Virginia
West Virginia bans food dyes and preservatives in first-of-its-kind law
(WXYZ) — In today’s Health Alert, West Virginia is making headlines with one of the country’s biggest bans on artificial food dyes and preservatives. Supporters say it’s a step toward better public health, while some worry about higher food costs.
West Virginia is banning seven artificial food dyes: Red No. 3 and 40, Yellow No. 5 and 6, Blue No. 1 and 2, and Green No. 3.
These dyes will be removed from school lunches starting in August. Then, in January 2028, they’ll be banned from all food products sold in the state, along with two preservatives— propylparaben and butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA for short.
Now, what are the health risks? Research has linked some of these dyes to behavioral issues, particularly in children. A 2021 California study found that Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6 may contribute to hyperactivity and attention problems. BHA has been labeled a possible carcinogen, and propylparaben has raised concerns about hormone disruption.
The FDA currently allows 36 color additives in food. But here’s the challenge—before the agency can ban something, there has to be strong scientific proof of harm. And that’s tough with food dyes because it’s unethical to test them on people, especially kids. So, even though some studies link food dyes to health issues, the evidence isn’t conclusive.
Now, West Virginia is one of the unhealthiest states, with high rates of obesity and diabetes. State leaders see this as a step toward improving public health. But there are other issues, like people worrying that this ban could raise food prices. Plus, there are consumer preferences. When General Mills made the switch in 2016, some people complained that the new colors looked dull, so they switched back to artificial colors.
In my opinion, we don’t need these dyes. They don’t make food safer or more nutritious. They just make food products look more appealing, so we buy them. Instead, we need to adjust our expectations. Even better, we need to make healthier choices. Cutting out dyes in processed foods does not cut out sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Instead, I recommend nourishing your body with whole foods rich in antioxidants, fiber, and essential nutrients. That’s a much better move for overall health. But if you do buy packaged foods, check the ingredient labels and look for brands that have already phased out artificial dyes.
Virginia
AG Miyares urges Virginia schools to adopt stricter definition of antisemitism
VIRGINIA (7News) — Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares urged all Virginia public schools to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism (IHRA definition) into their codes of conduct and anti-discrimination policies.
His office pointed to a 25 percent increase in reported hate crimes statewide in 2024, with crimes involving anti-Jewish bias rising 155 percent – the sharpest increase among all categories tracked by Virginia State Police in their most recent annual crime report.
READ MORE | Shots fired near Compass Creek Parkway in Loudoun County
In the letter addressed to superintendents and school boards sent Monday, Miyares states Jewish students “have been excluded, harassed, threatened, and even assaulted.” Miyares pointed to the U.S. Department of Education using the IHRA definition to enforce Title VI and to the Commonwealth’s 2023 adoption of the non-legally binding definition “as a tool and guide for training, education, recognizing, and combating antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination and for tracking and reporting antisemitic incidents in the Commonwealth.”
“Thus, the law of the Commonwealth requires use of IHRA to ‘recognize’ the discriminatory motive behind antisemitic conduct and act upon such discrimination findings pursuant to the Virginia Human Rights Act,” Miyares wrote in the letter, adding: “As part of your compliance with Federal and Virginia law, you must implement the [HRA definition and its contemporary examples into your codes of conduct and discrimination policies to assess unprotected activity.”
7News has reached out to Northern Virginia school districts for their response to Miyares’ letter.
Virginia
Annandale teen and grandmother killed in Christmas day crash
A Fairfax County family is demanding justice, saying the driver who caused a crash that killed a grandmother and a high school student is out free while they’re grieving an unimaginable loss.
The Vu family, from Annandale, was at a holiday dinner on Christmas day, but on their drive home, Virginia State police say another driver rear-ended the Vu family’s van on the Beltway in Fairfax County.
Duy Cao was driving the van — her 75-year-old mother, Su Nguyen, and her 15-year-old daughter, Annie Vu, were killed.
The family said according to Virginia State police, the driver who hit them was going more than 100 miles per hour.
“I don’t know how to, how to live,” Cao said, sitting alongside her husband An Vu, as the couple
gasped through their grief and recover from their own injuries.
There were six people in their van, and everyone was rushed to the emergency room, including their son, Annie’s brother, 12-year-old Andy.
“When he came out of it, his first question was, you know, ‘Where is Annie?’” said Kathie Vu, Annie’s godmother.
She says Annie’s brother was just released from the hospital four days ago and is struggling to cope with losing his sister and grandmother.
“My mom, the best. My mom, she came here, 11-years-old. She takes care of my children,” Cao said.
Nguyen was a devout catholic who helped raise the kids while their parents worked. Annie was a bright student at Annandale High School, where the principal says grief counselors have been made available for students.
At the beginning of this school year, Annie introduced herself to her classmates in her AP Seminar class at Annandale High School. Her principal shared with News4 what she wrote about herself. She told her classmates to count on her to always be hard-working, respectful and collaborative. She talked about her family and how her grandmother taught her to speak some Vietnamese. She hoped to major in biology at the University of Virginia saying, “although I don’t know what to do in the healthcare field, I’m sure I want to help others.”
“The other day, I heard my brother-in-law say, ‘There will be no more Christmas now.’ They’re always going to come into this time of year thinking about what happened,” Kathie Vu said.
The Vu family is demanding answers about the man who hit their car. Virginia State Police have not released his name nor any charges. The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney says reckless driving charges were filed, but News4 hasn’t been able to confirm that via court records.
While News4 has not been able to confirm if reckless driving charges have actually been filed against the driver who allegedly caused this deadly crash, the prosecutor’s office says it is waiting for the results of a toxicology test. Once those results are back, it could determine what charges the driver might face.
The family says that misdemeanor charge isn’t enough, they want him tried for involuntary manslaughter.
“I want everybody to pray for my mother-in-law and for my daughter so they can, you know, in heaven,” An Vu said.
Virginia
Former Oklahoma Sooners DB transferring to West Virginia
The Oklahoma Sooners are fully in the swing of transfer portal season in early January, as they’re making additions to the roster and seeing former players land at their new schools. The portal officially opened on January 2nd, and it will be open until January 16th.
One of the latest players to find his new school is former OU defensive back Maliek Hawkins, who has committed to West Virginia. Hawkins is the son of former Oklahoma defensive back Mike Hawkins Sr., who played for the Sooners in 2002 and then played multiple years in the NFL. He’s the younger brother of former OU quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., who started five games in Norman over the last two seasons. Both Hawkins brothers are now headed to Morgantown, with the older Hawkins hoping to win the starting QB job, and the younger Hawkins hoping to crack the rotation at cornerback.
Hawkins was a member of Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class, signing with the Sooners as a three-star recruit. He played in just one game during his true freshman season, and now arrives at WVU as a package deal with his older brother.
Despite the Sooners expecting to return starters Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory at the CB spots in 2026, the portal exits of Hawkins, Devon Jordan, Gentry Williams, and Kendel Dolby have thinned the depth at that position. With Jacobe Johnson also expected to return, Oklahoma will be looking to add a key rotational cornerback or two in the transfer portal ahead of next year.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
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