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‘It’s a ticking time bomb’: WRTA bus drivers call attention to staffing shortage in Worcester

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

Bus drivers with the Worcester Regional Transit Authority are speaking out over what they call serious staffing issues that are causing strain for employees and trips to be canceled.The union representing the drivers say a lack of operators is causing problems to a point where if one driver calls out sick, there are few if any people who can fill in.On Monday, the drivers picketed outside the WRTA’s office to let managers know they are working ten hours a day, on their days off, and that it’s not safe.“It’s like a ticking time bomb – something severe is going to happen at some point,” said ATU Local 22 business agent Ken Kephart.“We want to schedule those trips and make those trips occur for the public – unfortunately, we have been missing some and we’re going to be looking into how we can correct the situation,” said WRTA Administrator Joshua Rickman, who is just one week into the role.According to Rickman, the system is b...

Narcan is covered by insurance, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mass. says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

The state’s largest insurer has announced that its customers will not have to pay out of pocket for a lifesaving overdose drug.In a Tuesday morning press release, insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts said that it would cover the cost of Narcan, or naloxone, for over-the-counter nonprescription use. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for nonprescription used in March of this year.“Naloxone has become the standard treatment for opioid overdose and making it available more widely is a key strategy in controlling the overdose crisis,” Dr. Sandhya Rao, Blue Cross’ chief medical officer said in the release.According to the National Institutes for Health, Narcan is a nasal spray delivered drug that can quickly block the effects of opioids on the body. Timely administration of the drug in an emergency situation can be the difference between life and death for overdose patients.“Waiving out-of-pocket costs for this emergency medication aligns with...

Two Massachusetts residents are first human cases of West Nile virus this year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

The Bay State has reported the first human cases of West Nile virus of the year, as health officials urge residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Tuesday announced the first two human cases of West Nile virus in state residents this year.A man in his 40s was exposed to the virus in Middlesex County, which is an area already known to be at moderate risk for West Nile virus. The other case is a woman in her 70s who was exposed to the virus in another part of the country.The risk of human infection is moderate in the Greater Boston area — Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties — and in parts of Bristol, Plymouth, Worcester, Berkshire, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.“This is the first time that West Nile virus infection has been identified in Massachusetts residents this year,” said Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein. “August and September are the months when most people are exposed ...

10 drugs named for Medicare price cuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

WASHINGTON — President Biden touted the potential cost savings of Medicare’s first-ever price negotiations for a group of 10 widely used prescription drugs on Tuesday.“For all of you out there, I get it, and millions of Americans get it,” Biden said at the White House, framing the push to trim drug prices as part of his “Bidenomics” effort to lower costs for Americans struggling with inflation. “I promise you. I’m going to have your back and I’ll never stop fighting for you on this issue.”Among the drugs on the list are the blood thinner Eliquis and diabetes treatment Jardiance. Others include Xarelto; Januvia; Farxiga, Entresto; Enbrel; Imbruvica; Stelara; and Fiasp/Novolog.Any lower prices won’t take effect for three years, and the path forward could be further complicated by multiple lawsuits from drugmakers and heavy criticism from Republicans.The drugs on the list accounted for $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs for M...

New England Revolution keeper Earl Edwards in place for the stretch run

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

Earl Edwards Jr. assumed full-time goalkeeper duties for the New England Revolution at the most congested and crucial stretch of the season.Edwards is slated to make his second straight MLS start and third of the season when the Revolution (12-5-7) host the New York Red Bulls (7-10-8) on Wednesday night (7:30) at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution are undefeated (9-0-3) at the Razor, the best home start in club history.“I think it’s just getting the opportunity,” said Edwards. “I’ve been in this league a long time, so to get a real chance and get a run of games, it is something I’ve always been ready for and look forward to.”The Red Bulls match is the second of three MLS games in eight days for the Revolution after an extended break for Leagues Cup play. The Revolution opened the stretch with an 11th hour, 1-0 loss to FC Montreal on Saturday at Stade Saputo in Montreal.The Revolution complete the compacted slate when they host Austin FC of the Western Conference next Saturday night (7...

2 dead, 1 injured in shooting in front of a Puerto Rican courthouse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Two people were fatally shot Tuesday in front of a courthouse in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and a third person was injured.The unidentified shooter was arrested minutes later at the courthouse in the northern city of Caguas, according to a police statement.The victims were a male civilian and a woman who worked as a security guard for a private company, police on the scene told reporters. The security company did not immediately return a message for comment.The sound of at least seven shots being fired was recorded live and showed a reporter who was preparing for a broadcast fleeing the scene and another man throwing himself on the ground.Puerto Rico Police Commissioner Antonio López arrived at the scene and told reporters that authorities are trying to determine a motive.“It’s an extremely unfortunate case,” he said.Meanwhile, Alexis Torres, secretary of the island’s Department of Public Safety, said the suspect knew at least one of the vic...

West Virginia University recommends keeping some language classes, moving forward with axing majors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University plans to eliminate its world languages department but is recommending retaining five teaching positions and letting students take some language courses as electives, the university announced Tuesday as it faces a $45 million budget shortfall.The office of the provost for the state’s flagship university also said it is proposing slashing bachelor’s degrees in French and Spanish along with Chinese, German and Russian studies and master’s programs in linguistics and teaching English to speakers of other languages.Amid declining enrollment and the budget shortfall, the school announced earlier this month that it was reviewing the possibility of cutting its Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. The announcement sparked criticism and a protest last week from students and faculty.After an appeal hearing Aug. 25, the university’s office of the provost announced Tuesday it planned to go forward with the recom...

New Mexico’s top prosecutor vows to move ahead with Native education litigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — It’s been five years since a New Mexico judge issued a landmark ruling finding that the state was falling short in providing an adequate education to Native American students and many others, and the pace of progress since has been frustratingly slow for tribal leaders. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said he intends to take over the ongoing litigation that led to the ruling from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office to ensure that the state complies with court-ordered mandates. The announcement was made public Tuesday, just days after Torrez met with Pueblo governors. The leaders welcomed Torrez’s move, saying that many students who have graduated over the last five years were unable to reap the benefits of any changes.“Now, my hope is that policies will finally be put in place and education programs will be developed, along with recurring funding, so that our children get the education they richly deserve both now and in the future...

Manhattan building superintendent accused of killing wife, two young children in murder-suicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A longtime superintendent at a New York City apartment building fatally stabbed his wife and two children, ages 1 and 3, before taking his own life, police said.The bodies were discovered in the family’s residence Monday afternoon on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, shocking neighbors and friends who told police there were few outward signs of trouble inside the fourth-floor apartment.Police officials said Edison Lopez, 41, used multiple kitchen knives to kill his wife, Aleksandra Witex, and their two young children. The children and wife were stabbed multiple times and left near the front door of the apartment hallway. Lopez was found on his bed with a single wound to his neckThere were no previous 911 calls or reports of domestic incidents at the address, police said.Lopez grew up in the building, inheriting the role of super from his father, who now works across the street. Lopez’s father discovered the crime scene by unscrewing the peephole to the apartment when he h...

Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalls more than 20 brands of energy drinks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:56 GMT

OTTAWA — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expanding its recall of energy drinks to include more than 20 brands.The agency began recalling the drinks in July because they do not comply with various caffeine content and bilingual labelling requirements.Sonic the Hedgehog, Toxic Rick and Liquid Rage are among the brands added to the list in recent days.  Other caffeinated energy drinks, including Monster and Prime, were part of previous recall notices.  Tuesday’s notice says people should not consume, serve or sell the recalled drinks. Health Canada warns that high levels of caffeine may have adverse health effects, especially for children, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people who are sensitive to caffeine and people who are exercising while consuming it. It says side effects of caffeine can include insomnia, irritability, headaches and nervousness. The recall notice says there have been no reported illnesses from the energy drinks.  A list of the problematic en...