This has been a concern for some time. But it’s also hard to unlink sugar free sweeteners from the primary persons who are most likely to consume them.
Diabetics are at a much higher risk of heart attack, as are those who have a diet heavy in processed foods due to salt (raises blood pressure by causing more water in blood) and saturated fats (narrows arteries).
Like so many ingredients widely used in processed foods, the biggest risk with erythritol may be what the health claims mask – as it’s “crutch” in an otherwise unheathy diet with too much refined carbohydrates, refined sugars, salt, and saturated fats.
A lot of science opposing artificial sweeteners is put out by those with known links or sympathies with American sugar growers (sugar beat growers in the midwest and sugar cane growers in the south). Erythritol and other sugar alcohols also can make people quite gassy and upset stomachs, which is an entirely different issue.
The case involved two categories of tariffs. Trump imposed one category on virtually every country in the world, ostensibly to repair trade deficits. He imposed the other set of tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, saying those countries are responsible for the flow of illegal fentanyl into the U.S.
The court rejected Trump’s argument that a 1977 law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, implicitly authorized both groups of tariffs.
“Had Congress intended to convey the distinct and extraordinary power to impose tariffs, it would have done so expressly,” Roberts wrote.
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Stock indexes rose modestly after the decision, while trade- and tariff-exposed stocks gained. The dollar slipped and Treasury yields edged higher.
Based on current trail reports and the upcoming weather forecast for Albany, you can expect the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail to remain snow-covered or icy through late February, with a likelihood of being mostly clear by mid-to-late March 2026.
Current Trail Status (As of February 20, 2026)
Conditions: The trail is currently in a “frozen” state with a mix of snow and ice.
Maintenance: Albany County does not plow or salt the rail trail during the winter. This means snow removal relies entirely on natural melting, which is often slowed by shaded sections and the trail’s asphalt surface that can trap ice.
Short-Term Forecast (Next 7 Days)
The immediate forecast includes several “mix” events that will likely prevent the trail from clearing soon:
Snow/Rain Mix: Light snow and rain are expected from February 20–22, which will likely lead to slushy or icy conditions rather than a clean melt.
Temperatures: Highs will hover near or just above freezing (32°F to 40°F), which is enough to cause some melting during the day but will lead to refreezing at night, creating dangerous “black ice” patches.
When Will It Be Clear?
Typical Timeline: Historically, the trail transitions to being “mostly clear” (at least 75% dry) in late March.
Shady Areas: Sections of the trail between Delmar and Voorheesville that are heavily shaded by trees often retain ice and snow weeks after sunny sections have melted.
Spring Outlook: Long-range forecasts for April and May 2026 suggest warmer and drier-than-normal conditions, which should lead to a relatively quick final melt once spring temperatures settle in.
A banner featuring a photo of Donald Trump and the words “Make America Safe Again” was hung from the Justice Department’s headquarters in Washington on Thursday in one of the most public signs of the president’s influence over a department that once brought criminal charges against him.
