News Team Member Collin France delves into Karen Griffin's extraordinary impacts on athletes' success and recovery after injuries during her career span.
West Nile Virus Cases Running Higher Than Normal, Prompting Health Warnings
By Mike Stobbe, AP News
Health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported a high number of West Nile virus infections in the US this year. Reports through early September reveal 770 cases, including 490 severe cases. These counts are 40 percent higher than usual for the given time of the year. People infected with West Nile virus can experience mild symptoms but in severe cases, the virus can damage the brain or spinal cord, potentially causing death.
States including Massachusetts and Colorado are at high alert. Most infections occur during August and September, so it is important right now, especially for people living in hotspot areas, to pay attention to the guidelines. Health officials recommend wearing long sleeved clothing or using EPA-registered bug spray to decrease the chances of mosquito bites which could potentially transmit the virus.
— by Collin France
Why Former NFL All-Pros Are Turning to Psychedelics
By John Semley, WIRED
The psychedelic ayahuasca has been gaining a lot of traction not just behind lab benches, but also in the realm of the NFL. Emerging research in psychedelics such as ayahuasca, LSD, and psilocybin around neuroplasticity–simulation of new connections between neurons–could be beneficial for NFL players after serious brain injuries on the field. Scientists are exploring how and to what extent psychedelics can alter the brain and heal players who suffer from traumatic brain injuries.
Buffalo Bills star Jordan Poyer is one of the many players who are already experimenting with psychedelics personally. Through retreats to Costa Rica and the Amazon jungle, he has tried ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, and yopo, a hallucinogenic plant. An advocate for the healing behind psychedelics, Poyer speaks about the benefits of his trips for his alcoholism and overall holistic health, improving relationships with family members and his own mental health.
Preliminary studies are optimistic but there are still many unknowns about psychedelics and their outcomes for brain repair, along with the need for caution with personal use. As the use of psychedelics grows, we will have to wait to see how they influence contact sports for healing.
— by Talia Gordon Wexler
Targeting Hims & Hers, F.D.A. Takes on a New Type of Drug Advertiser
By Christina Jewett, Rebecca Robbins, and Dani Blum, New York Times
The Food and Drug Administration has sent a warning letter to Hims and Hers, a telehealth company that sells low-cost weight loss drugs such as Wegovy. Regulators say the company’s ads falsely suggest that its compounded versions of Wegovy and other weight loss drugs are the same as FDA-approved drugs.
The warning letter, one of about one hundred sent this week to drug advertisers, criticizes Hims and Hers for offering “personalized” drugs that mix vitamins with different levels of brand-name drugs. Hims and Hers has grown quickly by heavily marketing its products. The company has reported over $400 million in revenue in the first half of 2025 alone, and even aired an ad during this year’s Super Bowl. The main criticism is that the ads conveniently leave out side effects, violating requirements meant to protect consumers.
As telehealth companies continue to change the pharmaceutical space, the F.D.A. worries that these products may have additional risks since they bypass the approval process. While compounded drugs can be useful during shortages, the F.D.A. will continue to monitor these drugs to prevent misleading patients.
— by Yasemin Isbilir
Items summarized by: Collin France, Talia Gordon Wexler, Yasemin Isbilir
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