Recent comments made by the U.S. secretary of health paint an interesting (albeit not entirely accurate) picture of the immune system and toilet hygiene.
Health Digest – Health News, Wellness, Expert Insights
Month: February 2026
Geno Auriemma tied Tara VanDerveer for most appearances in the AP women’s basketball Top 25 poll when UConn remained No. 1 on Monday. Auriemma has led the Huskies to 654 appearances in the poll during his 41-year Hall of Fame career to match VanDerveer, who retired from Stanford in 2024. UConn has been ranked for the past 619 consecutive weeks, dating to the preseason 1993-94 poll, and once again was a unanimous choice at No. 1 from the 31-member national media panel. Monday was the 900th poll in the 50-year history of the rankings. UCLA and South Carolina remained second and third behind the Huskies. Texas and Vanderbilt were next as the top five remained unchanged. The Commodores beat the Longhorns last week before losing to Georgia on Sunday. Michigan, LSU and Louisville were next. Duke moved back into the top 10 at No. 9 as the Blue Devils are riding a 16-game winning streak after beating rival North Carolina on Sunday. Ohio State dropped two places to 10th after losing to Maryland on Sunday. The Terrapins jumped up six spots to 14th. Washington and Princeton both fell out of the poll entirely, with the two receiving 22 and 14 votes this week, respectively. No. 25 Alabama had 53. Richmond (12), Fairfield (7), North Dakota State (2), Iowa State (2), Illinois (2), Syracuse (1) and Columbia (1) each received votes, as well. Here is the full top 25: 25. Alabama, 20-6, SEC24. Georgia, 20-26, SEC23. Minnesota, 20-6, Big Ten22. North Carolina, 21-6, ACC21. Tennessee, 16-7, SEC20. Texas Tech, 23-4, Big 1219. West Virginia, 21-6, Big 1218. Michigan State, 20-6, Big Ten17. Ole Miss, 20-6, SEC16. Kentucky, 20-7, SEC15. Baylor, 22-5, Big 1214. Maryland, 21-6, Big Ten13. Iowa, 19-5, Big Ten12. TCU, 23-4, Big 1211. Oklahoma, 19-6, SEC10. Ohio State, 22-4, Big Ten9. Duke, 19-6, ACC8. Louisville, 24-4, ACC7. LSU, 22-4, SEC6. Michigan, 22-4, Big Ten5. Vanderbilt, 24-3, SEC4. Texas, 24-3, SEC3. South Carolina, 24-2, SEC2. UCLA, 25-1, Big Ten1. UConn, 27-0, Big East In and out Minnesota entered the Top 25 for the first time this season as the Golden Gophers came in at No. 23. They have an eight-game winning streak but a difficult week ahead with games against Ohio State and No. 18 Michigan State. Minnesota was ranked for two weeks last season. Georgia also came back into the rankings this week, appearing at No. 24 after its win over Vanderbilt. Princeton and Washington fell out of the poll following an upset by Columbia and a loss to Iowa, respectively. Conference supremacy The SEC remained the top conference with 10 teams in the poll. The Big Ten is next with seven. The Big 12 has four teams, the Atlantic Coast Conference has three and the Big East one. Games of the week No. 6 Michigan at No. 13 Iowa, Sunday. A battle for second place in the Big Ten as the Wolverines and Hawkeyes are a game apart in the loss column in the conference standings, trailing UCLA. No. 7 LSU at No. 17 Mississippi, Thursday. A key SEC matchup with the Tigers looking to rebound from a loss to South Carolina. The Rebels have a busy week with games against Tennessee, LSU and South Carolina this week. The Associated Press contributed to this report.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
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We have tragic news to report from the world of sports:
Former NFL star Tre Johnson has passed away at the age of 54.
News of his death comes courtesy of a Facebook post from his wife, Irene Johnson.
“His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ, and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock,” Irene wrote.
“If you know Tre’, you know what a devoted and loving father he was to his children,” she continued, adding:
“We will miss him so much.”
Following a stellar collegiate career at Temple, Johnson was selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 1994.
Johnson spent most of his career in Washington, playing offensive guard for the team that is now the Commanders from 1994 to 2000.
He returned to DC for his final season after spending one season in on the Cleveland Browns.
He retired in 2002 after starting 72 of the 93 regular-season games he played and both of his playoff games.
No cause of death has been given, but Johnson’s death clearly came as a shock.
He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1999 and voted All-Pro second team by that same season.
“We’re heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre’ Johnson,” the Washington Commanders wrote on X today.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
In retirement, Johnson became a history teacher and football coach at Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland.
“His recent battles with health issues forced him to take a leave of absence,” Tre’s wife wrote in her Facebook post.
Our thoughts go out to Tre Johnson’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
Tre Johnson Cause of Death: Former NFL Star Passes Away at 54 During Family Vacation was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
By: James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
A fast-moving forum in Juneau on Wednesday hosted 10 of Alaska’s 12 Republican candidates for governor, but the size of the field in the hourlong event meant there was more flavor than meat in the soup du jour.
All but two of the candidates effusively praised incumbent President Donald Trump, but despite that support, most said they disagree with his attempt to acquire Greenland and make it part of the United States.
As of Wednesday, 16 people have signed up to run for governor in this year’s election: 12 Republicans, 3 Democrats and an independent.
The top four candidates in the August primary election will advance to the November general election, where voters will sort their choices using ranked choice voting.
Incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy is term-limited and unable to run for a third term, leaving the seat open.
Current Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and author Hank Kroll were the only Republicans to not participate in Wednesday’s event, which was hosted by the Capital City Republicans on the night of their annual Lincoln Day dinner. Dahlstrom had a prior commitment and was unable to attend, organizers said. Kroll was not mentioned.
Asked to name their favorite Republican president other than Reagan and Lincoln, most of the 10 candidates said Trump, and some said they put him above Reagan and Lincoln.
“He’s the best president Alaska’s ever had,” said former attorney general Treg Taylor.
“I’d have taken a bullet for him,” said Bruce Walden, a former paratrooper.
“Trump has done more for Alaska than every president in our entire American history,” said former state Sen. Shelley Hughes.
Anchorage podiatrist and state medical board member Matt Heilala said he had to choose Trump because Heilala and his wife play golf with Trump.
Former state Sen. Click Bishop was an exception, naming Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan as his favorite presidents. James William Parkin IV of Angoon said he doesn’t choose favorites and didn’t name a pick.
Asked whether Alaska should support the American acquisition of Greenland, Bishop was quick to say “no,” and most of the other candidates followed suit.
“I think we have enough problems here, and I’d like to see the federal government give us more support to develop our resources here,” said former state revenue commissioner Adam Crum.
Taylor said that “when my friend, the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, was tapped to be the US envoy (to Greenland), I texted him and said, ‘What the heck? You don’t even know what it’s like to be cold.’ Ultimately, it’s a question for Greenland and self determination, but I’d be happy to talk to (Trump) about how we fit into the United States and the importance that we play in our economy and our strategic location.”
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries was the sole candidate who offered a different answer, saying, “Well, if I want President Trump to continue to love Alaska, I’m going to say yes.”
All but Bishop and Parkin said they intend to support the repeal of Alaska’s 2020 ballot measure, which installed open primary elections and a ranked-choice general election, as well as tougher disclosure requirements for political donations.
The candidates split when asked whether they think Alaska’s judges should be required to run for office or whether judges should be appointed, as in the existing system.
Bishop, Heilala and Hughes each said they think judges should be appointed, though Hughes called for more public members on the Alaska Judicial Council, which examines applicants and nominates candidates to the governor for appointment.
Former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, Crum, DeVries, Parkin, Taylor, Walden and Wilson each said they think judges should be elected.
When asked which Alaska politician each candidate admires, most said either Ted Stevens or Don Young, longtime Republicans who served in the Senate and House, respectively.
“I don’t think hardly any of them,” Wilson said. “I think you have to get back to my great-uncle Wally (Hickel). … Nick Begich is also doing a hell of a job.”
Wilson served as a senior adviser to Begich’s 2024 election campaign.
Walden also chose Nick Begich.
Asked whether Alaska should regulate artificial intelligence software, the candidates gave a variety of answers.
AI is sort of like a hammer, Walden said. “You can build a house with a hammer. You can also murder somebody with a hammer. If it’s used properly, it’s probably going to be all right, but yeah, we better regulate it big time,” he said.
Wilson said that if anyone on her campaign team is using AI, “they better not be.”
While it is a powerful tool and can be harnessed, she said there are serious concerns. “We have seen AI used to manipulate photos, especially against people running for office. We’ve seen it used to create comments that were never said. I think that we really need to pay attention to the damage that can be done for AI,” she said.
DeVries, at 83, is the oldest candidate in the field.
“I can remember when TV came in and how horrible that was going to be, right? It ended up — it can either be a blessing or a curse, and that’s the way I feel about AI,” she said.
Taylor, who said he used AI to help prepare his closing speech, said “Alaska is AI’s best friend” because the state is the source for critical minerals used in high-tech electronics.
“On the other side, AI is Alaska’s best friend,” because it could be used to make government functions more efficient, Taylor said.
“We have to responsibly deploy AI in state government to create those efficiencies, to create those savings, or we’re going to get left behind.”
The Miami Dolphins have made it clear they’re turning the page and entering a new era. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been released by the Dolphins, the team announced Monday afternoon. The news came shortly after it was reported that the team plans to cut edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Miami is also reportedly cutting guard James Daniels and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Following his release, Hill is now FOX Sports’ 27th-best free agent this offseason and the seventh-best wide receiver set to hit the open market. With Hill getting cut, the Dolphins will save $22.8 million in cap space. Hill, who’ll turn 32 in March, had one season remaining on his three-year, $90 million deal. Hill from a dislocated knee and an ACL tear he suffered early in the 2025 season. That injury ended Hill’s season after four games, and it also ended his streak of seasons with 800-plus receiving yards at eight. While Hill rehabs from the major injury, he vowed that he’ll return in 2026. “Every chapter in life has taught me something,” Hill wrote in an Instagram post. “This one taught me leadership, resilience, and mostly gratitude. The love I have for this game is unexplainable. And right now, this off season, for the first time ever, The Cheetah is all the way turned up and locked in. Focused. “The Cheetah don’t slow down. Ever. So to everyone wondering what’s next… just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back…Born Again.” Hill was traded to the Miami Dolphins from the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the 2022 season. He continued to be one of the game’s top receivers while he was in Miami and was arguably the top wide receiver in the NFL for a bit. He was named first-team All-Pro twice in his four years in Miami, logging 4,733 receiving yards and 28 total touchdowns during that time. Miami’s decision to move on from Hill, Chubb and other veteran players came after it hired a new head of football operations and head coach. It hired Green Bay Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan to replace Chris Grier as its general manager and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to replace Mike McDaniel at head coach. The Dolphins decided to make those moves following a 7-10 season, which caused them to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year. In totality, the Dolphins cleared $66.98 million in cap space and over $56 million in 2026 cap space with the moves they made Monday.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Country singer Tanner Usrey says he received death threats from someone who said he might ‘end up [like] Charlie Kirk’ if he played a scheduled show in South Dakota. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Country singer Tanner Usrey says he received death threats from someone who said he might ‘end up [like] Charlie Kirk’ if he played a scheduled show in South Dakota. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
NOTN- The City and Borough of Juneau survey seeking public input on how to address a projected $10 million budget gap has officially closed, but now the Assembly is preparing for a series of community workshops to further guide its decisions this tense budget season.
The survey, asked residents to weigh in on municipal services and identify what they value most as the Assembly begins work on the fiscal year 2027 budget.
Assembly Member Neil Steininger said the city faces a significant revenue shortfall following voter-approved ballot measures that eliminated sales tax on food and capped the local mill rate. The changes reduced revenue and left the Assembly with the task of determining how to maintain services with less funding.
“We got that message from the voters that, they wanted lower taxes. We need to figure out how to make that work and how to deliver city services, and we’re really looking for information from the voters to understand what their priorities are for what they see from government here in Juneau.” He said. “It is very difficult to make these decisions, which is something that we want to impress to people.”
Detailed reports from the survey are expected in the coming weeks.
“I think that’s just a really important thing for everyone to do, especially in a community like Juneau that’s so small and so closed, I think it’s important that people actively voice what they want prioritized in our city, so that the assembly can use that information to better inform their decision making.” Steininger said.
In addition to the survey, the city is hosting three in-person Community Compass workshops This month and early March. During the 60- to 90-minute sessions, participants will work through mock budgeting scenarios and discuss how to respond to unexpected financial changes.
“now it’s your turn to put yourself in an assembly member’s shoes and actively decide the city budget and then react to unforeseen circumstances that will ask you to reallocate certain pieces of the budget accordingly.” Steininger said.
Input gathered at the workshops will be shared with the Assembly as it moves deeper into the budgeting process this spring.
The workshops are scheduled for Feb. 18 at the Filipino Community Hall, Feb. 24 at Mendenhall Valley Public Library and March 3 at Douglas Public Library.