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CDC says new COVID subvariant now the US's dominant strain, picture remains unclear

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

(The Hill) - The COVID-19 omicron subvariant EG.5 is now the most dominant strain in the U.S. according to the latest genomic surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but lax data collection makes it hard to tell what this means for the country.The EG.5 omicron subvariant accounts for 17.3 percent of coronavirus injections in the U.S. according to the CDC data, having jumped by 5 percent in the two weeks when the proportions were last updated.The prevalence of EG.5 is relatively minor at the moment, with the second most prevalent strain XBB.1.16 accounting for 15.6 percent of cases. COVID hospitalizations jump again: Maps show where it’s worst The CDC no longer tracks national COVID-19 case rates, though hospitalization data is still updated regularly. Hospitalizations due to SARS-CoV-2 have risen slightly in the past few weeks suggesting higher levels of transmission, but it remains uncertain if this trend can be attributed to EG.5's recent gro...

Texas man on trip to spread father's ashes dies at Utah national park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

MOAB, Utah (KTVX) -- A 66-year-old man from Texas found dead Aug. 1 in Arches National Park was there to spread his father's ashes, according to his family.James Bernard Hendricks, of Austin, is believed to have died of heat stroke during a hike along the Sand Dune Arch Trail, his sister, Ruth Hendricks Brough, told the San Antonio Express-News.“He was loved by countless people because he was an unusually kind, sweet person who made friends easily," she told the outlet. "Now all these people are grieving. It was a horrible shock."Rangers from the Grand County Sheriff's Office went looking for Hendricks after he was reported overdue to return from his hike and found his car in the parking lot. Hendricks' body was found off-trail nearby, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.The quart water bottle that Hendricks brought with him was empty, Brough said, adding that rangers believe he died from a mix of heat, high altitude and dehydration. Experts warn about ‘bed ...

MedWatch Daily Digest: The key to better sleep may be time — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

For Tuesday, Aug. 8, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch How to improve sleep as a college studentTime management during awake hours may contribute to better sleep, according to a new study.University of Alabama environmental scientists sought to figure out why college students experience such poor sleep, as lack of sleep can have both mental and physical impacts. Researchers found that organization, scheduling and overall time management enhanced sleep health. Students who slept better had fewer bouts of anxiety and stress. Overweight brainAll brains are not the same. Cambridge scientists reveal the hypothalamus, a key region of the brain involved with controlling appetite, is different in the brains of people who are overweight and obese compared to those who are a healthy weight. About 2/3 of adults are overweight. That number increases the threat of many health problems like diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer....

Brush fire near Cedar Park apartment complex forces some to evacuate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Some residents at a Cedar Park apartment complex were forced to evacuate with a large brush fire close to the property, Cedar Park police said. Police said crews are responding to the fire near 12820 West Parmer Lane. That address is connected with the Bexley at Silverardo apartment complex.Police are asking people to avoid the area, if possible.This developing story will be updated with more information.

Evacuations lifted after small wildfire near I-35 in Kyle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hays County Wildland Task Force responded to a wildfire in the 290 block of Roland Lane in Kyle Tuesday, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Services website. That's near I-35. Officials with Hays County OES said evacuations were lifted shortly after 4 p.m. The fire was estimated to be 25 acres and was nearly contained at that point. Officials responded to the fire at approximately 3 p.m. It was not immediately clear how the fire started, but a spokesperson for the Kyle Fire Department said it may have been started from the road. Hays County OES used air support from Travis County's Star Flight, and asked people not to attempt to operate drones/unmanned aerial systems while they fought the fire.

Partnership between local universities adds more housing for Huston-Tillotson students

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new partnership between two Austin universities will help add student housing for about 150 students.Huston-Tillotson University has seen an increase in enrollment over the years and needs more student housing. New partnership expands student housing for Huston-Tillotson students at St. Edward’s University "We are pushing our limits here," Huston-Tillotson Vice President of Student Affairs Jonas Vanderbilt said.Huston-Tillotson University students will have an opportunity to have student housing starting this fall at the St. Edward's University campus."There are a lot of great things we are doing here and I believe that is translating and getting students to come," Vanderbilt said.In 2021, Huston-Tillotson had 1,003 students enrolled and this year they are projecting 1,080, but with more students that means fewer beds."Huston-Tillotson needed student housing and their president Dr. [Melva] Williams and our president Dr. [Montserrat] Fuentes often collaborate and ...

Prosecutors respond to motion to toss out Gillis murder indictment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

FORT EDWARD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Prosecutors are pushing back against a request from Kevin Monahan's attorney to dismiss the indictment against him in connection to the deadly shooting of a 20-year-old woman in April. Read the latest on the fatal shooting of Kaylin Gillis Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed when a car she was in accidentally turned into the wrong driveway in Hebron. Monahan is accused of firing two gunshots toward the vehicle, one of which struck Gillis. Monahan's attorneys have argued he acted in self-defense, but prosecutors said he was never threatened. Monahan is being held in jail after being denied bail. A judge ruled he posed a flight risk. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! He was charged with second degree Murder, Reckless Endangerment, and Tampering with Evidence. A judge will decide which of the defense's motions will be considered during a hearing in September.

Whitehall student selected as SADD national president

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

WHITEHALL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local student has been selected to represent thousands of teenagers across the country as the new National Leadership Council President for Students Against Destructive Decisions.Louie Pratt, of Whitehall, was selected for the position out of thousands of applicants. The non-profit is a student-led organization that uses peer advocacy to empower students to make smart decisions about safe driving and substance abuse. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! In his new role, Louie will provide insight to help create national strategies that address student safety."When you get to standup and be the president of such an honorable organization, you get to stand up and really make sure that teens and students, communities, parents, and everyone are making safe decisions," he said.Louie is the first student from New York to hold the position. The organization has 8,000 chapters across the country and serves more...

Ramp reopens after crash on 787 on-ramp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The I-787 on-ramp from I-90 in Albany reopened after a crash Tuesday afternoon. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A picture from Albany police showed at least two vehicles involved, including one vehicle that landed on its side over the guardrail. Police said those involved suffered minor injuries. New York State Police are now handling the investigation.Crash on I-90 (Albany Police Department)

Grandpa Gang needs volunteers for Christmas Wonderland set-up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:20 GMT

ALTON, Ill. – Christmas might be four months away, but it’s never too early for the Grandpa Gang in Alton, Illinois.“Started out as just a group of men,” said Dick Alford, Grandpa Gang organizer. “Not too many. Maybe three, four, five, six men that decided they wanted to do some decorating. As you pull into the park, you see a waterfall, and they kind of strung lights there. Then, over the years, it’s grown into three million lights.”Alford is one of the head grandpas in this Christmas-loving group of retirees and volunteers.For a quarter-century, they’ve been making the Christmas Wonderland shine at Rock Spring Park in Alton.“We probably have a total of 23 or 24 we call our regular grandpas at any given time,” Alford said. “But grandpas babysit sometimes, or have other things to do, so they’re not there every day. But for the most part, we have 12 or 12 grandpas show up and help us get the work done.” Anheuser-Busch selling 8 beer, beverage brands to cannabis company Alford and a...