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Hundreds of military promotions on hold as GOP senator demands end to abortion policy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top defense officials are accusing Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville of jeopardizing America's national security with his hold on roughly 300 military promotions, raising the stakes in a clash over abortion policy that shows no signs of easing.Tuberville brushed off the criticism, vowing he will not give in. “We're going to be in a holding pattern for a long time,” he said, if the Pentagon refuses to end its policy of paying for travel when a service member goes out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care. Navy secretary says Tuberville ‘aiding and abetting’ communist, autocratic regimes It's a classic Washington standoff with rippling effects across the country, placing the lives of servicemembers effectively on hold as they await what has traditionally been routine Senate approval for their promotions.Frustration mounting, the secretaries of the Navy, Air Force and Army wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post this week saying T...

'That '70s Show' actor Danny Masterson to be sentenced Thursday for rape conviction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson could get as much as 30 years to life in prison at his sentencing Thursday for the rapes of two women two decades ago.Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo is set to sentence the 47-year-old actor after ruling on a defense motion for a new trial that she’s very likely to reject, and after hearing impact statements from the victims.A jury of seven women and five men found Masterson guilty of two counts on May 31 after seven days of deliberations. Both attacks took place in Masterson’s Hollywood-area home in 2003, when he was at the height of his fame on the Fox network sitcom “That ’70s Show.”The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on a third count, an allegation that Masterson also raped a longtime girlfriend.The verdict came in a second trial after a jury failed to reach verdicts on three counts of forcible rape in December and a mistrial was declared. Tory Lanez sentenced to 10 years in prison...

Updated COVID-19 booster coming: What you need to know

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

(NewsNation) — A new COVID-19 booster could be coming next week, just in time for an expected surge in cases heading into the fall. The Federal Drug Administration is expected to approve the updated shots as early as Friday, according to NBC News. That would pave the way for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to give final approval next week. The CDC's panel of independent advisers is set to meet Tuesday, WABC-TV reported.COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are rising by double-digit percentages, according to CDC data, though rates remain far below pandemic-era levels.Here's what you need to know about the updated shot: When will it be available?Potentially, as soon as Sept. 13. First, the FDA will meet — possibly this week — to approve the shot. After it does, a panel of independent advisers to the CDC will meet and recommend who should be eligible for the shots. The panel is set to meet on Tuesday.After the panel finalizes its recommendation, the CDC directo...

Why researchers say they're a step closer to extending lifespan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

(NewsNation) — Researchers at the University of Rochester transferred a longevity gene from naked mole rats to mice, calling it a “groundbreaking endeavor.”According to the University of Rochester, naked mole rats have long captured the attention of scientists for their lengthy lifespans and resistance to age-related diseases.Biologists at the university introduced a specific gene responsible for enhanced cellular repair and protection into mice, which they say may be a step toward unlocking the secrets of aging and potentially extending human lifespan. Scientists find ‘golden orb’ on ocean floor. What is it? The gene is responsible for making high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA), improving the health of the mice and leading to an approximate 4.4% increase in median lifespan.“It took us 10 years from the discovery of HMW-HA in the naked mole rat to showing that HMW-HA improves health in mice,” said Vera Gorbunova, the Doris Johns Cherry professor of biology and medici...

'Got some work to do': New law takes away some Texas Veterinary Board authority, temporarily

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Stepping off the elevator at the George HW Bush State Office Building, it’s apparent the staff on this floor recently moved into the newly-built building. While some of the surrounding offices and desks remain undecorated or even empty, Brittany Sharkey’s corner office feels settled: art on the walls, books on shelves and pictures in frames on her desk.It’s an image of the urgent progress the new executive director said she is hoping to make at the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, or TBVME. SERIES: KXAN Investigates the Texas Veterinary Board The state agency is responsible for overseeing and regulating animal doctors — and it is an agency which, according to lawmakers, has struggled for more than six years.By 2022, a KXAN investigation found dozens of disciplinary records still missing from a website that was supposed to enable the public to search information about the agency’s licensees —raising new questions about its internal operations and transp...

Bastrop County to get Public Health Department

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) – Bastrop County Commissioners voted on Aug. 28 to establish a Public Health Department in the county, according to a press release from the county. The announcement said the department's creation would be effective on Oct. 1. According to the release, commissioners voted unanimously after getting a report on June 12.The Bastrop County Public Health Improvement Project Final Report noted community leaders recommended that commissioners create a governmental public health agency, the release said. It also said that commissioners should act quickly "given a significant number of public health events and emergencies that have threatened the county in the past."According to the county, the report also pointed to "communication both during disasters and blue-sky times, accountability and clarity of authority, collaboration between public health systems and organizations, and the need for a sustainable public health infrastructure." The county said "these issues co...

One person killed in Wednesday night crash on Highway 71 in Del Valle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) – One person died after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 71 in Del Valle Wednesday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS. ATCEMS said paramedics and Austin Fire crews responded to the westbound lanes of 71 near Cheviot Lane just west of Highway 973 around 9:12 p.m.Paramedics performed CPR on the adult patient but the person died at the scene, according to ATCEMS.

'Best version' of Xavier Worthy feeling rejuvenated in 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

Austin (KXAN) - In Texas' season opening win against Rice, the Longhorns were never in real danger but the offense did sputter at times. Despite the slow moments, junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy didn't miss a beat.Seven catches for 90 yards in the win against the Owls for Worthy were both marks that led Texas. While putting up numbers like he always has, the third-year wideout feels different."I feel like I'm playing more relaxed," said Worthy. "Just doing me. Just having a smile about it. Going about it like the next play could be my last play. I'm just taking everything to mind and living my best life."The 2022 season was statistically impressive for Worthy but sure brought adversity. A lack of a connection on deep passes from quarterback Quinn Ewers and playing through a broken hand for part of the season made last fall tough for the Fresno native.It's been clear from an outside perspective that Worthy seems to be having more fun this year. His head coach sure agrees."The pers...

Gophers football vs. Eastern Michigan: Keys to game, how to watch and who has edge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

EASTERN MICHIGAN vs. MINNESOTAWhen: 6:30 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Huntington Bank StadiumTV: Big Ten NetworkRadio: KFANWeather: 71 degrees, 50 percent chance of sprinkle, 8 mph south windBetting spread: Minnesota, -20.5Records: The Gophers (1-0) edged Nebraska 13-10 in the season opener on Aug. 31. Eastern Michigan (1-0) beat FCS-level Howard 33-22 on Sept. 1.History: The Gophers have never before played Eastern Michigan, but when U head coach P.J. Fleck was at Western Michigan, he was 3-1 against the Eagles. Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton is 0-3 against Fleck.Key matchup: Gophers kickoff coverage against Eastern Michigan’s kickoff return unit. Minnesota lost contain on the left side and allowed a 63-yard return to Nebraska, which set up the Cornhuskers only touchdown. The Eagles had two different players return kicks for TDs against Howard.Who has the edge?Gophers offense vs. Eastern Michigan defense: The U offense left a lot to be desired until they got the ball back with five ...

Source: Vikings safety Josh Metellus agrees to two-year contract extension

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:08 GMT

Vikings safety Josh Metellus spent this offseason rising up the depth chart, carving out a key role for himself on defense, and most recently, being named a team captain for the first time.Now it appears he will be sticking around Minnesota for the foreseeable future.A source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Thursday morning that Metellus has agreed to a two-year contract extension. He will reportedly get $6 million guaranteed in the process with the contract extension as a whole worth up to $13 million. An official announcement from the Vikings should come at some point in the near future.This is a nice reward for Metellus after originally being selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. After starting his career as a special teams ace, fully leaning into that role when many young players do not, Metellus has slowly seen his role grow on defense, as well.The arrival of new defensive coordinator Brian Flores has resulted in even more responsibilities for Mete...