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'Very high': Map shows just how many people are finishing 2023 feeling sick

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Respiratory illness around the country spiked last week, just as families and friends gathered to celebrate the holidays. Tracking by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a 16% jump in people testing positive for influenza last week, plus a substantial rise in reports of other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and RSV. New data released Friday shows 13 states, plus New York City, have "very high" levels of respiratory illness. Another 18 states and Washington, D.C. are classified as "high."The map below shows the severity of respiratory illness in every state as of Dec. 23. The darker the shade of red, the higher the spread of sickness is. Testing negative but still feeling sick? Doctors explain why Seven states are shaded in purple to indicate they are in the highest tier tracked by the CDC, level 13: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina and Tennessee. Just three weeks ago, no states or jurisdictions were in that...

New FAFSA forms aim to make college applications easier. Here's what to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

(The Hill) – New Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms — typically dreaded by college hopefuls and their families — will soon be available after a makeover, including some exciting and controversial features.  The forms, which will drop on or before Sunday, intend to be easier and quicker to fill out, but they're also coming fairly late in the college application season. FAFSA papers normally open up in October, and the timing is raising concerns for experts and students. “When students and families fill out the better FAFSA form, they will find that applying for college financial aid is simpler, easier, and faster than ever before,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s implementation of the Bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act modernizes an archaic system, simplifies the form, and improves access for underserved students — representing the most significant overhaul of the federal financial aid application sinc...

Lawmakers search for solution to border crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - 2023 may be ending, but the crush of migrants on the southern border will continue into the new year with no solutions in sight.House Republicans are planning a trip to the border next week and in Washington, senators will continue negotiations on border policies.House Republicans are attacking President Joe Biden for his immigration policies as Washington looks for a way to stem the tide of migrants entering the U.S.Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales is urging the administration to take executive action at the border now."The folks that are coming over illegally are being rewarded," he said.Next week, Speaker Mike Johnson will lead House republicans on a trip to the border to to put public pressure on Democrats like Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar."Am I a little frustrated with the White House? Of course I am," he said.Cuellar says the White House isn’t doing enough to deter migrants from staying in the U.S. illegally.  He also says, "If we don't deta...

Ewers says he hasn't decided on staying, going; focused on 'trying to win a national championship'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is eligible for the NFL Draft after this season, but he said Friday that he hasn't made up his mind whether he'll try to go pro or come back for another season.He responded with "not yet" when asked if he's made a decision, and then said, "just trying to win a national championship right now," after a follow-up question. Sweat, Texas defense embracing challenge of trying to stop Washington’s No. 1 passing attack People have speculated all season that Ewers plans to enter the draft at the end of the season, but with the transfer of backup quarterback Maalik Murphy to Duke, the narrative has shifted to Ewers returning for his redshirt junior year. He bluntly said, "I have no idea," when asked what would factor into his decision."I'm just trying to win a national championship," he repeated.Ewers has thrown for 3,161 yards this season with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions, completing 248 of 351 passes, making him No. 8 in the country wi...

Much warmer this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Abundant sunshine will push temperatures back to near 60º this afternoon making for a seasonably cool day ahead.Tonight may bring another near-freeze, with rural areas expected to drop close to 32º, even though overnight lows for most will be slightly warmer.Gorgeous weather wraps up the year 2023 this weekend as warmer winds blow into the area. High temperatures rise to near 70 or the lower 70s in many areas both Saturday and Sunday.Weekend forecastA dry cold front blows through the area New Year's Eve, leading to chilly midnight temperatures in the middle 40s with breezy winds.Rain and cold to start 2024We are tracking a cold, wet start to the new year next week as a storm system arrives Tuesday behind the New Year's Eve cold front.Chilly, light rain is likely at times Tuesday into Tuesday night. While rain totals are expected to be light overall, between a quarter and three quarters of an inch for most, it is possible that a few snow flurries or sleet pellets bri...

Wedding venues may be cheaper in the winter, but not less elegant 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas -- While summer and early fall often steal the spotlight for weddings, it isn’t uncommon for couples to tie the knot during the winter time either. Despite the chilly weather, gathering loved ones during this time adds a unique warmth to the celebration.According to The Knot, a wedding planning and vendor marketplace website, winter is typically considered the “off-season” for weddings. Peak wedding season will generally be between summer and early fall.In a 2022 Real Wedding Study from The Knot, it found that “only 11% of weddings took place between December and February.”The Willows Event Center in Lubbock said it sees a slower pace in wedding bookings since it is mainly an outdoor event center.However, that doesn’t mean couples avoid having a winter wedding. Many factors can make a winter wedding wonderful.“Winter can still be beautiful with the snow,” expressed Alli Cross, an Event Specialist at The Willows Event Center.Samantha Iacia, Editor at The Knot said wint...

New year, same you: Smart home upgrades because it’s time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.These smart home features will take your house to the next levelThere are plenty of gadgets that can help you live an easier life, but few are as exciting as smart devices that take the hassle out of mundane actions. For example, how many times did you want to turn on the kitchen faucet, but your hands are covered in dough? Well, there is a smart faucet that activates with your voice. But if the thought of crawling under the sink and spending hundreds of dollars hiring a plumber makes you nervous, there are better solutions. Not all smart gadgets are difficult or laborious to install or set up. If that’s your only stumbling block, here are some tech toys to transform your home. These 17 sparkly outfits make the perfect last-minute New Year’s Eve look Turn your regular house into a smart homeOf course, there are highly sophisticated gadg...

Savanah Soto, Matthew Guerra deaths ruled capital murders: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — San Antonio police have identified the two people found dead in a car Tuesday as Savanah Soto and her boyfriend Matthew Guerra who died of a gunshot wound to the head. SAPD is investigating the case as a capital murder.Soto, 18, and Guerra, 22, were reported missing by Leon Valley police Saturday. A CLEAR Alert was issued for Soto by the Texas Department of Public Safety at that time. CLEAR stands for Coordinated Law Enforcement Alert Rescue Program. Families of both victims reached out to police on Saturday after the pregnant teen missed an appointment to be induced. The families attempted to file a missing persons report with SAPD, however one had already been issued in Leon Valley. Soto and Guerra resided in Leon Valley and were last seen there on Friday. At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, SAPD was called to assist Leon Valley PD at the 5900 block of Danny Kaye. Families of both victims were at the location and told police that they had received informatio...

As he nears NHL milestones, Wild’s Marc-Andre Fleury shows no signs of losing his edge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

Ten days into training camp, Marc-Andre Fleury was asked if he ever gets tired of being in net with a wave of skaters coming at him and no defense in front of him.Even if he makes the initial save, or even a second, the skaters almost inevitably make a third pass to a linemate for an easy, and superfluous, goal.“I know in my head, ‘This won’t happen in a game,’ ” the veteran goaltender said. “Like, maybe the first pass, I have to be there for that one, and I get a chance there. Then if the third pass gets in backdoor, it is what it is. You still try, right?“It’s fun when you can stop them and you can yell, ‘Go (jump in a lake)!’ ”After nearly 20 seasons in the NHL, Fleury remains Fleury, even as he nears 1,000 career games and, barring injury, becoming the league’s second-winningest goaltender. During several goal-front drills in an hour-long practice Thursday at TRIA Rink, the veteran fought hard for every save, and gave it to teammates when he made them.Good naturedly. Always good...

Packers at Vikings picks: It comes down to which quarterback you trust most

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:35:56 GMT

Members of the Pioneer Press sports staff who cover the Vikings forecast Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers:DANE MIZUTANIVikings 28, Packers 27Jaren Hall makes the most of his opportunity in primetime to keep the Vikings alive. This season was always going to come down to the last game.JOHN SHIPLEYVikings 24, Packers 19It feels as if the Vikings are due, and Green Bay kinda seems like a disaster right now.CHARLEY WALTERSPackers 21, Vikings 17Simple: You need a reliable quarterback to win.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | How culture has helped Kevin O’Connell lead the Vikings through the storm Minnesota Vikings | The Loop NFL Picks: Week 17 Minnesota Vikings | The story of each interception that doomed Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens Minnesota Vikings | Vikings name rookie Jaren Hall starting QB against Packers Minnesota Vikings | Former Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is a Hall...