President Trump’s Department of Justice is investigating claims that Harvard is discriminating against Asian American students in its admissions program. Harvard has been accused of capping the number of Asian American students to make room for other ethnicities.

Al talks to Edward Blum about the case. Blum has made a career out of challenging race-based college admissions. And he and his group, Students for Fair Admissions, filed a lawsuit against Harvard three years ago that makes some of the same claims the Justice Department is now investigating.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos wants parents to have the ultimate choice of where their children go to school – public or private – and taxpayers to make it possible. This week, Reveal examines how DeVos might funnel federal education dollars toward private school tuition, yet leave school choice rules up to the states. Plus, we’ll look at how hundreds of thousands of students in Texas were denied the special education they are guaranteed under federal civil rights law.

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To explore more reporting, visit revealnews.org or find us at fb.com/ThisIsReveal, on Twitter @reveal or Instagram @revealnews.

The coronavirus pandemic has lead to major changes for homes and businesses, including more frequent use of chemicals and disinfectants. While they do help, some can be dangerous to human health and the environment. Professor John Meeker , senior associate dean for research at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, spoke with WEMU's David Fair about how best to safely use these products on "Issues of the Environment."

People of color have suffered disproportionately under cannabis criminalization, and social-justice advocates have played a major role in the push for legalization; Michelle Alexander’s book “The New Jim Crow” changed many people’s minds on this issue. But, as the legal cannabis market takes off into a multibillion-dollar economy, this “green rush” is likely to leave behind those who suffered. An entrepreneur in New York tells the staff writer Jelani Cobb that “while we’re waiting [for legalization], huge corporations are . . . working on their packaging, how they’re going to come to the market. If we don’t have that same freedom, how is it fair?” Cobb reports on how legalization bills are seeking to address that historical inequity. In Oakland, California, a bill stipulates that half of dispensary permits must be awarded to people who have been harmed by criminalization in the past. But one businessman tells Cobb that, without access to capital, would-be dispensary owners will be shut out, and will likely end up selling those permits for cheap.

The coronavirus pandemic has lead to major changes for homes and businesses, including more frequent use of chemicals and disinfectants. While they do help, some can be dangerous to human health and the environment. Professor John Meeker , senior associate dean for research at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, spoke with WEMU's David Fair about how best to safely use these products on "Issues of the Environment."

While flu season is an annual occurrence, the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 infections has drawn more attention to what individuals can do to fight viral infections.

While the following natural health and healing suggestions are not a replacement for professional medical advice and treatment, research has shown these strategies may strengthen immunity and improve symptoms. 

Those with symptoms are being urged to stay at home and utilize telemedicine services to gain a doctor’s advice. 

Even if you’re not infected, be sure to practice the recommended steps to avoid the virus: frequent handwashing, “social distancing” from other people, and staying at home as much as possible.

Dr. Neil Nedley, a physician and president of Weimar Institute, told Pastor Doug Batchelor in a recent interview that taking N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supplements can help develop antibodies against the infection. He also suggested zinc supplementation and urged a plant-based diet of foods rich in antioxidants—including broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, and garlic, as well as fruits including berries and plums.

Note: Please consult with your physician before utilizing these natural remedies, especially if you have severe symptoms, are on any form of medication, or have a special condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. If you’re concerned about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 infection, check the advice at coronavirus.gov.

The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content in this article is for general information purposes only. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this website with other sources and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician.

1. Take a Contrast Shower

At the first sign of a cold or flu, give yourself a “contrast shower.” The sooner you do it, the more effective it is. This treatment increases the number of circulating white blood cells and can ward off a full-blown infection.

• Turn the water as hot as you can tolerate (105 to 110° F).
• After a few minutes, turn the cold water on. Start with a mild contrast. Jumping up and down and rubbing your skin while in the cold water will help. Leave the cold on for about 30 seconds. Never leave it on so long that you actually feel chilled. This will have an undesirable effect (if you feel chilled, turn the hot water back on until you feel warm; then try a shorter application of cold or milder temperature).
• Repeat this contrast three times, ending with cold. Dry yourself briskly and go to bed for at least one hour. Repeat this treatment 1 to 2 times daily.

Note: If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other circulatory impairment, use only a very mild contrast.

2. Rest!
Continuing your normal level of activity usually results in worsened symptoms and a longer illness. Particularly if you have a fever, go to bed so that your body can do the work of healing without interference.

3. Avoid Antibiotics, if Possible
Colds and influenza are caused by viruses. Antibiotics fight only bacterial infections, such as strep throat. They can also upset the healthy bacterial balance of the digestive tract. Try an herbal preparation such as garlic or echinacea. These can help the body fight infection without harmful side effects. (Use echinacea only when fighting an infection; otherwise, it can lose its effectiveness.)

4. Take Vitamin C at the First Sign of Symptoms
Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the duration of a cold or flu (1,000 mg in the morning, 500 mg in the afternoon).

5. Eat Simply
Avoid sugars and fats and limit juices and fruit, especially dried fruit (citrus fruits are preferable). Eliminate dairy products, which aggravate mucus-related symptoms. Drink plenty of fluids. Water, soups, and broth are all suitable, up to three quarts a day.

6. Keep Hands, Feet, Neck, and Ears Warmly Clothed
Blood flow to the nasal structures falls as the temperature of the extremities falls. Viruses prefer the resultant lower temperature and sluggish circulation of the nasal passages. This is why a chilled person has lowered resistance to upper respiratory infections.

7. Get Fresh Air, but Avoid Drafts
Keep your room warm (68 to 72° F), but not hot. Do deep breathing exercises, preferably outside.

8. Get a Little Sun Outdoors, but Don’t Allow Yourself to Get Chilled
Sunlight boosts the immune response and raises beneficial hormones that will help you feel better.

9. Don’t Be Too Eager to Reduce a Fever
Fever is a defense mechanism the body uses to fight infection. If you feel chilled, you are in the heating stage of a fever. Take steps to warm yourself. When you feel hot and are sweating, you have moved into the cooling stage of the fever. This is often referred to as “fever breaking.”

10. For Nasal Congestion

• Drink hot broth or hot tea, such as peppermint or ginger
• Add plenty of garlic and onion to soups and eat while hot
• Use saline nose drops: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup warm water. Use with a clean eyedropper or nasal spray bottle.
• Use a water vaporizer with eucalyptus essence
• Apply a hot sinus compress
• Use “breathing strips” found in the First Aid section of drug stores

11. For a Sore Throat

• Gargle with saltwater: 1/4 teaspoon salt to 1 cup warm water
• Use zinc lozenges
• Use a water vaporizer, especially at night
• Apply a hot compress to the throat

12. For a Cough

• Drink hot peppermint or ginger tea with a teaspoon of honey
• Honey mixed with fresh lemon juice can also soothe a cough, but use sparingly
• Use a water vaporizer with eucalyptus essence
• Apply a hot chest pack

13. Take an Acidophilus Preparation
This may help fight off viral and bacterial infections by ensuring an abundance of beneficial bacteria in the bowel.

14. Reduce Stress
Avoid dwelling on how bad you feel or how much you’re missing. Read light and uplifting material or listen to soothing music. According to research done at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, the more positive your attitude, the less severe your symptoms may be.

15. If Symptoms Are Severe, See a Physician
Severe symptoms include a fever above 104° F or one of 102° F that lasts more than a day, severe or persistent sore throat, ear pain, stiff neck, wet chest sounds, colored mucus or sputum, a cough that lingers more than a week after other symptoms have cleared, etc. These symptoms may indicate a more serious illness. 

16. Avoid Spreading the Infection to Others
Stay home and use disposable tissue to cover coughs and sneezes and for blowing your nose. Don’t prepare food for others, sit or stand close to others, and wash your hands frequently.

17. When You Start Feeling Better, Don’t Shift Back Into Full Gear
This usually results in a relapse. Stay low (and even in bed) for a few extra days. Make a gradual transition to normal activity.

Domestic workers are losing jobs they rely on to the pandemic, and the jobs they’ve kept could jeopardize their health. We hear how workers are using lessons from past disasters to advocate for their communities. Then, in a story from Uncuffed , an ex-marine in prison faces his own mortality. Plus, we’re bringing Bay Area author readings to you in a new series called "New Arrivals."

The State Department insists the Trump administration is at the fore of the global response to the coronavirus, but worries persist about an American retrenchment.

Elements of the right have sought to bolster President Trump’s political standing by turning scientific questions into political issues.

The allegations suggest personal clashes influenced how the administration responded to the pandemic.

Sen. John F. Kerry's presidential campaign asked an Ohio judge Tuesday to allow it to join a legal fight there over whether election officials in one county may sit out the state's impending recount.

The federal government should create a corps of AIDS specialists and deploy them in the hard-hit countries targeted by the Bush administration's five-year, $15-billion global AIDS program, according to a panel of experts.

Starbucks is planning to “gradually expand” operations at some stores in the U.S., citing progress in the fight to contain the coronavirus.

In arguably the most ambitious and unique procurement effort in company history, technology giant Microsoft is leveraging its global supply chain to bring tens of thousands of badly-needed medical supplies — including 240,000 N-95 surgical masks — to the Puget Sound in anticipation of coronavirus hospitalizations. Supplies began arriving on Monday.

HONOLULU (AP) — Face masks made with the same colorful prints used for aloha shirts — known as “Hawaiian shirts” elsewhere in the United States — are the latest fashion trend in Hawaii as islanders try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Disposable surgical masks are in short supply, and people want to preserve […]

How many people will die? How many jobs will be lost? All around us, the coronavirus pandemic has caused an immense human tragedy in Washington. Here’s what we know and don’t know right now. How this all ends is still anyone’s guess.

A moment of Unity fighting the Corona Virus. We are volunteering at the Jameson Crane Swab Station collecting nasal swab samples for testing and diagnosis. We are BUCKEYE STRONG SERVING OUR COMMUNITY IN TIME OF NEED! This IS what we do at THE Ohio State University! The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one, or the few.....

Italian news agency ANSA is using blockchain technology to fight fake news by enabling readers to check the source of the news with its new ANSAcheck news tracking system developed in collaboration with Ernst & Young (EY). Through the EY blockchain HUB in the EY Mediterranean Region, EY has developed a solution which is based on EY OpsChain Traceability technology.

You’ve probably heard the term “flattening the curve” more times than you can count over the past couple of weeks. But if we’re being totally honest with each other, there’s a good chance there’s something else that needs flattening, too.

Health Hacker Adam MacDougall reveals tips on how to fight lockdown weight gain.

NASA's space salad and Escobar's hippos are restoring an ecosystem

We hear from a group pushing for kids as young as ten to be able to get tattoos, we have a visit from the Pedestrian-Driver-Cyclist Alliance, and Pat Kelly tells us why the ponytail rescue documentary is his favourite.

Your song for us this Friday comes from Lee who writes that 2018 was her annus horribilis. One song that helped was from The Panics. "His beautiful voice, great harmonies and lyrics are perfect for the current situation especially when we really don't know where this current situation will lead us."

YouTube are stepping up their fight against fake news by introducing an all new fact checking feature.

Extensive medical scanning of a seal found at Cape Conran on the Victorian east coast has revealed not one, but six fish spines embedded in the seal's face after the fight of its life.

To many, a postcode is just four numbers that direct your mail. To the small community of Cookernup it's the town's identity.

Bored with the nine-to-five grind, Kirrilee Dean made the decision to return to her home state and establish the Tasmanian Fighting Championship.

They do apprenticeships, work with tools and are exposed to chemicals, so why aren't hairdressers paid as well as plumbers? The Australian Workers Union wants that to change.

Student paramedics are being called up to serve, physiotherapists are being up-skilled to work in hospitals and the private sector is ready to share the load. 

For the first time in history, the mayor of WA's biggest council will be chosen directly by residents, but the campaign has been marred by allegations of criminal damage, sabotage and online abuse.

Crabs, birds and fish are just some of the marine life that could be decimated by the proposed Point Grey marina south of Perth, according to Mandurah locals, who say extensive dredging will have a "catastrophic" impact.

A WA mother is vowing to move interstate with her four-year-old son, splitting him up from his sister, if education authorities refuse her requests for him to start school a year later because he "won't cope".