Cancer Care Expansion (East Texas): Christus Health opened a new roughly $40M cancer care center in Longview, bringing medical and radiation oncology, infusion, imaging, labs, pharmacy support and clinical research under one roof for patients starting Oct. 5. UTI Research (Texas A&M): Texas A&M researchers are studying how the body uses copper as an immune weapon against antibiotic-resistant UTIs, supported by a $1.48M NIH grant. Pharmacy Access (Longview): A Longview independent pharmacist is urging Texas lawmakers to rein in pharmacy benefit managers, saying “middlemen” squeeze independent pharmacies and patients. Maternal & Mental Health Support (Longview): A new bereaved parents support group, H3 Hope, Help and Healing, launches in Longview to help families after child loss. Public Health & Food Assistance (Texas): SNAP changes begin Oct. 1, with modest payment increases for many Texans but tighter eligibility and higher state cost-sharing. Healthcare Costs Politics (ACA): The Trump administration begins sending $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1M Americans in 30 states, tied to claims of Biden-era HealthCare.gov overcharges. Disaster & Smoke Risk (Henderson County): Henderson County declared disaster amid drought and wildfire danger, adding fire restrictions and emphasizing health and human safety. Cybersecurity (Texas-linked business): Calian completed the sale of its U.S. commercial IT business in Houston to Trace3. Clinical Trial (Austin): Shattuck Labs plans a Phase 2 trial of SL-325 for hidradenitis suppurativa and named a new senior clinical development leader.