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MedWatch Daily Digest: The dangers of thirdhand smoke — and more

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

For Wednesday, Aug. 9, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Experts warn of danger of thirdhand smoke In rooms where people smoke regularly, tobacco and nicotine linger long after the cigarette goes out. The Department of Energy's Berkeley Lab warns it results in toxic indoor pollutants  Chemicals from the surface of the contaminated surfaces rise back into the air and are inhaled damaging the lungs. Men and women respond differently to stressMen and women respond differently to stress biologically. Chronic stress alters the brain cells of males and females in unique ways. Weizmann Institute of Science researchers say the finding opens the door for personalized therapy for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders like obesity and diabetes. Mental and physical disorders caused by chronic stress affect men and women, but experts say only by studying the individual manifestation can we arrive at effective, lasting th...

Former Ravinia Festival employee charged with forging checks, stealing over $110K

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

CHICAGO — A Lake County woman is charged with theft and forgery for allegedly stealing more than $110,000 from the Ravinia Festival Association when she was an employee, according to the Attorney General’s office. Michelle Bringham, 39, of  Glenview, faces up to 20 years in prison. The Attorney General's Office noted that Bringham worked as an accounting coordinator with the Ravinia Festival Association, a nonprofit that operates the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. ‘Protect our carriers’: Chicago postal workers call for end to violent attacks According to Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Bringham wrote checks to a fake vendor to steal funds from the nonprofit. Prosecutors allege that Bringham also allegedly used another employee’s signature stamp on checks without the employee’s permission.“It is unacceptable for an employee to abuse their position as a fiscal officer to forge checks and steal from a nonprofit organization,” Raoul said in a release announcing the charges. “I want ...

CPD: 21-year-old man beaten to death in Gage Park

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

CHICAGO — A 21-year-old man is dead after being found unresponsive inside a Gage Park residence, according to the Chicago Police Department.Police said officers were called to a residence in the 4900 block of South Maplewood Avenue around 2 p.m., after a 21-year-old man was found unresponsive by a family member.Initial investigation showed the victim suffered blunt force trauma to the head and was pronounced dead on scene. Charges dropped against former CPD officer in 2021 North Ave beach incident Police have no one in custody.If you or someone you know has information that can help police make an arrest and conviction in the investigation of this incident, anonymous tips can be filed online with CPD at cpdtip.com.

Utah man killed in FBI raid linked to threats against Biden

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

A Utah man was shot and killed Wednesday morning during an FBI raid linked to threats against President Biden and other Democratic officials. The FBI said the incident occurred after special agents attempted to serve arrest and search warrants at a residence in Provo, Utah.  Sandra Barker, spokesperson for the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, said the shooting is under review by the FBI and declined to offer additional details, calling the incident an “ongoing matter.”  Secret Service spokesperson Alexi Worley said in a statement that it is aware of the FBI investigation involving an individual in Utah “who has exhibited threats to a Secret Service protectee.” Craig Deleeuw Robertson of Provo was under investigation for making threats against Biden and facing a charge of that crime, according to a sealed criminal complaint obtained by The Hill. "I hear Biden is coming to Utah. Digging out my old ghillie suit and cleaning the dust off the M24 snip...

Faith-healing couple plead guilty to denying medical treatment for 13-year-old son

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Two members of a faith healing church in Oregon City pleaded guilty to denying their son medical care on Tuesday.Brittney and Jake Heimbigner, members of the Followers of Christ Church, admitted they didn't get their 13-year-old son dialysis treatment in a case stemming from September of 2021.In the plea bargain, the prosecutor is recommending 15 days in jail and three years' probation. Oregon Gov. Kotek signs bills aiming to bolster behavioral health, Measure 110 "Our office makes this offer having considered the significant harm that (their son) suffered, the awareness of the risk to him that both defendants demonstrated in their statements to police, and their disregard of that risk by failing to seek medical care until confronted by law enforcement," wrote Deputy District Attorney Bryan Censoni in court documents.Sentencing will be scheduled for sometime after the first week of September.Since 2008, the Heimbigners are the sixth couple to be prosecuted...

'Quite irresponsible': What to know about the student debt strike

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

(The Hill) - While many borrowers are preparing to make payments on their student loans when they restart in October, others are ignoring their accounts and going on what has been labeled a “student debt strike.”A movement led by the student loan group Debt Collective, the “strike” is not as clear cut as it seems. In contrast with the name, most borrowers will not undergo any financial harm when on “strike” nor do their demands indicate they want to go back to paying on student loans by striking a deal with the Education Department. ‘End Call’ button will be moved in latest iPhone software update Instead, the movement, which has been around since 2015, is typically made up of borrowers who already have $0 monthly payments through an income-driven repayment plan or have already deferred on their loans. Since they are not paying anything to the government, the group has labeled these actions a “strike.”And President Biden’s “on-ramp” repayment plan that allows borrowers to skip paym...

BCSO investigating after three people found dead in hole

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 9, 2023BASTROP COUNTY, Texas -- The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office is investigating after three people were found dead in a hole, a spokesperson confirmed to KXAN.The Austin Fire Department confirmed it responded to a recovery at a hole on New Trail near County Road 461. AFD said the hole is filled with hydrogen sulfide or sewer gas.AFD said it has to ventilate the hole before anyone can go down there. The scene is still active, AFD said.This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Officials responding to fire in Caldwell County

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Officials are responding to a fire in Caldwell County, the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office said on social media Wednesday.CCSO reported the fire shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Dickerson Road with reports of heavy smoke. The fire is being called the Plum Hopper fire.The fire is estimated at 35 acres and is 0% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest ServiceDrivers are urged to avoid the area.This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Wildfire: 'Home ignition zone' inspections can help prepare

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- Wind speeds combined with low moisture, dry trees, and possible dead limbs and vegetation left over from the winter freeze likely created ideal conditions for a Cedar Park wildfire to spread, according to experts."I'm intimately familiar with their operations," said Travis County Chief Fire Marshal Tony Callaway, who was previously a fire marshal in Cedar Park. "They have an excellent fire department that did an unbelievable job in their response yesterday and how they handled the situation that was thrown at them."On Tuesday, Cedar Park released new aerial video of the 50-acre Parmer Lane wildfire. It shows how the fire tore through grass and brush while appearing to stop short and spare dozens of townhomes and apartments. VIDEO: Drone footage shows scope of Cedar Park brush fire damage Callaway credits the emergency response on the ground, the good separation between the buildings and undeveloped land and how they were built. "It's going to be in reg...

Extreme fire danger as Austin tallies another heat record

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today holds the highest wildfire risk of the season so far, with parts of our area under a 5-out-of-5 "extreme" wildfire danger. This, while Austin recorded its 27th 105°+ day of the year -- an all-time record for extreme heat days. We have had 49 total 100° days this year -- a tie for the 9th most in a given year.Very high to extreme fire danger in parts of Central Texas Wednesday BLOG: When will 100º days end in Austin? A Red Flag Warning (also known as) Fire Weather Warning has been reissued for all of Central Texas this evening and again Thursday. Low humidity, gusty winds (25-35 mph) and dry conditions will allow any wildfire that starts to spread rapidly.Red Flag Warning issued to due elevated to critical fire dangerWe are seeing hints of at least a chance of rain beginning somewhere around Aug. 20, along with temperatures that may finally drop below 100°, but this is not yet a guarantee. Stay with KXAN and the First Warning Weather team for updates as the h...