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As COVID surge continues, is the booster still working against new variants?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The summer COVID surge isn't over. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported hospitalizations jumped another 21.6% last week, and deaths rose by more than 8%.While the CDC doesn't track the number of people testing positive anymore, the weeks of rising hospitalizations show people are still getting seriously ill with the virus more than three years into the public health battle against it. However, an updated booster could still be a month or two away from being released. The last update to the vaccine's formula was last year when the "bivalent" shot was released. It was designed to target the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID, which is still the dominant variant to this day. But over the past year, omicron has spawned many subvariants, each with a name composed of letters and numbers. The most common right now, according to CDC tracking, are EG.5 and several types of XBB. Does the new bivalent COVID booster have different side effects? But even...

Search continues for Cuban coach who disappeared from Little League World Series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (WBRE/WYOU) — Investigators say the search continues for Cuba's Little League World Series coach Monday, despite reports that he's been found. The South Williamsport Police Department said the search is active for Jose Perez, an assistant coach with the Bayamo, Cuba Little League World Series Team.According to officers, they do not know where Perez is despite reports that he was spotted in Spain. Police note that all the sightings of Perez are unconfirmed and they have checked multiple airports. All airport officials told officers that Perez did not board any planes at their facilities. Father, child die after boat capsized while fishing Coach Perez is in America on a visa which means he can travel anywhere in the country until that visa expires but would not be able to leave the United States to any other country but Cuba.  At this time, investigators do not believe anything "nefarious" has happened to Coach Perez. Police are continuing to look for him and...

Passing tropical system brings Central Texas wind, but little rain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we bake in Austin's hottest August on record, we are monitoring a tropical storm developing in the Gulf that will fail to deliver our area the kind of rain and cooler weather we desperately need. Update: What we expect from Tropical Depression #9 Excessive Heat Warnings and Red Flag Warnings are in effect locally for dangerous heat and critical fire danger.Red Flag Warning in effect 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. MondayHeat alerts in effect again Monday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.Tracking Tropical Depression #9We are closely tracking Tropical Depression #9 in the Gulf, motoring westward toward Texas. We are currently expecting the storm to become Tropical Storm Harold, making landfall with near-45 mph winds along the South Texas coast early Tuesday.For full details on the system and what we expect from it, click below: Update: What we expect from Tropical Depression #9 Following the storm's departure on Wednesday, record heat and sunshine return for the foreseeable future. If Austin ...

MnDOT will now use cellphone alert system for major road closures in emergencies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced this week that it has an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use its national wireless emergency alert system for local alerts.This is the same system that shares AMBER alerts and other “time-sensitive” information during natural disasters or threats to public safety.The system allows MnDOT to now send alerts directly to mobile devices automatically. Other states, such as Pennsylvania, Georgia and Texas, have used these types of alerts for major road closure alerts. In addition, many local county sheriff’s offices already use these alerts.“The ability to send (these alerts) is an important additional tool for MnDOT to provide real-time information to the traveling public,” said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “Road closures can occur suddenly, especially in cases of severe weather or major crashes on the highway system.”The new agreement will allow MnDOT to send alerts to people near ...

It’s Halloween every day on Prime series about country’s scariest haunts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

Halloween may be months away but for Rich Perry and his Amazon series “Spooky Kisses Haunts” the holiday is celebrated every day.“Spooky,” where first season episodes are $2.99 each, guides viewers to the history and locations of some of the country’s most venerable scare sites.Halloween haunted attractions, it turns out, are a nationwide industry. “Spooky” is founded and run by Perry and his wife Beverly, who live in New Hampshire.He explained, “We have a very unique story about how this show was created. My wife and I have both lost prior spouses to cancer. But we found a way to look death in the eye and are now producing a series about the Halloween haunted attraction industry.“Just over a year ago, we were filming demo reels with an iPhone, and now we have a full blown series show streaming on Amazon Prime.“I was working on video production,” he explained, when his first wife died in 2012.  In 2022, remarried to Beverly (whose spouse had also died – the two couples were friends)...

Hochul bans radioactive water from entering Hudson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Kayaking, fishing and boating - the Hudson River is a tourist attraction here in New York. During session, lawmakers proposed a bill to prohibit disposing radioactive waste water into the Hudson, which was just signed by the Governor. "This has been a multi-month campaign so we’re really happy to get this victory," said Tracy Brown, President at Hudson River Keeper. Latest on legal battle over redistricting The legislation was proposed when a company by the name of Holtec announced its plans to decommission the Indian Point Power Plant, located just north of New York City. Part of their plan included dumping radioactive waste waters into the River. "The waste water in question still has radioactive materials in the form of tritium in the water so that’s a material that’s similar to water so it’s very hard to remove," said Brown. River Keeper would like to see Holtec store the water in casks where some of its radiation will decrease. "If they’re held on site...

Missouri updates timetable for implementing new 235 area code

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - In February 2022, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator informed the Missouri Public Service Commission of the need for a new area code in the current 573 region due to an increase in residential and commercial phone numbers.The 573 area code was implemented in January 1996 to split away from the 314 code. It runs from the Missouri Bootheel, around the St. Louis region (314 and 636 codes), and up to the northeast beyond Hannibal and Quincy. The biggest cities in the current 573 area code are Columbia, Jefferson City, Rolla, and Cape Girardeau.A new 235 area code will be given to customers in the 573 region who request new service or additional phone lines. This is known as an overlay.To be clear, the 235 code is not replacing the 573 code. The chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission said existing customers with a 573 area code will not lose or have to change their phone number. Massive tire fire at salvage ya...

First-grade teacher charged with soliciting child sexual abuse material

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

CLINTON COUNTY, Ill. - A first-grade teacher in Clinton County, Illinois, is facing a federal charge for allegedly soliciting child sexual abuse material online.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois said Jonathan Villmer Jr., 25, taught at New Baden Elementary School and coached girls' athletic teams in the Wesclin Community Unit School District 3.The Carmi Police Department was conducting an unrelated investigation into the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). At one point during the investigation, prosecutors claim police found a Snapchat account belonging to Villmer that had solicited CSAM. Massive tire fire at salvage yard in Madison, Illinois Police obtained a search warrant for Villmer's Snapchat account and discovered sexually explicit conversations between Villmer and a 13-year-old, including requests for illicit photographs. Similar conversations and requests with other minors were found on Villmer's account.Villm...

Step inside this $640K south St. Louis castle home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Who wouldn't desire to live like royalty within the comforts of their own home? Imagine having a house that embodies those aspirations. Welcome to your personal royal domain for only $640,000. This captivating Holly Hills residence presents an enchanting abode tailored for those with regal dreams. Here, grand visions come to life, and each day unfolds like a fairy tale, promising a lifestyle of grandeur and elegance.This castle-like home was built in 1929 and has four bedrooms, four baths, and is 3,043 square feet. The interior features roomy rooms with exquisite archways and stained-glass windows that elevate each corner with a touch of regal charm. Majestic living areas on the main floor create a perfect setting for hosting your own housewarming celebration.Climb the grand staircase to the upper level, revealing four generously sized bedrooms, including a primary suite that provides a haven after a night of ballroom dancing and courtly gatherings. Hedge apples: Can...

84-year-old Aurora woman reported missing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:28 GMT

Authorities in Aurora are searching for an 84-year-old woman with cognitive impairments.Bong Yi was last seen around 9:30 a.m. Monday at the U.C. Health Senior Clinic in Aurora wearing a blue long-sleeved jacket, dark pants and a gray or purple sweater, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said on social media.Related ArticlesColorado News | At-risk teen missing from Colorado Springs, police ask for public’s help in locating her Colorado News | Arvada family fears missing teen may be endangered Colorado News | Woman missing from Winter Park, police say she is endangered Colorado News | Missing man found dead in canal at Harmony Golf Club in Timnath Colorado News | Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies searching for missing 73-year-old woman Yi, who has black hair and brown eyes, only speaks Korean, does not know how to use public transit and has no money, authorities said.According to a Colorad...