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New study cites Wuhan raccoon dogs as possible origin of COVID-19

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

(The Hill) - A new analysis of genetic information conducted by an international group of researchers has found evidence to suggest that COVID-19 originated from infected animals sold at a market in Wuhan.As was first reported by The Atlantic, French evolutionary biologist Florence Débarre recently uncovered genetic data from the global virology database GISAID. The data had been submitted by Chinese researchers who collected the genetic sequences from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which has been scrutinized as being the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.Despite the name, thousands mammals were found to have been sold at the market, where they were kept in cramped and unhygienic spaces.The genetic data suggested that raccoon dogs being sold at the market could have been carrying and shedding the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the time. The analysis, which is not conclusive, is being led by researchers Kristian Andersen, Edward Holmes and Michael Worobey.In communications with Atlantic ...

Strawberries recalled over possible health risk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) - Strawberries sold at many major stores are being recalled over a Hepatitis A outbreak.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said two recalls were announced Thursday connected to the recall. The recalled strawberries were sold at Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choise Seafood, PCC Community Markets and Trader Joe's. The locations vary by brand, but overall impact the entirety of the United States.Photo//FDAPhoto//FDAPhoto//FDAPhoto//FDAPhoto//FDAPhoto//FDAPhoto//FDAPhoto//FDAPhoto//FDAThe recall was initiated due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A. However, Hepatitis A has not been detected on any of the recalled products. The companies are recalling them out of an abundance of caution.People usually get sick from Hepatitis A within 15-30 days of exposure. It is a contagious liver disease that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Trader Joe’s fruit product recalled, potentially contaminated with Hepatitis A Sympto...

Hunter Biden files countersuit against laptop repair shop owner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

(The Hill) – Hunter Biden filed a countersuit on Friday against the computer repairman who said he distributed the contents of a laptop that Biden left behind at his Delaware shop.The 42-page filing in federal court includes six privacy-related counts against John Paul Mac Isaac, the repairman. It takes aggressive aim at Mac Isaac, saying he violated Hunter Biden's privacy by viewing the salacious contents and then distributing them in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election both to members of his family and an attorney for Rudy Giuliani. “Mac Isaac knowingly and willfully shared with others the personal data of Mr. Biden that he came to possess (regardless of how he came to possess the data), despite it being reckless and unreasonable for any computer repairman to make copies of another’s personal and sensitive information and to then send that data to third parties without the authority to do so,” Biden’s attorneys wrote in the filing. You should change your password now o...

More than 150,000 catalytic converters were replaced in 2022, and theft may be underreported, data suggests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

(KTLA) – The rise in catalytic converter thefts in America has been a nuisance for law enforcement agencies and car owners for the past several years. Now, new data from Carfax shows just how bad the problem has gotten.The vehicle data company, known for tracking repairs and accidents on vehicles across the country, looked at service records to come up with an estimated number of converters needing replacement in 2022: 153,000 — a 2% increase from the year prior.Carfax says its data scientists, when looking at service records, also excluded replacements due deterioration, defectivity or recalls.The number is pretty alarming, and Carfax suggests theft — specifically — has been underreported in the past. Thieves steal Oscar Mayer Wienermobile’s catalytic converter in Las Vegas Carfax said it believes theft numbers reported to media outlets are vastly underestimating the full scope of the problem, because many car owners don't file insurance claims. The possible explanation for that ...

PHOTOS: Severe storms light up the skies above Central Texas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Severe storms swept across Central Texas Thursday evening, bringing with them large hail and a lot of lightning.Hundreds of KXAN viewers sent in pictures and videos of the storms. We've compiled some of our favorites in the gallery below.Storm clouds as seen from a field of bluebonnets in Horseshoe Bay on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Storm clouds as seen from Marble Falls on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy Shawn Faulkner)Storm clouds over Lockhart on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Storm clouds over Lockhart on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Lightning in south Austin on March 16, 2023. (KXAN Viewer Photo)Lightning over Buda on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy Dalton C. Aarness)Lightning over Buda on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy Dalton C. Aarness)Lightning over Steiner Ranch on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy Todd Sellars)In the wake of Thursday's cold front, temperatures are much cooler. With highs in the 50s, this will likely be one of the coolest St. Patrick's Days in Austi...

Renters in 'crisis' after Texas Rent Relief shutdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Just 52 hours after Texas opened applications for rent relief, the state was forced to shut down the portal due to extraordinary demand.The Texas Rent Relief program saw an influx of more than 100,000 applications just one day after the system opened, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs said. Prior to this week, the most applications seen in a single day were fewer than 20,000.The department had $96 million in available funding to distribute for rent assistance, but within one day, "requests for assistance far exceeded available funding."The portal is closed as of 11:59 a.m. on Thursday, March 16."It's disappointing, but not surprising," Ben Martin, the research director at Texas Housers, said. "There's an incredible, extraordinary need for assistance from renters in the state of Texas right now. We've seen evictions rising throughout 2022 and into 2023. Renters are really experiencing a crisis right now."TDHCA will prioritize renters facing evic...

Who will jump into Texas Senate race next year against Ted Cruz?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Democratic voters will head to the polls in less than a year to decide which candidate they'd like to see challenge Sen. Ted Cruz in his reelection bid, but at the moment the field remains empty because no one has jumped into the race yet. Cruz already announced his intention of seeking a third term representing Texas in the Senate, which will almost certainly clear the path for the well-known Republican to secure his party's nomination. Chuck DeVore, the chief national initiatives officer at the conservative thinktank Texas Public Policy Foundation, said issues like border security and rising inflation could help push Cruz past any challengers during the 2024 general election."If you just look at the environment within which the election is going to be run, then 2024 is going to be much more favorable for Sen. Cruz and getting reelected than was 2018," DeVore said. He also said another factor possibly benefiting Cruz is the lack of a clear Democratic frontrunn...

Expect late ice-out on Minnesota lakes this year, expert says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

An expert on Minnesota lakes is predicting that despite a slightly warmer-than-average winter in the northern part of the state, ice-out in the Northland this year will be later than average.John Downing, director of the University of Minnesota’s Sea Grant program that’s headquartered at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, has developed what he calls an “ice-out widget” that people can use to get an estimate of when ice-out will occur in their area.John Downing, director of the University of Minnesota’s Sea Grant program headquartered at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, has developed what he calls an “ice-out widget” that people can use to get an estimate of when ice-out will occur in their area. (University of Minnesota Sea Grant)Downing, a professor of biology, an expert in limnology and freshwater lakes and whose family has had a cabin on a northern Minnesota lake for 120 years, wanted to find out what the biggest factors were when the ice melts on lakes.It t...

Loons midfielder Hassani Dotson appreciates playing time but wants more of it

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

Given the severity of his injury in April, Hassani Dotson has tried to keep blinders on and not gaze off to the horizon.After the Minnesota United midfielder had last season end with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, he returned as a substitute in the Loons’ season-opening 1-0 win over FC Dallas on Feb. 25.“At that moment, I was just more focused on trying to do my role and trying to listen to the instructions the coaches gave to me,” Dotson said March 10. “It wasn’t until after the game that I really appreciated the moment to be able to go back on the field after so long away from the game.”Going into the home opener last Saturday, manager Adrian Heath was asked whether Dotson was ready for, say, a 60-minute shift. Heath said yes but added, “That’s what he keeps telling me.”Dotson — who is in the club’s top five in appearances since 2017 — also can’t help himself. He is itching to be a regular in the Loons’ starting 11, while also challenging for a spot on the U.S. men’s nat...

Capital Region concert roundup: March 17-23

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- This is your weekly roundup of concerts happening around the Capital Region from March 17 to March 23. From tribute bands to regional and local favorites, here are the upcoming concerts for the weekend and the following week. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! March 17: Grand Central Station, Rivers Casino in Schenectady, 8 p.m. Free.March 17: Aztec Two-Step 2.0 featuring Rex Fowler, Dodie Pettit & Friends, Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, 8 p.m. You can buy tickets on the Eventbrite website.March 17: John McEuen & The Circle Band, The Linda in Albany, 8 p.m. You can buy tickets on the Eventbrite website.March 17: Fritz’s Polka Band, Frog Alley Brewing in Schenectady, 6 p.m.March 17: The Frank White Experience: A Live Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G., Lark Hall in Albany, 8 p.m. You can reserve a spot on the Eventbrite website.March 17: Molly Hatchet, The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, 7:30 p.m....