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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announces blood cancer diagnosis, currently undergoing treatment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

(CNN) — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has been diagnosed with “a very treatable blood cancer,” and has started treatment, he announced on Tuesday.“After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done. The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer,” Scalise said in a statement.“I have now begun treatment, which will continue for the next several months. I expect to work through this period and intend to return to Washington, continuing my work as Majority Leader and serving the people of Louisiana’s First Congressional District,” he said.Scalise, who is 57-years old, is the second-highest-ranking Republican in the House after Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He is a major figure within the House GOP conference and has long been seen as either a potential successor, or rival, to McCarthy.The Louisiana Republican is no stranger to health issues and...

Nevada travel: Reno adventures, spas and craft breweries to explore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

Nevada’s “Biggest Little City” may be known for its vibrant gambling scene, but Reno is becoming a more popular destination for its exciting outdoor activities, diverse wellness offerings and thriving craft breweries. The influx of tech giants, like Tesla, Google and blockchain companies, has ushered in a new energy, spurring a reputation as an urban basecamp for exploring the natural beauty that surrounds Reno.The city’s wellness resorts provide the perfect retreat to rejuvenate and unwind, with unique treatments and expansive facilities. Its diverse culinary scene offers a wealth of delightful options to tantalize even the pickiest of taste buds and craft beer enthusiasts are spoiled with numerous selections at the city’s outstanding breweries.Endless outdoor recreationThe Truckee River flows through downtown Reno, Nevada, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Andri Tambunan / AFP) (Photo by ANDRI TAMBUNAN/AFP via Getty Images)Reno is situated among the Sierra Nevada mountain range and spra...

Yankees release 3-time All-Star Josh Donaldson after two disastrous seasons

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

Roughly six months after Aaron Boone said it would be “crazy” to think that Josh Donaldson wasn’t capable of a bounce-back season, the Yankees have released the 37-year-old third baseman.Donaldson, eligible for a $6 million buyout this offseason, has been on the injured list since July 20 after suffering a high-grade calf strain. He would not have been able to come off of the IL until mid-September. But with the Yankees focused on younger players and Donaldson a surefire goner this winter, it would have made zero sense to activate him next month.Boone recently said that Donaldson was nearing a rehab assignment and that he planned on staying in Tampa following the Yankees’ recent series against the Rays. The veteran has made himself incredibly visible in recent weeks, running, fielding and taking batting practice in front of reporters. The day of the trade deadline, Aug. 1, Donaldson warmly greeted a few writers on the field before running toward the outfield,...

Alice Cooper at 75: ‘The audience is shock proof now.’ But our list of 10 things that might surprise them

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

Christopher Borrelli | Chicago Tribune (TNS)CHICAGO — Alice Cooper, the former Vincent Furnier, former high school track star, former resident of Detroit and Chicago, did not die this week at 75. Despite a half-century of horrifyingly playful onstage executions, he was not hanged, beheaded, impaled or electrocuted. He just released “Road,” his 22nd solo album, and plays in Tinley Park on Friday, and when we spoke the other day, he said, though he was 75, he has no plans to retire and can perform these days “with more energy than I had in the ‘70s. I was held back then by alcoholism, but I am in the best shape of my life right now. My kids are all grown and have kids. I have no stress in my life. I have been married to my wife of 47 years, and every single thing is in order — my spiritual life and financial life. There is nothing wrong with me.”Not now.But it seems appropriately ghoulish to note: Even Alice Cooper, who secured his place in pop music infamy with such songs as “Dead Ba...

10 drugs targeted for Medicare price negotiations as Biden pitches cost reductions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

By CHRIS MEGERIAN, TOM MURPHY and AMANDA SEITZ (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, struggling to convince Americans that he’s improved their lives as he runs for reelection, hailed his administration’s Tuesday announcement that several drugs would be targeted for Medicare’s first-ever price negotiations.The drugs include the blood thinner Eliquis, diabetes treatment Jardiance and eight other medications. The negotiation process was authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed last year, capping decades of debate over whether the federal government should be allowed to haggle with pharmaceutical companies.Any lower prices won’t take effect for three years, and the path forward could be further complicated by litigation from drugmakers and heavy criticism from Republicans. But the effort is a centerpiece of Biden’s reelection pitch as the Democrat tries to show Americans he’s deserving of a second term ...

Supermoon could team up with Hurricane Idalia to raise tides higher just as the storm makes landfall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

By JEFF MARTIN (Associated Press)A rare blue supermoon could raise tides above normal just as Hurricane Idalia takes aim at Florida’s west coast, exacerbating flooding from the storm.The moon will be closest to the Earth on Wednesday night, the same day Idalia is expected to make landfall in Florida. While a supermoon can make for a spectacular backdrop in photos of landmarks around the world, its intensified gravitational pull also makes tides higher.“I would say the timing is pretty bad for this one,” said Brian Haines, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service office in Charleston, South Carolina.It’s expected to make tidal flooding worse not only in Florida, but in states such as Georgia and South Carolina, where Haines’ office has been warning residents that parts of Charleston could be under water by Wednesday night.When the moon is full, the sun and the moon are pulling in the same direction, which has the effect of increasing tides above normal ranges, said...

Moore officials express confidence in Orioles’ lease deal, but won’t offer details or status of negotiations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

Facing a fast-approaching deadline and mounting public pressure to secure the Orioles’ long-term commitment to Baltimore, three officials in Gov. Wes Moore’s administration said Tuesday they remain confident of reaching a deal to keep the team in the city “for decades to come,” but would not disclose any details about the status of the negotiations.The officials, who are close to the negotiations but insisted they not be named because the discussions are ongoing, said the Democratic governor’s priorities are: getting a sound return on investment for the significant taxpayer dollars that are scheduled to improve Oriole Park at Camden Yards, recruiting investors to develop the area around the stadium and keeping the Orioles in the city for the long run.They declined to reveal specifics around the talks and pushed back against questions about any “hang-ups” that could prevent what they described as a “particularly complex” deal from...

Orioles minor league report: From Cade Povich to Seth Johnson, a look at how pitching prospects are performing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

For much of Mike Elias’ tenure, the Orioles’ best two pitching prospects were drafted by the previous regime.Since taking over as Baltimore’s general manager in November 2018, Elias and his front office built the sport’s best farm system, but that was mostly because of elite position player prospects such as Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday. Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall, pitchers selected by the Orioles in the first round of the two drafts before Elias took over, have headlined Baltimore’s crop of pitching prospects for several years, including entering the 2023 season inside Baseball America’s top 100 list.Now, both Rodriguez and Hall are in the major leagues. Rodriguez has graduated from prospect status and emerged this summer as one of the Orioles’ best starters, while Hall has battled through an up-and-down 2023 to join Baltimore as a reliever for the stretch run.With the two talented arms both no longer in the minor leagues, the focus shifts to the rest o...

Israeli PM orders ministries to get his OK before secret talks, as drama over Libya meeting persists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an order Tuesday mandating that his office approve all secret diplomatic meetings in advance, his spokesperson said, as officials scrambled to contain the growing diplomatic firestorm over Israel’s disclosure that its top diplomat had met with his Libyan counterpart.The exposure of the first-ever known encounter between Israeli and Libyan foreign ministers ignited angry street protests in several Libyan cities and sent Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush fleeing to Turkey for fear of her safety. Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who heads one of the country’s rival governments, said he was temporarily suspending Mangoush from her position over the reported meeting. Libya has a history of unremitting hostility toward Israel.Netanyahu sent the directive Tuesday to all government ministries, requesting they receive approval from his office before conducting any covert political talks. The order al...

Feds say prime minister’s residence at 24 Sussex may be replaced rather than restored

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:40 GMT

OTTAWA — The prime minister’s problem-plagued official residence could be replaced instead of restored, though the government says its plans are not complete. A spokesperson for Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said building a new residence is among the options being considered as the department comes up with a plan for the future of 24 Sussex, but any conversations about that are at very early stages.The minister’s office said it is working with the National Capital Commission to develop a plan that it aims to release soon. The historic house overlooking the Ottawa River is in dire need of repairs for everything from electrical work to windows, doors and the roof. A 2021 report estimated it would cost at least $36.6 million just to complete the deferred maintenance on the main residence, which was built in 1868. Bringing it up to code would likely cost millions more.A report last summer found the walls, attic and basement of the 34-room mansion were full of rodent ...