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Red Cross ends blood donor restriction against gay and bisexual men

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- The Red Cross has now implemented an end to blood donor restrictions on gay and bisexual men as a result of the FDA's new guidance."This is one of the most significant changes in blood banking history," Red Cross Senior Biomedical Communications Specialist Rodney Wilson said. "We examine individuals and whatever risks that they may have for exposure to HIV, rather than asking them about their sexual orientation.To keep the blood supply safe, there are now new questions and regulations approved by the FDA that will apply to all donors. Wilson said the changes will help them meet the constant demand for blood."More people engaging, anybody who is willing to roll up their sleeve to donate blood is welcome to do so," Wilson said.The Red Cross estimates only about 3% of the U.S. population donates blood every year. Other organizations, like America's blood centers, are slowly rolling out the same policy."It is hoped that this will allow a whole new segment of dono...

My House Music Festival set to takeover Harrison Park this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

CHICAGO -- House music will fill the air in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood this weekend.My House Music Festival will head back to Pilsen's Harrison Park for its eighth annual weekend takeover this weekend Aug. 12-13.“Chicago has always been a hub for house music, and this festival is a celebration of that legacy," says Alexandra Castro, Marketing Director for Tribú Presents. Chicago native DJ Casper, creator of the ‘Cha-Cha Slide,’ dies at 58 Performances from DJs Armand Van Helden, Derrick Carter, Bad Boy Bill, Joeski, Marshall Jefferson, DJ Spen, and over 20 artists will bring house music back to its birthplace."We want to continue to honor and pay tribute to the pioneers of house music and the impact that they’ve had on music culture worldwide. We are proud to create an inclusive and welcoming space for all music lovers to come together and enjoy the experience.”My House Music Festival donates a portion of festival proceeds ...

Use Batiste dry shampoo? You could claim part of $2.5M settlement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Church & Dwight Co., the owner of the popular Batiste hair product line, has agreed to a $2.5 million class action lawsuit settlement over claims its dry shampoo contains the carcinogen benzene. If you purchased one or more Batiste dry shampoo items before May 30, 2023, you may be able to file a claim to participate in the settlement. No proof of purchase is necessary, though those who provide proof may receive more than the maximum amount for those without proof, which is $10 (which amounts to $2 per item at a maximum of five items). Who doesn’t qualify for a Facebook settlement payment? Although Church &. Dwight Co. denies any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to the $2.5 million to settle the lawsuit, which alleges Batiste dry shampoo products "contained unsafe levels of benzene."The deadline to submit a claim in this settlement is Nov. 15, 2023. A final approval hearing is set for Sept. 16, 2023. Final payment amounts may increase or decrease depending on ...

Kyle homes evacuated as precaution as crews battle wildfire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 8, 2023KYLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hays County Wildland Task Force responded to a wildfire in the 290 block of Roland Lane in Kyle Tuesday, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Services website.Officials with Hays County OES said homes were being evacuated out of an abundance of caution. The fire was estimated to be 25 acres and 75% contained.Officials responded to the fire at approximately 3 p.m. It was not immediately clear how the fire started or the size of the fire.Evacuees can go to the Kyle Public Library. 550 Scott St., for temporary shelter, the website said. Additionally, First Baptist Church, 400 W. Center St., is also available for shelter.Beginning at 4 p.m., the Krug Activity Center, 101 S. Burleson will open beginning at 4 p.m., and city park staff will be on site, the website said.Air support was on its way, and Hays County OES said do not attempt to operate drones/unmanned aerial syste...

Austin theater part of 2nd lawsuit filed against Texas drag performance law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 8, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) — A theater company based in Austin for more than 30 years is part of a second lawsuit challenging a Texas law that some argue would amount to a ban on public drag performances. The VORTEX Repertory Company located in east Austin joined seven other plaintiffs suing Texas and local leaders to block Senate Bill 12 from going into effect next month. The other plaintiffs include four actors as well as the Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Their lawsuit comes almost a week after five plaintiffs, including the Austin-based drag performer Brigitte Bandit, filed a separate case over the same law. Austin performer joins new lawsuit to block Texas drag performance law Bonnie Cullum, the co-founder and producing artistic director of The VORTEX, released a statement explaining why her company is joining th...

Travis County approves $860K in overdose prevention funding

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Aug. 8, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County commissioners approved Tuesday the allocation of $860,000 to assist with opioid overdose prevention and mitigation resources.The $860,000 in funding comes from the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council. Travis County received and accepted roughly $1.4 million from the council during Tuesday's meeting, with projected distributions of an estimated $7.5 million in opioid crisis funding to be made available over the next 18 years.However, that funding figure is fluid and could change as the state of Texas receives funding from opioid crisis court rulings.Under action taken Tuesday, the $860,000 in funds will be divvied up in the following ways:$175,000 for the purchase of NARCAN$350,000 for two-year contract with Communities for Recovery to cover the costs of two peer recovery specialists (one at Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center and one at The Other Ones Foundation-Esperanza Comm...

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US are on the rise again, but not like before

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

By CARLA K. JOHNSON (AP Medical Writer)Here we go again: COVID-19 hospital admissions have inched upward in the United States since early July in a small-scale echo of the three previous summers.With an updated vaccine still months away, this summer bump in new hospitalizations might be concerning, but the number of patients is far lower than before. A look at what we know:HOW BAD IS THE SPIKE?For the week ending July 29, COVID-19 hospital admissions were at 9,056. That’s an increase of about 12% from the previous week.But it’s a far cry from past peaks, like the 44,000 weekly hospital admissions in early January, the nearly 45,000 in late July 2022, or the 150,000 admissions during the omicron surge of January 2022.“It is ticking up a little bit, but it’s not something that we need to raise any alarm bells over,” said Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.It’s likely that infections are rising too, but the data is s...

Albany man arrested following a police chase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 19-year-old was arrested following a pursuit and a brief foot chase on Monday evening. The chase began when police attempted to pull over a vehicle on Corning Hill Road in Glenmont for violating a vehicle and traffic law. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The driver did not comply and sped away. Bethlehem Police pursued the vehicle into Albany. The vehicle stopped in the area of 700 S. Pearl Street where the driver attempted to flee on foot.Police apprehended Da-Ivion N. Hale and located a loaded 9mm handgun in his possession. Hale was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition feeding devices. Hale was arraigned in the Bethlehem Town Court and remanded to the Albany County Jail in lieu of a $10,000 cash, or $20,000 bond. Investigations are ongoing.

Rensselaer County to vote on purchase of new senior center building

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Rensselaer County leaders will vote Tuesday night on whether to move forward with the purchase of a new location for a senior center in the Hoosick area. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Rensselaer County Legislators Bruce Patire and Jeff Wysocki agree with County Executive Steve McLaughlin that the Murphy building on Church Street, which currently serves as a senior center, is deteriorating. “For the past six or seven years, we’ve been looking for a new facility," Wysocki said.The kitchen staff wants more room to prepare the many meals they serve to the senior population, and the seniors themselves seem to be on board with the center moving to the proposed location: a former Dollar Tree Store on State Route 22. During a NEWS10 visit to the Murphy building Tuesday, one senior said he just hopes necessary transportation to the new center is made available, which the legislators assured him will be ...

Who's playing at the 2023 Lake George Music Festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:03 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Lake George Music Festival got underway this week, bringing classical music and talent from around the world to the Queen of American Lakes. Festgoers can get in for the full week or for three days, to see some of over 100 talents. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Most performances through the festival will be held at the Carriage House, located at Fort William Henry Hotel & Conference Center. The full schedule for the festival includes:Sunday, Aug. 66:30 p.m.: Opening celebration with opening remarks by festival founders, free with either passMonday, Aug. 72 p.m.: Open rehearsal at Lake George Public Library3 p.m.: Open podcast recording with the Upbeat! podcastTuesday, Aug. 81:30 p.m.: Open rehearsal at Lake George Public Library3 p.m.: "Victorian Tea Party" featuring performances by recipients of Lake George Music Festival scholarships$35 admission, not included in festival passesWednesday...