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52,000 more Illinois residents died during the pandemic than is typical

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

So many more Illinois residents died in the past three years than is typical they could more than fill Wrigley Field. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports there were 52,108 “excess deaths” as they’re known. Epidemiologists track the number because simply put: The ultimate indicator of health is death. The number of people who died in Illinois (from all causes) varied by only 1,000 people in each of the three years before COVID-19 arrived. Then it soared.Illinois’ official COVID-19 death count stood at 36,000 people as of the start of this year, making it the top underlying cause of excess deaths in our state in recent years. “We can see that COVID-19 accounted for approximately 70% of excess deaths in 2020-2021, but nearly all leading causes of death had increases during that time period as well,” IDPH officials said in a statement responding to an inquiry from WGN Investigates. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: WGN Investigates ‘excess death’ in Illinois during coronavirus pand...

New concussion recommendations — and more

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

Medical Watch Digest for June 20.New Concussion RecommendationsThere is a new recommendations for concussion treatment. Namely telling kids not to rest after concussion, activity is better.An international expert panel is revising concussion management for optimal care.The Conference on Concussion set the guidelines based on strong evidence for the benefit of light intensity exercise within the first 48 hours following a concussion.   Aerobic exercise, walking or stationary biking aids recovery better than strict rest.Those who treat patients say minimizing collisions is critical and they are calling for more study on the long term impact of concussions. Recent Coverage from Med Watch: Fusing a foot bone: A look at the surgery that sidelined Tiger Woods Insulin & CancerHigh blood sugar levels not only have implications for diabetes, a new study reveals, it could fuel cancer.University of Copenhagen scientists discovered a hidden mechanism connecting cancer and d...

Excessive Heat Warning continues, but storms coming for many Wednesday evening

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Extreme heat and humidity continue in your forecast, but a brief window for rain and storms appears late Wednesday.Camp Mabry started Tuesday morning at 80° -- a new record warm low temperature, breaking the previous record of 79° set in 1998. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect through 9 p.m. Wednesday for maximum heat index values between 110° and 120°. More excessive heat today and WednesdayFor two consecutive days, Camp Mabry's heat index has peaked at 116°. This ties the unofficial heat index record set in August, 2016. San Angelo recorded its hottest day on record on Tuesday as air temperatures spiked to 113°.While the forecast remains dry Tuesday night, rain and storms are more likely even in Austin on Wednesday evening.Isolated storms form starting at 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, then become more widespread between 8-11 p.m. Some storms may be severe with large hail and damaging wind gusts possible. Austin FC fans heading to the 8:30 p.m. game Wednesday shoul...

Man dies after two hit-and-runs, San Marcos PD looks for one of the drivers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- A man was killed after getting hit twice by two separate vehicles in San Marcos, according to police. Now, the San Marcos Police Department said it needs help finding one of the drivers in that fatal hit-and-run.Police said the crash happened last Wednesday before 1:00 a.m. on State Highway 123. SMPD said 69-year-old Lenard Green Coleman, of Nixon, Texas, was pronounced dead on the scene. Double hit-and-runsBased on evidence and witness statements, detectives said a delivery truck first hit Coleman. They said the driver did not stop to help him, however they've been identified but not charged yet. SMPD said after that initial crash, a silver SUV came from Ebony Street, turned left on State Highway 123 and hit Coleman. SMPD said it's looking for the driver of this silver SUV in connection with a fatal hit-and-run. (Photo: San Marcos Police Department)That driver also did not stop to help. SMPD said they believe that person lives in the neighborhood where t...

'You are evil and everyone needs to know it.' Woman accused in 2018 murder-for-hire plot pleads guilty to conspiracy charge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A woman connected with a 2018 murder-for-hire plot pleaded guilty to conspiracy to attempt to commit capital murder Tuesday and was sentenced to 10 years probation.Jaclyn Edison, who was 19 at the time, was accused of conspiring with her husband, Nicolas Shaughnessy, who hired two men – Arieon Smith and Johnny Leon – to kill Nicolas’ father, Ted Shaughnessy, owner of Gallerie Jewelers in Austin. Smith, Nicolas and Leon all pleaded guilty to the murder as part of a plea agreement in 2021 and were sentenced to 35 years in prison.As part of her plea deal, Edison will serve 10 years of probation and must stay in the Travis County Jail for two days each year on the anniversary of Ted's death. As part of the deal, Edison also had to give up her passport, cannot leave Texas without first informing her probation officers and can never contact the victim's family again. Edison, the former daughter-in-law of Ted, was the final defendant indicted in the case. Steve Brittain – a...

What are signs of heatstroke in dogs, cats?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 20, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Summer temperatures are in full swing in Central Texas, and with it comes the need for additional pet safety. With temperatures climbing beyond triple-digit readings and high humidity levels, it doesn't take much time outside for your pet to feel the heat. While a midday trek outside spells out some discomfort for humans, it has even more profound — and possibly deadly — impacts on dogs and cats.Limit midday outdoor time for petsFor pet owners, it's critical that you prioritize early morning or late evening walks with your dogs as opposed to an extended midday break. The reasoning is simple: Whatever the air temperature is at the moment, it's substantially hotter on concrete, pavement or other surfaces dogs are walking on.Use your hand to test just how hot a sidewalk or road is before allowing your dog outside. RELATED: Austin Pets Alive! seeking fosters amid Central Texas heat wave "If it's to...

Texas Senate proposes $18B property tax relief compromise

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 20, 2023AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed the most expensive property tax relief package yet as the standoff between top leaders in the state continues.Senate Bill 26 by State Sen. Paul Bettencourt would spend more than $18 billion of the state's budget surplus on three different mechanisms aimed at lowering property tax bills, adding another $400 million to the previous plans. Who will win from proposed Texas property tax relief plans? Surrounded by Republican and Democratic senators, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the vote in a press conference and again called on the House to come back to Austin to come to an agreement on their proposal, with days left in the first special session."The taxpayers are waiting for their tax cut and the clock is ticking," Patrick said.The new proposal preserves the Senate's top priority of raising the homestead exemption to $100,000, the mo...

Second mosquito with West Nile Virus found, health leaders share prevention tips

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for June 20, 2023WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County and Cities Health District reported that a mosquito positive for West Nile virus was discovered in Jarrell this past week. This is the second mosquito to have been found in the county, the other was collected in Georgetown less than one month ago.The WCCHD said this second insect was found at a trap site near the community pool on Sonterra Boulevard in Jarrell. Signs warning of this discovery have been posted in the area the mosquito was discovered.Jason Fritz with WCCHD said anytime a mosquito with the virus is found, a containment process begins."We notify the effective city or municipality. And typically what happens is a lot of increase community awareness and education on how to prevent mosquito bites," Fritz said.He recommends that all residents wear insect repellant when outside, get rid of any standing water that may be around the home...

Heading into NBA Draft, Timberwolves believe they’re close to contention

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

Even in the offseason, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch noted he and many members of his staff, as well as Minnesota’s front office, are “still in the office every day … kicking around ideas about how to get better.”Minnesota certainly has to get better. The goal is to not be a play-in team that squeaks into the postseason before being bounced in the first round.Those ideas for improvement don’t necessarily involve drastic changes. While the rumor mill spits out trade ideas that send out Karl-Anthony Towns for one package or another — some of which involve high picks in Thursday’s NBA draft — Minnesota has at least publicly backed the idea of “running it back” with its current core. Finch told the Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters last week there is a “99.99999” percent chance Towns, Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards are all still with the team next season.That’s a big number for a team that won 42 games, needed to win a do-or-die play-in contest to even make the playoffs and then wa...

Ebenezer Senior Services opens in downtown St. Paul, offering day care for the elderly

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:10:34 GMT

After LaVonne Sicard’s elderly mother fell and broke her hip last January, Sicard wasn’t sure how she’d provide all the physical and emotional supports needed following recovery, like activities to keep her mom’s mind and body engaged, and a social life to expand her world, which had shrunken to her home.Sicard discovered a new senior day care nestled inside the former St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown St. Paul, where her mom — whom she would identify only as Elaine, given her vulnerability — hangs out almost daily. Elaine’s days are now spent doing chair yoga and tai chi, baking cookies and calzones and showing off her own arts and crafts in the care of two providers she raves about.Even a supervised walk to the state Capitol and back with her walker strengthens her body and mood.And then there’s the Chia Pet plant display they care for in the head shape of actress Betty White.“She likes it so much, we come five days a wee...