Tag Archives: kansas

Swine Flu: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Outbreak

Concern that the world could be on the brink of the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years escalated Sunday as France, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Spain reported potential new cases in which people had been infected with swine flu and Canada confirmed several new cases. In the U.S., where 20 such infections have been confirmed, federal health officials declared a public-health emergency and are preparing to distribute to state and local agenciesa quarter of the country’s 50 million-dose stockpile of antiviral drugs. Meanwhile, in hard-hit Mexico, where more than 80 people have died from what is believed to be swine flu, the government closed all public schools and canceled hundreds of public events in Mexico City.

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More cases of swine flu reported; WHO warns of ‘health emergency’

A potentially deadly new strain of the swine flu virus cropped up in more places in the United States and Mexico on Saturday, in what the World Health Organization called "a public health emergency of international concern." The most recent reports Saturday afternoon were of two confirmed cases of the virus in Kansas — bringing the number of confirmed U.S. cases to 11. Those joined nine confirmed cases in Texas and California and an apparent outbreak at a private school in New York City, where officials say eight children likely have the virus.

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Obama: We’re watching rising rivers

President Obama said his administration plans to keep a close watch on and help fight the rising waters in the Dakotas and Minnesota. “Even as we face an economic crisis which demands our constant focus, forces of nature can also intervene in ways that create other crises to which we must respond and respond urgently,” Obama said Saturday in his weekly webcast. “For the people of North and South Dakota and Minnesota who live along rivers spilling over their banks, this is one such moment.” Troops and aircraft were being sent overnight to North Dakota to assist state and local officials ahead of record flooding, as residents along the Red River nervously eyed shored-up dikes and levees.

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Students collect 8.5 million pennies to form 100-mile chain

Students in Southern California were laying out some 8.5 million pennies at a speedway track Wednesday, trying to set a world record with a 100-mile-long penny chain and help a school program at the same time. The money, about $84,500, will go to a program called THINK (Teaching, Helping, Inspiring & Nurturing Kids) Together.

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New Mexico governor repeals death penalty in state

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson signed a bill Wednesday repealing the death penalty in his state, his office confirmed. “Regardless of my personal opinion about the death penalty, I do not have confidence in the criminal justice system as it currently operates to be the final arbiter when it comes to who lives and who dies for their crime,” Richardson said in a statement Wednesday

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You talkin’ to me? Film quotes stir passion

Sometimes, when you need just the right thing to say, it’s good to let the movies do the talking. Whether it’s daring someone to “Show me the money!” before sealing a deal, proclaiming “Houston, we have a problem” when something goes wrong or shouting “I’m the king of the world” on a particularly good day, there’s a simple pleasure in using those instantly recognizable nuggets of dialogue.

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Obama’s Health Czar

In the midst of a celebrated career that has taken place almost entirely behind the political curtain, Nancy-Ann DeParle was introduced to a microphone Monday by the President of the United States on live television, and she almost turned it down. “Nancy, do you want to say a little something?” Obama asked her at the end of a ceremony in the East Room

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