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Austin Public Health monitoring as invasive strep cases rise nationally

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After lower-than-normal levels throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous states have seen an increase in invasive group A strep — and Austin Public Health officials said the agency is on the lookout for any possible spikes locally.Group A strep bacteria is a relatively common and mild illness responsible for conditions like strep throat and skin infections, a spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told KXAN. However, invasive group A strep (iGAS) can lead to more pronounced side effects, including sepsis, septic shock and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, they added.Austin Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes added the severity of iGAS cases can manifest themselves in the form of impacts to patients' nervous tissue and bloodstream. So far, Austin hasn't exhibited any spikes seen in other places nationally. RELATED: Strep A infections spike across Texas; how to protect yourself Typically, iGAS infections peak seasonally between December and...

Business People: Visit St. Paul in leadership transition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

OF NOTECindy DupontVisit Saint Paul, a civic promotional organization, announced that CFO/COO Cindy Dupont has been named interim president and CEO of Visit Saint Paul and Saint Paul RiverCentre, a downtown entertainment and convention venue.ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONSPreston Spire, a Minneapolis-based advertising agency, announced the following new hires: Evon Anderson, digital marketing specialist; Jessa Diebel, associate director, digital experience; Dan Domagala, account director/new business director; Jessica Helman, account manager; Kari Johnson, senior project manager, and Tess Montgomery, media planner.EDUCATIONThe University of Minnesota‘s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences announced the appointment of Andrew Gapinski as director of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, effective May 1. Gapinski previously was director of horticulture at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Boston.ENTERTAINMENTThe Ordway Center for the Performin...

Man in serious condition after Easter morning shooting in westside Los Angeles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

A man was taken to the hospital in critical condition after he was shot twice in the Beverlywood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Easter morning. The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. on the 2500 block of South Robertson Blvd., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.A man was transported to the in serious condition following a shooting in Beverlywood on April 9, 2023. (ANG News)Police officials say several people were attending a party at an event space nearby. As the party came to an end and attendants spilled out onto the street, a fight broke out that became violent.The victim was shot twice, police said, and transported to the hospital with serious wounds. Four people were detained at the scene, but all four were released.A vehicle wanted in connection with the shooting was seen fleeing north on Robertson Blvd., police said, but no arrests have been made at this time. At this time, there is no information regarding a suspect description.The street was closed for several h...

These are the most photographed parks in California, according to Yelp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

It's easy to admire the beauty of nature when you're visiting a park, whether it's one of the hundreds of national parks in the U.S. to the countless state and local parks near you. Sometimes the beauty is so stunning, you may feel inclined to snap a photo or two to remember it. That's especially true for some parks, a new Yelp analysis found. After identifying parks listed on its website for both the U.S. and Canada, Yelp ranked the top 25 based on how frequently users submitted photos for each.Surprisingly, only six are national parks (and half of those are in Utah). It was the most visited national park in 2022, but it isn’t exactly a park With more than 11,000 photos on Yelp's site, topping out the list was New York City's Central Park. Spanning more than 843 acres, Central Park serves over 42 million visitors every year and offers more than just green space. Visitors can also explore the Belvedere Castle, recreate a scene from "Home Alone" at Gapstow Bridge, and even stop by...

Former Santa Rosa doctor to serve prison sentence after teen overdoses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

By Olivia Wynkoop | Bay City NewsA former pain management doctor in Santa Rosa was sentenced to 30 months in prison for prescribing dangerous controlled substances to a 17-year-old patient who later fatally overdosed, announced the U.S. Department of Justice.On Friday, a federal judge issued a prison sentence for Thomas Keller, 75, who was found guilty of four counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances in November.According to court documents, Keller knowingly and repeatedly prescribed strong, addictive opioids to a 17-year-old patient before she died of an overdose in 2017. The dosages and combination of the drugs “far exceeded the usual course” of medical practice, and were prescribed without “legitimate medical need,” said the DOJ.The patient died from an overdose after being prescribed a combination of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a Soma — a combination of medication known to be extremely dangerous.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety ...

NBA in Mexico: G League team hopes it’s laying foundation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A reggaeton song by Puerto Rican artist Daddy Yankee is blasting through the Arena Ciudad de México with the lights out while fans wave their cell phones and dance to the rhythm of the music.Then comes a drumbeat followed by a loud “Ca-pi-ta-nes, Ca-pi-ta-nes” chant.Welcome to NBA G League action in Mexico City. And if fans get their wish, the atmosphere at Capitanes’ games will become the staple for home games of an actual NBA team in the city. It’s a longshot but that hasn’t dampened the optimism.When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver visited Mexico in December, he said the Capitanes would give the league a great opportunity to see if Mexico could be considered for a franchise in the future.So far, it appears the organization is on the right path.Though the Capitanes lost a three-way tiebreaker and missed the G League playoffs — the finals begin Tuesday — they provided some answers to off-court concerns in their first season in Mexico City.Following their inaug...

Nets’ Bridges starts 83rd game, extends streak, then leaves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges kept his ironman streak alive Sunday, starting his 83rd game of the season before committing a foul and immediately checking out of the game after four seconds.Bridges was the only starter to play for either team when the Nets hosted the Philadelphia 76ers in their season finale, a week before they will meet in the first round of the playoffs.Bridges was playing only to keep alive his streak of never missing a game in college or the pros. The game Sunday was his 392nd straight in the NBA and completed his longest regular-season yet.He had played in 56 for Phoenix before being part of the trade for Kevin Durant on Feb. 9, then started the Nets’ final 27 games. The guard became the 42nd NBA player to play in 83 or more games in a season and the first since Josh Smith for Detroit and Houston in 2014-15.Before the game, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn revealed what his strategy would be for Bridges.“I’m going to bring these other dudes aroun...

Mariners place pitcher Andrés Muñoz on 15-day injured list

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andrés Muñoz, who led AL relievers in strikeouts last season, was put on the 15-day injured list by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday because of a right deltoid strain.Muñoz struck out 96 while going 2-5 with four saves and a 2.49 ERA in 64 appearances last year. He had ankle surgery in November, which delayed his first spring training appearance until March 20. Muñoz hasn’t allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings this season. Manager Scott Servais said Muñoz has felt soreness in the back of his shoulder.“He didn’t have his normal buildup in spring training,” Servais said. “He just hasn’t felt great. We’re playing the long game here. For us to be really good throughout the course of the season we need him. The decision was made to give him a couple weeks down time now and let him get back to what he’s used to being.”Right-hander Matt Festa was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma with a 10.80 ERA over three appearances in which he allowed four runs in 3 1/3...

Celtics, Hawks sit many players for regular-season finale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks both have numerous players out for Sunday’s season finale. Boston is sitting usual starters Jayson Tatum, the team’s leading scorer at 30.1 per game, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown (cut finger) and Marcus Smart. Also out are reserves Malcolm Brogdon (lower back pain) and Robert Williams III.The Hawks are playing without leading scorer Trae Young (right groin soreness), Dejounte Murray (sore left ankle), Clint Capela (right calf tightness), John Collins (tight lower back) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (sore right knee).The Hawks, locked into eighth place, will face Miami in the play-in round of the playoffs. Boston is the No. 2 seed and will play the winner of that game in their opening-round series. ___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Roxbury deadly shooting: Boston police investigating after man dies following shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:24 GMT

A man died after he was shot in Roxbury Saturday night, according to Boston police who are investigating the fatal shooting.Officers responded to a call for a person shot in the area of 2055 Columbus Ave., in Roxbury, at about 10:17 p.m. on Saturday.Upon arrival, officers saw a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.Boston EMS transported the man to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.“The Boston Police Department is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident,” police said in a statement. “Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at (617) 343-4470.”Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Teacher shot by 6-year-old student files $40 million lawsuit Crime & Public Safety | East High shooting suspect died by suicide, DA says; leaders vow to put police back in schools Crime & Public Safety | 2 administrators shot at D...