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States gear up for this fall’s triple threat of respiratory viruses: COVID-19, flu and RSV

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

(CNN) — State and local health officials across the United States are bracing for a rise in respiratory illnesses this fall, and they are making plans to urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against Covid-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus once those shots become available.“We are very, very concerned about the upcoming pan-respiratory season,” Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said in a briefing Wednesday.Local health departments will work with their state and federal counterparts to encourage eligible people to get their flu shots, updated Covid-19 boosters and RSV vaccines, says Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive officer of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.“The focus for the fall will be clear and integrated messaging, especially for people who are most at risk, because we’re talking about a unique new normal of coexisting respir...

Teen vaping: Did the EU get it wrong on e-cigarettes?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

When the head of a tobacco company is calling for stricter regulation on its e-cigarettes, you know there must be something wrong.In recent years, across Europe, teen vaping has exploded. The number of 11-17 year olds who have ever used an e-cigarette has quadrupled in the U.K. since 2013; more than half of 17-year-olds in France have tried a vape; and the percentage of 11-17 year olds who have used an e-cigarette in the past month has doubled in Italy since 2014 and increased significantly in Latvia and Romania. While there’s broad, if not universal, agreement that e-cigarettes can help adult smokers quit, governments, doctors, public health experts and the public are now sounding the alarm on the increase in young people using these products. Even industry is calling for stricter rules. James Murphy, director of research and science at British American Tobacco (BAT), told POLITICO the company was open to options to make e-cigarettes less appealing and accessible for young pe...

Mets avoid sweep with huge fifth inning to beat Braves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

If Mets fans weren’t well acquainted with Rafael Ortega before, they might be after Sunday night. The reserve outfielder who was called up from Triple-A Syracuse after the trade deadline went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI in the Mets’ 7-6 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night at Citi Field.The Mets went down 3-0 in the first inning but scored six runs in a wacky fifth inning to come back and prevent a four-game sweep by Atlanta (75-42).“We just wanted to win,” starting pitcher Kodai Senga said through a translator. “Even though I’m not in the first three games, I still wanted to win and the rest of the team wanted to win. Despite me giving up three runs in the first inning, I just wanted to go as deep as I can to give the team the best chance possible.”The fifth inning started with Ortega singling off right-handed starter Yonny Chirinos and ended with Collin McHugh on the mound after the Mets batted around. Six runs were sco...

Mets Notebook: Francisco Lindor helping Mark Vientos adjust

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

Mark Vientos is still learning what it takes to be a big leaguer, but it’s a lot easier to learn on the fly when Francisco Lindor is next to him in the infield.With Brett Baty working on his game in the low-pressure environment in Triple-A, the Mets have turned to Vientos at third base. There were concerns earlier this season that Vientos wouldn’t be able to play the position long term and he was stuck behind Pete Alonso at first base. His future in baseball is largely predicated on his bat, but the Mets want to make sure he’s defensively sound at both corners.Finally, he’s getting a chance to play every day at third base. Lindor is helping him make the most of the opportunity.“He’s really, really helpful,” Vientos told the Daily News at Citi Field before the Mets played the series finale against the Atlanta Braves. “He’s done it for a long time at a high level and I feel like he’s someone I gravitate to and learn from.R...

Fletcher seeking $10K in fees from accuser over failure to disclose their messages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Former San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is pushing for over $10,000 in legal penalties against the former MTS employee who accused him of sexual assault, arguing that she has failed to produce evidence requested by his lawyers in the ongoing lawsuit.In new court motions filed on Thursday, Fletcher called for the fine on the grounds that a request he submitted during the discovery process for all written communications between himself and his accuser, Grecia Figueroa, has been improperly delayed.According to court documents, the communications -- including texts, direct messages on social media and emails -- were first asked for in a set of written requests sent to Figueroa's legal team on June 20. Timeline: Unfolding of the Nathan Fletcher scandal His team sought the messages for his defense, the motion says, believing it would provide additional context to screenshots of messages included in Figueroa's initial complaint and affirm his recounting of their ...

Sunday Night Forecast: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers overnight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers overnight. Low: 67Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Monday: Mostly cloudy with on/off rain at times & possible thunderstorms. High mid to upper 70sExtended outlook calls for a few lingering showers into Tuesday with highs near 80. Warmer and more sun as we get into TuWed as highs get into the mid to upper 80s. Possible showers/thunderstorms with more clouds on Thu with temps still in the muggy 80s. Trending back towards dry on Friday and into the coming weekend. 

Austin barbershop offers free back-to-school haircuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several Austin-area students will return to school this week feeling sharp and fresh after a local barbershop offered free back-to-school haircuts Sunday.Rob's Barbershop, located on Cameron Road, held a back-to-school event Sunday, complete with free haircuts, food and a supplies giveaway before the start of the 2023-24 school year. It's an event owner Robert Sandoval has hosted for several years now, adding it's an opportunity for him to give back to his community. BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON: When do local districts begin classes for the 2023-24 school year? "It's not about receiving all the time. So the least I can do is give," he said, adding: "I just feel it's important to give back to the community because not everyone can afford a haircut nowadays, so I feel like every kid should start the year with a good haircut."Rob's Barbershop, located off Cameron Road, held a back-to-school event Sunday, complete with free haircuts, food and a supplies giveaway before the s...

Round Rock Police hosts 2nd annual back-to-school shoe drive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- More than 400 students will have new shoes to start the 2023-24 school year with, following a free shoe drive hosted by the Round Rock Police Department.RRPD hosted the second annual Step N2 Success event to provide hundreds of new shoes to students throughout the City of Round Rock. The department hosted the event Sunday morning at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.The Round Rock Police Department hosted the second annual Step N2 Success event to provide hundreds of new shoes to students throughout the City of Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Lauren Ryan)The Round Rock Police Department hosted the second annual Step N2 Success event to provide hundreds of new shoes to students throughout the City of Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Lauren Ryan)The Round Rock Police Department hosted the second annual Step N2 Success event to provide hundreds of new shoes to students throughout the City of Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Lauren Ryan)The Round Rock Police Department hosted the sec...

Rotterdam passes law on panhandling restrictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Panhandling in the town has become much stricter as of August 8. The town board voted to limit when and where certain groups can do so. Pages 41 to 54 of the final agenda go over the ins and outs of the new law.According to Ryan McCall, an attorney with Tully Rinckey PLLC, a similar panhandling bill was proposed and defeated in 2022 out of Saratoga Springs. The reason being comparing panhandling to freedom of speech. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “This would most likely withstand a first amendment challenge. I think ultimately it’s going to be interesting if this withholds the constitutional test," said McCall.To be able to act as a hawker, peddler, or solicitor, those in Rotterdam now have to apply for a license that can be either denied or paid for. From 8a.m. to 8p.m. on weekdays and 9a.m. to 5p.m. on weekends, panhandlers will be allowed in the town. The town board argues that the rules in the la...

Stock market today: Asia follows Wall Street lower after US data revive fears about rate hike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:31 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets tumbled Monday after mixed U.S. economic data revived worries the Federal Reserve might hike interest rates again.Hong Kong’s main market index plunged 2.3% and Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney also fell. Oil prices retreated.Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index slipped 0.1% on Friday after government data showed producer price inflation accelerated in July. Earlier data showed consumer prices also rose faster in July.“Setbacks to optimistic expectations are hard to ignore,” said Tan Boon Heng of Mizuho Bank in a report. “The data need to provide reasons” for the Federal Reserve “not to hike.The Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.1% to 3,154.16 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo shed 1% to 32,160.30. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong sank to 18,629.82.The Kospi in South Korea retreated 1% to 2,565.37 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 was 0.8% lower at 7,283.60.New Zealand and Southeast Asian markets also declined.On Wall Street, the S&P 500 fe...