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United States

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…
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Hackers have found a hole in Krispy Kreme's online ordering system, leaving some customers temporarily unable to place digital orders for their favorite donuts.  The company has confirmed the incident and stated that its technical team is actively working to resolve the issue. Krispy Kreme reported that the breach influenced its web-based platforms but did not affect in-store operations or the safety of customers' personal data.  The attack was first discovered at the end of November, the company said in a filing with Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Krispy Kreme said it "i…
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amid the busiest shopping weekend of the holiday season, workers for Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, have gone on strike. Protesting under the banner of “Make Amazon Pay.” employees have walked off the job across six continents in 20 countries, including the United States. The strike is scheduled to last from Black Friday on Nov. 29 through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, the UNI Global Union announced, saying protests will be held in majors cities in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and elsewhere. The strike could cause customers' holiday deliveries …
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says Several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections and administrative appointees were the targets threats the last two days, a spokesperson said, calling the acts "violent" and "un-American." According to a statement by the Trump-Vance Transition Team on Wednesday, Nov. 27, several individuals associated with the incoming administration were subjected to threats ranging from bomb scares to "swatting" incidents, in which false reports are made to dispatch emergency responders to someone's location. Law enforcement responded swiftly to ensure the safety of those targeted, the team s…
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Two months after exiting bankruptcy, restaurant chain Red Lobster is unveiling a revamped menu. It features these seven new items: Lobster Pappardelle Pasta Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops Lobster Bisque Lemon Basil Mahi Simply Prepared Mahi Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Roasted Asparagus In addition, a pair of old fan-favorites that had been discontinued are back:  Popcorn Shrimp, Hush Puppies  Red Lobster is now giving guests the ability to customize their seafood favorites with the launch of "Create your Own Ultimate Feast." Customers can mix and match two premium picks such as …
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores A nationwide auto parts retailers says it will close over 700 stores as part of “a strategic plan to improve business performance.” Advance Auto Parts, which has about 4,800 total stores, and locations in almost every state, made the announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14. The affected outlets will close by May 2025 and are made up of 523 corporate stores, and 204 independently owned locations. In addition, four distribution centers will also close. Specific locations to be closed have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, President and Chief Executive Officer Shane O’Kelly said…
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency President-Elect Donald Trump continues to fill his cabinet with loyalists and his biggest supporters following his sweeping victory in last week's election.  He announced Tuesday, Nov. 12, that two billionaire former rivals turned allies, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, would head up his new Department of Government Efficiency.  Related: Trump Nominates NY Rep. Elise Stefanik As UN Ambassador The tech entrepreneur, age 53, and the 39-year-old Harvard and Yale Law grad will be tasked with major cuts in government spending. Trump called it "The Manhattan Project" for a new…
Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar
Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar President-elect Donald Trump has picked one of his strongest allies in Congress to serve as United States ambassador to the United Nations and a former member of his first administration as border czar. Rep. Elise Stefanik, age 40, was first elected to New York's 21st District in 2014 and is the House Republican Conference Chair, the youngest woman to hold that post. "Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter," Trump said in a statement to CBS News. CNN first reported the news late Sunday, Nov. 10. Trump also decided on another native New Yorker for a…
Trump Names 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff Trump Names 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff
Trump Names 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff President-elect Donald J. Trump has appointed New Jersey native Susan "Susie" Summerall Wiles, the campaign manager of his successful 2024 presidential campaign, as his White House Chief of Staff, according to an announcement made Thursday, Nov. 7. It marks a historic milestone as she will become the first woman to hold the position in US history.  “Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said in the press release. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, an…
BREAKING: Trump Projected Winner Of Pennsylvania BREAKING: Trump Projected Winner Of Pennsylvania
Breaking: Trump Projected Winner Of Pennsylvania Former President Donald J. Trump became the projected winner of Pennsylvania around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, according to multiple news outlets and based on unofficial PA State Department results.  The winner earns Trump the 19 electoral votes, the most of any swing states.   This will give him an Electoral College victory, as numerous outlets project.  The national popular vote remained too close to call at the time of publishing.  You can watch Trump speak to his supporters in the player below. Former President Donald Trump delivers remarks from Mar-a-…
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…
Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study
Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study Feeling a bit anxious these days? You're not alone. A total of 61 percent of Americans say that the upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 5 election has slightly, moderately, or significantly impacted their mental health, according to a brand-new poll published by Forbes Health. “I believe some people’s anxiety comes from past post-election results,” Dr. Rufus Tony Spann, a certified school psychologist and licensed professional counselor, told Forbes. “Based on the results of previous elections, some communities felt they needed to prepare for the backlash due to the results of an election.” About 2,00…
Thousands Gather For Funeral Of Turkish Dissident Fethullah Gulen Who Died In PA Thousands Gather For Funeral Of Turkish Dissident Fethullah Gulen Who Died In PA
Thousands Gather For Funeral Of Turkish Dissident Fethullah Gulen Who Died In PA Hundreds of people gathered at Skylands Ballpark for the funeral of Fethullah Gulen, a prominent Turkish Muslim cleric, who inspired a movement in his native country, on Thursday, Oct. 24. The funeral in Frankford Township caused delays in the area, with Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada asking drivers to avoid the intersections of Route 15, 206, 565 and the surrounding area during the funeral. Gulen's official X account said that an estimated 20,000 people were inside and outside of the ballpark for this funeral. The stadium has 4,200 seats, the website says. 🔶Muhterem Fethullah Gül…
Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook
Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook AccuWeather meteorologists have just unveiled their forecast for the winter of 2024-25 and have released a map of where in the US the most snowfall is expected. In the image above, higher-than-average snowfall is predicted for those areas shown in light blue, with most areas in the Northeast are expected to receive more snow this season than last winter. Areas in the darker shade are expected to see below average snowfall in 2024-25, including in much of the Mid-Atlantic states. Click here for a new, related story: Winter 2024-25 Forecast Released By NOAA National Weather Service …
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores 7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is closing hundreds of stores in North America. Parent company Seven & I Holdings said that the 444 locations were “underperforming.” They make up about 3 percent of 7-Eleven's total of around 13,000 outlets in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Specific sites of the stores have not yet been released. In announcing the closures, the company said that 7-Eleven stores saw a 7.3 percent decline in traffic in August, saying a "pullback in consumer spending has persisted beyond prior expectations" that has affected store traffic and sales growth "as consu…
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump came out swinging at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in their first and possibly only presidential debate before the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election. Harris made the first move by shaking Trump's hand on stage — in their first face-to-face encounter. Political observers noted how Harris "baited" the former president, prompting him to look increasingly angry. But Trump entered the "spin room" less than an hour after the debate, saying, "I think it was the best debate, personally, that I've ever …
Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs
Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its winter weather predictions for the 2024-25 season. This year's title speaks for itself: "The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac Forecasts a 'Calmer, Gentler' Winter." The Old Farmer's Almanac touts 80 percent accuracy in its forecasts dating back to 1792. Last year, it predicted a winter wonderland. Parts of the forecast seem to contradict the predictions of the Farmer's Almanac, which predicts this winter will be a wet one with "above-normal amounts of winter precipitation and near-to above-normal temperatures" in the Northeast. Snow will be mos…
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump Robert F. Kennedy Jr., afraid of becoming a "spoiler," said he was suspending his independent presidential campaign and removing his name from the ballot in battleground states as he threw his support behind former President Donald Trump.  "I cannot in good conscience ask my staff to continue to work long hours or my donors to continue to give me their dollars if I believe I have no realistic path to the White House," the former Democrat said in a Friday, Aug. 23, press conference. He said he would remain on the ballot in states already assured to either Trump or Vice President Kamala …
Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention
Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention Vice President Kamala Harris has ended weeks of speculation after naming Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, Aug. 6.  The 60-year-old Walz was a seemingly late entrant to the "veepstakes" but gained popularity after several media appearances went viral.  The chair of the Democratic Governor's Association, Walz was a US Congressman from 2007 to 2019. A former high school social studies teacher, he's served 24 years in the Army National Guard. Harris said she chose Walz because of his dedication to working-class families.  One of the things that stood out …
Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee
Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee President Joe Biden has just announced he is pulling out of the 2024 race against Republican nominee Donald Trump. In a letter to "My Fellow Americans" released just before 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, Biden said: “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. “And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.” The news comes amid concerns over the 81-year-old Biden's health, which were loudly …
Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate
Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate Former President Donald Trump unveiled his vice presidential running mate late Monday afternoon, July 15.  US Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, age 39, was announced as the pick by Trump on Truth Social just ahead of his appearance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The post reads as follows: "After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio. J.D. honorably served our Country in the Ma…
Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada
Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada The Costco Wholesale Corporation has announced membership hikes in the US and Canada for the first time in seven years, according to a news release by the company issued on Wednesday, July 10.  Costco opened the release sharing a June sales growth in the US of 5.6%, which is higher than the past 44 weeks of just 4.4%, the company experienced a decrease in revenue internationally.  On the heels of sharing that news, the company made the announcement about raising the membership fees in both the US and Canada beginning Sept. 1.  Annual memberships are rising $5 making them $65…
Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where
Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where Red Lobster has abruptly closed dozens of locations across the United States. According to a Bloomberg, the fast-casual seafood restaurant has considered filing for bankruptcy. The following locations are listed as being temporarily closed on the Red Lobster website, with some set to be auctioned off. MD: Columbia, Laurel, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg NJ: Ledgewood, Lawrenceville, East Brunswick, Bridgewater PA: Erie VA: Newport News, Williamsburg, Colonial Heights TAGeX Brand, which bills itself as the world's largest after-marketplac…
Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says
Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says One of the nation's major oil companies says it will close 1,000 gas stations. Shell made the announcement in its 2024 Energy Transition Strategy report, saying the measure is “in response to customer needs” and aimed at reallocating those resources towards EV charging stations. Shell said it will close 500 stations in 2024 and the other 500 in 2025. "We believe growth in oil demand is set to slow in the second half of this decade and could start falling in the 2030s because of increasing vehicle efficiency and growth in electric vehicles," the company stated in the report. "Toda…
'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years:' PA City Ranked Among Best Places For Viewing 'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years:' PA City Ranked Among Best Places For Viewing
'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years:' PA City Ranked Among Best Places For Viewing In just over a month, what's being called the astronomy event of the decade will occur when a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. And one Pennsylvania city has been named among the top 20 best places in the U.S. for viewing. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth, completely blocking the face of the sun and the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Many are planning road trips to places where the best viewing conditions are expected for what space.com says will be "the l…
Supplements Sold Nationwide Being Recalled Due To Presence Of 'Gas Station Heroin' In Products Supplements Sold Nationwide Being Recalled Due To Presence Of 'Gas Station Heroin' In Products
Supplements Sold Nationwide Being Recalled Due To Presence Of 'Gas Station Heroin' In Products Federal Health officials are cautioning consumers to avoid certain products that may contain an ingredient known as "gas station heroin."  Neptune Resources LLC announced a voluntary recall of all lots of "Neptune's Fix Elixir," "Neptune's Fix Extra Strength Elixir," and Neptune's Fix Tablets due to the possible presence of tianeptine, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. Tianeptine, which has been called "gas station heroin" by some, is not FDA-approved for any medical use, and its presence in the products prompted the nationwide recall. "The presence of tianepti…
Rapper Gives Small PA Hometown Shoutout On Major Podcast That Reaches Millions Of Listeners Rapper Gives Small PA Hometown Shoutout On Major Podcast That Reaches Millions Of Listeners
Rapper Gives Small PA Hometown Shoutout On Major Podcast That Reaches Millions Of Listeners He can rap, but he's got no sense of direction. At least that's what Cheltenham native, comic and actor Lil Dicky, who you may know as David Andrew Burd, said on this week's episode of "Armchair Expert." "The thing that I'm the least good at in life is geography, sense of direction, knowing where things are," the 35-year-old rapper said in the first 10 minutes of his interview with Monica Padman and Dax Shepard.  "You can plop me down in my hometown of Cheltenham Pennsylvania, if I didn't have a GPS I'd be sleeping in my car even if I'm an eight-minute drive from my home." In 2020, F…
BlandJet Recalling 4.8M Portable Blenders Nationwide For Fire, Laceration Hazards BlandJet Recalling 4.8M Portable Blenders Nationwide For Fire, Laceration Hazards
BlandJet Recalling 4.8M Portable Blenders Nationwide For Fire, Laceration Hazards Nearly five million portable blenders sold nationwide are being recalled due to fire and laceration risks. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that a total of around 4.8 million BlendJet 2 Portable Blenders that can overheat or catch fire. If the blender were to get too hot, the blender blades can break off, creating the hazard. The recall includes blenders sold in a variety of colors and designs, federal authorities noted Recalled items have the serial numbers printed on the bottom of the base along with “blendjet2” and “The Original Portable Blender.”  The…
Surge In COVID-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC Surge In COVID-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC
Surge In Covid-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm, warning that low vaccination rates for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) could strain healthcare systems across the nation in the weeks ahead. Hospitalizations among all age groups in the last month increased by 200 percent for influenza, 51 percent for COVID, and 60 percent for RSV, the CDC said. Meanwhile, coverage for the seasonal 2023-2024 flu shot is low in all age groups compared with the same period of the 2022–2023 season. Just 17 percent of adults had received the updated COVID vac…
Nationwide Recall Issued For Peaches, Plums, Nectarines Sold At Stores Due To Listeria Risk Nationwide Recall Issued For Peaches, Plums, Nectarines Sold At Stores Due To Listeria Risk
Nationwide Recall Issued For Peaches, Plums, Nectarines Sold At Stores Due To Listeria Risk A nationwide recall has been issued for a brand of peaches, plums, and nectarines because of a possible health risk. The HMC Group Marketing, Inc., which does business as HMC Farms, issued the recall for the products sold in retail stores between Wednesday, May 1, and Wednesday, November 15, 2023, and the same date range in 2022, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website. The view product label photos, visit the FDA link here. The fruit is being recalled because it can potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometime…
Four Pennsylvania Restaurants Named Among Best In America By Popular Reservation Review Site Four Pennsylvania Restaurants Named Among Best In America By Popular Reservation Review Site
Four Pennsylvania Restaurants Named Among Best In America By Popular Reservation Review Site Four Pennsylvania restaurants were named to this year's OpenTable list of the best 100 best in the U.S. The popular restaurant reservation and review website culminated the list based on 12 million reviews from customers and dining metrics, the website said. OpenTable also considered diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance, and five-star reviews, it said. The Pennsylvania restaurants on the list are: Altius, Pittsburgh Gi-Jin, Pittsburgh Jean-Georges Philadelphia Tasting Menu, Philadelphia Zoubi, New Hope Click here for the full list from OpenTable.