Asbestos Ban, Sports Illustrated, and Spring Begins

EPA Bans Asbestos

The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday banned the last form of asbestos still imported into the US. Exposure to the mineral—a fibrous silicate found naturally in rocks—is linked to lung and other forms of cancer, killing an estimated 40,000 Americans each year.

Asbestos is fire-resistant and durable and has long been used in building materials like insulation. It can be challenging for the body to clear; when inhaled, it can cling to the lining of the lungs, causing a form of cancer known as mesothelioma. While asbestos manufacturing has declined since the 1970s, one of its six forms—chrysotile asbestos—is still imported primarily from Brazil and Russia (watch video). It is still in use today to make car brakes and gaskets, and one-third of US chlorine plants use it for manufacturing.

Chrysotile asbestos is the first chemical substance banned since a 2016 law expanding the EPA's powers to regulate toxic substances. See sources of asbestos exposure in the US here and a map of US asbestos mines here.

Social Media Censorship

A majority of US Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical yesterday of arguments the Biden administration coerced social media companies to remove content from their platforms. Last fall, the high court put on hold a lower court ruling to bar federal officials from communicating with tech platforms about the content they host. Supreme Court decisions are released in June.

The original suit was launched in May 2022 by the attorneys general from Louisiana and Missouri and five social media users. They alleged federal officials infringed on their First Amendment speech rights when they coerced tech platforms in 2021 to remove certain posts involving information about the COVID-19 pandemic. Several justices questioned how the government's communications could be directly linked to the platform's removal of posts and whether the plaintiffs had standing (see 101) in the case.

The court has heard several cases involving social media this term, including whether accounts of public officials can block individuals and whether states can bar platforms from moderating political content. 

Sports Illustrated Deal

Digital sports media company Minute Media has agreed to partner with Sports Illustrated, reportedly overseeing all editorial operations across its digital and print platforms. The deal spans up to 10 years with a possible extension of up to 20 more, although detailed financial terms remain unclear.

The news comes after a turbulent past year for the sports media giant. The CEO of Sports Illustrated's parent company Arena Group—which held the publishing rights to the 70-year-old publication from Authentic Brands Group—was ousted in December after reports surfaced that artificial intelligence was used to produce content. Mass layoffs were held in January after Arena failed to make a $3.75M licensing payment to ABG. Arena had planned to end Sports Illustrated's print edition in May; Minute Media said it aims to continue the print edition and broaden Sports Illustrated's global presence. As part of the deal, ABG will reportedly gain a stake in Minute Media.

Minute Media, which owns The Players’ Tribune and FanSided, is known for creating short-form sports content. See how Minute Media has used its proprietary tech platform to turn brands profitable here.

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