John Robinson
Coverage of John Robinson in the Nexus archive.
- Black lung cases surging again in Southwest Va., Appalachia; miners blame blocked regulations
Black lung cases among Appalachian coal miners have surged to near 50-year highs due to mixed coal mine dust containing silica, which can cause pneumoconiosis. Advocates are demanding that federal regulations be enforced, citing data from the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and NIOSH. The problem is aggravated by deeper mining operations that expose workers not only to coal but also to rock/silica dust.
- Navy revises what information about sailors can be released, citing internal misinterpretation
The U.S. Navy clarified that it has not changed its policy on releasing sailors' service records, reversing an initial statement that suggested restrictions. The confusion stemmed from a misinterpretation of a new policy targeting leadership biographies, not service histories, as confirmed by Navy and Pentagon officials.
- Navy says it will no longer release sailors' service history, another restriction on press access
The U.S. Navy will no longer release sailors' service history, citing security threats and harassment concerns. The policy change, part of broader press access restrictions under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, removes publicly available information about sailors' assignments, awards, and ranks, complicating media reporting on service members involved in news events.