Latest news with #Missourian
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Warning Issued After State Sees First Brain-Eating Amoeba Case in 3 Years
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After a rare brain infection was confirmed in a Missouri resident, health officials warned recreationists across the state to assume the brain-eating amoeba that caused the infection is present in any warm freshwater they visit. Newsweek reached out to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services via email for comment. Why It Matters The infection comes as Jaysen Carr, a 12-year-old boy from South Carolina, died on July 18 after being exposed to Naegleria fowleri while swimming in Lake Murray. The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of this rare but deadly amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater during the summer. Missouri health officials confirmed the same infection has landed a Missourian in intensive care, with the source of exposure currently under investigation. What To Know Missouri health officials made the announcement on Facebook earlier this week. "We have confirmed a rare brain infection in a Missourian caused by an ameba (also spelled amoeba) called Naegleria fowleri. The infection is known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) - it is not contagious, but it is deadly. The patient is being treated in the ICU," the post said. Using the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining technique, this photomicrograph depicts the histopathologic characteristics associated with a case of amebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri parasites. Using the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining technique, this photomicrograph depicts the histopathologic characteristics associated with a case of amebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri parasites. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images/Getty It is the first such infection in three years for Missouri. Between 1962 and 2024, there have been 167 reported cases of PAM in the United States, two of which occurred in Missouri. One was in 1987 and another in 2022. The infection is almost always fatal, and only four people in the U.S. have survived the infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. An investigation has been launched into the source of exposure for the Missouri patient, but health officials said "preliminary information implies the patient may have been participating in water activities at the Lake of the Ozarks days before becoming ill." "Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in any warm freshwater across the U.S.; however, infection remains extremely rare," the post said. People can reduce their risk of infection by taking several precautions, including holding their nose shut or using nose clips, keeping their head above water, avoiding water activities when water temperatures are higher, and avoiding digging in sediment. Early symptoms of the infection include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. It progresses rapidly and usually causes a coma or death after five days, the CDC said. Most people die within 18 days of symptoms beginning. What People Are Saying Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services in a post on Facebook: "Although rare, infection can occur when water containing Naegleria fowleri enters through the nose from freshwater. The ameba travels up the nose to the brain where it destroys brain tissue. It is important to remember that this infection isn't contagious and can't be contracted by swallowing water." The CDC's webpage about the infection: "Brain infections caused by Naegleria fowleri usually occur after someone goes swimming or diving in a lake, river, or other fresh water during summer months. Infections often happen when it's been hot for long periods, resulting in higher water temperatures and lower water levels. A few infections have occurred when people used tap water that contained Naegleria fowleri to rinse their sinuses or cleanse their nasal passages." What Happens Next Since the amoeba thrives in freshwater with temperatures between 80 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, the rare infections could become more common as climate change warms the environment. People recreating in warm freshwater across the U.S. should take accurate precautions.
NBC Sports
09-08-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
With local on bag, Lyla Louderbaugh upsets No. 1 Kiara Romero in U.S. Women's Amateur quarters
BANDON, Ore. – Lyla Louderbaugh had just lost two straight holes to send her U.S. Women's Amateur quarterfinal match with Kiara Romero to extra holes. But before heading back to Bandon Dunes' 10th tee on Friday evening, the rising Kansas junior retreated to the clubhouse restroom for a reset. 'I just needed to get off the golf course,' said Louderbaugh, who before walking back out the door looked into the mirror and said aloud to herself, 'You've got this.' Two holes later, she had toppled the world No. 1 amateur. Louderbaugh, a native of Buffalo, Missouri, will now play fellow Missourian Brooke Biermann, a Michigan State grad, in Saturday's first semifinal. The winner of that match will meet either Stanford's Megha Ganne or Aussie Ella Scaysbrook in Sunday's 36-hole final. Those are the four competitors left. As for local caddies, however, there is just one standing: Louderbaugh's looper, Robin Oliver. Oliver, 55, is a 10-year veteran at the famed resort, which claims roughly 600 caddies. Oliver started in an office before changing roles after only a year. 'I needed to come back to the grass,' said Oliver, whose caddie roots trace to his middle-school days looping at Maple Bluff in Madison, Wisconsin, home of Jerry Kelly. This is Oliver's third USGA championship, having also worked the 2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur. This is his first time, however, that his player won a match. 'These events are fun, they're stressful,' Oliver said. 'This is even more stressful than the other ones because we're making it pretty deep.' Before meeting Louderbaugh, Oliver did his research. What he found was a player who has broken out in recent months, starting with her closing 66 to finish fourth in the Jayhawks' regular-season finale in April. She then won the NCAA Columbus Regional by a whopping eight shots over eventual NCAA individual champion Maria Jose Marin, followed by another win this summer at the Kansas Women's Amateur. Oliver was surprised when he walked onto the range last weekend to discover that Louderbaugh, a former basketball player, is pushing 6 feet tall. After their first practice round together, he asked her, 'You're here to win, right?' Louderbaugh replied, 'Yeah.' To which Oliver responded: 'Well, let's do it.' Unless needed, Oliver mostly stays out of Louderbaugh's way, especially during her warmup. It's not uncommon for them to not chat until the first tee. 'The more information you give out there, the more it can get in people's head,' Oliver said, before joking, 'I'm just trying to keep her low key and not make her mad at me.' Adds Louderbaugh: 'We're pretty used to each other. He understands when I want his help on the greens and when I don't want his help on the greens.' Their new relationship was tested down the stretch, as Louderbaugh, 2 up with two holes to play on Romero, hit shots into penalty areas on both holes, including at the par-5 18th hole, where the lefty's third shot from the rough came out well right of her intended line and extremely hot, flying the green and disappearing into a gorse bush. Oliver lamented a couple of mis-clubs during the match, though Louderbaugh was quick to take responsibility. She's thankful to have Oliver by her side, especially in 30 mph gusts. 'There's definitely a reason they have local caddies out here,' Louderbaugh said. 'There are so many shots you don't see if you don't have a local because there are a lot of areas that you don't see from some spots that are perfectly good angles to different pins.' Case in point: She pounded a drive well left on No. 10 in overtime to set up a deft pitch into the fan, though her 10-footer to win horseshoed out of the cup. Then on the par-4 11th, she was some 30 yards behind Romero off the tee but put the pressure on the Oregon junior by knocking a long-iron through the stiff breeze and right at the flag, her ball trundling about 40 feet past. Romero set up to attack the flag, but she left her approach right, short-siding herself. Louderbaugh lagged close before later rolling in the short clincher. Louderbaugh has trailed in each of her four matches so far this week – and for 25 of the 69 holes she's played (she's won 27 holes). In some ways, she relishes that position. 'I like being kind of like the underdog, and nobody knows my name,' Louderbaugh said, 'but I'm here to make a place for my name.' And Oliver wouldn't mind adding his name to the list of Bandon locals who have looped for USGA champions. Though Tyler Strafaci had his dad, Frank, on the bag at the 2020 U.S. Amateur, locals have caddied for the winners of the other three events – 2007 U.S. Mid-Amateur, 2015 U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball and that U.S. Junior three years ago. 'There's that pressure on me from the shack,' Oliver said. 'I mean, there are 600 guys over there that are rooting for us. The old school caddies who have been here for 20-plus years, they're like, 'Bring it home.'' That's the goal.
Newsweek
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Missouri GOP Considers Texas-Style Redistricting Plans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Missouri Republican Party is reportedly considering redistricting plans similar to those proposed in Texas that would bolster the GOP's chances in upcoming elections. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is weighing the proposal, Bloomberg reported, citing senior legislative leadership and a spokesperson for the governor. Newsweek reached out to representatives for Kehoe via a website form for comment. Why It Matters The potential move by Missouri comes amid intensifying national conflict over congressional redistricting. Republicans have sought to redraw the districting map in Texas that would bolster their chances in the upcoming midterm election and potentially gain five seats in the House of Representatives. That plan, backed by President Donald Trump, was thwarted when more than 51 Texas Democrats traveled out of state to stop the vote, sparking anger from critics and praise from political allies who accused Republicans of gerrymandering and voter suppression. Votes can only take place in the Texas legislature when two-thirds of the 150 members are present. Republicans have slim majorities in Congress, and traditionally, voters lean toward the party not in the White House in midterm elections. Therefore, Republicans are under pressure ahead of November 2026. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe takes the stage before his acceptance speech in Jefferson City on November 5, 2024. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe takes the stage before his acceptance speech in Jefferson City on November 5, 2024. Bailey Stover/Missourian via AP What To Know Texas state Senator Cindy O'Laughlin, the Republican president pro tempore, told Bloomberg that Kehoe "wants to be sure Missouri's representation matches Missouri's Christian conservative majority," adding that the legislature was ready to take up a special session if the governor called for one. However, an unnamed GOP congressional aide told the outlet that it is not yet clear whether the legislature will move forward with the proposal. If it goes forward, the move will be contentious. U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat who could see his district redrawn, told Bloomberg that his lawyers are looking into whether White House officials have violated federal law by putting pressure on Missouri lawmakers over these redistricting plans. What People Are Saying Communications Director for Governor Mike Kehoe, Gabby Picard, told Bloomberg: "Governor Kehoe will always consider options that provide congressional districts that best represent Missourians." Texas Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver told Bloomberg: "These kinds of political high jinks really turn off the public. This is highly divisive." Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on X: "Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately. We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law." New York Governor Kathy Hochul, at an August 4 press conference: "These brave public servants are taking a stand, a strong stand, against a blatant power grab that's happening in their state as we speak. And this will have implications not just in Texas, but for our entire nation and its future." What Happens Next Legal experts anticipate that any aggressive redistricting moves could prompt court challenges. Historically, lawsuits delayed or overturned redistricting plans when courts deemed them unconstitutional or violative of the Voting Rights Act. Meanwhile, action is brewing in other states. The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a dispute over redistricting in Louisiana, and earlier this year overturned a lower court decision that ruled South Carolina's congressional map was unconstitutional. On Monday, the Associated Press reported that Democrats in California are considering a political map that would hand them five more seats while bolstering incumbents in other battleground districts.
NBC News
01-08-2025
- Business
- NBC News
What do swing voters want? From the Politics Desk
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team's latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. Happy Friday! Today, politics reporters Bridget Bowman and Dylan Ebs talk with eight swing voters to get their thoughts on the state of Trump's second term and the big issues facing the country. Then, Kristen Welker raises a question Trump had tiptoed around in the past: Is this his economy now? — Scott Bland Trump's tariffs face another inflection point, and a court test By Bridget Bowman and Dylan Ebs Ray, a New York voter in his mid-30s, backed Donald Trump last year after having voted for Joe Biden in 2020, pointing to Trump's pledges to boost the economy. Now, he is not happy with the results on all of those pledges. 'President Trump has made a lot of promises that he's not really cashing out,' Ray said. But Scott, a 29-year-old Missourian who also flipped from Biden in 2020 to Trump in 2024, said he's 'happy' with Trump's presidency so far. 'In general, he's keeping his promises,' Scott said. The two men's opposing views of Trump's presidency underscore the wide range of opinions among swing voters who helped return Trump to the White House — and who may hold the key to the results of future elections, too. Both men were among eight voters who spoke to NBC News again in recent days after having detailed their hopes for the Trump administration back in January. NBC News is not using the last names of some of the eight voters to allow them to speak more freely about national politics. These voters, who participated in the final NBC News poll of the 2024 election and backed Trump after supporting Biden or not voting in 2020, were largely optimistic that a second Trump presidency would bring about change, especially on the economy and immigration issues. Now, they're split on Trump's presidency. Four of the recontacted respondents were happy with Trump's performance so far, while two offered more mixed reviews and two disapproved of his first six months back in office. (The 10 other voters who participated in January were not reachable or declined interviews.) Overall, public opinion polls have shown Trump's approval rating declining since he took office (more on that below), though not as far as at this point in his first term. And critically, from a political perspective, voters may have negative opinions of Trump's handling of the economy, for example, but be split on the question of which party would handle the issue better. Is this Trump's economy now? Analysis by Kristen Welker President Donald Trump has acknowledged that economic concerns, especially around high prices, propelled him to another term in the White House. And the latest jobs report, released Friday, along with more moves on tariffs raise the question of whether the president owns this economy now that he's six months into his second term — the good, the bad and everything in between. When I asked Trump back in May, during an appearance on 'Meet the Press,' if this was now the Trump economy, he told me: 'It partially is right now. And I really mean this. I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he's done a terrible job.' On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a jobs report showing the U.S. added 73,000 new jobs in July while revising gains in recent months, signaling slower-than-expected job growth. And Trump imposed a new round of tariffs, some set to take effect next week, that formalized some recent trade agreements and levied higher tariff rates against trading partners that failed to strike deals with the U.S. Trump has maintained that his tariffs will strengthen the economy, telling NBC News' Garrett Haake in a phone interview last night, 'We will be taking in hundreds of billions of dollars, and very quickly.' The president dismissed concerns that his tariffs could cause prices to rise on some goods, telling Garrett, 'The only price that's spiked is the hundreds of billions of dollars coming in.' But recent polling suggests that voters have soured on the president's handling of the economy. A Wall Street Journal poll released this week found a majority of voters (53%) disapproving of Trump's handling of the economy, while 44% approved. A slightly higher share (57%) disapproved of his handling of tariffs, while 40% approved. The survey was conducted July 16-20 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. We'll delve into the economy and more on this Sunday's 'Meet the Press,' where we will be joined by Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council, and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif.
Miami Herald
04-07-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Abortions can resume in Kansas City after Missouri ruling, Planned Parenthood says
Abortion services are poised to resume in Kansas City and across Missouri after a Jackson County judge on Thursday blocked a series of restrictions that temporarily banned access. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jerri Zhang, in an order issued late Thursday afternoon, halted requirements that abortion providers must obtain state licenses, among other restrictions. The licenses included rules that providers called unethical, including mandatory pelvic exams for women. The order marks a key moment for abortion rights supporters, effectively restoring access after a procedural ruling from the Missouri Supreme Court temporarily banned the procedure in late May. Planned Parenthood's clinic in Kansas City immediately planned to restore access on Monday, the organization confirmed to The Star. 'Abortion is legal again in Missouri because voters demanded it and we fought for it,' Emily Wales, the president and CEO of Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said in a statement. 'Care starts again on Monday in Kansas City. We're not stopping until every Missourian can get the care they need, close to home.' Thursday's ruling came roughly a month after the state Supreme Court ordered Zhang to vacate two preliminary injunctions that had allowed abortions to resume in the state. The Supreme Court order temporarily halted all abortions in what providers called a 'de facto ban.' The court had ordered Zhang to reevaluate her rulings based on a different legal standard. After a series of legal fights between abortion providers and attorneys for the state of Missouri, Zhang's order on Thursday blocked the same restrictions and effectively restored access. Zhang's order on Thursday was mixed and did not block all restrictions sought by abortion providers, including a ban on medication abortions. But the ruling halted enough of the regulations for Planned Parenthood to begin offering procedural abortions again. The order states the regulations should be blocked after voters in November approved an abortion rights amendment, called Amendment 3, that enshrined reproductive rights in the state constitution. The restrictions, often called TRAP laws or Targeted Restrictions on Abortion Providers, included a 72-hour waiting period before receiving an abortion and clinic licensing rules. The regulations effectively caused the number of abortions in Missouri to drop from 6,163 in 2010 to 150 in 2021 before the state's former ban was enacted in 2022. Abortion rights supporters quickly celebrated the ruling as a victory in the fight for restored access. 'Missourians voted to end the abortion ban and establish the right to reproductive freedom in the constitution, and today, a Missouri court once again ruled to uphold the will of the people,' said Mallory Schwarz, the executive director of Abortion Action Missouri. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican who fought against restored access, said in a statement that would he would immediately appeal the decision. 'I will always fight to make Missouri the safest state in the nation for women and children,' Bailey said. While Thursday's ruling marked a win for abortion rights supporters, it also comes as a new fight at the ballot box looms. Republican lawmakers in May voted to put a new abortion ban on the 2026 statewide ballot. If approved by voters, the proposed constitutional amendment, which will also be called Amendment 3, would strike down the November vote that legalized access and ban nearly all abortions in the state. Schwarz nodded at the upcoming ballot fight in a statement on Thursday, saying, 'attacking Missourians' freedom will always be a losing strategy.' 'We will defeat abortion bans as many times as we have to, and we know that the majority of Missourians are with us,' Schwarz said.
