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Despite uptick in hospitalizations, COVID risk level remains low in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

CHICAGO — COVID-19 cases across Chicago are rising, albeit slightly, as health officials monitor a surge in hospitalizations. Massimo Pacilli, Chicago Department of Public Health's deputy commissioner for disease control, noted that the news is not surprising. "It is a good reminder that COVID-19 is not gone and will cause periodic waves of illness," he said. CDC, FDA gearing up for fall vaccine campaign with US in ‘strongest position yet’ With kids heading back to school and people spending more time indoors during the coming fall and winter months, Pacilli said respiratory viral activity is expected to increase, which means more cases of flu, RSV, and COVID-19. City data shows that while the COVID risk level is low, hospitalizations and laboratory-confirmed cases have risen in recent weeks. "It is important to remember that we're in a different place than we were a couple of years ago," Pacilli said. "Nearly all of us have some acquired antibodies to the virus due to either vac...

RUSH University first year medical students participate in life-saving training

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

CHICAGO -- RUSH University Medical Center is looking to save lives in Chicago’s underserved communities with the help of their incoming medical students.On their very first day of class, RUSH University medical students are already making an impact.The concept is remarkably simple: take first year medical students the minute they walk thru the door and immediately teach them how to administer CPR or a live-saving dose of “Narcan.” Instantly deploying a hundred highly motivated life savers on the streets of Chicago.  “From my time here in Chicago I’ve seen that violence is a real thing and stopping the bleed could be an important thing that I have to do one day," RUSH University medical student Zoe Bilello said. “Time is Life” .. their instructors say .. when somebody is suffering from an opioid overdose.  “someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.”As an advanced EMT in Houston, Texas .. Sam Shuman saw a glaring need.   Developing an educational outreach program .. ...

'Rich Men North of Richmond' singer blasts 'aggravating' conservatives

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

(The Hill) — The singer behind “Rich Men North of Richmond,” which has become such a hit with a conservatives that it was featured at the beginning of this week's 2024 GOP primary debate, is seeking distance from the "aggravating" Republican embrace."It was funny seeing my song ... at the presidential debate. 'Cause it's like, I wrote that song about those people," musician Oliver Anthony said in a video on his YouTube channel.The No. 1, which points the finger at the powerful elite of Washington, has become an anthem among Republicans, who see it as a criticism of Democrats such as President Biden. Biden chimes in on Trump mug shot: ‘Handsome guy’ "That song has nothing to do with Joe Biden. It's a lot bigger than Joe Biden. That song was written about the people on that stage ... Not just them, but definitely them," Anthony said. Fox News debate moderator Martha MacCaullum said Wednesday, "His lyrics speak of alienation, of deep frustration with the state of government and of t...

Gun found in kindergartener's backpack at Cicero school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

CICERO, Ill. — Cicero police are investigating after a kindergarten student brought a gun to school.The superintendent of District 99 said in a statement the gun was found Friday morning at Columbus West Elementary.According to the statement, a classroom assistant was helping the student look for their ID when the gun was discovered in the child's backpack.The superintendent said at no time was any student or staff in imminent danger.“In conjunction with the Cicero Police Department and Columbus West Administration, the situation was immediately contained and no one was hurt.  As always, the safety of our staff and students is our priority,” the statement said.  No additional details were provided.

Judge issues temporary injunction blocking transgender youth health care ban from going into effect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (Nexstar) — A Travis County district judge issued a temporary injunction Friday, blocking Texas' ban on transgender health care for minors from going into effect next week. Parents, doctors sue Texas to block transgender minor health care ban A group of Texas families with transgender children and doctors sued the state over Senate Bill 14, a bill passed this legislative session that prohibits transgender minors from getting health care to assist in their gender transition. The bill cites puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapy or surgery — although surgical procedures are rarely performed on minors seeking gender-affirming care. Texas doctors who provide this type of care could also lose their medical licenses.The judge's ruling pauses SB 14 from going into effect on Sept. 1. The state is expected to appeal the case, but the court ordered that the injunction will stand until a judgment in this case is entered or the lawsuit is otherwise dismiss...

Nixta Taqueria asking for community's help after city permitting issues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A well-loved taqueria in east Austin is asking for financial help after the owners say the City of Austin shut them down temporarily over permitting issues. The city says the building the couple were operating out of was dangerous. Sara Mardanbigi and Edgar Rico, a husband and wife, opened Nixta Taqueria in 2019, according to a post from the owners. The future of that restaurant is now in question and the owners have started a GoFundMe to finance steps forward. "A cross-departmental team is currently working on a path forward to allow the restaurant to continue limited operations while critical electrical and safety issues are addressed," a City of Austin spokesperson told KXAN. The city said Austin Energy was alerted through a software it uses to "protect life and property" that there was an overload at the restaurant's meter. Nixta owners said in a GoFundMe post that its electricity was cut on August 16 as a result. When city crews showed up to check on the issue,...

Stage 4 drought on Barton Springs not imminent this month, officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A move to Stage IV Exceptional Drought is no longer imminent, after the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District found a discrepancy between direct flow data collected while assessing the drought, indicating low flow levels, according to officials. The district, the City of Austin and the U.S. Geological Survey Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center took manual measurements of the flow at Barton Creek Thursday morning, just below the pool, the general manager of the district said in an email. Barton Springs flow is low, officials preparing for next level of drought "What we discovered is that there is a discrepancy between direct flow data collected today and flow that is derived from a statistical relationship with stage," the general manager said. "The latter is what the USGS gauge generates every 15 minutes. Apparently, at these low flows, the statistical relationship needs to be recalibrated and the new flow measurements generated by the stilling wel...

Community Corner: Talking Travers fashion with Christine A. Moore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Ahead of the big race, NEWS10's Cassie Hudson and Meteorologist Jill Szwed spoke to Christine A. Moore at Encounter in Saratoga Springs to discuss all things Travers fashion.

Discovering Saratoga: Travers Traditions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - As we countdown to the running of the Travers Stakes Race, we’re celebrating the many traditions associated with the highlight of the Saratoga Summer Meet. From the infield canoe to the Travers blanket, here are the special traditions that will be carried out in honor of the historic race.

Bishop Hubbard funeral held in Loudonville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:25 GMT

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The funeral mass for Bishop Howard Hubbard brought out regular parishioners and politicians alike. Mourners at St. Pius Church, gathered to pay their last respects to a man who was revered, but also had a complicated legacy.Bagpipes served as a symphony outside the service commemorating the life and death of Bishop Howard Hubbard. There was plenty of pomp and circumstance inside the mass. Bishop Edward Scharfenberger eulogizing the late Hubbard.MORE NEWS from NEWS10“We also in a special Way commend those for whom the mass is offered to the loving hands of God as we do our brother Howard today” said Scharfenberger.Hubbard was born on Halloween 1938 in Troy. At age 38, he took his place as head of the Albany archdiocese in 1977, becoming the youngest Bishop in the country. Mister Hubbard was seen as a liberal leader in the church, because of his social justice and peace advocacies. Bishop Avery Comitheir remembered his colleague in faith.“He had a mission,...