News from the USA, United States of America

Avid triathlon competitor Mara Flávia battled ill health before Saturday’s Ironman competition, a pal has said.

The glam influencer who drowned during a Texas Ironman swim had been battling the flu – but ignored pals who begged her to pull out of the brutal endurance race, according to one friend.

“She was ill before the trip, she wasn’t okay,” Luis Taveira said of close friend Mara Flávia, 38, who died during Saturday’s race in The Woodlands.

“My wife and I spoke with her to say she was too weak for this race, although a couple of days ago when we talked to her, she insisted she was okay,” Taveira said of the Brazil-born influencer

“I still cannot believe what’s happened. She was ill because of the flu.”

Flávia continued “training hard” even while “weakened” by her illness, the friend said.
 
Sharing an upcoming weekend event in case it’s of interest: ME/CFS Clinic Minnesota is hosting the Rooted in Hope Concert this Sunday, April 26 at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The charity concert aims to raise awareness of ME, Long COVID and chronic Lyme disease, and to support people in our community facing food insecurity. A silent auction is also included.

It’s in Minneapolis, but there’s a livestream and a recording available for those outside the state, so wanted to share these details here today.

Free tickets (optional donation) and details (livestream link will be sent after sign-up): https://givebutter.com/c/qFCf8j

Date: Sunday, April 26
Time (CT): 1–2 PM social hour, 2–4 PM concert
Where: American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
"Entire NSF science advisory board fired by Trump administration"
Members of the National Science Board, which the US Congress founded in 1950, were given no explanation for their termination.
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All 22 members of the advisory board that advises and oversees the US National Science Foundation (NSF), a leading funder of basic science, were fired on 24 April without explanation. Each member of the NSF’s National Science Board (NSB) received an email Friday afternoon saying that “on behalf of President Donald J. Trump,” their positions were “terminated, effective immediately”.

Members of the NSB are appointed by the president and serve six year terms that are staggered, avoiding complete turnover. The White House did not immediately respond to Nature’s queries about the reason for the terminations or whether members would be replaced.

“This action to dismiss the NSB is unprecedented,” says Dan Reed, a computer scientist at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and chair of the NSB from 2022–2024. “We need a vibrant, independent NSB, one representative of the broad science and engineering enterprise.”

Zoe Lofgren, a member of the US House of Representatives from California and the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, criticized the move. “This is the latest stupid move made by a president who continues to harm science and American innovation,” she said in a statement. “It unfortunately is no surprise a president who has attacked NSF from day one would seek to destroy the board that helps guide the Foundation.” House science committee chairman Brian Babin, a Republican from Texas, did not respond to a request for comment.

This is not the first time the Trump administration has ousted federal science advisors en masse. Last year, the administration fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which played a critical part in US vaccine policy, and eliminated 14 advisory committees at the NSF. Also last year, Trump issued an order eliminating several advisory committees, including one on long COVID, to reduce government spending and “promote American freedom and innovation.”
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Edit: Updated to add a link to a story with no paywall (AP News):

apnews.com

Trump administration fires independent board overseeing the National Science Foundation

The Trump administration has fired members of an independent board that oversees the National Science Foundation.
apnews.com apnews.com
 
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Dakota15 said:
Sharing an upcoming weekend event in case it’s of interest: ME/CFS Clinic Minnesota is hosting the Rooted in Hope Concert this Sunday, April 26 at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The charity concert aims to raise awareness of ME, Long COVID and chronic Lyme disease, and to support people in our community facing food insecurity. A silent auction is also included.

It’s in Minneapolis, but there’s a livestream and a recording available for those outside the state, so wanted to share these details here today.

Free tickets (optional donation) and details (livestream link will be sent after sign-up): https://givebutter.com/c/qFCf8j

Date: Sunday, April 26
Time (CT): 1–2 PM social hour, 2–4 PM concert
Where: American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Click to expand...
Sharing media coverage from yesterday’s charity concert in Minneapolis. If KSTP publishes their segment, I can pass that along separately, but for now just sharing the one‑minute video posted on X and Bluesky for anyone interested.

On X:

On Bluesky:

 
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Sharing for anyone interested in registering or attending, including those outside Minnesota.

Minnesota Dept. of Health: 'Statewide Conversation on Post-Viral Chronic Illness: A Day of Learning, Connection, and Action'

When: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM CT - Location: Virtual via Zoom (Agenda in link above)

Register here: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8790...lness-A-Day-of-Learning-Connection-and-Action

Who Should Attend: This event is open to all, however we would most like to engage:
  • Social and disability service navigators
  • Community Health Workers
  • Community organizations and wraparound service providers
  • Care coordinators and medical social workers
  • Health care providers and leaders
  • Policymakers
  • Employers
  • Patient advocates and caregivers
Please note that much of the content and discussion will be Minnesota-specific.

Participation will:
  • Increase awareness of how post-viral chronic illnesses impact daily life and community wellbeing.
  • Build connections across systems and communities for ongoing collaboration.
  • Support community-driven actions aligned with the MDH Statewide Actions Roadmap recommendations.
 
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