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Get ready for fall weather. Here's when the equinox begins

Get ready for fall weather. Here's when the equinox begins

The fall equinox marks the first day of fall, which begins in less than a week.
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U.S. Health Officials Report Rise in 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Cases and Deaths

U.S. Health Officials Report Rise in 'Flesh-Eating' Bacteria Cases and Deaths

Health officials across the U.S. are issuing warnings regarding an increase in infections and deaths linked to Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as 'flesh-eating' bacteria. This rare bacterium naturally occurs in warm saltwater and brackish water. Infections can occur through direct contact with contaminated water, especially for individuals with open wounds or broken skin. Another common route of infection is consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. So far this year, Florida has reported four deaths from 21 cases, and Louisiana has reported six deaths from 17 cases. South Carolina has also reported three cases, with one related death. While healthy individuals typically experience mild illness, the bacteria poses a significant risk to those with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, or other underlying health conditions. Severe infections can lead to intensive care, limb amputations, and a fatality rate of about one in five, sometimes within 24 to 48 hours of illness onset.
Asheville Citizen-TimesAsheville Citizen-Times
Which states have the most brain-eating amoeba cases? What data shows

Which states have the most brain-eating amoeba cases? What data shows

A North Carolina teen died from the rare brain-eating amoeba. Here's how often cases happen in the U.S.
Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota Herald-Tribune
Florida dengue hotspot map, where other mosquito-borne infections are

Florida dengue hotspot map, where other mosquito-borne infections are

Florida has reported 152 local dengue cases in 2026. See where infections are rising and symptoms to watch for.
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Orange County, Florida, Elevates Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert Following Third Dengue Case

Orange County, Florida, Elevates Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert Following Third Dengue Case

Orange County, Florida, has escalated its mosquito-borne illness status from an advisory to an alert, the first such upgrade since 2011, after health officials confirmed a third locally acquired case of dengue. The Florida Department of Health made the change after two additional cases were identified within a single household in Apopka, following an earlier case reported in Pine Hills. Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control, explained that the presence of multiple local cases in different areas triggered the alert. Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which typically remains within a few blocks of its hatching site. In response, mosquito control crews are conducting door-to-door treatments in Pine Hills and Apopka to eliminate standing water and breeding sites. The county has also implemented new laboratory equipment utilizing PCR detection to rapidly test mosquitoes for viruses, providing results within a single day, a significant improvement over previous methods that ...
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U.S. Congress Holds First-Ever Hearing on Menopause to Address Care Gaps

U.S. Congress Holds First-Ever Hearing on Menopause to Address Care Gaps

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging recently held the first-ever dedicated congressional hearing on menopause, marking a historic moment for women's health in the United States. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat—New York), the committee's ranking member, highlighted that 75 million American women are currently in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause, yet their needs have been largely unmet. She characterized the existing care gap as a 'healthcare failure, an economic failure, and a policy failure,' citing a Mayo Clinic study that estimates untreated menopause costs the U.S. $26.6 billion annually, with $1.8 billion attributed to lost worktime. Four leading menopause experts testified, focusing on improving access to care, enhancing doctor's education, increasing women's health and menopause research, and passing relevant legislation. The committee, led by Senator Rick Scott (Republican—Florida), also submitted a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) outlining...
USA TodayUSA Today
Pokémon fans wait in long lines for 30th anniversary card release

Pokémon fans wait in long lines for 30th anniversary card release

Fans of the popular franchise came out in droves to get their hands on the trading cards.
TrendlineTrendline
Shahid Khan, Jacksonville Jaguars Owner, Among Florida's Wealthiest Billionaires

Shahid Khan, Jacksonville Jaguars Owner, Among Florida's Wealthiest Billionaires

Shahid Khan, Jacksonville Jaguars Owner, Among Florida's Wealthiest Billionaires
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Study Reveals Nearly 70% of Social Media Health Content is Misleading, Citing Unqualified Influencers

Study Reveals Nearly 70% of Social Media Health Content is Misleading, Citing Unqualified Influencers

A recent study has found that a significant portion of health and wellness content shared on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram is misleading or deceitful. The research, published in the Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, analyzed 300 videos from Instagram Reels and TikTok using hashtags such as #healthylifestyle, #nutrition, and #cleaneating. The findings indicate that 68% of this content was deemed misleading or deceitful. A major contributing factor is the lack of qualifications among content creators; only 22% of the influencers posting health content were considered qualified, based on certifications or qualifications in health, fitness, or nutrition listed in their biographies or LinkedIn profiles. Alarmingly, only 4.7% of content from unqualified influencers was accurate, compared to 45.5% from qualified creators. The study also highlighted that many videos promoted messages and behaviors associated with orthorexia nervosa, such as linking food intake to appearance, advocatin...
Florida Times-UnionFlorida Times-Union
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is 70th richest in U.S., Forbes says

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is 70th richest in U.S., Forbes says

Forbes has ranked Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan No. 70 among America's wealthiest individuals in its latest survey.
Palm Beach PostPalm Beach Post
Nearly 50 Florida billionaires make Forbes 400 as wealth soars in 2026

Nearly 50 Florida billionaires make Forbes 400 as wealth soars in 2026

Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison and other Florida billionaires climbed the Forbes 400. Here's who made the list.
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Representative Chellie Pingree to Launch Bipartisan 'Fix Our Food Caucus' in House

Representative Chellie Pingree to Launch Bipartisan 'Fix Our Food Caucus' in House

Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), an organic farmer and long-time advocate for food and agriculture issues, is set to launch a bipartisan 'Fix Our Food Caucus' in the House of Representatives. The caucus aims to develop policies that promote healthy, affordable food and protect individuals from chemical exposure. Pingree has been actively engaging with Democratic colleagues to emphasize that food is a primary concern for many constituents, extending beyond just cost to include health and safety. She has also met with members of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which supported President Trump's election, to foster consensus on food policy. While a House MAHA Caucus already exists, its scope is broader than food and is exclusively Republican. Pingree is currently reaching out to lawmakers from both parties to assemble the caucus, though specific members have not yet been disclosed. Her recent legislative efforts include collaborating with Representative Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) to ch...