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Veterans exposed to burn pits, toxins urged to apply for retroactive benefits

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.A deadline for a year’s worth of backdated benefits is fast approaching for U.S. veterans suffering illnesses after exposure to open burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxins.Nearly a year ago, President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act, a law supporters describe as the largest expansion of veteran benefits in U.S. history. The law eases the path to expanded coverage, alleviating veterans from having to prove conditions like respiratory illness and cancer are a result of breathing toxic burn pit fumes or exposure to radiation or chemicals like tactical herbicides.There is no deadline for qualifying veterans to file under the PACT Act, but former service members or their surviving family members have until Aug. 9 to claim benefits that date back to the law’s enactment in August 2022.“The law helps us to provide generations of veterans and...

Kevin Harvick makes a last run at Michigan, aiming to secure spot in NASCAR playoffs

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Kevin Harvick has fond memories of Michigan International Speedway, where he won for the sixth time last summer.Harvick is just not real interested in waxing poetically about the track before making one last run on it Sunday in the FireKeepers Casino 400.“Michigan has been a great place for us, but when we leave it’s over,” he said. “I’m not coming back.”It’s not personal. It’s business.While the 47-year-old Harvick may return to the Irish Hills region of southern Michigan as a TV analyst and potentially for his managing and marketing company, he has no plans to race on the two-mile oval again in the future.The 2014 Cup champion announced in January he’s retiring after this year.“If I would’ve had it my way, I would’ve just been done last year,” he said.Harvick came back because he knows it’s not just about him, considering the people on his team that count on him for their careers and the many fans who have help...

Phillies slugger Harper unlikely to return to outfield this season

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies slugger Bryce Harper likely won’t play the outfield again this season.The two-time NL MVP served strictly as Philadelphia’s designated hitter for most of last season after injuring his right throwing elbow on an outfield throw in April 2022. After offseason Tommy John surgery, Harper returned to his DH role on May 2 before debuting at first base for the first time in his career on July 21.Since then, manager Rob Thomson has been alternating Harper between first base and DH and that is likely the plan for the remainder of the season.“I wouldn’t think so, not at this point, unless something changes,” Thomson said on Saturday, when asked if Harper would return to the outfield this season.Seven-time All-Star Harper has played well at first base, making just one error in nine games over 80 innings. He made a spectacular catch, diving into the camera well, in his debut at Cleveland.“He’s played extremely well,” Thomson said. “Him handling situations, him field...

Swanson and Candelario go deep as the Cubs hold off the Braves 8-6 at rainy Wrigley

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Dansby Swanson homered against his former team in a five-run first inning and the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen staved off the major league-leading Atlanta Braves in a rain-soaked 8-6 win on Saturday.Jeimer Candelario hit his first home run since being reacquired by the Cubs, and Ian Happ also went deep.Chicago (57-54) went into the game leading the majors in runs since the All-Star break and bounced back after getting shut out 8-0 by Atlanta on Friday. The Cubs began the day 2 1/2 games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee and two games out of a wild-card spot.Chicago opened a 5-0 lead early and never looked back. After an error by first baseman Matt Olson allowed two runs to score, Swanson hit his 17th home run off All-Star Bryce Elder (8-3) to make it 4-0. Swanson went 0 for 3 on Friday, his first game against Atlanta since signing with the Cubs in the offseason.Atlanta (70-38) scored twice in the sixth after reliever Daniel Palencia walked three straight batters to load th...

Nice weather Sunday, then rain returns

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

After having a reasonably nice day Saturday, an even nicer day is expected on Sunday as high pressure moves overhead. Expect mostly sunny skies Sunday with highs in the upper 70s along the coastline, to mid 80s inland. It’ll also be drier as dew points dip into the 50s for most!On Monday, rain chances return to the forecast by the afternoon as a storm system moves in from the west. There’ll be two rounds of rain from that storm system, with the second round moving in Tuesday morning.

Hundreds participate in charity fitness class in East Boston to benefit Best Buddies

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

Hundreds of people worked out in support of a great local cause in East Boston Saturday, taking part in a charity fitness class at Tall Ship Boston. Kelly Brabants, the founder and CEO of Booty by Brabants hosted the 400-person, high-energy workout to benefit Best Buddies. “This is an absolute dream come true,” she told 7NEWS. Brabants said she has been working with Best Buddies for three years.“I’ve got to know a lot of the buddies,” she said. Some of those buddies and the fitness community showed up on Saturday. “Best Buddies is a great organization and I just love it,” said Michael Heller, a Best Buddies ambassador. “I do everything for them — I do everything.”The nonprofit Best Buddies offers one-to-one friendship, leadership training and help with employment to people of all abilities.7NEWS is a proud sponsor of the organization’s Best Buddies ride in Boston, which helps raise money for Best Buddies.A Best Buddies represen...

How to keep your dog well amid 'unusual' uptick in respiratory infections

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- "We are seeing an unusually large number of upper respiratory viruses impacting dogs in our area," said Dr. Michele Drake, a veterinarian in Encinitas. Though there is no cause for panic, Dr. Drake says her clinic -- The Drake Center For Veterinary Care -- has received several calls from concerned dog owners about the issue. The culprit that's causing San Diego County pups and pooches to cough and have significant nasal discharge is Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex, or CIRDC.Commonly knowns as "kennel cough," the American Veterinary Medical Association describes CIRDC as a "highly contagious illness affecting the respiratory tract in dogs." All breeds and ages are reported to be susceptible. Police dog killed in ‘violent shooting’; suspect pronounced dead Dr. Drake explained that this illness is easily transmitted by respiratory droplets in the air, meaning dogs who are in settings with other dogs may be exposed. The majority of CIRDC cases are co...

Kentucky candidates trade barbs at Fancy Farm picnic, the state’s premier political event

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

FANCY FARM, Ky. (AP) — In front of a raucous crowd at Kentucky’s premier political event on Saturday, the Democratic incumbent governor talked about the state’s high-flying economy while his Republican challenger hammered away on social issues.Both sides stuck largely to scripts written in the early months of their general election showdown as they campaigned at the Fancy Farm picnic, traditionally seen as the jumping-off point for fall elections in Kentucky. This year, however, both Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron have been going at it for weeks, pounding away at many of the same notes they struck Saturday.Beshear declared Saturday that he’s led Kentucky’s economy on a “historic winning streak” worthy of a second term, while Cameron slammed the incumbent on social issues and said he was out of touch with Kentucky values.Political speaking is as much a tradition at the picnic as the barbecue. The crowd is divided be...

3-year-old filly injured in stakes race at Saratoga is euthanized and jockey gets thrown off

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Maple Leaf Mel was leading the field in the $500,000 Test at Saratoga when she sustained a catastrophic injury to her leg just before the finish line and was later euthanized on Saturday.Jockey Joel Rosario was unseated and went to a hospital in Albany for further evaluation and to have stitches for facial abrasions, according to the New York Racing Association.Trained by Melanie Giddings, Maple Leaf Mel was 5-0 in her career. She was owned by August Dawn Farm, which includes Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. The filly was drawing away from the field when she injured her right front leg. On-site veterinarians tended to Maple Leaf Mel, but she was euthanized because of the severity of the injury, NYRA said.Maple Leaf Mel passed the required pre-race veterinary inspection, NYRA said.A required necropsy will be performed at Cornell University with the results to be analyzed by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority officials, the New York ...

AileyCamp wrap up summer with performance by campers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:39:17 GMT

CHICAGO — AileyCamp just wrapped up another season in Chicago with a grand finale performance Saturday afternoon.With dances, drums and discovery, nearly 70 children spent the summer participating in AileyCamp at Saucedo Scholastic Academy in North Lawndale. The pride of Peru, Illinois: The Pistol Shrimp Camp director Lazette Rayford said the transformations were amazing with the kid trying new things making new friends and having a broader view of their abilities. "There's a whole community even beyond Chicago who really want to see them be great and succeed in their lives," Rayford said. The campers are learning everything from ballet to West African dance and Horton Modern dance technique, but the lessons are much more than movement. Nasha Thomas, the camp's national director said Alvin Ailey started the program to try to give young people something to do in the summer. The program now operates in ten cities across the country. "Self-esteem, decision making, critical thinking, ...