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5 things to know about the new COVID variant of interest, JN.1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — As millions of Americans are preparing to gather for the holidays, health officials are warning of a new COVID-19 variant sweeping the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday it was classifying the COVID variant JN.1 as a variant of interest. Here are 5 things you should know about the new variant of interest. What is JN.1?JN.1 was first detected in August, according to WHO, and is a "descendent lineage" of the subvariant BA.2.86, otherwise known as Pirola. Pirola itself is a descendant of the BA.2 omicron subvariant.In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned BA.2.86 may be better at causing breakthrough infections, meaning that even if you've been vaccinated or had the virus, you could still become infected. These are the safest small towns and cities in every state: report While JN.1 is a descendant of BA.2.86, it's unclear what potential it has to cause breakthrough infections. Where has JN.1 been detected?According to WHO's ...

Senate looks to approve final military promotions following blockade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- The U.S. Senate is playing catch up this week on confirmations of top military officials after a Republican recently ended his blockade.U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, (R-AL), held up hundreds of nominations for 10 months to protest the Pentagon policy that offers travel expenses and time off for service members and their dependents seeking legal abortions.However, the policy still stands, and lawmakers, including Tuberville, are now working to give the officers back pay."We're not done yet," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY), said on the floor Tuesday.Schumer promised to keep his colleagues in Washington until they confirm the remaining 11 four-star nominees.U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, (D-RI), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the candidates have a combined 390 years of military service."These positions are critical, including commanders of the 7th Fleet in the Middle East and the 5th Fleet in the Indo-Pacific,” Reed said. “Collectively, t...

Chicago paralegal accused of stealing $600K from bankruptcy estate accounts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

CHICAGO — A former paralegal in Chicago is accused of stealing over $600,000 from bankruptcy estate accounts over the course of nine years.Becky Sutton, 67, formerly of Park Forest, pleaded guilty to one federal count of wire fraud on Thursday.Authorities allege Sutton embezzled over $600,000 in funds from 2009 to 2018 while working on bankruptcy matters for the law firm.She admitted in a plea agreement that more than 40 bankruptcy estate accounts and several liquidating trust accounts were affected. Cook County homeowners to receive $30.5M in property tax refunds Sutton, now of Austin, Texas, pleaded guilty on Thursday.

'A lot of improvement': Transportation leaders hope for smoother holiday travel season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - As people begin to hit the skies for holiday travel, the Transportation Department is hoping some key changes will help avoid the chaos many travelers saw last holiday season. With millions of people expected to fly for Christmas and New Year's Eve, the agency is keeping a close eye on airlines. "We can't make guarantees on behalf of the airline industry for how Christmas and New Year's will go but I will say there's been a lot of improvement," Transportation Department Sec. Pete Buttigieg said. After last holiday season's travel meltdown, Sec. Buttigieg says the Transportation Department helped get impacted travelers billions of dollars in compensation. This week they announced a $140 million penalty against Southwest Airlines for their massive disruptions. "We're telling them not to let this happen again," Buttigieg said. "And my sense is that they have learned that the hard way but also the entire industry needs to see this as ...

Man finds 4.87-carat diamond in Arkansas state park, largest discovery since 2020

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

MURFREESBORO, Ark. (KARK) – Within 10 minutes of entering the Crater of Diamonds State Park, park officials said that one Arkansas man found the largest diamond discovered in three years.Officials with the Arkansas State Parks said that Jerry Evans of Lepanto visited the park this spring, but he just learned of his discovery. Park officials said that Evans picked up what he thought was a clear piece of glass that he found a few feet away on top of a plowed ridge.“I thought it might be a piece of glass, it was so clear. I really didn’t know,” Evans said. “We were picking up everything thinking it was a diamond." Paragould 7-year-old finds a diamond at Arkansas Crater of Diamonds park Evans sent the stone to the Gemological Institute of America for identification, and a few weeks later, he was told that he had found a 4.87-carat near-colorless diamond. Officials said that Evans’ son encouraged him to contact the Crater of Diamonds State Park about his find.Park officials said that E...

Hays County approves additional mental health counselor for Hays CISD

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- An additional mental health counselor is coming to the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. RELATED COVERAGE: Hays County school districts eligible for extra money for counselors On Tuesday, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved the funding for it.The funds are coming from the Hays County American Rescue Plan Recovery Grant Agreement, according to the agenda item. "The contract amendment will add additional funding to provide one additional mental health counselor to help bridge the gap in services that are crucial for students and district staff," the agenda item said. RELATED COVERAGE: New mental health, substance use facility opens in Hays County Need for mental health servicesPreviously, KXAN reported on the need for more mental health services in Hays County. Some families in the area are stuck waiting to get their children mental health and substance use services because of waitlists. RELATED COVERAGE: Hays County allocate...

What not to bring to the airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Amid a busy travel season and record-breaking year for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are reminding travelers what they can and can't bring to the airport. At AUS, TSA agents showed us what passengers tried to bring through but couldn't. Those items included a snowglobe, a decorative deer head, several knives, grenade-shaped objects, and more. Items surrendered to TSA at AUS. Dec. 18, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Items surrendered to TSA at AUS. Dec. 18, 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) A common mistake people make is trying to bring water bottles through the TSA line. Liquids measuring more than 3.4 oz are prohibited in carry-ons and must be packed in checked luggage. The TSA has a searchable, A-Z list relating to rules about specific items. Here are a few objects that are prohibited from passing through TSA lines in carry-on baggage: Aerosol Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof (greater than 70% alcohol)...

What Texas voters think about stricter border bills

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fairly broad support exists for a stricter slate of bills related to the border that the Texas governor signed into law this week, according to a poll released Tuesday. The University of Texas and the Texas Politics Project shared their findings after asking more than 1,200 registered voters earlier this month what they think about two pieces of legislation that will direct more state money to border wall construction and create a new state criminal offense for people suspected of crossing the border illegally. The latter led to a new lawsuit filed by three plaintiffs who are challenging the law's constitutionality and arguing it encroaches on federal law. New Texas law could reshape state authority over the US border Pollsters asked voters whether they support or oppose "making it a state crime for an undocumented immigrant to be in Texas in most circumstances." The results showed support for this idea sitting at 56% — with 39% saying they strongly support it and...

Dakota County approves 2024 budget, tax levy increase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2024 budget and property tax levy Tuesday morning, highlighting the growing demand for social services.The county’s operating budget of $336 million will be used to fund programs including crisis services, public safety, election administration, road and bridge construction, environmental protection, parks and greenways and library services.The property tax levy increase of 3.5 percent will add $10 annually in property tax for the area’s median home value of $372,000, according to the county.Commissioner Liz Workman (Courtesy of Dakota County)“This budget balances the needs of our residents with the responsibility we have to our taxpayers,” said Liz Workman, Dakota County board chair, on Tuesday. “We’re helping those in need and providing important and valued services that continue to make Dakota County a premier place to live and work.”Dakota County’s tax rate will remain the lowest among metro counties, according to a ...

Tou Ger Xiong memorial scheduled Saturday in Woodbury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:10 GMT

Comedian Tou Ger Xiong, an advocate and political campaigner within the Twin Cities Hmong community, will be remembered on Saturday with a candlelight vigil organized by his brother Eh Xiong at a high school near his Woodbury home.Tou Ger Xiong, 50, a founder of the Hmong Minnesota Day at the Minnesota State Fair, was found murdered this month in Medellin, Colombia, where he had been staying with friends. Colombian media reported that he had gone on Dec. 10 to meet a woman he met through social media when he was kidnapped by multiple men and held for $2,000 ransom.Tou Ger Xiong (Courtesy of the Bush Foundation)The money was never collected and his body was later discovered in a ravine with multiple stab wounds, leading to speculation he was killed trying to escape. A woman has been arrested by Colombian authorities in connection with the case, according to news reports.Tou Ger Xiong was a recipient of the prestigious Bush Fellowship in 2019.He was a storyteller, performer, motivatio...