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COVID-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms The XEC COVID-19 variant, first identified in Europe, now accounts for 45 percent of cases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Click here for a new, updated story - COVID-19: Virus Levels Now Surging In These States As infections tick upward, public health experts are urging vigilance. The strain, a mix of earlier Omicron subvariants, exhibits symptoms similar to Omicron and its predecessors. These include: Congestion,  Runny nose,  Cough,  Shortness of breath,  Fever or chills,  Fatigue.  Not…

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by Joe Lombardi
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$4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says $4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says
$4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says More than $4.3 billion has now been recovered for victims of Bernie Madoff’s massive and infamous Ponzi scheme, the Justice Department announced, as part of a decade-long effort that has compensated over 40,000 people worldwide for nearly 94 percent of their losses. The DOJ says  its 10th and final distribution from the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF), provided more than $131 million to over 23,000 victims. The latest distribution marks the culmination of a decade-long effort to recover and return forfeited funds tied to Madoff's fraudulent investment empire. Most victims, primarily small inv…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Landmark NYC Eatery Katz's Deli Violated ADA Regulations, Feds Say: Inside The New Overhaul Landmark NYC Eatery Katz's Deli Violated ADA Regulations, Feds Say: Inside The New Overhaul
Landmark NYC Eatery Katz's Deli Violated ADA Regulations, Feds Say: Inside The New Overhaul The iconic Katz's Deli in Manhattan has agreed to make significant accessibility improvements and pay a $20,000 penalty following a federal lawsuit. The settlement, announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim, resolves allegations that the historic deli violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A consent decree outlining the required changes was entered on Sunday, Dec. 29, by U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla. “The corrections and modifications agreed to by Katz’s Deli will give individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy one of New York City’s most pop…

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by Cecilia Levine
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$494K Ticket Sold In Big Lotto Win At South Jersey Supermarket $494K Ticket Sold In Big Lotto Win At South Jersey Supermarket
$494K Ticket Sold In Big Lotto Win At South Jersey Supermarket A lottery ticket worth nearly $500,000 was purchased at a Burlington County supermarket on the same day someone won the ninth-largest jackpot in U.S. history, officials said. The winner of a $494,401 jackpot in the Jersey Cash 5 was sold at the ShopRite on Route 38 in Hainesport, the New Jersey Lottery said in a news release on Monday, Dec. 30. The ticket was in the drawing on Friday, Dec. 27. The winning numbers were 8, 13, 31, 40, and 43. The XTRA number was 2 and the Bullseye number was 31. The Jersey Cash 5 victory was on the same day a California ticket won the $1.269 billion Meg…

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by Chris Spiker
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Nationwide Spike In Norovirus Cases: CDC Reports Surge In Outbreaks Nationwide Spike In Norovirus Cases: CDC Reports Surge In Outbreaks
Nationwide Spike In Norovirus Cases: CDC Reports Surge In Outbreaks A sharp increase in norovirus cases is sweeping the United States, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Often called the "stomach flu," norovirus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis, resulting in symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The CDC reports 41 outbreaks in the first week of December alone, surpassing levels recorded in prior months. This spike aligns with the virus's typical winter peak but underscores the need for heightened vigilance this season. Norovirus spreads through contaminated food, surfaces, and …

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by Joe Lombardi
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Matt Gaudreau's Widow Welcomes Baby After Husband, Brother Johnny Die In South Jersey Crash Matt Gaudreau's Widow Welcomes Baby After Husband, Brother Johnny Die In South Jersey Crash
Matt Gaudreau's Widow Welcomes Baby After Husband, Brother Johnny Die In South Jersey Crash The widow of Matthew Gaudreau gave birth to the couple's only child about four months after Matt and his NHL star brother Johnny Gaudreau were killed by a suspected drunk driver. Madeline Gaudreau announced the arrival of her son Tripp Matthew in an Instagram post on Sunday, Dec. 29. Her husband Matt and his brother Johnny died when they were hit while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township on Thursday, Aug. 29. The photo showed Madeline holding the newborn’s tiny hand next to a wooden sign reading "He's here." "Tripp Matthew 🤍🦋," the caption said. "Mommy & Daddy’s world." Made…

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by Chris Spiker
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Woman Found Dead In Lagoon Behind Little Egg Harbor Township Home: Prosecutor Woman Found Dead In Lagoon Behind Little Egg Harbor Township Home: Prosecutor
Woman Found Dead In Lagoon Behind Little Egg Harbor Township Home: Prosecutor An elderly woman was found dead in a lagoon behind a residence on North Boom Street in Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced on Sunday, Dec. 29. Officers from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department responded to a report of a female floating in the lagoon at approximately 7:45 a.m., Prosecutor Billhimer said. Upon arrival, officers removed the woman’s body from the water. The incident is being investigated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Cr…

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by Jillian Pikora
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ER Nurse Returning From Work ID'd By Grieving Family As Victim Of Wrong-Way DUI NJ Crash ER Nurse Returning From Work ID'd By Grieving Family As Victim Of Wrong-Way DUI NJ Crash
ER Nurse Returning From Work ID'd By Grieving Family As Victim Of Wrong-Way DUI NJ Crash Anne Rasmussen dedicated her life to helping others, but her own was cut short when a suspected drunk driver caused a wrong-way crash on Route 70 early Friday morning, Dec. 27. Rasmussen, 58, of Whiting, was identified by her family on a GoFundMe campaign as an emergency room nurse on her way home from work when the Brick Township crash occurred, "killing her instantly." "She spent a lot of her life dedicated to helping people working as an ER nurse," Rasmussen's daughter, Kelly Kracsun wrote on the campaign. She would take the shirt off her back for absolutely anyone and would do anything …

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by Cecilia Levine
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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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'First Couple Of Fox' Sean Hannity, Ainsley Earhardt Engaged Over Christmas 'First Couple Of Fox' Sean Hannity, Ainsley Earhardt Engaged Over Christmas
'First Couple Of Fox' Sean Hannity, Ainsley Earhardt Engaged Over Christmas Christmas brought a romantic twist for Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt, who announced their engagement on Thursday, Dec. 26.  Hannity popped the question during a special moment at their church, marking the culmination of their five-year relationship, Fox News reports. “We are overjoyed and so thankful to our families for all of their love and support during this wonderful time in our lives,” the couple said in a statement to Fox News, radiating joy as they celebrated the milestone. Hannity, 62, has deep roots on Long Island, where he grew up in Franklin Square. Start…

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by Cecilia Levine
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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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Big Lots Laying Off 385 NJ Employees As Stores Close: Here's Where Big Lots Laying Off 385 NJ Employees As Stores Close: Here's Where
Big Lots Laying Off 385 NJ Employees As Stores Close: Here's Where Big Lots, the popular discount retailer, is officially going out of business, which means hundreds of workers are about to lose their jobs. The company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September, has announced plans to close all 963 of its remaining stores nationwide, including 18 locations in New Jersey. According to a WARN notice, 385 New Jersey employees will be out of work by Feb. 28, 2025. The layoffs will be in Somers Point, Edgewater Park, North Cape May, Toms River, Clifton, Brickton, South Plainfield, West Deptford, Sicklerville, Middletown, Dover, Barnegat, Cape May Court…

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by Cecilia Levine