Public Health

New York – September 22, 2026 -- Teenagers across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa can now submit scripts for a 30-second TV public service announcement warning drivers about the dangers of speeding, with a top prize of $2,000.

The 13th annual Drive Safe Chicago PSA Contest opens for entries

The National Road Safety Foundation, backed by the Chicago Auto Show, is running the contest for teens in the Chicagoland region and surrounding states. Entrants must submit a script or written description of a speeding-awareness PSA by mail or email before the Dec. 18, 2026 deadline.

Carson City – September 21, 2026 -- Property owners in Carson Valley and Reno are being reminded that annual backflow testing is required in most Northern Nevada jurisdictions to prevent contaminated water from entering clean drinking supplies.

Backflow devices stop pollutants from reversing into drinking water lines

A HelloNation article explains that backflow devices are installed to block contaminated water from irrigation systems, fire sprinklers, or industrial equipment from flowing backward into a home's plumbing or the municipal water supply. Internal valves inside these devices can wear out, corrode, or fail over time, often without any visible warning signs.

Springdale, Arkansas – September 21, 2026 -- A new HelloNation feature spotlights Wendy Jarvis, a pediatric therapy expert in Washington County, Arkansas, on why combining occupational, physical, and speech therapy often produces better outcomes for children than treating each skill in isolation.

Overlapping challenges rarely stay in one lane

Jarvis notes that a toddler struggling with speech may also have trouble sitting upright, while a preschooler who avoids messy play may pull back from social activities altogether. These overlaps are why the three disciplines are designed to reinforce one another rather than operate separately.

New York – September 20, 2026 -- Mediaplanet has launched its Women vs. Cancer campaign, published Sunday, September 20, within the Los Angeles Times, focusing on symptom awareness, earlier detection and advances in treatment for women's cancers.

Erin Andrews shares her cervical cancer story on the cover

ESPN broadcaster and cervical cancer survivor Erin Andrews serves as the campaign's cover feature, detailing her diagnosis and treatment experience. She emphasizes listening to one's body, keeping up with recommended screenings, and speaking up when something feels wrong.

New York – September 20, 2026 -- A 15-year-old girl riding an electric Citi Bike was struck and killed by a heavy-duty industrial truck in Manhattan's East Village on Friday night, according to a statement released by Bradley Tusk, founder of Tusk Philanthropies.

Tusk says the death comes months after Citi Bike had prepared, following a year of work, to launch an age verification system meant to stop riders under 16 from renting e-bikes. He claims the rollout was scheduled for May but was halted the day before launch on orders from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Julia Kerson.

Atlanta – September 20, 2026 -- Parents deciding between private and group swim lessons for their kids now have a clearer roadmap, thanks to a new HelloNation article breaking down which format best builds water safety, skill, and confidence.

Small classes of two to four kids balance attention and peer learning

The article highlights that small group swim lessons in Atlanta typically run with two to four children per instructor. This size allows for individual feedback while letting kids watch peers attempt skills, hear instructions repeated, and stay engaged in a social setting.

Toddlers learn by watching classmates succeed

For toddler swim classes specifically, observation plays a major role in early skill-building. Seeing another child complete a skill often motivates a young swimmer to try it themselves, according to the article.

Las Vegas – September 19, 2026 -- Fans can donate blood and walk away with limited-edition Metallica merchandise at a new pop-up opening Sept. 28 at Fashion Show Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Red Cross x Metallica Blood Donation Experience, sponsored by Delta Air Lines, runs through March 19, 2027, timed to coincide with the band's Las Vegas residency.

Donors get a backstage-style setup and a shot at a custom drum kit

The immersive space lets visitors sit behind a replica of the drum set used by Metallica co-founder Lars Ulrich. Every donor receives a limited-edition T-shirt designed by Squindo while supplies last, and is automatically entered to win a replica TAMA drum kit modeled after the one built for Ulrich during Metallica's WorldWired Tour. After donating, fans can relax in the Delta Backstage Lounge, provided by Delta Air Lines. Full terms are posted at RedCrossBlood.org/Metallica.

Bellingham, Wash. – September 19, 2026 -- The Non-UPF Verified certification program has grown to 304 verified products across 23 brands since opening for enrollment on January 21, 2026, and shoppers can now check that status instantly through a new smartphone app.

A new app lets shoppers scan barcodes for processing details

The Non-UPF Verified app, available for iOS and Android, allows users to scan a packaged food's barcode to see whether it carries Non-UPF Verified status. If a product isn't verified, users can tap to request verification directly, a feature designed to send food brands a clear signal of consumer demand.

Chicago – September 18, 2026 -- The American Lung Association has launched a national campaign to help patients and caregivers recognize the early warning signs of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), timed to World Interstitial Lung Disease Day.

PPF describes worsening lung scarring that can occur in people living with an interstitial lung disease (ILD), a group of more than 200 conditions that cause inflammation or scarring of the lungs. Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, said the causes range from autoimmune diseases to environmental or occupational exposures, or remain unknown, but all share the risk that scarring can worsen over time.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-2027 Best Children's Hospitals rankings, recognizing 90 pediatric hospitals across 34 states and Washington, D.C. The list marks the 20th edition of the annual study, which helps parents and physicians identify top-tier care for children with serious illnesses or rare conditions.