West Brom, the club had 31 points in 26 matches and sat in 18th place. That was 10 points from the top six clubs, which advance to a playoff, while also being seven points clear from the bottom three teams, which are relegated to the lower tier, League One.

On Friday, Ramsay lost his West Brom debut, 3-2 at home to second-place Middlesbrough. His team was down 2-0, including an own goal, but battled back to make it 2-2 before Middlesbrough scored the winner in the 90th minute.

With other results, that loss sank West Brom to 19th and only four points above the relegation zone. On Tuesday, West Brom hosts Norwich — a club in tone of the regulation spots.

Soccer fans in the U.S. will be following that match and checking in for West Brom’s remaining 19 games into early May, to see if Ramsay can become a success story for MLS.

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