TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Research at the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center of Excellence has taken a giant step in pursuing a Valley Fever vaccine for humans.

Researchers have secured $33 million from the National Institute of Health.

Valley Fever is a respiratory illness caused by a fungus. It thrives in places with little rainfall and high summer temperatures, like Arizona.

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“Arizona has two-thirds of all US infections, so we really should feel a certain responsibility to do something about that,” said Dr. John Galgiani, director of the Valley Fever Center of Excellence at the University of Arizona.

Valley Fever can be mild or even deadly, and yet there is no vaccine to prevent it.

“A small percentage of people have an illness that actually goes through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, outside of the lungs, and causes meningitis or bone infections and those patients need lots of medical care,” Galgiani said.

Due to this, Galgiani said a vaccine is needed.

One is currently being reviewed for dogs, and because of that work, Galgiani believes it could be developed for humans.

“I’ve been thinking about a human vaccine all along but taking this through the dog is really a very useful step to show proof of the concept, making the idea of taking it to humans that much more attractive,” Galgiani said.

Through their research, they have taken a gene out of the fungus that causes the disease. When they did this, they found the fungus was no longer able to cause the disease. That same fungus creates robust protection.

“Potentially means that maybe if you used it as a vaccine in humans, you wouldn’t have to do it again. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of vaccine,” said Galgiani.

Galgiani added that a human vaccine would benefit everyone, including special groups.

“One would be people who work in the dirt, and that’s very hard to protect against because the respirators are very cumbersome, so having a vaccine to prevent infection would be really valuable,” Galgiani said.

This vaccine is still a few years off from being available in doctor’s offices.

The dog vaccine could be in veterinary offices within a year. If approved, it would be the world’s first vaccine against a fungal infection.

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Dear Eric: I recently married the love of my life. It’s a second marriage for both of us and we are an interracial couple. We had a small wedding, about 50 people, with only family and close friends. We had family travel in from many states.

My brother, who lives in Texas, declined to come and said it was because the wedding was in California. He is very conservative. I was very hurt that he didn’t come to my wedding for political reasons and because I’m not sure if it goes beyond politics.

Based on his views, I suspect he may not have approved of my divorce and my subsequent choice to marry a Latino. My parents are deceased and I only have two siblings. It would have been nice for him to try to fill the void of my dad and let me have more than one of my family of origin present on this important day in my life.

Now his son is getting married in Texas. I feel, as Californians, we may not be welcomed with open arms based on the refusal of my Texan brother to come to our state. Although we received an invitation via mail, I’m not sure he wants us there. My husband feels we should go to show this is what family does for each other, show up and support despite our different beliefs.

– Conflicted Sister

Dear Sister: It’s news to me that Texans can’t go to California and vice versa. If residents of the two largest states in the “lower 48″ aren’t welcome across each other’s borders, we’re in big trouble. How will famed Texan Matthew McConaughey film his movies?

If you feel that your nephew’s wedding will be a safe environment, psychologically, for you and your husband, you should go as a way of living into your values. Talk it through with your husband; you know your family better than he does and can point out any potential trouble. Neither of you should willingly put yourselves in a situation where you’ll be discriminated against.

Hopefully, the issue is just with your brother and not the rest of the family. Whether you go or not, you and your brother should have a talk because there’s a lot that’s unsaid and it’s going to come out one way or another. Tell him how you felt when he skipped your wedding and challenge him on any racist beliefs he has. For family, showing up is great, but saying the hard thing is key.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

Cities and counties across the metro area are going to voters asking to remove revenue limits set by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

In Jefferson County there is now a push to save TABOR that is gaining momentum as well.

“I think these are like the third use of them,”  county resident Jessica Fenske said.

The yard signs she’s helping to paint this year are sending the same message they did in 2019 and again in 2022 — to protect tax caps put in place by TABOR.

“It’s the same fight every time; it’s not a left or right fight going on,” Fenske said. “It’s just the people trying to keep some of their money.”

Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners approved a November ballot question to let voters decide if the county can retain additional revenue to address budget shortfalls and a growing backlog in infrastructure needs.

It’s a decision the county says was made after extensive community outreach and research. County Commissioner Andy Kerr says it reflects the spirit of TABOR.

“TABOR demands and necessitates action for the people from the people, and the only way to meet those demands is by having this conversation that lets have the community decide,” Kerr said during the July hearing.

Natalie Menten organized the sign “remaking” party after voters twice said no to simialr measures 

She is a longstanding TABOR advocate

“They are very driven to do it. Why? I don’t know. Because tabor allows reasonable growth with governments. It allows the inflation rate plus local growth, “Menten said. “We don’t just have money growing in the backyard,” she said of the community.

Menten plans to lead once again the “No on 1A” fight that she sees gaining support.

“We had a big group in 2019 and 2022,” Menten said. “I think this is going to be even bigger this time. We have so much to lose.”

The research done to determine whether to go back to voters — Menten says and CBS Colorado has previously reported on — was done by a company hired by the county using taxpayer dollars.

Menten herself is now running for county commissioner.