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May 12 2026HEALTH

Staten Island trains workers to spot suicide and overdose risks at the same time

Staten Island is tackling two big problems—overdose deaths and suicide—by teaching frontline workers how to handle both at once. Around 300 people have already gone through a six-part training that mixes mental health and drug-use screening. The idea is to catch warning signs early, whether someone

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May 09 2026POLITICS

Healdsburg's Future Train Station Gets a Head Start on Celebrations

Before a single track is laid or a shovel hits the dirt, Healdsburg is already throwing a party for a train station that won’t open for years. Over 1, 000 people gathered at a local hall to mark the planned SMART rail extension, even though construction won’t begin until 2027. The excitement isn’t j

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May 07 2026HEALTH

Diabetes care during COVID: what changed and why it matters

Before the pandemic hit, about four in ten people with type 2 diabetes were managing to keep their blood sugar in the safe zone. Doctors call this “good glycemic control, ” and it usually means the long-term marker HbA1c is below 7 %. Keeping that number low lowers the risk of heart attacks, eye dam

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May 06 2026HEALTH

Check Your Skin Early to Beat Melanoma

First, the numbers are scary. About 112, 000 Americans will find themselves with a serious skin cancer this year, and more than 8, 500 may lose their lives to it. The good news is that if doctors catch the disease early, treatment can be much more effective. One expert suggests a simple routine: lo

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May 04 2026HEALTH

What affects patients' quality of life before spinal surgery in Asia?

Before someone goes under the knife for a worn-out lower back, many things can shape how they feel about life. A study looked at patients in Asia with different backgrounds. These patients were about to get surgery for long-term back problems. Researchers checked three big areas. First came social

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May 01 2026POLITICS

Political Donations: How to Tell a Real Fundraiser from a Fake One

Before the next big election season, a warning is going around about fake fundraising groups calling themselves PACs. These groups often pretend to support political causes but actually pocket most of the money they collect. With fundraising reaching a peak during midterm elections, these scams beco

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Apr 25 2026HEALTH

Healing Paths: New Trials, Kind Hearts and Unexpected Birds

First responders in Arizona are exploring a controversial remedy as part of the state’s pioneering psilocybin study. Whole mushrooms, known for their hallucinogenic properties, are being examined for their potential to ease post‑traumatic stress. The research is backed by state funds and led by Dr.

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Apr 21 2026POLITICS

Prediction Markets: Who Gets to Tax Them?

States want to raise money from online prediction sites, but they’re not sure what those sites actually are. The debate centers on whether the sites should be treated like sports betting, financial derivatives, or something else entirely. If they’re seen as gambling, states could tax them the sam

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Apr 21 2026WEATHER

Cold Weather and Pollen Alert for Staten Island

Staten Island residents can expect a sharp temperature dip after Monday’s brief showers. The National Weather Service says it will be partly sunny in the morning, with a high around 54°F. At night, the temperature will plunge nearly 20 degrees, settling near 34°F by Tuesday morning. Sunlight

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Apr 20 2026WEATHER

Spring Weather Switch: Rain, Wind, and Allergies Hit Staten Island

Staten Island is about to face a spring mood swing this week. After a taste of warm 80-degree days last week, the upcoming forecast is bringing it back to typical spring unpredictability. Rain showers are expected to roll in starting Sunday, kicking off a stretch of days that feel more like April th

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