The U.S. Senate confirmed Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, as the director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) in a 51-47 vote on Friday. Cruz will lead the federal agency responsible for healthcare delivery to approximately 2.8 million Native American and Alaska Native patients, filling a leadership vacancy that has persisted since … Read more
The Trump administration has finalized a regulatory change to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that narrows the legal definition of “harm,” effectively permitting industrial activities such as logging, mining, and oil and gas drilling on critical wildlife habitats. According to administration officials, the rule change is intended to align agency enforcement with a 2024 Supreme … Read more
Tragedy on the Front Lines Three firefighters died and two others sustained burn injuries Saturday while battling the Snyder Fire near the Colorado-Utah border. The crew members, employed by the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the U.S. Forest Service, were overcome by flames during a “burnover”—a situation where fire movement blocks all escape routes—and were … Read more
The Longevity Rhythm: Why Dancing is the Ultimate Prescription for Healthy Aging For years, the medical community focused heavily on the mechanics of aging: strength training, aerobic capacity, and caloric intake. But a growing body of evidence—and the vibrant example of groups like the Rodeo City Wreckettes in Tucson—suggests that the secret to a longer, … Read more
The Trump administration approved major disaster declaration requests for at least seven states this week, according to information released Saturday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The declarations allow affected communities to access federal support. Approximately 15 additional requests from states and tribes remain pending, along with three appeals of previous denials. Alaska, Idaho, Montana, … Read more
PHOENIX (AP) — Allegations of sexual abuse against labor leader César Chavez have prompted widespread reckoning with his legacy, as well as calls to remove his name from public spaces. Mary Rose Wilcox, who marched and fasted alongside Chavez and helped him open a radio station in Phoenix, described feeling “like a punch to the … Read more
The Rise of Lifelong Learning: Why Adults Are Returning to the Classroom Millions of adults are enrolling in courses, from professional certifications to personal enrichment classes. This isn’t a fleeting trend, but a significant shift in how people approach education and career development throughout their lives. Driven by Change: The Forces Fueling Adult Education Economic … Read more
A glove containing DNA found approximately two miles from the home of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother appears to match gloves worn by a masked person seen outside her Tucson home the night she disappeared, the FBI said Sunday. The glove was discovered in a field beside a road and underwent DNA testing. Preliminary … Read more
Indian Health Service Leads the Way in Mercury-Free Dentistry: A Global Shift The Indian Health Service (IHS) announced this month it will phase out dental fillings containing mercury by 2027, a move signaling a broader global trend toward mercury-free dentistry. This decision impacts the roughly 2.8 million Native Americans and Alaska Natives who rely on … Read more
The Soundtrack to Serenity: How Music is Evolving to Meet Our Dogs’ Needs For centuries, humans have turned to music for emotional regulation, memory recall, and simply to enhance experiences. Now, we’re discovering our canine companions aren’t immune to its power. But the relationship between dogs and music is far more nuanced than simply playing … Read more