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West Nile virus is more of a threat this year than previous years, experts say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Mosquitoes are more prevalent this year than they have been in the past, and so is West Nile virus.Dr. Daniel Pastula, an infectious disease specialist at UCHealth, said there is an increased risk of contracting the virus this year due to extra rainfall and moisture creating the ideal breeding grounds for the blood-sucking pests. This year’s first human death from West Nile virus confirmed in Weld County Last year, there were 206 confirmed cases in Colorado, causing 20 deaths, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. That means the virus was deadly for nearly 10% of Coloradans who were confirmed infected.Yet, public health officials say that less than 1% of those infected will develop serious, sometimes fatal symptoms. Eric Aakko, the Weld County health department spokesperson, told FOX31 that it's hard to tell just how deadly it is because research shows that the majority of people infected do not show symptoms."We don't have a way o...

Which states have minimum age requirements for gun purchases?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Starting Aug. 7, people who are under the age of 21 will not be able to buy any firearms in the state of Colorado. This new law was signed in April and makes purchasing a gun when you’re under 21 years old punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. Anyone who sells or transfers a firearm to someone under 21 could be punished with up to 18 months in jail or a $5,000 fine. Gun owners group suing Polis, state over new laws Federal law already restricts anyone under 21 from buying handguns, but a Virginia federal judge ruled that law unconstitutional in May. Colorado's new law also faces legal challenges. The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners Group is suing Gov. Jared Polis' administration over the law and filed a temporary restraining order over it on Aug. 4. Whether or not the law stands, Colorado is one of 22 states with a law that bars gun sales to people under 21. These include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Mary...

2023 Florida Python Challenge underway in Everglades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

The hunt is on for an invasive species in the Florida Everglades.The 2023 Florida Python Challenge is now underway through Aug. 13.This conservation effort allows participants the opportunity to help protect the Everglades and the animals that live there from the invasive Burmese python and get paid for their catches.The snakes have been known to prey on state wildlife like marsh rabbits, deer and even alligators.

Homestead Police seek public’s help in locating missing 15-year-old

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

The Homestead Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 15-year-old boy who went missing from the Waterstone Community in Homestead.Ja Ir Richard Alexander was last seen on August 3 at 9:00 PM. He is described as being 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds.Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Alexander’s whereabouts to come forward and assist in the search effort.

DeSantis seeks to fundraise off Orlando Magic donation controversy and criticism from NBA players’ union

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

(CNN) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign is seeking to raise money off criticism by the NBA players’ union of an Orlando Magic donation to a super PAC that supports his presidential bid.In a text message Friday, the Republican’s presidential campaign said it appeared that the NBA had taken a “break from protesting our anthem and bending the knee to Communist China to chirp about Gov. DeSantis.”“Under his presidency, America will NEVER bend the knee to China,” it added. The fundraising text included the National Basketball Players’ Association statement Thursday that slammed the team’s financial support for the pro-DeSantis super PAC.The association called the $50,000 donation from the team to the DeSantis-aligned super PAC Never Back Down “alarming given recent comments and policies of its beneficiary.”“NBA governors, players and personnel have the right to express their personal political views, including through donations and statements,” the players’ association said in&n...

Storms to Sun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

This evening we’re tracking scattered showers and storms rolling through New England. The key word here is scattered, not every town will see a storm, however any storm that does develop has the potential to be strong or severe — especially north and west of Boston. It doesn’t mean every storm will but we’ll have to watch the radar this evening. We have a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 8pm but that may need to be extended if the storms keep the strong to severe potential. We’ll have storms past 8pm, the question is if they are likely to reach severe limits or not.In general, the storms will weaken as they move south and east. The risk of strong or severe storm is more likely in the yellow shaded area (level 2 of 5 on the severe weather scale). Then down to a 1 of 5 for those inside of 495, with no severe storms expected in southeastern Massachusetts or the Cape.Any storm that does become severe will be for either gusty wind or large hail. In ...

Lawmakers secure funding to restore, weatherize Old South Meeting House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

Sen. Ed Markey celebrated the federal funding secured to repair and weatherize the Old South Meeting House in an event on Friday. The $480,000 will help with the preservation and conservation of the building as the meeting house battles corrosion from flood and water damage. The weatherization is imperative as the climate crisis worsens corrosion to the building’s frame and foundation.“I went to work with Sen. Warren and Congresswoman Pressly to make sure we would insert the funding so that the restoration, the repairs and ultimately the resiliency that is going to be needed for the 21st Century is built into this building,” Markey said at the event.The Old South Meeting House, where the Boston Tea Party was organized, is one of the city’s most treasured historical landmarks.

NH man accused of causing son’s death faces murder charge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

A New Hampshire man accused of burning his son and causing his death has been indicted on a murder charge. 25-year-old Murtadah Mohammad is facing a second-degree murder charge returned by the Hillsborough County Grand Jury for allegedly assaulting his 7-year-old son and burning him with hot liquid and a hot pan. Mohammad had previously been charged with assault and is being held without bail. The first and second degree assault charges also allege he whipped his son with a cord. Mohammad is also changed with falsifying physical evidence for allegedly deleting data from his cellphone and staging a false scene.His son Jaevion Riley was left in a coma after being found with injuries including burns in January. He died a week later.

Christian Gonzalez learning from ‘heavyweight’ matchup in Patriots training camp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

While some Patriots coaches were hesitant to shower too much praise on the team’s 2023 rookie class, co-wide receivers coach Ross Douglas didn’t hold back when it came to first-round pick Christian Gonzalez’s daily practice matchups with wide receiver DeVante Parker.Parker, who’s 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, has gotten the better of Gonzalez on contested catches this summer in training camp. Gonzalez, who’s 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, has held his own and made things competitive, however.“When you watch Gonzo go up against DP, it’s like two heavyweight fighters,” Douglas told reporters Friday during a video conference call. “DP’s made a living so far in his career making those type of contested catches.”Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots coaches respond to Jack Jones leaving Thursday practice New England Patriots | Patriots’ Mac Jones, Bill O’Brien enjoying strong QB-coach relati...

Trump pleads not guilty to second round of charges in classified documents case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:54 GMT

Former President Donald Trump removed the need to fly to Florida next week when he pleaded not guilty Friday in a paper filing to three new charges brought against him in a superseding indictment related to his handling of classified documents after he left office.In doing so, he waived a court appearance in Fort Pierce that was scheduled for Aug. 10 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shaniek Mills Maynard.Trump, 77, personally appeared in a U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to plead not guilty to a third federal indictment brought against him by prosecutors. The long-awaited indictment brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose office also brought the documents case, alleges the former president orchestrated an illegal attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to President Joe Biden.Following that plea, Trump boarded his private jetliner and flew back to New Jersey, where he is spending the summer.The not-guilty plea entered in the South Flori...