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Everything Dolly Parton Has Shared About Her Health Struggles
The country legend had to undergo a series of procedures to address health challenges.
Amazon Business Begins Same-Day Perishable Grocery Delivery
Service available in 2,300+ cities and towns across the country
National Small Business Week celebrates America’s largest source of jobs
It’s National Small Business Week, an annual event hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration to recognize small business owners around the country.
Romanian Government Collapses, Sowing Doubts Over Fiscal Reforms
Romania’s minority government collapsed after losing a no-confidence vote, throwing the country into renewed political turmoil and potentially stalling reforms needed to narrow the widest budget shortfall in the European Union.
Starmer calls antisemitism ‘crisis for all of us’ ahead of Downing Street summit
The prime minister said the attack in Golders Green is ‘part of a pattern of rising antisemitism’ in the country
Romania Prepares to Oust Premier Without Plan for the Day After
Romanian lawmakers will vote on ousting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan in a move that could plunge the country into a renewed political crisis and imperil efforts to narrow the widest budget deficit in the European Union.
As visa rules tighten, impacts to researchers and US science escalate
New restrictions are increasingly squeezing international researchers in the US and threatening the country’s long-term scientific competitiveness, analysts say
Country music legend cancels concerts, admits feeling ‘swimmy headed’
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said she's responding well to medicine and treatment.
Dolly Parton cancels Las Vegas residency due to health issues
The 80-year-old country music star said it will take some time for her to be "stage-performance ready" again.
Body of Woman Donated to Science After Death at Local Truck Stop - Effingham's News and Sports Leader, 979XFM and KJ Country 102.3
Effingham's News and Sports Leader
Dolly Parton cancels Las Vegas residency due to health issues: ‘Everything I have is treatable’
Country superstar assures fans her health issues are treatable
Dolly Parton Shares Health Update, Addresses Returning to the Stage
The country singer says she's "doing really well" but isn't ready to return to the stage just yet.
Dolly Parton has ‘some good news, and a little bad news’ about her health
Dolly Parton has good and bad news about her health. The Queen of Country gave her fans an update on her condition Monday.
College softball rankings for Week 13: Updated top 25 for Softball America, RPI rankings
Oklahoma remains the top-ranked team in the country heading into the SEC Softball Tournament. Here's an updated look at the full top 25 rankings.
Musician West heads Downeast for concerts, workshop
American roots musician Eli West will bring his blend of old-time, bluegrass and country music to coastal Maine for a concert in Steuben and a workshop and concert in East
Fantasy Claw Arcade Opens at AREA15 on May 7, Marking Fifth Store as Experiential Entertainment Brand Gains Momentum
Fantasy Claw Arcade will open its newest Las Vegas location at AREA15 on May 7, marking the company's fifth operating store and placing the fast-growing brand inside one of the most recognizable immersive entertainment destinations in the country. AREA15 describes itself as the world's first purpose-built immersive entertainment district, just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, and says it has welcomed more than 15 million visitors to date.
Country music star who stopped touring at 40 gives fans hope: ‘Made me miss it’
The singer announced earlier this year that he was stepping away from the stage.
Country music star to make rare TV appearance following husband’s death
The 39-year-old is slated to make her return to TV on 'American Idol.'
Global Health & WASH: May 2026 Funding Opportunities (14 new opportunities!)
The May update for Global Health & WASH brings new calls that cluster around three distinct shifts: LMIC research leadership moving from funder encouragement into a hard eligibility constraint, pharmaceutical and corporate-linked funders running structurally independent education and use-inspired research portfolios at substantial scale, and AI adoption shifting decisively from speculative tool to operational capability across health and WASH systems alike. In LMIC Research Leadership as Eligibility, Not Encouragement, Wellcome anchors the dominant signal of the month with three separate major calls that all require or strongly center LMIC leadership in their basic eligibility architecture. Wellcome’s ESIC Hubs (£1.5-£1.9M per hub over 3-5 years) explicitly requires an LMIC-based lead applicant, treating Global South leadership as a design constraint rather than a participation goal. Wellcome’s Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Development Award funds transdisciplinary teams whose lead must be a mid-career or established researcher based at an organization in Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia. Wellcome’s larger Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award (£1M-£8M for optimizing licensed interventions) requires the administering organization to be in eligible LMIC regions and at least 50% of applicants based there. Around Wellcome, the same pattern shows up at smaller scale and across funders: CHINNOVA channels $1M into West and Central African research institutions for climate-health work; IBRO’s Neuroscience Training Grants explicitly tier ceilings by region of residence with Africa receiving the highest amount ($5,000); IHME’s GBD Emerging Researcher Award reserves at least one of its two annual awards for an LMIC researcher; Sidaction’s HIV Cure call funds research teams across France, the Netherlands, and eligible African countries with a minimum two-country collaboration requirement. Taken together, these calls signal a meaningful shift in how research equity is being operationalized — not as encouragement language at the bottom of a call, but as a structural feature of who can lead, where the work must be administered, and what proportion of the team must be regionally rooted. In Pharma-Funded Independent Medical Education and Use-Inspired Research, the lineup this month is unusually deep. Pfizer alone runs four parallel calls under independent education and quality improvement frameworks: a Migraine and Women’s Health RFP (200K x 2-year, $500K pool), Migraine IME ($200K, $1M pool), JAK Inhibitor evidence-based education ($100K), and Maternal Vaccination HCP Education in Saudi Arabia ($75K), plus a separate Pediatric Pneumococcal Surveillance research call in Saudi Arabia ($400K per project). Novo Nordisk Foundation runs four parallel calls of its own at substantial scale: Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grants (DKK 60M pool, up to DKK 7M collaborative), Non-Diabetic Endocrinology Collaborative Grants (DKK 53M pool, DKK 5-10M per project), Pioneer Innovator Grant Health (DKK 1.1M), and Distinguished Innovator Grant Health (DKK 6.8M). LEO Foundation deploys DKK 2-4M per project for dermatology research excellence. Pfizer’s framing across calls deliberately separates the funding from product promotion, emphasizing measurable practice-relevant change and structural distance between scientific outputs and commercial activity. Novo Nordisk’s “use-inspired” hard filter pushes researchers toward a credible translation pathway from mechanism to deployable tool. The pattern: industry-aligned funders are running structurally independent portfolios at meaningful $ that fund implementation evidence, not promotion. In AI as Operational Capability, Not Speculation, several calls this month explicitly treat AI adoption as a near-term operational question with real evidence and governance requirements, rather than a speculative trend to be watched. Wellcome’s ESIC Hubs frames AI as “the accelerator” for evidence synthesis, asking hubs to translate technical innovation into adoption-ready workflows that can match real-world policy timelines. UNICEF Venture Fund’s new Climate Tech for Children’s Health call funds for-profit startups deploying AI, machine learning, and blockchain in low-resource environments, with a strict requirement that solutions must already have a working prototype with promising pilot results. The Water Research Foundation has launched two simultaneous AI calls treating reproducibility, cybersecurity guardrails, and human-in-the-loop deployments as core design constraints rather than nice-to-haves: one on GenAI and Agentic AI in water utilities ($200K), one on alternatives to water shutoffs that explicitly screens for implementation economics evidence. Nordic Innovation’s quantum technology call (NOK 4.5M) extends the same logic into life science and healthcare, demanding consortium-stage projects mature enough to test with real users. TEF-Health offers €300K in subsidized testing infrastructure for European healthcare AI and robotics SMEs. The pattern: funders are converting AI pilots into playbooks, requiring transfer evidence and risk controls before AI can move from experimentation to sector-wide operational practice. For LMIC-based researchers in infectious disease or evidence synthesis, the three Wellcome calls together represent the deepest concentration of LMIC-led research capital in recent memory — pair the Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Development Award (£200K, deadline May 19) as a strategic pipeline feeder into the larger Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award (£1-£8M, deadline June 2), since the development award functions explicitly as a track into the larger trial scheme. For Nordic researchers, the four Novo Nordisk Foundation calls plus LEO Foundation and Nordic Innovation Quantum represent ~$30M in regional research capital this cycle, all with deadlines clustered in May-August. For WASH practitioners, the three Water Research Foundation calls together (each up to $200K) are a cluster worth reading across — one on AI deployment, one on shutoff alternatives, one rewarding applied innovation — and the strongest applicants will articulate how their work bridges utility operations to policy-relevant evidence. For US-based clinical researchers and educators, the four Pfizer calls plus the APF Portfolio’s 80+ programs form an unusually accessible recurring pipeline; APF’s prohibition on indirect costs is a meaningful structural feature for early-career applicants whose institutions might otherwise absorb significant overhead. Snapshot of New Opportunities Total Estimated Funding Pool: $100 Million+ USD The grants are organized into three categories: Open Calls: Current grant and opportunities with a deadline. Grants are listed by closing date. 39 open opportunities- 14 new! Rolling Applications: current grant and opportunities with rolling applications (but it’s still best to submit as early as possible). 14 rolling opportunities- 1 new opportunity! Long term planning: Grants that have closed their current rounds, but are expected to open new windows. 4 long term opportunities! A quick tip for returning readers: if you want to jump straight to the newest additions, use CTRL F to search for “New!” and navigate quickly to the latest funding opportunities This post is for paid subscribers. This helps support the time and effort it takes to curate and organize these opportunities. Subscribe To keep this accessible to everyone who needs it, we’re happy to offer pay what you can rates. You can find more details here. Open Calls: Migraine Competitive Grant Program: Migraine and Women’s Health (Quality Improvement and/or Research RFP), Pfizer.*Closing soon!* Pfizer, in collaboration with the American Headache Society, is seeking independent quality improvement and research projects that close persistent gaps in migraine care for women across the United States. The funding logic centers on measurable, practice-relevant change: proposals should generate actionable evidence, tools, or system improvements that can be shared and used widely, not just within a single site. Priority areas span menstrual migraine and screening in women’s health settings, the role of hormonal fluctuations across the lifespan, sex-specific risk factors, comorbidities and quality-of-life burden, and disparities in outcomes by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The call is structured as a two-step competitive process with an initial Letter of Intent, with the strongest concepts expected to translate scientific insight into implementable improvements in diagnosis, management, and equity. Geographies: United States. Who can apply: U.S.-based organizations (not individuals), including professional schools, healthcare institutions, professional organizations, and other entities focused on healthcare improvement. Funding amount: Up to USD $200,000 total over 2 years; total pool USD $500,000. Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: migraine, women’s health, quality improvement, clinical research, menstrual migraine, health disparities. Deadline: LOI: May 5, 2026; Full proposal (by invitation): August 28, 2026. Learn more and apply here. This RFP rewards “shareable impact”: the most competitive submissions will pair rigorous methods with a clear plan for system uptake and dissemination beyond the originating institution. ReSSARC: Strengthening the Health Sector and Food Security in the Central African Republic (AID 013381/01/0) Call for Proposals, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). *Closing soon!* AICS is seeking a limited set of high-capacity humanitarian partners to deliver an integrated package that stabilizes essential health services while reducing acute malnutrition and strengthening food security resilience in priority areas of the Central African Republic. The funder’s logic is explicitly nexus-based: proposals should meet urgent, life-saving needs while reinforcing local systems, coordination mechanisms, and community-level capacity so results persist beyond the emergency window. AICS emphasizes inclusion and protection outcomes, expecting gender-sensitive design and explicit measures for groups facing compounded vulnerability, including women, children under five, internally displaced people, and people with disabilities. The call also signals a localization pathway, encouraging stronger collaboration with national NGOs and balanced partnerships, alongside clear coordination with existing cluster and humanitarian actors to minimize duplication and improve coverage. Geographies: Central African Republic (Bangui, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Lim-Pende, Lobaye). Who can apply: Non-profit organizations registered with AICS, plus eligible non-profits without an office in Italy that have a pre-existing collaboration agreement with an AICS-listed organization. Funding amount: Total pool EUR €1,800,000; max EUR €800,000 (single applicant) or EUR €1,000,000 (ATS). Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: malnutrition prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, community health services, food security and resilience, localization partnerships Deadline: May 5, 2026. Learn more and apply here. This call is structured to reward partners who can link frontline service delivery to system durability and localization, not just short-term coverage gains. Contracts for Innovation in drug and alcohol addiction healthcare, Innovate UK. *Closing soon!* Innovate UK, on behalf of the Office for Life Sciences Addiction Healthcare Goals program, is procuring R&D to accelerate innovations that can improve treatment outcomes, strengthen recovery, and reduce harm and deaths linked to drug and alcohol addiction. The competition is positioned as a market-facing readiness push: selected projects are expected to advance solutions toward later-stage validation, generate evidence of user acceptability and UK market fit, and map credible routes through regulatory and certification requirements. Innovate UK signals a preference for innovations that can be field-tested in relevant UK settings and progressed to TRL 6 or 7, with practical plans for commercialization after contract completion. This structure favors applicants that can execute most work in-house, co-develop with service providers and people with lived experience, and translate technical progress into deployable tools for addiction healthcare delivery. Geographies: United Kingdom. Who can apply: Single organizations of any size (including EU, EEA, or international) leading delivery, with most work and key deliverables carried out in the UK; subcontractors for specialist skills only. Funding amount: GBP £200,000–1.5 million per project (inclusive of VAT); Total pool: GBP £20 million (across two strands). Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: Mental Health, Health Systems Strengthening, Research & Development, Technology Access. Deadline: May 6, 2026 (11:00am). Learn more and apply here. This call uses procurement to pull near-market addiction innovations toward operational proof and adoption pathways in UK services.
Sunday Sports: Watertown Wolves announce new coach, general manager
Here’s a recap of your North Country sports this Sunday.
Round 2, Game 1 – Player of the Game: Logan Stankoven
Believe it or not, Logan Stankoven has yet to be named the Carolina Hurricanes “Player of the Game” for Canes Country in these playoffs. I’m fixing that right now. He only led the team in notching goals in round one and scored first in the first three games, tying NHL records for that. But his […]
McDonald’s is quietly ditching a popular in-store feature nationwide
McDonald's is quietly ending self-serve soda fountains nationwide, shifting drink prep behind the counter as it modernizes restaurants across the country.
Democrats slammed for 'dehumanizing' rhetoric amid concerns about political-fueled violence
Political analyst Gianno Caldwell discusses dangerous political rhetoric and its consequences, including an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. He also examines how extreme language and socialist policies impact the country.
Fetterman weighs in on Iran's latest peace offer, internal Democratic politics
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., discusses President Donald Trump's review of Iran's peace plan and the need to prevent the country from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Strengthening maternal health starts after families leave the hospital
In a country where most maternal deaths are preventable, expanding proven, community-based visiting support must be part of how we move forward.
‘Fire Country’s Jordan Calloway Teases ‘Intense’ Finale: How Will It End?
Plus, will Jake have time to plan a wedding before the end of the season?
Backed by tech money, a moderate Democrat from Silicon Valley mounts a bid for California governor
The race to lead the country’s biggest blue state has been defined by voter concerns about their quality of life in California and the influence of special interests in Sacramento.
Where Germany's economy still excels
German industry is being lapped in key sectors like solar panels, semiconductors and even cars — but the country's midsize businesses suggest the economy isn't losing its edge.
Las Vegas’ fastest-growing businesses
Las Vegas has long been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. As the desert metropolis has expanded, so too have a bevy of valley-based businesses that have experienced rapid growth in ...
When funding cuts came — these scientists turned to journalism | The Stony Brook Press
Amid funding cuts to scientific institutions across the country, Isako Di Tomassi co-founded the McClintock Letters initiative, a science communication project that publishes opinion pieces written by scientists about their work and why it should continue to be funded. From protecting apples in Washington state to developing novel insecticides in Indiana, the initiative has published over 200 op-eds, all written by scientists defending their federally funded science, across 46 states.
Saturday Sports: Watertown Wolves under new ownership, plus high school sports updates
Here’s a recap of your North Country sports this Saturday.
David Allan Coe's daughter says all 8 of his kids lost touch with controversial singer before his death
David Allan Coe's daughter Tanya Montana Coe tells EW that all eight of his kids lost touch with the controversial country singer before his death.
Ted Cruz warns of high stakes during Iowa visit as 2026 midterms loom
As Republicans gathered at a conservative event in Clive ahead of a pivotal midterm election, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, warned that what happens in Iowa could help determine the direction of the country.
Country star Louie TheSinger, actors and more join 'Horses for Mental Health' campaign
Texas-born Country Star Louie TheSinger is saddling up to spotlight how horses can play a role in mental health support.
Country Style Ice Cream to open near TBK Bank Sports Complex
Another business is preparing to open in the area near the TBK Bank Sports Complex just in time for summer.
Opinion - Colorblind Constitution: The Roberts court ends a ‘sordid business’
This decision will cement the legacy of the Roberts Court in moving the country toward a colorblind system of laws.
UK woman wins right to receive permanent birth control after exposing double standards in health service
A British woman who was denied permanent birth control through the UK ’s national health service on the grounds she might regret the decision has won her case with the country’s health ombudsman after a 10-year legal battle
Xi Jinping: Advancing China's strength in science and technology
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged greater efforts and more concrete measures to strengthen basic research, enhance China's capacity for original innovation, and further solidify the foundation for building the country's strength in science
Confirmed case of measles in DC as country faces significant resurgence
Officials with the District’s Department of Health announced a confirmed case of measles in the city on Thursday.
Not Even Japanese Bathhouses Are Immune From Shocks of Iran War
High fuel costs are imperiling the Japanese sento, a long-declining industry that remains a vital social lifeline for the country’s isolated elderly.
Ghana becomes the latest African country to reject a US health deal, citing data sharing concerns
Ghana has rejected a proposed health deal with the U.S. over provisions that would have allowed U.S. entities access to the nation’s sensitive health data without necessary safeguards, an official told The Associated Press on Friday. It was the latest African country to walk away from the deal ov...
Ghana becomes the latest African country to reject a US health deal, citing data sharing concerns
Ghana has rejected a proposed health deal with the U.S. due to concerns over data privacy
Ghana becomes the latest African country to reject a US health deal, citing data sharing concerns
Ghana has rejected a proposed health deal with the U.S. due to concerns over data privacy.
Ghana becomes the latest African country to reject a US health deal, citing data sharing concerns
What the Maine Senate Race Feels Like on the Ground
The anti-establishment mood is palpable in the state, home to one of the country’s top Senate contests. But Senator Susan Collins has some strengths.
Everyone loves Ella Langley. Everything else about country music is up for debate.
Ella Langley's breakout Stagecoach set showed her rare cross-generational appeal even as fans across the festival disagreed on what country music is becoming.
Trump says Iran conflict is ‘terminated’ as he hits congressional deadline
Trump’s statement came as the United States continues to enforce a naval blockade of Iran and as he declined to rule out additional strikes on the country.
Ole Red restaurant, entertainment venue planned for Indy
A bar, restaurant and live entertainment venue inspired by country music artist Blake Shelton is slated to open in downtown Indianapolis late next year.
Do not open until July 4, 2276: U.S. buries a ‘zombie-proof’ time capsule
The durable stainless steel container will be buried in Philadelphia for the country's 250th birthday.
Texas Wine Auction supports Hill Country mental health
The fourth annual Texas Wine Auction supporting the Texas Wine Auction Foundation is taking place this weekend at Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, featuring live music, a silent auction, dinn…
LIV Golf: Is Saudi Arabia's sports revolution unravelling?
Saudi Arabia will withdraw its multi-billion dollar backing of LIV Golf, but what does this mean for the country's other sporting investments? Dan Roan takes a closer look.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Health Policy Watch: Ghana rebuffs US health deal – but South Africa and Zambia struggle without aid
Ghana became the latest African country to reject the US terms for bilateral health assistance, particularly the requirement to share sensitive health data.
Supreme Court voting rights decision rattles New Orleans officials and civil rights leaders
New Orleans officials and civil rights leaders say the decision threatens to immediately shrink Black voters’ representation in the state and the country.
Can Iraq’s new prime minister fix his country’s broken politics?
Ali al-Zaidi must contend with a growing crisis of legitimacy in the very system that brought him to power and the backing of a coalition that is increasingly unstable.
Holmes Convocation Center creates a ‘Holme’ for arts, entertainment in Boone
For many years, Boone has been well known for its music scene. From bluegrass legend Doc Watson to High-Country-formed Rainbow Kitten Surprise, music has always been an important staple for the town. With this comes the absolute cruciality of a versatile venue for all kinds of entertainment. In 2020, App State Athletics invited Luke Combs...
Erika Kirk speaks after WHCD shooting, slams 'desensitized' reporters
In an almost 9-minute video posted to social media April 29, Erika Kirk said there's “a serious epidemic of dehumanization plaguing this country."
Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean announce ‘Double Down Tour’: How to secure limited tickets during presale
The upcoming Double Down Tour includes only four show dates (three in Aug. and one in Dec.) and includes additional performances on select dates from a variety of fellow country music stars.
Tulane students are betting big as sports wagering becomes campus norm
With one parlay bet, you can turn the $20 your mom gave you for food into $200. Enticing, right? This mindset is common on college campuses across the country. 67% of students living on campus participate in sports betting, and Tulane University is no exception. “There’s no barrier to entry for these gambling sites. It’s...
Politics in a Parallel Universe: Iraq’s Leadership Crisis and the Iran War
The Iraqi government and the leaders of the country’s ruling political factions have every reason for alarm. The US–Israeli war on Iran—and its profound consequences for Iraq’s security, political stability, and economy—has produced a national crisis. Yet in Baghdad, political debate is still fixated on who will occupy which positions, what authority and resources they will control, and how to […]
US will deny visas to applicants who say they fear persecution at home
Applicants for visas to the United States will now have to affirm that they do not fear persecution in their home countries as the Trump administration seeks to further restrict potential asylum seeks from entering the country.
Supreme Court ruling will reshape American politics. The only question is when
The U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority on Wednesday handed Republicans their biggest victory yet in the perpetual battle to control the House of Representatives and statehouses across the country — but it may have come too late to have much of an effect on this year's midterm elections.
Supreme Court ruling is set to reshape American politics
The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority has handed Republicans their biggest victory yet in the battle to control the House of Representatives and statehouses across the country.
Dollywood surprises on this year’s 10BEST lists for theme parks
Dollywood is No. 1 to us, but where does it rank among other top theme parks in the country? The answer in one category for 2026 is rather shocking.
HACC reverses course, will continue sports programs for next school year
HACC has reversed course on previously announced sports cutbacks, restoring several programs through the next academic year. On Wednesday, the Harrisburg-based community college stated that it will continue men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball through the 2026-27 school year. Last week, HACC stated that it […]
Country music star Blake Shelton announces newest Ole Red restaurant, music venue to open in Indianapolis
Supreme Court rules Louisiana’s Congressional maps are ‘unconstitutional racial gerrymander’
The ruling will have huge implications for elections not just in Louisiana but across the country.
CBC's Barb Williams to Keynote THR Women in Entertainment Canada
The veteran broadcast exec wrapped a 40-year career by retiring from the CBC, the country’s public broadcaster.
2026 Iowa State Fair Free Entertainment Announced
The Iowa State Fair is the largest event in Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Learn more.
UT Austin Computer Scientist Elected to National Academy of Sciences
Scott Aaronson, a renowned quantum computing expert, joins the country’s most prestigious scientific organization.
Amid financial struggles, COSI reaches beyond its walls
COSI is kicking off a 20-city, two-year program that will bring hands-on learning to students across the country.
Nadiyah Byard, A Two Sport Standout
Augusta, Ga. - Most collegiate student-athletes grew up playing multiple sports. Many times it wouldn't be until late in their high school career they decided which sport to focus all their attention to. In college, other than runners in cross country and track, very few do more than one sport. For Augusta University's Nadiyah Byard, she not only competed in basketball for the Jaguars, but is focusing on the high jump for the Jaguars.
Smokey Bones abruptly closes locations as NY closure sparks wave of surprise shutdowns
The BBQ chain abruptly shut down its Colonie, NY location on April 28, part of a fast-moving wave of closures sweeping across the country after its parent company FAT Brands Inc. filed for bankruptcy...
Lone Star Politics: April 26, 2026
The Dallas Police Department found themselves in the cross hairs of Governor Greg Abbott. We hear about how the rank-and-file were caught in this debate. Plus, Gerrymanders across the country shake up the map, we explore what happens next.
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples and in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in the country.Australia is among a growing number of countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma, contributing to global progress towards the targets set out in the WHO road map for NTDs 2021–2030.Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma.”Australia’s journey to eliminationAustralia’s achievement reflects decades of targeted public health action, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where trachoma persisted despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.National efforts intensified with the establishment of the National Trachoma Management Programme in 2006, which implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy: surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics to treat infection, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement. Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma by teams of qualified health workers formed an important part of the Programme. Interventions were delivered through coordinated partnerships between federal and state governments, Aboriginal community-controlled health services, and local communities.Over time, sustained screening, treatment, and prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation and hygiene, led to a steady decline in trachoma prevalence. Australia’s approach included adaptations to reflect its context, such as targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration, and strong integration with environmental health programmes.“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia, particularly those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia. “This major milestone is thanks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, community commitment and sustained investment over many decades.“The lessons from this work will inform how we approach other preventable health conditions in remote and regional Australia. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and local health workers have been central to this success, delivering culturally safe care and community-led solutions.”“This recognition from the World Health Organization reflects decades of work led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, alongside local health workers in remote First Nations communities,” said Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians. “Their work has been critical to eliminating trachoma as a public health problem in Australia.”Advancing global efforts against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)Trachoma is one of 21 diseases and disease groups that are regarded by WHO as NTDs. Together, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in underserved populations with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and health care.Australia’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem highlights the importance of sustained political commitment and cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing the underlying determinants of health. It also underscores the feasibility of eliminating trachoma even in geographically challenging settings.In addition to trachoma, Australia has several endemic NTDs, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy and scabies. Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks the first time that WHO has confirmed the elimination of an NTD in Australia, which becomes the 63rd country globally and 16th in the Western Pacific Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.“Tackling neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific Region has long been a challenge for countries across the socioeconomic spectrum, given the complexities in reaching the most vulnerable communities, including in remote areas,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “As a doctor from Tonga, I’ve experienced these challenges for myself. But I also know that with strategic commitment underpinned by optimal resources and partnerships in health, success is possible as other countries in our region have also demonstrated. I commend Australia on eliminating trachoma as a public health problem and urge all involved to remain vigilant to ensure this status is maintained.”WHO continues to support countries working to eliminate trachoma and other NTDs, ensuring that progress reaches those most in need and that gains are sustained through strong surveillance, appropriately integrated into national health systems, and mainstreamed within the wider health sector and beyond.Editor’s notesNeglected tropical diseases and trachoma elimination effortsNeglected tropical diseases are associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences. Their burden is mainly felt among impoverished communities in tropical areas.Public health targets for the control, elimination and eradication of these conditions were set in the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240010352).In 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), creating a network of governments, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions dedicated to the fight against trachoma. WHO continues to support endemic countries to accelerate progress towards the global target of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem worldwide; 2030 is the new target date.Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is defined as: (i) a prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) “unknown to the health system” of < 0.2% in ≥15-year-olds; and (ii) a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years of < 5%, in each formerly endemic district, plus (iii) the existence of a system to identify and manage incident cases of TT.Other countries validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples and in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in the country.
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The Iowa State Fair is the largest event in Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Learn more.
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