Dozens more parents demand maternity care inquiry

Black lung disease, a brutal respiratory illness once thought to be fading among coal miners, is making a dangerous comeback—and this time, it’s hitting younger workers hard. Despite progress in reducing cases decades ago, weakened regulations and federal funding cuts are leaving miners vulnerable, with fewer resources to prevent or treat the condition.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a story about a disease—it’s about broken promises and systemic failures. Miners, many in already struggling communities, are facing a preventable threat with dwindling protections. The resurgence of black lung speaks to bigger issues: workplace safety rollbacks, the human cost of coal, and who gets left behind when budgets shrink. For anyone concerned about labor rights or rural America, this should hit hard.

Today’s vote on assisted dying is a big deal because it could shape whether people with terminal illnesses get the right to choose how and when they die. The issue’s deeply divisive—some see it as compassion, others as a moral slippery slope—and even if the vote passes, there are still legal and logistical barriers to clear before it becomes law.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another political debate—it’s about who gets control over life’s most personal, painful decisions. The outcome could set a precedent for how societies balance autonomy, ethics, and end-of-life care. Whether you support it or not, it’s a conversation that forces us to confront what dignity really means in dying.

Republicans are pushing for changes to major social safety net programs—like those covering health care, food assistance, and financial aid—that millions of kids in poverty rely on. The so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" could mean cuts or restructuring, leaving vulnerable families with fewer resources.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just policy jargon—it’s about real kids who could lose access to meals, doctor visits, or stable housing. If these programs shrink, the ripple effect could deepen poverty for families already struggling to get by. It’s a high-stakes debate with immediate human consequences.

Outside parliament, protesters made their voices heard as lawmakers debated a bill to legalize assisted dying. Supporters argue it’s about dignity and choice for the terminally ill, while opponents warn of ethical risks. The heated debate reflects deep societal divides on the issue.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another political vote—it’s a moral crossroads. The outcome could reshape how society treats end-of-life care, balancing personal autonomy against fears of misuse. Whatever side you’re on, it’s a debate that hits close to home for many.

A new PBS documentary dives into the often invisible struggles of family caregivers in the U.S., blending personal stories with a deep look at how policy failures have left millions to fend for themselves. It’s a raw, eye-opening exploration of why caregiving feels like an uphill battle—and who gets left behind when systems don’t support those doing the work.

Editor’s Note: Caregiving is a crisis hiding in plain sight—most of us will either need care or provide it at some point, yet the documentary exposes how little safety nets exist. This isn’t just about individual families; it’s a spotlight on how America’s patchwork approach to care punishes people for getting sick, growing old, or loving someone who does.