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Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says
Mutations Observed In First Severe Human Bird Flu Case In US, CDC Says The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified mutations in the the first severe bird flu case in the US that may increase its ability to infect humans.  These mutations, found in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, play a key role in helping the virus attach to cells in the upper respiratory tract. This discovery stems from the first severe US case of H5N1, involving a Louisiana resident over 65 who had direct contact with infected backyard birds.  Earlier report: First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US Notably, these mutations weren’t present in the bird sam…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Lucky Salem Lottery Winner Earns $25K A Year For Life Lucky Salem Lottery Winner Earns $25K A Year For Life
Lucky Salem Lottery Winner Earns $25K A Year For Life A Massachusetts woman claimed a yearly prize that will keep on giving.  Felicia Linton, of Salem, won the multi-state $25,000 a year for life prize in the Lucky for Life game after the first five numbers on her Quic Pic ticket matched those selected in the Dec. 15 drawing. Linton claimed her prize Thursday, December 26 at Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester. She chose the cash option and received a one-time payment of $390,000 (before taxes). She said she plans to invest her winnings. Linton bought her winning ticket at Nicole’s Food Store, 406 Essex St. in Sal…

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by Josh Lanier
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Mass Man Gunned Down Outside Apartments ID'd As 45-Year-Old Mass Man Gunned Down Outside Apartments ID'd As 45-Year-Old
Mass Man Gunned Down Outside Apartments ID'd As 45-Year-Old A man who was shot multiple times outside of an apartment complex in Norfolk County earlier this month has been identified as a 45-year-old Brockton man, authorities said.  Tremalle Clark was shot repeatedly at 112 Longmeadow Drive in Holbrook on December 6, the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said. Paramedics rushed him to Boston Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries.  The investigation into the fatal shooting continues. Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to call Holbrook Police or the Massachusetts State Police Homicide Unit…

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by Josh Lanier
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Stowaway Found On Delta Flight For Second Time In Month Stowaway Found On Delta Flight For Second Time In Month
Stowaway Found On Delta Flight For Second Time In Month For the second time in a month a stowaway was caught on a Delta Air Lines flight, sparking concerns. The flight, from Seattle to Honolulu, was preparing for takeoff when crew members discovered the unticketed passenger onboard, leading to the plane returning to the gate on Christmas Eve on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Delta Airlines said that safety protocols were followed, resulting in the passenger’s removal and subsequent detention by law enforcement. The identity of the person has not been released. “As there are no matters more important than safety and security, Delta people followed…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Nationwide Recall Issued For Brand Of Eye Drops Over Contamination Risk Nationwide Recall Issued For Brand Of Eye Drops Over Contamination Risk
Nationwide Recall Issued For Brand Of Eye Drops Over Contamination Risk A nationwide recall has been issued for a specific lot of eye drops due to potential fungal contamination, which could cause serious eye infections. The recall involves lubricant eye drops under the Systane brand, manufactured by Alcon Laboratories, following a report of fungal material found in a sealed vial.  No illnesses have been reported, but fungal contamination can pose vision-threatening risks and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications for immunocompromised individuals. Details of the recall: Specific brand: Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-…

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by Joe Lombardi
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IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know
IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced it will issue automatic payments this month to nearly one million taxpayers who didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns.  These payments aim to assist eligible individuals who missed claiming the credit, which provides up to $1,400 per person for those who didn’t receive the full amount of their Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). Who Will Receive Payments? Eligible taxpayers include those who filed a 2021 tax return but either left the Recovery Rebate Credit field blank or entered $0 despite qualifying. Payments wil…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Jaw Of Mastodon From Ice Age Unearthed At NY Home Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Jaw Of Mastodon From Ice Age Unearthed At NY Home
Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Jaw Of Mastodon From Ice Age Unearthed At NY Home A backyard in New York became the site of a remarkable prehistoric discovery when a homeowner unearthed a complete and well-preserved jaw of a mastodon, an ancient relative of modern elephants. Alongside the jaw, researchers also uncovered a toe bone fragment and a piece of a rib. The discovery began in the Hudson Valley when the Orange County resident noticed two large teeth protruding from the soil beneath a plant near the home in Scotchtown, according to the New York State Museum in a social media post on Tuesday, Dec. 17. After further digging revealed additional teeth, experts from th…

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by Joe Lombardi
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First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US
First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US Health officials have confirmed the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 18 saying the infection was diagnosed on Friday, Dec. 13, following contact the patient made with sick and dead birds from a backyard flock. The case was reported in Louisiana and marks the first H5N1 case in the US linked to exposure to backyard poultry.  Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States. H5 is generally less severe than…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment
Lives Stolen: These Are 7 Names Behind Gilgo Beach Murder Indictment As accused serial killer Rex Heuermann faces his seventh murder charge, the stories of his alleged victims – young women whose lives were tragically and violently cut short – offer a haunting reminder of the human toll behind the Gilgo Beach case. Here’s a closer look at the seven victims named in the indictment: Melissa Barthelemy, 24 Melissa Barthelemy Suffolk County Police Described by family as a talented hair stylist from the Bronx, she dreamed of opening her own salon. She was last seen alive on July 10, 2009, in her basement apartment on Underhill Avenue.  Barthelemy’s…

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by Michael Mashburn
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CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Mangione is charged with one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder. Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, had fled New York City after the high-profile targeted assassination outside the New York Hilton in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4.  UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. UnitedHealthcare After a days-long manhunt, Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsy…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Newly Minted Millionaire: Randolph Man Plans To Start New Life With Jackpot Newly Minted Millionaire: Randolph Man Plans To Start New Life With Jackpot
Newly Minted Millionaire: Randolph Man Plans To Start New Life With Jackpot Massachusetts man said he plans to pay to start a new life for himself and his partner after scoring a $1 million win in the state lottery.  Sean Galvez, of Randolph, won the seven-figure sum playing the "$1,000,000 Monolopoly Doubler," a $5 scratch-off ticket.  He chose to take the lump-sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  Galvez said he plans to pay for his wedding and buy a home with the cash.  He bought the ticket at V&D Variety Store,1897 River St. in Hyde Park. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for the sale. 

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by Josh Lanier
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NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say
NJ Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was formally charged with murdering a seventh victim. Heuermann, 60, of Massapequa Park, was indicted for second-degree murder in the killing of Valerie Mack in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. Mack, a 24-year-old Wildwood, NJ woman was working as an escort when she disappeared in 2000. A group of hunters discovered her skeletal remains wrapped in a plastic bag in a wooded area of Manorville in November 2000. She had been decapitated, and both of her hands had been severed from her body, prosecutors said. Her right leg had a…

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by Michael Mashburn