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COVID-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Identified In Virginia COVID-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Identified In Virginia
Covid-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Identified In Virginia The most likely symptoms of a new COVID-19 variant with around 30 mutations are expected to be similar to the highly contagious Omicron strain based on reports so far. COVID-related hospitalizations have increased in the US for six straight weeks, with a 19-percent increase reported in the most recent week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, has now been identified in five states: New York, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio. The strain was first detected in Israel around Sunday, Aug. 20, and cases have also been identif…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
DC Among 'Safest' For LGBTQ+ Pride, Study Says DC Among 'Safest' For LGBTQ+ Pride, Study Says
DC Among 'Safest' For LGBTQ+ Pride, Study Says When protests against LGBTQ+ are on the rise, community members (and allies) may want to look for not only the best place to celebrate during Pride month but also the safest place to live.  Washington DC came in at No. 2 on LawnStarter's "2023's Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities" list. The study ranked America's "200 biggest U.S. cities based on 20 indicators of an ideal LGBTQ city, such as anti-discrimination policies, the share of same-sex households, and LGBTQ support resources," the organization said. Affordability, LGBTQ-friendly healthcare access, and "Pride-readiness," were also …

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Threats Targeting Congressman With 'His Militia' Gets MD Man Prison Time: DOJ Threats Targeting Congressman With 'His Militia' Gets MD Man Prison Time: DOJ
Threats Targeting Congressman With 'His Militia' Gets MD Man Prison Time: DOJ Federal officials say that a Maryland man will spend time behind bars after sending messages over the Internet threatening to maim and injure a US member of Congress. Annapolis resident Justin Kuchta, 40, has been sentenced to four months in federal prison, followed by a year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to making what turned out to be idle threats, authorities announced on Thursday, April 27.  US Attorney Erek Barron said that a Congressman’s district office in Texas reported in July last year that it received a threatening message through an event management website t…

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by Zak Failla
News
Turtle Trafficker In VA Admits To Role In International Smuggling Scheme: Feds Turtle Trafficker In VA Admits To Role In International Smuggling Scheme: Feds
Turtle Trafficker In VA Admits To Role In International Smuggling Scheme: Feds An elaborate turtle smuggling and trafficking ring orchestrated by a Virginia man has been broken up, federal officials announced this week. Louisa resident Stanlee Fazi, 41, pleaded guilty in federal court in Alexandria to trafficking turtles out of Fredericksburg in violation of the Lacey Act, according to the Department of Justice. As part of his guilty plea, Fazi admitted that between July 2017 and June 2020, he illegally collected eastern box turtles from the wild and sold them on at least 27 occasions to buyers across the country. The scheme involved Fazi collecting payments using Fa…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Cumin Products Sold In PA Recalled Due To Salmonella Contamination Concerns Cumin Products Sold In PA Recalled Due To Salmonella Contamination Concerns
Cumin Products Sold In PA Recalled Due To Salmonella Contamination Concerns A voluntary recall of a specific lot and brand of ground cumin sold in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and other states is being recalled due to the discovery of Salmonella in the product, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. Lipari Foods has issued a voluntary recall of a specific lot of Lipari Branded Ground Cumin Tubs manufactured by International Food that could pose a possible health risk for vulnerable adults or young children. The products subject to the recall were sold to retailers in: Alabama; Arkansas; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Kentucky; Michigan; Missouri; No…

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by Zak Failla
News
Maryland Man Threatening US Congressman With Murder, Militia Faces Five Years: DOJ Maryland Man Threatening US Congressman With Murder, Militia Faces Five Years: DOJ
Maryland Man Threatening US Congressman With Murder, Militia Faces Five Years: DOJ A Maryland man is facing years in prison after sending messages over the Internet threatening to injure a US member of Congress.  Annapolis resident Justin Kuchta, 39, pleaded guilty this week to a federal charge for threatening to murder a United States Member of Commerce, officials announced following his irate rant last year. US Attorney Erek Barron said that a Congressman’s district office in Texas reported in July last year that it received a threatening message through an event management website. The threats were made targeting Sen. Ted Cruz, according to CNN. According t…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
'Mega Millions' Players In Virginia, Maryland Holding On To Uncashed $1M Tickets 'Mega Millions' Players In Virginia, Maryland Holding On To Uncashed $1M Tickets
'Mega Millions' Players In Virginia, Maryland Holding On To Uncashed $1M Tickets The DMV proved to be the place to play “Mega Millions” as two winning $1 million tickets are burning a hole in lottery players’ pockets in Virginia and Maryland to kick off the new year. There was no grand prize-winning $785 million jackpot winner on Tuesday, Jan. 3, but one winning seven-figure “Mega Millions” ticket was sold in both Maryland and Virginia by matching the first five numbers. The winning numbers for Tuesday’s drawing were 25-29-33-41-44 with a "Mega Ball" number of 18 with an optional "Megaplier" of 04. A third winning $1 million ticket was also sold in Texas as the “Mega …

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
On-Duty Firefighter At Crash Struck Dead By Teen Driver In Pennsylvania On-Duty Firefighter At Crash Struck Dead By Teen Driver In Pennsylvania
On-Duty Firefighter At Crash Struck Dead By Teen Driver In Pennsylvania A 66-year-old firefighter was struck dead by a car driven by a teenager while on duty in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Dec. 6, authorities say. Kurt Keilhofer was on the scene of a separate crash as a first responder with the Mapleton Fire Department when he was hit by the 19-year-old's vehicle in the area of Hares Valley Road and Dell Lane in Union Township, around 7:30 a.m., according to Pennsylvania state police. While driving through the area of the crash scene the unnamed teen lost control of their vehicle and struck Keilhofer, the police explain in the release.  Keilhofer was taken to P…

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by Jillian Pikora
Lifestyle
Frontier Adds Another New Nonstop Flight From BWI-Marshall Airport Frontier Adds Another New Nonstop Flight From BWI-Marshall Airport
Frontier Adds Another New Nonstop Flight From Bwi-marshall Airport Frontier Airlines is adding a new nonstop flight to Dallas-Forth Worth from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, reports WBAL TV. The addition is the eighth destination for the airline from the Baltimore area airport, and one of many new flights added to BWI this year. Three new airlines have also been added to BWI, the outlet continues. Frontier will begin the new Texas flights on May 21, with four flights per week. To read the full story by WBAL TV, click here.

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by Annie DeVoe
Politics
Buses Of Migrants Dropped Off Near Vice President Kamala Harris' DC Home Buses Of Migrants Dropped Off Near Vice President Kamala Harris' DC Home
Buses Of Migrants Dropped Off Near Vice President Kamala Harris' DC Home In clear protest of the Biden administration's immigration policies, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent two buses of migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris' DC home, according to reports.  Over 100 migrants were stranded, some with their few belongings, outside of the Naval Observatory early on Thursday, Sept. 15, though Abbott's buses of migrants typically arrive at the capital's Union Station.  The lost asylum seekers were moved to a local church by SAMU First Response, a team of volunteers who help migrants when they arrive, although they were unaware of Abbott's logistical plans. "The …

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by AJ Goldbloom
News
Maryland Man Accused Of Making Threats Of 'His' Militia Targeting Member Of US Congress: DOJ Maryland Man Accused Of Making Threats Of 'His' Militia Targeting Member Of US Congress: DOJ
Maryland Man Accused Of Making Threats Of 'His' Militia Targeting Member Of US Congress: DOJ The Department of Justice has unsealed a criminal complaint charging a Maryland man with sending messages over the Internet threatening to injure a US member of Congress. Annapolis resident Justin Kuchta, 39, was charged with interstate communication containing a threat to injure and was scheduled to appear in US District Court in Baltimore on Wednesday, Sept. 7, authorities announced. US Attorney Erek Barron said that a Congressman’s district office in Texas reported in July that it received a threatening message through an event management website. The threats were made targeting Sen. T…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Last Two Defendants Convicted In Federal Trial For Lynchburg Drug Conspiracy Last Two Defendants Convicted In Federal Trial For Lynchburg Drug Conspiracy
Last Two Defendants Convicted In Federal Trial For Lynchburg Drug Conspiracy The final two defendants in the Lynchburg drug conspiracy trial were convicted in federal court, officials said. On September 2, Ricky Donnell Abner, 44, and Charay Lamont Trent, 43, were convicted on drug conspiracy and weapon charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Between January 2016 and January 2021, ringleader of the operation Jermel "Jan" Storey distributed large amounts of cocaine, that he received from Texas, to a network of drug dealers, right out of his Lynchburg home, authorities said. Even after he moved to North Carolina, Storey continued to meet up with co-cons…

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by AJ Goldbloom