Civil rights leader Daisy Bates and singer Johnny Cash to replace Arkansas statues

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas is set to replace the statues of two obscure figures from its history that have represented the state at the U.S. Capitol with contemporary figures. A statue depicting civil rights leader Daisy Bates is scheduled to be installed at the Capitol this week and another depicting singer Johnny Cash is expected to go up later this year. A 2019 law calls for new statues to replace the two others depicting 18th and 19th century figures few people knew. Bates mentored the nine Black students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Cash sold 90 million records worldwide spanning country, rock, blues, folk and gospel.

Bodies and fake ashes spur lawmakers to pass funeral home regulations

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers have passed a sweeping bill to overhaul the state’s lax oversight over funeral homes after a series of horrific incidents, including sold body parts, fake ashes and the discovery of 190 decaying bodies. The cases have devastated hundreds of already grieving families, and encouraged lawmakers to pass the bill, which now goes to Democratic Gov. Jared Polis’ desk for a signature. Colorado’s current funeral home regulations are some of the weakest in the nation. If signed, the law would give regulators far greater enforcement power over funeral homes and require routine inspections of facilities including after one shutters.

Subset of Alzheimer’s cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research show

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene. Scientists have long known a gene called APOE4 is one of many things that can increase people’s risk for Alzheimer’s, including simply getting older. The vast majority of Alzheimer’s cases occur after age 65. But research published Monday suggests that for people who carry not one but two copies of the gene, it’s more than a risk factor, it’s an underlying cause of the mind-robbing disease. The findings mark a distinction with “profound implications,” said Dr. Juan Fortea, who led the study the Sant Pau Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain. Among them: Symptoms can begin seven to 10 years sooner than in other older adults who develop Alzheimer’s.

Floodwaters start receding around Houston area as recovery begins following rescues and evacuations

HOUSTON (AP) — Floodwaters in the Houston area are starting to recede, allowing residents to begin returning to their homes and assess damages after days of heavy rainfall. The flooding had led to hundreds of rescues — including people who were stranded on rooftops. Officials in Harris County, where Houston is located, are reporting no deaths or major injuries from the flooding. But authorities in North Texas say a 4-year-old boy died after riding in a car that was swept away in fast waters. Harris County officials said Monday they’re transitioning from a response phase into recovery mode and cleanup. Houston is one of the most flood-prone metro areas in the country.