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BA.2.86 subvariant potentially better at causing breakthrough infections: CDC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

(The Hill) -- The recently detected BA.2.86 COVID-19 subvariant may be more capable of causing infections in people who previously contracted the virus or have been vaccinated, according to a risk assessment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though it remains unclear if this strain causes more severe illness than others.First detected last month, a handful of infections caused by BA.2.86 have been reported in the U.S., Denmark, South Africa, the U.K. and Israel. The CDC noted that genomic sequencing of COVID-19 has dropped "substantially" when compared to the past few years so the spread and occurrence of new strains may go undetected for longer.So far, only two cases from BA.2.86 have been confirmed in the U.S. This newer strain is believed to be descended from the BA.2 "stealth" variant that surged globally early last year. CDC warns against kissing small turtles over salmonella risk The updated COVID-19 vaccines are targeted towards strains descendin...

Study links children's screen time to heart damage in adulthood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

(NewsNation) — More sedentary time as a child could lead to a higher chance of heart attacks and strokes later in life, researchers found in a new study.Even for those at a normal weight and blood pressure, hours of inactivity from childhood to young adulthood was associated with heart damage. This study was conducted as part of the Children of the '90s study by the University of Bristol, in which over 14,000 children born between 1991 and 1992 and their families were "intensively observed" for over two decades.“All those hours of screen time in young people add up to a heavier heart, which we know from studies in adults raises the likelihood of heart attack and stroke,” the study's author, Dr. Andrew Agbaje of the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio, said. “Children and teenagers need to move more to protect their long-term health.”As part of the research, 11-year-old children were given a smartwatch with an activity tracker to wear for seven days. They were then given the smar...

CDC warns against kissing small turtles over salmonella risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning people about kissing small turtles, saying the affectionate gesture could lead to salmonella. In an investigation notice published Wednesday, the CDC said that 26 individuals have been infected with the disease outbreak linked to small turtles in 11 states. Nine of the 26 patients were hospitalized. “Don’t kiss or snuggle your turtle, and don’t eat or drink around it,” the health agency said in its notice, adding that turtles with shells less than four inches long are a known source of the illness. “This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.” Retail giants warned over online sales of unapproved products targeting kids’ skin condition The health agency also highly recommended that children under the age of 5, adults who are 65 years or older and people with weak immune systems, shouldn’t have pet turtles, noting that those people are more likely to get a serious il...

Publix supermarkets no longer making specific novelty cake: 'We regret if a store has not followed policy'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Those living in the path of frequent hurricanes have a complicated relationship with natural disasters, one that mixes comedic coping with a justifiable fear of yet another storm on the horizon. In recent years, one of the region's most popular supermarket chains had even provided a few lighthearted laughs to ease its customers' anxiety with silly hurricane-themed cakes — but that practice has come to an end. Publix, the Florida-based grocery chain, has officially instructed its bakeries to stop producing the "hurricane cakes" (or "hurricakes," as they're sometimes called) so as not to downplay the seriousness of the weather events, the company said."Our associates make every effort to support our customers during weather events. Often times, this includes finding ways to delight them with their favorite Publix items as they prepare for uncertainty," the supermarket chain wrote in the Q&A section of its website, sometime before Hurricane Ian devastated parts...

Crews contain Pflugerville brush fire caused by unapproved burning on private property

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) -- Crews have contained a two-acre brush fire in Pflugerville near Manor that started Wednesday afternoon after unauthorized burning. The Pflugerville Fire Department posted on Facebook it, Travis County Emergency Services District 12 and Travis County Fire Rescue were responding to the fire. According to Travis County ESD 12, the fire started due to unapproved burning on a private property and quickly spread due to winds. The fire grew to around two acres. Crews contained a two-acre brush fire in Pflugerville near Manor that started Wednesday afternoon after unauthorized burning. | Courtesy Travis County ESD No. 12Crews contained a two-acre brush fire in Pflugerville near Manor that started Wednesday afternoon after unauthorized burning. | Courtesy Travis County ESD No. 12Crews contained a two-acre brush fire in Pflugerville near Manor that started Wednesday afternoon after unauthorized burning. | Courtesy Travis County ESD No. 12Crews contained a two-ac...

Austin transit experts detail changes to come in land use, urban density

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- With new transportation investments coming down the pipeline, Austin transit leaders discussed Wednesday the future of transit, land use and density for residents throughout the city.The Urban Land Institute hosted a panel Wednesday morning with representatives from the City of Austin, CapMetro and the Austin Transit Partnership. The key focus centered on how new forms of mobility play into Austin's economic and population growth, as well as how transportation marries into land use and housing density.A driving factor propelling Wednesday's conversation forward was the City of Austin's 2039 modal shift goal. Under that initiative, city leaders aim to only have 50% of residents reliant on single-occupancy vehicles to get around town. The rest of the residents would rely on multimodal transportation -- buses, light rail, rideshares, carpooling, biking or walking to work.Peter Mullan, executive vice president of architecture and urban design with Austin Transit Partner...

Why did a private helicopter land multiple times in a north Austin parking lot?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Jay Corder is an award-winning Austin architect who runs a firm out of The Village shopping center on Anderson Lane in north Austin. Several weeks ago, he said a helicopter landed in a parking lot in front of his office, alarming him, his staff and some neighboring businesses. KXAN went to two additional businesses in the center who said they also saw the helicopter land in the parking lot multiple times.“I personally have seen it once. My staff have all seen it three times,” Corder said. One time when the helicopter landed, Corder said the pilot told him it was a private aircraft of a business owner in the complex. He also added the pilot said he was asked to land in the parking lot to "scare off" people without homes who were sleeping in the complex. The pilot did not tell Corder who owned or operated the helicopter. Drone, firefighting aircraft nearly collided in fire, Texas A&M Forest Service says The center where Corder runs his business has many...

Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson now out with lower back stiffness

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

The good news for the Vikings? T.J. Hockenson has recovered from his ear infection.The bad news for the Vikings? He is now dealing with lower back stiffness.As a result, Hockenson was a limited participant for the Vikings for the joint practice against the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon at TCO Performance Center. That’s been the case for the past few weeks as Hockenson has typically gone through warmups with his teammates before watching the rest of practice from the sidelines.There’s been speculation that Hockenson — who has no guaranteed money beyond this season — could be sitting out as he waits for a contract extension. Asked for clarification on Wednesday afternoon, head coach Kevin O’Connell pushed back on that notion.“He has not indicated to me one time that it is about that,” O’Connell said while adding that the Vikings would love to have Hockenson back on the field as soon as possible. “We’ve got to have ...

High school football: Wisconsin Week 2 predictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

Here are some of Friday’s high school football games involving Western Wisconsin teams:Ellsworth (1-0) at Waukesha South (1-0), 6 p.m.Ellsworth escaped against a stout Edgar team that could contend for a Division 7 title this season with an 8-6 victory last week. Now the Panthers, a Division 4 titan, must square off against a good Division 2 school. To have success this week, Ellsworth will need to find a bit more offense. OUR PICK: Waukesha South 21, Ellsworth 13Hudson (1-0) at Stevens Points (0-1), 7 p.m.Hudson gets one final tune-up before opening its conference schedule with a Big Rivers gantlet of Chippewa Falls, River Falls and Menomonie. OUR PICK: Hudson 28, Stevens Point 7Northwestern (1-0) at Somerset (1-0), 7 p.m.Somerset was highly competitive in every game down the stretch run of its 2022 season. Perhaps that was an indicator of future success to come, just as the Spartans’ Week 1 drubbing of Bloomer suggests. Now Somerset gets a home game against Northwester...

Rudy Giuliani turns himself in on Georgia 2020 election charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:00:57 GMT

ATLANTA — Rudy Giuliani turned himself in at a jail in Atlanta on Wednesday on charges related to efforts to overturn then-President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.The former New York mayor was indicted last week along with Trump and 17 others. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said they participated in a wide-ranging conspiracy to subvert the will of the voters after the Republican president lost to Democrat Joe Biden in November 2020. Bond was set at $150,000, second only to Trump’s $200,000.Giuliani, 79, is accused of spearheading Trump’s efforts to compel state lawmakers in Georgia and other closely contested states to ignore the will of voters and illegally appoint electoral college electors favorable to Trump.Georgia was one of several key states Trump lost by slim margins, prompting the Republican and his allies to proclaim, without evidence, that the election was rigged in favor of his Democratic rival Biden.Giuliani is charged wit...