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RSV rising in one US region, CDC issues alert

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Respiratory syncytial virus – better known by the acronym RSV – is rising in some southeastern U.S. states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Tuesday, signaling the virus could begin spreading widely nationwide soon. RSV causes cold-like symptoms for most people, but can be scary for infants, young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. The virus kills between 100 and 300 children under 5 and as many as 10,000 people over 65 annually, according to CDC estimates. Other than a few atypical years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the RSV season usually starts in fall and peaks in winter. The virus also has a history of starting to spread in Florida, before spreading to other southeastern states, then eventually northward and westward. That appears to be the case again this year. In recent weeks more patients have been testing positive for the virus in Florida and Georgia, the CDC said in an alert issued Tuesday. 26 states se...

More on Jimmy Buffett's little-known skin cancer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

Doctors say early detection is the key to helping patients live longer. Jimmy Buffett was diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma four years ago. But the little-known form of skin cancer has a high rate of recurrence and when it spreads, survival rates plummet. Dr Jessica Sheehan is with Derick Dermatology.“Jimmy Buffett is the classic island lifestyle fair-skinned man,” she said.His lifestyle – and age and skin type -- likely played a role in his cancer diagnosis. Related: Cause of death revealed for ‘Margaritaville’ singer Jimmy Buffett “The classic presentation is fair skinned older man or woman on the head and neck,” Sheehan said.Merkel cell carcinoma stands out among more common forms of skin cancer.“They usually start off looking like a sore or a pimple,” Sheehan said. “The key to a Merkel cell is they change quickly they are rapidly growing as opposed to a benign sore or some of the less aggressive skin cancers.” Recent from Med Watch: Emerging technique offers less invasive...

Skilling: Showers Tuesday night with a windy, humid Wednesday waiting for Chicagoland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

Another HOT ONE in Chicago! Temps are likely to top out at 93-deg making this the 20th day at O'Hare at or above 90-deg this year---18 at Midway.  HEAT INDICES have average in the mid 90s Tuesday given dew points which are high—ranging from the upper 60s to low 70s.Also of note, this is the SUNNIEST OPENING 5 DAYS OF A SEPT in the 68 years since 1955, reports Frank Wachowski. Sept 2023 has opened with 95% of its possible sun. Sept 1-5, 1955 opening with 97% of its possible sun.  A preliminary estimate of sun today came in at 83% of that which is possible.  Clouds have moved in late  this afternoon and it wouldn't be surprising to see the sunshine estimate revised down a bit before the sun sets Tuesday evening.It hasn't rained officially here in 19 days—though weather radars locally are aglow with some showers—so that may changeThe drier than normal weather to date may be having an impact is stressing trees here leading to a color change earlier than might ot...

Detectives seek information on 2 allegedly seen vandalizing CTA Green Line train

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

CHICAGO — Detectives are asking the public for help identifying two individuals who were allegedly seen vandalizing a CTA Green Line train in mid-August.Mass Transit detectives say the two are responsible for Criminal Damage to State Supported Property after they were allegedly seen kicking windows on the train, causing them to break. Search underway for missing man last seen in Grand Crossing The two individuals were allegedly seen breaking windows while riding the Green Line train near the 800 block of South 63rd Street in Woodlawn on Thursday, August 17, just before 1 p.m., according to detectives.Detectives say the two people, who are believed to be between 18 and 20 years of age, were both seen on CTA security cameras wearing black t-shirts with colorful designs on the front, at the time.Anyone with information on the two individuals is asked to contact the Bureau of Detectives – Mass Transit Section at 312-745-4706.

Tropical Storm Lee expected to become ‘extremely dangerous hurricane’ by weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Another major hurricane could be on the horizon as Tropical Storm Lee took shape in the central tropical Atlantic Ocean Tuesday evening.The National Hurricane Center said Lee formed over the central tropical Atlantic about 900 miles west-southwest of Cape Verde. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph with higher gusts. 2 bitten by shark at same Florida beach, officials say The NHC said Lee is “expected to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous hurricane by the end of the weekend.”The NHC is also tracking a strong tropical wave that is forecast to move off the coast of West Africa on Tuesday.Once the wave moves offshore, the NHC said a tropical depression could form over the far eastern tropical Atlantic during the middle to the latter part of the week.The system is expected to move across Cape Verde Wednesday night and Thursday. It has a 70 percent chance of formation over the next seven days.The NHC also said Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin "co...

Texas DPS driver license appointments canceled Tuesday due to system outage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

TEXAS (KXAN) — An outage in the Texas Department of Public Safety's driver license system led to cancellations of all driver license appointments Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed to KXAN.Driver's license offices across the state closed Friday through Labor Day weekend for a system update, DPS said previously."The department is working to identify the issue, which is related to the driver's license system update that took place over the weekend, and get it fixed as quickly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience," the spokesperson added.The offices were expected to reopen Tuesday morning.The outage is impacting all driver license services provided by Texas DPS, including renewing or replacing licenses or identification cards, obtaining a driver record and verifying one's eligibility both online and at offices statewide.As a result, the spokesperson confirmed all of Tuesday's appointments were canceled, and impacted customers have been contacted.

Finally, tracking a cool front and scattered thunderstorms next week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following a work week of record high temperatures, we are finally tracking promising signs of wetter, milder weather next week.Hottest early-September period on recordFollowing a record-tying warm morning in Austin on Tuesday (record: 79°, set in 2015), another record warm morning is expected on Wednesday.Afternoon high temperatures rise 10-15° above September averages through the rest of the work week, setting daily record high temperatures by as much as 6° margins with a potential high temperature of 108° in Austin on Friday. Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings will likely be issued areawide Thursday through Saturday, with some of Austin's hottest September temperatures on record expected.Hottest September temperatures ever recorded in Austin. We will likely record the second-hottest Sep. temperature in Austin on Friday.Wetter, milder weather next weekAt last, we are tracking promising signs of wetter, cooler weather next work week. An eastern Pacific Hurr...

We Are Blood expanding LGBTQ blood donor eligibility with updated FDA guidelines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Starting Wednesday, We Are Blood (WRB) will implement the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) updated guidance removing eligibility criteria based on the gender of donors and their sexual partners, according to a news release from WRB. This move will safely allow additional members of the community to donate blood.The new FDA guidance revises blood donor eligibility questionnaires for blood centers across the country, according to WRB. The new guidance removes time-based deferrals and eligibility questions specific to "males who have sex with males and females who have sex with males who have sex with males," the release said.This updated guidance was issued by the FDA following a years-long study with community blood centers across the U.S. to evaluate safe alternatives to prior guidance, the release said. The new guidance is similar to those already in place in the United Kingdom and Canada, according to WRB.New questions will be the same for every donor, regardl...

St. David's Medical Center welcomes new chief medical officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — St. David's Medical Center has a new chief medical officer on its leadership team, officials announced Tuesday.Dr. Rodolfo "Rudy" O. Garza began operating in his new role Aug. 28. Previously, Garza had served as chief medical officer at Methodist Hospital Northeast in San Antonio. During his work at that 237-bed acute care facility, he helped create advance patient treatment plans "to better support cardiothoracic surgery and oncology services," per a release.“Dr. Garza has a proven track record of improving clinical results during his nearly two decades in hospital leadership roles,” Todd Steward, chief executive officer of St. David’s Medical Center, said in the release. “Under his guidance, patients at St. David’s Medical Center will continue to receive the highest standard of medical care.”Before serving at Methodist Hospital Northeast, Garza worked as an associate chief medical officer at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, as well as a medical director of a dial...

Whataburger opens first 'digital kitchen' in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:01:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Whataburger fans have a new way to order their next burger, honey butter chicken biscuit or other favorite food in Austin.The company's first Whataburger Digital Kitchen opened Tuesday at 3201 Bee Caves Road in the West Lake Hills area. This is the fast-food chain's first digital-only, cashless model. PREVIOUS: Whataburger to put first ‘digital kitchen’ in Austin The San Antonio-based company said its new concept gives customers an "exclusively to-go experience."So, how does a digital kitchen work? Guests can place orders ahead online or in the Whataburger app. If someone forgets to order ahead, there are kiosks on-site, according to Whataburger. Then, orders can be picked up in the "Digital Pick-up Lane" or in exterior, weather-resistant lockers. Orders can be picked up in the "Digital Pick-up Lane" or in exterior, weather-resistant lockers. (Courtesy Whataburger)Orders can be placed online, in Whataburger's app or at a kiosk. (Courtesy Whataburger)Whataburger op...