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US officials releasing more RSV shots for newborns amid rising infections

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — RSV infections are rising sharply in some parts of the country, nearly filling hospital emergency departments in Georgia, Texas and some other states.To help counter the surge, federal officials on Thursday announced they were releasing more doses of a new RSV shot for newborns that have been in short supply.Reports of the seasonal virus are rising nationally, but experts said RSV is not expected to generate the kind of widespread patient traffic seen last fall, when hospitals were overwhelmed with sick, wheezing kids.Nevertheless, cases will likely rise in more parts of the country and infections may be intense in some places, said Dr. Meredith McMorrow, an RSV expert at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.In Virginia, 20 kids are currently hospitalized with RSV at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Health, with about half of them in the intensive care unit, said spokesperson Shira Pollard.In Georgia, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital ...

Anheuser-Busch marketing head stepping down after Bud Light sales slump

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

(The Hill) – The marketing head for Anheuser-Busch will step down at the end of the year, a decision that comes months after its Bud Light brand saw a dip in sales following the company's controversial partnership with a transgender influencer. Benoit Garbe, the U.S. chief marketing officer for Anheuser-Busch, will resign at the end of the year "in order to embark on a new chapter in his career," a spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch said in a statement. The company's U.S. Chief Commercial Officer Kyle Norrington will "oversee and be fully dedicated to all aspects of its marketing activities." Two other sales leaders will now report to Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth, according to the spokesperson. Whitworth explained that the changes will "reduce layers" within the organization. Anheuser-Busch CEO releases statement amid Bud Light controversy “These senior leadership changes will accelerate our return to growth as we continue to focus on what we do best — brewing great beer for...

NWS Austin to start issuing "Ice Storm Warnings"

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office announced on Wednesday that an alternative warning may be issued in the event a significant ice storm is being forecast. Previously, that office had chosen not to issue Ice Storm Warnings in favor of Winter Weather Advisories or Winter Storm Warnings for impactful or disruptive winter weather, including ice caused by freezing rain.Late January into early February 2023 saw a crippling ice storm impact Central Texas. By Monday morning, Jan. 30, 2023, Winter Storm Warnings were in effect for most of the 15 counties KXAN covers, with significant icing specifically mentioned as the primary threat.Winter Storm Warning in effect from January 30-Feb 1, 2023Avoiding "Ice Storm Warning"NWS Austin/San Antonio had avoided the use of "Ice Storm Warnings" in the past with the belief that "Winter Storm Warnings" are sufficient to warn ahead of multiple types of wintry precipitation and getting *only* ice (not sleet or snow) is...

Man accused of running victim over in 2022 sentenced for murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was sentenced Nov. 2 in connection with a north Austin murder.According to Travis County court documents, 38-year-old Isandro Varona-Lopez was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. PAST COVERAGE: APD: Murder suspect in custody after man hit, killed by car The charge was in connection with the death of Bisorquis Pena, whom Varona-Lopez ran over with his vehicle following an argument at an apartment complex near Chevy Chase Drive in June 2022.According to documents, Varona-Lopez had a jail credit of 501 days toward his sentence.

Surveillance footage shows alleged burglar in east Austin neighborhood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Residents in the University Hills neighborhood of east Austin said they are terrified after multiple burglaries happened nearby, with some reportedly taking place when people were asleep inside.Over the last two weeks and across multiple surveillance cameras, a tall, slim man was captured walking around homes near Loyola Lane and Greensboro Drive. In the footage, he can be seen attempting to unlock backyard fences and open doors.Haley Hensley said it was late at night several days ago when the man broke into her back porch. She said her pets woke her up because of the noise, and that the man tried to enter the home through all of its outside doors."It's terrifying. I haven't slept. Every hour I'm waking up to look at my cameras to check the house," Hensley said.Lorna Torrado also lives in the neighborhood. She said the man has appeared at her home twice but has not stolen anything.Torrado said multiple neighbors have reported valuables being stolen and running into t...

Mexican government says it 'rejects' Texas immigration enforcement bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Mexican government reacted Wednesday to the recent passage of the controversial border security bill that would enable Texas state law enforcement officers to enforce immigration law.Mexico wrote in a press release that it "categorically rejects" the Lone Star state's attempt to assume powers currently reserved solely for federal law enforcement. On Tuesday, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 4 — which would make it a state crime for non-citizens to cross into the United States illegally. It’s a power currently only federal law enforcement agents like border patrol have, but the legislation would give any state peace officer the ability to arrest someone who enters Texas illegally or order them to return to the country of origin. The bill requires a formal order from a state judge to force the person to leaved the U.S. and go to Mexico.In a press release originally in Spanish, the Mexican government said the bill would consequently result in the "separation of...

It’s a business trip, but Wild’s Swedes soaking up trip home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

STOCKHOLM — The initial announcement came in April: The Wild would be one of four teams competing in the NHL’s Global Series, with a pair of games in Sweden in November inserted into their busy schedule.The anticipation of the trip has provided something for the team — particularly the Swedes — to look forward to for months now. And now that they’re finally in Stockholm, the team’s Swedish players are embracing the trip back home as best they can.Forward Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin hail from Karlstad, a mid-sized city a few hours from the capital. Marcus Johansson makes his home there in the offseason, as well.Goaltender Filip Gustavsson’s hometown of Skellefteå is even further away — about eight to nine hours north of Stockholm. Goalie Jesper Wallstedt, the Wild’s first-round draft pick in 2021, whom they brought along with them on the trip, is from Västerås, a city about 65 miles west of Stockholm.While none of the Swedes call the capital city their hometown...

Gophers women’s hockey series at Duluth has NCAA tournament implications

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

Despite being only six weeks into the season, the Gophers women’s hockey team is facing a crucial series this weekend when they travel to Duluth for two games against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.The No. 4 Gophers (7-2 overall, 5-2 WCHA) will be tested by the No. 8 Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2), fully aware that the series outcome likely will have postseason implications.“As we look around the country and at how many teams potentially will be selected from the WCHA for the NCAA tournament,” Gophers coach Brad Frost said, “any time you have head-to-head matchups with a top team, they are really important.“We are approaching this weekend as if it is the biggest weekend of the year, because it is.”The only losses to date for both teams came against No. 2 Ohio State. Both teams have two more games against the Buckeyes during the regular season as well as four against No.1Wisconsin, the defending national champion.From an immediate standpoint, this weekend will be a battle for third place in the ...

St. Paul Brewing adds lunch, cocktail menu and THC kombucha

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

We have several pieces of good news to share from St. Paul Brewing this week: The brewery has started serving lunch, has added a daytime happy hour and is rolling out its first-ever cocktail menu.Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, shareable sides, and wood-fired pizzas, including $4 slices during those hours.Poutine at St. Paul Brewing. (Courtesy of St. Paul Brewing)Sandwiches include a walleye po-boy, a giant roast beef sandwich and an Italian sub as well as the brewery’s burger and excellent black bean burger and we are definitely eyeing up the warm kale salad and poutine.The daytime happy hour, which takes place during lunch hours, features pints of beer for just $4. Wine, cider and house-made seltzers are also available, as are the new in-house batched craft cocktails, all made using Tattersall products.In addition, the brewpub announced this week a partnership with Koru Kombucha, which is brewed at St. ...

Como Zoo reveals baby giraffe’s name on Give to the Max Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:14 GMT

A big reveal for a tiny giraffe happened on Give to the Max Day on Thursday:Meet Ivy of St. Paul’s Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.The newborn’s name, chosen over Dahlia and Aster by voters, was announced as part of the excitement during Minnesota’s 15th annual online “giving holiday” for nonprofits and schools.“There’s a lot of synergy, a lot of synergy,” said Laurel Lundberg, director of individual giving at Como Friends, the nonprofit partner of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.With up to $40,000 in matching funds, donations were brisk on Thursday via givemn.org in support of one of St. Paul’s favorite places. Funds raised will help provide expert care for Ivy and her mom, Zinnia, as well as the other animals, in addition to supporting the gardens of the conservatory and one especially popular feature for both the zoo and the conservatory.“When I talk to people, almost everyone expresses that’s it’s because ...