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WHO: Aspartame soda sweetener officially 'possible' cancer cause

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

(AP) — The World Health Organization's cancer agency has deemed the sweetener aspartame — found in diet soda and countless other foods — as a “possible” cause of cancer, while a separate expert group looking at the same evidence said it still considers the sugar substitute safe in limited quantities.The differing results of the coordinated reviews were released early Friday. One came from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a special branch of the WHO. The other report was from an expert panel selected by WHO and another U.N. group, the Food and Agriculture Organization.The Lyon, France-based cancer agency periodically reviews potential cancer hazards, but doesn't determine how likely they are to cause cancer in their evaluations which range from “possibly” carcinogenic to “probably” to cancer-causing.Aspartame joins a category with more than 300 other possible cancer-causing agents, including things like aloe vera extract, Asian-style pickled vegetables and carpentry w...

Police looking for utility truck driver who struck bicyclist in Lincoln Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Police in Chicago are seeking the public's help in identifying a utility truck driver who allegedly struck a bicyclist. The hit-and-run incident occurred July 11 in the 2700 block of N. Lincoln Ave., in Lincoln Park, just before noon.According to police, the female cyclist was struck by a white and black utility truck hauling a trailer. SEE ALSO: Person trapped under car after being hit by hit-and-run driver dies, police sayThe vehicle was last seen traveling westbound on Diversey Parkway. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe cyclist suffered severe injuries, but police did not elaborate on her ailments. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (312) 745-4521.

North Carolina community to require US flags on all homes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

(NewsNation) — A new neighborhood in North Carolina will require all of its homes to have American flags flying outside.The rule applies to homes in 1776 Gastonia, a 55+ housing development in Gastonia, N.C. The community, around 30 minutes outside of Charlotte, will feature 43 new homes for retirees. Each home will come with its own American flag.“While the governing documents of each community promote American traditions and values, the only visible standard homeowners must follow is flying the American flag on their front porch throughout the year,” a news release from Great American Homes said. Farmers forced to dump excess milk due to oversupply “The goal of 1776 is to create a community with the American dream at its core,” said Brock Fankhauser, founder of Great American Homes. “For many, owning a home in our great country is the American dream. 1776 Gastonia offers seniors, who have worked and sacrificed for the dream, to celebrate their accomplishments in a community that...

FDA approves first-ever over-the-counter daily birth control pill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – Women around the United States should soon have easier access to birth control after the Food and Drug Administration approved the first-ever over-the-counter daily birth control pill.Advocates say the approval of the over-the-counter birth control pill – Opill -- comes at a critical time as states around the country are banning abortion.They're hopeful that millions of additional women will now be able to access more reliable birth control.“It's a really historic decision,” Kaiser Family Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Michelle Long said. “What this means is increased access for many people, who will no longer need to visit their health care provider to get a prescription and could instead walk into their corner pharmacy.”Long says the approval is especially important for the uninsured.“It can cost a lot of money out of pocket to go and visit the doctor and get a prescription,” Long explained.Dr. Stephanie Sober, who works for Perrigo -- the manufacturer of ...

Llano County brush fire grows to 150 acres, at least 10 agencies responding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire that began burning at a ranch Thursday afternoon has now grown to scorch 150 acres and is 10% contained as of just before 5 p.m.The Llano County Office of Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that at least 10 agencies are now responding to the fire located near East Highway 71 and County Road 307. Crews also have CR 307 shut down right now due to the ongoing response. Initially, first responders told KXAN the fire began on a ranch property. As of 2 p.m., the growing fire caused no evacuations. Air support from the Texas Forest Service is currently assisting with the fire, according to the Llano County Office of Emergency Management.At last check, there are no structures currently in danger, according to Llano officials.Moore Peak Fire near Llano, Texas, on July 13, 2023. (Courtesy: Alan Jensen)As of July 10, Llano County had a burn ban in place.

Ken Paxton's defense and prosecution fight over pretrial impeachment procedures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — With less than two months before the start of the Senate impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, attorneys defending and prosecuting the case are taking their arguments over pretrial rules public.On Wednesday morning, Paxton's defense attorneys made a motion for pretrial scheduling order or conference with proposed discovery deadlines ahead of the trial. Discovery is the process in which legal parties exchange information about the case, in order for both sides to have an awareness of what witnesses and evidence might be presented or who will during trial.Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who will preside as the judge in the case, complied with the request from Paxton's legal team, issuing a discovery order late Wednesday evening.Paxton impeachment pretrial discovery order from Lt. Governor Dan PatrickDownloadIn their request for official deadlines, Paxton's lawyers said "a scheduling order is necessary to ensure a full and fair trial," because of the ...

After setting franchise HR record, Ivan Melendez promoted to Double-A Amarillo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — He set a franchise record for most home runs in a single season, and now he's returning to Texas for the next phase of his career.Ivan Melendez, the former Texas Longhorns slugger selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, has been promoted to Double-A Amarillo, the organization announced Thursday.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersWhile at High Single-A Hillsboro in the Northwest League, Melendez shrugged off a slow start to the season and blasted a franchise-record 18 home runs in 58 games. Melendez broke the record of 15 homers set by A.J. Vukovich in 2022, the first year the team was a full-season affiliate. Vukovich and Melendez will now be teammates for the Sod Poodles.Melendez led the Hops with 43 RBIs and hit .270 with a .945 on-base plus slugging percentage. He's Arizona's No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeli...

Texas Athletics switches flagship radio station, enters deal with iHeartMedia Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns fans will need to turn the radio dial to find games this upcoming season.Texas Athletics announced Thursday it will change its flagship radio station to KVET-AM as part of a multi-year partnership with iHeartMedia Austin. Football and men's basketball games plus other related programming will be broadcast on KVET-AM 1300 The Zone and simulcast on KVET-FM 98.1. Broadcast information for women's basketball, baseball and softball will be announced later, UT athletics said.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters"The move of our network’s flagship radio station to KVET is a huge win for our fans in Austin and Central Texas," Chris Del Conte, UT's director of athletics, said. "The powerful signals of AM 1300 The Zone and 98.1 KVET will give our Longhorn faithful access to crystal clear radio game broadcasts from the northern tips of Williamson County...

St. Paul tackling pothole repairs on residential streets this summer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

St. Paul Public Works crews patch potholes on Cottage Street in St. Paul’s North End neighborhood on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)In his 22 years on St. Paul Public Works road crews and his 61 years on this earth, the potholes that Randy Hedican has tacked, filled, raked, tamped and rolled into submission this season are the worst he’s ever seen following a freeze/thaw cycle.“This one was really bad,” said Hedican, pointing to a long black swathe of fresh asphalt snaking eastward from Dale Street past multiple homes along Cottage Avenue on Thursday.Before his five-man team arrived to shovel steaming hot mix, drivers were left to navigate craters up and down the avenue on their own. More than one Cottage Avenue resident came out to say hello or waved and thanked the Public Works team as they drove by.That’s better than the passing expletive shouted out a car window, which Hedican also has been subject to in his 22 years in the field.Fro...

Jace Frederick: Lynx’s first half was a massive success

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

The Lynx entered this week’s all-star break on a low note, losing consecutive games by an average of 32 points to dip two games below .500.But that’s where the negatives stop for the WNBA team through the first half of the 2023 season. The broader picture reveals Minnesota has won nine of its past 14 games, has a two-game cushion for a playoff spot and is achieving a solid balance of development and competitiveness.The Lynx (9-11) entered the season as a team some were thinking may tank for a top draft pick as a way to land another elite talent to press fast forward on their retool. That looked to be the case during the team’s 0-6 start this season.But Minnesota’s season took a turn for the better over the past month and a half in all the best ways. The Lynx looked like a Cheryl Reeve-led team — one that was well-coached and won games on the margins and in crunch time.They won because their best player — all-star Napheesa Collier — developed into an MVP candi...