This weekend, thousands of cyclists will hit the roads of Massachusetts for the Pan-Mass Challenge, a massive charity bike ride that’s raised over $1 billion for cancer research. TODAY’s Craig Melvin chats with Billy Starr, the event’s founder, about how personal loss drove him to create this legacy—turning grief into a force for good.
Editor’s Note: The Pan-Mass Challenge isn’t just another fundraiser—it’s proof that one person’s idea can ripple into something extraordinary. Starr’s story shows how channeling pain into purpose can create lasting change, and with cancer affecting nearly everyone in some way, this event’s impact hits close to home for countless families. Plus, hitting the $1 billion mark? That’s a reminder of what collective effort can achieve.
Women are increasingly frustrated by "mankeeping"—a term describing how they’re expected to manage their male partners’ shrinking social lives. With men’s friendships on the decline, women report feeling burdened by the extra emotional labor of being their partner’s primary (or only) source of companionship, support, and social planning.
Susan Monarez is stepping into her role as the new C.D.C. director at one of the agency's most turbulent moments. She’s staring down a perfect storm of challenges—budget cuts, layoffs, political pressure, and a boss (likely the president or health secretary) pushing for major changes in how public health operates. Her confirmation hearing last month was just the beginning; now comes the hard part.
Claire Eady is advocating for stricter regulations for older drivers after her elderly mother died in a car crash. She believes updated rules could have prevented the tragedy.
Editor’s Note: This story highlights the emotional and policy-driven debate around aging drivers and road safety. With an aging population, questions about when and how to reassess driving privileges are becoming more urgent—balancing independence against public safety. Claire's personal loss puts a human face on a growing societal issue.
U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dropped slightly last year, while the number of children with exemptions from required vaccines hit a record high, continuing a concerning trend.
Editor’s Note: This isn't just a bureaucratic worry—fewer vaccinated kids mean higher risks of outbreaks for diseases like measles, which can spread fast in schools. It’s a red flag for parents and policymakers alike, showing that vaccine hesitancy or access issues aren’t going away.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been prescribing a risky combination of powerful drugs—dubbed the "Combat Cocktail"—to treat veterans with PTSD, despite concerns from both patients and doctors. Many veterans say they don’t want this treatment, and medical professionals warn it increases suicide risk. Yet, hundreds of thousands continue to receive it.
Editor’s Note: This story highlights a troubling gap between medical practice and patient well-being in the VA system. Veterans struggling with PTSD are being given drugs that could make their condition worse, raising serious ethical and safety questions. It’s a stark reminder of how systemic failures can harm those who’ve already sacrificed so much.