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Capital District Man Admits To $207K Unemployment Insurance Fraud Capital District Man Admits To $207K Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Capital District Man Admits To $207K Unemployment Insurance Fraud A Capital District man could spend decades in federal prison after admitting to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits. Kahleke Taylor, age 21, of Albany, pleaded guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft charges Tuesday, Aug. 9, in federal court in Albany. Prosecutors said Taylor stole the personal information of other people on social media and then used that information to file false unemployment insurance applications with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). On one application, filed in A…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Polio Virus Identified In Wastewater Samples Taken In Two Locations In Hudson Valley Polio Virus Identified In Wastewater Samples Taken In Two Locations In Hudson Valley
Polio Virus Identified In Wastewater Samples Taken In Two Locations In Hudson Valley State health officials have confirmed that the polio virus was found in more wastewater samples in the Hudson Valley. The Orange County Department of Health said it has been advised by the state health department that the virus was identified in wastewater samples taken from June and July in two geographically different locations in Orange County. Earlier Report: Polio Found In Wastewater In Rockland County, Health Dept. Urges Vaccinations The samples were initially collected from municipal wastewater treatment plants across Orange County for COVID-19 testing. County officials said there…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: Late Night's Seth Meyers Gets Virus For Second Time COVID-19: Late Night's Seth Meyers Gets Virus For Second Time
Covid-19: Late Night's Seth Meyers Gets Virus For Second Time Late-night funnyman Seth Meyers said he has tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time and will have to cancel upcoming tapings of his show.  The 48-year-old "Saturday Night Live" alum tweeted Wednesday, July 27, that he'd tested earlier this week, but that changed earlier that day. He said he is canceling tapings of his show for the rest of the week as he goes into quarantine again.  After negative tests Monday and Tuesday I tested positive for COVID this morning. Canceling shows the rest of this week. Apologies to our scheduled guests and loyal viewers! — Seth Meyers (@sethmeyer…

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by Josh Lanier
Politics
COVID-19: Biden Tests Positive, Has 'Mild Symptoms' COVID-19: Biden Tests Positive, Has 'Mild Symptoms'
Covid-19: Biden Tests Positive, Has 'Mild Symptoms' President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House announced on Thursday morning, July 21. The 79-year-old Biden, who is fully vaccinated and double boosted, is "experiencing very mild symptoms," the White House says. Biden tested posted after a trip to Somerset, Massachusetts on Wednesday, July 20. Biden has begun taking the therapeutic Paxlovid, the White House said. "Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time," the White House said. "He has been in contact with members of …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
'Heavy Heart': Popular Capital District Restaurant Closing After 26 Years In Business 'Heavy Heart': Popular Capital District Restaurant Closing After 26 Years In Business
'Heavy Heart': Popular Capital District Restaurant Closing After 26 Years In Business After nearly three decades in business, a popular Capital District restaurant is closing its doors for good. Colonie eatery TJ’s Cafe made the announcement Friday, July 15, in a Facebook post that had garnered hundreds of comments and reactions just hours later. “To our valued customers, dear friends, family, and customers who have become friends and family... it is with a heavy heart that I must announce the closing of TJ's Café after almost 26 years in business,” owner Todd Leach wrote. The 55-year-old owner and chef cited “economic forces” for the closing, saying the cost of goods, sup…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: Newly Emerging Omicron Mutant Strain Sparking Concerns Among Scientists COVID-19: Newly Emerging Omicron Mutant Strain Sparking Concerns Among Scientists
Covid-19: Newly Emerging Omicron Mutant Strain Sparking Concerns Among Scientists More people are contracting the Omicron strain of COVID-19 multiple times in quicker sequences compared to other subvariants, and a newly emerging mutant of the strain is sparking concerns among scientists. The BA.5 strain is now the most dominant COVID variant in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  A new mutation of the Omicron strain -- identified as BA.2.75 -- is being described as perhaps the most contagious yet. "Previous infections from Omicron are not giving us the same antibody protection against the newer variants," Dr. Alok Patel of St…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
COVID-19: These Groups Of People Most Prone To Getting 'Long COVID,' New Report Says COVID-19: These Groups Of People Most Prone To Getting 'Long COVID,' New Report Says
Covid-19: These Groups Of People Most Prone To Getting 'Long COVID,' New Report Says A new report lists several groups of people who experts believe may be more at risk of developing long COVID. Long COVID refers to a wide range of long-term health problems people can experience following their COVID-19 infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) "There is no test to diagnose post-COVID conditions, and people may have a wide variety of symptoms that could come from other health problems," the CDC said. "This can make it difficult for healthcare providers to recognize post-COVID conditions." The CDC said researchers are working to discover …

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by Nicole Valinote
Lifestyle
COVID-19: CT Cancer Patient Has Been Infected With Virus At Least 471 Days, Case Study Says COVID-19: CT Cancer Patient Has Been Infected With Virus At Least 471 Days, Case Study Says
Covid-19: CT Cancer Patient Has Been Infected With Virus At Least 471 Days, Case Study Says A Connecticut resident experienced a chronic COVID-19 infection for at least 471 days, researchers reported. Researchers from Yale University found that a patient, who is diagnosed with lymphoma, has been testing positive for the virus for at least 471 days and that the virus rapidly mutated during their infection, according to the Daily Mail. The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, can be found here. Researchers reported that their surveillance system captured 30 nasal swabs from the unnamed individual, and sequenced COVID-19 genomes from day 79 through 471, which was between Feb…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says COVID-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says
Covid-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says A new COVID-19 wave with the strongest strain of the Omicron variant appears to have started in New York, one of NYC's top epidemiologists in the city is saying. Dr. Jay Varma, who was former Mayor Bill de Blasio's top public health advisor during the pandemic, said the infection rate appears to have stabilized at a high level rather than subsiding as summer starts to get into full swing. "This is likely the beginning of a BA.5 wave," Varma stated in a Tweet.  "Reported cases are at a high plateau, which means actual transmission is very high when you account for the &g…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: US To End Requirement Air Travelers Show Negative Test COVID-19: US To End Requirement Air Travelers Show Negative Test
Covid-19: US To End Requirement Air Travelers Show Negative Test International travelers arriving to the United States by air will no longer have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, The Hill reports. After nearly 18 months in effect, the Biden administration is doing away with the obligation at 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday, June 12, the outlet reports. It comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined the move is no longer necessary “based on the science and data,” according to The Hill. Up until now, travelers hoping to catch a flight to the US had been required to show proof of a negative test one day before their flight. …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: CDC Now Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These 16 NY Counties COVID-19: CDC Now Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These 16 NY Counties
Covid-19: CDC Now Recommends Wearing Masks Indoors In These 16 NY Counties Mask mandates in New York are being eased by federal health officials following the surge of new infections in early spring. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on mask-wearing to concentrate on COVID-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and newly reported infections, leaving most of the state being encouraged to return to wearing facial coverings indoors. With the state's seven-day average COVID-19 positivity rate at 6.73 percent as of Thursday, June 2, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul, and hospitalizations on the decline, many counties in New York ar…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Increasing Number Of Reinfections Being Reported, Sometimes Within Weeks COVID-19: Increasing Number Of Reinfections Being Reported, Sometimes Within Weeks
Covid-19: Increasing Number Of Reinfections Being Reported, Sometimes Within Weeks With the number of new COVID-19 variants and wild strains evolving, Americans are reporting an increasing number of reinfections of the virus across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 means a person was infected, recovered, and then later became infected again, sometimes within weeks of the initial infection. Officials said that after recovering from COVID-19, most individuals will have some protection from repeat infections, however, reinfections have become more common during the m…

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by Zak Failla