Health officials are notifying hundreds of people across numerous states and countries who may have been exposed to rabies in bat-infested cabins at Grand Teton National Park. While initial tests on bats found in the cabins came back negative, the potential for exposure remains due to the presence of many more bats. Officials are urging individuals who stayed in specific cabins this year to seek medical attention, particularly if they had contact with a bat. Prophylactic shots are recommended for those who meet certain criteria, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, although treatment is highly effective if administered soon after exposure.
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The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) will deploy 300-400 personnel to Washington, D.C., at the request of the Trump administration, supporting the President’s initiative to “restore cleanliness and safety” in the nation’s capital. The mission, led by Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, will be funded federally and include mission-essential equipment and specialized training. This deployment follows President Trump’s move to expand federal authority within the District, raising concerns about the loss of local autonomy. Governor Morrisey expressed West Virginia’s support for the mission, emphasizing a commitment to a strong and secure America.
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Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified into a rare Category 5 storm, a phenomenon becoming more common due to global warming. The storm’s rapid intensification puts it among the fastest-strengthening Atlantic hurricanes on record, with its peak strength occurring unusually early in the season. Erin is expected to produce dangerous surf and rip currents along the East Coast and the Bahamas, and its wind field is forecast to expand significantly. While avoiding direct landfall, Erin’s intensity is fueled by warmer-than-normal Atlantic waters, making it the first major hurricane of the season, with forecasters expecting above-average tropical activity overall.
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A book titled “Your Child, His Family, and Friends,” borrowed in 1943 from the San Antonio Public Library, was recently returned after nearly 82 years. The book was sent from Oregon with a letter explaining that the borrower’s grandmother had likely taken the book to Mexico City and it was recently found after her father’s passing. The library, which eliminated overdue fines in 2021, would have charged a significant fee, considering the three-cent-a-day fine, and the impact of inflation. The library plans to display the book before donating it to the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library for sale.
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The Logan Square community has rallied to find Bam Bam, a 14-year-old dachshund stolen from his legally blind owner, Angel Santiago, in June. A team of neighbors and animal lovers have established a tip line, a Facebook page, and a website to aid the search, and a flier canvassing event will take place this weekend. A fundraiser has already surpassed its goal, with the funds earmarked for flyers and to increase the reward for Bam Bam’s safe return, currently at $5,000. The group hopes the increased awareness and pressure will lead to Bam Bam’s safe return, with no questions asked, and are open to anonymous tips.
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Singer Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for a US$1 million fraud scheme. The scheme involved Kingston leveraging his fame to obtain luxury items without paying for them, leading to a conviction on conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. Kingston’s mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, was also convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Kingston’s defense argued he was naive and relied on others for financial management, while prosecutors highlighted his pattern of defrauding victims to maintain a celebrity lifestyle.
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A billboard erected by Indivisible Jackson TN in Jackson, Tennessee, is demanding the release of the Epstein files, featuring images of Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell. The group solicited funds to put up the billboard, which poses the question, “What ya hiding, boys?”. The Justice Department announced in July it would not release more files related to the Epstein investigation. The Associated Press reported that President Trump responded to questions on the matter by suggesting people focus on the country’s performance.
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted on federal charges of defrauding the city to conceal a romantic relationship with police officer Jeffrey Paul Vappie II. The indictment alleges Cantrell and Vappie conspired to commit wire fraud, obstruct justice, and make false statements. Prosecutors claim the pair used their positions to maximize their time together, engaging in personal activities while Vappie was on duty and paid. During their three-year scheme, Vappie accompanied Cantrell on numerous trips, and the city spent $70,000 on his travel.
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A federal judge has temporarily blocked top health officials from sharing Medicaid enrollees’ personal data with immigration authorities. The ruling prevents the Department of Homeland Security from accessing Medicaid data in 20 states that sued the administration, along with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services from sharing that data with ICE. The judge found that the administration’s use of Medicaid data for immigration enforcement threatened to disrupt the program. This decision comes amidst concerns that ICE’s access to sensitive data could deter immigrants from seeking essential services.
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The FBI has returned a valuable manuscript page signed by Hernán Cortés to Mexico, nearly five centuries after its creation and decades after its theft. The document details logistics related to Cortés’s journey to New Spain, a territory vital to Mexico’s history, and dates back to 1527, a significant year for the formation of royal and religious institutions. Originally stored in Mexico’s national archives, the page was discovered missing in 1993, with the FBI’s art crime team later locating it in the United States. This marks the second Cortés document returned by the FBI to Mexico, highlighting its commitment to protecting cultural property.
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John Q. Hosedrinker