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.
Gateway Church plans to announce during service today that the church has a new senior pastor: Virginia megachurch founder Daniel Floyd.
Floyd and his wife, Tammie Floyd, will be leaving their roles as senior pastors of Lifepoint Church in Fredericksburg, Va., a megachurch they founded about 20 years ago that now has five Virginia locations. The Floyds plan to start their new chapter at Gateway around August.
In 2016, Daniel Floyd founded Fredericksburg-based Lifepoint College, a school offering two-year degrees and certificates in subjects including ministry, leadership and biblical studies.
Gateway Church in Southlake has been without a senior pastor since last June, when its longtime senior pastor and founder Robert Morris resigned after being accused of sexually abusing a child in the 1980s. Morris was indicted in March on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in Oklahoma and made an initial court appearance in Osage County court May 9. Morris’ preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4.
Floyd came to Gateway in March to preach a sermon on prayer during the church’s first service since the Oklahoma Attorney General announced the news of Morris’ indictment.
In a Friday interview, Floyd told The Dallas Morning News that before a Gateway elder reached out to him early this year, he had no plans to leave the church he founded. “Honestly, in 20 years, I’ve never looked — I’ve just been really content in the calling that we have right now,” he said.
Tra Willbanks, the chair of Gateway’s board of elders, reached out to Floyd in January through a mutual friend to discuss the possibility of Floyd coming to lead the church. “My first thought was: ‘How would this impact [my] family, and is God in this?’” Floyd said. “And then I think after that, you begin to ask those questions of ‘Do I have what it takes?’”
Floyd said his decision to move to Texas was informed by his daily prayer time and his understanding of what God was calling him to do.
He wakes up around 5:30 every morning, and starts his day with coffee, Bible reading and then prayer for around an hour. “I want God to speak to me before I talk to anybody else, or even before I talk to him,” Floyd said.
Over the past few months, Floyd said, he’s felt God encouraging him to come to Gateway through signs in his daily prayer and Bible reading and through conversations with friends and mentors. “At some point, my wife and I, we were just like — ‘You can’t make this up anymore, how much God is directing and guiding this,’” Floyd said.
Willbanks, who was also part of the Friday interview with The News, said Floyd was giving up a “thriving church” to come and “do a lot of repair work in a community.”
“We needed somebody that understood that for what it was,” he said.
Floyd said he was up for the challenge.
“I don’t want to coast in my life,” he said. He finds the “big task” of leading Gateway both daunting and exciting. “It’s all those emotions in one.”
Willbanks told The News in January that Gateway set up a committee of about 20 to 30 people, including both staff and members, men and women, to help vet the new senior pastor. The church also added four new elders in January to help vote on a senior pastor, choosing people who were not “in the bubble” of how things were run at the church before June, according to Willbanks.
In discussing what the church wanted in a future senior pastor, Willbanks said humility was a top priority. He said he and Floyd spent time talking about the humility and vulnerability needed to stay grounded while leading a large church.
“[Floyd] called me at one point in this process, and he had told me that he had gone back to some of his closest friends and just asked them … ‘Do I show up like a celebrity?’” Willbanks said.
That capacity for self-reflection was a good sign to Willbanks.
“A narcissist doesn’t do that,” he said.
Adrian Ashford covers faith and religion in North Texas for The Dallas Morning News through a partnership with Report for America.
WYTHE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Five children were hospitalized after a crash on I-81, mm 57.4 southbound in Wythe County Saturday, May 24, according to Virginia State Police.
Virginia State Police investigated a crash at 9 a.m., which resulted in multiple injuries and I-81 southbound completely blocked.
The driver of a Ford Transit passenger van struck a tractor trailer, according to police. Police say five children ranging from ages 1-8 were in the van, and all of them were hospitalized. All thirteen passengers have injuries, and most are non-life-threatening, according to police. Police say three Med Flight helicopters transported two individuals to a hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the van, 39-year-old Harikanth Gaddam of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, was charged with reckless driving.
Copyright 2025 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at May 23, 2025, results for each game:
Mega Millions
Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
07-18-40-55-68, Mega Ball: 18
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 5-7-9, FB: 4
Day: 6-7-8, FB: 7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 8-8-7-6, FB: 3
Day: 1-5-2-1, FB: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 7-8-9-9-6, FB: 6
Day: 9-2-5-7-8, FB: 8
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash4Life
Drawing everyday at 9 p.m.
12-31-37-53-59, Cash Ball: 01
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash Pop
Drawing times: Coffee Break 9 a.m.; Lunch Break 12 p.m.; Rush Hour 5 p.m.; Prime Time 9 p.m.; After Hours 11:59 p.m.
Coffee Break: 13
After Hours: 04
Prime Time: 10
Rush Hour: 12
Lunch Break: 04
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash 5
Drawing every day at 11 p.m.
07-15-24-36-41
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Center for Community Journalism (CCJ) editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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