SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY

Search headlines

Find the stories shaping the conversation.

Search mode
Refine results
Active filters Keyword All time

Results for " fun " 9,021 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle

Somalia health centers close as hunger and drought deepen

Funding cuts are closing CARE-supported health centers in Somalia as drought and hunger worsen. In Dhahar, Aisha struggles to find food, water, and care for her malnourished daughter.

care.org logo
Sep 30 • 1:01 PM EDT • Health • care.org
County health departments could see cuts as Iowa HHS shifts to regionalized model

Iowa HHS plans to transition the state’s public health system into a regional model by 2028. The move will shift the oversight of funds for each county to a lead entity in each region. Public health officials are warning the new system will leave gaps in services for residents.

iowapublicradio.org logo
Sep 30 • 12:51 PM EDT • Health • iowapublicradio.org
Packers, UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center kickoff Packers vs. Cancer campaign

New chapter welcomes UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center to raise awareness and funds to fight against cancer

packers.com logo
Sep 30 • 12:42 PM EDT • Health • packers.com
Deep dive
😐 Neutral (6%)
love
69%
wow
31%
Davenport and NAMI bring community together to raise mental health awareness

The West Michigan affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is hosting its tenth annual NAMIWalks event on October 3 at Davenport University’s W. A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus. The event raises funds to support NAMI’s free programming and awareness of the mental health struggles

post.davenport.edu logo
Sep 30 • 12:30 PM EDT • Health • post.davenport.edu
Oklahoma officials highlight rural health program’s first-year progress

Oklahoma is expanding rural healthcare access through new funding for workforce development, technology and medical services.

journalrecord.com logo
Sep 30 • 11:57 AM EDT • Health • journalrecord.com
Virginia Tech leads multimillion-dollar project for women's health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded a Virginia Tech–led research project to better understand and predict women’s health outcomes by investigating how hormones shape the structure and function of vaginal tissue across the lifespan. The award for up to $9.26 million is part of a growing initiative by the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health.

newswise.com logo
Sep 30 • 11:40 AM EDT • Health • newswise.com
🧪 Science with Sarah: Fun ways to explore states of matter!
ksat.com logo
Sep 30 • 11:17 AM EDT • Science • ksat.com
Forum Health Names Elizabeth Campbell Chief Financial and Development Officer

/PRNewswire/ -- Forum Health today announced Elizabeth Campbell as Chief Financial and Development Officer. Campbell will lead fundraising and acquisitions...

prnewswire.com logo
Sep 30 • 11:00 AM EDT • Health • prnewswire.com
UCLA Researchers to Lead NIH-Funded Center to Advance Science of Interoceptive Neuroscience

UCLA Health researchers were awarded a $3.5 million federal grant to establish a national, multisite research center to study interoceptive neuroscience – the study of how the nervous system senses, interprets and integrates signals from within the body to maintain equilibrium.

newswise.com logo
Sep 30 • 11:00 AM EDT • Science • newswise.com
Comic Fans Flock to Ninth Annual IV Entertainment Convention

Heroes and villains came to life at the ninth annual Imperial Valley Entertainment Convention, as attendees got the chance to meet artists and voice actors and have fun dressing up like their favorite fictional characters.

calexicochronicle.com logo
Sep 30 • 10:42 AM EDT • Entertainment • calexicochronicle.com
Salish Kootenai College business students raise scholarship funds for incoming freshmen

SKC business students are raising $10,000 for the Future Bison Scholarship to support incoming freshmen at Salish Kootenai College.

kpax.com logo
Sep 30 • 10:21 AM EDT • Business • kpax.com
NIH funding faces political scrutiny. What now?

Changes to how NIH grants are selected could affect which questions researchers can study, which populations are included and how quickly new findings make their way into clinical practice.

healthjournalism.org logo
Sep 30 • 10:18 AM EDT • Politics • healthjournalism.org
Funding forensic science is essential to keeping New Mexico’s justice system working - NM Department of Public Safety

At the New Mexico Department of Public Safety’s Forensic Laboratory, continuing to produce reliable, accredited results is not necessarily about chasing the newest technology. Often, it is about replacing equipment that has simply reached the end of its useful life. That distinction is important as the state considers how much to invest in the laboratory […]

dps.nm.gov logo
Sep 30 • 10:07 AM EDT • Science • dps.nm.gov
Lewiston will offer funding to help business owners 'put ideas to work'

The city of Lewiston is offering business owners the opportunity to receive development grants of up to $40,000 and loans of as much as $50,000.

mainebiz.biz logo
Sep 30 • 9:54 AM EDT • Business • mainebiz.biz
Tamara Jordan, D.O., MPH, Joins Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute as a Sleep Medicine Physician

September 11, 2026 – Sleep medicine physician Tamara Jordan, D.O., MPH has joined Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute. Her clinical interests include sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep-related movement disorders. She evaluates and treats sleep disorders that can affect a patient’s overall health, daytime function and quality of life. Dr. Jordan earned her medical degree from […]

southfloridahospitalnews.com logo
Sep 30 • 9:54 AM EDT • Health • southfloridahospitalnews.com
Baptist Health Foundation Receives $1.5 Million Gift from Robins & Morton to Benefit Baptist Health Homestead Hospital

September 2, 2026 – Baptist Health Foundation announced today a $1.5 million gift from Robins & Morton, a national commercial construction firm, to support the Baptist Health Homestead Hospital Clinical Expansion Fund. The gift will help fund the construction of a new four-story, 134,000-square-foot tower at Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Florida. The expansion will increase […]

southfloridahospitalnews.com logo
Sep 30 • 9:39 AM EDT • Health • southfloridahospitalnews.com
Junney Baeza Dager, M.D., Joins Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute as a Nonsurgical Spine Care Physician

August 31, 2026 – Junney Baeza Dager, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care as a nonsurgical spine care physician. Board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation with specialized expertise in spinal cord injury medicine, Dr. Baeza Dager focuses on helping people with neurological conditions improve their function, […]

southfloridahospitalnews.com logo
Sep 30 • 9:35 AM EDT • Health • southfloridahospitalnews.com
The Legal and Policy Landscape of Crisis Pregnancy Centers

This brief examines the legal status of Crisis Pregnancy Centers, attempts to regulate them, and future efforts to expand their footprints as they gain more recognition and funding from local, state, and federal programs.

kff.org logo
Sep 30 • 9:00 AM EDT • Health • kff.org
Exclusive: Africa aid cuts provide health ‘opportunity’

Governments across the continent relied heavily on USAID, Washington’s development agency, to fund health programs before it was shuttered last year.

semafor.com logo
Sep 30 • 8:52 AM EDT • Health • semafor.com
Ron DeSantis’ 2 terms in office fundamentally altered Florida’s political landscape, cementing conservative policies through strategic control of state institutions

After eight years in office, Gov. Ron DeSantis leaves Florida much more conservative than he found it.

theconversation.com logo
Sep 30 • 8:46 AM EDT • Politics • theconversation.com
Deep dive
😐 Neutral (9%)
wow
73%
ahah
27%
Business Beat : Annual fall harvest event to benefit “Deputy Sarah Irene Haylett-Jones Memorial Fund”

COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - The annual Sarah Irene's Fall Harvest event will return Saturday and Sunday, October 10...

wtvbam.com logo
Sep 30 • 8:08 AM EDT • Business • wtvbam.com
House Speaker Johnson stumping for CA GOP congressional candidates

House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to visit California on Wednesday to stump and fundraise for Republican candidates in a state that could determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives during President Trump's final two years in office.

latimes.com logo
Sep 30 • 8:00 AM EDT • Politics • latimes.com
Spooky fun and science at Mountain View Regional Library

Mountain View Regional Library in East Cobb hosts Halloween fun and science events in October 2026, including programs for children and teens

cobbcountycourier.com logo
Sep 30 • 7:41 AM EDT • Science • cobbcountycourier.com
Can doctors temporarily “pause” the human body? Scientists are trying to buy the body more time

Suspended animation sounds like science fiction: slow the body almost to a standstill, pause the damage caused by injury or blood loss, then restart normal function later. Scientists cannot place heal...

yahoo.com logo
Sep 30 • 7:32 AM EDT • Science • yahoo.com
County health officials fear Iowans will lose out under HHS plan

The state’s public health system is being reorganized to coordinate services across counties in a move that will group public health departments by region. One health department will act as a lead agency and administer state funds to other agencies in its region, and part of each region’s funds will have to cover the lead […]

radioiowa.com logo
Sep 30 • 7:00 AM EDT • Health • radioiowa.com
Fraud, compromise, and groupthink. How warped research incentives undermine science

Science is supposed to correct its own errors. In practice, distorted academic incentives often block that quality control. Universities produce far more PhDs than faculty jobs, then judge survival by grants—especially federal awards that benefit the schools themselves. Researchers who stray from funders’ preferred questions face stalled careers. The unfortunate result is groupthink that often hinders scientific progress.

acsh.org logo
Sep 30 • 7:00 AM EDT • Science • acsh.org
National Day of Play brings big fun to Rochester Fringe
democratandchronicle.com logo
Sep 30 • 6:53 AM EDT • Entertainment • democratandchronicle.com
Newly proposed federal rules would have “disastrous” impact on Medicaid, insurance funding, state says

Proposed federal rules could cut hundreds of millions of dollars annually for Medicaid and also impact health insurance programs, state says.

coloradosun.com logo
Sep 30 • 5:54 AM EDT • Health • coloradosun.com
OBIO marks $1bn funding milestone for Canadian health tech ventures

Life sciences and technology companies supported by the OBIO's CAAP have collectively raised more than $1bn in capital.

pharmaceutical-technology.com logo
Sep 30 • 5:52 AM EDT • Health • pharmaceutical-technology.com
Tottenham Hotspur vs. the transfer market: Part 1

Summer was fun at least, right?

sports.yahoo.com logo
Sep 30 • 5:41 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
😐 Neutral (0%)
Massachusetts Republicans respond to harassment of Cape Cod restaurant

A swath of Massachusetts Republicans are coming together to support a Cape Cod restaurant hit with online threats and harassment, even a hoax 911 call, in retaliation for hosting a GOP fundraiser.

bostonherald.com logo
Sep 30 • 5:19 AM EDT • Politics • bostonherald.com
When “DEI” research is cut, what happens to community health?

“I’m just going to run to the grocery store!” How many times have we said this without thinking about it? For most of us, it's usually an easy walk or a short drive to get the cheese we forgot. In reality, though, 13% of the U.S. population (about 39 million people) live in “food deserts,” which means living more than a mile from a grocery store in urban areas and more than 10 miles in rural areas. This was the case for people in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, where a quick run to buy food wasn’t an option. In the 1930s, federal maps marked the Hill as "hazardous" for lending, a practice known as redlining that steered investment away from Black neighborhoods. Decades of disinvestment followed, and residents went about 30 years without a nearby grocery store. This made it hard to keep healthy eating habits and contributed to chronic disease. When a grocery store finally opened in the area in 2013, researchers saw the opportunity and launched the PHRESH study, which initially compared the health of participants from the Hill district to those in the Homewood district. Over time, the study expanded to other factors such as brain health and Alzheimer's risk. Residents like Roderick Blair overcame initial hesitation to share their health data, trusting it would benefit their neighborhood. Then, in August 2026, the NIH abruptly canceled the study’s grant, citing that it was “subjective” and fell outside their scientific scope—an effect of the administration’s interpretation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Research like PHRESH can help determine what changes in a neighborhood actually improve health, so cutting it has left that question unanswered. Other canceled studies have examined health issues like maternal health, preterm birth rates, or sickle cell disease. Courts have reversed some of these grant cancellations, but not all of them. If we really want America to be healthier, research into why some communities get sicker than others is absolutely critical. The law that created the federal minority health research institute passed with bipartisan support in 2000. But these days, as evidenced by grant cancellations, the political shift in attitudes toward DEI means we often lose access to the health information we need to help all communities thrive. DEI vs. health equity vs. equality and the overlap (or lack thereof) The letters “DEI” evoke very different reactions depending on who you are in the U.S. DEI programs can address gender, disability, age, and other factors, but the fiercest debate centers on race. For some people, hearing DEI brings to mind policies that may have cost them a job or a college seat because they are white. Others see DEI as a matter of justice: a way to expand representation and opportunity for groups that have been historically marginalized. Both perspectives are rooted in lived experience, and both center on the same question: whether hiring and admissions practices are fair. Hiring and admission practices, though related, are not the same as health equity. Health equity is “the attainment of the highest level of health for all people.” It’s the recognition that some groups of people consistently experience worse health outcomes than others. For instance, black mothers die from pregnancy-related complications at three times the rate of white mothers, and rural Americans are more likely to die from issues such as heart disease and cancer. Equity is also often conflated with “equality,” which leads to misunderstanding of how to actually best support communities. Equality ignores the fact that we aren’t all starting life with the same resources or circumstances, whereas equity is about helping people get what they specifically need based on their situation so they have the chance to achieve the same outcome as anyone else. For example, if every household in Pittsburgh got a $30 grocery gift card, that would be equal. But during the decades the Hill District went without a grocery store, that card wouldn’t have helped much. Equity means making sure everyone can actually access a store in the first place. DEI policies can overlap with health equity in many ways. For example, they may help expand access to quality education and stable, well-paying jobs, which in turn can provide health insurance, safer housing, and improved finances—all of which can reduce health disparities. But to make that happen, we first need data to identify disparities in communities and to develop solutions that effectively address them. What we lose when the research stops Community data is important to health equity because: You can’t fix what you don’t see: Data show which communities are most affected by health factors such as infection, heart disease, and cancer. If we don’t know what is happening and where, then we can’t develop interventions to help. Poor health costs everyone: Chronic disease is expensive—both to the individual person and to the overall economy. Understanding what groups of people are most at risk allows us to develop interventions that can save everyone money. Disparities exist for many communities: Health equity includes disparities that exist due to a whole host of factors, such as family background, race and ethnicity, rural vs. suburban residence, gender and sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, and lower income. This means many Americans can benefit from research into differences in health outcomes and how to improve them. Trust is easy to lose: Some participants in the PHRESH study were initially vocal about their concerns about participating. But that trust was earned because the researchers kept their promises and centered their work on the community. When projects are canceled mid-cycle, researchers have no choice but to leave behind communities they had promised to help. This hurts trust in the long run. It’s also a very inefficient use of resources, and it will take significant time and effort to redo the work when the government realizes this work is important again. How should we talk about health equity? This is hard because the words “equity” and “DEI” are currently very politically charged. So whether you’re a public health professional, teacher, or friend, how we talk about this topic matters. The right framing can help people who might otherwise be skeptical see why health equity research is important and deserves funding. Here are some suggestions to help your conversations: Choose your words strategically: Who are you trying to reach with your message? Are they likely to be resistant to terms like “diversity” and “equity”? If so, find alternative words to use to still get the message across. It is frustrating to be in that position, but the goal of improving health is too important not to try to make inroads. Sometimes simply reframing can help the message reach those who need to hear it. Focus on the problem: The terms “health equity” and “DEI” are abstract. Make it more specific. For example, discuss differences in maternal death or ways to improve health outcomes in rural communities. These still have equity at their core but will likely be better understood by those you’re talking with. Focus on systems: Disparities exist, but if they are communicated poorly, people can mistakenly think the issue is the individual’s fault. Disparities are largely driven by failures of the system—such as lack of access to health care and a long legacy of racism. When discussing the disparities, frame them around these systemic issues to ensure blame isn’t placed on the individuals impacted. Tell stories: Personalize these policies by using stories from those impacted that connect to the data you’re trying to convey. This helps make the policies and outcomes more concrete and meaningful. Bottom line Some communities end up sicker than others. That’s just the facts. We can argue about the best way to do that research, but canceling it simply because it may be linked to DEI doesn’t make anyone healthier. It just leaves communities like the Hill district behind. And in the end, it causes us all to move backward in our efforts to improve health in this country. Love, EM Big thanks to MacKenzie Isaac & Legairre Radden, who reviewed this piece and generously shared their expertise and lived experience to help improve it. Dr. Liz Marnik, PhD, is Executive Director of The Evidence Collective and a science communicator and immunologist working at the intersection of public trust, science, and public health. To discuss communication training on topics like health equity and storytelling, email Liz at liz@yle.health or learn more on our website. Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) comprises a team of experts, ranging from physicians to immunologists to epidemiologists to nutritionists, working together with one goal: to “translate” ever-evolving public health science so that people are well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. The YLE suite of newsletters reaches over 475,000 people across more than 132 countries. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Your Local Epidemiologist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe

yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com logo
Sep 30 • 5:05 AM EDT • Health • yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
Zohran Mamdani’s Campaign May Have Accomplished Something More Fundamental Than Moving Policy Debate to the Left

It’s the people, stupid.

thenation.com logo
Sep 30 • 5:00 AM EDT • Politics • thenation.com
🚨 Bordeaux sold to investment fund Park Bench (L'Équipe)

A brighter future for the Girondins?It’s a big day for French football: in addition to the sale agreement signed by Waldemar Kita for FC Nantes, Girondins de Bordeaux have finally found a buyer, acc...

sports.yahoo.com logo
Sep 30 • 3:23 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
😐 Neutral (0%)
love
100%
Business Buzz: Monarch Physical Therapy

Business: Monarch Physical Therapy Address: 61 Church Hill Road Owner: Dr Chelsea and Matt Barnes What is your business background? “I got my doctorate in physical therapy in 2018. My...

newtownbee.com logo
Sep 30 • 3:00 AM EDT • Business • newtownbee.com
Discover the latest science on probiotics for healthy ageing: From longevity to quality of life

As healthy aging shifts from longevity to quality of life, new research highlights the gut microbiome as a key lever for supporting mobility, muscle function and independence in aging populations

nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com logo
Sep 30 • 2:01 AM EDT • Science • nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com
😐 Neutral (17%)
wow
50%
love
29%
ahah
21%
9/11 health research program will be fully funded, officials say

World Trade Center Health Program officials had said $13 million could be lost.

newsday.com logo
Sep 30 • 2:00 AM EDT • Health • newsday.com
Deep dive
😐 Neutral (18%)
ahah
63%
love
37%
Viewpoint: After firing the entire National Science Board, Trump reshapes funding initiatives. Here’s the good and the bad.

The National Science Foundation is steering most of its money away from grants for individual researchers’ best ideas and toward the Trump

geneticliteracyproject.org logo
Sep 30 • 12:05 AM EDT • Science • geneticliteracyproject.org
😐 Neutral (0%)
love
100%
Find holiday decor and more at Autumn Leaves Craft Show

From holiday decorations to handcrafted dulcimers to one-of-a-kind finds, the two-day Autumn Leaves Craft Show has everything you need for a fun fall season. The annual show will be held

themountaineer.com logo
Sep 30 • 12:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • themountaineer.com
Naval Station Norfolk leader charts course for problem solving

Naval Station Norfolk commanding officer Capt. Ray Glenn discusses a $450 million sailor housing project and critical infrastructure funding shortfalls.

virginiabusiness.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:55 PM EDT • Business • virginiabusiness.com
GO TEC survives funding shortfall

Go TEC, a Virginia vocational education program, survives after losing state funding, relying on other sources to sustain and expand its workforce pipeline.

virginiabusiness.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:53 PM EDT • Business • virginiabusiness.com
Business organization receives $2,000 from Student Senate to attend conference

Students from Future Business Leaders of America requested funding for an upcoming convention at the Senate meeting Sept. 29.

nwmissourinews.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:48 PM EDT • Business • nwmissourinews.com
Protesters push Drexel to accept funding to keep museum at Academy of Natural Sciences​ open
cbsnews.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:40 PM EDT • Science • cbsnews.com
High-Signal Publisher
Actor Sean Astin speaks on mental health at The Rescue Mission fundraiser

A well-known actor traveled to the Summit City to speak about breaking mental health stigma and valuing individuals.

wane.com logo
Sep 29 • 10:17 PM EDT • Health • wane.com
County commissioners approve switch to NDPERS for employee health insurance

Some employees were disappointed that employee contributions were not decreased across the board, as the county may have excess health insurance funds budgeted for next year.

grandforksherald.com logo
Sep 29 • 9:12 PM EDT • Health • grandforksherald.com
Family questions mother's remains after police search business tied to funeral home probe

Days after police searched a Glenwood cremation service, an Alsip woman is questioning whether the urn she has actually contains her mother's remains.

nbcchicago.com logo
Sep 29 • 8:56 PM EDT • Business • nbcchicago.com
CAS launches program for breakthroughs at science frontiers

A local worker makes wooden handicrafts at a company in Wangnao village, Funan county on April 14. (Photo/Xinhua) Wangnao village, located in Funan county, east China's Anhui province, encouraged its residents to start a company and make and sell wooden handcrafts in 2019. The company has now p...

english.anhuinews.com logo
Sep 29 • 8:00 PM EDT • Science • english.anhuinews.com
With no FEMA funding, program supporting LA fire victims set to sunset

Since the fires, CORE has helped 904 households, has hundreds of active cases it’s working on, and hundreds more on a wait list

spectrumlocalnews.com logo
Sep 29 • 7:53 PM EDT • Politics • spectrumlocalnews.com
With no FEMA funding, program supporting LA fire victims set to sunset

Since the fires, CORE has helped 904 households, has hundreds of active cases it’s working on, and hundreds more on a wait list

spectrumlocalnews.com logo
Sep 29 • 7:53 PM EDT • Politics • spectrumlocalnews.com
Republican blocks Senate resolution criticizing Trump’s taxpayer-funded ads

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) argued that past presidents in both parties have aired similar announcements.

washingtonpost.com logo
Sep 29 • 5:50 PM EDT • Politics • washingtonpost.com
Whistleblowers allege top NC health officials used false information to secure Medicaid funds

In a newly unsealed federal lawsuit, former state workers allege North Carolina health officials used false information to secure federal funding for a Medicaid technology overhaul, and that federal regulators approved money despite red flags. The lawsuit was dismissed but might be revived.

wral.com logo
Sep 29 • 5:09 PM EDT • Health • wral.com
Gambit's Best of New Orleans 2026: Entertainment

Design by Dora Sison / Gambit Best Bounce Artist googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1492300'); }); 1. Big Freedia (Instagram: @bigfreedia)2. Ha Sizzle (Instagram: @hasizzlethevoice)3. Subtweet Shawn (Instagram: @subtweetshawn1) Trixie Minx Photo by Sophia Germer / The Times-Picayune Best Burlesque Performer1. Trixie Minx (Instagram: @trixienola)2. Bella Blue (Instagram: @bellablueforever)3. Miss Angie Z (Instagram: @missangiez) Best Casino1. Caesars New Orleans (8 Canal St., 800-427-7247; caesars.com/caesars-new-orleans)2. Treasure Chest Casino (4550 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 504-443-8000; treasurechest.com)3. Boomtown Casino (4132 Peters Road., Harvey, 504-366-7711; boomtownneworleans.com) Best Drag Performer1. Debbie with a D (Instagram: @debbiewithad)2. Katrina Waters (Instagram: @katrinawaters504)3. Laveau Contraire (Instagram: @laveaucontraire) Best Festival (that's still around)1. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (nojazzfest.com)2. French Quarter Festival (frenchquarterfest.org)3. Hogs For The Cause (hogsfest.org) Best Food Festival1. New Orleans Fried Chicken Festival (friedchickenfestival.com)2. Oak Street Po-Boy Festival (poboyfest.com)3. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (nojazzfest.com) Tipitina's Photo by Sophia Germer / The Times-Picayune Best Live Music Venue1. Tipitina’s (501 Napoleon Ave., 504-895-8477; tipitinas.com)2. The Broadside (600 N Broad St., 504-766-0871; broadsidenola.com)3. The Fillmore (6 Canal St., 504-881-1555; thefillmorenola.com) Best Live Music Club1. Maple Leaf Bar (8316 Oak St., 504-866-9359; mapleleafbar.com)2. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro (626 Frenchmen St., 504-949-0696; snugjazz.com)3. Chickie Wah Wah (2828 Canal St., 504-541-2050; chickiewahwah.com)3. Blue Nile (532 Frenchmen St., 504-766-6193; bluenilelive.com) Best Local Blues Artist/Band1. Little Freddie King (littlefreddieking.com)2. Samantha Fish (samanthafish.com)3. Tab Benoit (tabbenoit.com) Best Local Brass Band1. Rebirth Brass Band (rebirthbrassband.com)2. Hot 8 Brass Band (hot8brassband.com)3. The Soul Rebels (thesoulrebels.com) Best Local DJ1. Paul Lakeway (Instagram: @paul_lakeway)2. DJ Soul Sister (Instagram: @djsoulsister)3. ANTWIGADEE! (Instagram: @antwigadee) Best Local Funk Band1. Dumpstaphunk (dumpstaphunk.com)2. Galactic (galacticfunk.com)3. Big Sam's Funky Nation (bigsamsfunkynation.com) Kaye the Beast Provided Photo by Catherine Debuys Best Local Hip-Hop Group/Artist1. Kaye the Beast (Instagram: @kayethebeast)2. La Reezy (Instagram: @lareezymusic)3. Pell (Instagram: @pellyeah) Best Local Movie Theater1. The Broad Theater (636 N. Broad St., 504-218-1008; thebroadtheater.com)2. The Prytania (5339 Prytania St., 504-891-2787; theprytania.com) googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1492297'); }); 3. The Prytania Theatre at Canal Place (333 Canal St., 3rd floor, 504-290-2658; theprytania.com) Best Local Music Artist/Band1. Robin Barnes & The Fiya Birds (robinbarnesmusic.com)2. Trombone Shorty (tromboneshorty.com)3. Sweet Crude (sweetcrudeband.com) Best Local Rock Band1. The Revivalists (therevivalists.com)2. Better Than Ezra (betterthanezra.com)3. Cowboy Mouth (cowboymouth.com) Best Wedding Band/ DJ1. The Mixed Nuts (themixednuts.com)2. Bucktown All-Stars (bucktownallstars.com)3. Warm Advice (warmadvice.com) Doreen Ketchens Provided photo Best Local Street Performer1. Doreen Ketchens (doreensjazz.org)2. Jourdan Blue (Instagram: @jourblue)3. Sariyah Idan (ariyahidan.com) Best Local Theater Company1. The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans (504-264-2580; twtheatrenola.com)2. Le Petit Theatre (616 St. Peter St., 504-522-2081; lepetittheatre.com)3. The NOLA Project (504-302-9117; nolaproject.com) Best Local Traditional Jazz Group/Artist1. Preservation Hall Jazz Band (preservationhalljazzband.com)2. Kermit Ruffins (@ruffinsbbq)3. Trombone Shorty (tromboneshorty.com) Best Marching Band1. St. Augustine High School Marching 100 (Instagram: @staugmarching100)2. Edna Karr High School Marching Band (Instagram: @theofficialkarrband)3. The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders (therootsofmusic.org) Best Mardi Gras Parade1. Muses (kreweofmuses.org)2. Iris (kreweofiris.org)3. Endymion (endymion.org) 610 Stompers Photo by Chris Granger / The Times-Picayune Best Mardi Gras Dance Krewe1. 610 Stompers (610stompers.com)2. Amelia EarHawts (aecabinkrewe.com)3. The Jamettes (Instagram: @thejametteskrewe) Best Place to See Burlesque/Drag1. The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret (2240 St. Claude Ave., 504-218-5778; theallwayslounge.net)2. The Original Nite Cap (1300 St. Bernard Ave., 2nd floor, 504-224-2854; Instagram: @originalnitecap)3. The Country Club (634 Louisa St., 504-945-0742; thecountryclubneworleans.com) Best Place to See Comedy1. Sports Drink (1042 Toledano St.; sportsdrink.org)2. The Howlin' Wolf (907 S. Peters St., 504-529-5844; thehowlinwolf.com)3. Big Couch New Orleans (1045 Desire St.; bigcouchnola.com) Best Local Comedian1. Ryan Rogers (ryanrogerscomedy.com)2. Mark Normand (marknormandcomedy.com)3. Cyrus Cooper (Instagram: @cyrusjcooper) Best Strip Club1. The Penthouse Club (727 Iberville St., 504-524-4354; penthouseclubneworleans.com)2. Rick’s Cabaret (315 Bourbon St., 504-524-4222; rickscabaretneworleans.com)3. Larry Flynt's Hustler Club (225 Bourbon St., 504-524-0010; neworleanshustlerclub.com) Best Performing Arts Center1. Jefferson Performing Arts Center (6400 Airline Dr., 504-731-4700; jeffersonpac.com)2. Saenger Theatre (1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052; saengertheatreneworleans.com)3. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts (1419 Basin St., 504-525-1052; mahaliajacksontheater.com) .donate-gambit-article-module-container { text-align: center; padding: 10px; /* background-color: #24da6d; */ background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 20px; } .donate-gambit-article-module-title { font-weight: bold; color: #fff; } .donate-gambit-article-module-copy { color: #fff !important; font-size: 16px; } .donate-gambit-article-module-button { background-color: black; width: 50%; border-color: black; font-size: 16px; } .donate-gambit-article-module-button:hover { background-color: black; } @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { .donate-gambit-article-module-button { font-size: 14px; width: 100%; } .donate-gambit-article-module-copy { font-size: 14px; } } BECOME A GAMBIT MEMBER AND JOIN OUR KREWE TODAY For more than 40 years, Gambit has covered New Orleans, for New Orleans. We’ve stood up to city hall with you, cheered the Saints with you, danced in the streets with you and cried over our collective loss with you. And we’re plannin’ on being here for 40 more. To do that, we need your help. Become a Gambit member today and help us continue our mission SUPPORT GAMBIT

nola.com logo
Sep 29 • 5:00 PM EDT • Entertainment • nola.com
Oregon insurance regulators warn of cheap healthcare plans resulting in high bills

Coverage through “self-funded” or “limited partner” plans can result in high costs and unexpected bills, state insurance regulators said.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com logo
Sep 29 • 4:58 PM EDT • Health • oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Packers and UW Health team up during Packers Vs. Cancer campaign

The Green Bay Packers and UW Health are teaming up to raise awareness and funds during the Packers Vs. Cancer campaign.

wmtv15news.com logo
Sep 29 • 4:35 PM EDT • Health • wmtv15news.com
Clemson Rural Health launches diabetes management program in Midlands South Carolina

Clemson Rural Health is delivering a new diabetes management program in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and surrounding counties through $600,000 in funding

news.clemson.edu logo
Sep 29 • 4:09 PM EDT • Health • news.clemson.edu
Mamdani unveils strategy to combat antisemitism in New York City

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a strategy to combat antisemitism Tuesday, including tens of millions of dollars in funding for hate crime prevention and Jewish cultural centers.

cnn.com logo
Sep 29 • 3:05 PM EDT • Politics • cnn.com
Homeland Security spending $20M in taxpayer funds for pro-Trump ads

The Department of Homeland Security has tapped $20 million to pay for the campaign-style ads glorifying President Donald Trump that have drawn widespread criticism from Republicans and Democrats as a blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars that likely runs afoul of anti-propaganda law.

pbs.org logo
Sep 29 • 3:04 PM EDT • Politics • pbs.org
Tom Cruise Bloviates His Way Through the Aggressively Unfunny Digger

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's latest film has a million moving parks and nothing to say

time.com logo
Sep 29 • 3:02 PM EDT • Entertainment • time.com
Homeland Security taps $20M in taxpayer funds for pro-Trump ads

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security has tapped $20 million to pay for the campaign-style ads glorifying President Donald Trump that have drawn

wtop.com logo
Sep 29 • 2:39 PM EDT • Politics • wtop.com
Homeland Security taps $20M in taxpayer funds for pro-Trump ads

The Department of Homeland Security has tapped $20 million to pay for campaign-style ads glorifying President Donald Trump.

ksat.com logo
Sep 29 • 2:35 PM EDT • Politics • ksat.com
Homeland Security taps $20M in taxpayer funds for pro-Trump ads

The Department of Homeland Security has tapped $20 million to pay for campaign-style ads glorifying President Donald Trump.

wsls.com logo
Sep 29 • 2:35 PM EDT • Politics • wsls.com
Trump unveils new site to simplify access to government services

America.gov for now functions like a chatbot comparable to ChatGPT or Claude, pointing users to official gov't websites.

aljazeera.com logo
Sep 29 • 2:21 PM EDT • Politics • aljazeera.com
Democratic appropriators accuse White House of using CBP funds for Trump political ads

Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee accused the White House of using Customs and Border Protection (CBP) funding to air political ads just weeks out from the November midterm elections.…

thehill.com logo
Sep 29 • 1:57 PM EDT • Politics • thehill.com
Andy Burnham pledges pension triple lock changes to fund care reforms

The PM was at times emotional during his conference speech in which he outlined his long-term plan for the UK.

bbc.com logo
Sep 29 • 1:39 PM EDT • Politics • bbc.com
Princeton Equity Group secures $1.3 billion to fund franchise business

With $1.3 billion in commitments, Princeton Equity Group secured more than double the $575 million raised for its predecessor fund.

dallasnews.com logo
Sep 29 • 12:58 PM EDT • Business • dallasnews.com
LDF Strongly Opposes Passage of the Protect College Sports Act, Urges House to Reject the Bill

On Sept. 28, the U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA), an irresponsible piece of legislation that threatens the financial security and success student-athletes, including low-income Black student-athletes, have earned. The Legal Defense Fund previously issued a letter urging all members of Congress to reject the bill. Altogether, the PCSA lacks employment rights […]

naacpldf.org logo
Sep 29 • 12:51 PM EDT • Sports • naacpldf.org
The Latest: Trump’s new AI-powered ‘America.gov’ pivots political answers moments after launch

President Donald Trump has unveiled the AI-powered America.gov site as a way to simplify public access to government information and services. The site’s question-and-answer function initially...

dallasnews.com logo
Sep 29 • 12:33 PM EDT • Politics • dallasnews.com
A Google co-founder is spending $100 million to defeat California’s wealth tax. It could become one of his best investments

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has funneled just over $100 million to a group trying to defeat a one-time state tax on California’s billionaires this November.

cnn.com logo
Sep 29 • 12:00 PM EDT • Politics • cnn.com
Fall Fundraiser Will Feature 8x8-Sized Artworks

The Falmouth Art Center is putting out a call for art for its annual 8x8 Fall Fundraiser.

capenews.net logo
Sep 29 • 11:55 AM EDT • Entertainment • capenews.net
The smuggled resource funding Sudan's civil war

Sudan has historically been the top producer of gum arabic. Experts say smuggled gum arabic is funding the civil war.

businessinsider.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:38 AM EDT • Business • businessinsider.com
Small window for Welsh additional learning needs funding deal, politicians told

But Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates tells Rhun ap Iorwerth the money on offer is "still not enough".

yahoo.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:30 AM EDT • Politics • yahoo.com
Brightline Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Florida rail line says move will not impact operations with new funding committed

businesstravelexecutive.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:30 AM EDT • Business • businesstravelexecutive.com
Trendiana: New businesses in historic buildings

.video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_15315d361e94a116563811e52e3d9839'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 208959 - Article: Trendiana: New businesses in historic buildings'; var post_id = 208663; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/trendiana-new-businesses-in-historic-buildings"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } }); .video-js, .video-js .vjs-tech { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; z-index: 0; } var player = videojs('player_block_3534765033d0230575a757b73121fd37'); player.nuevo({ contextMenu: false }); var vast = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, }; var video = { started: false, paused: false, resumed: false, ended: false, } var event_label = 'Video: 0 - Article: Trendiana: New businesses in historic buildings'; var post_id = 208663; var post_url = "https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/videos/trendiana-new-businesses-in-historic-buildings"; player.vastAds({ tagURL: "https://servedbyadbutler.com/vast.spark?setID=13487&ID=177008&pid=117129", id: "PreRoll" }); player.on('vast.adStart', function() { vast.started = true; }); player.on('vast.adError', function() { vast = { started: true, ended: true }; }); player.on('play', function() { if (vast.ended && !video.paused) { video.started = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Played", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_played", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } if (video.started && video.paused) { video.resumed = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Resumed", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_resumed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('pause', function() { if (vast.ended) { video.paused = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Paused", eventLabel: event_label }); var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_paused", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } }); player.on('ended', function() { //vast.adEnd fires after ended, pointless to use. vast.ended = true; if (video.started && !video.ended) { video.ended = true; window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Ended", eventLabel: event_label }); } var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: 100, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); }); player.on('fullscreenchange', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Fullscreen Toggled", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('enterpictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Opened", eventLabel: event_label }); }); player.on('leavepictureinpicture', function() { window.dataLayer.push({ event: "Videos", eventCategory: 'Video', eventAction: "Video Picture-in-Picture Closed", eventLabel: event_label }); }); let lastReportedPercentage = 0; player.on('timeupdate', function() { const currentTime = player.currentTime(); const duration = player.duration(); if (duration) { const progressPercentage = Math.floor((currentTime / duration) * 100); if (progressPercentage % 5 === 0 && progressPercentage !== lastReportedPercentage) { lastReportedPercentage = progressPercentage; var audio_insight_data = { event_type: "video_completed", data: { video_id: post_id, video_url: post_url, percentage: progressPercentage, }, ...insight_data, }; insight.track(audio_insight_data); } } });

insideindianabusiness.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:22 AM EDT • Business • insideindianabusiness.com
Facing rising antisemitism, Mayor Mamdani aims to halt the hate

The administration also plans funding for the Queens Holocaust Memorial.

ny1.com logo
Sep 29 • 11:00 AM EDT • Politics • ny1.com
Lee Health Establishes Dr. Larry Antonucci Scholarship Endowment Fund to Honor Legacy of Leadership and Service

Commitment of $250,000 to Support Employee Education and Professional Development FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2026) – The Lee Health Foundation Board of Trustees in partnership with the Lee Health Board of Directors is proud to announce the creation of the Dr. Larry Antonucci Scholarship Endowment Fund, establishing a permanent legacy honoring the visionary leadership, […]

southfloridahospitalnews.com logo
Sep 29 • 10:53 AM EDT • Health • southfloridahospitalnews.com
Deep dive
😐 Neutral (21%)
love
100%
Virginia Tech leads multimillion-dollar project for women's health

A team of researchers from across the country will investigate the connection between hormones and vaginal tissue health in a project funded by the National Institutes of Health.

news.vt.edu logo
Sep 29 • 10:39 AM EDT • Health • news.vt.edu
University of Pittsburgh launches health sciences startup incubator in Oakland

Pitt trustees approved the incubator on the same day the university announced a $3 billion fundraising campaign to support university initiatives further.

yahoo.com logo
Sep 29 • 10:31 AM EDT • Science • yahoo.com
University of Pittsburgh launches health sciences startup incubator in Oakland

Pitt trustees approved the incubator on the same day the university announced a $3 billion fundraising campaign to support university initiatives further.

yahoo.com logo
Sep 29 • 10:31 AM EDT • Health • yahoo.com
New iPhone buyers demand refunds after $1,199 gizmo changes color just weeks after purchase

Color them surprised.

nypost.com logo
Sep 29 • 10:02 AM EDT • Technology • nypost.com
Michigan got $173M to transform rural health. Where is it going?

Some rural healthcare leaders say the first round of funds allocated from the Rural Health Transformation Program don’t go far enough to stabilize their industry amid federal cuts.

civicmedia.us logo
Sep 29 • 10:01 AM EDT • Health • civicmedia.us
DeWitt’s ‘Pink for the Cure’ returns for 15th year to boost breast health awareness

The Crossroads Health Foundation will celebrate the 15th anniversary of "Pink for the Cure" this October with a series of community events in DeWitt aimed at funding free screening mammograms.

kwqc.com logo
Sep 29 • 9:37 AM EDT • Health • kwqc.com
Optimum Nutrition unveils multi-functional shakes

The protein shake features 30 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber.

foodbusinessnews.net logo
Sep 29 • 9:00 AM EDT • Business • foodbusinessnews.net
Rochester business owner responds to DMCC’s $500K proposal to support downtown businesses

A Rochester business owner reacts to the proposed $500,000 of additional “Business Forward” funding from the Destination Medical Center Corporation.

kttc.com logo
Sep 29 • 8:37 AM EDT • Business • kttc.com
Princeton Equity Group Raises $1.3 Billion Fund III at Hard Cap

PRINCETON, N.J. & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 29, 2026--

rutlandherald.com logo
Sep 29 • 8:32 AM EDT • Business • rutlandherald.com
Tiny Health Raises $33M To Explore What Gut Data Can Reveal About Future Health

Austin-based Tiny Health has raised $33 million in a Series B funding round led by B Capital to help it meet growing demand for its at-home microbiome tests.

news.crunchbase.com logo
Sep 29 • 8:30 AM EDT • Health • news.crunchbase.com
FAU/NCHA Community Health Center Earns Federally Funded FQHC Designation

The FAU/NCHA Community Health Center has received federally funded health center status through an award from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, bringing new resources to expand access to care in West Palm Beach. The center served more than 5,400 patient visits in 2025, providing primary and mental healthcare, immunizations, screenings, chronic disease management and other services regardless of patients’ ability to pay. The funding will help reach more patients and strengt

newswise.com logo
Sep 29 • 8:30 AM EDT • Health • newswise.com
Rebels in the Pros: NFL Week 3

NFL for college football fans, particularly Ole Miss fans, isn’t all that fun when your best former players aren’t playing. Jaxson Dart is lost for the season while AJ Brown is likely over a month away from returning to a team that might need a new quarterback. Despite missing the two biggest producers in the […]

sports.yahoo.com logo
Sep 29 • 8:30 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
FAU/NCHA Community Health Center Earns Federally Funded Designation

The FAU/NCHA Community Health Center has earned federally funded health center status, bringing new resources to expand access to care in West Palm Beach.

fau.edu logo
Sep 29 • 8:00 AM EDT • Health • fau.edu
Holland & Knight Health Dose: September 29, 2026 | Insights

Senate returns for its final legislative session before recess, with FDA and HHS nominations pending and debate continuing over proposed HHS funding rescissions.

hklaw.com logo
Sep 29 • 8:00 AM EDT • Health • hklaw.com
Victoria Coates discusses US foreign policy on Iran, Taiwan

Heritage Foundation VP of National Security Victoria Coates and panelist Mike Lee discuss the latest U.S. foreign policy updates, focusing on indirect peace talks with Iran, military funding for Taiwan and ongoing economic pressure on Cuba.

foxbusiness.com logo
Sep 29 • 7:54 AM EDT • Business • foxbusiness.com
Lesbian Bar Project Co-Founder: Purity Politics Could Destroy Our Remaining Spaces

Subscribe As a professional lesbian and Massachusetts native, I’ve recently been asked by a lot of folks what I think about the saga unfolding at Last Ditch. The now-viral story, first reported by The Boston Globe, centers on a Western Massachusetts lesbian bar that lifted its mask requirement for one night a week to help drum up business. The decision ignited an intra-queer controversy that has been feasted on by media outlets across the political spectrum—from the New York Post to LGBTQ Nation—and is even reportedly being eyed for a Hollywood adaptation. Apparently nothing is more entertaining than a bunch of lesbians and queers fighting with each other over KN-95s. What has been lost in all of the chatter and media coverage is the very real possibility that Last Ditch, which just opened in April 2025, will have to close its doors. The venue’s one remaining founder, Jackie Matellian, revealed in a community Zoom meeting that she’s working four jobs, is now solely responsible for the bar’s $50,000 business loan and is struggling to keep up with the bills. So as we laugh about the controversy’s similarity to a “Portlandia” skit and how one of the bar’s founders left to enroll in clown school, we forget that yet another lesbian bar is facing an existential crisis—and this time the call is coming from inside the house. In 2020, my friend Elina Street and I created The Lesbian Bar Project, an Emmy-, Webby- and GLAAD Media Award-winning docuseries and initiative that tells the stories of lesbian queer bars around the world. We were moved to act because at the time there were only an estimated 16 lesbian bars in the United States, and the pandemic threatened to bring that number down even further. There are now more sapphic bars than there were just before the pandemic—about 36 of them in total—but this is down from approximately 200 in 1980. Maybe that doesn’t mean much to you, but for the millions of sapphics living in the U.S., this number is calamitous. As the world laughs at lesbians and sapphics, I want to take a second and tell you what I feel when I walk into one of these bars, which are all unique and irreplaceable in their own way: I feel seen. Sometimes I think Cubbyhole in New York City’s West Village neighborhood knew I was gay before I did. When I walked in there for the first time, before I was even out, I was transfixed by the colorful array of tchotchkes hanging from the ceiling and how the women standing next to me were completely unafraid to express their desire for one another. I knew the minute I was ready to come out, I had a home. I also felt the joy of a new couple falling in love at Seattle’s Wildrose, the quiet confidence of a short king lining up her shot at the pool table at Ginger’s in Brooklyn and the kick of cayenne pepper in Julie Mabry’s crawfish at Houston’s Pearl Bar. Subscribe Lesbian bars don’t just serve lesbians; they serve queer folks across the spectrum, including bisexual, pansexual and trans people. As Elina and I traveled across the U.S. and Europe and to parts of Latin America to document the bar owners, staff and patrons that make up the ecosystems of these spaces, we also became uniquely acquainted with the factors that threaten their existence: gentrification, wage gaps, sexism, environmental disasters, gun violence, rising insurance premiums and political administrations working to annihilate queer people and their families. Lesbian bar owners, like all leaders and entrepreneurs, are imperfect. There have been significant issues over the years at lesbian bars: employee harassment, racism, lack of accessibility, sexual assault and transphobia. All bar owners should be held accountable and should listen to their communities to evolve into safer and more equitable spaces. I also acknowledge my privilege: I am able-bodied, white, cis and from a family system that loves me for who I am. Not everyone has that. Queer people, especially trans and bisexual people, are suffering from disproportionately high levels of depression, and our mental health system isn’t equipped to support them. Immunocompromised people and long COVID are real, and many of my friends are suffering to this day. The people with the least safety net are often the ones for whom a bar closing costs the most. And yet, as we’re seeing with Last Ditch, the queer community often lashes out at each other. It’s also the mainstream media taking the internal conflict and making a mockery out of it, distracting from the real possibility that this bar could close due to financial pressures. A bar that many people loved and needed is facing extinction. Perhaps it’s safer to dissent with one another than with the larger forces trying to eradicate us, but in doing so, we risk destroying the few spaces we have left. Due to the constraints of purity politics—some in good faith, some not so much—lesbian bar owners, almost all of whom are queer women themselves, are forced to be everything for everyone, similarly to how women are forced to be everything for everyone. By asking these bars to uphold impossible standards—standards very few other third spaces are asked to consider—we all end up losing. I want to move as a community toward dialogue, compassionate dissent and collaboration to make our spaces better with the goal of keeping them OPEN and thriving, rather than destroying them from the inside with expectations that are arguably unattainable. Subscribe While I have your attention—for this fleeting second of the news cycle—may I urge us to spearhead a way to keep these small businesses afloat without attacking our own community along the way? Bar owners are left with an impasse: They want to be community-centered, but they also have to make money to keep their doors open. Sometimes they might make business decisions that don’t work for everyone—and that’s partly because different patrons have different priorities and want different things—but these owners deserve the opportunity for productive dialogue**.** We have to work with them and with each other to keep our spaces open, to keep them growing. Lesbian bars raised me into the queer woman I am today. One thing I think about as I reflect on the six years of work we’ve done to document these spaces is that shared, unspoken language I have with a stranger the moment we both walk into one of these bars: the nod, the ease, the not having to explain ourselves. I don’t want to lose that, and neither should you. If objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button: Donate

unclosetedmedia.com logo
Sep 29 • 7:01 AM EDT • Politics • unclosetedmedia.com
Charges fly over $120 million housing measure

Lurie, allies clash say it would create a “slush fund,” but measure's advocates deny the claim.

sfexaminer.com logo
Sep 29 • 7:00 AM EDT • Politics • sfexaminer.com
What Kind of Research Do You Do?

A proposed taxonomy of research could help both funders and universities determine the best way to support different kinds of research.

issues.org logo
Sep 29 • 6:00 AM EDT • Science • issues.org
Millions of dollars are coming for rural health. But thousands are losing Medicaid to pay for it.

Many West Virginians will stop qualifying for Medicaid. A new rural healthcare fund won’t help them pay for care.

mountainstatespotlight.org logo
Sep 29 • 6:00 AM EDT • Health • mountainstatespotlight.org
Rural Hospital Administrators: The Rural Health Transformation Program Isn’t Helping, Yet

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was supposed to help rural hospitals deal with cuts to federal funding as a result of H.R. 1, or the “One

dailyyonder.com logo
Sep 29 • 6:00 AM EDT • Health • dailyyonder.com
Rural Colorado communities getting healthcare upgrades with $170M in federal grants

Grant funding will benefit 250 projects aimed at strengthening rural Colorado’s healthcare workforce, equipment and services

coloradosun.com logo
Sep 29 • 5:52 AM EDT • Health • coloradosun.com
Gianni Infantino makes new funding pledge to Fifa members

Infantino is trying to win favour after his botched World Cup sell-off scheme led to resignation calls

sports.yahoo.com logo
Sep 29 • 5:23 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com
😐 Neutral (14%)
wow
100%
Top Democrats Start to Fund James Talarico in Texas Senate Race

The main super PAC for Senate Democrats will begin to run digital ads in the state’s Senate race, in a sign of the party’s growing confidence.

nytimes.com logo
Sep 29 • 5:03 AM EDT • Politics • nytimes.com
Long After Wildfire Smoke Is Gone, Heavy Metals Could Still Be Harming Survivors’ Lungs

A new study from University of Hawai‘i researchers links metals found in the ash of the 2023 Maui wildfires with impaired lung function.

insideclimatenews.org logo
Sep 29 • 5:00 AM EDT • Health • insideclimatenews.org
Trump government ads draw scrutiny weeks before midterm elections

Taxpayer-funded ads featuring Trump, including spots celebrating a "golden age of America" and one with a chorus singing "love me" on repeat, are drawing bipartisan criticism and legal questions.

wbkb11.com logo
Sep 29 • 3:43 AM EDT • Politics • wbkb11.com