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Austin Public Health could soon test wastewater for influenza, RSV indicators

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Public Health (APH) already looks at wastewater to detect the prevalence of COVID-19, and may start to test for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to APH chief epidemiologist Janet Pichette."It would be really great to add things like RSV, norovirus and influenza because then that kind of gives us an idea of when our flu season and other seasons start," Pichette said. "We kind of have an idea with norovirus that we tend to get more gastrointestinal illness occurring in certain months. But we can get an idea of what the background is and kind of monitor the trends over the course of the year." AUGUST: Wastewater data shows increase in COVID, Austin Public Health says Research on the effectiveness of such tests occurred between August 2022 and March 2023 in three Wisconsin cities. The results of that research were published in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.""The positive co...

First female Texas DPS Ranger major on new role in Central Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) - The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced the promotion of Texas Ranger Captain Wende Wakeman to the rank of Major. This makes her the first female Ranger Major in the organization's storied 200-year history.Wakeman now serves as the Major of Texas Ranger Company F, which is stationed in Waco. As Ranger Major, Wakeman oversees 27 rangers and three lieutenants across the region - which spans just south of Dallas to south of San Antonio. Texas pharmacist convicted for role in ‘pill-mill’ Wakeman first joined Texas DPS in 1998. She was a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper in Sulphur Springs and New Caney before being a Texas Ranger in Conroe in 2008."I look forward to meeting members of the community here," Wakeman said. "I do know some people here in the Waco area. I look forward to serving the citizens of Texas, of Central Texas, specifically, and working with the Rangers here. And just to make this just a great place to live."Wakeman's first priority is ...

Vikings offensive tackle Oli Udoh lost for the season with torn quad tendon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

The hits keep coming for the Vikings up front.Already without center Garrett Bradbury, who has missed time with a back injury, as well as left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who has missed time with an ankle injury, the Vikings have now lost swing tackle Oli Udoh for the rest of the season.Talking to reporters on Friday afternoon, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that Udoh has suffered a torn quad tendon. He had to be carted off the field after going down late in the primetime game between the Vikings and Eagles on Thursday night.This is a significant loss for the Vikings on the offensive line given how many reps Udoh got in training camp. He was someone the coaching staff felt comfortable playing in any situation.The swing tackle role will likely now be filled by veteran David Quessenberry. He took over for Udoh on Thursday night and performed admirably in relief.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Vikings condemn racist messages sent to running back Alexander Matt...

You can thank St. Thomas coach’s wife and daughter for Tommies’ game at Harvard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

A sizable number of University of St. Thomas alumni, family and friends will gather in Cambridge, Mass., on Saturday afternoon to watch the Tommies football team face Harvard. The game represents another seminal moment for the university, as it continues to build its brand, and for a football program eager to climb the competitive ladder.For his part, Tommies head coach Glenn Caruso would like to see an Ivy League school on the schedule every year. Getting the first one might prove to be the most difficult, and along with the diligent work of St. Thomas athletic director Phil Esten and his staff, a little serendipity played a role in getting it doneThe Tommies had yet to play their first Division I game in 2021 when Caruso reached out to all eight Ivy League teams about the possibility of setting up a game. Harvard was the only school that left the possibility open for consideration.Discussions between the two athletic programs carried on into the 2021 season. Caruso’s daughter, Ann...

Funding helps bring healthy food to hospital patients

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Friday was Hunger Action Day. It's meant to raise awareness about food insecurity in the United States.The Food Bank of Northeastern New York received a $450,000 grant over three years from the Empire Blue Cross Foundation. The funding will support its Food Farmacy Program, which is run in conjunction with St. Peter's Health Partners and Saratoga Hospital. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "And this is really working with people who have specific health conditions, and we're able to provide healthy, nutritious food to hospitals to serve their patients," Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York CEO Tom Nardacci said.Empire Blue Cross associates also helped pack boxes of food that will go to the hospitals.

NYS Free School Meals Program explained

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Friday is Hunger Action Day; people all over the world focus on closing the gap for those facing hunger. In New York lawmakers on both sides of the aisle looked to fix this issue by expanding the Free School Meals Program. During the pandemic, schools received free breakfast and lunch; school faculty and state lawmakers said this helped students who faced hunger which is why they fought to include it in this years budget. The bipartisan effort called for over $200 million to fund universal school meals, but this was a new ask. Our Capitol Correspondent, Amal Tlaige was told, there wasn’t enough revenue available and the state could only set aside $134 million for free school meals. Kyle Belokopitsky, Executive Director of the NYS PTA said even though its not fully funded, it's still a tremendous help, "Cause it really is making a difference in our high need, low wealth school districts. In those school districts, school meals has been expanded to cover in...

People in tents want new approach to housing crisis 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Affordable housing has become more difficult to find in Albany. People who live in tents said the city’s sweeps have dehumanized them and want a new approach to the problem.Jasmine Tice has been staying in Washington Park with friends and they woke up to commotion. She said she went to use the restroom and less than 5 minutes later Albany’s Department of General Services took her tent. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “I freaked out. He got out of his tent and started yelling, ‘That’s someone’s stuff! They just left for two seconds!’ So they let me get the tent out and like one bag of stuff but I couldn’t tell what was even in there. It was everything I owned,” said Tice. She said they’ve thrown out her stuff a couple of times in the past. “It makes me feel like a piece of garbage to be honest,” said Tice.Timothy Charles lives in a nearby tent and tried to intervene. “We are just looking for some hel...

Professional clothing drive in Pittsfield

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

PITTSFIELD, M.A. (NEWS10) — The Pittsfield District Attorney's Office coordinated with a national organization to help those in need access professional clothing. MORE News from NEWS 10The old saying goes clothes don't make the man, but they're important for 19-year-old Alan Tamayo. He’s getting a new suit today. To Alan, a recent immigrant, this is bigger than fancy clothes and nice fabrics. He hopes looking his best can grant him success. Success for Alan is scoring a job interview in the business field. Alan says good clothes equals flexibility:“For example, you can go like I don't know like prom or like work everything you want."Luis Mata of non-profit 18 Degrees, helped connect Alan to this event. “I feel like if you look good, you feel good, and it's a great opportunity for them…” said Mata. It was Dress for Success’ very first clothing drive in Pittsfield.  The event was sponsored by the Berkshire County District Attorney's office. The drive aims to help people entering or re...

Albany firefighters promoted to leadership roles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Seven Albany firefighters were promoted during a ceremony Friday morning. The department welcomed a new deputy chief, battalion chief, captains and lieutenants. Family members and other firefighters were in attendance to provide support as they officially begin their new leadership roles. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Firefighters will look to them as examples," Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said. "The importance they place on safety, training, professionalism, and respect will set the standard for this department."The department also recognized another lieutenant who was promoted in 2022 and was serving in the military during last year's ceremony.

Wentzville workers picket, demand fair contracts in historic UAW strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:00 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo. - A nice sunrise Friday over General Motors Wentzville Assembly revealed signs that autoworkers hope will usher in the dawn of a new labor contract.More than 13,000 members the United Autoworkers Union hit the picket line Friday morning. Workers in Wentzville were among the first nationwide to strike. “We would not be on strike if General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis were sitting down and negotiating in good faith,” said Glenn Kage Jr. with UAW Local 2250.Kage Jr. was also the union's president during the 2019 GM Strike.“Nobody wins, but sometimes it’s a necessary tool that you have to use to get them to sit down and bargain a decent, fair and equitable contract,” added Kage Jr. Study reveals potential health risks associated with household cleaning supplies From Missouri to Michigan and Ohio, United Auto Workers hit the picket lines around midnight. It’s the first time in history that the UAW is striking against the three big automakers at the same time. Around 13...