(NewsUSA) - With the fall season here and parents settling into back-to-school routines, now is an ideal moment to ensure preschoolers are getting the best care and education possible for the year ahead. For many families, this means seeking programs that offer more than just a few hours of pre-K, and that align with family schedules and budgets.  

Low or No Cost Options Still Enrolling 
Many state and local pre-K programs with free or subsidized tuition are still accepting students, even if the school year has already begun in the area. These public pre-K programs provide foundational learning at little or no cost to families. Checking with your state or school district office, or local early childhood providers, is the first step to finding openings. 

Extending Beyond Local Districts 
Importantly, some public pre-K programs in local child care centers extend beyond local school districts. In several states, partnerships with providers like KinderCare allow families to access state-funded pre-K in community-based settings, offering parents more options and greater flexibility when choosing where their child learns and grows. 

Wrap-around Care Adds Convenience & Value 
For parents who need care before and after the state’s allotted pre-K hours, or for full days, wrap-around care is essential. Providers like KinderCare offer full-day programs that extend beyond free pre-K slots, allowing parents with multiple young children to have one convenient drop-off and pick-up. This arrangement eases daily juggling for working parents, means fewer transitions, and ensures children have a consistent, supportive learning environment all day long. 

Public Pre-K Partnerships Across the Country 
Across the U.S., states are expanding access to early learning by partnering with trusted providers like KinderCare. Families in 19 states can enroll in KinderCare centers that participate in state-funded pre-K programs, giving them access to high-quality education that fits their schedules and budgets. Today, nearly all of these states still have spots available for parents to enroll their children. These partnerships open doors for families who might not otherwise have access to convenient, affordable preschool options. 

Some states are going even further: New Mexico, for example, will now offer universal child care for every family in the state, regardless of income. This bold approach ensures that no family must choose between quality early education and affordability. 

And as the school year begins, parents have choices. With public pre-K, wrap-around care and state partnerships that extend programs beyond local districts, families can find options that fit both their budget and schedule, while giving children a strong, full-day foundation for learning, growth and success. 

Families can find more details on participating states and available programs at kindercare.com/public-prek. 

(NewsUSA) - “Animal Control” by Jonathan R. Miller

A young woman in California inherits a power that begins in the body and echoes out to the edges of the world. It isn’t explained and doesn’t come with rules. It gathers underneath the skin, waiting for direction.

As she begins to understand what the power can touch, rearrange, and dismantle, her decisions grow heavier. The results, stranger. Two friends join her — one driven, one deliberate — and the movement that forms between them gathers momentum until it starts to shift the balance between what is and what could be. Together they learn that transformation isn’t an event. It is a state. And not every becoming is safe.

“Animal Control” is a literary novel of restraint and reach, exploring how power circulates through the living world. It tells a story of instinct, intent, and of a young woman who must decide what she is willing to change and what she is willing to become. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4mtoEHl.

“Maya Blue: A Memoir of Survival” by Brenda Coffee

For fans of “Breaking Bad” and “Narcos,” a searingly honest and unforgettable memoir that challenges women to rethink everything they know about survival, resilience, and finding their voice.

At twenty-one, Brenda Coffee surrendered herself to her marriage and became a woman who would do almost anything her charismatic and powerful older husband, Philip Ray, wanted. Their life together was a fairy tale — until Philip, the founder of two high-profile, groundbreaking public companies, began making real cocaine in their basement and became addicted. Until the Big Six tobacco companies threatened their lives for creating the first smokeless cigarette, and brutal Guatemalan military commandos forced her into the jungle at gunpoint.

A suspenseful, fast-paced memoir that reads like a thriller, “Maya Blue” is an inspiring reminder that as long as you never surrender your voice and always keep your wits about you, you can survive almost anything. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4lyMBMf.

“Night of the Bear” by Alan Cockrell and Richard Hess

Reverend Bobby Chatman, a successful television preacher and the United States president's spiritual adviser, is hiding a dark secret. Immigrating to the US from Russia, he and his two assistants are deep-cover Russian intelligence operatives who have devised a plan to bring the United States to its knees with just four cruise missiles launched from within its borders.

Captain Mark "Suds" Matthews is a frustrated F-15 Eagle pilot who’s prepared to leave the Air Force and fly his final Eagle ride. Meanwhile, the career of his girlfriend, FBI Agent Darryl McCormick, seems to only be at its outset.

The night of the Russian attack is a desperate race to deliver the weapons and exit American airspace before being discovered, performed by an aircrew forced to risk their lives for a mission they don't believe in. Unbeknownst to him, Captain Matthews's last ride as an F-15 pilot may just be his most important. Purchase at https://amzn.to/45XsFwT.

BookTrib’s Lit Picks: 36 Free First Chapters from the Hottest Books of 2025

Readers get a free sneak peek into some of the hottest books and new voices being talked about in literary circles.

BookTrib.com — a leading source for book reviews, news, interviews and articles — offers readers the 2025 edition of its popular Lit Picks ebook collection of first chapters featuring excerpts from 36 new releases and hidden gems.

What to read is the most popular question our editors get a BookTrib.com.  This free gift can help readers decide what they will enjoy next. “BookTrib Lit Picks” includes lots to choose from, including contemporary and historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, self-help, memoirs and more from publishers like Blackstone, Koehler and Minotaur to award-winning small presses and works from independently published authors. Get your free download at https://booktrib.com/litpicks.

(NewsUSA) - From safer football helmets to groundbreaking laws that protect inventors, this year’s Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation (IPOEF) award winners prove that one idea, when protected, can change everything.

 Each year, IPOEF honors individuals whose work proves that behind every breakthrough is not just an idea but the protection of it. In 2025, that spotlight falls on two sets of changemakers: Inventors of the Year, Erin and Lee Hanson, inventors reshaping sports safety, and IP Champions, U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Thom Tillis, unlikely allies driving bipartisan legislation to safeguard American innovation. Inventors of the Year: Erin and Lee Hanson Erin and Lee Hanson, founders of Guardian Sports, turned a simple idea into a game-changing safety in football: the Guardian Cap, a soft-shell helmet that reduces impact of hits to the head and is now mandated in NFL practices and worn by college and youth players. They also reengineered the lacrosse ball to create PEARL lacrosse balls which are used across the NCAA and PLL designed for better durability and safety. Guardian’s LOOP headband is the highest rated headband for safer play in non-helmeted sports like flag football and field hockey. The Hanson’s work has helped better protect countless athletes and is influencing sport leagues and how they can approach safety at all levels of play. “Without IP, we wouldn’t have been able to collaborate with major leagues like the NFL and NCAA,” they said. “It gave us the foundation to grow and the confidence to partner with giants. What we have learned from our many years of working toward our success is that if you have an idea, start documenting it immediately and speak to a patent attorney early. You never know when your brainstorm could be the next big thing.” IP Champions: Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) & Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) These two U.S. Senators may be from different political parties, but they share a commitment to protecting America’s innovators. Their bipartisan work on legislation, including the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) and the PREVAIL Act, helps ensure that inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses can compete globally and protect their work at home. They are being recognized as IP Champions because of their shared belief that the U.S. needs to be the leader that ensures inventors are protected from start to finish, advocating for the value of intellectual property to stimulate the progress of innovation. Getting Started With IP If you have any more questions regarding IP and don’t know where to begin, try IP Buddy, an AI tool designed to answer your IP questions or concerns. Whether you are a first-time inventor or growing startup or someone who is simply curious about how IP works, IP Buddy is here to guide users through patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets with clarity and confidence. What You Can Learn from This Year’s Honorees: IP protection guarantees that creators are rewarded for their work and have the tools to build, grow and collaborate safely. It also encourages more innovation by making the process sustainable and fair. Here’s what anyone can learn from this year’s honorees: Every big change starts with an idea. Whether it’s a new recipe, product design, or software tool, your idea has value. Protect before you share. Once an idea is public, it’s harder to defend. Research your options for patents, copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets early on. IP fosters trust and collaboration. With the right protections, inventors can safely partner with companies, investors, or even competitors. To learn more about protecting your own ideas and supporting innovation, visit ipoef.organd ipbuddy.ai.

(NewsUSA) - Cybercriminals send 3.4 billion phishing emails daily, aiming to steal sensitive information from unassuming victims. Cyberattacks like these are on the rise, posing increased long-term risk to consumers’ data, reputation, credit, and financial standing.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Michael Nizich, Ph.D., a New York Institute of Technology professor and cybersecurity expert, shares tips to help protect your information and identity.

Keep passwords strong. “Never reuse passwords,” Nizich emphasized. Also, avoid information that could be easily guessed, including your name, relatives' names, pet names, or birth dates. Instead, use a combination of letters (upper and lower), numbers, and special characters. One idea he suggests: write a sentence and use the first letter of each word and punctuation. For example, the phrase “This password is very hard to guess!” becomes “Tpivh2g!”

Use password managers. Tools like the iPhone Passwords app and Samsung Pass for Android devices generate and automatically store complex, unique passwords on your device. “Some password managers also notify you if your account is potentially compromised. Of course, change your password immediately if that happens,” says Nizich.

Lock your credit. Major credit monitoring agencies, such as Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, offer online tools for locking your credit. This allows you to access active credit lines but prevents hackers from opening credit cards or loans in your name. When you need to allow legitimate creditors access, you can temporarily unlock it—just be sure to lock it again when the transaction is complete.

Enable multifactor authentication (MFA). When you sign in, you will receive a second passcode—typically via text, call, or email—to verify your identity. This added protection is especially important for banking and financial accounts, as well as email. “If hackers access your email, they can reset passwords and break into other online accounts, but MFA helps keep unauthorized users out of your inbox,” Nizich says. “Always take advantage of MFA solutions offered by your organization or financial institutions, even if they are optional.”

Steer clear of scams. Scammers may claim to be from an organization you know and demand immediate payment in a hard-to-trace manner—like gift cards, prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or cash—to resolve an urgent “account issue.” Be wary of communication you did not initiate, Nizich urges. “With artificial intelligence, hackers can now even disguise their voice to sound like a friend or family member. Remain vigilant and extra cautious of unexpected communication,” he says.

Shift your attitude. While security measures like MFA and changing your password regularly might be time-consuming, they’re minor inconveniences compared to having your data stolen, Nizich emphasizes. These steps can help protect you from being a cybercrime victim.  

Nizich is one of many New York Tech faculty members lending their expertise to help tackle real-world challenges. Visit nyit.edu to learn more.

 

(NewsUSA) - While no one plans to have a baby early, 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely, a rate that has remained persistently high over the past decade. As such, early nutrition decisions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) continue to be critical.

This NICU Awareness Month (September), we’re breaking down the nutritional options available in the NICU and how they can impact both the short and long-term health outcomes for vulnerable preemies.

Let’s Talk Fortifiers

Extremely premature babies need extra nutrition to grow. Preemies need 20-40% more calories and 2-3 times more protein than full-term babies because they missed important growth time in the womb. That's why doctors add a "fortifier" to mom’s breastmilk or donor milk in the NICU. 

Here’s the confusing thing, though. Many parents don't know that there are two completely different types of fortifiers available in the NICU.

One is made from cow milk, and the other is made from 100% donor breastmilk. However, both are labeled “human milk fortifiers,” regardless of whether it is made from cow milk or breastmilk. A company called Prolacta Bioscience offers the only fortifier made from 100% breastmilk, free from cow milk.

Why Nutrition Matters in the NICU

For preemies born weighing 2.75 pounds or less, cow milk can be difficult to digest. Studies show that fortifiers made from cow milk increase the risk of the deadly intestinal disease necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in extremely premature infants, when compared to infants fed fortifiers made from 100% breastmilk, as part of an exclusive breastmilk-based diet.

Fortifiers made from 100% breastmilk are designed specifically for premature babies and are being used in NICUs across the country to support better outcomes, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays. When used as part of an exclusive breastmilk diet, these fortifiers and formulas:

• Reduce the risk of NEC, a life-threatening intestinal disease
• Help preemies go home sooner
• Can mean fewer complications like lung and eye disease  
• Showed improved long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes
• Trusted by NICUs worldwide for feeding over 125,000 patients since 2006
• Used in more than 55% of U.S. NICUs in 2025 for the smallest, most vulnerable preemies

NICU Parents Have Choices for Their Preemie’s Nutrition

When it comes to nutrition options in the NICU, many parents are not informed that they have a choice. This means families might agree to cow milk-based products without knowing another safe nutrition choice exists.

Parents have the right to understand all available options, the evidence behind them, and potential complications before making this important decision for their baby.

In fact, parents can specifically ask their NICU care team about 100% donor breastmilk-based fortifiers and formulas and request these products if they believe it's the best option for their baby. Resources are available to help families navigate these conversations with their care teams.

Parents serve as their baby's strongest advocates. They shouldn't hesitate to ask questions, request information, and push for what they believe is best for their child. The nutritional choices made in those early days and weeks can affect their baby's health in the short and long term.

Parental Advocacy Makes a Difference

This NICU Awareness Month, if you have a preemie in the NICU, or know someone who does, share this important nutritional information. When it comes to feeding fragile preemies, knowledge can save lives. Parents deserve to know that alternatives to cow milk-based fortifiers exist, and that they have a voice in their baby’s care. Every family has the right to make informed decisions, and every preemie deserves the best possible start in life.

 

(ProRx Pharma) - From hospitals to surgical centers, med spas to even your dentist’s office—chances are, you or someone in your family has already received medication from a compounding pharmacy without even knowing it.

But what exactly is a compounding pharmacy? And what makes some compounding pharmacies, known as 503B outsourcing facilities, so critical to modern healthcare?

A Brief Look Back

Compounding pharmacies have been around for centuries—long before mass-produced medications were the norm. In the earliest days of medicine, pharmacists prepared customized remedies by hand, adjusting dosages, ingredients, and formulations to suit individual patients. While much of pharmacy practice shifted to manufactured drugs over the 20th Century, the need for tailored treatments never disappeared.

In 2013, Congress passed the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA), creating a new category of compounding pharmacies: 503B outsourcing facilities. These facilities are authorized to compound large batches of medications in advance—often for use in hospitals and physician clinics—and are held to strict quality and sterility standards by the FDA.

Why It Matters to You

503B outsourcing facilities are behind the scenes of much of our healthcare system and the modern wellness journey. While you can’t pick up a prescription directly from one, the preparations they compound are frequently administered during medical procedures, inpatient stays, or outpatient visits.

Some common scenarios include:

· A child in the ER receives a weight-based dose of a pain reliever made by a 503B facility.

· An older adult undergoing eye surgery gets pre-filled syringes of anesthesia prepared in sterile conditions.

· A patient at a wellness clinic receives a compounded vitamin infusion tailored for their specific nutrient needs.

Unlike traditional “503A” compounding pharmacies, which prepare medications based on a specific prescription for one patient, 503B facilities are allowed to produce office-use medications in advance—making them vital to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, infusion clinics, med spas, and even long-term care providers. Patients may receive medications prepared by a 503B outsourcing facility, but they do so only through their healthcare provider, since 503Bs are not permitted to serve patients directly.

Safety and Quality Come First

Not all compounding pharmacies are the same. 503B facilities must register with the FDA, follow Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and undergo regular inspections. These guidelines are designed to protect patients by ensuring preparations are sterile, precisely dosed, and free of contaminants.

When your healthcare provider suggests using a compounding partner, do your due diligence and ask questions, even visit the compounder’s website. Three questions you should ask:

1. Is the compounding pharmacy accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) or another recognized organization?

2. Is the pharmacy licensed in my state and do they follow guidelines for compounding?

3. Does the pharmacy regularly test for potency, sterility (if applicable) and contamination?

So the next time you or a loved one gets a procedure, an injection, or a specialty treatment, there’s a good chance a compounding pharmacy was part of the process—quietly working behind the scenes to keep you safe, healthy, and healing.

For more information about compounding pharmacies, visit https://prorxpharma.com.

(NewsUSA) - As the school year gets underway across the United States, a new report illustrates that student engagement is essential for learning, but gaps remain about how to achieve, measure, and sustain students’ interest in the classroom. 

The report, Education Insights 2025–2026: Fueling Learning Through Engagement, was conducted on behalf of Discovery Education, a leading edtech provider, and includes data from 1,398 superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, and students from across the United States who were surveyed in May 2025. 

Overall, more than 90 percent of teachers, principals, and superintendents said that engagement is a critical metric for understanding student achievement and 99% of superintendents surveyed believe student engagement is one of the top predictors of student success. Perhaps most interestingly, 92% of students say that engaging in lessons makes school more enjoyable. 

Also, educators and students reported different perceptions of engagement levels. Although 63% of students agreed that “Students are highly engaged in school,” only 45% of teachers and 51% of principals surveyed agreed with the same statement. 

In addition, educators disagreed on the top indicators of engagement; 72% of teachers said asking thoughtful questions was the strongest indicator of student engagement, while 54% of superintendents rating performing well on assessments as a top engagement indicator.   

The report also found that students rated their own engagement at school higher than their peers. Among elementary school, middle school, and high school students, 70%, 59%, and 61%, respectively, perceived themselves as engaged in learning. However, 42%, 36%, and 39%, of elementary school, middle school, and high school students described their peers as engaged in learning. 

The impressions of artificial intelligence’s role in learning varied among respondents, according to the report. Two-thirds of students said they believed that AI could help them learn faster, yet fewer than half of teachers report using AI themselves to complete tasks. 

School administrators expressed more enthusiasm for AI than teachers. Only 57% of teachers agreed with the statement "I frequently learn about positive ways students are using AI," while 87% of principals and 98% of superintendents agreed. Likewise, only 53% of teachers agreed with the statement "I am excited about the potential for AI to support teaching and learning," while 83% of principals and 94% of superintendents agreed. 

“One of the most important findings of this report is that that engagement is seen as essential to learning, but is inconsistently defined, observed, and supported in K-12 classrooms,” said Brian Shaw, Discovery Education’s Chief Executive Officer. “I believe this highlights the need for both a more standardized approach to measuring student engagement and connecting it to academic achievement,” he added. 

To download the full report and find more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.

 

 

(NewsUSA) - The anti-inflammatory medication dupilumab, marketed as Dupixent, is the subject of a lawsuit alleging a link between the use of the medication and the development of a type of skin cancer known as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Dupixent is prescribed for several medical conditions including asthma and eczema. CTCL is a type of skin cancer that develops in white blood cells, which help the body fight infection.

Early signs and symptoms of CTCL include red, scaly patches, rashes, lumps and bumps, discoloration, thickened skin, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, itching, fever and chills, unexplained weight loss, pain or tenderness, and night sweats. As CTCL progresses, the visual changes can affect up to 80% of the skin’s surface. Ultimately, the disease can spread to internal organs, including the spleen and liver.

Dupixent manufacturers Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi Genzyme failed to adequately warn of the risks in taking the drug, according to Ellen Relkin, partner in the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg and practice group chair of the firm’s Drug and Medical Device Litigation team. The law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg is taking legal cases for patients who have and used an anti-inflammatory medication and have been diagnosed with skin cancer.

“Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a very rare type of skin cancer. This makes it all the more critical for the manufacturer to warn patients about the danger,” states Relkin.

A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported an increased risk of CTCL was found in a cohort of atopic dermatitis patients who used dupilumab. “The increased risk persisted after exclusion of prior disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use. Risk was not increased for other cutaneous or lymphoid malignancies,” the researchers wrote.

“Doctors and patients alike need to be sufficiently warned, and patients who take Dupixent, and their doctors, need to keep a careful eye out for any disturbing changes to their skin,” says Ms. Relkin.  

“Those who took Dupixent and are suffering deserve compensation. And we are going to help you get it,” she insists.

Weitz & Luxenberg is encouraging anyone diagnosed with CTCL who used Dupixent to contact the firm for information about legal options and a free initial consultation. Call (917) LAWYERS or visit https://www.weitzlux.com/firm-news/dupixent-skin-cancer-lawsuit-ctcl/.

 

 

(NewsUSA) - The end of summer means back-to-school season for families across the country. As parents shop for new backpacks and clothes, they should be sure not to overlook one of the most important parts of the back-to-school checklist – the visual health of their child.

During the first years of life, a child's vision is constantly changing and developing. Healthy eyes and quality vision are important for reading, writing, and learning in the classroom, and vision issues that are left undiagnosed and untreated can lead to learning disabilities and delays in development. That’s where vision screening comes in.

“Clear vision is important for success in school and at home,” said Dr. David Hunter, president of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). “Kids don’t always realize that they have vision problems, as they often assume that everyone else sees the world the same way that they do. That is why regular vision screenings are so important. Good vision increases not only their ability to learn, but also their self-confidence. And vision screening in the early years can detect treatable conditions like amblyopia (‘lazy eye’).”

To increase access to eye exams for kids who are referred by vision screening, the Children’s Eye Foundation of AAPOS funds the All Children See program. The program provides an opportunity for kids who are uninsured or underinsured to receive a no-cost comprehensive eye exam from a volunteer pediatric ophthalmologist near them. The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) is an organization of more than 2,000 pediatric ophthalmologists working across the U.S. and Canada to advance the quality of children's eye care. The Children's Eye Foundation is its philanthropic arm, which works to improve quality of life for visually impaired kids worldwide. 

“Early and frequent vision screenings can mean the difference between permanent vision loss and a lifetime of good vision,” said Dr. Christie Morse, executive vice president of the Children’s Eye Foundation. “Our AAPOS doctors envision a world where every child is thriving with the best sight possible.”

School nurses who might be unsure when to refer a child to their pediatric ophthalmologist can find guidance at childrenseyefoundation.org. Nurses and parents are encouraged to look out for these warning signs, even if a child is not referred by vision screening:

• Does not read at grade level
• Misaligned eyes
• Squinting

Backpacks, pencils, new clothes, and good vision are the perfect recipe for a great school year!

(Adam Hawf, Superintendent of Schools, K12) - In a virtual café, students write resumes, sit for interviews, and take on roles that imitate real-world jobs. In an RV-turned-lab, a health science teacher travels across her state, helping students earn professional certificates. In Colorado, others climb a 13,000-foot mountain while taking steps to earn a wilderness first aid certification. And in Tokyo, a young inventor confidently presents his creation—an AI-powered tool for early cancer detection.  

These experiences may look remarkably different, but they all share one thing in common: Each describes a hands-on career opportunity available to students enrolled in a K12-powered online school. 

At K12, students follow an award-winning high school curriculum with an incredible bonus—they can incorporate career-focused courses and experiences into their schedules that help launch them into their dream jobs right after graduation. From agriculture and business to engineering, hospitality, and manufacturing, students are introduced to a wide range of industries. While still in high school, they’re gaining real-world skills and knowledge that will help them be successful in the workplace. 

But they’re not just learning about careers—they’re experiencing them. These unique opportunities extend far beyond the online classroom through meaningful hands-on activities. K12 students earn certificates, shadow professionals, intern at major corporations, present at national competitions, and build essential skills. These students are getting a powerful head start discovering fulfilling and rewarding futures.  

Through student-led organizations like Business Professionals of America and SkillsUSA, students participate in leadership conferences, community service projects, and competitive events. Whether they’re creating a digital marketing campaign, showcasing computer model designs, or challenging peers in a national competition, K12 students are learning to lead, innovate, collaborate, and overcome challenges with confidence. 

K12 is committed to preparing students to become confident, job-ready individuals who can look toward the future with purpose and excitement. By giving them the chance to get hands-on in their chosen field, K12 is helping students get ahead and stay on a path to success.