(NewsUSA) - For generations, college students preparing to enter the workforce worried about what a prospective employer might find when searching their name online.

Today, there is a new question to consider:

What will artificial intelligence say about you?

As millions of people turn to tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity to research companies, products and people, artificial intelligence is beginning to change not only how information is found, but also how reputations are formed.

For today's college students, that could have important implications for everything from internships and first jobs to entrepreneurship and professional networking.

From Google Search to AI Answers

For more than two decades, building a professional presence online largely meant thinking about Google.

Students created LinkedIn profiles, personal websites and online portfolios with the expectation that recruiters or prospective employers might search for them.

That isn't disappearing. But AI is adding another layer.

Instead of searching through a list of websites, people can now ask questions such as:

“Who are some promising young software developers in Washington?”

“Who has expertise in sustainable fashion?”

“What should I know about this person before interviewing them?”

The AI system may then assemble an answer based on information it can find from numerous sources.

That means the challenge for the next generation of professionals may not simply be being searchable. It may be being understandable and credible to AI.

Your Digital Reputation Starts Earlier Than You Think

Rick Smith, founder and CEO of News USA, a content syndication company that has helped organizations gain media visibility for nearly four decades, believes students should begin thinking about their digital reputations before graduation.

“Most students understandably think about their résumé and LinkedIn profile,” Smith said. “Those are still important. But the next generation is going to enter a world where AI systems increasingly help people research companies, products and individuals. The information that exists about you online may become part of that process.”

That doesn't mean students should try to manipulate AI systems.

Instead, Smith says students can concentrate on something much more basic: doing credible things and making sure there is accurate information about those accomplishments on the public web.

Build Evidence, Not Just a Profile

A LinkedIn profile is something you write about yourself.

Third-party recognition is different.

A student who conducts research with a professor, launches a small business, leads a community project, wins a competition, develops an interesting piece of software or becomes knowledgeable about a particular subject may have opportunities to be mentioned by a university, student newspaper, professional association, local news organization or other independent source.

Those references can help create a more complete digital record of a person's work.

The distinction matters because AI systems often have many possible sources available when constructing answers. Clear, consistent information appearing across credible public sources can make a person or organization easier to understand.

There is no guarantee that a particular article or online mention will cause an AI system to cite or recommend someone. AI platforms use different technologies and constantly changing methods for generating their answers.

But students can begin building a legitimate body of evidence about who they are and what they know.

Five Things Students Can Start Doing Now

Students don't need a public-relations firm to begin.

First, develop expertise in something. Being genuinely knowledgeable about a specific subject is more valuable than trying to appear knowledgeable about everything.

Second, create original work. Research, articles, projects, businesses, software, videos and community initiatives give other people something substantive to discover.

Third, seek legitimate third-party recognition. Campus newspapers, professional organizations, competitions and local media can provide independent documentation of accomplishments.

Fourth, keep information consistent. Use your real name consistently and make it clear what you study, what you've accomplished and what subjects you know.

Fifth, periodically ask the major AI platforms about yourself. Don't be concerned if they initially know little or nothing. Instead, treat it as another way of understanding your current digital footprint.

The Same Change Is Affecting Businesses

Companies are confronting a similar issue.

News USA has traditionally helped businesses and organizations publish and distribute editorial-style content through news outlets around the country. Today, the company is also examining how organizations appear when consumers ask AI systems questions about their industries.

The company calls the broader concept AI Authority—understanding what information AI systems find about an organization, how competitors appear and what credible information may be missing from the public record.

The principle applies to individuals as well.

AI cannot discover accomplishments that were never documented.

Today's Students Will Build the AI Economy

Students entering college today may spend their entire careers working in an economy in which artificial intelligence helps people decide what to buy, where to work, whom to hire and which sources to trust.

That makes understanding AI more than a technology issue.

It is increasingly a career issue.

Learning how to use AI will undoubtedly matter. But students may eventually discover that another skill is just as important:

learning how to build a professional reputation that both people and machines can understand.

For more information about AI visibility and how organizations are measuring their presence across major AI platforms, visit NewsUSA.ai.

(NewsUSA) - A parent should never be afraid to walk into their child’s school. Yet nearly one in five Hispanic parents say they have skipped or avoided a school event in the past year because of immigration concerns.

And that is only part of the picture. According to a recent survey from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, 57% of Hispanic parents say the current immigration policy environment is at least a somewhat concerning factor in their family’s daily life. 14% have kept their child home from school, and 11% have avoided contacting a teacher or a school staff member. When fear begins to influence whether a parent attends a school event, talks to a teacher, or sends a child to class, it becomes an education issue. 

None of this is about which side of the immigration debate a parent is on. It is about what happens when fear enters a decision that used to be simple: whether to walk into your child's school. As a Latina and a mother of two teenagers in a traditional public school myself, I know what our community brings to this country: Latinos drove 28% of all U.S. economic growth last year alone, and our economy, standing on its own, would rank as the fourth largest in the world. I am proud of that. And it pains me to know how many of our children are living in this fear.

As we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, it is also an important moment to listen to what Hispanic families are telling us about their children’s education and what they need to feel informed and supported.

When we asked parents what would actually help them navigate this moment, the answer that came back most often, ahead of legal help, ahead of mental health support, was strikingly basic. Forty-one% said they simply want clear information about their children's right to a public education, regardless of immigration status; in other words, we just want our children to be educated and to prosper like any other child. 

That right is not a matter of opinion. The Supreme Court settled it more than four decades ago in Plyler v. Doe, ruling that states cannot deny a free public education to a child because of immigration status.  Yet that protection is only meaningful if families know about it. Clear, accessible information can help ensure parents understand the rights their children already have.

That same gap between what families want and what they know shows up again when we look at school choice. 41% of the parents we surveyed said immigration concerns have led them to consider, actively explore, or choose a different kind of school or learning environment for their child in the past year. For many families, these concerns are becoming part of how they think about where and how their child learns.

And while we are talking about Hispanic families, this is not a story about one community, set apart from the rest of the country; it is about our country. Almost three in 10 public school students in the United States are Hispanic today, according to federal education data, and roughly one in four American children under eighteen are Latino, a share that has been growing for years, according to the Census Bureau. Those numbers make one thing clear: Latino children's education is not a side issue. It is part of the future of this country's classrooms, workforce, and communities. 

No child, whatever their family's background, should have to carry a worry bigger than a spelling test or a reading level. Every child deserves a school where they can grow up happy, capable, and free to build the life they choose. 

Schools, districts, and community organizations all have a role to play. That means making sure families understand, in plain language and in the language they speak at home, their child’s right to a public education. It also means helping parents understand the learning options available to them so they can make informed decisions for their children. Resources like Conoce Tus Opciones Escolares can help Spanish-speaking families explore those options and find information in their own language.

A parent who knows what learning options are available to her child can make a confident, informed choice for that child's future. That is not a partisan ask. It is simply what every family in this country deserves.

Krissia Campos Spivey is the senior director of Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a National School Choice Awareness Foundation project that helps U.S. families who speak Spanish explore their K-12 education options and choose a great school for their children. Krissia is Salvadoran-American and lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

(NewsUSA) - BIX, the neo-finance app that pairs a self-custody crypto wallet with a Visa card, is accelerating its push into the United States, appointing David Imonitie as head of US sales as it works toward near-nationwide availability.

The company currently supports eligible residents of 29 US states, subject to identity verification and programme requirements, and says it is targeting expansion to 49 states within six to eight months, subject to applicable approvals and partner readiness.

"We are excited about the states we are open in and have great expectations for the rest. That will not dampen our enthusiasm or our work ethic in growing customer acquisition. The other states will open, and in the meantime we will grow," Imonitie said.

What BIX offers

BIX is not a new entrant. The app and its virtual card programme are already operating, and the company describes the current phase as an expansion of an established business rather than an initial launch.

The product combines a self-custody wallet with a Visa card programme. Users hold USDC or USDT across supported combinations of Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Base, Solana and Optimism, and spend against that balance at merchants worldwide. Purchases run through Visa and settle to the merchant in fiat.

Standard membership is free and a virtual Visa card costs $9.99. The company says there are no funding fees, with a 1% FX fee applied to eligible foreign-currency purchases under the US programme. Spending limits are, in BIX's description, flexible and customizable based on the user's deposited collateral, subject to programme requirements.

The business operates as Bix Ltd, registered in the Cayman Islands with operating offices in Dubai. BIX is a finance app rather than a bank, with card issuing and other regulated financial services delivered through third-party institutions under their respective arrangements.

The next phase

Several additions are in development. BIX Plus, at $119 a year, will bundle access to Visa Signature cards with eligible benefits such as airport lounge access, rental-car insurance and travel discounts, with packages depending on programme and country. Lounge access does not necessarily include complimentary visits.

Plus will also introduce virtual accounts, supporting incoming payments and outgoing fiat transfers connecting stablecoin balances with ACH, SEPA and SWIFT, including details such as IBANs. Physical cards are planned at $99, separate from membership, with a 0.6% BIX ATM withdrawal fee.

The most substantial change in the pipeline is direct wallet-linked spending, under which eligible card purchases will draw against supported wallet balances without a separate top-up. Until that rollout completes, card funding uses a separate smart contract.

A crowded but constrained market

Crypto cards have existed for years, but the category has been held back by two problems: volatile assets unsuited to everyday spending, and custody arrangements that required users to hand their assets to a provider. Dollar-pegged stablecoins addressed the first. Self-custody models are an attempt at the second.

Imonitie said it was the simplicity of the product that drew him to the role.

"What made me decide to take this role was very simple. I wanted to be at the forefront of the future of payments. The simplicity that BIX provides was undeniable and exciting for all people, whether you understand crypto or not."

Availability remains the sector's binding constraint. No provider in the category currently offers uniform nationwide US coverage, and expansion timelines depend on approvals and partner institutions rather than on product readiness.

More at bix.fi and on Instagram.

David Imonitie is head of US sales at BIX. Find him on Instagram.

(NewsUSA) - For years, businesses trying to get noticed online followed a familiar playbook: build a website, optimize it for search engines, post on social media and perhaps invest in digital advertising.

Artificial intelligence is beginning to change that formula.

Millions of people are increasingly turning to AI platforms to research products, services and companies. Instead of simply typing keywords into a search engine and sorting through pages of links, consumers can ask conversational questions such as, “What are the best companies for this service?” or “Which businesses should I consider?”

That shift creates a new challenge for companies large and small: What information will artificial intelligence find about your organization when someone asks?

Your Website Is Only Part of Your Reputation

A company's own website remains important. But businesses naturally control what appears there.

The broader Internet tells a different story.

News articles, interviews, independent websites and other third-party sources can help establish a company's digital footprint beyond its own marketing materials.

“Companies have traditionally concentrated on what Google sees when someone searches for them,” said Rick Smith, founder of News USA, a national content syndication company established in 1987. “Now they also have to think about what AI systems find when someone asks about their company, their competitors or their entire industry.”

That doesn't mean abandoning traditional marketing. It means recognizing that being visible in credible places outside your own website has become increasingly important.

Local Media Still Plays an Important Role

The change may actually increase the value of local and regional news organizations.

Local newspapers and news websites have spent decades reporting on the businesses, professionals and organizations serving their communities. Their content helps create a public record that extends well beyond a company's own advertising.

For a local business, an informative article appearing on a credible news site can reach potential customers while also adding another independent source of information about the company and the subject it serves.

The most useful stories aren't advertisements disguised as news. They answer questions readers actually have.

A financial adviser might explain common retirement mistakes. A home-services company might offer advice about preparing a house for winter. A technology company could explain a new trend affecting small businesses. A healthcare organization might educate families about preventive care.

The company becomes part of the story by providing useful expertise rather than simply promoting itself.

From Search Visibility to AI Visibility

News USA has distributed consumer-oriented feature stories to newspapers and digital news outlets for nearly four decades. Its current network provides guaranteed placement across more than 2,500 news sites nationwide, reaching a cumulative audience of more than 170 million monthly readers. NewsUSA

The company is now applying that experience to another question: How visible and authoritative is a company when consumers use artificial intelligence to research its market?

Through its AI Authority Audit, News USA examines how major AI platforms—including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok—describe a company, which competitors appear, and what sources are being cited. NewsUSA.ai

Businesses can learn more and request an audit at:

NewsUSA.ai

There is no guarantee that publishing an article will cause an AI platform to cite or recommend a particular company. AI systems are constantly changing, and many different factors influence their responses.

But the underlying principle is straightforward.

If consumers—and the technology assisting them—are looking across the Internet for credible information, businesses have another reason to make sure useful, accurate information about their expertise exists beyond their own websites.

After decades in which companies competed to rank higher on a page of search results, the next competition may be different:

When someone asks AI a question about the problem your business solves, will your company be part of the answer?

(NewsUSA) - With 25 original projects in development and three films and two series set for 2027, Utopai Studios is pairing human-led filmmaking with AI-native production infrastructure to build a new global entertainment studio.

When Utopai Studios launched in August 2025, generative AI's role in entertainment was still largely defined by individual clips, technical demonstrations and short-form experiments. The company entered the market with a far more ambitious proposition: to build an entire film and television studio for the AI era.

Just over a year later, Utopai Studios has become what Variety described as the world's largest independent AI-native film and television studio, and Forbes estimates its valuation at $1 billion. Utopai Studios now has 25 original projects in various stages of development and production, a growing network of international partners and three feature films and two series scheduled for 2027.

That rapid growth did not come from treating AI as the finished product. Utopai Studios has built its model around the infrastructure required to develop, finance, produce and distribute long-form entertainment, combining filmmakers, artists and established production practices with technology designed to help bring ambitious stories to the screen.

AI-native, in the Utopai Studios model, does not mean turning creative decisions over to technology. It means AI is integrated into the studio's production infrastructure from the beginning, allowing filmmakers and artists to determine where it can be useful while retaining control over story, style, performance and final creative decisions.

A Studio Built for Long-Form Storytelling

Utopai Studios develops, finances, produces and distributes movies and television series, including original productions and international co-productions. Led by CEO and co-founder Cecilia Shen and co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Jie Yang, the company combines creative talent, production expertise and global distribution with technology developed for the demands of sustained storytelling.

At the center of that production strategy is PAI, Utopai Studios' cinematic storytelling system. Depending on the needs of a project, PAI can support visual development, scene planning, continuity, video generation, editing and localization. It is designed to work alongside established filmmaking tools and traditional creative methods, not as a substitute for them.

The distinction matters. Much of generative AI's first wave in entertainment was defined by individual clips, technical demonstrations and short-form experiments. Utopai Studios is focused on the more difficult challenge of carrying characters, worlds and creative intent across complete films and television series, then bringing those projects to audiences across theatrical, broadcast, streaming and digital platforms.

A Global Production Network

Utopai Studios is applying its model through relationships with established entertainment companies in Asia and other major markets. Its customers and collaborators include Huace Film & TV Co., Ltd. in China and DeNA Co., Ltd. in Japan, giving the company real-world environments in which to develop and refine AI-enabled production workflows.

Utopai Studios is developing more than 18 original projects in Asia. In April, the company announced a partnership with Huace, which owns one of the world's largest television IP libraries. The work is intended to support long-form storytelling, content development, creative iteration, and global localization, and includes the companies' animated series "Journey to the West: The Lost Five Hundred Years."

Three Films and Two Series in 2027

Utopai Studios' 2027 lineup includes three feature films, "Half Moon," "Cortés" and "The Most Serious Fart," along with the series "Space Nation" and "Journey to the West: The Lost Five Hundred Years." Together, the five projects demonstrate that AI-native production is not a single visual style or production formula.

Half Moon

"Half Moon" shows how Utopai Studios can use AI selectively within a live-action production. Written and directed by Hyo-joo Yang, the feature is presented by Utopai Studios, Germany's In Good Company and Korea's Paper Barn Studios. Principal photography began in Germany in August 2026, with PAI supporting select visual elements while the film remains grounded in live-action performances, director-led storytelling and traditional cinematic craft.

The film follows Yeri, a young girl neglected at home, and her aunt Ah-Jin, who lives in self-imposed exile and works as a caregiver while carrying the physical and psychological wounds of her past. During a fractured summer on a remote island in the North Sea, the estranged family members begin to understand and respect one another. The story explores loneliness, family trauma, belonging and emotional repair.

Cortés

Utopai Studios is especially enthusiastic about one of its first announced projects: “Cortés.” Set in 1519, the historical epic follows Hernán Cortés during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

“Cortés” is a Marco Weber Production for Utopai Studios and is written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nicholas Kazan and directed by Paul Mignot. It is a Paris-based production with shooting planned for September in Spain. “Cortés” is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in 2027.

The project represents a decades-long effort to bring an unusually large and expensive historical story to life. Utopai Studios will use AI-enabled production tools to help overcome the scale and cost limitations that previously kept the project from the screen, while keeping the filmmakers in control of the creative process.

The Most Serious Fart

Scheduled for wide theatrical release in 2027, "The Most Serious Fart" is based on the 2023 children's book by Mike Bender, the screenwriter behind "Not Another Teen Movie," and illustrator Chuck Dillon. Bender will write and direct the animated feature, with Russell Hollander producing.

The story follows Siegfried, an unusually serious fart who wants to change society's perception of flatulence while searching for a sense of belonging. Beneath the irreverent premise is a story about identity, acceptance and finding one's place in the world. Traditional filmmaking craft and artists remain central, from production design and storyboarding through animation, with AI used as part of the human-led creative process.

 

Space Nation

“Space Nation,” an eight-episode sci-fi series being produced by Ex Machina Studios, is one of the first AI productions to be picked up by a traditional buyer, including Brazil’s Globoplay. Set in the near future, the story follows a new generation of elite pilots as they defend Earth against an alien threat.

Marco Weber, CEO of Ex Machina Studios, co-created the series with Martin Weisz, who is directing all eight episodes. Vanessa Coifman and Weisz wrote the series, with Weber and Coifman executive producing. The series is being co-produced by Utopai Studios and Globoplay.

Principal production is already underway and is expected to take place in alignment with Hollywood guilds. “Space Nation” is part of Ex Machina Studios’ broader partnership with K5 International, which is handling worldwide distribution.

Journey to the West: The Lost Five Hundred Years

Developed with Huace, "Journey to the West: The Lost Five Hundred Years" takes a more fully AI-generated approach to animation. Inspired by the classic Chinese novel, the series reimagines the untold history of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, and explores why the rebellious warrior and immortal force of nature would ultimately become the protector of a monk he had never met.

The project is being produced for broadcast, streaming and digital distribution, with the potential for a theatrical version. Utopai Studios controls the rights outside China, creating a path for the story to reach global audiences.

One Studio, Multiple Production Models

Across the slate, Utopai Studios is making a broader point: AI-native storytelling does not require every project to be made the same way. On "Half Moon," AI supports selected visual elements inside a live-action workflow. On "Cortés," it is intended to help filmmakers realize the scale of a historical epic. "The Most Serious Fart" pairs AI with traditional animation disciplines, while "Journey to the West" uses a more fully AI-generated animation pipeline.

Utopai Studios has also extended its entertainment ecosystem through sports and creator partnerships. Basketball star Carmelo Anthony invested through Creative 7 Productions and became a strategic partner, while James Harden collaborated with Utopai Studios on an animated short inspired by his famous beard. Those relationships connect the studio's technology with intellectual property, talent and new production opportunities.

The 2027 slate will be the company's most important proof point. At a moment when the conversation around generative AI has been dominated by what the technology might eventually do, Utopai Studios is betting that the next phase will be defined by finished films and television series: human-led, built for audiences and ambitious enough to stand on their own as entertainment.

(NewsUSA) - Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how consumers research financial decisions.

Whether someone is comparing investment firms, researching retirement strategies, evaluating insurance products or investigating a financial technology company, the traditional online search is increasingly being supplemented by a simple question posed to an AI platform.

That creates a new challenge for companies in financial services: What will AI find when consumers ask about you?

For years, financial companies have invested heavily in their websites, search-engine optimization and digital advertising. Those channels remain important, but AI-driven discovery introduces another consideration—the amount and quality of credible information about a company that exists beyond its own website.

That distinction can be particularly important in financial services, where trust plays such a significant role in consumer decisions.

"Companies naturally spend a great deal of time making sure their own websites explain who they are and what they do," says Rick Smith, founder of News USA, a media syndication company that has worked with more than 32,000 organizations during nearly four decades in business. "But consumers—and increasingly the technologies helping consumers conduct research—have an entire Internet available to them."

That is putting renewed emphasis on third-party media visibility.

Articles appearing on independent news and information websites can create a broader digital record of a company's expertise, products, executives and perspective. For financial organizations, that might include educational information about retirement planning, investing, insurance, credit, mortgages, taxes or other issues consumers are actively researching.

The objective is not simply to promote a company.

Useful financial content can answer questions consumers are already asking while establishing clearer connections between an organization and the subjects in which it has expertise.

AI adds another dimension to that strategy.

Businesses are beginning to examine how they appear when common customer questions are asked across major AI platforms. They can then compare those results with competitors and identify areas where their organizations have little or no visibility.

For example, a wealth-management firm might discover that competitors consistently appear when consumers ask about retirement income strategies. A mortgage company could find that competing brands are associated with questions about first-time home buying. A financial technology company might find competitors appearing prominently in discussions of a product category it considers central to its business.

Those gaps can provide a roadmap for future content and media activity.

News USA distributes editorial-style content through U.S. news and information websites, creating third-party exposure beyond a client's own digital properties. Smith believes the growing use of AI makes that broader information footprint increasingly worth examining.

No company can guarantee that an AI platform will mention, cite or recommend a particular organization. AI systems and the sources they rely upon are continually changing.

But the underlying principle is familiar to anyone in financial communications: credibility is stronger when it doesn't come exclusively from the company making the claim.

That may ultimately be one of AI's more significant effects on financial marketing.

Companies will still need strong websites, good products and traditional search visibility. But they may increasingly have to think about a broader question as well:

When an investor or consumer asks AI about the financial problem your company solves, does your organization become part of the answer?

You can get your company's own free report that shows where you and your top 3 competitors compare at newsusa.ai 

(Mitch Jelniker) - For people diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, the clinical trial conversation belongs in the very first appointment.

A diagnosis of SCLC can trigger a whirlwind of appointments, tests, and decisions. But amid all that noise, there is one question patients should ask their doctor as early as possible:

“Is there a clinical trial that might be right for me?”

Many patients may associate that question with running out of treatment options. But according to Dr. Ashish Saxena, Chief of Thoracic Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine, that’s not always the case.

Some clinical trials are available only before treatment begins, while others are studying promising therapies as a first treatment. For someone facing a fast-moving cancer like SCLC, timing is everything.

“There are a lot of changes going on in the landscape today, more than we've seen for a very long time. Emerging treatments now involve immunotherapy, where your immune system attacks small cell lung cancer. Studies are also exploring antibody-drug conjugates, antibodies that target specific proteins in small cell cancer and deliver chemotherapy with them, rather than free-flowing chemotherapy in your bloodstream. And we’re learning more about the biology of small cell lung cancer and how certain patients may react better to certain drugs. So, all of these things should give patients a lot of hope when they are diagnosed with small cell lung cancer,” says Dr. Saxena.

Why Clinical Trials Matter

For years, people with SCLC had few treatment options. Now, research is expanding what may be possible, from new treatment approaches to a better understanding of distinct types of SCLC that could lead to more personalized care.

For patients, that progress means something especially important: hope.

Living Better, Not Just Longer

The research happening in clinical trials isn’t focused only on extending life. Researchers are also paying closer attention to how patients feel while they are living it.

Along with tracking whether a tumor shrinks or how long a treatment keeps cancer from growing, clinical trials increasingly look at how treatment affects everyday life, including fatigue, breathing problems, pain, and emotional well-being.

“The goal is to have meaningful time, not just more time,” says Dr. Saxena.

These patient-reported outcomes can also provide clues about whether a treatment is working before the next scan. A cough may improve. Breathing may become easier. Energy may return.

Your Voice Is Part of Your Treatment

Patients can play another important role in their care: Speak up.

Reporting side effects and changes in how you feel can help doctors adjust medications or dosages and better manage symptoms, helping patients maintain their quality of life and potentially stay on treatment longer.

In clinical trials, that feedback also helps researchers understand how a therapy affects a person’s daily life, not just what appears on a scan.

For Wendy Brooks, who is living with small cell lung cancer and is a member of the LCFA's Voices of Hope Speakers Bureau, the pace of change is encouraging.

“I'm more hopeful today than I have ever been,” says Brooks.

For people facing SCLC, the message is simple: Don’t wait to ask about clinical trials. Ask early. Ask before treatment begins. And keep asking as your treatment journey continues.

That one question: “Is there a clinical trial that might be right for me?” could open a door you didn’t know was there.

Learn MoreTo hear the full conversation between Wendy Brooks and Dr. Ashish Saxena on the Hope With Answers podcast and learn more about small cell lung cancer research, clinical trials, and treatment, visit LCFAmerica.org.

About LCFALung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA) is dedicated to dramatically improving survival rates and quality of life for people diagnosed with lung cancer. Through funding innovative research, amplifying patient stories, and raising awareness, LCFA brings hope to the millions impacted by the world’s deadliest cancer. Learn more at LCFAmerica.org. 

(NewsUSA) - The Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program’s Operation Turn the Page initiative continues throughout September, putting books in the hands of children living in low-income communities across the country. Rooted in the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream, Operation Turn the Page highlights the life-changing impact of reaching children who may otherwise have few or no books to call their own. For many of these children, a single book can spark a love of reading, build confidence, and open the door to opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Helping turn that mission into reality is Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company. Scholastic has served as a valued partner of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program since 1998 and has helped provide books to millions of students, teachers, and families nationwide.

Together, the organizations are giving children more than stories to read. They are opening doors to imagination, building confidence in young readers, and creating opportunities that can last a lifetime.

One of the most impactful examples of this partnership can be seen in its support of Title I funded schools.Through collaborative efforts between the Toys for Tots Literacy Program and Scholastic, 146 Title I funded schools have received book donations so far in 2026, resulting in the distribution of 79,070 books to students and classrooms. For many children, these books represent far more than stories on a page. They provide opportunities to explore new worlds, strengthen reading skills, and develop a love of learning that can influence the trajectory of their education and future success.

Scholastic’s support has also enabled the Toys for Tots Literacy Program to partner with the Kids In Need Foundation. This year, the effort has supported 3,800 teachers in Portland, Oregon; Dayton, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; Wichita, Kansas; and Little Canada, Minnesota. By providing 4,021 educational resources, including 2,100 books and 1,921 teacher supplies, the organizations are helping educators create engaging learning environments where students can thrive. These resources empower teachers to focus on what matters most: inspiring a love of reading and helping every child reach their potential.

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program and Scholastic have also supported projects designed to meet unique community needs. At Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida, the organizations provided 250 books to students, expanding access to educational resources and supporting academic achievement. In Tucson, Arizona, 210 books were distributed through a partnership with the Tucson Police Department, demonstrating how literacy can strengthen community connections and bring people together around a shared commitment to helping children succeed.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the power of a book, and our partnership with Scholastic is helping make that possible for thousands of children across the Nation,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, U.S. Marines (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “When a child turns the page of a book, they also turn the page toward new possibilities in life.”

The continued success of these initiatives and the partnership between the Toys for Tots Literacy Program and Scholastic are testaments to what can be achieved when organizations unite around a common purpose. Together, they are helping disadvantaged children across America Turn the Page Toward Opportunity, one book, one child, and one future at a time.

To learn more about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program or to donate, visit https://www.toysfortots.org/programs/literacy-program.

(NewsUSA) - In 2018, then-52-year-old Todd Repass Jr. stood up after a meal and immediately knew something was wrong. It was terrifying. He felt weak, short of breath, and, at times, dizzy. The eventual diagnosis – atrial fibrillation (AFib) – kicked off a nearly seven-year health journey, during which he leaned on his son, an employee of medical device manufacturer, Medtronic, for guidance. 

“You just have no clue what’s happening to you,” Todd recalls. “So, you’re confused, you’re scared.”

Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib, is an irregular heart rhythm that occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat out of rhythm. It impacts more than 10 million U.S. adults and can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.1 For Todd, receiving the diagnosis brought a new level of uncertainty as he tried to understand what AFib meant for his health and daily life. 

Over the next several years, Todd tried medication, cardioversion (a procedure intended to restore a regular heartbeat), and lifestyle changes, including adjustments to his diet and sleep schedule. Despite these efforts, his AFib remained unpredictable and disruptive. During episodes, he often felt weak and short of breath and struggled with everyday activities – even short walks with his four golden retrievers. Some of Todd’s AFib episodes would last continuously for weeks or even months at a time.

Throughout those years of uncertainty, Todd’s wife was a constant source of support. She stood beside him through the uncertainty of his AFib episodes, doctor visits, cardioversions, procedures, and recovery—caring for him through the difficult days while continually encouraging him to keep looking for answers.

“My wife was there for me through all of it,” Todd says. “When I was scared, frustrated, or just didn’t feel like myself, she was the person beside me every day.”

While cardioversions and medication helped lessen some of the symptoms, his AFib remained elusive. His doctors used in-office electrocardiograms (EKGs) and prescribed externally worn, temporary Holter monitors. These external cardiac monitoring solutions were prescribed for short durations, often less than 30 days at a time, and were often not able to record his unpredictable AFib episodes. The uncertainty remained.

“The AFib diagnosis is not necessarily the hardest part,” Todd says. “It’s the day-to-day uncertainty that comes with not knowing how to track what’s happening.” 

Determined to better understand and manage his condition, Todd began doing his own research, leaning on his son along the way. 

“He was a reassuring best friend all the way through it,” Todd says. “He helped me better understand the technologies that were available and pointed me toward information I could research and discuss with my doctors. Having someone I trusted who understood the medical device field gave me both knowledge and reassurance throughout the journey.”

After discussing options with his care team, Todd’s cardiologist recommended the Medtronic LINQ II™ insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). Placed just under the skin, the small device (about 1/3 the size of an AAA battery) continuously monitors the heart and transmits abnormal heart rhythm information to a patient’s care team.

The outpatient procedure took only a few minutes. Afterward, he downloaded the MyCareLink Heart™ mobile app, which allowed him to record symptoms on his cell phone when he felt dizzy, weak, or out of rhythm. 

“The app was easy to use and gave me peace of mind knowing I had a way to capture what I was feeling when it happened,” Todd says.

For the first time, Todd no longer had to hope an episode would occur during a scheduled test. When he felt symptoms, he could record them in the app, and his care team could compare what he felt with the heart rhythm information collected by the device. 

For several months, the ICM recorded episodes of AFib and other abnormal heart rates, providing Todd’s care team with additional diagnostic information to help inform a more targeted treatment strategy. Doctors recommended Todd would be a strong candidate for a type of cardiac ablation procedure called pulsed field ablation (PFA) using the Medtronic Affera™ mapping and ablation system and the Sphere-9™ catheter. The all-in-one dual-energy catheter uses both short electrical pulses and radiofrequency energy to target heart tissue responsible for the abnormal electrical signals that cause AFib.

More than a year after his ablation procedure, Todd is AFib-free, and his LINQ II ICM continues to monitor. Not only does Todd feel better, but the continued monitoring also provides reassurance that his AFib is under control while giving his care team a consistent view of his heart rhythm activity.

Today, Todd is enjoying life with his family and spends far less time worrying about his AFib. He exercises, participates more fully in family activities, and spends plenty of time walking and caring for their golden retrievers. He no longer organizes his entire day around trying to prevent a possible AFib trigger. 

Looking back, Todd credits the strength of his family with helping him navigate the years of uncertainty that came with AFib. His wife provided the constant love and care that carried him through the most difficult periods, while his son empowered him to ask questions, better understand the available technologies, and have more informed conversations with his healthcare team. For Todd, their support reinforced how important a strong support system can be when facing a long and uncertain health journey.

“Getting the LINQ II ICM and the ablation with the Affera system were the best health decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” Todd says. 

If you have AFib or are experiencing symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm, such as dizziness, shortness of breath, fluttering, racing, or pounding feeling in the chest, talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment options. This is one patient’s experience; results may vary. Learn more about atrial fibrillation and available treatment options. 

Possible risks associated with the implant of the LINQ™ Family ICMs include, but are not limited to, infection at the surgical site, device migration, erosion of the device through the skin and/or sensitivity to the device material. For important safety information, see: https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/insertable-heart-monitors/getting-monitor/important-safety-information.html.

Possible risks associated with Sphere-9 may include stroke, pericardial tamponade, narrowing of pulmonary veins, damage to the blood vessels in your groin area, and a serious but extremely rare risk of atrio-esophageal fistula. Other risks include irritation, infection, or bleeding occurring where the catheter was inserted; the heart could be punctured; fluid may build up around the heart, or in rare cases death may occur. Please talk to your doctor to see if this treatment is right for you. For important safety information, see:  https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/l/patients/treatments-therapies/catheter-ablation-for-atrial-fibrillation.html#benefits-of-pulsed-field-ablation

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  https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2024/atrial-fibrillation-estimated-affect-about-1-22-americans 

(NewsUSA) - With U.S. gasoline prices still hovering around $4.00 per gallon, according to AAA, consumers are looking for lower-cost fuel options like E15, made with 15 percent American ethanol. According to data from Growth Energy, the nation’s largest trade association for biofuel producers, the higher-ethanol blend saves motorists 30 cents per gallon on average compared to standard E10 fuel, with savings in some markets exceeding $1 per gallon. E15 can now be found at more than 5,100 gas stations in 35 states.

“E15 can deliver better performance and bigger savings every time consumers fill up their tanks,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “It’s approved for more than 96% of cars on the road — all passenger cars and light-duty trucks model year 2001 or later — so making the switch has never been easier. And with fuel prices at a four-year high, E15 can save drivers money and shield them from global market volatility.”

Also marketed as Unleaded 88 (UNL88), in recognition of the octane boost offered by ethanol, E15 is already offered by dozens of major retail chains. Drivers’ access to the fuel option has expanded rapidly since 2019, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a series of regulatory and short-term measures to keep E15 available even during periods when seasonal regulations would otherwise restrict its sale.

Those measures have helped keep E15 available in recent summers, but Congress now has an opportunity to give drivers and fuel retailers more certainty by making year-round access to E15 permanent nationwide.

Bipartisan legislation that passed the House this May would update decades-old rules that limit when some gas stations can sell E15, aligning regulations with evidence that the higher-ethanol blend can reduce ground-level ozone formation, particulate emissions, and other air pollutants. Similar legislation is now awaiting action in the Senate.

“Permanent year-round E15 can help raise income in rural communities, strengthen American energy security, and deliver lower prices at the pump at a time when Americans need it most,” said Skor. “It’s not a mandate or a requirement — it simply gives our retail partners the freedom to offer another option to cash-strapped motorists.”

Drivers can find nearby stations selling E15 and other higher ethanol blends using Growth Energy’s Fuel Finder tool, available at GetBiofuel.com.