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Washington

Massachusetts Among Top 10 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why Massachusetts Among Top 10 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why
Massachusetts Among Top 10 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why A new ranking lists Massachusetts as one of the top 10 best states in the country and places the commonwealth in the top three in categories like education and healthcare. The results are in. The 2024 Best States list by U.S. News & World Report, released on Tuesday, May 7, names Massachusetts as the 10th-best state in the country, a place higher than it scored in the 2023 report.  Massachusetts closely follows states like Utah (the best state, according to U.S. News & World Report), Nebraska (number three), Washington (number eight), and Florida (number nine). However, whe…
TikTok Ban Explained: What's The Fate Of Popular Video Sharing App? TikTok Ban Explained: What's The Fate Of Popular Video Sharing App?
TikTok Ban Explained: What's The Fate Of Popular Video Sharing App? Another sell-or-be-banned TikTok legislation is working its way up to the Senate. The House passed the sell-or-be-banned bill for the app (360-58) on Saturday, April 20 as part of a larger foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, giving Chinese TikTok owner ByteDance up to a year to sell the app. Otherwise, TikTok will be subject to a nationwide ban. According to Politico, the bill is expected to pass the Senate as it's considered "priority legislation" for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. A previous, standalone bill was passed by the House in March over national security co…
These NY Zip Codes Among Top 20 Most Expensive In US, New Report Says These NY Zip Codes Among Top 20 Most Expensive In US, New Report Says
These NY Zip Codes Among Top 20 Most Expensive In US, New Report Says Four zip codes in the Northeast rank in the Top 20 for most expensive in the United States, according to a brand-new report. The findings by RealtyHop were determined by real estate listings so far this year. The majority of the wealthiest Americans live in California and New York. The two New York zip codes making the Top 10 are both in the Hamptons on Long Island: No. 3 Sagaponack (11962) with a median home listing price of $5.9 million. No. 5 Water Mill (11976) where the median price in 2023 is $4,950,000. Area code 10013, the SoHo section in Manhattan, ranks 20th with a med…
COVID-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Now Identified In 10 States COVID-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Now Identified In 10 States
Covid-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Now Identified In 10 States A newly identified COVID-19 strain with around 30 mutations has now been identified in 10 states. Cases of the BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, have been confirmed in:  Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, New York,  Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington. The Michigan case, the first in the US, was an older woman who had recently returned from Japan who reportedly had mild symptoms. Related story - COVID-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Spreading In US At a World Health Organization (WHO) news briefing late last month, authorities said …
Don't Die In Massachusetts. It Costs Too Much Don't Die In Massachusetts. It Costs Too Much
Don't Die In Massachusetts. It Costs Too Much If you plan to die, do it somewhere outside of Massachusetts. According to a new study, the Bay State is one of the nation's most expensive places to perish.  Forbes recently tallied all the financial costs of losing a loved one. That included end-of-life care and funeral expenses. What they found is that not only is the cost of living rising, but so is the price of dying. Alaska was the priciest place to die, with it costing more than $33,000 on average. That's $24,400 for end-of-life care and an average funeral price tag of $9,300, according to the Forbes study. Hawaii is next,…
Frozen Vegetables Sold Nationwide Recalled Due To Concerns Of Listeria Contamination Frozen Vegetables Sold Nationwide Recalled Due To Concerns Of Listeria Contamination
Frozen Vegetables Sold Nationwide Recalled Due To Concerns Of Listeria Contamination A nationwide recall has been announced that involves several big brands, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. Washington-based Twin City Foods is voluntarily recalling not-ready-to-eat quick frozen "Super Sweet Corn" and "Mixed Vegetable" products that were sold nationwide and may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recalled items were sold at Kroger, Food Lion, and other grocery stores across the country. A complete list of recalled products and the specific lot codes associated with them can be found on the FDA website. The products subject to the recall.F…
Eye Drops Tainted With Bacteria Now Linked To 4 Deaths, Dozens Of Infections, CDC Says Eye Drops Tainted With Bacteria Now Linked To 4 Deaths, Dozens Of Infections, CDC Says
Eye Drops Tainted With Bacteria Now Linked To 4 Deaths, Dozens Of Infections, CDC Says The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says four deaths and dozens of infections have now been linked to eye drops tainted with bacteria. Patients who have used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears and Delsam Pharma artificial ointment and who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should seek medical care immediately, the CDC said.  A total of 81 patients have been identified in 18 states as of Monday, May 15. At this time, there is no recommendation for testing of those who have used those products and who are not experiencing any signs or symptoms of infec…
Eye Drops Tainted With Bacteria Linked To Deaths, Infections, CDC Says Eye Drops Tainted With Bacteria Linked To Deaths, Infections, CDC Says
Eye Drops Tainted With Bacteria Linked To Deaths, Infections, CDC Says The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning about eye drops tainted with bacteria that are now being linked to three deaths and dozens of infections. In addition, eight people have reported vision loss and there have been four reports of eyes being removed after the drops were used. A total of 68 people in 16 states have been identified as having infections of a rare strain of drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa never before reported in the United States before this outbreak, according to the CDC. The outbreak is associated with multiple types of infections, including…
Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds
Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds A Springfield man who pleaded guilty to his role in a phone scam operation that bilked more than $1.5 million from victims will spend two years in prison and repay what he stole, federal authorities said.  Utkarsh Thakur, 29, admitted to one count of money laundering in April, and a judge sentenced him this week, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Thakur was a member of a group of scammers who would cold-call victims and claim to be law enforcement or people of authority and threaten them with arrest or loss of public assistance if they didn't pay up.…
Mass AG Files Brief In Texas Suit To Let Women Leave State For Abortion Mass AG Files Brief In Texas Suit To Let Women Leave State For Abortion
Mass AG Files Brief In Texas Suit To Let Women Leave State For Abortion Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey joined other Democrat state attorneys generals to file an amicus brief in a class action lawsuit that seeks to nullify portions of Texas' new abortion law.  The law is considered one of the strictest in the nation. It blocks women from seeking to end a pregnancy six weeks after conception.  Women don't often know they are pregnant at that point. The law also prevents women from leaving the state to receive an abortion.  The nonprofit Fund Texas Choice, which covers the cost of women who want to get reproductive health outside …
Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Purchase Of Small Turtles Hits Massachusetts Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Purchase Of Small Turtles Hits Massachusetts
Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Purchase Of Small Turtles Hits Massachusetts At least 21 people, including one person from Massachusetts, have been impacted by a multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to the purchase of small turtles, the CDC reports.  Five people reported getting sick after buying pet turtles with shells smaller than four inches long from an online store known as myturtlestore.com, the CDC said. That number has since grown to 21 with eight being hospitalized.  The first reported illness was on January 3, 2022, according to CDC data. It is unclear as to when the Massachusetts resident became infected and where they live.  I…
Panera Soup Sold At Grocery Stores Recalled Due To Undeclared Allergen Panera Soup Sold At Grocery Stores Recalled Due To Undeclared Allergen
Panera Soup Sold At Grocery Stores Recalled Due To Undeclared Allergen More than 2,000 cases of Panera soups that were sold in grocery stores have been recalled due to an undeclared wheat allergen. Blount Fine Foods announced on Friday, June 24, that it is recalling 2,569 cases of 16-ounce Panera at Home Southwest Corn Chowder. The recall is limited to products with lot number 042122-2K and “Use By” date of 6/30/22, the company said. The products also have a UPC code of 077958690812. The recalled soups are sold in refrigerated cases in the deli department of certain grocery stores, and they are not sold at Panera restaurants, Blount Fine Foods said.…
First Potential Human-To-Human Monkeypox Case Detected In US First Potential Human-To-Human Monkeypox Case Detected In US
First Potential Human-To-Human Monkeypox Case Detected In US The first possible case of human-to-human transmission of the monkeypox virus in the US has been detected, according to a report in the Daily Mail. With new cases of the virus on the rise - including more than a dozen infections in at least eight states, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) - officials are cautioning that one incident may be tied to human transmission. Related story - US Releasing Monkeypox Vaccine From National Stockpile For This Group Of Americans The case was first reported by Daily Mail, which said that a person in Colorado is being investigated for the vi…
FDA Expands National Peanut Butter Recall To Include New Products FDA Expands National Peanut Butter Recall To Include New Products
FDA Expands National Peanut Butter Recall To Include New Products Federal health officials announced that more products are being recalled in connection to the nationwide Jif peanut butter recall. In late May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that dozens of different types of peanut butter products were being recalled due to concerns of Salmonella contamination. Original story - Recall Issued For Popular Peanut Butter Brand Sold Nationwide Further investigation led to several other companies recalling items that contain Jif peanut butter products inside, including several fresh-cut fruit and vegetable items that contain potentially cont…
Number Of States With Confirmed Or Suspected Monkeypox Cases Climbs To Six: Here's Rundown Number Of States With Confirmed Or Suspected Monkeypox Cases Climbs To Six: Here's Rundown
Number Of States With Confirmed Or Suspected Monkeypox Cases Climbs To Six: Here's Rundown The number of new suspected monkeypox cases in the US has expanded to include six states, according to officials. There have now been at least seven people nationwide with confirmed or presumed cases of the virus, which led to the federal government releasing vaccines from its stockpile to the most vulnerable Americans. Earlier story - US Releasing Monkeypox Vaccine From National Stockpile For This Group Of Americans The one confirmed case, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is in Massachusetts, with probable cases reported and being investigated in these fiv…
Man Allegedly Groomed 80-Plus Children Worldwide To Produce Child Porn, With Victims In NY Man Allegedly Groomed 80-Plus Children Worldwide To Produce Child Porn, With Victims In NY
Man Allegedly Groomed 80-Plus Children Worldwide To Produce Child Porn, With Victims In NY Over 80 children worldwide— between the ages of six and 13-years-old— were allegedly groomed by a California man to produce child porn, authorities announced. Demetrius Carl Davis, age 24, posed as an 11-year-old girl called “Lizzy” to form online relationships with the children and convince them to perform and record sexual acts on other children in their lives, according to a report released by the Sheriff’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force. VIDEO PRESS RELEASE: Child Sexual Predator Suspect "Lizzy" Arrested Posted by Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, April 26…
CDC Warns Potentially Contaminated Raw Oysters May Be Linked To Norovirus Outbreak CDC Warns Potentially Contaminated Raw Oysters May Be Linked To Norovirus Outbreak
CDC Warns Potentially Contaminated Raw Oysters May Be Linked To Norovirus Outbreak Health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of norovirus illnesses that have been linked to raw oysters. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it is investigating the outbreak linked to oysters from British Columbia, Canada, with other agencies including the United States Food and Drug Administration, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and state and local partners. Norovirus is the most common cause of foodborne illness in the US, according to the CDC. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, naus…
COVID-19: These States Giving Away Guns, Trucks, Pot As Incentives To Get Vaccinated COVID-19: These States Giving Away Guns, Trucks, Pot As Incentives To Get Vaccinated
Covid-19: These States Giving Away Guns, Trucks, Pot As Incentives To Get Vaccinated Some states are getting creative as they look to incentivize Americans to go out and get the COVID-19 vaccine. Across the country, states are offering lottery tickets, free drinks, vacations, custom weapons, scholarships, and even marijuana as the race continues to meet President Joe Biden’s promise of getting 70 percent of adults at least partially vaccinated by Independence Day. In Connecticut, the state’s Restaurant Association is partnering with Gov. Ned Lamont to launch its #CTDrinksOnUs campaign, where participating restaurants provide complimentary drinks to vaccinated patrons. New …
COVID-19: Millions Of Phony N95 Face Masks Distributed In US COVID-19: Millions Of Phony N95 Face Masks Distributed In US
Covid-19: Millions Of Phony N95 Face Masks Distributed In US Millions of fake N95 face masks were purchased - and in some cases used - by hospitals, medical facilities, and government agencies in five states, according to The New York Times and various media outlets. Many of the masks were stamped with the 3M logos and shipped in boxes that said “Made in the USA” even though neither claim is true, said the NYT citing federal investigators with Homeland Security.  News of the investigation first broke in the Associated Press. 3M is a major American manufacturer of professional-grade face masks. The company has produced billions of masks since the…
See Where Massachusetts Ranks Among The Best States To Be Single See Where Massachusetts Ranks Among The Best States To Be Single
See Where Massachusetts Ranks Among The Best States To Be Single Even with the boost that COVID-19 has given to virtual dating, where a person physically lives still plays a major role in how easily one can score a date. For its annual review of the “best states for singles,” WalletHub ranked the romantic environment of 50 states based on factors such as cost of living, demographics, employment, and the availability of things to do. It turns out that Massachusetts is a pretty good place to find love, or just like, if you’re single. Massachusetts is the 12th best place for singles to live in the United States largely due to its many activities and establ…
See Where Massachusetts Ranks Among Best And Worst States To Raise a Family See Where Massachusetts Ranks Among Best And Worst States To Raise a Family
See Where Massachusetts Ranks Among Best And Worst States To Raise a Family If you want to raise a family, there’s no better place than Massachusetts, according to a new study. A survey of the best and worst states for families, conducted by WalletHub, has ranked all 50 states by how hospitable they are to families. Factors considered include family fun, health and safety, education and childcare, affordability, and socio-economics. Massachusetts scored the top spot with high marks in education and affordability. The state was among the top 10 best places for family fun and health and safety as well. The Bay State did the worst on the social economics category, w…
COVID-19: More In Congress Test Positive As Video Shows Maskless Members During Capitol Riot COVID-19: More In Congress Test Positive As Video Shows Maskless Members During Capitol Riot
Covid-19: More In Congress Test Positive As Video Shows Maskless Members During Capitol Riot More members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19 days after the deadly pro-Trump riot on Capitol Hill as some Democrats called out several Republicans for refusing to wear masks while they were holed up together in safe rooms on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-New Jersey) both announced on Monday, Jan. 11 that they have become infected. "I just received a positive COVID-19 test result after being locked down in a secured room at the Capitol where several Republicans not only cruelly refused to wear a mask but recklessly…
Massachusetts Minimum Wage Hike Goes Into Effect Jan. 1 Massachusetts Minimum Wage Hike Goes Into Effect Jan. 1
Massachusetts Minimum Wage Hike Goes Into Effect Jan. 1 Another new year means another increase to Massachusetts’ minimum wage. On Jan. 1, the state’s minimum wage will increase by 75 cents to $13.50 per hour. The hike has been on the books for years and is one of many planned increases that will bring Massachusetts’ minimum wage up to $15 per hour in 2023. Massachusetts passed legislation in 2018 to grow the minimum wage from $11 to $15 over five years. Hikes are planned for 2022 - when the minimum wage will be $14.25 - and, of course, 2023 when the rate will reach $15. There are no more planned minimum wage hikes after 2023. Tipped employ…
COVID-19: Massachusetts' Supply Of Vaccines Slashed By 20 Percent COVID-19: Massachusetts' Supply Of Vaccines Slashed By 20 Percent
Covid-19: Massachusetts' Supply Of Vaccines Slashed By 20 Percent Massachusetts’ share of Pfizer vaccine doses just got cut by 20 percent. On Friday, Dec. 18, Gov. Charlie Baker said that the state is expecting to receive 145,000 doses of the vaccine this month, according to the Boston Business Journal. But it was initially supposed to be 180,000 doses. Massachusetts isn’t alone in thinking it was going to get more vaccines than it is. California, Washington, Illinois, Georgia, Hawaii, and Nevada say the number of doses they were to receive was cut in half, according to reporting by the Associated Press. During his daily press conference, Baker said he…
Only 5 States On Massachusetts' Low-risk Travel List; COVID-19 Cases Spike Only 5 States On Massachusetts' Low-risk Travel List; COVID-19 Cases Spike
Only 5 States On Massachusetts' Low-risk Travel List; Covid-19 Cases Spike Massachusetts has removed four states from its list of low-risk regions. That means people coming into Massachusetts from Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Washington are required to fill out a travel form and quarantine for 14 days. People traveling to MAssachhsuetts form low-risk states do not need to quarantine. As of Saturday, Oct. 3, Massachusetts recognizes 5 states and the capital as being low risk: - Connecticut - Maine - Washington D.C. - New Hampshire - New York - And Vermont. States that are considered low-risk have me two criteria over the prior week: they have an…