Latest news with #KathrynPlmr
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
See where COVID cases are rising amid summer wave: New CDC data
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows activity of COVID-19 is increasing across a wide swath of the country. As the U.S. approaches the midpoint of summer, the CDC is reporting cases of the virus are growing or likely growing in more than half of all states, including many in the South and Southeast. The center's July 18 report shows at least 26 states plus Washington, D.C., are encountering a summer surge, according to its epidemic trend modeling, using data from emergency department visits. The CDC notes its modeling indicates trends in overall cases, not the actual numbers of current infections. New COVID variant is spreading: What are the symptoms? A familiar summer surge The rate of positive COVID-19 tests is increasing nationally, the CDC said of the last week in data, with emergency department visits for the virus are increasing among children 4 years old and younger. Though there is an uptick in COVID-19 cases in more than two dozen states, the CDC says the overall amount of people seeking care for acute respiratory illnesses is at a very low level. That's accompanied by low levels of seasonal influenza activity and very low levels of RSV activity, the CDC says. Overall, trends in COVID-19 cases continue downward as compared to the last few years, according to long-term data trends in deaths, emergency room visits and positive cases. The U.S. has seen a wave of higher COVID-19 cases every summer since 2020. COVID-19 in 2025: What's the latest vaccine guidance? It's complicated. COVID-19 cases are growing in 10 states: The CDC's latest report says cases are likely growing in more than a dozen other states, plus Washington, D.C. In one state − Montana − COVID-19 cases are likely declining. COVID-19 cases are likely growing in the following 16 states: Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Storm tracker: Disturbance east of Caribbean expected to weaken, forecasters say
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disorganized group of showers and thunderstorms east of the Caribbean, with odds of it forming into a tropical cyclone slightly decreasing on Monday, July 21. As of the center's July 21 midday report, there are showers and thunderstorms associated with an area of low pressure hundreds of miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles, with a 10% chance it will form into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours. The disturbance was set to move west at about 15 miles per hour, forecasters said, but conditions are expected to prevent further formation in the coming days. Chances of it strengthening into a cyclone within the next week are similarly low, forecasters say, also at about 10%. "Although the wave is still producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, environmental conditions are not expected to be conducive for development during the next few days," the July 21 update said. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will last through the end of November. Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October. Atlantic hurricane season storm tracker How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- USA Today
Volcano erupts in Iceland spewing wall of lava: See photos
An Icelandic volcano erupted early Wednesday, spewing a bright red wall of lava in a region known for high seismic activity. The eruption began in the early morning hours of July 16, on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row in the Reykjanes Peninsula of southwestern Iceland about 30 miles southwest from the capital, Reykjavik. It's the ninth eruption in the area since December 2023, officials said, and has prompted evacuations of a nearby town and the geothermal tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon. As of Wednesday afternoon local time, there were no reports of immediate threats to nearby structures, though officials have warned of gas pollution and fine glass fibers emitted from the Sundhnúkur volcano's eruption. The Icelandic Meteorological Office first reported at 1:20 a.m. local time of an "intense seismic swarm" on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row, and that magma had begun to intrude into an area of rock, heightening the chance of an eruption. A little over 2.5 hours later at about 5 a.m., scientists noted the eruption began, which has since grown to more than one single fissure after a second one opened west of Fagradalsfjall, measuring about 1,600 feet. Last Reykjanes Eruption in April: Volcano erupts in Iceland, forcing evacuation of tourists and residents Photos display volcano eruption in Iceland Volcano eruption prompts evacuation, residents ordered to stay inside Officials noted the eruptive fissure about a half a mile long a little over an hour after the eruption started, growing to just under 1.5 miles long several hours later according to updates at noon local time. Residents in the area have been advised by meteorological officials to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and turn off ventilation systems to avoid gas pollution risk. There have been reports of so-called "witch's hair" drifting in the wind, the office says, which are fine glass fibers formed when lava droplets cool rapidly and stretch, causing skin and eye irritation. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service has reported that about 200 guests were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon, and a police commissioner in Suðurnes said the evacuation of Grindavík included about 100 individuals. The government in a July 16 statement advised travelers in the area to monitor air quality, with conditions posted here, and noted that the eruption area is closed to the public for safety reasons. According to Iceland's Department of Civil Protection and Response, the eruption has no impact on other parts of the Reykjanes Peninsula or the rest of Iceland, including Reykjavík. Flights to and from Iceland are operating on schedule, the department said, and the Ring Road (Route 1) remains open. Updates are available via the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, as well as official government channels. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
06-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Storm tracker: Chantal downgraded to tropical depression after landfall
Tropical Storm Chantal, which formed off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, July 5, began to weaken after making landfall early Sunday, leading the National Hurricane Center to downgrade it to a tropical depression and discontinue all tropical storm warnings and coastal advisories. The center said early Sunday, July 6 that the storm made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina at about 4 a.m. local time. The storm was about 20 miles southwest of Lumberton, North Carolina and about 80 miles west of Wilmington, North Carolina as of 11 a.m., the center said, moving at about 9 mph northward. Flash flooding remains a threat as rainbands from the storm move inland across northeastern South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina. Maximum sustained winds are at about 35 mph, the center said, a decrease from 40-50 mph winds in early Sunday and late Saturday reports. Tropical Depression Chantal will continue to produce heavy rainfall across portions of central North Carolina into Monday, July 7 the center said, with total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches expected and local amounts up to 6 inches. The now discontinued tropical storm warning applied to over 100 miles of coastline stretching from South Santee River, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina. Though it has now been downgraded, National Hurricane Center forecasters said the storm is expected to continue to weaken as it moves inland, and the system is forecast to degenerate into a trough of low pressure on Monday. It's expected to turn northeastward throughout Sunday and into Monday, with forecasts anticipating the center of Chantal to move over eastern North Carolina through Sunday evening. What is a tropical storm? A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Tropical Depression Chantal tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Minimum wage increasing in over a dozen cities and 3 states on July 1
While workers across many jurisdictions have already seen minimum wage increases with the start of the year, thousands more across over a dozen cities and states will see a pay bump heading into July as several laws take effect. Nearly two dozen states, cities and local municipalities will see some form of a minimum wage hike go into effect July 1, according to a report by the worker advocacy group National Employment Law Project. Jan. 1, 2025 marked a popular day for pay increases across the U.S., as 21 states and 48 cities raised their minimum wage rates. In total, 88 jurisdictions across 23 states were set to see minimum wage hikes by the end of 2025, the report said. Social Security change coming in July: Agency begins taking back 50% of overpayments Some of these July 1 increases pertain only to certain sectors, like California's wage hike for health care sector workers, or are part of a multi-step plan, like in Alaska, where wages will increase each year until reaching $15 an hour by 2027. It's estimated more than 880,000 workers in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, D.C. will start earning a higher minimum wage starting July 1, according to a new report by economic policy think tank Economic Policy Institute. Here's where the increases are slated to take effect beginning July 1, 2025. Which states have minimum wage hikes July 1? See new hours: Costco extends shopping for Executive Members Where else are there July 1 minimum wage hikes? Some local jurisdictions adjust their minimum wages annually for inflation each July, according to a June report by ADP. The changes often result in marginal increases in hourly rates that are less than a dollar. Several pertain only to workers in a specific sector or to businesses of a certain size. New wages effective July 1 include: 10 cities and counties in California see small increases to account for inflation Two midwestern capitals implement wage hikes July 1 More minimum wage increases in DC and parts of Maryland, Washington Elsewhere in the country, Maryland's Montgomery County will raise pay to $15.50, $16 or $17.65 per hour, depending on the amount of employees, coming out to about a 50 cent raise. In Washington, D.C., minimum wage increases to $17.95 July 1, from $17.50. Three cities in Washington state are due for wage increases: Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
