WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday titled “Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation,” where she introduced Dr. Barry Sleckman, Director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. The hearing brought together lawmakers and medical research leaders to discuss the nation’s biomedical innovation and the role of federal funding in cancer prevention and treatment.

Dr. Sleckman leads Alabama’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) invited Britt to provide introductory remarks before his testimony.

“It is a distinct honor to introduce Dr. Barry Sleckman, a leading voice in cancer research and patient care and a true asset to the whole state of Alabama and to our nation,” Britt stated. She praised UAB’s efforts under Sleckman’s leadership and emphasized the center’s regional and national impact in advancing cancer treatment and prevention.

During her line of questioning, Britt underscored the personal impact of cancer on families and communities, referencing stories like that of Alabama resident Gary Cornelius, a patient who attributes his recovery to care received at UAB’s cancer center.

“What are some of the things that you’re doing and investing in that will ultimately change lives in the future?” Britt asked Dr. Sleckman.

In response, Sleckman described ongoing research at UAB aimed at developing new treatments, including approaches for drug-resistant cancers. He noted that such discoveries are occurring across all 73 NCI-designated cancer centers in the U.S., made possible through federal support.

Addressing national trends, Britt asked about the rise in cancer diagnoses, particularly among younger populations. Sleckman acknowledged this increase, attributing it to several factors including aging populations, continued tobacco use, and obesity rates in several states. He also called attention to an unexplained increase in colon cancer cases among individuals in their 20s, which he said is now the subject of new federal research grants.

When asked about the importance of public investment, Sleckman emphasized the unique role federal dollars play in cancer prevention. “There are not a lot of other revenue streams for cancer prevention. This is not really a high priority, for example, for industry and pharma,” he said. “And so federal funding, to understand how to develop cancer prevention approaches, is critical.”

The hearing highlighted both the challenges and advancements in cancer research and served as a platform for Alabama’s UAB to showcase its contributions to national health outcomes through federally supported innovation.

The MDI Trojans beat the Old Town Coyotes 3-2 in the 8th inning in Bar Harbor on Saturday, May 3rd.

With the game tied at 2-2, Colin Sullivan walked to start the inning. Alex Roos singled to left, and Sullivan went to 3rd. Mason LaPointe then grounded to 1st and Sullivan beat the throw to the plate, to give the Trojans the win.

Preston Tripp started on the mound and went 6.2 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs, 1 of which was earned. He struck out 7 and walked 2. Spencer Grierson picked up the win, pitching the final 1.1 innings.

LaPointe had 2 stolen bases. Roos, Brady Thurston and Sullivan each had a stolen base.

Sullivan was 1-3 with a double for MDI, Roos was 1-4 with a run batted in. Cameron Graham and Eli MacDonnell each singled for MDI

Julian Duty started on the mound for the Coyotes. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just 3 hits and 2 runs, 1 of which was earned. He struck out 10 and walked 1. Tyler Priest took the loss, pitching the final 1.1 innings with 1 hit and 1 run striking out 4 and walking 2.

Ethan Closson had a pair of hits for the Coytoes. Priest, Duty and Jackson Brawn each had a single.

Closson swiped 2 bases, with Duty and Priest each stealing a base.

MDI is now 1-1. They will host the Hermon Hawks on Monday, May 5th at 4:30 p.m.

Old Town lost for the 1st time and are now 3-1. They will host Hermon on Thursday, May 8th at 4:30 p.m.

Nominations for the Athlete of the Week are now open for performances April 28- May 3. Please email your nomination to chris.popper@townsquaremedia.com, letting us know why the individual should be the Athlete of the Week. Please include stats, and make sure you indicate what school this individual attends, and what sport they’re playing! All nominations should be received by Sunday, May 4th. Voting for Week 3 will take place May 5th -8th with the winner being announced on Friday, May 9th.

Vets Memorial cruises past Weslaco East for the series sweep; Flour Bluff comes back against Harlingen South.

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Lourdes and Chatfield baseball picked up win in Friday afternoon competition.

Lourdes took down GMLOK at home 12-3. The Eagles sprinted out to a 7-0 lead through the first two innings during the winning effort.

Chatfield baseball bested Wabasha-Kellogg in both contests of a doubleheader, winning the second 4-2.

Lourdes is back in action on Monday on the road in Goodhue. GMLOK takes the field again on Tuesday for a road trip against Lyle-Pacelli.

Chatfield returns to play on Tuesday against Fillmore Central/Lanesboro. Wabasha-Kellog plays again on Monday at home against Mabel-Canton.

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New Maryland men’s basketball head coach Buzz Williams‘ first high school recruiting class with the Terps now stands at two.

Class of 2025 point guard Guillermo Del Pino has signed with Maryland, CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein reported on Friday afternoon.

Del Pino, not rated on 247Sports’ ratings, is listed at 6-foot-4 and 183 pounds, per RealGM.

Del Pino, who turned 18 on Jan. 12, averaged 11.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks per game in seven games playing for Spain at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Türkiye. 

He was recognized as an all-star at the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders camp this past February. He did an interview with 247Sports’ Dushawn London shortly after and described his game.

“I consider myself to be a very energetic player who gives 100% on the court,” he told London. “I can contribute to the creation and management of the game. I can shoot the three and I think I have great potential as a defensive player. I do those things well. I am working to improve on my physical conditioning.”

Del Pino helped guide Spain to the FIBA U16 European Championship in North Macedonia in August 2023. He earned MVP honors after scoring 22 points in a 77-68 win over Italy in the final. For the tournament, he averaged 14.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

“He takes a lot of off the dribble shots,” popular talent evaluator Arman Jovic said on a radio appearance with ESPN Louisville in February. “He’s shifty. He can really play. He was the MVP of E16, and so he’s a really, really talented guard. I’m a little bit lower than him amongst like some other European services I’ve seen, but I think he could be a good depth piece and for [the future would] be a good player.”

Del Pino joins McDonald’s All-American and five-star combo guard Darius Adams in the Class of 2025 heading to College Park. He is the 10th player on Williams’ first roster at Maryland, joining Texas A&M transfers Pharrel Payne, Solomon Washington, Andre Mills and George Turkson Jr., Indiana transfer Myles Rice, Washington State transfer Isaiah Watts, Kansas transfer David Coit and Virginia transfer Elijah Saunders.

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