VA Mental Health & Toxic Exposure: A new VA study tied toxic military exposures (burn pits, solvents, fuels, pesticides, metals, Agent Orange and more) to higher odds of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among nearly 250,000 veterans, with risk rising alongside the number of exposures. Clinical Research: USC launched a first U.S. clinical trial of psilocybin therapy for mental health, testing whether mindfulness training can enhance psilocybin-assisted treatment, funded through ARPA-H’s EVIDENT program. Rural Hospital Funding: Rep. Robert Aderholt secured $35M for Alabama hospitals and health centers, including $22.1M for four rural facilities, as part of a House spending bill. Chronic Pain Care: A JAMA study reports VA’s Whole Health program improved how much chronic pain disrupts veterans’ lives more than cognitive behavioral therapy or usual care. Public Health & Food Safety: FDA/recall coverage highlights Nara Organics baby formula recalled over potential botulism risk after infants were hospitalized. Infectious Disease Watch: USDA stepped up screwworm monitoring as cases expand in Texas, raising concern about the return of the “flesh-eating” parasite. Healthcare Workforce: New nursing schools in Georgia aim to ease the state’s nursing shortage. Policy & Access: A federal lawsuit seeks to expand medical abortion exemptions in Idaho, as courts weigh competing access rules.