Flu Kills Two Virginia Children, Health Officials Confirm Flu Kills Two Virginia Children, Health Officials Confirm
Flu Kills Two Virginia Children, Health Officials Confirm Tragedy has struck two Virginia families after the first pediatric flu deaths of the 2024–25 season were reported, state health officials announced. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed that one young school-aged child (5–12 years old) in the Eastern Region and one teenager (13–17 years old) in the Central Region of Virginia have died from influenza complications.  To protect the families’ privacy, no additional details have been provided. “With a heavy heart, the Virginia Department of Health mourns the loss of two young lives. Our sympathies go out to the families durin…
Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed
Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed The detection of a different more rare strain of avian influenza is raising alarm as record egg prices soar to new highs. A farm in California where the new H5N9 strain was detected had to kill 119,000 birds after the more common H5N1 strain had been detected earlier. In New York, a farm on Long Island culled 100,000 ducks after a bird flu outbreak. “Whether this novel H5N9 virus will cause human infections from its avian host and become a pandemic subtype is not known yet,” the US National Library of Medicine said. “It is therefore imperative to assess the risk of emergence of t…
Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide
Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide Flu activity remains high and is increasing across many parts of the country.  For the week ending Saturday, Jan. 18, 25 percent of tests returned positive for flu, up from 19 percent the previous week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than five percent of emergency-room visits were flu-related, with notable increases among infants, older children, and teens, nearing pre-holiday surge levels.
 "The country is still experiencing elevated influenza activity and that is expected to continue for several more weeks," the CDC said. Elev…
Man Accused Of Making Violent Threats Against Trump Man Accused Of Making Violent Threats Against Trump
Man Accused Of Making Violent Threats Against Trump A man accused of threatening to kill President Trump has been apprehended following a tip to federal authorities. The investigation began on Inauguration Day on Monday, Jan. 20, after a tip to the FBI National Threat Operations Center reported violent online posts targeting the former president.  Federal agents traced the posts to Shannon Depararro Atkins, age 46, of West Palm Beach, Florida, near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. Atkins was arrested just before 7:30 p.m.  Friday, Jan. 24 near his home after being pulled over in a white 2013 BMW 750Li, said Public Informat…
DC Man Who Stabbed Woman To Death In Front Of BF In Maryland Sentenced DC Man Who Stabbed Woman To Death In Front Of BF In Maryland Sentenced
DC Man Who Stabbed Woman To Death In Front Of BF In Maryland Sentenced A District man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of fatally stabbing a woman during a New Year's Eve drug dispute in Northern Maryland, authorities announced. On Friday, Jan. 24, a Frederick County Circuit Judge sentenced Ruben Terod Williams, 40, to life in prison for the first-degree murder of 41-year-old Mary Alice Seward.  Williams was found guilty by a jury on November 2024, following a trial detailing the brutal killing. The stabbing was reported in the early hours of Dec. 31, 2022, after Seward was approached by Williams on Linden Avenue near the…
East Coast Couples Have Expensive Expectations: How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts? East Coast Couples Have Expensive Expectations: How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts?
East Coast Couples Have Expensive Expectations: How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts? Newlywed couples in Northeast and mid-Atlantic states expect some of the most generous wedding gifts in the country, a new study said. Couples in New York expect the most expensive gifts in the U.S. at an average of $204.60 per guest, according to the study by fine jewelry brand Shane Co. The survey, based on responses from more than 3,000 Americans, also highlights regional trends in gift expectations, budgets, and wedding traditions. Connecticut newlyweds had the nation's second-highest expectations of $202.40 per gift, while New Jersey ranked fourth at $172.30. Pennsylvani…
Driver Indicted In Crash That Killed Vikings Rookie, 2 Former Teammates In Maryland Driver Indicted In Crash That Killed Vikings Rookie, 2 Former Teammates In Maryland
Driver Indicted In Crash That Killed Vikings Rookie, 2 Former Teammates In Maryland A woman has been charged in a 13-count indictment for the crash in Prince George's County that claimed the lives of Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jcakson and two former teammates last year. The 24-year-old Wise High School graduate was the front seat passenger in a Dodge Charger involved in a crash in July 2024 in Upper Marlboro. Isaiah Hazel, 23, and Anthony Lytton, Jr., 24, both of Upper Marlboro, also died. This week, Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy announced that Cori Clingman, who was 23 at the time of the crash, is responsible for the crash an…
'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Found Safe In Nevada After Reported Missing 'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Found Safe In Nevada After Reported Missing
'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Found Safe In Nevada After Reported Missing Natalie DiDonato, a cast member from Season 5 of "Mob Wives", has been found safe in Nevada, ending a brief missing-persons search, NBC News reported. DiDonato, 44, contacted her mother, Denise Fuoco, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, and assured her she was safe and not being held against her will. "My daughter's been found," Fuoco told NBC News. "She's fine right now. We're trying to get her home." The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that its search for DiDonato was officially over. In a statement released on Thursday, Jan. 23, the LVMPD said, "This case has been closed. We …
Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will VA Get? Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will VA Get?
Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will VA Get? Purdue Pharma will pay more than $7 billion for the corporation's role in fueling the opioid epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. The Sackler family and Purdue Pharma reached a $7.4 billion settlement with attorneys general from 15 states on Thursday, Jan. 23. The Sacklers have owned the company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, for decades. The settlement includes $6.5 billion from the Sackler family, with $1.5 billion to be paid immediately, and nearly $900 million from Purdue Pharma. Funds will be distributed to states, local governments, and victims ov…
Gangster Who Killed MS-13 Rival, Plotted More Murders From VA Jail Learns Prison Fate Gangster Who Killed MS-13 Rival, Plotted More Murders From VA Jail Learns Prison Fate
Gangster Who Killed MS-13 Rival, Plotted More Murders From VA Jail Learns Prison Fate A member of the violent 18th Street gang will spend the next 40 years in prison and faces deportation after stalking and killing a man in Maryland to elevate his standing in the transnational criminal organization, federal authorities announced. El Salvador native Cesar De-La-O-Rodriguez, also known as "Lunatico," pleaded guilty late last year in connection to the murder of Danis Alcides Salgado Mata, whom he and fellow gang members believed was a rival MS-13 gang member.  Rodriguez carried out the brutal killing at the direction of a senior 18th Street gang leader to prove his loyalty…
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …
'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Vanishes After Missing PA Flight: Report 'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Vanishes After Missing PA Flight: Report
'Mob Wives' Star Natalie DiDonato Vanishes After Missing PA Flight: Report Natalie DiDonato, known for her appearance on Season 5 of "Mob Wives," has been reported missing after failing to show up for two flights home, according to TMZ. The Las Vegas Police Department confirmed that a missing person report for DiDonato, 44, was filed on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2025. However, Philadelphia Police did not respond to our request for comment. **UPDATE: DiDonato was found, click here to read out the our full report** According to TMZ, DiDonato’s family is deeply concerned after she failed to board a Jan. 5 flight from Philadelphia to her home in Florida. Friends and family sa…
REAL ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When REAL ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When
Real ID Enforcement Set To Begin Nationwide: Here's When Travelers and those accessing federal facilities will soon need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another approved form of identification under new security requirements. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 in response to 9/11 Commission recommendations, requires stricter security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards.  These credentials will be essential for boarding commercial flights, entering federal buildings, and accessing certain restricted facilities. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske emphasized the importance of compliance, …
Killer Who Stabbed Driver 59 Times, Stuffed Him In Trunk After DC Nightclub Trip Sentenced Killer Who Stabbed Driver 59 Times, Stuffed Him In Trunk After DC Nightclub Trip Sentenced
Killer Who Stabbed Driver 59 Times, Stuffed Him In Trunk After DC Nightclub Trip Sentenced A 23-year-old White Plains man convicted of murder after deputies found a person stabbed to death in the trunk of his car in Charles County will spend decades in prison, authorities announced. Marvin Ernesto Funez-Martinez was arrested in October 2023 in connection to the death of driver Marco Alexander Pulido-Castro after the two got into a deadly dispute over payment for the ride. Patrol officers were called shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 to the 4100 block of Gateway Boulevard, where there was a report of a person armed with a weapon, and upon arrival, a witness di…
Former Communications Professor At Virginia Tech Learns Prison Fate For Child Porn: Feds Former Communications Professor At Virginia Tech Learns Prison Fate For Child Porn: Feds
Former Communications Professor At Virginia Tech Learns Prison Fate For Child Porn: Feds A former professor of communications at Virginia Tech who downloaded hundreds of child porn images - including some as young as toddlers - will be spending time in prison, federal authorities announced. Christiansburg resident Michael Horning, 51, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to a one-count charging him with "knowingly possessing one or more visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including prepubescent minors and minors who have not yet attained 12 years of age," prosecutors said. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, they announced that he has been sentenced to 60 month…
PA Mom Who Used Fentanyl-Laced Apple Juice In Murder-Suicide Plot Pleads Guilty But Ill PA Mom Who Used Fentanyl-Laced Apple Juice In Murder-Suicide Plot Pleads Guilty But Ill
PA Mom Who Used Fentanyl-Laced Apple Juice In Murder-Suicide Plot Pleads Guilty But Ill A Pennsylvania mother who claimed "God told her" to kill herself and her 8-year-old daughter with fentanyl-laced apple juice has pleaded guilty but mentally ill, authorities announced on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Skye Naggy, 32, admitted to attempted homicide, aiding suicide, kidnapping, and child endangerment before Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani, nearly three years after her arrest in November 2022. Naggy's plan unraveled after police discovered her and the child in a wooded area near Loyalhanna Lake. Investigators, who tracked Naggy's phone, also uncovered a…
Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use
Nasal Spray Treating Major Depression Receives FDA Approval For Standalone Use The Food and Drug Administration has approved Johnson & Johnson's nasal spray as a standalone treatment for severe forms of depression, officials said. The FDA granted approval to Spravato (esketamine) as the first monotherapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression, J&J said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The decision came after a priority review of clinical data showing significant improvements in depression symptoms as early as 24 hours and sustained progress through four weeks. According to J&J, treatment-resistant depression affects about one-t…
TikTok Access Restored In United States TikTok Access Restored In United States
TikTok Access Restored In United States Americans regained access to TikTok after a 14-hour ban left the popular app unavailable. As of Sunday, Jan. 19, it remained unclear why the app was once again operational in the United States. The Supreme Court had previously upheld a ruling to enforce the ban, citing national security concerns linked to TikTok’s Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance. President Trump reportedly said he planned on issuing an executive order giving ByteDance more time to sell the video-sharing platform.
Man Who Fled Pennsylvania Homicide Captured In Virginia: Police Man Who Fled Pennsylvania Homicide Captured In Virginia: Police
Man Who Fled Pennsylvania Homicide Captured In Virginia: Police A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in Chambersburg, police announced on Saturday, Jan. 18. Kelsey Girard Myles, 36, of Clarksdale, Mississippi, was taken into custody by Virginia State Police on Saturday after a warrant was issued for his alleged involvement in a deadly shooting on Walker Road in Chambersburg, according to the Chambersburg Police Department. Officers responded to the 200 block of Walker Road on Friday, Jan. 17, at 5:08 p.m. for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found a man suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim succumb…
Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media
Earn Your Scroll: New App Makes You Walk To Unlock Social Media A new app is fighting against doomscrolling and helping users get active by turning steps into screen time. Steppin' blocks you from using certain apps unless you walk a certain number of daily steps. The app was founded by Boston entrepreneur Paul English, who's also a co-founder of travel search engine Kayak.com. Steppin' rewards physical activity by tying screen time to movement. For every 100 steps, users earn one minute of access to restricted apps, including social media apps like Facebook and Instagram, as well as other platforms like Netflix. The app's settings are fully …
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About HMPV Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About HMPV
Virus Outbreak In China Sparking Concerns: Here's What To Know About Hmpv A surge in cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China is sparking concerns five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, drawing attention to another respiratory virus circulating in the population. HMPV, a known virus, usually causes cold-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat.  The new rise in cases, particularly among children under 14 in northern China, has officials urging caution as the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, a time when travel and gatherings often lead to spikes in illness. Data from China’s state news agency, Xinhua, shows …
VA Smokers Lose $3.6M Over Lifetimes, D.C. Has Nation's Second-Highest Costs: Study VA Smokers Lose $3.6M Over Lifetimes, D.C. Has Nation's Second-Highest Costs: Study
VA Smokers Lose $3.6M Over Lifetimes, D.C. Has Nation's Second-Highest Costs: Study Northeast and mid-Atlantic states are among the most expensive in the U.S. for smoking tobacco, according to a new study. New York topped the 2025 list from WalletHub called "The Real Cost of Smoking by State", with residents losing an estimated $5.4 million over their lifetime. Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island were also ranked in the top five. The study calculated smoking-related costs by combining out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, increased insurance premiums, and missed financial opportunities, such as investing in the stock market instead of …
MD Supreme Court Attorney Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds MD Supreme Court Attorney Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds
MD Supreme Court Attorney Failed To Report Millions In Poker Winnings: Feds A supreme court attorney attorney from Maryland who made his name arguing before the Supreme Court is now facing serious legal trouble of his own. Thomas Goldstein, 53, a prominent appellate lawyer and high-stakes poker player known to play in games involving millions, was indicted on Thursday, Jan. 16 on multiple charges for failing to report his winnings, authorities announced It is alleged that Goldstein failed to report millions of dollars in poker winnings and omitting over $14 million in debt to secure a multimillion-dollar home loan in DC. Specifically, a federal grand jur…
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S. Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S.
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: How The App Could Survive In The U.S. The Supreme Court has upheld a new law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company divests from the very popular video-sharing social media app. The justices said the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" doesn't violate the First Amendment, according to the court's decision on Friday, Jan. 17. The ruling allows for TikTok to potentially be banned in the U.S. as early as Sunday, Jan. 19. TikTok, which has more than 170 million users in the U.S., has come under scrutiny over fears that ByteDance could allow the Chinese gov…
Missing Dad, 39, Found Dead After 9 Day Search: Fairfax County PD Missing Dad, 39, Found Dead After 9 Day Search: Fairfax County PD
Missing Dad, 39, Found Dead After 9 Day Search: Fairfax County PD The search for a missing man in Fairfax County has ended in tragedy, authorities announced. Tamrat Gebremichel was reported missing after having last been seen on Jan. 5 in Springfield, Fairfax County police said.  On Jan. 14, police announced that 39-year-old Gebremichel was found dead.  A GoFundMe says that Gebremichel was found dead in Alexandria. Further circumstances around the case have not been released, and police said only that no foul play was suspected. "He leaves behind his loving wife, Feven, and their two young sons, ages 9 and 11," the campaign says…
Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion
Dramatic Videos Capture SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Videos are circulating of SpaceX's Starship Flight 7 meeting an explosive end over the Atlantic Ocean during its Thursday, Jan. 16 test launch.  The flight, conducted at 4:37 p.m. CT from Starbase, TX, aimed to achieve major milestones but faced setbacks in its journey to space. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, commented on the test, saying, “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨” Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨ pic.twitter.com/nn3PiP8XwG — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025 The launch was streamed live by SpaceX on X in a video that had …
$400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign $400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign
$400M Lawsuit: Justin Baldoni Accuses Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Of Smear Campaign In an escalating legal battle featuring Hollywood heavyweights, actor Justin Baldoni is suing Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million allegedly orchestrating a smear campaign to ruin his career. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Lively and Reynolds used their influence to seize control of Baldoni's film "It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel.  Baldoni directed, co-starred in, and co-financed the production through his company, Wayfarer Studios. “This is not a case about celebrities sniping at each …
FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens
FDA Approves ZYN Nicotine Pouches For Sale, Restricts Ads Targeting Teens The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the sales of 20 types of ZYN nicotine pouches amid concerns about children and teens using the products. The decision allows ZYN nicotine pouches to be legally marketed in the U.S. to adults aged 21 and older, the FDA said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 6. The small natural fiber pouches are designed to be placed between the gum and lip. The FDA said the pouches contain substantially lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes and most smokeless tobacco products, reducing risks of cancer and other serious …
Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, New Study Says Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, New Study Says
Rise In Dementia Cases Linked To One Of Americans' Favorite Foods, New Study Says A rise in dementia cases could be linked to Americans' appetite for one of its favorite foods.  Findings suggest that rising dementia cases in the US may be linked to a preference for meats.  A study in Neurology by researchers from Mass General Brigham and Harvard indicates that diets high in processed red meats — like bacon, hot dogs, and sausage — were associated with a 13 percent increased risk of developing dementia. The research analyzed data from 133,771 participants, averaging 49 years old, over a follow-up period of up to 43 years.  Among them, 11,173 developed dem…
Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal
Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal after 15 months of war, according to multiple reports, citing senior sources in the White House. Around 30 hostages are expected to be released in the initial phase of the agreement, according to CNN.  There are seven Americans being held, two of whom are expected to be free in the first phase, according to Axios. Hundreds of incarcerated Palestinians being held by Israel are expected to be released in the initial phase, CNN reports. It's unclear when the ceasefire will start. The agreement, reached on Wednes…
FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods
FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods The Food and Drug Administration has officially banned Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives certain foods their vivid cherry-red hue, due to cancer concerns in lab animals. The FDA revoked the authorization for the coloring's use in food products, oral drugs, and dietary supplements, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Manufacturers have until Friday, Jan. 15, 2027, to remove Red Dye 3 from food products and Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2028, for drugs. Products made before these deadlines may still appear on shelves if they were manufactured before …