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First-ever vaccine to prevent RSV in older adults wins FDA approval

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

(The Hill) - Federal regulators gave the green light to the first-ever vaccine to prevent the respiratory disease RSV on Wednesday, a major breakthrough that's been decades in the making.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Arexvy, a shot developed by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in adults aged 60 and older.The development marks a significant turning point in the fight to protect vulnerable individuals against RSV, and other shots are close behind.A vaccine that was developed by Pfizer and aimed at the same demographic is expected to be approved by the end of the month. FDA is also considering Pfizer's maternal RSV vaccine, intended to be given to pregnant individuals to help protect against RSV in infants. RSV circulation is seasonal, typically starting during the fall and peaking in the winter. The vaccine is expected to be available before the start of next RSV season.In healthy adults and older chi...

Fish with fangs are washing up on Oregon's beaches, and biologists aren't sure why

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Serpent-like deep-sea fish with protruding fangs, bulging eyes and scaleless, slithery bodies are washing up along Oregon beaches — and biologists aren’t sure why.The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced Monday that numerous lancetfish have washed ashore in Oregon in recent weeks. Beachgoers from both the northern and southern coasts of the state have reported spotting the dead or dying fish in their local surf, too. Holy Carp! 67-pound invasive fish caught in Oklahoma “These deep-sea fish live in tropical and subtropical waters and can migrate as far north as the Bering Sea to feed,” the agency stated on social media. “No one is sure why they are washing ashore.”A lancetfish (NOAA Fisheries).One lancetfish was found alive and helped back into the ocean, where it swam away, officials said. Beachgoers who locate a lancetfish along the beach are encouraged to take a photo and post the sighting to the Oregon State Parks and NOAA Fisheries West Coas...

Advocacy groups decry DPS actions after protesters removed from capitol

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The Texas Freedom Network, a progressive advocacy group that organized a protest against a bill that would ban minors from accessing puberty blockers and gender-transition surgery, said Wednesday the "aggression" they witnessed from Department of Public Safety troopers was "deeply disturbing."At least one of their members was arrested after DPS attempted to remove protesters from the area surrounding the Texas House chambers.In a statement provided to KXAN, DPS said Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan requested the Texas House Gallery to be cleared. The Sergeant at Arms then notified DPS, which provides law enforcement and security at the Capitol, of the disruption and asked for help clearing everyone from the gallery. DPS said people were "escorted out of the Capitol building due to ongoing protests.""No tasers or pepper spray were deployed by DPS personnel at any time. Once the Gallery was cleared, proceedings in the House continued," the statement reads.Adr...

Uncertainty remains, but severe risk rising Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Plan on mostly sunny skies along with scattered cumulus clouds this afternoon. It's our last day for a while without any rain chances here in Central Texas.Temperatures will return to the mid-80s as humidity continues to build over the area.Beginning Thursday, our first in a series of disturbances will roll into the region. A broken line of storms will fire up along the dry line out west and attempt to push west to east across our area. There is uncertainty as to how well these storms will hold together. As more of our weather computer models come in line toward a stormier outcome, the Storm Prediction Center have increased the risk of severe weather in the Austin Metro to a 2 out of 5 threat. The previous 2 out of 5 risk in the Hill Country continues. A lower 1 out of 5 threat continues for parts of our eastern counties.Severe weather threat Thursday (SPC)Damaging winds and large hail are the primary weather concerns for Thursday.A lower risk of severe storms, 1 ou...

National coalition aims to increase nonstop flights between Austin and Washington, D.C.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New momentum from Capital Access Alliance, a national coalition, is advocating for expanded nonstop flights between Washington, D.C., and major metro hubs across the country -- including here in Austin.At issue: In 1966, the Perimeter Rule was implemented at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, initially limiting nonstop service to and from the airport to 650 miles away. In the mid-1980s, Congress expanded the regulation to limit nonstop service to and from Washington, D.C. if the airport was located more than 1,250 miles away.Due to the regulation, Austin only has one nonstop flight each day that heads directly to Reagan National. As a result, many travelers have had to turn to Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport for nonstop flights, with both airports located further away from the nation's capital.But that could change this year. The Federal Aviation Administration is in the process of its five-year reauthorization bil...

Texans speak on 2024 presidential candidates in new UT, Texas Politics Project poll

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A portion of the latest University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll focused on potential 2024 presidential candidates, as well as how much support each has in Texas.According to the poll, Donald Trump remained popular among Texas Republicans.“From among a list of six Republicans currently declared or expected to run for the GOP nomination, Donald Trump received favorable views from 78% of Texas Republicans, with only 16% holding an unfavorable view,” the poll said.According to the Texas Politics Project, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has a strong position to take on the former president.“73% of Texas Republicans hold a favorable view of DeSantis, compared to only 10% with an unfavorable view,” the poll said.Data from the poll showed two other potential candidates received largely positive reviews.“South Carolina Senator Tim Scott was viewed favorably by 46% of Republicans and unfavorably by only 6%, while former South Caroline Governor and U.N. ambassa...

Where do Wild prospects Marco Rossi and Calen Addison fit?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

It’s telling that when the Wild lost Joel Eriksson Ek to a major injury, they didn’t turn to Marco Rossi. It’s also telling that when the Wild struggled on the power play in the playoffs, they didn’t turn to Calen Addison.Examining the Wild prospect pool, Rossi and Addison are at the top of pretty much every ranking. Many think Rossi can be an impact center in the future. And that Addison can be an elite playmaker on the blue line.Yet with the 2022-23 season on the line for the Wild last week, neither general manager Bill Guerin nor head coach Dean Evason felt comfortable playing Rossi or Addison. Instead, those two prospects watched from off the ice as the Wild bowed out of the first round with a Game 6 loss to the Dallas Stars.It raises the question: Where do Rossi and Addison fit?It’s no secret that the Wild expected more out of both players this season as Rossi and Addison made the team out of training camp. In the end, though, Rossi played just 19 ...

Obituary: Scott Johnson, BlackStack Brewery founder, ‘would move heaven and earth’ for anyone he knew

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

After one heartfelt conversation with Scott Johnson, you were in his inner circle.The founder of BlackStack Brewing in St. Paul had a special gift, his children said, of making everyone feel welcomed, heard and valued. And once he knew you, he was fiercely loyal.“He would meet someone for 10 minutes,” his son Murphy Johnson said, “and all of the sudden, you’d overhear him talking someone through their divorce or the passing of a loved one … He’d be totally vulnerable, totally honest.”Scott Johnson, 62, died unexpectedly on April 11, 2023. He was born in Litchfield, Minn., on Aug. 31, 1960, grew up in Dassel and proudly graduated from Macalester College. His family is holding a celebration of life from 4–8 p.m. Thursday, May 4, in the BlackStack taproom (755 Prior Ave N), with speakers at 5 and live music at 6.When the brewery announced on social media that Scott Johnson had died, hundreds of comments poured in. For Scott Johnson’s family — all of whom are involved in the brewery in ...

Passenger in Easter crash in Lakeville dies of injuries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

An 82-year-old woman died last week of injuries from an Easter crash in Lakeville.Bonnie Corinne Lindquist was a passenger in a vehicle that crashed at Upper 167th Street West and Kenwood Trail around 1:30 p.m. April 9, the Hennepin County medical examiner’s office said Wednesday.Lindquist, of Webster, Minn., died of complications of multiple blunt-force injuries April 27 at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, the coroner’s office said.Related ArticlesLocal News | South St. Paul mourns school board member Bernie Beermann, who died over the weekend Local News | Co-defendants sentenced in Inver Grove Heights ‘erotic massage’ murder Local News | MN Legislature picks four new University of Minnesota regents, including West St. Paul council member Local News | Dakota County awards student group against vaping, multicultural health clinic with Public Health Achievement Local News | Slain woma...

Police: St. Paul student pistol whipped another student, may have accidentally shot himself

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:20:39 GMT

A St. Paul high school student pistol whipped another student at school and may have accidentally shot himself after leaving, according to police.It happened at Gateway to College, a St. Paul public school for students to finish their high school diploma while earning college credits. Classes are held at St. Paul College on Marshall Avenue.Officers were called just before noon Tuesday and surveillance video showed two students talking in the school’s entryway when one “all of a sudden pulled out a handgun and began to strike the victim multiple times in the head,” said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a police spokesman.A magazine fell from the gun and the suspect retrieved it from the ground, put it back in the gun, concealed the weapon and walked out of the building, Ernster said.The victim followed the suspect outside, but stopped when security arrived. He didn’t have visible injuries, according to Ernster.The suspect walked across Marshall Avenue. A security officer sa...