Following a similar incident earlier this week, multiple Upstate Correctional Facility employees experienced symptoms including lightheadedness and vomiting after assisting an unresponsive inmate on Saturday. Several staff members required multiple doses of Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal medication, and were transported to a local hospital. Union officials suspect a synthetic drug, potentially entering via mail, is responsible for these recurring incidents. The unpredictable nature of synthetic opioids complicates detection and presents ongoing challenges for prison security.
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A substitute teacher at North Side High School in Fort Worth, Texas, prompted an investigation by Fort Worth ISD after posting on X, urging ICE agents to the school to remove students believed to be undocumented. The post, which included details about students’ limited English proficiency, followed a recent presidential directive allowing ICE actions in sensitive locations. The district swiftly responded, stating the substitute teacher would be off-campus during the investigation and affirming its commitment to supporting all families. The district is conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
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Rising insurance denials in the US, fueled by AI-powered algorithms, are prompting lawsuits against major insurers like UnitedHealth and Cigna, alleging widespread improper claim denials. The extremely low appeal rate, despite a high reversal rate upon appeal, highlights the system’s inherent flaws and the difficulty patients face navigating complex appeals processes. New AI tools are emerging to automate appeals, but lasting change requires broader healthcare reform, addressing high costs and ensuring equitable access to coverage. Experts emphasize the need for human oversight of automated systems and industry standardization to reduce denials stemming from administrative errors.
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A Pennsylvania man, Andrew Neirer, was attacked and bitten by a rabid black bear while walking near Jim Thorpe. A neighbor intervened, shooting the bear, which subsequent testing confirmed had rabies. Neirer received medical treatment and is expected to recover fully. While rare, the incident highlights the importance of reporting unusual animal behavior, and the effectiveness of rabies post-exposure treatment.
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Early Saturday morning, robbers used explosives to break into the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, stealing a significant number of gold artifacts. The heist included a priceless gold Coțofenești helmet and three Dacian royal bracelets, part of a Romanian loan exhibit. Police are investigating a related car fire and are appealing to the public for any relevant security footage or witness accounts. The museum remains closed while authorities conduct their investigation.
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Nearly 50 years after the murder of 16-year-old Dawn Momohara at Honolulu’s McKinley High School, Gideon Castro, 66, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Advancements in DNA technology, unavailable in 1977, linked Castro’s DNA to evidence found on the victim, finally solving the cold case. Castro, a McKinley High graduate who had previously been interviewed by police, was apprehended in Utah. The arrest brought a measure of closure to the community and Dawn’s family, though many unsolved cases remain.
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Following intense criticism for a controversial TikTok video, Laura Smith resigned from her positions on the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board of Trustees and the Knights for Life nonprofit board. The Library Board cited Smith’s conduct as conflicting with its values of inclusivity and respect. Knights for Life similarly emphasized its commitment to service and community, distancing itself from Smith’s actions. Both organizations publicly rejected the sentiments expressed in the video.
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Following a two-month search, all 43 rhesus macaque monkeys that escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee, South Carolina have been safely recovered. The last four monkeys were recaptured this week and appear healthy. The escape occurred due to unsecured doors, and the young, female primates were never used in research. Local police and the Alpha Genesis facility expressed gratitude for community assistance in the successful recapture effort.
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The U.S. Air Force has removed lesson plans featuring the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) from its basic training curriculum. This action is part of a broader review of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training materials mandated by a presidential executive order aimed at eliminating such programs within the federal government. While the historical videos themselves may not be problematic, their inclusion in DEI coursework triggered their removal. The Air Force is taking a wide-ranging approach to ensure compliance with the executive order, pending further guidance.
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Dustin and Jennifer Nehl, an Oregon couple, were arrested and charged with impersonating firefighters after attempting to enter a Los Angeles wildfire evacuation zone in a firetruck purchased at auction. They wore fake firefighter gear, including Cal Fire shirts and a helmet, and possessed radios, falsely claiming affiliation with a non-existent Oregon fire department. Authorities seized the vehicle and noted Dustin Nehl’s prior Oregon criminal record involving arson and criminal mischief. Both face up to six months in jail if convicted.
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John Q. Hosedrinker