Flu Season: Los Angeles County has reported its first two flu-related deaths, and flu activity is higher than usual for this time of year. Officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated. Outbreak Readiness: California and Washington say the CDC took two months to respond to a request for help validating faster measles testing, then declined. A separate study warns revised federal hepatitis B guidance could leave some babies exposed to infection from family members. Healthcare Fraud: Federal prosecutors charged 15 people in alleged California schemes involving nearly $2 billion in fraudulent claims, including sham addiction-treatment clinics. Separately, the federal government is withholding another $1.2 billion in California Medicaid payments over fraud concerns. Insurance Costs: Employer family health plans average $28,303 a year, with workers’ contributions rising 9% as wages grow more slowly. Environmental Health: A bill from Rep. Salud Carbajal and Sen. Alex Padilla would study decades of toxic waste dumping off Southern California, including DDT pollution that may threaten marine life, fisheries and human health. Public Health Alert: A second rabid raccoon was found in Westlake Village; two people may have been exposed and are receiving follow-up care.