New Omicron Subvariant Surging in US

Jan. 3, 2023 -- A new subvariant of Omicron is responsible for a surge in domestic COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Called XBB, it accounted for 3.6% of total cases in the United States during the last week ...

source https://www.webmd.com/covid/news/20230103/new-omicron-subvariant-surging-in-u-s

Social Media Use Is Linked to Brain Changes in Teens, Research Finds

A new study by neuroscientists at the University of North Carolina tries something new, conducting successive brain scans of middle schoolers between the ages of 12 and 15, a period of especially rapid brain development. The ...

source https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/03/health/social-media-brain-adolescents.html

13 bison were killed in a road accident near Yellowstone National Park

Thirteen bison were killed near Yellowstone National Park after being struck by a semi-truck, police said Saturday. The accident happened last Wednesday at mile marker four on U.S. Highway 191, between West Yellowstone, Montana, and Highway 287.

source https://www.npr.org/2023/01/02/1146543806/bison-killed-yellowstone-national-park

A Colorado library will reopen after traces of meth were found in the building

The main library received increased reports of people smoking methamphetamine over a span of four weeks, and closed Dec. 20 to allow for environmental testing, in accordance with a county ordinance. The test results showed ...

source https://www.npr.org/2023/01/02/1146540989/meth-library-boulder-colorado-closed

Oregon's paid leave program now in effect

In January 2023, workers and businesses will start contributing to Paid Leave Oregon. The program will later fund up to 12 weeks of paid time off for workers recovering from serious illness or bonding with a new child.

source https://www.opb.org/article/2023/01/01/oregons-paid-leave-program-now-in-effect/

Eric Adams Said He Wanted to 'Get Stuff Done.' Did He?

In his first year as mayor, he focused his attention on fighting crime. But critics say he is not moving quickly enough to address New York City's other urgent challenges.

source https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/01/nyregion/eric-adams-mayor.html

Roberts calls for judicial security in year-end report while avoiding mention of ethics reform or abortion draft leak

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is seen prior to President Joe Biden giving his State of the Union address on March 1, 2022. Julia Nikhinson/Pool/Getty Images.

source https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/31/politics/john-roberts-year-end-report-supreme-court/index.html