The Healthy 

Around 100 trillion microbes reside in your gut. Cleveland Clinic nutrition experts reveal the indicators for good gut health and what keeps these tiny organisms thriving. If you’re among the 60 to 70 million Americans dealing with a digestive disease, or maybe you’ve just been struggling with some occasional discomfort—like bloating, gas, irregular bowel habits or heartburn—you’ve likely heard plenty about the importance of gut health. But what does a healthy gut really mean for your body?

8 Signs You Have a Healthy Gut, According to a Gastroenterologist

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Throat cancer refers to a group of cancers that affect various parts of the throat. The Cleveland Clinic notes that the areas most commonly affected are the larynx, or voice box, and the oropharynx, the middle section of the throat. According to the American Cancer Society’s 2024 statistics, it is estimated that there will be approximately 58,450 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer and about 12,650 new cases of laryngeal cancer. Throat cancer treatment typically involves surgical removal of the cancerous growths.

“Here’s How I Knew I Had Throat Cancer”: One Patient’s Story After Symptoms Were Missed

New Jersey State

Missouri State

What we feed our children is a highly sensitive topic for families, and the tiniest little ones need the most carefully vetted food. On Thursday, August 8, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that baby formula which had been distributed to two major retail chains had tested for elevated levels of an ingredient that in some cases could be harmful.

16,500 Cans of Baby Formula Recalled in 12 States

Maybe you’ve heard about the increasing research that’s suggesting too much exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, could increase cancer risk and disrupt hormonal harmony. Meanwhile, another substance used in plastic packaging, bisphenol A or BPA, has been linked to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

This Food Packaging “Significantly” Produces Microplastics in Urine, Says New Research

Tennessee State

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John M. Dabbs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) has issued a health alert to clinicians statewide following reports of severe acute illnesses and adverse effects of consuming Diamond Shruumz™ brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies. The warning comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of serious health issues linked to these mushroom-containing edible products.

Tennessee Health Alert: Severe Illnesses Linked to Diamond Shruumz™ Products

South Carolina State

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Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, is still looking for a forever home for an adorable six-year-old French bulldog named Joannie. The local animal rescue explains: “Joannie was found as a stray extremely emaciated and less than half her current weight now. She was missing fur on her body, face and ears. She has been nursed back to health and is doing wonderfully. While her age and exact history is unknown, it is clear she has mothered more than enough litters in her short lifetime.”

Meet The "Extreme Snuggler" French Bulldog Still Looking For Love

Denver, CO

David Heitz

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Corn really is one of those foods that “pops” up everywhere—from summer barbecues to Thanksgiving feasts, and who doesn’t love movie nights with a big bowl of popcorn? According to Statistica, it’s also the world’s most important grain by production volume. In the 2022-2023 season, global corn production soared to 1.15 billion metric tons, with the United States producing nearly 350 million metric tons. That’s a lot of corn!

I Ate Corn Every Day for a Week—Here’s What Happened

Ohio State

The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

Georgia State

Daily Coffee Press

The chances for the tropical wave in the Atlantic developing have now risen to 80% over the next seven days. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has advised that this disturbance could become the next tropical storm or hurricane within the coming days, potentially targeting the U.S. East Coast.

Tropical Wave That Could Impact Georgia Now Has 80% Chance of Development

Florida State

Akeena

Who would have thought that a chain known for its endless shrimp promotion could find itself in such a pickle? But here we are—Florida-based Red Lobster, which has been reeling from financial troubles, may have finally found a lifeline. After a surprising $11 million loss in the third quarter of 2023 due to that very shrimp deal, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy in May 2024. And now, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

A Florida based chain that filed for bankruptcy has reportedly found a potential buyer

The Lens

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter to Anne Milgram, administrator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Wednesday, expressing his support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation that the DEA ease restrictions on marijuana.

Gov. Andy Beshear pens letter to DEA in support of easing federal restrictions on marijuana

North Carolina State

Town Talks

If you're considering settling down in North Carolina, Niche has released its annual rankings of the best places to buy a house in the state. The rankings are based on home values, property taxes, home ownership rates, housing costs, and real estate trends.

Where are the best places to buy a house in NC? New report reveals top-ranked cities

Camilo Díaz

(MA) Get ready to open your heart to a wiry bundle of love named Chunk. This 2-year-old Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier mix pup recently came into rescue for heartbreaking reasons. Though he started his life as a cared for and well-loved pup, Chunk's owner sadly passed away, leaving Chunk all by his lonesome.

Meet Chunk: A Little Chihuahua Who Lost her Owner Now Looking For Love

Cooking With Maryann

Coconut shrimp is such a treat! It's sweet, savory, golden, crispy goodness is completely addicting. It checks off all the boxes for a great appetizer or the main star of the night. Start to finish, this only takes about 20-30 minutes. Here's what you need to make two servings:

Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce

NewsNinja

A lady is cautioning others about purchasing budget earrings from Amazon, Shein, and H&M, after she experienced keloid formations on her earlobes due to wearing them. On a TikTok post that has garnered more than 334,000 likes, Sailor Rozema (@sailor.rozema), a content creator, shares a warning with her community of "dangly earring girls": the inexpensive jewelry found in fast fashion can have negative impacts on your well-being.

‘I’ll never be wearing earrings for the rest of my life’: Customer warns against buying from Shein

Colorado State

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

NewsBreak

Eating This May Improve Kidney Health, Says Intriguing New Study

Italian culture is famous for many things—a diet that promotes longevity being one of them. It’s usually the antioxidant-rich tomatoes and other vegetables—as well as fish,...

Eating This May Improve Kidney Health, Says Intriguing New Study

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