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National - KSYL-AM

Catherine McQueen/Getty Images(SANTA COUNTY, Ariz.) -- State prosecutors said Monday they will not seek to retry 75-year-old George Alan Kelly, the Arizona rancher accused of fatally shooting an unarmed migrant on his property near the U.S.-Mexico border.“Because of the unique circumstances and challenges surrounding this case, the Santa County Attorney’s office has decided not to seek a retrial,” said Deputy County Attorney Kimberly Hunley at a status hearing.As prosecutors made their announcement, Kelly could be seen hanging his head and appeared to be overcome with emotion.Another hearing will be set to consider the defense’s request to dismiss the case with prejudice.Last Monday, a judge declared a mistrial in the case after jurors were unable to reach consensus about whether to charge Kelly with second-degree murder and aggravated assault. He had pleaded not guilty.Kelly was accused of shooting his AK-47 from a far distance at a group of migrants who were headed back across the border into Mexico. Prosecutors said Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, 48, a migrant who lived just across the border in Nogales, Mexico, and was looking for work, was fatally struck. Law enforcement officials were never able to recover the bullet, and Kelly’s lawyers tried to make the point that another person may have shot him. No other weapon was discovered in the area.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Arizona , United-states , Mexico , Catherine-mcqueen-getty , George-alan-kelly , Kimberly-hunley , Santa-county-attorney , Deputy-county-attorney-kimberly-hunley , Gabriel-cuen-buitimea , Talkradio , Ouisiana

Entertainment - KSYL-AM

ABC/Randy HolmesJeff Bridges, the original star of 1982's Tron, who played against a digitally de-aged version of himself in 2010's Tron: Legacy, has revealed he will be back for Tron: Ares.He told the Film Comment podcast, "I'm heading off this Saturday to play a part in the third installment of the Tron story." Bridges added, "Jared Leto is the star of this third one. ... I'm really anxious to work with him. I've admired his work."Bridges even commented on his last Tron outing, which had him at his age reprising as Kevin Flynn, battling against a digital doppelgänger of his younger self — or at least that was the idea. "I didn't like the way I looked in it," Bridges admitted of his supposed twin, the nefarious Clu. "I felt like I looked more like Bill Maher than myself. It was kind of bizarre."For Tron: Ares, Bridges said the world inside a computer in which his character lived is much more grounded. He noted there will be less artificial intelligence this time around and there are "practical" — that is non-CG — environments."There are beautiful sets that I've seen," Bridges said. "So we'll see."Fans will have to see how Bridges will fit into the story: Tron: Legacy ended with Flynn seemingly sacrificing himself by absorbing Clu so that his son Sam, played by Garrett Hedlund, could escape back into the real world with Olivia Wilde's digital human Quorra. Tron: Ares debuts October 10, 2025, from Disney, the parent company of ABC News.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Olivia-wilde , Kevin-flynn , Randy-holmes , Bill-maher , Jared-leto , Garrett-hedlund , Disney , Film-commentpodcast , Talkradio , Ouisiana , Syl-970 , Syl-104-9

World - KSYL-AM

People walk in a camp for displaced people in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip by the border with Egypt on April 28, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (AFP via Getty Images)(NEW YORK) -- As the Israel-Hamas war approaches the seven-month mark, renewed negotiations are underway to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, as Israeli forces continue to prepare for an apparent invasion of the southern Gaza town of Rafah.Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in a phone call over the weekend, discussing increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and plans for a possible military operation in Rafah, according to the White House.Here's how the news is developing:Apr 29, 4:20 PMWhite House won't get info specifics on cease-fire dealThe White House was careful not to get into specifics on the "extraordinarily generous" cease-fire proposal Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to earlier this morning, refusing to give specifics as they continued to call on Hamas to accept the proposal."I'm not going to characterize the proposal. I'm not going to get into any of the specifics. What we believe is that now is the time for Hamas to take this deal. It is on the table. It is time to, it is way past time to get these hostages home. It is way past time to get to a ceasefire and we need to make sure we continue to get that humanitarian aid," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.Jean-Pierre noted that Israel "has a lot on their plate," but expressed a desire for an in-person meeting to take place, in addition to the two virtual meetings the U.S. and Israel have had in recent weeks."We would like to have an in-person meeting. That is certainly what we would like to do, but in the meantime, we’ve had two important virtual meetings and in the readout, yesterday, we mentioned that the potential Rafah operations did come up between the two leaders in their conversation," she said.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also spoke to President Joe Biden Monday about ongoing Gaza talks and Egyptian efforts to reach a cease-fire and hostage deal in a phone call, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.The call discussed the risks of an Israeli incursion into Rafah, including the "catastrophic" impact on the worsening humanitarian crisis, and implications for the security and stability of the region, the statement added.-ABC News' Molly Nagle and Ayat Al-TawyApr 29, 3:53 PMIsrael leaders concerned about possible ICC arrest warrants: SourceIsraeli leaders are expressing concern over possible arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against key officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israeli official, who spoke under condition of anonymity, told ABC News.It is believed that such potential warrants might be related to charges on the scope of humanitarian aid Israel allowed into Gaza, according to the official.The ICC can charge individuals with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide under its powers.-ABC News' Dana SavirApr 29, 12:20 PM21 killed, 6 injured after strike in GazaAt least 21 people were killed in Gaza after an Israeli airstrike Monday, the Al Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah told ABC News. Six people were injured from the strike, the hospital added.The updated death toll in Gaza is 34,488 killed and 77,643 injured, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.ABC News has reached out to the Israeli army for comment on the strike.-ABC News' Dia OstazApr 29, 8:36 AMBlinken calls for cease-fire in first stop on Middle East tripU.S. Secretary of Antony Blinken, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, notably called for a cease-fire as "the most effective way to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza" during a session with his counterparts of the Gulf Cooperation Council."The most effective way to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to alleviate the suffering of children, women and men and to create space for a more just and durable solution is to get a cease-fire and hostages home, but also not waiting on a cease-fire to take the necessary steps to meet the needs of civilians of Gaza," Blinken said."President Biden is insistent that Israel take specific concrete measurable steps to better address humanitarian suffering, civilian harm and the safety of aid workers in Gaza, including in his most recent call with Prime Minister Netanyahu," he added, referring to a Sunday call with the Israeli leader.Blinken said the U.S. was "focused on addressing the greatest threat to regional stability and regional security -- Iran."Apr 28, 6:00 PMUnited States Central Command and Royal Jordanian Air Force airdrop aid into GazaU.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on Sunday.The combined joint operation included Jordanian provided food and four U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft.The U.S. C-130's dropped over 25,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza. Additionally, more than 13,080 meal equivalents of Jordanian food supplies were also delivered.To date the U.S. has dropped nearly 1,110 tons of humanitarian assistance.Apr 28, 5:22 PMAmerican hostage's niece opens up about 'surreal' new videoHanna Siegel, niece of American hostage Keith Siegel, appeared on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday morning and talked about the "surreal" feeling of seeing a recently released video purporting to show her uncle and talked about the possibility of a deal that would free him and other people thought to still be held by Hamas in Gaza."We've always believed that he was alive. We have to believe he's alive -- and his wife, my aunt, who was held for 52 days, [was] released in the deal that took place in November, she was with him," Siegel said. "When she came out, she told us he was alive, but this is the first time that we're seeing him, hearing him. It's surreal."When asked about a potential hostage deal and temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Siegel said that she does think an agreement "can be reached" and pointed to an earlier deal that secured the release of her aunt and others during a brief pause in the war late last year.Siegel also said that she believes the new release of purported hostage videos shows that Hamas is signaling they are ready to make a deal.But she said that she is concerned that it might not be in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "political interest to close a deal," though Netanyahu has said his goal is freeing the captives in Gaza as well as dismantling Hamas.Siegel said that the Biden administration should "think about what they can do directly to bring our American citizens home."She also said she has felt the "commitment from the Biden administration to get him back," referring to her uncle.She became emotional talking about how her family missed her uncle during their Passover celebration and had a picture of him to pay tribute."I think there's so much swirling in the political realm that it's easy to forget that these are human beings. Keith is a grandfather, he's a husband, he's a brother, he's an uncle," she said.She was asked whether her family is worried if a potential Israeli invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah, to further target Hamas fighters, could threaten her uncle's safety. She responded that she and her family are "very concerned."Apr 28, 5:10 PMHamas to send a delegation to Cairo for hostage and cease-fire negotiationsHamas will send a delegation to Cairo, Egypt, on Monday to participate in hostage and cease-fire deal negotiations, ABC News has confirmed.Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official also told the Agence France-Presse on Sunday that the organization has no significant problems with the proposed deal."The atmosphere is positive unless there are new obstacles from the Israeli side," the Hamas official said.

Gaza , Israel-general- , Israel , Egypt , Saudi-arabia , United-states , White-house , District-of-columbia , Iran , Rafah , Shamal-sina- , Gaza-strip

Entertainment - KSYL-AM

NCIS: Hawai'i's current third season will also be its last. Vanessa Lachey, who plays Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant in the NCIS spinoff took to her Instagram Story on Sunday to share her disappointment over the cancellation, writing, "Trying to explain this news to my daughter ... and she makes me Mickey ears so I can 'smile.'" She added, "This decision was bigger than a TV show." Tori Anderson, who portrays FBI agent Kate Whistler, shared, "Having a really hard time processing this one ... This is a huge loss for representation." NCIS: Hawai'i follows Tennant and her team, who "balance duty to family and country, investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security, and the mysteries of the island itself," per the network ...Season 50 of Survivor will feature all returning players, host Jeff Probst revealed at a Survivor FYC showcase on Saturday, April 27, according to Variety. "About 10 seconds ago, we just decided, thanks to all the fans that were in attendance at the FYC event here in Hollywood, that Survivor 50 will be returning players — and you all are part of it," he shared later in an Instagram video. Survivor, currently in its 46th season, airs Wednesdays on CBS ...Marla Adams, best known for playing Dina Abbott Mergeron on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless, died Thursday in Los Angeles, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was 85. Matt Kane, director of media and talent for Y&R, broke the news. The cause of death was not revealed. Adams' soap opera career began on CBS’ The Secret Storm, where she played Belle Clemens from 1968 until the show's cancelation in 1974. Adams joined Y&R in 1982-85, and returned for brief stints in 1991, 1996, 2008 and 2017. In 2021, Adams won a Daytime Emmy for her work ... Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Hawaii , United-states , Hollywood , California , Belle-clemens , Tori-anderson , Los-angeles , Vanessa-lachey , Dina-abbott-mergeron , Kate-whistler , Jeff-probst , Marla-adams

National - KSYL-AM

ABC NewsAt least two deaths, including one of a 4-month-old child in Oklahoma, were confirmed Sunday from a severe storm that swept through the heartland, spawning multiple tornadoes across four states, including a powerful pair of twisters that touched down in Nebraska, officials said.Emergency officials in Hughes County, Oklahoma, said the baby was one of two people killed in storms that struck Holdenville.Sunday marks the third day of the severe weather outbreak across the heartland states. More than 22 million people are under a threat of violent storms Sunday in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.Holdenville, a town of about 6,000 people 77 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, was left reeling after a violent tornado touched down near the city late Saturday amid a statewide tornado outbreak.A search for victims and an assessment of damage was launched Saturday night after storms passed through the area, Hughes County Emergency Management officials said.At least four other people were injured in the Hughes County storms, including three with major injuries, Hughes County officials said.A Holdenville family told Oklahoma City ABC affiliate station KOCO that a relative lost their home in the storm and remained hospitalized Sunday.At one point, crews searched the damaged Holdenville home for the child before finding the baby, who was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to the Hughes County emergency manager."My prayers are with those who lost loved ones as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma last night," Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement Sunday. "Thank you to Oklahoma Emergency Management and those who have worked through the night to keep Oklahomans safe and have worked to clear debris and assess damage."A destructive tornado also hit Sulfur, Oklahoma, in Murray County, destroying buildings and scattering debris for miles, authorities said.Tornadoes were reported Saturday across Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska, officials said. There were nearly 120 tornado reports in the last two days, according to the National Weather Service.NWS teams were working Sunday to confirm the tornado reports but cautioned that the numbers are constantly being adjusted as new reports come in and duplicates are removed.An enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms is in the outlook Sunday from eastern Texas to southern Missouri, as well as the possibility of strong tornadoes, damaging wind and large hail.While Oklahoma was taking the brunt of the tornado outbreak, Nebraska endured the strongest tornados confirmed on Saturday.Preliminary information suggests that two "strong, rare tornadoes" touched down in Douglas County, Chris Franks with the National Weather Service said during a press briefing Saturday. The NWS found evidence of EF-2 and EF-3 tornado damage there following Friday's storms, Franks said.No fatalities have been reported so far following the Nebraska storms, officials said.Widespread damage was reported in the Elkhorn neighborhood of Omaha, officials said. New photos emerged Sunday showing numerous destroyed homes in the area."For that big of a storm, to have the property damage that was so extensive, without the loss of life," Douglas County Emergency Management Director Paul Johnson said during the press briefing. "It's a tremendous attribute to the city of Omaha."Another tornado emergency was issued Saturday for Knox City, Texas, where a large and damaging tornado was reported near the town. Baseball-sized hail was also reported with this tornadic storm, officials said.A tornado was also confirmed Saturday near the intersection of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. The confirmed tornado was eight miles north of Robinson, Kansas.Storms are forecast to continue Sunday across the multistate region with heavy rain expected at times.A flood watch remains in effect Sunday for a large area in the southern Plains and Ozarks, covering portions of seven states. Flash flood warnings were issued Saturday night and into Sunday morning as many communities reported 2 to 5-plus inches of rainfall and emergency officials urged residents to avoid flooded roads.ABC News' Jessica Gorman and Alexandra Faul contributed to this report.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Oklahoma , United-states , Hughes-county , Illinois , Missouri , Murray-county , Nebraska , Arkansas , Louisiana , Texas , Oklahoma-city , Douglas-county

Health - KSYL-AM

KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- About 152 people across 30 counties in West Virginia have been exposed to measles, state health officials said Friday.Earlier this week, the first confirmed case of measles in the state since 2009 was identified, according to the West Virginia Department of Health (WVDH). The patient was someone who was undervaccinated and had a history of recent international travel, the department said.State health leaders said that since then, they've learned of dozens of exposed individuals including 128 West Virginia residents and 24 out-of-state contacts from four neighboring states.Of the people who were exposed, 62% don't have documentation proving they are protected against measles and are considered at risk, according to WVDH."The Bureau for Public Health is strongly recommending those exposed individuals with no evidence of immunity against the virus quarantine until May 9 or 10, 2024, depending on their last date of exposure," the department said in a release.The WVDH did not immediately reply to ABC News' request for comment.The news about the possible exposure comes amid a rapid increase in the number of measles cases during the first quarter of 2024, in part due to several localized outbreaks, including at a children's hospital and daycare center in Philadelphia, an elementary school in Florida and a migrant center in Chicago.As of Friday, 128 cases have been reported in 19 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than half of those infected were under 5 years old and 81% are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status, the federal health agency said.Measles is a highly transmissible virus. It's so infectious that a measles patient could infect up to 90% of close contacts who are not immune, either through prior infection or vaccination, according to the CDC.The CDC currently recommends that everyone receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with the first dose between ages 12 and 15 months and the second dose between ages 4 and 6.Why does the US keep experiencing measles outbreaks?One dose of the measles vaccine is 93% effective at preventing infection if exposed to the virus, and two doses are 97% effective, according to the CDC.The WVDH said it is working closely with the Monongalia County Health Department, where the positive measles case was identified, to make sure health officials have adequate testing supplies and MMR vaccine availability."The Bureau for Public Health recommends the safe and effective MMR vaccination as part of a routine vaccination schedule for all children and adults," the department said in the release. "With summer travel coming up and people going to and coming from countries that have seen sharp upticks in measles cases, the time is now to be sure you and your family members are up-to-date on their MMR vaccine."Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

West-virginia , United-states , Chicago , Illinois , Monongalia-county , Florida , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , Monongalia-county-health-department , Centers-for-disease , Bureau-for-public-health

National - KSYL-AM

Thinkstock/Getty Images/STOCK(LUPTON, Ariz.) -- Federal authorities are investigating after a freight train carrying fuel derailed near the Arizona-New Mexico border, igniting a large fire and prompting an evacuation and traffic closures.A BNSF freight train derailed on Friday at 1:45 p.m. MT near Manuelito, New Mexico, according to the National Transportation Safety Board."The preliminary information we have is the train derailed at least 22 cars including multiple propane tank cars," the NTSB said in a statement on Saturday.Two of the tank cars caught fire, the NTSB said. No injuries were reported, the agency said.A team of NTSB investigators is en route to the scene and is expected to arrive later Saturday to begin documenting the scene and examining the train and equipment.Investigators with the Federal Railroad Administration also responded to the derailment on Friday, according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.The train was carrying gasoline and non-odorous propane, according to New Mexico State Police. Heavy black smoke could be seen following the derailment as the train cars burned.BNSF said in a statement Friday that its personnel were "working to clear the site as safely as possible." The cause of the derailment is under investigation, the freight railroad said.The derailment has caused traffic disruptions, forcing the temporary closure of part of Interstate 40 and the track. Amtrak has suspended service between Albuquerque and Los Angeles until the track reopens.The Apache County Sheriff's Office in Arizona, which was among the agencies that responded to the train derailment and fire, said the scene was being treated as a hazardous materials incident and an evacuation was expanded to within a two-mile radius of the event.The evacuation order impacted parts of the Navajo Nation."Our deepest concern is for the safety and well-being of our citizens and those directly affected by this incident," Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a statement on Friday. "At this time, we urge everyone to stay clear of the affected area to allow emergency and hazmat teams to manage the situation efficiently."Nygren said local emergency crews had informed them there is a "low risk of immediate danger to the public," though they are taking all necessary precautions, including evacuating several homes.Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said she is "deeply concerned" about the derailment."As we learn more about the situation on the ground, the State of Arizona stands ready to deploy the resources necessary to keep our communities safe," Hobbs said on X Saturday.Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego also called the train derailment "incredibly concerning.""As we gather more information on the severity of the derailment, I stand ready to work with our state partners, federal counterparts, and all Arizonans," Gallego said in a statement on Friday.Buttigieg said in a statement Friday night on X that the department is "coordinating across state, Tribal, and local agencies to ensure safety in the region."Michael Chupco was among several Amtrak passengers stranded in Albuquerque train station following the derailment. He told ABC Albuquerque affiliate KOAT that the next train he could get was on Monday."I'm stuck three days out here on the street," Chupco told the station. "I'm 68 years old. I can't handle living on the street."Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Arizona , United-states , New-mexico , Albuquerque , State-of-arizona , Apache-county , Pete-buttigieg , Ruben-gallego , Michael-chupco , Katie-hobbs , Buu-nygren , Los-angeles

Entertainment - KSYL-AM

Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for AFIWhile her new book, Rebel Rising, sees Rebel Wilson making some headline-grabbing accusations against Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen, readers across the pond won't get to read them.According to the The New York Times, publisher HarperCollins confirms edits will be made to the chapter in question, "Sacha Baron Cohen and Other A*******," for the U.K. version of the book."We are publishing every page, but for legal reasons, in the UK edition, we are redacting most of one page with some other small redactions and an explanatory note," the publisher said in a statement to the paper. "Those sections are a very small part of a much bigger story," it continued.Cohen had previously called Wilson's written accusations of harassing behavior on the set of The Brothers Grimsby "demonstrably false.""While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of The Brothers Grimsby," the statement read at the time.In response to HarperCollins' decision, a spokesman for the actor told The Times, "Printing falsehoods is against the law in the UK and Australia," adding that the decision "confirms what we said from the beginning — that this is demonstrably false, in a shameful and failed effort to sell books."Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

United-kingdom , New-york , United-states , Australia , Brendon-thorne-getty , Rebel-wilson , Sacha-baron-cohen , New-york-times , Harpercollins , Getty-images , Rebel-rising , Baron-cohen

World - KSYL-AM

Getty Images - STOCK(LONDON) -- Days of torrential rain have triggered widespread flooding across parts of Kenya, turning roads into raging rivers and claiming dozens of lives.Half of Kenya's 47 counties have been affected by the flooding, which has killed at least 32 people and displaced more than 40,000 others from their homes, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which cited the Kenya Red Cross Society.The ongoing El Nino, a warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean that increases wind shear over the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, has brought higher-than-average seasonal rainfall to East Africa. The heavy rain began in Kenya in March during the start of the country's so-called long rains season and worsened over the past week, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.The Kenya Red Cross said its staff have rescued at least 188 people since the onset of the long rains, which typically last from March through May. Nearly 8,000 acres of land remain submerged and almost 5,000 livestock deaths have been reported.The Kenyan capital of Nairobi has been particularly hard hit, with over 31,000 people displaced from their homes, mostly informal settlements that have poor and blocked drainage systems, according to OCHA. Nairobi County's senator, Edwin Sifuna, posted a video on social media showing flooded homes with people stranded on the rooftops."The situation in Nairobi has escalated to extreme levels," Sifuna wrote in the post on Wednesday. "The County Government for all its efforts is clearly overwhelmed. We need all national emergency services mobilized to save lives."The cabinet secretary for the Kenyan Ministry of Interior, Kithure Kindiki, said in a statement on Thursday that the federal government has "stepped up" its "multi-agency response" by coordinating search and rescue operations, ensuring the evacuation of those at risk and mobilizing support for the displaced."The public is urged to cooperate with safety, health, risk, emergency, and communication teams dispatched to monitor, report, and oversee help to those who may be in distress," Kindiki added.Earlier this week, the Kenya Red Cross said it deployed drones that spotted a child who was alone and trapped by floodwaters in Machakos County. The organization alerted Kenya's National Police Service, whose officers rescued the young boy via helicopter and then reunited him with this family.The relentless downpours and flash flooding have also impacted transportation nationwide. Kenya Railways suspended commuter train services on Wednesday, while the Kenya Urban Roads Authority partially closed several major roads in Nairobi.More heavy rainfall is in the forecast over the coming days for parts of the country, including Nairobi, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department. During a press briefing on Thursday, Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged people in lower areas to move to higher ground in anticipation of the "above normal" rainfall.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Kenya , Nairobi , Nairobi-area , Caribbean-sea , Belize-general- , Belize , Machakos , Eastern , London , City-of , United-kingdom , Kenyan

Health - KSYL-AM

DIGICOMPHOTO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Public health officials are continuing to monitor as an outbreak of avian flu, also known as bird flu, continues to spread across the country.The strain, known as H5N1, has sickened several mammals this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).Several dairy cows have been infected, resulting in milk samples showing inactive remnants of the virus, and one human case has been confirmed.Health officials say the food supply is safe and the risk to the general public is currently low.Here's the latest to know on the outbreak:What is bird flu?Avian influenza, or bird flu, is an infectious viral disease that primarily spreads among birds and is caused by infection with Influenza A viruses.These viruses typically spread among wild aquatic birds but can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species, according to the CDC.Although bird flu viruses normally don't infect humans, there have been rare cases of infection. To confirm infection, laboratory testing is required.Signs and symptoms of infection in humans often include sore throat, cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle or body aches, fatigue and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.Infections can range from no symptoms or mild illness, such as flu-like symptoms, to more severe illness, such as pneumonia that could require hospitalizations, the CDC says.How did the outbreak begin?In early March, the USDA announced a bird flu strain that had sickened millions of birds across the U.S was identified in several mammals this year.At the time, three states had reported cases of bird flu in mammals in 2024, including striped skunks found in Washington state, a mountain lion in Montana and a raccoon in Kentucky.A few weeks later, federal and state public health officials said they were investigating an illness among primarily older dairy cows in Kansas, New Mexico and Texas and causing symptoms including decreased lactation and low appetite.The USDA said in a statement at the time that "there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health."First human case of bird fluEarlier this month, the CDC said a human case of bird flu was identified in Texas and linked to cattle. The infected individual worked directly with sick cattle and reported eye redness as their only symptom.8 years after the National Enquirer's deal with Donald Trump, the iconic tabloid is limping badlyThis is the second human case of H5N1 ever reported in the U.S. but the first linked to cattle.However, there have been no reports and no evidence to indicate there is person-to-person transmission, a CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen told ABC News at the time.The CDC said it considers the health risk assessment to the general public to be low.Inactive fragments found in milk samplesEarlier this week, reports emerged of bird flu fragments found in samples of pasteurized milk. However, the fragments are inactive remnants of the virus and cannot cause infection as the commercial milk supply undergoes pasteurization.Federal agencies maintain the U.S. commercial milk supply remains safe because milk is pasteurized and dairy farmers are required to dispose of any milk from sick cows, so it does not enter the supply."To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe," the FDA said in an update.The FDA said in its update that fragments of the virus are likely inactivated by the pasteurization process."The discovery of bird flu virus fragments in commercial milk is significant, not because it poses a direct threat to public health, but because it indicates a broader exposure among dairy cattle than we previously understood," said Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital and an ABC News contributor. "This calls for an expanded surveillance of both the virus's presence and its potential impact on food safety."He added, "It's crucial to continue rigorous testing to determine if any live virus can survive the process. Understanding the dynamics of this virus in dairy products will help us refine our risk assessments and ensure public health safety."The FDA said it is collaborating closely with the CDC's food safety group surveillance team to monitor emergency department data and flu testing data for any unusual trends in flu-like illness, flu or conjunctivitis. There is currently no data showing any unusual trends or activity.ABC News Sony Salzman contributed to this report.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Washington , District-of-columbia , United-states , Kansas , Texas , Montana , New-mexico , Kentucky , Boston , Massachusetts , Mandy-cohen , John-brownstein