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Powerball climbs to estimated $760 million ahead of Saturday drawing

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

Feeling lucky?The Powerball jackpot for the Saturday drawing rose to an estimated $760 million with a cash option prize of an estimated $382.5 million, lottery officials said Thursday. If someone wins the jackpot, it would be the sixth largest in Powerball history.The Powerball was last hit on Oct. 11 and Saturday’s drawing will be the 34th since a $1.7 billion jackpot was won on a ticket sold in California, according to officials at the Massachusetts Lottery.Two $50,000 prizes were won Wednesday on Quic Pic tickets sold at Fast Freddie’s in Beverly and Wellesley Variety in Wellesley.To win the full estimated Powerball prize, all five white numbers must match plus the Powerball. The Wednesday Powerball drawing, which was not hit, was an estimated $685 million.Powerball tickets are $2 each and can be played in 45 states, including Massachusetts, Washington, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players can purchase tickets up until 9:50 p.m. Saturday at Massachusetts Lottery reta...

New traffic laws bringing changes for California drivers in 2024

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KSWB) — For California legislators, the start of the new year means a slew of new bills signed into law will go into effect, including more than a dozen new traffic safety laws impacting the state's some 27 million drivers.Some of the laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this year change how officers can interact with motorists in traffic stops, while others look to implement new safety programs as a way of addressing the problem of pedestrian deaths. Drivers’ warning: CHP to implement Maximum Enforcement Period for new year Here are a few of the new laws set to go into effect in 2024 that motorists should know about:Assembly Bill 256 - Vehicles: RegistrationUnder this new law, a violation relating to the registration sticker displayed on a vehicle's rear license plate can no longer be the sole basis for an officer to pull over a driver for enforcement action before the second month after the expiration of a vehicle's registration.AB 256, authored by Assemblymember Diane Di...

Another death reported since 2021 recall of home bed assist handles: Health Canada

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

OTTAWA — Health Canada is reminding Canadians about a recall of home bed assist handles after learning of an additional death. Four models of bed handles distributed by Drive Medical were first recalled two years ago after two reported deaths — one in Canada and one in the U.S.  Health Canada says as of Dec. 19, the company has received a report of a second death in this country.   The metal handles are affixed alongside the mattress to help people get in and out of their regular bed at home. The products are not designed for hospital beds. Health Canada says more than 68,000 of the affected handles were sold between 2016 and 2021 in Canada. It says consumers should stop using them and contact Drive Medical Canada to get a refund. The recalled home bed assist model numbers are 15064, 15062, RTL15073 and RTL15063-ADJ.No information has been provided about what caused any of the deaths, but the recall notice says that retention straps were not properly secured in the initial cases in ...

Uptick in Kia, Hyundai vehicle thefts prompt warning from Evanston police

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — Evanston police say about 20 vehicles, mostly Kias and Hyundais, have been targeted by thieves since the holiday weekend. The rash of car thefts has unnerved vehicle owners like Bridget Forbes, who lives on Chicago's South Side but frequents Evanston."We're all at risk driving a Kia," she told WGN News on Thursday. "It makes me want to actually get rid of it."  Chicago files lawsuit against Kia, Hyundai over rise in car thefts While Forbes says she would like to drive a less-targeted vehicle, she feels her options are limited with an extended family. "The main reason why we have this Kia is because we have five kids, so there's seven of us," Forbes said. "So there's only so many vehicles that will fit us and leave room for at least one friend." Commander Ryan Glew with the Evanston Police Department said he doesn't believe there's a part of town that has been spared. "This is definitely much more prolific than what we've experienced since ...

10 tips to help your health in the new year from the AMA

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

The American Medical Association has some simple steps you can take to boost overall wellness in the new year.At the top of the list -- no surprise -- exercise! Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.Coming in second is to consume less sugar, particularly in the form of sweetened beverages and fruit juices.Number three: Make sure all family members are up-to-date on their vaccines during respiratory virus season.At four — get your routine screenings for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer on the calendar -- especially if you missed any during the pandemic.More from the AMA tips here.Tip number five is to know your numbers! Track your blood pressure and your risk for type 2 diabetes. Both are easy to determine with simple screening tools.Number six is when it comes to alcohol, moderation is key. U.S. dietary guidelines for Americans of legal age allow up to one drink per day for women and t...

White Sox sign reliever Tim Hill to 1-year, $1.8 million contract

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox agreed to a $1.8 million, one-year contract with left-handed reliever Tim Hill, and designated right-hander Declan Cronin for assignment on Thursday.The 33-year-old Hill was 1-4 with a 5.48 ERA in 48 appearances for San Diego last year. He missed most of the second half of the season because of a sprained left finger and had surgery on Sept. 20. Hill is 16-14 with a 4.16 ERA over six seasons with Kansas City (2018-19) and the Padres (2020-23).Cronin spent most of last season with Triple-A Charlotte. He made nine appearances for the White Sox and gave up 11 earned runs in 11 innings. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Chicago finished fourth in the AL Central at 61-101.

Some hospitals reinstating mask requirements amid rise in COVID-19

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

(The Hill) — As COVID-19 and other respiratory infections rise across the country, some major health systems are bringing back mask requirements to stop the spread of infections. This week, Mass General Brigham, the largest health system in Massachusetts, said it will require masking for health care staff who interact directly with patients in clinical care locations starting Jan. 2. Patients and visitors will be “strongly encouraged” to wear a facility-issued mask. Masks will not be required for staff in hallways and common areas.  Testing negative but still feeling sick? Doctors explain why The health system in a statement said its policy is based on the percentage of patients presenting to emergency departments or outpatient clinics with symptoms of respiratory illness. Once this figure exceeded 2.85 percent for two consecutive weeks, the masking requirement took effect. It will end once the level falls below 2.85 percent for a week.  Most hospitals eas...

When do Austin's cold weather shelters activate?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin has revisited its criteria for activating cold weather shelters, which help keep people out of the elements overnight during dangerous weather. "We relook at it every year to make sure that we're still able to provide the services required when we do activate," said Greg McCormack, a program manager with the City of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office. The threshold this year:If it's projected to be 32 degrees or lower overnightIf it's expected to be 35 degrees or lower with precipitation If it's forecasted to be 35 degrees or lower with a wind chill of 32 degrees or lowerThat last element is something the office recently added to the criteria. "When we talked with the different community members and understood that the wind chill has just as great a factor on someone who is outside...we decided to include that," McCormack said. As of this year, the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) is doing all of the staffing for the overnight cold weather shelters,...

Tarrytown Expocare notifies individuals of potential data breach

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Tarrytown Expocare notified individuals of an "email security incident," according to a news release from the company.Tarrytown Acquisition Holdings, LLC, or Tarrytown Expocare, "is a healthcare provider that offers pharmacy services to the IDD and Behavioral Health communities across the United States."On Oct. 3, the company said it "detected and stopped an email security incident." A law firm that specializes in cybersecurity and data privacy began investigating the incident, the release said. "Third-party forensic specialists" were also asked to assist in the investigation.As of Thursday, the company said it "has not received any reports of suspicious activity in their email environment since the date of the incident (October 3, 2022)."On Dec. 20, the company distributed letters to anyone who may have been impacted by the incident. In those letters, additional information was provided about what happened along with an outline of specific personal info...

Report: Marc Lore, Alex Rodriguez set to exercise option to become controlling owners of Timberwolves, Lynx

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:57:44 GMT

Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez were expected to exercise their option to acquire majority ownership stakes in the Timberwolves and Lynx as early as Thursday, ESPN reported. The deadline to do so is Dec. 31.That’s not necessarily news as much as a procedural step in the process Rodriguez and Lore have followed over the past two and a half years.After exercising the option, the partners have time to produce the funds. The shift in majority ownership will then be subject to approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors, but that’s expected to go through.Rodriguez and Lore have purchased 20 percent stakes in the organization each of the past two years. This 40 percent purchase would move them up to 80 percent ownership, with current majority owner Glen Taylor maintaining the other 20 percent.This was all part of the process originally agreed upon in April 2021, when Lore and Rodriguez agreed to buy the team from Taylor at a $1.5 billion evaluation. Since then, the two have ...