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Hurricane Idalia forecast to become 'extremely dangerous' major hurricane, NHC says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Idalia strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane early Tuesday and is expected to rapidly intensify in the Gulf of Mexico.The National Hurricane Center said Idalia is about 370 miles south-southwest of Tampa. The storm's winds increased to 80 mph.Idalia is forecast to make landfall along the northwest Gulf Coast of Florida some time on Wednesday as an "extremely dangerous" Category 3 major hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of the 5 a.m. update, Idalia was over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, moving north at 14 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The NHC shifted Idalia's track slightly west. Do I need to evacuate? Orders issued for several counties ahead of Idalia Storm surge remains the biggest threat with Idalia, with some areas north of Tampa Bay expected to see 8 to 12 feet of storm surge, with 4 to 9 feet in the Tampa Bay area and 3 to 7 feet south of Tampa Bay. The storm surge threat is increased thanks to higher-than-...

Neurosurgeon probing patient's mystery symptoms plucks worm from woman's brain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A neurosurgeon investigating a woman’s mystery symptoms in an Australian hospital says she plucked a wriggling worm from the patient’s brain.Surgeon Hari Priya Bandi was performing a biopsy through a hole in the 64-year-old patient’s skull at Canberra Hospital last year when she used forceps to pull out the parasite, which measured 8 centimeters, or 3 inches."I just thought: ‘What is that? It doesn’t make any sense. But it’s alive and moving,’” Bandi was quoted Tuesday in The Canberra Times newspaper.“It continued to move with vigor. We all felt a bit sick,” Bandi added of her operating team.The creature was the larva of an Australian native roundworm not previously known to be a human parasite, named Ophidascaris robertsi. The worms are commonly found in carpet pythons.This undated photo supplied by Canberra Health Services, shows a parasite in a specimen jar at a Canberra hospital in Australia. A neurosurgeon investigating a patient's mystery neurologica...

Metra Rock Island train derails near LaSalle Street Monday; normal service resumes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

CHICAGO — A Metra Rock Island trains derailed Monday causing major delays and disputations in service.As of Tuesday morning, Metra said it anticipates operating normal schedule. Trains may incur up to 15 minute delays.The incident involving Rock Island train No. 704 happened around 8:30 a.m. Monday near Clark Street and 15th Street. Train No. 704 was scheduled to arrive at the LaSalle Street Station at 8:30 a.m. but derailed near Clark Street and 15th Street.Service on the Metra Rock Island was suspended all day Monday due to the derailment, but is expected to be back to its normal schedule Tuesday.For the latest updates go to: metra.com

'Have you seen this bull?' Escaped bull on the loose in Barrington Hills

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

BARRINGTON HILLS, Ill. — Officials in Barrington Hills are asking for the public's help to locate a bull who escaped from a resident's property.The village shared photos of the bull on their Facebook page that were captured on a security camera in the area of IL Route 62 and Old Sutton Roads.The bull is described to be brown and black and is reported to weigh about 1600 pounds.Village officials are reminding residents that although the bull may seem friendly, to not approach it and to call 911 immediately.(Credit: Village of Barrington Hills)(Credit: Village of Barrington Hills)(Credit: Village of Barrington Hills)(Credit: Village of Barrington Hills)

Teachers predict wave of violence with a return to classrooms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

(NewsNation) — With summer break over, the break from last year's campus violence also comes to an end. Across the country, many teachers have already begun to deal with incidents of violence as some predict things will only keep escalating without a major social shift. “I’m exhausted and we’re only three weeks into the school year and I’m already burnt out,” said Las Vegas teacher Kristan Nigro. Will back-to-school season make the summer COVID surge worse? The kindergarten teacher told NewsNation that her first-day excitement is long gone after an incident last year. “I had a child who went to my desk and grabbed the adult scissors and opened them and threw them at my face. Thank God I was able to get out of the way and not actually let those collide with my face,“ Nigro said.On Friday, four people were shot in Oklahoma during a high school football game after a fight broke out among spectators.Gunfire also broke out during lunch at a high school in Augusta, Georgia, when a figh...

Dean's A-List Interview: Andy Summers on upcoming Chicagoland show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

CHICAGO — Many people grew accustomed to seeing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist on stage with his famous band.Andy Summers was a big part of "The Police," who won five Grammy Awards on their way to enshrinement in 2003. Now years after the band members went their separate ways, he's taking his solo show to Chicagoland.Summers will be playing at Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, September 8. It's a different venture for the guitarist in his career and one he talked about with Dean Richards on the WGN Morning News.He joined "Dean's A-List Interview' to talk about the show and what the audience will find unique about it in September.You can watch Andy's discussion with Dean on the August 29 WGN Morning News in the video above or below.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

These first 10 Medicare drugs chosen for US to negotiate lower prices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) early Tuesday announced the first 10 drugs chosen for Medicare price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).These single-source drugs were chosen based on their eligibility under the IRA and are the "highest total Part D gross covered prescription drug costs" under Medicare Part D, according to CMS. In total, these medications account for $50.5 billion in total gross Part D costs.Negotiations over these drugs, if manufacturers agree to the process, will take place over 2023 and 2024. Drugmakers have until Oct. 1 to sign agreements.CMS will publish the "maximum fair prices" for these drugs in September 2024. The negotiated prices for these drugs will go into effect beginning in 2026. Drug shortages shine spotlight on FDA powers President Joe Biden is expected to give a speech on Tuesday to mark the selection of these drugs."For far too long, Americans have paid more for prescription drugs than any maj...

Georgetown shelter says distemper contained to one dog, returns to normal operations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Georgetown Animal Shelter said Monday it resumed normal operations after determining only one dog in its care had the distemper virus. The shelter said the dog remained in isolation and continued to show signs of improvement. Staff are optimistic the dog will fully recover, according to the shelter. PREVIOUS: Georgetown Animal Shelter sees increase in distemper cases It said test results for the other 26 dogs currently in the shelter's care came back negative on Monday. “Limiting the spread of such a contagious virus to the original dog who tested positive is an incredible testament to our shelter staff, who immediately put safety and cleaning protocols in place, and to our community, who immediately responded to our plea for fosters,” Animal Services Manager April Haughey said.Within four days of an Aug. 23 call for fosters, the shelter said seven of 15 healthy dogs were fostered or adopted out of the shelter. According to the shelter, fosters are...

Gophers football vs. Nebraska: Keys to game, how to watch, who has edge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

NEBRASKA vs. MINNESOTAWhen: 7 p.m. ThursdayWhere: Huntington Bank StadiumTV: FOXRadio: KFAN, 100.3 FMWeather: 80 degrees, partly sunny, 12 mph north windBetting spread: Minnesota, -7Records: Season opener for both teams. P.J. Fleck is 5-1 against Nebraska, including 1-0 versus Mike Riley (2017) and 4-1 with Scott Frost (2018-22). Matt Rhule did not play against Minnesota during his stints at Temple and Baylor.History: Frost’s demise came with a brutal 5-22 record in one-score games; the U’s three wins in the last three years each came by seven-point margins.Key matchup: Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims vs. Gophers linebackers. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Georgia Tech transfer has dual-threat capabilities with 1,152 rushing yards and 4,464 passing yards across three seasons in the Atlantic Coast Conference. All-Big Ten-caliber LB Cody Lindenberg and Co. will need be strong tacklers to limit big plays from Sims.Who has the edge?Gophers offense vs. Nebraska defense: New QB Athan Kaliakmanis’...

Idalia strengthens to a hurricane, pushing a surge of ocean water toward Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:04 GMT

By LAURA BARGFELD (Associated Press)TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Idalia became a hurricane on Tuesday, threatening to bring deadly storm surge and dangerous winds to Florida’s Gulf Coast after lashing Cuba with heavy rain.Florida residents loaded up on sandbags and evacuated from homes in low-lying areas along the Gulf Coast to prepare for a storm that the National Hurricane Center projected could have sustained winds of up to 120 mph (193 kph). That would make it a Category 3 hurricane — a potentially big blow to a state still dealing with lingering damage from last year’s Hurricane Ian.At 8 a.m. EDT Tuesday, Hurricane Idalia was about 320 miles (515 kilometers) south-southwest of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph), the hurricane center said. Idalia was moving north at 14 mph (22 kph).The center of Idalia is forecast to reach the Gulf Coast of Florida as “an extremely dangerous major hurricane before landfall on Wednesday,” and then mo...