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FDA approves genetic test to assess patient's risk of developing an opioid addiction

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Tuesday the first test to detect if someone might be at an increased risk of developing opioid use disorder by looking at their DNA before they are exposed to opioids for the first time. AutoGenomics, Inc. developed the AvertD test to be used in clinical evaluations before a patient is prescribed opioids for acute pain management, such as prior to a planned surgical procedure. MORE: Drug overdoses leading cause of Travis County accidental deaths in 2022 It works by a healthcare provider swabbing a patient's cheek and collecting a DNA sample that is used to assess whether a patient has a combination of genetic variants that could be associated with an increased risk for developing opioid use disorder. The AvertD test is intended only for adult patients who have consented to the procedure. “[This is] very positive. I think it's always helpful to have another tool in our toolbox to help address the opioid crisis...

Marble Falls group developing city's 1st inclusive playground

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — A group of Marble Falls residents are in the process of developing an inclusive playground in the community for people of all abilities to enjoy.The Marble Falls Inclusive Play Group is working to raise $1.4 million to design and construct Wyatt's Clubhouse, an inclusive playground designed to be accessible for everybody. It's a mission that's personal for Ashley Crouse, secretary of the board behind Marble Falls Inclusive Play Group."My son experienced a [traumatic brain injury] when he was 15 months old — that was in 2019. And after that, he had some disabilities. He can't walk, he's wheelchair-bound," she said. "When we were trying to go to the local playgrounds here in Marble Falls, there was no wheelchair access. There are no swings that he can swing on. It was just very limiting."Those limitations sparked Crouse's desire to create a space that's inclusive for children and visitors of all abilities and capabilities. She pointed to the Play for All A...

Mission accomplished: St. Paul Public Works fills every pothole in the city

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

It’s taken more than two months of overtime work on Saturdays to get it done, but St. Paul Public Works has patched potholes on all of St. Paul’s streets before the season’s first major snowfall.“We did go up and down every street in the city as part of this route-patching, which I don’t know that we’ve ever done,” said St. Paul Public Works Director Sean Kershaw on Thursday. “It was a big accomplishment.”The challenge was glaringly apparent to motorists who ventured into the city during spring thaw: a record-setting snow season last winter and heavy snow and ice accumulation during rain and freeze-thaw cycles made corridors of ugly, hard-to-navigate mincemeat out of many of the city’s streets.An extended pothole-filling seasonKershaw recalled the day in June when members of his department came into his office and broke the news to him that the typical complaint-driven approach to summer pothole patching wouldn’t cut ...

Vikings have lengthy injury report ahead of Lions game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

It seems as if the Vikings could be without some important players when they play host to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve.For the second straight day, the Vikings were shorthanded during practice at TCO Performance Center. The lengthy injury report on Thursday included the continued absence of right tackle Brian O’Neill (ankle), running back Alexander Mattison (ankle), receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion), defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (back) and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (knee).Though it doesn’t necessarily means all of those players will miss the game on Christmas Eve, the fact that none of them are practicing isn’t a good sign for the Vikings.Asked specifically about O’Neill and Mattison, who missed last week’s game against the Bengals in Cincinnati, head coach Kevin O’Connell said both players are getting treatment around the clock with hopes of being available as soon as possible.Will that be in time for Sunday’s game against th...

Wild’s first-strike capability greatly improved

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

One of the reasons the Wild staggered out of the gate this season, and former coach Dean Evason on the heels of a seven-game losing streak, was a series of lousy starts. More often than not, Minnesota seemed unprepared for the first period.When Evason was let go, the Wild had lost 11 of their past 13 games, and were 0-5-4 in their last seven. At the time, Minnesota was the NHL’s worst first-period team, giving up a league-high 27 games in 19 games, and outscored 27-15.Heading into Thursday night’s game against Montreal at Xcel Energy Center, the Wild were 8-0-0 under Hynes when scoring the first goal, and are one of seven NHL teams without a loss (9-0) when leading after one.Starts are just one of several noticeable differences between the team before and after the coaching change, but it’s one that is impossible to underestimate.“That was something we knew wasn’t great,” forward Matt Boldy said after Thursday’s morning skate, “and something I think we take a little more pride in ri...

Ulster County woman pleads guilty to aggravated vehicular assault and DWI

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

NAPANOCH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 55-year-old Napanoch resident pleaded guilty to two charges of aggravated vehicular assault and two charges of driving while ability impaired by drugs. Nancy Naccarato faces up to ten years in prison on each conviction for aggravated vehicular assault. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to court documents, Naccarato struck a pedestrian on State Route 209 in Wawarsing on December 3, 2022. A blood test revealed Naccarato had Ambien and cocaine in her system at the time of the crash. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries.On February 17, 2023, Naccarato reportedly caused a head-on collision in Marbletown. A blood test found alprazolam and cocaine in her system. Three individuals sustained serious injuries in the crash.Sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2024. Naccarato has a prior DWI conviction from 2017. Following the second incident, she was held in Ulster County Jail on $100,000 bail. She has rem...

New homeless shelter coming to Montgomery County

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The first permanent homeless shelter of Montgomery County has received funding to get started on groundbreaking. The City of Amsterdam approved this building at 76 Guy Park Avenue for the location of the new homeless shelter. “The city certainly can use it. It's going to be a great asset,” said Mayor Michael Cinquanti. Concern over new homeless shelter in Amsterdam The city received a grant of just over five million dollars to start the project. The money will help transform and rebuild the vacant building into a much needed 16 bed permanent homeless shelter. “Well, we have a homeless problem. It's a small one but it's a significant one. Any homeless problem is a significant one, especially in this kind of weather,” said Cinquanti.The mayor tells NEWS10 the county helps over 300 homeless people each year and this shelter will ultimately help get these folks into permanent housing of their own.  He says, “It's not just a place to stay it's a place to hop...

Report: NY needs to address nursing home pandemic issues

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---The New York State’s Comptroller’s Office released a follow up report saying the state still needs to do more to address nursing home pandemic issues. While some of the comptroller’s previous recommendations have been implemented or partially implemented, others have not. https://www.osc.ny.gov/state-agencies/audits/2023/12/20/use-collection-and-reporting-infection-control-data-follow?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliveryThe recent report looked at the use, collection, and reporting of infection control data. Back in 2022, the Comptroller’s office made recommendations to the New York State Department of Health and to the governor, after reviewing how the pandemic was handled.https://www.osc.ny.gov/state-agencies/audits/2022/03/15/use-collection-and-reporting-infection-control-data?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery"The original report found a lot of the data that the department was basically releasing to the public was not fully transparent," e...

Colonie among first areas to test car emergency vehicle alerts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A few towns in our area including Colonie will be one of the first places in the nation to test pilot technology that alerts drivers to emergency response vehicles before they’re close by.  “I believe it's the wave of the future, and I'm glad we're at the forefront of it, said Colonie's Town Supervisor Peter Crummey. He explained that the developing technology would tap into the infotainment systems of cars to provide the notifications. Crummey was revved up for the $2.4 Million dollar grant, funded by the US Department of Transportation’s 'Safe Streets for All' Program. Colonie coordinated with Guilderland and Clifton Park, proving there is strength in numbers. “The proposal was so significant that rather than a couple hundred thousand dollars, which was the wish, actually combining our efforts with some municipalities got us $2.4 million” Crummey explained. EMS Fire Cheif Robbie MacCue added that the core of the initiative is to save lives."According to t...

Ulster County adopts $412M budget for 2024

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:58:55 GMT

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Ulster County is adopting a $412 million spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget will address several key issues, including homelessness, mental health, and infrastructure. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! To address the ongoing issue of housing and homelessness, Ulster County will create a new office in the Department of Social Services that will assist members of the community experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. The office will connect those individuals with available resources, including emergency housing and support services. The budget will continue to fund a pilot program that provides extra mental health support to middle schools. An additional $3.8 million will be invested into the County Community Behavioral Health Center, which offers 24/7 crisis stabilization services.Other notable investments include $20 million for road and bridge improvements, $6.9 million in operating...