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MedWatch Daily Digest: AI can have a powerful impact on health — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

For Monday, May 8, WGN’s Medical Reporter Dina Bair has the latest on new information including the following: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Harvard Medical School scientists put AI to the test, spotting those at high risk for pancreatic cancer. Was it a success? How Japanese scientists utilized a tumor’s own bacteria to trigger anti-cancer immune responses.  Why early antibiotics could impact a child’s gut health for a lifetime.

Willson Contreras has a message for Cubs fans in return to Wrigley Field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

CHICAGO — He was in a different dugout and different gear than he's used to when making his way to the Friendly Confines on Monday.But this is a new era for Willson Contreras - one where he's coming out of the locker room on the right field side of Wrigley Field and wearing the gear of the NL Central-rival Cardinals."It's completely different," said the catcher ahead of his first game at Wrigley Field since signing with St. Louis. "Going back to my first home, the city that gave me an opportunity to become a major league ballplayer." Contreras now gets to have what a few members of the 2016 Cubs have gotten since the team's core has been broken up over the last year-and-a-have: A welcome back from the Wrigley Field fans. Signing with a rival, especially the Cardinals, can make it a little unusual, and some fans haven't been too happy with some of Contreras' comments since joining the St. Louis organization. But the catcher went out of his way to express how much Cubs' fans mean to h...

Actor Scott Baio says he's leaving California after 45 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

(KTLA) - Actor Scott Baio, best known for his roles in "Happy Days" and "Charles in Charge," is leaving the Golden State.In a series of tweets, Baio explained why he was making the decision."After 45 years, I’m making my way to finally 'exit stage right' from California," he tweeted.Underneath that tweet, he attached a screengrab of a newscast by Nexstar's KTLA. He also attached a quote from a KTLA story about homeless encampments in Beverly Hills.“The most recent survey conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority found approximately 69,000 people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County and 41,000 in the city in 2022," his tweet quoted from the article. The tweet then prompted his followers to ask questions. "Yeah, no reason to live in a city where there's homeless people. Your career in LA has been over for years. Superficial folks shouldn't live in CA. Where you headed Chachi?" tweeted one person. Baio, whose last on-screen credit on IMBd is listed as the 2021 film "...

Boy missing for 2 days in Michigan mountains found sheltering under log

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

ONTONAGON, Mich. (WJMN) – Days of searching have come to a happy end as Michigan State Police (MSP) confirms that a missing 8-year-old boy has been found safe and reunited with his family.The boy, from Hurley, Wisconsin, was camping with his family in the Porcupine Mountains, a group of small mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, over the weekend. Saturday afternoon, authorities were called to search for the boy when he didn't return from collecting firewood. MSP called in more than 150 search and rescue personnel from the State Police and other agencies. They canvassed a roughly 40-square-mile area from Saturday through early Monday afternoon. Family loses toy elephant with son’s ashes during Disney World vacation A missing 8-year-old boy, seen here, has been found after spending two days hiding under a log in Michigan's Porcupine Mountains. (Michigan State Police)According to MSP, a volunteer found the boy, who "had braved the elements by taking shelter under a log where he w...

Wettest week in months with periods of heavy rain expected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered heavy downpours are expected at times early this week, then heavy rain becomes more widespread Mother's Day weekend leading to an escalating flash flood threat.A nearly stationary severe thunderstorm prompted a Tornado Warning in Fayette County Monday afternoon, though no tornado was confirmed. More than 2 inches of rain fell in a short period of time in La Grange, where a Flash Flood Warning continues until 7:45 p.m. Most flash flood fatalities happen in vehicles. If you come across a flooded low water crossing, 'Turn Around, Don't Drown!'Additional thunderstorm development is most likely in the Hill Country late this evening, where there is a 1 out of 5 threat of severe weather. Hail and heavy rain are most likely with any storms that do develop.Low risk of strong to severe storms Monday eveningScattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast Tuesday as a low pressure center drifts overhead, then rain chances taper a bit Wednesday betw...

H-E-B announces new store coming to Georgetown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 8, 2023.GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Beloved Texas grocer H-E-B is set to open a new store in Georgetown next month.A 121,000-square-foot shop will open at 1010 W. University Ave. in the Wolf Lakes Village neighborhood on June 7. It'll replace the 67,000-square-foot store housed at 1100 S. I-35, per a company release. RELATED NEWS: H-E-B opening convenience store in Georgetown The I-35 location will remain open until the Wolf Lakes Village store is operational, per the release. Amenities include a two-story True Texas BBQ restaurant, which will feature indoor seating on both levels. Other elements include H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery services, an extensive wine and beer selection, deli and healthy living departments, a fuel station and car wash as well as a Texas Backyard outdoor living section.“We are thrilled to bring a new H-E-B store to Georgetown, a growing community we’ve proudly been a part of fo...

Texas child care providers call on lawmakers for more money

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Monday, child care providers, parents, and families across the country hosted a Day Without Child Care.More than 700 child care providers across the country closed their doors, many of them right here in Texas.The goal is to raise awareness about wages and the challenges providers and parents face as the cost of living and inflation continues to impact the industry.Providers and families are calling on Texas legislators to invest 1% of the state budget in child care facilities.Dozens of providers and parents held a rally outside the Texas State Capitol on Monday, chanting and sharing stories about the challenges they face."Child care providers like me, everywhere, make poverty wages," said a speaker at Monday's rally.Tim Kaminski is the owner of Gingerbread Kids Academy in Richmond, Texas. He says Emergency Care Funding has helped his industry greatly, but if it goes away, there could be issues."The primary reason we are here (state capitol) today is to get the st...

Texas Stars rolling into Central Division finals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — As the Texas Stars continue playing hockey into May, things have gone pretty much as smoothly as possible. The Stars are set to battle the Milwaukee Admirals after sweeping the Rockford IceHogs to start the postseason.The Stars will head into the series against the Admirals having not played since knocking out Rockford on April 30. They hope to have a lot of hockey ahead of them, so are soaking in the time off.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"It's a huge advantage for sure," said Texas Stars forward Scott Reedy. "I think, come this time of the season, everyone is a little bit banged up. To be able to get the extra rest and reset after each series has been really nice."While the Stars are set for another playoff series, their parent club the Dallas Stars is in the second round of the NHL postseason. The third team in the organization, the Idah...

MN Legislature advances $1 billion for affordable housing, including 0.25% metro sales tax

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

The Minnesota Legislature is one Senate vote away from spending $1 billion to address the state’s housing crisis, what supporters say is an historic investment to help residents find affordable homes.With a 70-61 vote the Minnesota House approved a conference committee report Monday that will spend $1 billion of the state’s $17.5 billion budget surplus on affordable housing programs. The legislation includes a 0.25 percent sales tax increase for the seven-county metro to generate about $190 million annually for housing projects.The Senate still needs to sign off. After it does the bill heads to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature.Rep. Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, the main sponsor of the bill, noted that stable housing is an integral part of people’s lives and impacts health, education and work.“All roads truly lead back to home,” Howard said. “This bill truly is historic and will make such a difference.”What’s in the billInitial versions...

Minnesota Senate approves paid family and medical leave plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:07:02 GMT

By STEVE KARNOWSKI (Associated Press)ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate approved a plan Monday to entitle workers across the state to paid leave when they’re sick or caring for relatives who are ill.While Senate Democrats hold only a one-seat majority, paid family and medical leave has been a priority of the party for several years, and the final 34-33 vote followed party lines. The proposal passed the House last week on a 68-64 vote, and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign the final version that emerges from a House-Senate conference committee.The legislation would create an insurance-like system to allow workers to collect up to 12 weeks of partial wages when they take medical leave, including for pregnancy, and up to 12 weeks to take care of family members, starting in 2025. Replacement wages would range from 55% to 90%, averaging 66%. The benefits would be funded by a 0.7% payroll tax. Employers could charge half that expense to employees. Companies offering mo...