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Michael Worobey: I called for more research on the COVID lab leak theory. Here’s what I found out.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

Recent reports that Department of Energy and FBI officials think the COVID-19 pandemic originated with a so-called lab leak appear to have provided all the “evidence” many require. As a scientist who has led or contributed to several peer-reviewed studies that tell a very different story, I’ve looked on with amazement at the growing divide between what the science shows and what much of the public — and a minority of the intelligence community — believe. But I’ve also watched with understanding for those who still suspect a lab leak because I started there myself.The nucleus of all lab leak conjectures — they are not a single hypothesis but a wide range of sometimes mutually exclusive speculations — was famously captured by the comedian Jon Stewart. “Oh, my God, there’s a novel respiratory coronavirus overtaking Wuhan, China — what do we do?” Stewart said during a June 2021 appearance on “The Late Show Wit...

Work on NYS budget continues despite snowstorm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--The hallways of the New York State Capitol were quiet on Tuesday. Session was not held because of the snowstorm, but it does not mean lawmakers were not working."We may not be in the capitol, but it doesn’t mean that email doesn’t work. I probably got about 75 emails to work through just from the morning," explained Assemblyman John McDonald. Governor Hochul on Monday issued a state of emergency encouraging state employees to work from home on Tuesday, if possible. The legislature heeded that warning. Assemblyman John McDonald is among the lawmakers who worked remotely."I have a meeting with a couple different agency heads on some items in the budget. Being Chair of Government Affairs, I actually have a much more important role, so I try to get up to speed. Some constituent matters, trying to schedule some meetings for next weeks and press events," explained McDonald.Senator Jim Tedisco worked out of his district office and said he was taking phone calls from ...

Belleville man sentenced for terrorizing women with firearm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - A Belleville, Illinois, man appeared in federal court on Tuesday to be sentenced for brandishing and firing a gun during a 2021 incident in East St. Louis.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois said Ladarius Roberts, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to court documents, Roberts and a friend, Kievonte Beasley, met two women in East St. Louis in January 2021. Prosecutors said when the women tried to leave their company, Roberts got angry.Roberts admitted to attacking one of the women and shattering the rear windshield of that woman's vehicle. Roberts and Beasley left in one car, with the women following in another car while on the phone with police dispatchers. Top story: Deadline for Kim Gardner to respond to ousting effort today During the 911 call, dispatchers could hear the sound of gunfire. One of the women said Roberts was shooting at them.Police eventually cau...

Two arrested for passing stopped school bus in mid-Missouri

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

MARIES COUNTY, Mo. - Authorities arrested two men for passing a stopped school bus while it picked up students in mid-Missouri. In Missouri, drivers are required by law to stop for school buses when the stop arm is extended on all two-lane roads, regardless of the direction of the drivers.Investigators say two drivers passed a school bus Monday with its stop arm out in Maries County. No one was hurt, but the bus driver informed police quickly after the drivers illegally passed. Both were arrested near Vienna city limits. Top story: Deadline for Kim Gardner to respond to ousting effort today Prosecutors have filed charges Paul Greene and Stanley Austrum. The Maries County Sheriff's Office says Green was driving with a revoked license out of Ohio. Both were charged with one misdemeanor for "failure to stop for a school bus that is receiving/discharging school children.""Placing children in harm's way because of poor planning or impatience on your part is beyond excusable and just p...

Avalanche’s Bo Byram isn’t worried about concussion history when he drops the gloves: “That’s behind me”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

MONTREAL — Avalanche fans might look away in fear whenever Bo Byram drops the gloves, but he’s nowhere near as worried as everyone else.The young defenseman has now engaged in two fights since returning from a lower-body injury in February. The latest was an uneventful bout with Michael Pezzetta during Colorado’s 8-4 win Monday over the Canadiens. Byram is not the Avs’ enforcer – in fact, he’s quickly developing into one of their most elite skill players, as evidenced by another moment in Montreal – making him an unusual fighting candidate.Especially taking into account his history. He was hounded by concussions throughout the first two years of his NHL career, making the idea of a smack to the head more daunting. The guy who actually is Colorado’s enforcer ended up in concussion protocol last month, thanks to a knockout blow in a fight. Kurtis MacDermid still has a black eye.Byram, however, is adamant.“That’s behind me,” he said of his concussions. “I don’t even think about i...

FIFA 23: Here’s how Coloradans are rated as NWSL players, clubs will be in video game series for first time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

If gamers open up FIFA 23 across all consoles next Thursday, there will be a significant update to the famed video game franchise: Fans will be able to pick and play as a National Women’s Soccer League team.Starting March 23, all 12 NWSL teams will be available for selection, which marks the first time the league has been available to play as since the franchise first started in 1994. In various iterations, women’s national teams have been added, when initial licensing was first approved and were available in FIFA 16. Ahead of the launch last fall, the top domestic leagues in England, Germany and France were also added with further licensing agreements in place.EA Sports, the maker of the FIFA series, had also secure a licensing agreement with the NWSL Players’ Association to secure name, image and likeness rights. Now that players are in the game, it can ultimately play a key factor for continuing the growth of the sport, as the series is widely viewed as a launch...

Southbound Kipling Street closed at I-70 in Wheat Ridge by multi-vehicle crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

Kipling Street southbound is shut down at the Interstate 70 exchange in Wheat Ridge by a multi-vehicle crash that involved police officers’ attempts to stop a vehicle with a homicide suspect inside.I-70 exit at Kipling is now closed completely as a result of this incident. https://t.co/1P6V0LouSg— Wheat Ridge Police (@WheatRidgePD) March 14, 2023Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Northbound lanes on U.S. 285 in Jefferson County foothills partially reopen after truck crash Crime and Public Safety | I-70 reopens after trash truck rollover near Tower Road Crime and Public Safety | I-70 near Sheridan Boulevard reopens after motorcyclist dies in a crash Crime and Public Safety | I-70 eastbound reopens after second closure in Vail after widespread blowing snow affects area Crime and Public Safety | U.S. 6 over Loveland Pass closed in both directions by crash Arvada police on Tuesday afternoo...

DA files charges against Los Angeles elderly care facility over COVID-19 deaths

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

A senior living facility in Los Angeles has been charged in connection with 14 deaths that happened within its walls during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the charges Tuesday against Silverado Senior Living Management, Inc., and three administrators of its residential care facility in L.A.The deaths happened in March 2020 at the company's Beverly Place facility in L.A.'s Fairfax District. The DA's Office said Silverado admitted a new resident from a psychiatric unit in New York City, which was a hotbed for COVID-19 cases at the time. The resident was allegedly not evaluated or assessed for COVID-19 or other conditions before being admitted. Have the odds of getting long COVID changed? The resident began displaying symptoms of coronavirus infection the next day and ended up testing positive for the deadly disease. Gascón alleged that Silverado did not place them into isolation to prevent the resident from infecting o...

This is California's most Googled tourist attraction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

Whether you want to see the Hollywood sign for the first time or walk along the famous Santa Monica Pier, California is filled with famous landmarks; people worldwide visit the state to see.However, as people begin to plan their spring and summer break vacations, there is only one California landmark people want to see the most, according to a study published by Family Destinations Guide.The travel and attractions website released data showing that the Disneyland Resort was the state’s most Googled tourist attraction.Researchers analyzed Google search data specific to over 100 tourist attractions across the U.S. to determine the list.These are the top tourist attractions for each state:Alabama: Georgia AquariumAlaska: Denali National ParkArizona: Grand CanyonArkansas: GracelandCalifornia: DisneylandColorado: Garden of the GodsConnecticut: Museum of Modern Art in New YorkDelaware: Rehoboth BeachFlorida: Universal Orlando StudiosGeorgia: Georgia AquariumHawaii: Hanauma BayIdaho: Glaci...

Insurance Exchange Building being turned into affordable housing  

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:35 GMT

The historic Insurance Exchange Building in downtown Los Angeles will be renovated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation under its Healthy Housing Foundation banner to make way for more low-income housing. AHF closed the sale of the 99-year-old 12-story building on March 7 for $21.25 million. It becomes the first office building that AHF will renovate and adds to the 13 other buildings the organization has purchased or renovated since 2017. The new residence will be called Angel Tower and is set to offer 251 new living spaces. “We know firsthand the fight for affordable housing is fought one door at a time,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “This building offers the potential for two-hundred fifty-one brand-new doors in its incarnation as Angel Tower.” The Healthy Housing Foundation has spent more than $183 million on the purchase and renovation of older properties throughout Greater Los Angeles including the King Edward Hotel, the Barclay Hotel and the Sin...