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COVID spread from deer to humans multiple times, study says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

(The Hill) - The coronavirus spread from deer to humans at least a few times based on an analysis of samples taken from the animal, according to a new study. The analysis published in the scientific journal Nature on Monday revealed that researchers found three possible cases of mutated variants of the virus from deer spreading to humans. Those cases appear to have originally stemmed from the virus spreading from humans to the deer and then mutating and spreading back to humans. The researchers, several of whom work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Agriculture, collected 8,830 respiratory samples from free-ranging white-tailed deer from 26 states and Washington, D.C., between November 2021 and April 2022. They identified 282 deer infected with COVID-19 and 34 different lineages of the virus in the samples collected, including those belonging to the alpha, gamma and delta variants that were more common earlier in the pandemic and the o...

6 Longhorns selected in 2023 MLB Draft led by Campbell, Gordon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft concluded Tuesday after 20 rounds with six Longhorns plucked by big league squads.Outfielder Dylan Campbell and left-handed pitcher Lucas Gordon were selected on the draft's second day Monday. Campbell, who set a Big 12 and school record with a 38-game hitting streak this season, was picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round. Gordon went two rounds later to the Chicago White Sox at No. 179 overall. ‘It was amazing’: Round Rock’s Travis Sykora selected by Washington Nationals For Campbell, the No. 136 overall selection had a slot value of $473,700, meaning the Dodgers could offer him that as a signing bonus. For Gordon, the No. 179 overall pick was assigned a slot value of $317,400.Right-handed pitcher Travis Sthele was selected in the 12th round by the Nationals, who also picked Texas signee Travis Sykora in the third round. Cleveland picked relief pitcher Zane Morehouse in the 14th round and Houston sna...

Memo: 'Drastic steps' needed to properly staff Austin airport tower

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Air traffic controller staffing for the tower at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has "already fallen behind the rapid increase of air traffic within our airspace," according to a memo sent to regional air traffic control representatives. Just last month, the CEO for United Airlines blamed such staffing shortages - which are occurring nationwide - for recent delays that plagued various airlines.A spokesperson for AUS said air traffic control shortages impact airline operations more than airport operations. Airport operations include monitoring airport roadways, the airfield and parking versus things like flight schedules.Air traffic controllers communicate with pilots within 40 miles of the airport. Crews in the tower According to the air traffic control staffing memo obtained by KXAN, the tower has seen "unprecedented growth in air traffic over the last two years," and staffers are "working mostly six-day workweeks" to keep up. The memo asks the FAA...

Virginia car enthusiast finds Ford Model A on Facebook Marketplace

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

Zachary Zeller is a car guy. Plain and simple. When he’s not running National Car Care, the business he owns, on Diamond Springs Road, he’s repairing his cars, racing them on weekends, and adding to his ever-growing personal collection of distinctive vehicles.Recently, Zeller added a 1929 Ford Model A to his collection. He had never considered acquiring a Ford Model A. It wasn’t on his list of preferred automobiles. When he came across an old Model A sedan that had been reconfigured into a makeshift pickup truck by an Edenton farmer, Zeller had to add the rusty, patina-covered vehicle to his wide-ranging stockpile of eccentric automotive treasures.“I’m a car guy so I’ll buy anything that tickles my interest,” said Zeller. “I had zero intention of ever buying a Model A in my life. I saw it online and thought – that’s cool.”Zachary Zeller bought a 1929 Ford Model A just to drive it. People have told Zeller that his old Ford looks like something straight out of the Beverly Hillbillies....

New backstretch clinic opens at Saratoga Race Course

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new medical facility opened on Tuesday for the workers who keep the Saratoga Race Course up and running. A ribbon cutting was held for the new Backstretch Clinic, which provides care to the hundreds of employees who work at the track. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! It marks the first time that many of them see a physician in the United States. Construction started last summer. The project was funded by John Hendrickson as a tribute to his late wife, Marylou Whitney, a prominent race horse breeder and socialite who died in 2019.

Open air fitness gym now open in Guilderland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- People in Albany County enjoyed fresh air on Tuesday as a new outdoor gym opened to the public. The 2,000 sq. ft. MVP Healthcare Fitness Center at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland features a variety of exercise equipment with hands-on tutorials.Town officials said the purpose of the project is to give everyone equal access to fitness. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "This is a huge park, and it has a lot to offer, but this facility in particular adds another element," Guilderland Town Supervisor Peter Barber said. "We want to make sure that people have opportunities. This may not be for everyone, but it will serve some people. We want to make sure that we give people the options where they can best exercise where they feel comfortable and what not."Multiple events will be taking place at the outdoor gym this summer. You can sign up for fitness classes run by a personal trainer. Walk-ins are also ...

Free ice cream tickets to promote bike helmet safety

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

(NEWS10) -- Local lawmakers are helping kids beat the heat and stay safe outside this summer with the return of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet program in Saratoga and Schenectady Counties.Under the program, police departments are given 5,000 free ice cream tickets to reward children who are wearing their helmets while on their bikes or skateboards. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "They are the most important part of this team," NYS Sen. Jim Tedisco said. "Our kids, through that positive reinforcement, saying, 'Hey, I can get an ice cream coupon' or 'I already got one from Stewart's.' Positive reinforcement gets kids to obey the law and be safer."Hundreds of helmets are also being made available for kids who need one. They are available at law enforcement offices in Saratoga and Schenectady Counties.

Police: 3 men shot on Hampton Avenue in south St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Three men were wounded in a shooting Tuesday afternoon along a popular corridor in south St. Louis.According to a spokesperson for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting occurred just after 4 p.m. in the 5300 block of Hampton Avenue.One victim was shot in the eye and right shoulder. The second victim suffered a gunshot wound to his throat. Both victims, who were in the same car, were taken to a local hospital by ambulance and are listed in stable condition.A third victim arrived at the hospital separately. He suffered a gunshot wound on his arm. He's also said to be in stable condition. Police say he was in a second vehicle.Investigators believe the incident started further up the road, at the Target parking lot across from the Hampton Village shopping center.FOX 2 will have more information on this story as it becomes available.

New law expected to fix Missouri's healthcare shortage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A new law that's set to go into effect later this summer is expected to help Missouri's healthcare professional shortage. Under current state law, advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) are required to be in a collaborative practice agreement, which means nurse practitioners have a physician nearby to do their job. With these restrictions set to be lifted, it's expected patients will have better access to healthcare."Getting this done is really important work for our ability to provide services in more isolated areas primarily," Missouri Hospital Association spokesperson Dave Dillion said. "Anyone that's called their primary care provider and are told we can see you in three weeks has felt that frustration of the lack of people in the healthcare system that can provide this type of care." Currently, Missouri doesn't allow nurse practitioners to diagnose, prescribe medications or evaluate patients without a doctor signing off and that doctor must be wi...

Pritzker to lead UK trade mission with focus on clean energy, manufacturing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to leave Thursday for a seven-day trade mission to the United Kingdom with a coterie of advisers and leaders in manufacturing and economic development.The Democrat will begin his journey at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Thursday through Sunday, where his office said he will discuss Illinois' continued interest in manufacturing electric cars with automobile, energy and other industry leaders.The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a 30-year-old motorsports festival where contemporary and historic race cars take part in a hill climb and other events at a country estate belonging to the Duke of Richmond, built about 1600 in West Sussex.On Sunday, a long list of other officials will join Pritzker in London to meet their counterparts and discuss stronger economic cooperation between Illinois and Britain. The focus will be on manufacturing, clean energy and technology, collaboration in higher education and more. Illinois man charged...