NC State wants to make happier memories in return to CWS after COVID-19 brought abrupt end in 2021

NC State wants to make happier memories in return to CWS after COVID-19 brought abrupt end in 2021

OMAHA, Neb. — Sam Highfill jogged out of the right-field bullpen at the end of North Carolina State’s practice Thursday, stopped to sign a few autographs for kids along the railing and finished his trek to the dugout to grab a drink and yuk it up with teammates. No return trip to the College World … Read more

Met Opera in New York sold 72% of tickets this season, up from 66% and highest since pandemic

Met Opera in New York sold 72% of tickets this season, up from 66% and highest since pandemic

NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — The Metropolitan Opera sold 72% of its available tickets this season, up from 66% in 2022-23 and an increase from 61% from its first season following the pandemic. Box office remained down from 75% in 2018-19 and a projected 76% for 2019-20 before the mid-March shutdown caused by … Read more

Past COVID infections may help protect against certain colds. Could it lead to better vaccines?

Past COVID infections may help protect against certain colds. Could it lead to better vaccines?

If you’ve been sick with COVID-19, you may have some protection against certain versions of the common cold. A new study suggests previous COVID-19 infections lower the risk of getting colds caused by milder coronavirus cousins, which could provide a key to broader COVID-19 vaccines. “We think there’s going to be a future outbreak of … Read more

FDA advisers urge targeting JN.1 strain in recipe for fall’s COVID vaccines

FDA advisers urge targeting JN.1 strain in recipe for fall’s COVID vaccines

WASHINGTON — Government advisers Wednesday said it’s time to update the recipe for the COVID-19 vaccines Americans will receive in the fall — targeting a version of the ever-evolving coronavirus called JN.1. While COVID-19 cases currently are low, more surges are inevitable and manufacturers need time to brew shots for fall. Moderna, Pfizer and Novavax … Read more

Bag of cash doesn’t stop jurors from convicting 5 of 7 defendants in $40 million food fraud scheme

Bag of cash doesn’t stop jurors from convicting 5 of 7 defendants in  million food fraud scheme

MINNEAPOLIS — A jury convicted five Minnesota residents but acquitted two others on Friday for their roles in a scheme to steal more than $40 million that was supposed to feed children during the coronavirus pandemic. The case received widespread attention after someone tried to bribe a juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash. … Read more

IRS sues Ohio doctor whose views on COVID-19 vaccinations drew complaints

IRS sues Ohio doctor whose views on COVID-19 vaccinations drew complaints

CLEVELAND — An Ohio doctor who drew national attention when she claimed COVID-19 vaccines made people magnetic is being sued by the federal government over claims she hasn’t paid nearly $650,000 in federal taxes and late fees. The lawsuit, filed last month in federal court in Cleveland, claims Sherri Tenpenny didn’t pay taxes in 2001, … Read more

First 3 years of COVID-19 had 3M excess deaths in the West: study – National

First 3 years of COVID-19 had 3M excess deaths in the West: study – National

The first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic had more than three million excess deaths in Western countries, a new study says, raising “serious concerns.” The research published in the BMJ Public Health journal Monday showed that between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022, a total of 3,089,465 excess deaths were reported in 47 … Read more

WHO member countries approve steps to bolster health regulations to better brace for pandemics

WHO member countries approve steps to bolster health regulations to better brace for pandemics

GENEVA — The World Health Organization said member countries on Saturday approved new steps to improve global preparedness for and response to pandemics like COVID-19 and mpox, and set a new deadline for agreeing on a broader treaty. Countries agreed by consensus to amend the International Health Regulations, which were last changed in 2005, such … Read more

Scientists are testing mRNA vaccines to protect cows and people against bird flu

Scientists are testing mRNA vaccines to protect cows and people against bird flu

The bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows is prompting development of new, next-generation mRNA vaccines — akin to COVID-19 shots — that are being tested in both animals and people. Next month, the U.S. Agriculture Department is to begin testing a vaccine developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers by giving it to calves. The … Read more

World Health Assembly hopes to reinforce pandemic preparedness after bold treaty project stalls

World Health Assembly hopes to reinforce pandemic preparedness after bold treaty project stalls

GENEVA — The World Health Organization begins its annual meeting on Monday with government ministers and other top envoys hoping to reinforce global preparedness for the next pandemic in the devastating wake of COVID-19. But the most ambitious project, to adopt a pandemic “treaty,” has been shelved for now after 2 1/2 years of work … Read more