👁️Prevent Blindness Declares February AMD and Low Vision Month, Expands Free, Evidence-Based Resources to Help Protect Sight

National nonprofit launches patient and expert videos, bilingual fact sheets, and the free AMD GuideMe app—supported by EyePoint, Inc.—to promote early detection, independence, and vision health among adults 50+

Prevent Blindness has designated February as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Month, spotlighting a comprehensive suite of free, expert-reviewed educational resources for patients, caregivers, clinicians, and the public. This year’s awareness campaign is generously supported by EyePoint, Inc..

AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss among adults age 50 and older, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. An estimated 4 million Americans live with low vision, defined as chronic visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or standard medical treatments. As the U.S. population ages, the burden of AMD and low vision is expected to grow—making early detection, timely treatment, and access to practical resources increasingly critical.

🚌 Trump DOT Targets Fare-Free Bus Programs, Raising Stakes for NYC and Mayor Mamdani

Proposed federal funding rule would force large cities to charge bus fares—testing New York’s affordability agenda and reshaping urban transit policy nationwide

The Trump administration is moving to prohibit fare-free bus service in large U.S. cities that rely on federal transit dollars, a proposal that could upend popular programs across the country—and deliver a direct blow to New York City’s political leadership.

According to a draft obtained by 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' News, the U.S. Department of Transportation under Donald Trump plans to condition federal funding on whether transit agencies charge fares. The measure is expected to be folded into a forthcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill, which would require congressional approval.

If enacted, the rule would apply to transit agencies serving populations over 200,000 with fleets exceeding 100 buses—criteria that capture major systems in New York City, Kansas City, Richmond, and Albuquerque. Agencies that continue to offer free bus service would risk losing funding from the Federal Transit Administration, a core source of capital and operating support.

A Direct Challenge to New York’s Affordability Push

The proposal lands squarely in the political crosshairs of New York City, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned on an affordability platform that included a pledge to “permanently eliminate the fare on every city bus.” The plan drew national attention as a bold attempt to reduce household transportation costs amid persistent inflation.

But the city’s top transit executive dismissed the idea this week as a “campaign bumper sticker,” signaling skepticism even before federal pressure entered the picture. Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump’s Immediate Speculation on Shootings Bucks Presidential Norms

President Donald Trump wasted no time in responding to the deaths of two U.S. citizens this month during protests against an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Trump and other top administration officials made inaccurate or unsupported statements within hours of the incidents, a departure from how previous presidents responded in similar situations, experts told us.

Hours after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed Renee Good on Jan. 7, Trump claimed that Good was “very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self-defense.” The president included a video clip of the shooting, captured from a distance, but a closer video showed the agent wasn’t run over.

Then, hours after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, Trump posted a picture of a handgun and wrote, “This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go – What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves — Not an easy thing to do!”

Department of Homeland Security officials also made statements that Pretti “approached” officers with a handgun, “violently resisted” an attempt to “disarm” him, and “wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” As we’ve explained, in the immediate aftermath of a shooting, it’s difficult to know exactly what happened, but bystander videos contradicted DHS’s account. They don’t show Pretti holding the gun or threatening officers with it.

Americans Don’t Need ‘Dramatically’ More Protein, Despite Officials’ Claims

In unveiling new dietary guidelines, federal health officials have claimed they are correcting past guidance that created a “generation of kids low in protein” and that Americans should get “dramatically” more of the nutrient. While some individuals may benefit from increased protein intake, Americans are not generally protein-deficient.

In fact, many Americans, including a majority of children, already meet or come near to meeting the lower end of the higher daily protein goals promoted in the new guidelines, which range from 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. There’s some uncertainty about how much protein people should consume for optimal health. Multiple factors affect protein needs, which may be higher for older adults and for people building muscle through exercise or actively losing weight.

Despite this nuance, officials portrayed the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released Jan. 7, as righting a clear wrong, while misleadingly stating or implying that Americans in general need to eat significantly more protein. The new guidelines include an inverted food pyramid prominently featuring a large steak, and the website promoting them proclaims, “We are ending the war on protein.”

📊 Texas Shockwave: GOP Alarms Sound as Hispanic Voters Fuel Stunning Democratic Upset

A deep-red Fort Worth district flips blue by double digits, triggering Republican anxiety over immigration, economics, and a fragile electoral coalition heading into November

Republicans are confronting a political gut check after a dramatic Democratic upset in a ruby-red Texas state Senate district, a result that party leaders and strategists now view as an unmistakable warning about eroding support among Hispanic voters.

Over the weekend, Democrat Taylor Rehmet captured a Fort Worth–based state Senate seat by 14 points—a district that Donald Trump carried by 17 points in 2024. The 31-point swing stunned GOP operatives and was driven largely by sharp Democratic gains in heavily Hispanic precincts, confirming what recent polling had already suggested: Republicans’ post-2024 advances with Latino voters may be unraveling faster than expected.

The result has set off near-panic within Republican circles, particularly in Texas, where Hispanics now account for roughly 40% of the population and represent the single most consequential voting bloc for statewide races.

“It should be an eye-opener to all of us that we all need to pick up the pace,” said Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), whose South Texas district is majority Hispanic. “The candidate has to do their part, the party has to do their part.”

Senior Texas Republicans echoed the concern. Sen. Ted Cruz called the outcome “very concerning,” while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick described it as a “wake-up call.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned that “a swing of this magnitude is not something that can be dismissed.”

🛡️F-35C Downs Iranian Attack Drone in Arabian Sea to Defend U.S. Carrier, CENTCOM Says

Stealth jet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln intercepts Shahed-139 UAS as Iranian forces escalate pressure in the Strait of Hormuz

A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II fighter jet shot down an Iranian one-way attack drone in the Arabian Sea this week after the unmanned aircraft “aggressively approached” a U.S. aircraft carrier with what officials described as “unclear intent,” according to U.S. Central Command.

The stealth fighter launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln, which was transiting international waters roughly 500 miles off Iran’s southern coast, CENTCOM said. The command described the engagement as a defensive action taken to protect the carrier and its crew. No U.S. personnel were injured, and no American equipment was damaged.

While CENTCOM did not publicly identify the squadron operating the aircraft, recent Defense Department imagery shows Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, known as the Black Knights, flying F-35Cs from the Lincoln earlier this week.

🏀Red-Hot Troy Women’s Basketball Returns Home, Eyes Ninth Straight vs. App State

Fresh off a gutsy 2–0 road swing, the Trojans host Appalachian State on Girls and Women in Sports Day, celebrating Chanda Rigby’s 500th career win.

TROY, Ala. | Momentum firmly in hand, the Troy Trojans women’s basketball return to Trojan Arena on Wednesday night looking to keep rolling against the Appalachian State Mountaineers women’s basketball.

Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT as Troy (18–4, 9–2 Sun Belt) seeks its fourth straight home win over App State (10–11, 3–8 SBC) and a ninth consecutive victory in the all-time series. The matchup doubles as Girls and Women in Sports Day, featuring discounted tickets, special in-arena celebrations, and a mid-game ceremony honoring head coach Chanda Rigby’s 500th collegiate victory.

The Trojans arrive riding high after a statement 2–0 road trip, highlighted by a stunning 21-point comeback at Marshall and an authoritative win at Coastal Carolina. Troy’s resilience has become a calling card — the team is now 11–0 when holding opponents to 69 points or fewer and a perfect 12–0 when limiting foes under 40% shooting.

Leading the charge, Ashley Baez delivered a masterclass week, averaging 19 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.5 three-pointers, including all 18 of her points in the second half of the Marshall comeback. Inside, Troy’s rebounding dominance continues to separate it nationally, as the Trojans lead Division I in rebounds per game (50.5) and remain unbeaten in Sun Belt play when winning the glass.

Wednesday’s game also marks a milestone moment for Rigby, who sits at 501 career wins and 273 victories at Troy — just one shy of tying program legend Joyce Sorrell as the winningest coach in school history. With nine 20-win seasons already on her résumé, another deep March run appears well within reach.

App State enters Troy fighting to regain footing after a recent setback to ULM, but the Mountaineers bring a defense that leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense (58.9 ppg allowed). Guard Emma Smith anchors the unit, ranking top-10 in the league in both steals and assists, while also contributing double-figure scoring.

Still, history favors the home side. Troy owns an 18–2 all-time edge in the series and boasts one of the most balanced rosters in the country, featuring two players averaging double-doubles — a rarity at the Division I level. With national rankings climbing and postseason positioning tightening, Wednesday night offers Troy a chance to turn celebration into another statement win.

Game Information

Location: Trojan Arena — Troy, Ala.

When: Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 6 p.m. CT

Watch: ESPN+

Listen: Troy Sports Radio Network

Stats: troytrojans.com/livestats

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-- By Sarah Darden

© 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.

🎙️ 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' Black History Series: Montgomery Improvement Association—The Grassroots Engine That Launched a Movement

From the 1955 bus boycott to the landmark Supreme Court victory, the MIA forged a new model of Southern protest and propelled the modern civil rights era

The Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), founded on December 5, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, stands as one of the most consequential grassroots organizations in American history. Created amid the early hours of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the MIA pioneered a direct-action strategy in the Deep South that reshaped civil rights activism—and helped set the course for nationwide desegregation efforts.

While the boycott itself began in response to Rosa Parks’ arrest, the MIA quickly emerged as the institutional backbone of the protest. It assumed responsibility for sustaining morale, coordinating logistics, and organizing alternatives to segregated public transportation. Through a meticulously run carpool system, the organization ensured that thousands of Black residents—particularly low-wage workers who could not walk long distances—could continue to earn a living while refusing to ride city buses.