Free Republic

(NEXSTAR) – As the U.S. continues to see high levels of three viral infections – COVID-19, influenza, and RSV – there’s growing concern over a bacteria that can cause serious illness, especially in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it’s tracking a “possible increase in invasive group A strep” among children. At least 94 people in the United Kingdom, including 24 children, have died from complications caused by a strep A infection. “To my knowledge, we’ve never seen a peak like this at this time of year, at least not for decades,” microbiologist Shiranee Sriskandan at Imperial...

Like many U.S. department stores, Dillard's made headlines this year when it shuttered several locations. But despite the closures, the retail chain still operates 250 stores and 32 clearance centers across 29 states. Shoppers love the 84-year-old retailer for its clothing and homewares selections, but even the most devoted customers may be unaware of the inner workings of the store. Keep reading to hear from ex-Dillard's employees about the warnings you should heed, from pushy sales associates to slow checkouts. 1 Employees may be told to push certain items. Most Dillard's employees have sales goals they need to meet, so...

Buffalo, NY: 1977 vs 2022 (A Tale of Two Blizzards)Observations by J. JohnsonUp early this morning, thankful that we still have electricity, I’d like to compare the 2 major events that have happened in this area in these 2 very difficult years. One was long ago. The other – still on going. Perhaps this can also be a teachable moment for many – including some political nay-sayers out there.(Note: Having Google Maps handy to follow along with this story may help)1977: Sent home early from school. The storm began as I got off the bus on Jefferson & Delavan Ave....

Arizona’s water is running worryingly low. Amid the worst drought in more than a millennium, which has left communities across the state with barren wells, the state is depleting what remains of its precious groundwater. Much of it goes to private companies nearly free, including Saudi Arabia’s largest dairy company.Thanks to fresh scrutiny this year from state politicians, water activists and journalists, the Saudi agricultural giant Almarai has emerged as an unlikely antagonist in the water crisis. The company, through its subsidiary Fondomonte, has been buying and leasing land across western Arizona since 2014. This year The Arizona Republic published...

A Tesla driver was horrified to see another Tesla vehicle burst into flames after hitting a highway barrier in Los Angeles. The Tesla that was engulfed in flames was reportedly on Autopilot at the time of the crash. Josh Kaplan was driving his Tesla Model X on a Los Angeles freeway last month when he saw another Tesla ahead of him was stopped on the highway. As he got closer, he noticed smoke coming from the vehicle.

A group of five brazen female robbers are being hunted by cops in California after stealing a safe containing more than $9,000. Surveillance footage from the Produce World Market in Orange shows the women looking at fresh produce, before splitting up to pull off the heist. In the video footage five women are seen splitting up, three to distract store employees and two who are seen heading to the back of the store to steal the safe. The 80lb safe is seen being picked up by the two women, put into a shopping cart and covered in scarves. The women...

Monday 26 December 2022Saint Stephen, the first Martyr Feast Saint Stephen Roman Catholic Church, Cleveland Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red. Year: A(I).First readingActs 6:8-10,7:54-59 ©The martyrdom of StephenStephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom, and because it was the Spirit that prompted what...

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) declared $45 billion in aid to Ukraine “morally right” on Christmas Eve. “Continuing our support for Ukraine is morally right, but it is not only that. It is also a direct investment in cold, hard, American interests,” McConnell wrote, posting a picture with himself and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Over the past two years or so, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) influence over governments and institutions of sovereign nations has become increasingly apparent. Founded in 1971 by German economist Klaus Schwab, the WEF has remained fairly under the radar for decades. However, the organization has been quietly expanding its icy grip around the throats of the world’s population by installing operatives in the upper echelons of governments and corporations. This influence has expanded so far that Schwab and his allies appear to have given up trying to conceal their agenda and even openly gloat about controlling nations’ leaders. When...

South Korea has formally lifted a ban on the import of full-body sex dolls, ending years of debate over how much the government can interfere in private life. Although there are no laws or regulations banning the import of sex dolls, hundreds, and perhaps thousands, have been seized by the customs, which cited a clause in the law that bans the import of goods that “harm the country’s beautiful traditions and public moral.” Importers complained and took their case to courts, most of which agreed with them and ordered customs to release the sex dolls, saying they are used in...

As the global economy slows and global central banks continue to tighten, we are seeing gasoline and diesel prices falling. But bear in mind that US gasoline prices remain 30% higher since Biden was sworn-in as President. Diesel prices are up a staggering 78% since that fatal day. Speaking of tightening monetary policy, the US Treasury yield curves have flattened/inverted since The Fed started tightening with rate increases to fight inflation. Let’s see how inflation does with Congress’ $1.7 trillion, unread Omnibus bill. Aka, Grand Theft Congress. Pelosi is holding an iPhone and Schumer is holding the scope rifle. McConnell...

Censorship involving the Hunter Biden Laptop Censorship Syndicate! DHS deputized a Burisma Lobbist to censor 10's of millions of social media posts about the 2020 elections 100% of the targets. Censored 22 million tweets, databased 860 million tweets Go through 15 different platforms The Atlantic Council has 7 living CIA Directors currently serving on it's board (called by name)

WASHINGTON — This year, Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Sunday, when Post Office locations nationwide are already closed. As a result, all Post Offices will be closed for the observation of both federal holidays on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

Chicago — Two men charged with robbing and stabbing a man on the Grand Red Line station platform spent Christmas night in jail. One of the men is on parole for participating in another robbery at a Chicago train station almost exactly one year ago. Joshua Harris, 27, and Jonathan Lenon, 31, saw the 43-year-old victim on the platform around 3:40 a.m. Saturday and called him over to sell him drugs, prosecutors said. After selling the man a “small amount” of an unspecified drug, the men asked the victim to buy more, an assistant state’s attorney said during a bail...

Sugar is a vital component of your body’s chemistry. Having too much or too little sugar in the blood may contribute to headaches. This is because sugar directly affects your brain and nervous system. Learning how to maintain a proper level of sugar in your blood may prevent future headaches. If you have persistent headaches related to sugar, you should talk with your doctor. This article can help you understand how sugar could lead to headaches. Sugar and headaches Headaches related to sugar have to do with your blood glucose level. Glucose gives your body energy and may increase or...

The first and foremost question for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day planning is when are you scheduling the obligatory viewing of Die Hard, whose status as a Christmas movie was settled at the Council of Nicea in 325. But guess what? Sharp-eyed ecumenical theologians have now decreed that Die Hard is also a Hanukkah movie! Welcome to the party pal!

MEXICO CITY ( Associated Press) – The United States has a lot to learn from Mexico when it comes to the fight for abortion access. That’s the main finding of a delegation of local US legislators who visited several cities across the country this week to learn about the work of Mexican activists and politicians at a time when access to voluntary abortion is tightening in the United States and Mexico. . in the opposite direction. He told The Associated Press that what surprised lawmakers most were two things. On the one hand, the strength and strategies of Mexican civil...

KYIV, UKRAINE — Tragedy struck Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky Friday as he shot himself in the eye with a rocket launcher he had received only days before as a gift from the United States. Zelensky was eager to try out his new gift in the backyard of his home. Unfortunately, the target of Russian President Vladimir Putin he set up was too close to his garage, causing the rocket to ricochet back and hit him in the eye. A source on the scene reported that Zelensky yelled out "Oh, fudge!" before falling to the ground in pain. Zelensky had appeared...

MONTGOMERYVILLE, PA — Local dad Justin Simpson took a trip to the mall on Christmas Eve to begin his Christmas shopping, only to find a vacant lot where the mall once stood. "Oh man, I've been coming here forever," Simpson said. "I mean, it's been a few years, but I used to love getting malts at the Woolworth soda fountain. Then my mom would always make us buy some educational books over at Borders." A distraught Mr. Simpson had reportedly planned to shop for his entire family at the mall this year. "I figured I could get the older kids...

Clinical studies testing the safety and efficacy of 40Hz sensory stimulation to treat Alzheimer's disease have found the therapy was well tolerated, produced no serious adverse effects and was associated with some significant neurological and behavioral benefits. Tsai's lab discovered exposing mice to light flickering or sound clicking at the gamma-band brain rhythm frequency of 40Hz produced improvements in learning and memory; reduced brain atrophy, neuron and synapse loss; and showed lower levels of hallmark Alzheimer's proteins amyloid beta and phosphorylated tau. In the Phase 1 study, volunteers filled out a questionnaire. Meanwhile, measurements taken with EEG scalp electrodes clustered...