Month: December 2024

Trump opposes funding bill as government shutdown looms  NBC News
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Mandel’s Mailbag: Which College Football Playoff first-round games could produce upsets?  The Athletic
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Outdoors
Forest Service’s purchase from a conservation group aims to help protect critical wildlife and water habitat. It’s connected to larger negotiations involving state school trust land and Boundary Waters.
By Bob Timmons
The U.S. Forest Service will buy more than 6,200 acres of land in St. Louis County, in a deal aimed at expanding the Superior National Forest and improving the management of wildlife habitat, officials announced Wednesday.
It’s likely the first of several moves after long discussions over ownership of significant parcels inside and outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The agency is working on two other land acquisitions.
Most of the parcels in the deal announced Wednesday cover critical habitat for Canada lynx, an endangered species. Superior National Forest Supervisor Tom Hall said in a memo that the acquisition also will improve wetland protections and some water access for the public.
“Consolidating federal ownership of these lands will promote effective management for recreation opportunities, public access, and other uses and values,” he said.
The land, now owned by The Conservation Fund (TCF) nonprofit, is getting appraised. The Forest Service initially considered buying 17,000 acres and analyzed the land with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and St. Louis County.
“Because it was such a patchwork of land ownership, that is why the Forest Service is not buying the entire 17,000 acres,” Forest Service spokesperson Joy Liptak VanDrie told the Minnesota Star Tribune. The DNR and St. Louis County are evaluating the remaining TCF parcels.
The acquisition is significant because it has connections to a larger proposed deal involving the agency’s purchase of about 80,000 acres of land owned and managed by the state of Minnesota — school trust lands — in the BWCAW. The Forest Service also is interested in buying 3,200 acres of tax-forfeited land in the wilderness from St. Louis County.
The Forest Service announced the framework for all of the possible acquisitions in July. The agency would use money from the federal Land and Conservation Fund to settle yearslong negotiations with state officials over what to do with 80,000 acres of school trust land secured decades before the region became a federally protected wilderness. The dynamic has created supervision issues because the DNR manages trust lands, using timber sales and mineral leases, for example, to generate revenue for Minnesota schools.
More than 90% of the school trust lands, or about 2 million acres, are in 10 northern counties.
The Forest Service said it expects to decide on the school trust land acquisition and a third deal involving tax-forfeited land next year.
Bob Timmons covers news across Minnesota’s outdoors, from natural resources to recreation to wildlife.
Outdoors
Outdoors
Forest Service’s purchase from a conservation group aims to help protect critical wildlife and water habitat. It’s connected to larger negotiations involving state school trust land and Boundary Waters.
Outdoors
Outdoors
This Week in Minnesota Nature: Different conditions shape six-sided ice crystals.
Outdoors
Outdoors
Some argue the devices amount to cheating.
Outdoors
Outdoors
Forest Service’s purchase from a conservation group aims to help protect critical wildlife and water habitat. It’s connected to larger negotiations involving state school trust land and Boundary Waters.
© 2024 StarTribune.All rights reserved.

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NYC is feeling the love at the Hayes Theatre, where Second Stage‘s production of Cult of Love officially opened last week on Broadway.
“It feels especially meaningful this time because I’m sharing it with so many incredible people (six Broadway debuts!),” Zachary Quinto, who plays Mark, said on the big night. “There’s something about it that feels really grounding and really special and poignant to me. Doing a play about the holidays, during the holidays, in New York, and being home!? I feel really present.”
“It’s a play that has really been through a lot, in the same way that  I think all families have been through a a lot,” added playwright Leslye Headland. “You can sort of feel the lived in nature of how families treat each other, both with an enormous amount of affection and also an enormous amount of cruelty. One of the reasons I feel the play is in such a great space right now is that it’s been cooked in that long period of ruminating and living- not just with actors performing it, but also with where it exists in our timeframe and zeitgeist.”
Watch in this video as the cast and creative team celebrate opening night!
The critics have reacted and the reviews are rolling in! Read their reviews for Cult of Love on Broadway!
Now in previews on Broadway at the Hayes Theatre is the Second Stage production of Leslye Headland’s CULT OF LOVE. Check out first photos of the cast in action!
Though Shailene Woodley is just now making her Broadway debut in Cult of Love, the star recently told Jimmy Fallon about her experience playing one of Fagin’s boys in a community theater production of Oliver Twist. Watch the interview now!
Now in previews on Broadway at the Hayes Theatre is the Second Stage production of Leslye Headland’s CULT OF LOVE. Check out new photos of the marquee at the Hayes theatre!
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Fears grow over latest strain of avian flu
A person in Louisiana has become the first in the United States to develop severe illness from the H5N1 bird flu, marking a concerning milestone in the growing outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case, noting that the individual contracted the virus after exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock-a first in the U.S. According to CDC officials, this case is significant due to the rare nature of the transmission.
This new case comes amid increasing concerns over H5N1’s spread across the U.S. The nation has seen 61 confirmed cases and seven probable cases of human infections so far. In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded efforts to monitor the virus, requiring states to test bulk milk in order to detect the virus in dairy cows and prevent new outbreaks.
In addition, Labcorp announced that it is now offering a commercial test for H5N1 to the public, available through a physician’s order. These measures are aimed at tracking the virus’ spread and providing accurate data for health officials to respond effectively.
Along with the Louisiana case, a probable H5N1 infection was identified in Delaware through routine influenza surveillance in early December. However, confirmatory testing could not verify the infection, so this case is not included in the national count.
No known animal exposure was reported for this individual. Meanwhile, H5N1 was detected in wastewater samples in Delaware near the state’s poultry farming regions, though no cases in poultry or livestock have been reported.
Experts suspect that migratory waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway are likely the source of this detection in wastewater.
Despite these cases, the CDC maintains that the general population’s risk of contracting H5N1 remains low. However, people who work with or have recreational exposure to infected animals are at higher risk. The CDC advises such individuals to take precautions, including wearing respirators and seeking medical attention if flu-like symptoms develop.
The Louisiana patient, who was severely ill after initially testing positive for flu A, was later confirmed to have contracted H5N1. While the CDC has not shared specific details about the patient’s symptoms or treatment due to privacy concerns, public health officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
While the U.S. has stockpiled millions of H5N1 vaccine doses, they are not yet authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Health officials have not made any changes to the vaccination strategy at this time but continue to focus on surveillance and prevention efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
© Unidad Editorial Información Deportiva, S.L.U. All rights reserved.
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A father will spend 24 to 50 years in prison in the starvation death of his 2-year-old son last year in Macomb County.
Jonathon Matthew Cheek, 26, was sentenced Wednesday in Macomb County Circuit Court. He pleaded no contest Oct. 21 to second-degree murder and second-degree child abuse, the county prosecutor’s office announced Wednesday.
Messages were left for his attorney, who could not be immediately reached Wednesday.
The boy was found dead in his crib by his parents on March 16, 2023, in Clinton Township, according to the prosecutor’s office. They indicated the medical examiner determined the boy’s cause of death was starvation.
“This is a heartbreaking and profoundly sad case,” Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in his office’s release. “A 2-year-old child, full of potential and deserving of love and care, was failed in the most devastating way. No sentence can bring back this innocent life, but hopefully the family can begin to heal.”
Circuit Judge Edward Servitto, who is retiring at the end of the year after 24 years on the bench, sentenced Cheek to 24-50 years in prison on the second-degree murder charge and 86 months to 10 years in prison on the second-degree child abuse charge.
More:Prosecutors in Oxford and Virginia school shootings took different approaches to charges
More:Woman convicted of murder in 2021 death of boy she abused years earlier in Macomb County
The prosecutor and Cheek agreed to the sentence of 24-50 years, according to court records and the prosecutor’s office. Servitto gave Cheek credit for 643 days served in jail, according to court records.
The boy’s mother, Sierra Pearl Zaitona, 28, faces the same two charges as Cheek. Her final pretrial hearing is set for March 17, with an April 1 trial date in the circuit court, according to court records.
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.
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Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

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UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — Ah, the holidays — that magical time of year filled with twinkling lights, nonstop cooking, and enough family togetherness to make your head spin. While you’re juggling gift lists, kitchen marathons, and a silent prayer to avoid political debates at dinner, there’s someone else in your home who might be feeling the holiday stress: your dog.
Yes, your four-legged best friend can sense the chaos. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some simple tips to help your pup stay calm and comfortable while you play host to the extended family.
Dogs are creatures of habit, and the holidays can throw their routine for a loop. Owner and Trainer Valarie Ross-Smith of Sits ‘n Wiggles explains: “Not only because so many things are changing in their environment and they can feel your stress, but having a lot of people coming into their home, if they’re not used to it, that’s a big environmental change.”
So, how can you keep your pup from feeling overwhelmed?
If your dog is new to your household or hasn’t experienced a full house of guests before, a “dress rehearsal” is a great idea. Valarie suggests inviting just one or two people over beforehand to see how your dog reacts to visitors.
When it comes to party day, management is key. This means creating a space where your dog can feel safe and comfortable away from the hubbub. Options include:
Start the day with a “sniffari” — a leisurely walk where your dog can explore and decompress through sniffing. This not only burns off energy but also helps reduce stress levels.
If your dog will be mingling with guests, give them something to focus on. Enrichment activities like licking mats, foraging toys, or chew treats can work wonders. “For calming enrichments, we want something licking-based, foraging-based, or chewing-based. You can even incorporate a little scent work,” says Valarie.
If children are among your visitors, never leave them unattended with your dog. Even the most docile pup can act out under stress. Better safe than sorry!
With a little pre-planning and some thoughtful adjustments, your dog can enjoy the holidays as much as you do. And who knows? With your furry friend calm and content, you might even get to enjoy that spiked eggnog without a hitch.
Happy holidays from all of us at Ready Pet GO!
For more tips on managing pet stress or training advice, visit Sits n’ Wiggles online.
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Begin from nothing in an attempt to rule everything, here is our Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 release date, and new gameplay footage.
Paul Kelly
Published: Dec 18, 2024
When is the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 release date? Wanting more from your life is noble; work hard, keep a positive attitude, and you can be almost certain good things will happen. That is, unless you’re in 15th-century Bohemia, where the ruling class keeps everyone else down at any cost. It’s going to take more than positivity to change your fate.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is an action RPG game from Warhorse Studios. It looks to bring medieval life to players on a level we’ve never seen before, with a thrilling redemption story thrown in for good measure. Here’s what we know about the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 release date, including the newest trailer, and what we know about the story.
The Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 release date is Tuesday, February 4, 2025, as confirmed by Warhorse Studios in the game’s official story trailer. KCD 2 will launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
This is fabulous news considering the Kingdom Come release date delay had originally seen the game pushed back until February 11. The delay was confirmed by a trailer that aired during the 2024 Gamescom Opening Night Live show.
It’s been six years since the release of the first Kingdom Come Deliverance, and while things got off to a somewhat rocky start, it blossomed into one of the most detailed and authentic RPGs available. There was even talk of a movie adaptation at one point, would you believe.
We hope that Warhorse learned its lesson with the original Kingdom Come Deliverance’s technical issues, and will come out the gate with something that matches their ambition. Things are looking promising if the trailer is anything to go by.
Warhorse hasn’t shied away from showing off Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, and so far there have been multiple trailers and deep dives into the game. The initial announcement trailer arrived back in April 2024, reintroducing us to Henry of Skalitz while showcasing the game’s rich medieval setting.
Summer Game Fest 2024 brought with it the Saints and Sinners trailer, which focuses more on Bohemian crime and debauchery, as well as punishment. There’s also that classic splash of humor present – we know we’re in for more misadventures.
The next major trailer arrived at Gamescom Opening Night Live in August 2024. This world-premiere trailer was both a gift and a curse – on one hand we got to see more combat and world traversal, while on the other it was revealed that the game had been delayed until February 11, 2025.
The most recent trailer, the official story trailer, sees Henry and his troupe ambushed, with our besieged hero left facing multiple hostiles. Once again, we get a sneak peek at the harsh reality of war. You can check out the trailer itself, alongside more on KCD 2’s story, in our dedicated section further down this guide.
From what we’ve seen of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2’s gameplay so far, we’re in for much of the same as the first game – this is only a good thing.
In the 25-minute-long official gameplay showcase that dropped in August 2024, we get to see just how immersive Henry’s Bohemian adventure is. Combat blends “medieval martial arts and wrestling techniques,” while there’ll always be consequences for your actions (be careful who you kill).
We also get a proper look at the game’s UI, and more importantly how looting works. Best of all, we get to hear Henry’s raucous war cry, “I feel quite hungry!” Us too, bestie.
Kingcome Come Deliverance 2 is still centered around Henry of Skalitz from the first game. His mission is to avenge his murdered parents and elevate himself beyond the life of the peasantry. The world is bloody and violent, and it looks like you’ll have to do your fair share of killing if you want to stay alive.
You’ll be able to customize Henry as you see fit and tailor his adventure to your whims — the world evolves and remembers your actions, so whatever you do, do it with conviction. We see blacksmithing and taverns, and even some romance; you have a mission to complete, but how you do it is up to you.
The battles in Kingdom Come Deliverance are brutal. There are several combat styles on show in the trailers, and even some rudimentary guns, if you want to get truly experimental. Will you opt for graceful swordplay or borderline-barbaric blunt weapons? Fight on horseback, siege castles, and settle things one-on-one.
That’s everything we know about the freshly announced Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. It looks delightful, and we can’t wait to get knee-deep in medieval life once the release date rolls around. If you’re after something to play in the meantime, we have the best PC games here, and even the most exciting upcoming PC games, some of which are coming out this month.
Paul Kelly When he’s not writing guides at PCGamesN, PK is usually found waiting for the respawn timer in League of Legends or hanging around a tavern in Baldur’s Gate 3. PK’s extensive knowledge of video games is matched only by his extensive wardrobe of flannel shirts, which he has been curating since he was born, proving he was always meant to be a games journalist. He watches an episode of Star Trek every night before bed, and he loves toast, even though it makes him feel a bit sick. Buttery goodness exacts a heavy toll, one that he’s willing to pay.

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The average number of shoplifting incidents jumped 93% in 2023 compared with pre-pandemic times and monetary losses for retailers have risen 90%, according to the nation’s largest retail trade group.
With its “Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024” study, the National Retail Federation (NRF) is highlighting the severity of this issue. For instance, despite the continuous efforts by retailers to combat such crimes and a growing number of states that have updated their laws to prosecute organized retail crime as felonies, the number of retail theft incidents continues to climb.
According to the data from the report, conducted in partnership with the Loss Prevention Research Council, incidents have jumped 26% in 2023 from the prior year. 
“This isn’t what we were used to. This isn’t the shoplifting I was apprehending 30 years ago,” David Johnston, NRF vice president of asset protection and retail operations, told FOX Business. “These are people who are shoplifting because they know when they have an outlet to sell this merchandise to.” 
Johnston is referring to organized retail crime groups, which resell stolen goods. 
“Not every shoplifter is going out there and selling their stolen goods online or at a flea market. They’re selling them in larger mass quantities to these local, regional or transnational organizations who are helping to feed the system,” Johnston said. 
Last year, there were an average of 177 shoplifting incidents per day, but in certain retail sectors, that number reached more than 1,000, the data showed.  
“Retailers have not been crying wolf,” he said. 
Not only are the number of incidents rising, but retailers said that they are also getting more violent. About 73% of those surveyed reported that shoplifters exhibited more violence and aggression than they were a year ago. About 91% reported that these criminals are more violent and aggressive compared with 2019. 
Stores, at the behest of their corporate parents, have consistently worked to boost protection for its workers and customers. Some actions like locking items up have been successful in deterring crime, though it’s been frustrating for both stores and customers alike, Johnston said. 
“We’ve seen some of these locations, depending on where they are in the country, become vending machines,” Johnston added. 
Aside from measures like locking up products, about 71% of retailers have increased their budgets to support employee training related to workplace violence compared with the last fiscal year. 
Other stores, like TJ Maxx and Walmart, are testing out the use of body-worn cameras in an effort to keep employees safe.
While states have been ramping up their laws to crack down on such crime, Johnston said federal legislation is needed to really move the needle.
Currently, Johnston said 48 states have “created organized retail crime associations that bring law enforcement and retailers together on a regular basis to help share information and support investigations.” 
“We need the coordination between state, local and federal law enforcement to go after these organized retail crime groups, because when you dismantle one of those you then dissolve all the underlying opportunities or needs of their supply, which is the shoplifting that takes place in the stores,” he said. 
THe NRF is advocating for passage of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which is a bill that would increase federal coordination with state and local law enforcement to fight retail crime. 
Johnston said that the bill would specifically create a coordination center in the Department of Homeland Security under Homeland Security investigations. 
It brings together all the federal agencies that can work and support this type of crime, along with state and local resources, while also engaging the private sector, he said.
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Topic:Alternative Medicine
A composite image of people who have engaged with complementary medicine. (By Magie Khameneh )
Ula Brown has never taken a contraceptive pill, used a "chemical deodorant" or owned a microwave.
"I think it stems from my family. My nana and my mum were both quite alternative," she says.
"Things were treated a lot at home before we would see a doctor."
Some of these beliefs live on through Ula's own children.
"My daughter has had a home birth. She had a qualified midwife, but she was quite happy to have a birth without intervention," she says.
Ula believes conventional or modern medicine is overused and misused.
It is a "band-aid solution" for covering up symptoms without addressing the cause, the 48-year-old says.
So when she received a breast cancer diagnosis three years ago, it wasn't just her body under attack — her whole belief system was "about to get destroyed".
"I had always used alternative health, and I didn't feel like I wanted to go down the route of just chemotherapy without seeing what alternative medicine could be there for me," she says.
Have you used complementary or alternative medicine? Has anyone you know? Or are you providing it? We want to hear from you.
Desperate for a second, third, and fourth opinion, the Queenslander travelled to integrative doctors who had a holistic approach to health, and consulted a naturopath.
They all told Ula that chemotherapy would be her best chance at beating it — and to get with the program fast.
"I had lost a friend to breast cancer about 15 years prior, and I know that it took a little while to make that decision," she says.
"And then by the time she made that decision, it was too late.
"For about six months, she did decide that she would treat it just alternatively — with yoga and through natural medicines.
"But then it did progress unfortunately, and it metastasised to her brain.
"And so I just thought, I have to give this everything that I can give."
In preparation for chemotherapy, she let go of her hair.
Never more than a text or a video call away, it was the naturopath that Ula turned to with queries — and doubts — about her treatment.
"She was just assuring me that what I was doing was the right thing to be doing," she says.
But Ula had also started another protocol — one she kept secret from her doctors.
"I just didn't feel that I was strong enough to put up a fight with them," she says.
Cancer Council says patients should consult their GP and medical team before trying any new therapy.
All up, Ula estimates she spent at least $10,000 on the side treatments.
It included taking supplements, undergoing $400 vitamin C infusions, and having a $5,000 blood test that promised to determine "the most suitable and successful" cancer treatments.
Cancer Council says the type of blood test Ula took is being studied for accuracy, therefore it is not recommended without consulting a doctor.
Ula believes it is the "other treatments" that fast-tracked her return to the gym.
"I definitely believe that I've bounced back because of the additional therapies," she says.
"But be extremely cautious of people who are making claims that they can cure cancer."
Tell us about your experience with complementary and alternative medicine here.
There is no hard data for how many Australians use complementary treatments, although the industry peak body estimates it could be as high as 75 per cent of households.
Complementary Medicines Australia says the "significant growth" in recent years is driven by an aging population, a rise in chronic conditions and a focus on disease prevention.
Complementary therapies exist alongside conventional medicine, whereas alternative treatments are used instead of it.
Dr Emilia Dauway is a breast cancer surgeon by day.
And a yoga instructor by night.
She believes there is merit to some complementary therapies, but is dubious about the extravagant claims spun by the alternative medicine camp.
"When we start looking at an alternative to things that have been proven, where's the evidence or the rigorous research done to validate those treatments?" she asks.
Cancer Council says while complementary therapies like meditation and acupuncture can help a patient cope with the impacts of cancer such as nausea, fatigue and pain, there is no evidence they can treat or cure cancer on their own.
Many alternative therapies, however, have not been scientifically tested while others have shown to be harmful or not work, it says.
Dr Dauway — who is on the leadership team of the Australian Medical Association — has observed a growing interest in unconventional therapies in her own patients.
Sometimes, to the detriment of medical intervention.
"I think it's important for us to respect a patient's decision. It is their life," she says.
"We can't do anything that they don't want us to do, so being able to support them in those decisions, even if the outcome isn't the optimal outcome that is desired.
"Sometimes it is too late and we can't cure the patient. We might be able to intervene and extend some of their life."
She implores patients to push their practitioner for proof.
"If they're not providing evidence, and they're not providing what the survival rates are — or the recurrence rates are — with a particular intervention, then to me that's not getting informed consent," she says.
"I think to some extent [that] would be considered unethical."
The medicines watchdog received more than 800 adverse event reports about complementary remedies last financial year.
Over 600 requests were made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to remove unlawful advertising, including for traditional and alternative treatments, from digital platforms.
But on social media, unvetted medical advice and wonder cures from around the world continue to run rife.
Dietitians Australia says the carnivore diet, which consists of only animal products, is "extremely restrictive" — and that scientific evidence shows diets high in saturated fat will raise cholesterol levels.
The Australian Dental Association says there have been no clinical trials for oregano that show benefits for tooth decay prevention or repair.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) says it is risky to take advice from people who are not across your medical history, whereas providing such counsel may lead to the exploitation of vulnerable people.
"Oh, there's a lot of woo. You know, 'marijuana fixes cancer'. Yes, well, why is Bob Marley dead?"
Sally Catherall's blood cancer diagnosis sent her to the sites of medical journals, but also down the social media rabbit hole.
In Facebook groups curcumin — a compound found in turmeric — was touted as the silver bullet.
Cancer Council and the TGA say there is not enough evidence at this time to recommend curcumin as a cancer preventative or treatment.
Back in 2013, Sally still had smouldering myeloma, whereby treatment is delayed until the disease becomes active and starts affecting the organs.
Hoping to stop it from progressing, Sally says she obtained clearance from her haematologist to take curcumin.
For the next 10 months, she took six capsules a day, churning through $80 bottles.
"It didn't do a thing. And the reason why I know it didn't do a thing is because I've kept a chart, a spreadsheet, of all my bloods," she says.
"The only thing it did was help clear my bank account of money, it did nothing to clear the cancer."
Myeloma Australia says elevated protein level is one of the first signs someone may have the disease, although further testing is required.
Sally's tests show that while she was only on curcumin, the protein levels kept climbing, reaching 130 grams per litre.
She reported back to the Facebook group.
"Some people said, 'Thank you, we appreciate that'. Other people said, 'Oh, you're not being positive enough'," she recalls.
"But there was no-one else in the group saying, 'Yeah, it's really working for me'. It was all hope, hope, hope."
Two stem cell transplants, just as many cycles of chemotherapy, and side effects from myeloma medication have left Sally "fatigued".
Preparing for death gives her "a sense of control".
"I went to a coffin-making course and made my coffin.
"At the front I've got … a stone bench to put on my grave.
"I've already bought my burial site, so I know where I'm going."
That she is still here is thanks to modern medicine, Sally says.
"I don't believe in alternative medicine, especially at the expense of real medicine," she declares.
"If it worked, everybody would be on it."
Jess is a naturopath at a community clinic that offers free herbal medicine and consultation. 
For many of her clients, it is the only healthcare they can afford.
"They might need to go to a doctor, but they cannot access it," she says.
Tasmania, where Jess works, has only three GP clinics that bulk bill all patients — and one of them is shutting down next year.
It also has the highest average out-of-pocket GP fee of all states at $51, according to Medicare.
Across the country, 11 per cent of people in the lowest socioeconomic areas delayed buying — or went without — prescription medication last financial year due to cost, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports.
"We often have people come through that, for example, have diets that are largely based on sandwiches, and they eat once a day," Jess says.
"So we're working with how we can incorporate herbal medicine to help support their body through this really trying period."
The Australian Medical Association's advice is to be careful when taking herbal supplements as it can be difficult to ascertain what they contain.
Today is "medicine-making day".
To stock the community clinics…
 …with tinctures, tea blends and salves.
Volunteers from Hobart Herbalists Without Borders gather around coordinator Monica Francia.
Monica says she draws on "a long tradition of use" and "scientific research" when choosing the ingredients.
"This is a rose tincture, which is really good for emotional support, anxiety, particularly indicated for trauma or PTSD," she says.
"So just dried rose petals blended up with water and alcohol."
The TGA says it has not approved any medicines containing rose for treatment of moderate and severe anxiety, depression or PTSD.
Running on an ethos that everyone should have access to free herbal medicine, the team at Hobart Herbalists Without Borders has been dipping into their own pockets and relying on grants to finance the initiative.
More recently, they've looked at becoming an NGO to attract funding and build on the three community clinics.
Monica says patients present with a range of conditions — from depression and chronic pain to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
"We don't tell anyone to go off medications or anything, but there's herbs that we can safely use alongside that to better manage those conditions," she says.
When a patient says it works, could it be the placebo effect?
"For sure, and it's the same with any kind of therapy, whether it's herbal, pharmaceutical, lifestyle — people can get a placebo effect," she says.
"And, I mean, that's fine. If they're getting better, I'm happy.
"I'm not against pharmaceuticals or conventional medicine.
"I, as a naturopath, love herbal medicine and have seen it work very well for myself and for people around me and my patients."
The medical landscape is expanding, with the peak body for general practice (RACGP) including integrative medicine in its curriculum.
It is the blending of two approaches — conventional medicine and evidence-based complementary medicine.
Integrative medicine chair Dr Tamara Nation says many people from culturally diverse backgrounds use Indigenous, Ayurvedic or Chinese medicine.
"It's about providing individuals with options for treatment of medical concerns where appropriate," she says.
"Lifestyle, nutrition advice, exercise advice, psychological wellbeing advice, meditation advice … can sit beautifully alongside antidepressants or pharmacological advice."
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Topic:Formula 1
Topic:Bushfires
Topic:Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.
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