ERNews

The occupational lung disease silicosis is taking the lives of stone fabrication workers in the San Fernando Valley. Laborers who cut, grind, sand, finish or polish engineered stone slabs are at risk of inhaling crystalline silica dust, causing lung inflammation and scarring, which can lead to silicosis, a severe lung disease, that may cause difficulty breathing, a need for a lung transplant and even death. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has reported 322 cases of silicosis, 31 lung transplants and 15 deaths in the state as of May, with 180 cases (over 55%) reported in Los Angeles County. The majority of those cases are in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, where the stone fabrication industry is most prevalent. On Tuesday, the LA County Board of Supervisors (BOS) proclaimed June as Silicosis Awareness Month, approving the motion spearheaded by Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Hilda Solis. “We want to make sure that not only are people aware of what this...

Several hundred Disney employees are reportedly out of a job. The entertainment behemoth purportedly sent layoff notices to workers both in the U.S. and abroad. The cuts affect mostly the Disney Entertainment unit of the company. Specifically, team members associated with film and television marketing, publicity, casting, and development are losing jobs. Some financial operations staff have also been laid off. No entire teams have been removed — they have reportedly just reduced in size. According to Deadline , most of the employees involved are located in Los Angeles. The company has not confirmed exactly how many employees might be let go. The reported layoffs come after the company terminated 200 workers in March. According to the company, dropping TV ratings and revenue forced layoffs at Disney-owned ABC News as well as Freeform and FX networks. Shortly after Bob Iger reclaimed the CEO chair in 2022, the conglomerate implemented a plan to cut cos...