Latest news with #Carrigan
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Carlisle boxing star promises 'fireworks' in professional career
Carlisle boxing star John Joe Carrigan is promising 'fireworks' when he makes his professional debut. The teenager has signed with legendary promoter Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions. It sees the world under-19 champion from Border City Amateur Boxing Club join a host of high-profile fighters such as Tyson Fury in Warren's stable. And the 18-year-old Cumbrian is hoping his first fight since turning pro will come soon as he targets the next steps in his exciting career. 'There'll be fireworks, definitely. I can't wait for it,' said Carrigan, speaking to iFL TV. 'I can do just about everything. I'm a switch hitter, I've got power, I'm skilful. Frank Warren signs up teenage Carlisle boxing star 'Hopefully [my first fight will be] very soon. I have to get a medical done, get the boxing licence, get on a roll and hopefully then announce the date.' Carrigan, from Todhills, won a series of titles in his junior and youth amateur career. He won nine national titles, a string of box cups, two European titles and, last year, the World under-19 title in the 70kg category. Carrigan, whose skills have been honed at Carlisle club Border City since he was six, is now training at professional boxing stable Tenacity Boxing in the north east. And his impressive amateur career has led Warren to sign up the Cumbrian prospect. 'To be honest, in my eyes he's the best,' added Carrigan of Warren. 'When I was in the amateurs, [everyone] wanted to sign with him. 'To do that, it's a dream come true.' Carrigan is also on the lookout for sponsors to back his progress in the professional boxing scene. 'I've just turned professional and am still looking for sponsors – if there's anyone out there, get in contact,' he added. Warren has described Carrigan as a 'stellar amateur' and said that, in his professional career, 'people are going to like him.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Kern County HIV cases at an all-time high, public health director says, and federal funding cuts could make it worse quickly
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Kern County Public Director Brynn Carrigan says local HIV rates are up significantly. In 2023, the most recent year for which confirmed local HIV numbers are available, 215 Kern County residents were diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. That is the highest number of new HIV cases ever, and it represents a 40% increase from just five years prior. Some health experts are saying it could get worse before it gets better because of federal funding cuts. Kern County Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan on challenges the department, and residents could face amid federal funding cuts 'We have more newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Kern County every year than previously,' Carrigan said in an exclusive interview. 'So we're seeing more HIV than we've ever seen before. It's not a disease that's going away. 'I strongly feel that any reduction to services from Kern County Public Health is going to have a negative outcome. Carrigan was referencing a 1-2-3 punch of funding challenges that hit public health this year, including a $10.5 million cut by the federal government, which rescinded a huge grant. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now It's not just a local issue. The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that a coalition of HIV prevention organizations and health experts are sounding alarms about sweeping Trump administration cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention and surveillance programs. The Foundation for AIDS Research says the cuts could result in 127,000 additional AIDS deaths within five years. Carrigan's complete interview is available at this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Frank Warren signs up teenage Carlisle boxing star
Teenage Carlisle boxing star John Joe Carrigan has been signed up by the legendary promoter Frank Warren. It has been confirmed that the 18-year-old will be working with Warren, one of the sport's top names, after turning professional. Warren's Queensberry Promotions, whose stable includes Tyson Fury, announced that Border City Amateur Boxing Club star Carrigan had joined their fold. "We are delighted to announce that John Joe Carrigan has turned professional with Queensberry," the company confirmed. "The undefeated amateur star has a huge future ahead of him in the pro game." The news is the latest major development in the young Cumbrian's burgeoning boxing career. It had already been confirmed that Carrigan would be managed by the legendary American, Shelly Finkel. And he is now training at north east based professional boxing stable Tenacity Boxing under coaches Anthony Kelly and John Stubbs. Carrigan, from Todhills, has risen impressively in boxing through his exciting development at Border City in Carlisle. He won a series of national and regional junior and youth titles and European belts, going on to represent England, and last year he became the world under-19 champion at 70kg level. He turned professional in April with confirmation that he would be working with Shelly Finkel, who has managed top boxing names over the decades such as Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Evander Holyfield and Deontay Wilder. Promoter Warren's star-studded Queensberry stable includes Tyson Fury, right (Image: PA) Warren, meanwhile, has long been one of boxing's leading promoters having worked in recent years at Queensberry with stars such as Fury, Daniel Dubois, Joe Joyce, David Adeleye, Joseph Parker, Fabio Wardley, Lawrence Okolie, Delicious Orie and Derek Chisora. In past boxing eras he has also promoted and managed fighters such as Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe, Steve Collins, Chris Eubank snr, Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton. Warren said of Carrigan's signing: "I'm absolutely delighted - and people are going to like him. "He's a stellar amateur, and welcome to Queensberry and what's going to be a good journey together." His trainers at Tenacity are also predicting big things for the young Cumbrian. Coach John Stubbs said: "John Joe, for me, is the best 18-year-old I've ever seen. "There's no reason why he can't go all the way to the top and win a world title."
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scottish secretary and Labour leader make Hamilton election visits
The duo respectively visited a Hamilton restaurant and Larkhall charity as Labour bid to win the Holyrood seat on June 5 Scottish Secretary Ian Murray paid a visit to a 'Hamilton institution' with by-election candidate Davy Russell as they discussed hospitality industry issues with the founder of an award-winning local restaurant group. The Labour duo spent an afternoon at Carrigan's Eating House, meeting founder John Carrigan and even trying their hand at pulling pints behind the bar. Party leader Anas Sarwar has also been back in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse constituency a further twice this week, meeting families taking part in sessions at the Machan Trust in Larkhall and then cheering on Mr Russell in a different sort of competition – as he took to the bowling green for a tournament hosted at Raploch. Mr Murray told how the visit to Carrigan's saw the trio discuss business and the restaurant group's community work, and said: 'Without people like John we wouldn't have wonderful businesses like this – I used to be a publican myself so I know the real value of having these at the heart of the community. 'He's been raising some big issues with us – they were very frustrated that their business didn't get the rates relief afforded to hospitality businesses in England.' Mr Russell added: 'The UK Labour government has given rates relief to the hospitality industry in England and Wales, however the same hasn't happened in Scotland. 'The SNP have ignored the pleas of people in the hospitality industry, leaving them to their own devices, which isn't good enough.' The Labour candidate and Mr Sarwar visited Larkhall charity the Machan Trust to learn more about the organisation's work and even joined in a busy play session, on the party leader's latest trip to the constituency. Mr Sarwar said: 'There's some great work being done in Larkhall by the Machan Trust, giving families huge amounts of support. It was a pleasure to meet some of the families who benefit.' He says the by-election 'is going to be very close' and said: 'Ultimately, it's going to result in either a Labour MSP or an SNP MSP. 'The message we're getting across is that after 18 years of SNP failure, where our NHS has record long waiting times, where more and more people are forced to go private, where our schools are falling down the international league table, and we have an SNP government that's addicted to wasting your money, that we have to get change.' Mr Russell also praised the work of the Machan Trust, saying: 'Third sector organisations like this give families vital support. As MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse, I will fight for groups just like this so that families in our community can continue to benefit.' He also highlighted an emerging issue of a bus service having been re-routed away from congested Brankholm Brae in Hamilton due to increased congestion following the pavement parking ban, and said: 'I know that the 226 is a vital service and the change to its route has impacted many. I'm determined to find a solution to this so our community remains connected.' A total of 10 candidates are standing in the constituency's by-election on June 5. The full list of those appearing on the ballot paper is: Collette Bradley (Scottish Socialist Party); Andy Brady (Scottish Family Party); Ross Lambie (Reform); Katy Loudon (SNP); Janice MacKay (UKIP); Ann McGuinness (Green); Aisha Mir (Liberal Democrats); Richard Nelson (Conservative); Davy Russell (Labour); and Marc Wilkinson (independent). And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
California could face another record-breaking year of Valley fever
Brynn Carrigan's headaches started in April 2024. Within a couple of weeks, she was debilitated. Her vomiting exacerbated the excruciating pain in her skull. She spent nearly every hour in bed with the covers pulled over her head, blocking out any sliver of light. Even the clock on her microwave was too much. 'I went from training for a marathon, raising two teenagers and having a job to essentially being bedridden,' said Carrigan, 41, of Bakersfield, California, who works for Kern County Public Health. Her condition continued to get worse and doctors couldn't provide answers — until her third visit to the hospital, when one doctor asked her if she'd had any respiratory symptoms before the headaches started. She had. About a month before the headaches started, Carrigan had what she thought was a typical cold — though she recalled that her cough lingered a bit longer than normal and she went on to develop a rash on her thighs. Both symptoms got better without treatment. These turned out to be key pieces of information. A biopsy of her spinal fluid revealed that Carrigan had coccidioidal meningitis, a rare complication of a fungal infection called Valley fever. 'I knew something was wrong but never in a million years did I think it would be something so serious,' Carrigan said. Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is caused by inhaling coccidioides spores, a type of fungi endemic to the hot, dry climate of the southwestern United States. Climate change is creating drier soils that are inching farther east, expanding the range of the fungi. Valley fever is increasingly being diagnosed outside its usual territory and cases have been rising across the Western U.S. While Arizona still sees the highest number each year, California is closing the gap. From 2000 through 2016, California had 1,500 to 5,500 cases a year. From 2017 through 2023, those numbers jumped to 7,700 to 9,000 annual cases. Preliminary data for 2024 puts the count at more than 12,600 — the highest the state has ever seen and about 3,000 more cases than the previous record, in 2023. Early data shows California is on track for another record-breaking year. Already, the state has logged more than 3,000 confirmed cases of Valley fever statewide, more than there were at the same time last year and nearly double what cases were at this time in 2023. 'There is no question that the number of cases of coccidioidomycosis is enormously higher than before,' said Dr. Royce Johnson, chief of the division of infectious disease and director of the Valley Fever Institute at Kern Medical in California. 'If you want to see me, right now you'd have to wait until July, and that goes for my colleagues, too.' Carrigan lives in Kern County, a dry, sprawling region that sits between two mountain ranges at the southern end of California's Central Valley. The county has already recorded at least 900 Valley fever cases so far this year and has been ground zero for the fungal infection in the state for the last three years. But the consistently high cases in places like Kern County are not driving the upward trend in California, said Gail Sondermeyer Cooksey, an epidemiologist at the California Department of Public Health. Instead, new hot spots are emerging along the edges of the Central Valley — in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, along California's central coast. Cases in Contra Costa County, just east of Berkeley, have tripled so far this year compared with the same time in 2023. 'It appears to be spreading out,' Sondermeyer Cooksey said. Many factors likely influence how well coccidioides spores multiply and spread, 'but one thing we have identified as a big driver of those peaks and dips is drought,' she said. A 2022 study in The Lancet Planetary Health found that drought years suppress Valley fever cases, but multiple years of drought followed by a wet winter causes cases to rebound sharply. This shift in weather patterns, which is driven by climate change, appears to largely influence where new Valley fever hot spots emerge. Longer, drier summers can also shift transmission season, when the spores spread, from late summer and early winter to earlier in the year. 'We're seeing wetter wets and drier dries across the Southwest, but California is seeing that to a higher degree,' said Jennifer Head, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan, who studies Valley fever and climate change. In Arizona, new hot spots are popping up in places in the state that have a climate more similar to California's than elsewhere in Arizona. 'The highest increases in Arizona are in the northern plateau regions, which, similar to California, have historically been colder and wetter,' Head said. The climate patterns expanding Valley fever's range in California are the same ones that drive increasingly intense wildfires. Scientists are still trying to understand how fires may worsen Valley fever risk, but some research has shown a link between wildfire smoke and higher rates of diagnoses. Sondermeyer Cooksey said the state health department warned first responders to January's devastating fires in Los Angeles County of the potentially increased risk of Valley fever in the area because of the fires. There have been past outbreaks among wildland firefighters. There's some limited evidence that wildfires may spread the coccidioides spores. In a 2023 study, researchers looked at 19 fires across California and observed higher rates of Valley fever following three of those fires. These fires tended to be larger, located near population centers and burned areas that had high Valley fever transmission prior to the fire. 'It's not entirely clear whether there is a link between wildfires and Valley fever, but what is important to know is that coccidioides live in the dirt and anything that disturbs the dirt can exacerbate Valley fever,' Sondermeyer Cooksey said. 'Fires do that, then we have all of the reconstruction projects that also disturb soil.' Peak Valley fever season hasn't happened yet this year. Because reconstruction efforts are disturbing soil in the burn scar, Sondermeyer Cooksey said state and local public health departments 'are closely tracking the numbers' in areas hit by January's fires. Diagnosing Valley fever is tricky, mostly because its symptoms overlap with other respiratory illnesses including flu, Covid and pneumonia. If someone experiences those symptoms, it's important for them to let their doctor know if they've been around disturbed soil or dust — in a construction zone, camping, hiking, working outside or at a festival — or in an area known to have Valley fever, Sondermeyer Cooksey said. Symptoms typically show up one to three weeks after exposure, but it can take as long as eight weeks, so people may not make an immediate connection, Head, of the University of Michigan, said. Last year, at least 19 people who attended the Lightning in a Bottle music festival — which is being held in Kern County again this month — were diagnosed with Valley fever later in the summer. At least eight were hospitalized. 'Lightning in a Bottle is right in the middle of the endemic region, that's one of the hot spots for the disease,' said Dr. George Thompson, director of the Center for Valley Fever at the University of California, Davis, adding that the vast majority of people who attend will not get an infection, but people who aren't from an endemic area may be at higher risk. Thompson said it's clear that he and his colleagues across the state are treating more patients for the infection. Only about 1% of cases result in life-threatening meningitis or other complications, as Carrigan's did, but once a person is infected, they never clear the fungus from their body. 'There is no drug that kills cocci, so what keeps you from being ill is your immune response,' Johnson, of Kern Medical, said. To treat the infection, people are given antifungals 'long enough for a person's immune system to figure out how to control it. If you then do something to disrupt that immunity, it can start growing again, and that can surface years later,' he said. Carrigan spent the last year on an intense regimen of anti-fungal treatments. During the first few months, she lost most of her hair and eyelashes and barely recognized herself in the mirror. She's now made a full recovery and even ran a marathon this spring, but she still takes anti-fungal medication. Carrigan said she wants more people to understand both the warning signs of Valley fever and the importance of telling their doctor if they've been somewhere with cases, which could help people get a faster diagnosis. 'Even if it's only 1% of cases, as we see cases increase, the number of people who experience complications is going to rise, too,' she said. This article was originally published on
