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Massachusetts judge takes appeal to governor’s shelter cap under advisement

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

A Suffolk County judge did not make an immediate ruling Tuesday afternoon on a Healey administration plan to cap the number of families in emergency shelter, saying a decision could come Wednesday as the state barrels closer to a capacity limit the governor has outlined.Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a lawsuit last week and requested a preliminary injunction on the self-imposed emergency shelter capacity limit, a move that riled homeless and housing advocates who said it will force some families to live outside as colder weather sets in.But Gov. Maura Healey and the state’s housing department argue Massachusetts has neither the funds, capacity, nor personnel to keep expanding the emergency shelter system through a sweeping network of hotels and motels. State officials projected capacity could be reached as early as Wednesday.In court, Lawyers for Civil Rights Attorney Jacob Love focused on a requirement in the fiscal 2024 state budget that the administration must produce a report fo...

Jacob Lew, former treasury secretary to Obama, confirmed as US ambassador to Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

By MARY CLARE JALONICK (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed Jacob Lew as ambassador to Israel, filling the key diplomatic post as the country is fighting a war with Hamas. Lew, a treasury secretary under President Barack Obama, was confirmed 53-43.He has promised to stand side by side with Israel’s leaders as they respond to the militant group’s surprise attack on Oct. 7, telling senators in his confirmation hearing in mid-October that “at this moment, there is no greater mission than to be asked to strengthen the ties between the United States and the state of Israel.” President Joe Biden nominated Lew, who goes by Jack, last month to fill the post left vacant when Tom Nides left as ambassador in July. Democrats say Lew’s wealth of government experience — he also was chief of staff to Obama and White House budget director under Obama and President Bill Clinton — makes him the right person to fill the post at a ...

Extreme heat set to increase heart attack, stroke deaths in US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

Coco Liu | Bloomberg News (TNS)Cardiovascular-related deaths due to extreme heat are expected to nearly triple in the U.S. by mid-century as climate change raises the frequency of very hot days, according to a new study. Older and Black adults are likely to be the most affected.The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health and published Monday in the journal Circulation, predicts that the number of heat-related cardiovascular deaths in the contiguous U.S. will increase from an annual average of 1,651 recorded in recent years to 4,320 by mid-century (defined as from 2036 to 2065).Although extreme heat poses a universal threat to health, older and Black adults are expected to be disproportionately impacted because of chronic illness and socio-economic challenges, such as living without air conditioning.Exposure to high temperatures stresses the cardiovascular system, forcing the heart to work harder. That, in turn, increases the odds of having a heart attack, stroke or oth...

Analysis: A new era of vaccines leaves old questions about prices unanswered

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

Elisabeth Rosenthal | (TNS) KFF Health NewsThe world is entering a new era of vaccines. Following the success of COVID-19 mRNA shots, scientists have a far greater capacity to tailor shots to a virus’s structure, putting a host of new vaccines on the horizon.The most recent arrivals — as anyone on the airwaves or social media knows — are several new immunizations against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.These shots are welcome since RSV can be dangerous, even deadly, in the very old and very young. But the shots are also expensive — about $300 for those directed at adults, and up to $1,000 for one of the shots, a monoclonal antibody rather than a traditional vaccine, intended for babies. Many older vaccines cost pennies.So their advent is forcing the United States to face anew questions it has long sidestepped: How much should an immunization that will possibly be given — maybe yearly — to millions of Americans cost to be truly valuable? Also, given the U.S. is one of two countri...

Photos: UC San Diego Health NICU babies dress up for Halloween

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Even the tiniest trick-or-treaters are getting in the spooky spirit this Halloween.From a fairy to candy corn to twin doctors, newborns at UC San Diego Health's neonatal intensive care unit at Jacobs Medical Center got all dressed up for the holiday."Playing dress up for Halloween is a fun way for parents to bond with their infants in the NICU while bringing smiles to the doctors, nurses and staff who provide them with such exceptional care," a UC San Diego spokeswoman said in an email to FOX 5.The NICU cares for newborns who are born prematurely or who need to be hospitalized due to health issues.UC San Diego Health NICU Halloween 2023Anahi - 4 lbs 8 ounces (Courtesy: Alethea Go | UC San Diego Health)UC San Diego Health NICU Halloween 2023Twins #2Harper (L) - 4 lbs 2.8 ouncesJune (R) - 4 lbs 10.1 ounces(Courtesy: Alethea Go | UC San Diego Health)UC San Diego Health NICU Halloween 2023Valentina - 4 lbs .6 ounces(Courtesy: Alethea Go | UC San Diego Health)UC San Diego He...

Local athlete battles leukemia, inspires others to join lifesaving donor registry

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A college soccer player from San Diego County is battling a rare form of Leukemia. Her best chance at beating the cancer all lied in a bone marrow transplant. FOX 5 first brought its viewers this story a year ago during her family's desperate search for a donor. Present day, the athlete is now giving back to others through a powerful message. It's match day as UC Irvine takes on UC San Diego, but it's not an ordinary game. The star player is sidelined, for good reason. Encinitas teen, Jenika Davis is a D1 athlete for the UC Irvine Anteaters and was diagnosed last October with a rare form of blood cancer. “Even though you want to be strong mentally, it’s OK to lean on other people," Davis said to FOX 5.Pair the diagnosis with four rounds of chemo, well, that would keep anyone on the bench, but for Davis, it wasn't for long. "I'm so thankful I can walk without a huge pole next to me, I'm so thankful I can wear clothes that I want to wear, I’m so thankful I can wear shoes....

1 charged with assault in Brampton, police aware of video of fight at plaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

One man has been charged with assault after a fight broke out at a plaza in Brampton over the weekend.Peel Regional Police responded to reports of multiple people fighting outside of a bar in the area of Hurontario Street and Wanless Drive at around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 29.Officers located a 20-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, both of whom were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Video shared on social media of the alleged incident shows a group of people kicking a victim on the ground. A second person can be seen kneeling beside the victim. Fights then continue as someone records from what appears to be inside a vehicle.Investigators said one person was arrested shortly after. He was identified as 24-year-old Sukhjit Singh of Brampton. He’s facing one count of assault.It’s unclear if other suspects are wanted.In a news release, a police spokesperson said investigators are aware of the video circulating online concerning the assault...

Ontario to give some teachers and education workers retroactive salary bumps

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

Ontario has agreed to give public high school teachers and some elementary school education workers retroactive salary increases to compensate them for constrained wages under a law known as Bill 124.Education workers represented by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario ratified a new contract last week and the union says today that the deal includes an agreement on a Bill 124 remedy.That 2019 law capped salary increases for public sector workers to one per cent a year for three years.An Ontario court has ruled it unconstitutional, but the government has appealed.ETFO says that the government has agreed to give its education workers an additional 0.75 per cent in salary increases for the first two years of the contract covered by Bill 124, and the amount for the third year will be decided by an arbitrator.The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation says it has agreed to the same terms with the government and the two unions will present a “united fron...

Freeland to meet with provincial finance ministers on possible Alberta CPP withdrawal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says she will meet provincial and territorial finance ministers later this week to discuss the possibility of Alberta’s withdrawal from the Canada Pension Plan.A letter from Freeland to her counterparts says she is convening the virtual meeting on Friday to speak to what she calls flaws underlying Alberta’s proposed exit formula.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said last week her government stands by its assertion that the province deserves $334 billion if it leaves the CPP, which represents more than half of the plan’s assets.A throne speech from Smith’s government on Monday did not mention the proposed withdrawal, and the premier said a promised referendum might not happen if public consultation suggests the idea isn’t popular.The Alberta government has been advertising the benefits that it says could come to Albertans with a transfer out of the CPP, but economists and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board say the a...

'Incredibly concerning': Austin psychologist cautions parents about possible weight loss shots for kids

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Weight loss drugs prescribed for adults with diabetes, and made popular by many celebrities, may be available for kids soon.According to a NewsNation report, pharmaceutical companies, behind the weight loss shots like Ozempic and Mounjaro, are testing a version to treat kids as young as six years old with obesity.“Incredibly concerning,” Austin-based psychologist Dr. Allison Chase said.The Centers for Disease Control warns childhood obesity is a serious health problem in the United States with one in five children and adolescents affected.If approved for kids, the weight loss shots may be one more tool for doctors to prescribe in the fight against childhood obesity.“It feels not appropriate to be looking at when they're wanting to prescribe these drugs. They're not looking at the full picture, they're not looking at the holistic approach of health for a child or adolescent,” Chase said.Chase is the senior clinical advisor for the Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight ...