(Amy Leitman, President, NTM Info & Research) - Millions Are Affected by NTM Lung Disease Each Year—Experts Call for Earlier Detection, Research, and Patient Support

As the world prepares to observe World NTM Day on August 4, 2025, NTM Info & Research (NTMir) is calling on patients, physicians, caregivers, and policy leaders to shine a spotlight on nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, a growing but underrecognized threat to global respiratory health.

NTM lung disease is caused by environmental bacteria found in water and soil. While many are exposed, people with underlying lung conditions—particularly bronchiectasis—are at higher risk of infection. Alarmingly, new data show that NTM cases are rising by more than 8.2% annually, particularly among women over age 65 and individuals with chronic lung disease. The economic burden per patient can exceed $30,000 per year, underscoring the cost of delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options.

“NTM lung disease is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions we see today,” said Amy Leitman, JD, President of NTMir. “It doesn’t just threaten lives—it disrupts them. But the earlier we recognize the symptoms, the better our chances of preventing severe lung damage and improving patient outcomes.”

Most people diagnosed with NTM also have bronchiectasis, a condition that causes permanent damage to the airways. When combined, the diseases can lead to a vicious cycle of recurring infections, declining lung function, and years of missed opportunities for proper care.

“We want to empower people to listen to their lungs,” said Leitman. “If someone is experiencing persistent coughing, fatigue, shortness of breath, or unexplained weight loss—don’t wait. Ask your doctor if NTM could be the cause.”

This year’s theme, “Recognize. Respond. Rise Together,” emphasizes the critical need for:

• Early diagnosis through improved screening protocols
   
• Patient education and community engagement
   
• Investment in research and innovation to support more effective and accessible treatments
   

To that end, NTMir continues to lead efforts to:

• Deliver comprehensive educational resources on diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing clinical research
   
• Support a global network of patients and caregivers through online communities and local support groups
   
• Advocate for increased research funding and policy change to address the unmet needs of the NTM community
   

Visit www.WorldNTMDay.org for patient stories, educational tools, clinical trial information, and ways to take action.

Header image caption: Amy Leitman, President, NTM Info & Research
National advocate, subject matter expert on NTM lung disease and bronchiectasis

(NewsUSA) - Summer is the season to celebrate citrus—bright, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Right now, fresh lemons, mandarins, and navel oranges from Chile are arriving in stores, bringing a taste of sunshine from the Southern Hemisphere straight to your table. Each fruit offers unique health benefits and endless ways to enjoy them in the warm months ahead.

Lemons: The Zest of Life
Lemons are famous for their tangy flavor, but their real power lies in their nutritional value. A single lemon provides over half your daily vitamin C needs, supporting immune health and radiant skin. They're also rich in antioxidants and compounds that aid digestion. In summer, lemons shine in sparkling lemon water with mint, drizzled over grilled seafood and vegetables, or blended with honey and frozen into refreshing popsicles.

Mandarins: Sweet Little Boosters
Mandarins are smaller, sweeter cousins of the orange, with easy-to-peel skin that makes them perfect for on-the-go snacking. They deliver a solid dose of vitamin C along with fiber, which helps support healthy digestion. Their natural sweetness and juiciness make them a great addition to summer fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, or chilled smoothie bowls. For a twist, toss mandarin segments into a green salad with toasted almonds and a light citrus dressing.

Navel Oranges: Classic & Juicy
Navel oranges are the ultimate crowd-pleaser—seedless, sweet, and satisfyingly juicy. Like their citrus cousins, they're loaded with vitamin C and also provide folate and potassium, nutrients that support heart health and energy. In the summer heat, they're perfect sliced and chilled for an afternoon snack, juiced for a fresh breakfast drink, or incorporated into savory dishes like orange-glazed chicken or grilled shrimp skewers with orange segments.

A Citrus Summer Tip:
Store your citrus in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer, and bring it to room temperature before eating to enjoy maximum juiciness and flavor. Whether you're sipping, snacking, or cooking, these citrus fruits add a burst of sunshine to your summer—and a boost to your health.

(Ro Thomas Schwarz, KidNuz Editor in Chief) - News - the good, the bad, the fake - is everywhere, all the time. It’s on our phones, feeds and in our faces 24/7.  And while that can be overwhelming for adults, it’s downright distressing for children who haven’t yet developed the skills to look beyond scary headlines, clickbait, and partisan spin.

And yet they see it, hear it, and feel it. Today’s kids desperately need - and deserve - an antidote; someplace they can go to get informed, not afraid. So we created it. KidNuz is a free, 7-minute, 6-story daily news podcast that meets kids where they’re at. It’s fun and factual, timely and nonpartisan, and age-appropriate for kids 8-13 years old who want to know what’s going on in the world — not what’s wrong with the world. Every weekday during the school year, our team of Emmy-winning journalists delivers the latest news from politics, science, sports, the animal kingdom and more. Much of the coverage is top of mind, important, and impactful, while some of it is just plain reassuring: people are more alike than they are different, kids can do remarkable things, and no one is too young make a difference. 

The podcast is on a roll. Every day, 200,000+ kids and adults tune in. Teachers point to students’ increased awareness of current events — and the informed conversations that follow. “We have our morning meeting daily discussing the most interesting topics on KidNuz,” says Julia, a 5th grade teacher from London Mills, Illinois. “I overhear them talking in the hallways, too. They are thinking deeper and challenging each other.” Parents like Kim, from Flanders, New Jersey, use KidNuz as an onramp. “When there is a news story that is difficult for me as an adult to explain because of my emotional reaction to it, it helps me to hear (KidNuz’) simplified version to have a baseline conversation with my son. Sometimes political stories, sometimes disaster stories.” 

Psychologist Elizabeth Burns-Kramer, a KidNuz advisor, is most interested in the mental health benefit; specifically, KidNuz’ ability to dial down news anxiety. "Oftentimes, (traditional news and social media) headlines and stories are framed in ways to increase fear and to portray the world as unstable. Developmentally, children are not always able to reality test headlines or to hold the nuance required when learning about complex news stories. KidNuz utilizes its team of experts in communications, psychology, and parenting to introduce and to report what is occurring in non-frightening ways.” New episodes drop every weekday morning at 7am. Tune in today!

Listen: KidNuz, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Share: Tell a parent, teacher, or school about KidNuz
Learn: Visit Kidnuz.org for additional resources
Donate: As a nonprofit, we rely on donations from our listeners and community.

(NewsUSA) - “A Magical Loveliness of Ladybugs” by Amy L. Stark, Ph.D.

In a world filled with zany, fast-paced children’s books, “A Magical Loveliness of Ladybugs” offers a refreshing style that acts as a gentle reset button for busy minds.

Imagine finding your bedroom filled with ladybugs. That is exactly what Jan finds when she comes home from school.

This beautifully illustrated children's book, based on a true story, helps kids notice and find value in the natural world around them. The story focuses on children and adults' interactions with plants, bugs and butterflies, and demonstrates how nature can be sustained by planting habitats and gardens.

“Small creatures often carry the biggest truths,” the author says, and that ideal can be found throughout every page of the book.

If you're looking for a picture book that celebrates quiet moments, encourages close observation and fosters a lifelong love for nature, this one belongs on your shelf.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4jYkwOl.

“The Bitter End Birding Society” by Amanda Cox

Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt prepare for retirement. A town called Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she's desperate for respite from the attention and unwarranted admiration of her community. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird-watchers takes her under their wing — a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors.

But when Ana's adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree — one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner's daughter and a preacher's son — what began as a getaway to help her great-aunt becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3GXtAEX.

“Anchored by Love” by Marie-Claire Moriah Wright and David Saccoh Wright

Siblings Clara, Max and Ash all found their own paths in life, but despite their individual achievements, it was the strength of their family that truly defined them. The cruise had been a chance to reaffirm that love, to reconnect and remind themselves of what mattered most: their bond as a family.

Through love, they found a way to withstand every obstacle life had thrown at them. Their journey had taught them that success isn’t just about achievements or accolades — it’s about the moments of connection. Because true joy and fulfillment came not just from what they had done, but from whom they had shared it with.

Their story is a testament to the power of love — and as they sailed into the future, they did so knowing that their hearts, their lives, and their family were forever anchored by love.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/40v68FA.

“Design for Your Mind” by Annie Guest

Homes are more than buildings; author, attorney and mental health therapist Annie Guest discovered this after the death of her parents. “My parents left their house to me. I decided to reimagine it in ways that would help me remember the whole of my parents’ lives — not just those sad final years — as I rebuilt my own life.”

Guest takes us through her journey and shows us the magic of how she transformed her home sustainably and on a budget. Using 95 “before” and “after” photos accompanied by easy-to-follow explanations of the science of good interior design, Guest helps us discover the true purpose of each room and how it can promote healthy living.

This is more than a book of inspired, affordable interior design. It’s a guide for anyone facing a new beginning who wants to recreate a home that supports well-being, self-expression and personal empowerment.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3IACnxa.

(NewsUSA) - By Matt Werbach for the National Psoriasis Foundation 

If you are one of the 8 million people in the U.S. with psoriasis, no one needs to tell you about the challenges of living with the disease. You know the pain and itch. You know the social stigma and the judgmental stares. And if you’re like Brian, Ayesha, or Janene, you also carry the burden of various related diseases.  

There are so many shared challenges related to living with psoriasis that it becomes easy to imagine a common solution. But each person impacted by this disease – all 125 million worldwide – has their own unique set of genetics, lifestyle considerations, luck, and personal history. Let’s hear from three of them. 

Three Unique Journeys 

Regaining Control 

Brian Lehrschall spent 30 years managing his psoriasis with just about every treatment available. It was high blood sugar and the GLP-1 agonist he took to manage it that finally helped him improve his psoriasis symptoms, his treatment effectiveness, and his ability to enjoy life. 

Losing it All 

Ayesha Patrick’s hair was falling out in clumps. Psoriasis robbed her of her health, hair, and mental wellbeing. She regained her strength and persevered by helping other people of color feel supported through whatever psoriasis throws their way.  

“Something is Not Right” 

Janene Tirado was pouring margaritas for grateful golfers at a volunteer event when a rare form of psoriasis known as GPP appeared. Within hours, she was at the hospital with a fever, nausea, and small pustules spreading rapidly across her feet and lower legs. Proper treatment helped her move forward. Now, she shares her story so others might know the signs of GPP. 

August is Psoriasis Action Month – an annual opportunity to galvanize and empower the community of people impacted by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Every person experiences psoriatic disease in their own unique way, but it is together that we drive progress toward the vision of a world free from the burdens of psoriasis and PsA.  

For real stories, practical tips, and helpful tools to live your healthiest life with psoriasis or PsA, visit psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month. 

(NewsUSA) - The stakes were high at the Illinois State Fair this year with a herd of young farmers ready to showcase their hard work and expertise in the agricultural industry. 

As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group is committed to the education of future market participants so they can manage their business risks throughout their careers. For the 10th consecutive year, CME Group awarded a $5,000 scholarship to each Grand Champion livestock exhibitor. Additionally, the company recognized each Illinois 4-H Skillathon champion with a $1,000 scholarship. Over the past decade, CME Group has contributed more than $500,000 to advance the education of young Illinois farmers and ranchers.

“We are incredibly proud of this next generation of producers and are honored to support them as they further their education of and passion for agriculture," said John Ricci, Global Head of Agricultural Products at CME Group. “This community is vital to our business, and we remain committed to developing the students who will feed the world and advance our global economy.”

The 2025 Grand Champion scholarship recipients were: Kadie Hummel (Kankakee County), John Lukach (LaSalle County), Trevor Rhoads (DeKalb County), Ashley Wiegand (Woodford County), Bryce Clayton (Scott County), Olive Ryan (Christian County), Maddox Horner (Jasper County), Austin Ater (Champaign County) and Conner Robinson (Morgan County).

The 2025 Skillathon scholarship winners, out of a record 63 participants, were: Gracie Walker (Hamilton County), Preston Howell (DeWitt County), Addison Tebbe (Clinton County), Abby Wamsley (Christian County), Olivia Quertermous (Johnson County), Deacon Shanks (Christian County), Luke Short (Christian County), Jollie Johnson (Henderson County) and Kalen Setterdahl (Knox County). 

Image Caption (names left to right): Ashley Wiegand, Conner Robinson, John Lukach, Bryce Clayton, Austin Ater, Trevor Rhoads, Maddox Horner, Kadie Hummel, Olive Ryan

(NewsUSA) - As families across the country prepare for the new school year, many are doing more than buying backpacks and pencils. They’re searching for, evaluating, and choosing from an expanded set of educational options. This year, for millions of families, the first day of classes isn’t just a return, it’s the beginning of something new. Whether a child is making an expected transition to - like starting kindergarten or transitioning to middle or high school, or switching types of schools altogether, parents are making active, thoughtful choices about where their children will learn.

That shift isn’t subtle anymore; it’s everywhere.

In a national survey conducted in June 2025, 74% of American parents with school-aged children said they considered sending at least one of their kids to a different school in the last 12 months. That's around 48 million parents thinking about their options. But far fewer actually made a change: only twenty-eight percent of parents-around 18 million of them-actually enrolled their child in a new school. And more than half say they expect to go through the process again this year.

Over the past three decades, the concept of school choice has evolved from policy discussion to lived experience. Today, families are navigating a landscape that includes public, private, charter, magnet, online, homeschooling, or microschooling. More are participating every year, and many parents are searching but not yet finding what they're looking for.

States continue to create new opportunities for education innovation. In 2025 alone, 16 states created or strengthened school choice programs, reflecting growing legislative interest in meeting families’ expectations. These changes range from education savings accounts to open enrollment policies in district schools. But the real momentum comes from parents, not policymakers.

According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, enrollment in charter schools increased by more than 80,000 students during the 23-24 school year. At the same time, more than 1 million students are now enrolled in publicly funded private school choice programs. And let's not forget that homeschooling has emerged as one of the fastest-growing education formats, especially since the pandemic, with rising interest across multiple demographics.

Families have their own proprietary blends of school choice criteria: proximity, transportation, flexibility, school culture, academics, special programs, safety, or scheduling. Some are choosing a school across district lines. Some are enrolling in a charter or magnet program. Others are looking at a public school out of their district, private, online, homeschool, or microschooling options.

What’s changed is not just the number of options available, but the mindset. More families are asking, "What’s possible?" instead of "What’s the norm?"

But as choice expands, so does complexity. Many parents don’t have a complete picture of what is possible. In our conversations with families, we hear the same questions again and again: "What are my options?" "How do I find out what’s available near me?" "Can I afford it?" "How will switching schools affect my child socially?"

For families navigating those questions, free resources can help. At myschoolchoice.com, parents can access guides like “Tips for Choosing the Right School for Your Child”, review a new guide to transportation opportunities in public or private schools of choice, and use the “Schools Near Me” search tool, covering more than 132,000 schools nationwide.

School choice has become the new normal. It's time to stop viewing educational options as a political battleground and start recognizing them as what they truly are: the new normal.

Shelby Doyle is the senior vice president of policy and national partnerships at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that maintains the nation’s largest online portfolio of English- and Spanish-language school navigation resources, available through Navigate School Choice and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares.

(NewsUSA) - TEST TEST

(NewsUSA) - If you filed for a tax extension, you've bought yourself time, but not immunity from risk. As the October deadline approaches, be wary of slick promises from online platforms offering "AI-powered" shortcuts for claiming the federal research and development (R&D) tax credit. The IRS has issued guidance warning about overreliance on AI in completing tax returns. Due to its significant benefits to American businesses yet potential for abuse, the R&D tax credit can be the target of high scrutiny by the IRS, so exercising caution is crucial when using AI in tax filings.

The R&D tax credit can be a valuable benefit for innovative companies, but it's also one of the most closely scrutinized. To qualify, businesses must show that their work meets strict IRS criteria, something that AI alone cannot verify. The IRS has raised concerns about AI's inability to make legal judgments, ensure accuracy or recognize complex nuances in a company's activities.

For instance, interviews are a critical part of accurately claiming the R&D tax credit, since they provide context that data alone cannot capture. However, some platforms, like SPRX, Neo.Tax and MainStreet, advertise AI tools that "eliminate the need for interviews" or "streamline your tax compliance." The IRS requires businesses to demonstrate that their activities qualify for the R&D tax credit, and in the absence of real interviews, the criteria can't be fully understood by automated inputs, risking miscalculation, assumptions and even hallucinations by the AI.

AI can process data, but it can't recognize subtle red flags, consider context or apply professional judgement the way a seasoned CPA can. Without human insight, businesses and taxpayers risk submitting claims that may be incomplete or overgeneralized, subjecting companies to audits or fines. AI cannot replace the real-world expertise that human CPAs exercise. Ultimately, if the IRS comes knocking, the business itself, not shady AI-driven tax providers, will have to defend their filing.

(NewsUSA) - For anyone who’s ever felt crushed under the weight of family dysfunction, addiction or life-altering adversity, John Beyer offers something rare: proof that it’s possible to not only survive, but to thrive.

In “Live a Little Better: One Man’s Journey of Survival, Sobriety, and Success,” Beyer recounts with raw honesty how he rose from a childhood marked by parental addiction and neglect to build a successful business, raise a family and become an advocate for autism awareness. It’s a deeply personal memoir, but one that speaks to a wide audience — anyone who’s ever looked at their life and wanted more.

Beyer doesn’t sugarcoat his past. He was born into a home where addiction ruled and abuse was the norm. At a tender age, he had already endured life’s most stressful experiences — death, divorce, illness and moving. His teenage years were marked by binge drinking, criminal activity and emotional instability. The turning point came in 1986; after years of self-destruction, a near-fatal car crash, and the deaths of close friends and family, Beyer had hit rock bottom. A months-long bender led him to seek help from Alcoholics Anonymous, marking his long path toward sobriety and healing.

Recovery didn’t make life easy. But it gave Beyer the tools to keep going when things got hard. With the support of his longtime partner, Amy, and a dedicated therapist, he not only stayed sober but built Men on the Move, a top-rated moving-and-storage business on the East Coast. He also rediscovered his creative spark as a singer and songwriter. Success, for Beyer, didn’t come from erasing the past — it came from working through it and letting it sharpen his sense of purpose.

That resilience would be tested again when his son Gregory was diagnosed with autism. Instead of retreating, Beyer and Amy became fierce advocates. Beyer’s role as a father shaped his next chapter as a public figure committed to making a difference. He helped launch organizations and community programs, including Spectrum Designs Foundation and the David Center, and served as chairman of the Long Island Chapter of Autism Speaks.

Through personal tragedy, health crises, and the daily struggles of parenting and recovery, Beyer’s story remains grounded in gratitude and forward motion. The book isn’t a victory lap — it’s a conversation with anyone who’s still in the trenches, looking for hope. His daughter Lauren insisted he tell this story, and readers will be glad he did.

“Live a Little Better” is a testament to second chances and the quiet heroism of getting up every day and choosing to do better. It's for readers who crave honesty without despair, inspiration without self-help clichés. And in a time when so many feel overwhelmed by life’s unpredictability, Beyer’s message couldn’t be more needed.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/44Kds2F.