Monday, August 15, 2022

And another day of affidavits, ordered to testify, targets of election probes, ‘extreme heat belts,’ monkeypox misinformation, worried about paying for housing, locating missing/trafficked kids, and infant swing recalls comes to a close:

“I can never say it will never happen again, because when you look at some leaders of today, those dangerous ambitions, pride and sense of being better than others are still in play. Who knows where they can lead?” — Zofia Posmysz

Deaths

US: 1,062,770 (+430)

World: 6,456,487 (+1915)

Cases

US: 94,788,022 (+99,854)

World: 595,947,974 (+779,346)

Feds oppose unsealing affidavit for Mar-a-Lago warrant. The Justice Department on Monday rebuffed efforts to make public the affidavit supporting the search warrant for former President Donald Trump’s estate in Florida, saying the investigation “implicates highly classified material” and the document contains sensitive information about witnesses. The government’s opposition came in response to court filings by several news organizations, including The Associated Press, seeking to unseal the underlying affidavit the Justice Department submitted when it asked for the warrant to search Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month.

Judge: Sen. Graham must testify in Georgia election probe. A federal judge on Monday said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham must testify before a special grand jury in Atlanta that is investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies broke any laws while trying to overturn his narrow 2020 general election loss in the state.

Giuliani is target of election probe, his lawyers are told. Prosecutors in Atlanta on Monday told lawyers for Rudy Giuliani that he’s a target of their criminal investigation into possible illegal attempts by then-President Donald Trump and others to interfere in the 2020 general election in Georgia.

An "Extreme Heat Belt" will soon emerge in the U.S., study warns. A new study reveals the emergence of an "extreme heat belt" from Texas to Illinois, where the heat index could reach 125°F at least one day a year by 2053…The report shows how the characteristics of heat waves may change in the near future. Many spots currently see more than 20 straight days with heat indices above 100°F. However by 2053, such streaks could be as many as 74 consecutive days, the report states.

Deadline looms for western states to cut Colorado River use. More than two decades of drought have done little to deter the region from diverting more water than flows through it, depleting key reservoirs to levels that now jeopardize water delivery and hydropower production. Cities and farms in seven U.S. states are bracing for cuts this week as officials stare down a deadline to propose unprecedented reductions to their use of the water, setting up what’s expected to be the most consequential week for Colorado River policy in years.

Monkeypox misinformation spreading faster than the virus, experts say. Does monkeypox spread easily through the air, on surfaces or from food? False reports about the virus are causing high levels of anxiety.

Colleges prepare for potential spread of monkeypox on campuses as outbreak grows. Experts say the greatest risk of transmission is prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person with monkeypox. It is also possible to spread the virus through bedding and towels contaminated with infected lesions. More casual contact, such as brushing past someone or speaking face to face, is significantly less risk, experts say. A handful of universities, including Bucknell University, Georgetown University and West Chester University in Pennsylvania, have already reported cases in their communities, prompting college officials to roll out monkeypox education programs, and stock up on test kits.

Majority of Americans say they’re worried about being able to pay for housing. Nearly 60% of renters saw a rent increase during the past year, while just 38% said they saw their income increase, according to a study from Freddie Mac. And renters were less likely than all employed respondents to have gotten a raise. As a result, nearly 1 in 5 who experienced a rent increase said they are now “extremely likely” to miss a payment.

FBI locates 121 missing kids, child trafficking victims in nationwide operation. In a news release, the agency said that its “Operation Cross Country” initiative helped locate more than 200 victims of human trafficking and related crimes during the first two weeks of this month…One hundred and forty-one adult victims were also found through the agency’s initiative, bringing the active total of victims located by authorities this year as part of Cross Country to 391. — But Republicans are calling to defund the FBI.

More than 2 million infant swings and rockers recalled after death reported. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Monday the baby product-maker 4moms has recalled more than 2 million infant swings and rockers after a death involving one of its products was reported. According to the recall notice, when the swing or rocker on the MamaRoo and RockaRoo products is not in use, its restraint straps can dangle below the seat, creating a hazard for a crawling infant, who could become entangled in or strangled by the straps.

No, you should not use hydrogen peroxide on wounds. Health experts warn against using hydrogen peroxide to treat or clean minor scrapes or cuts because it can irritate the skin and kill healthy cells within the wound...“A good wash with soap and plenty of clean water is all you need,” Beers said. 

RIP Anne Heche. She was 53.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.