Columbus, OH

SELF

If you’re traveling this summer, you might be worried about bed bugs crawling into your luggage and hitching a ride home with you. With all those creepy Paris infestation headlines circulating online last year and, more recently, reports of sightings in several Las Vegas strip hotels, it’s hard not to freak out.

I’m an Entomologist. Here’s How I Avoid Bed Bugs When I Travel

Virginia State

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Margaret Minnicks

WVTF reported that a new Virginia law will become effective on July 1, 2024. The law will prevent utility companies from disconnecting services on various occasions, which could leave someone without power for days.

A new law will keep utilities from being disconnected on weekends and holidays in Virginia

A woman whose dog died after swimming in a lake is now warning others about the risks. Here’s how to keep yourself and your pets safe.

Here’s What to Know About Toxic Blue-Green Algae If That Viral TikTok Has You Spooked

Content developed independently by our editors and supported by our partners. About five years ago, Bren Cox, 57, knew something strange was going on with her health. Her doctors repeatedly told her that her symptoms, like headaches and fatigue, were just a normal part of aging, and that she was making a big deal out of nothing. But when Cox woke up in the middle of the night, and her head hurt so badly that she couldn’t even see, she had her husband take her to the ER. That kicked off her diagnosis journey, and Cox ultimately learned that she had polycythemia vera (PV), a rare blood cancer. In the three years since she was diagnosed, Bren has tried different treatments, learned how to become her own advocate, and created an Instagram account to help others with the disease. Here’s her story, as told to health writer Alice Oglethorpe.

Doctors Blamed Menopause for My Symptoms for a Year. I Actually Had Blood Cancer

Wyoming State

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WyoFile

Caitlin Tan wanted to breed her childhood horse, JP, because she’s been “amazing” — the type of animal any equestrian would be lucky to have once in a lifetime. Having access to coveted bloodlines increased the allure. Via the Miller Ranch, she could pair her 18-year-old mare with a stud descendent of Playboy’s Buck Fever.

Cream of the crop: a cremello foal is born in Wyoming

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Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

How can Astrology tell you about your worst friends? Astrology is the concept of using the placement of the planets and their related astrological signs, or the Signs of the Zodiac, to determine the course of a life. These placements based on your birth date, time, and location can give you a wealth of information about your personality traits and character and predict events throughout your life based on your sign and current placements. Of course, this is a quick overview, and doing actual natal charts and horoscopes is much more complicated. But now you have a basic idea of what astrology is.

5 Zodiac Signs That Could Be Your Worst Friend

Denver, CO

David Heitz

A dangerous drug that is being mixed into fentanyl is causing those who inject it to develop a rash of sores that resembles a case of flesh-eating bacteria. People experiencing homelessness around Denver can sometimes be seen with these bloody, weeping wounds. I recently mentioned this phenomenon to a fentanyl user who told me about the xylazine connection.

Denver homeless people suffer sores as xylazine enters fentanyl supply

With their colorful exteriors, beets can certainly brighten up any dinner plate. But they don’t skimp on substance, either. Turns out, there are a ton of health benefits of beets that scientists are only just starting to understand—perks that can boost everything from your heart health to your next workout.

What to Know About the Health Benefits of Beets—From Your Muscles to Your Heart

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky’s Community Actions Partnerships have announced the starts date for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy, aimed at helping Kentucky households offset summer cooling costs.

LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program to help with summer cooling costs to begin enrollment July 16

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Cheryl E Preston

Virginia Wendy Williams fans, this is your July 2024 update on the former talk show host. Her best friend of 44 years, Regina Schell, has shared recent concerns with TV Show Aces and says she has not seen or talked to Wendy in more than a year.

Wendy Williams fans are worried after her best friend claims not to have heard from her in a year

Emily Leath, 26, stepped into the shower one day, not realizing that it was going to have a devastating impact on the rest of her life. Leath developed acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a rare yet serious eye infection most often seen in contact lens wearers. It's caused by a parasite—an amoeba—that is typically in large bodies of water (think lake or ocean), but can also be found in tap water, which is why you should never rinse or store contacts in water—or wear them while swimming, in a hot tub, or when showering. In the worst cases, AK can lead to permanent blindness or eye loss. Here is Leath’s story as told to writer Michelle Vartan.

I’m 26 and Almost Lost My Eye After Showering in My Contacts

Gov. Andy Beshear announced on Thursday the successful launch of a statewide drug operation by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) known as “Operation Summer Heat,” following a three-month investigation into suspected drug trafficking rings.

KSP’s Operation Summer Heat makes 206 drug trafficking arrests, saving lives in safer state

Aurora, CO

Aurora’s pallet shelters for people experiencing homelessness, which only allow a maximum 30-day stay, have been cycling the same individuals in and out, city staff told council members Thursday. Many return to street encampments when their time in the pallet shelter runs out, Jessica Prosser, homeless services director for the city, said. Then, the city sweeps the encampment again, and they get to come back to the shelter for another 30 days, Prosser explained. This process can repeat multiple times.

Aurora pallet shelters a revolving door for homeless

California State

The HD Post

CALIFORNIA – Starting July 1, landlords will only be allowed to collect one month’s rent for the security deposit on a rental property. Assembly Bill 12, signed into law last October, says regardless of whether the residential property is unfurnished or furnished, only one month’s rent can be charged in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy.

Law limiting security deposits goes into effect July 1

Crunches aren’t the only way to strengthen your core: As this Pilates abs workout shows, you can work that all-important center of your body with a whole bunch of more functional moves. The next installment of Sweat With SELF’s new Pilates series puts your entire core into focus. Sina...

Watch: A Pilates Abs Workout to Strengthen and Stabilize Your Entire Core

Alameda, CA

Alameda Post

Western bluebirds are among the most beautiful birds in Alameda. The male is intensely blue with bronze highlights and the female is equally beautiful, with more subtle coloration. Western bluebirds are now quite common in open-space areas of the city, but that was not always the case. Before 2010 they were rarely seen here, and for a few years after that they were seen only in winter around Crown Beach , traveling elsewhere to nest during spring.

With a Little Help, Western Bluebirds Are Nesting in Alameda

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Hammy and Cheyanne, two miniature poodles, are in search of their forever home. Weighing 6.3lb and 6.4lb respectively, these sweet pups are a bonded pair with a sad past. Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, shares their story, explaining that "Hammy & Cheyanne are cruelty case pups that are a bonded pair. They're from a rural area in Texas. These are a pair of sweet little pups that are in need of a fresh start together!"

Meet The Sweet Little Dogs Who Are Looking For Love

Washington State

Mill Creek, WA

Timothy A Gruver

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries reported on Wednesday that it fined four roofing contractors more than a million dollars for letting their workers perform on top of homes without fall protection gear, among other safety violations.

Roofing Companies Fined $1.27M for Endangering Workers

Chloe, a 9 to 10-week-old puppy, is the last of her litter and is eagerly looking for a forever home. Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a dedicated foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently shared Chloe's story and her endearing qualities.

Meet Chloe: The 10-Week-Old Puppy Who Is The Last Of Her Litter Looking For Love

NewsBreak

14 Editor-Approved Hydration Products To Help You Drink More Water

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. In the near-decade I’ve been a health editor,...

14 Editor-Approved Hydration Products To Help You Drink More Water

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