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Tag: Emergency

  • GRAND TRAVERSE: Tech problems dog AI dispatch system rollout; program requires ‘babysitting,’ unpopular with callers, dispatchers

    TRAVERSE CITY — A full rollout of Grand Traverse County’s Central Dispatch AI assistant has been delayed because of technical problems.

    The county’s implementation of the new automated assistant software program for non-emergency Central Dispatch calls has been plagued by program mistakes, requiring monitoring to ensure it’s working properly, Central Dispatch Director Corey LeCureux said.

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    By Kathryn Depauw KDePauw@record-eagle.com

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  • GRAND TRAVERSE: Tech problems dog AI dispatch system rollout; program requires ‘babysitting,’ unpopular with callers, dispatchers

    TRAVERSE CITY — A full rollout of Grand Traverse County’s Central Dispatch AI assistant has been delayed because of technical problems.

    The county’s implementation of the new automated assistant software program for non-emergency Central Dispatch calls has been plagued by program mistakes, requiring monitoring to ensure it’s working properly, Central Dispatch Director Corey LeCureux said.

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    By Kathryn Depauw KDePauw@record-eagle.com

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  • Washington State Under Emergency As Torrential Rain Triggers Floods, Mudslides And Evacuations – KXL

    MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — Washington was under a state of emergency Thursday from a barrage of torrential rain that has sent rivers flowing over their banks, caused mudslides to crash down on highways and trapped people in floodwaters. Tens of thousands of residents were under evacuation orders.

    Heavy rain continued to fall over parts of the state, prompting rising rivers, road closures, water rescues and suspension of Amtrak trains between Seattle and Vancouver. Rainfall intensity increased in several counties in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, which had seen up to 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) of rain in 24 hours. One area, Snoqualmie Pass, picked up an additional 1.7 inches (4.3 centimeters) of rain in six hours, the National Weather Service said.

    Emergency management officials urged residents not to drive through standing water. Those who live near rivers were advised to stay alert to evacuation orders.

    After days of unrelenting heavy rain Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency by Wednesday, warning “lives will be at stake in the coming days.” Some residents have already been told to get to higher ground, with Skagit County, in a major agricultural region north of Seattle, ordering everyone within the Skagit River’s 100-year floodplain to evacuate.

    Catastrophic flooding is likely in many areas and the state is requesting water rescue teams and boats, Ferguson said on the social media platform X on Wednesday night.

    Hundreds of National Guard members will be sent to help communities, said Gent Welsh, adjutant general of the Washington National Guard.

    In a valley leading out to the foothills of Mount Rainier southeast of Seattle, Pierce County sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday rescued people at an RV park in Orting, including helping one man in a Santa hat wade through waist-deep water. Part of the town was ordered to evacuate over concerns about the Puyallup River’s extremely high levels and upstream levees.

    A landslide blocked part of Interstate 90 east of Seattle, with photos from Eastside Fire & Rescue showing vehicles trapped by tree trunks, branches, mud and standing water. Officials also closed a mountainous section of U.S. 2 due to rocks, trees and mud.

    More than 17,000 customers in Washington were without electricity Thursday, according to PowerOutage.us.

    Flooding rivers could break records

    The Skagit River was expected to crest at roughly 42 feet (13 meters) in the mountain town of Concrete early Thursday, and roughly 39 feet (12 meters) in Mount Vernon early Friday.

    “We feel very confident that we can handle a ‘normal flood,’ but no one really knows what a 41, 42 foot river looks like south of Mount Vernon,” Darrin Morrison, a commissioner for Dike District 3 in Skagit County, said during a public meeting Wednesday night.

    The county was closing non-essential government services Thursday, including all district and superior court services.

    Flooding from the river has long plagued Mount Vernon, the largest city in the county with some 35,000 residents. Flooding in 2003 displaced hundreds of people.

    The city completed a floodwall in 2018 that helps protect the downtown. It passed a major test in 2021, when the river crested near record levels.

    But the city is on high alert. The historic river levels expected Friday could top the wall, and some are worried that older levees could fail.

    “It could potentially be catastrophic,” said Ellen Gamson, executive director of the Mount Vernon Downtown Association.

    Sheena Wilson, who owns a floral shop downtown, stacked sandbags by the doors and cleared items off the floor.

    “If the water comes in above table height I’ve got bigger problems than my merchandise,” she said.

    Jake Lambly added sandbags, tested water pumps and moved valuables to the top floor of the home he shares with his 19-year-old son.

    “This is my only asset,” he said Wednesday from his front porch. “I got nothing else.”

    Cities respond to flooding

    Harrison Rademacher, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle, described the atmospheric river soaking the region as “a jet stream of moisture” stretching across the Pacific Ocean “with the nozzle pushing right along the coast of Oregon and Washington.”

    In Sumas, a small city along the U.S.-Canada border, a flood siren rang out at city hall and residents were told to leave. The border crossing was also closed to southbound commercial vehicles to leave more room for evacuations, according to the Abbotsford Police Department.

    Climate change has been linked to some intense rainfall. Scientists say that without specific study they cannot directly link a single weather event to climate change, but in general it’s responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires.

    Another storm system is expected to bring more rain starting Sunday.

    “The pattern looks pretty unsettled going up to the holidays,” Rademacher said.

    Grant McHill

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  • ‘New fear unlocked’: California woman uses glass straws to drink water. Then she ends up in the ER

    Reusable straws took off as more people started paying attention to waste and sustainability. The classic plastic straw gave way to paper, metal, silicone, bamboo, and glass. The options felt endless, and for many, a glass straw seemed like the cleanest and safest choice. But one California woman says that assumption nearly landed her in surgery.

    TikTok creator @colorful__chaos is now urging viewers to stay away from glass straws altogether after a piece of one broke off while she was drinking water and ended up inside her body. Her warning video, filmed from a hospital bed, has racked up more than 28.7 million views.

    “Don’t use glass straws,” she says at the start of the clip. “It’s not worth it.”

    Woman Has Important PSA About Glass Straws

    In the video, she explains that she had been drinking water like normal when something suddenly felt off. “I was drinking my water with a glass straw and I swallowed something,” she says. “And I was like, what was that?”

    She looks at the straw and immediately sees the problem. A large shard is missing from the tip. “There’s a piece about that big gone,” she says, holding her fingers about two inches apart.

    At first, she tries to stay calm. “I kind of freaked out a little bit,” she says, then explains why she didn’t rush to the hospital right away. “I didn’t feel anything, so I thought maybe it was fine.”

    Two hours later, that feeling changes fast. “I burped really big and my mouth had blood in it,” she says. That’s when she heads straight to the emergency room.

    Once there, she says staff initially doesn’t treat it like an emergency. “At first I really don’t think that they’re taking me seriously,” she says. “They were not trying to get me back quickly.”

    That changes when doctors review her case more closely. “The doctor talked to the gastro, and he said to expedite a CAT scan immediately,” she says. The imaging shows a piece of glass sitting in her stomach.

    Doctors rush her in for an emergency procedure. “They put me to sleep and put the tube down my throat to try to get it,” she says. But by the time they begin the procedure, the shard has already moved.

    “By the time they got me into the room, it had already left my stomach,” she says. “So I’ve got a piece of glass floating around in my intestines.”

    Doctors sent her home with instructions to closely monitor symptoms. “They told me to watch for bleeding over the next two days and to check my poop,” she says. The doctors explain that since the shard already passed through her throat and stomach, they expect it to pass on its own.

    Still shaken, she leaves viewers with an unmistakable warning. “Do not buy these straws,” she says. She also explains that she had previously promoted the product online and is now trying to have that post removed. “I will not promote those. The cups are great, but glass straws will be a no-go forever in my house.”

    She reinforces that message in her caption, writing, “SEND THIS to anyone you know who uses glass straws! If you’re using them TOSS THEM OUT. Not worth it.”

    In follow-up updates, the creator tells viewers she’s doing okay so far, with no pain or bleeding as of her last post. However, she says there is still no clear sign that the shard has passed.

    Are Glass Straws Actually Dangerous?

    Glass straws sit in a strange middle ground. They’re reusable, easy to clean, and don’t retain flavors like plastic or silicone. But they are still made of glass, which means they can break, chip, or crack if dropped, bitten, or exposed to rapid temperature changes.

    There have been previous reports of users swallowing shards when glass straws fracture during use. Dentists have also warned that sipping on hard glass can contribute to chipped teeth, especially for children. Some safety articles also caution against using glass straws with very hot beverages, where heat stress can weaken the glass over time.

    None of those risks is common, but when breakage does happen, the injuries can be serious.

    The video’s comment section quickly fills with alarm and disbelief.

    “Glass straws should be illegal,” one person writes.

    Another shares a photo of herself drinking directly from a cup and adds, “I don’t understand why people can’t just.”

    One parent responds immediately, writing, “Me immediately throwing away my daughter’s glass straws.”

    @_colorful__chaos_ SEND THIS to anyone you know who uses glass straws! If youre using them TOSS THEM OUT. Not worth it. #glassstraws #glassstraw #glass #straw #emergency ♬ original sound – _itsbreezie_

    Others steer people toward safer alternatives. “Guys, buy stainless steel or silicon straws,” one commenter urges. “Those glass straws are not it.”

    And many echo the phrase now attached to the story. “New fear unlocked,” one person writes.

    The Mary Sue has reached out to @colorful__chaos via TikTok messages for additional information and updates.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Ljeonida Mulabazi

    Ljeonida Mulabazi

    Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and her work can also be found at the Daily Dot.

    Ljeonida Mulabazi

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  • New Text to 911 service allows you to reach help without cell reception. Here’s how it works

    Have you ever been in or traveling through an area where there is no or low traditional cell service and thought, “What if I had an emergency and needed to call 911?”Now, because of a well-known cell service provider’s connection to a popular network of satellites, there’s a solution when you have an emergency and are off the grid and out of reach of a terrestrial cell tower’s signal.Related video above: A different new piece of technology helps guide rescuers to woman stuck in swampThe service is called Text to 911, and its availability is all thanks to T-Mobile’s new T-Satellite with Starlink, a service that, according to a recent release from the mobile carrier, was rolled out in July and connects compatible phones to an array of Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth.But if you’re not a T-Mobile customer, don’t fret. You don’t need to be a subscriber of the provider to use Text to 911. The service is available to anyone in the U.S. who has a compatible, satellite-capable iPhone or Android phone, and is designed to work anywhere in the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. not reached by traditional cell towers.That means even customers of providers like AT&T and Verizon can sign up for Text to 911.How to sign up for and use Text to 911While the service is free to use, non-T-Mobile customers are required to sign up in advance to use Text to 911. That can be done on the company’s website. The company said T-Mobile customers can add the service under “Manage Data & Add-Ons’” in their account or in T-Life. You don’t need to take any special action to use Text to 911. The mobile provider says that all you need is a view of the sky, and that using the service is just like sending a normal text message. All you need to do is enter a message on your phone’s native messaging app and enter 911 in the number field. From there, all you’ll need to do is hit “send.”While some areas around the U.S. already have the ability to text 911, this new service allows users to do so even when they can’t get reception from a traditional cell tower. If that’s the case, Text to 911 finds you a signal from a satellite up in space.The company said it “was a no-brainer” to make Text to 911 available and free for any person who enrolls and has a compatible phone.“There’s a good chance you’ve had that moment in your life at some point. Badly rolled ankle deep into a backcountry hike. Stuck in a tree well while skiing. Flat tire on a backcountry road. Or a million other situations that require access to emergency services in a place without cell service. It’s an absolutely terrifying feeling that we don’t want anyone to have ever again,” Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products for T-Mobile, said in announcing the availability of Text to 911 on Nov. 5.

    Have you ever been in or traveling through an area where there is no or low traditional cell service and thought, “What if I had an emergency and needed to call 911?”

    Now, because of a well-known cell service provider’s connection to a popular network of satellites, there’s a solution when you have an emergency and are off the grid and out of reach of a terrestrial cell tower’s signal.

    Related video above: A different new piece of technology helps guide rescuers to woman stuck in swamp

    The service is called Text to 911, and its availability is all thanks to T-Mobile’s new T-Satellite with Starlink, a service that, according to a recent release from the mobile carrier, was rolled out in July and connects compatible phones to an array of Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth.

    But if you’re not a T-Mobile customer, don’t fret. You don’t need to be a subscriber of the provider to use Text to 911.

    The service is available to anyone in the U.S. who has a compatible, satellite-capable iPhone or Android phone, and is designed to work anywhere in the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. not reached by traditional cell towers.

    That means even customers of providers like AT&T and Verizon can sign up for Text to 911.

    How to sign up for and use Text to 911

    While the service is free to use, non-T-Mobile customers are required to sign up in advance to use Text to 911. That can be done on the company’s website. The company said T-Mobile customers can add the service under “Manage Data & Add-Ons’” in their account or in T-Life.

    You don’t need to take any special action to use Text to 911. The mobile provider says that all you need is a view of the sky, and that using the service is just like sending a normal text message. All you need to do is enter a message on your phone’s native messaging app and enter 911 in the number field. From there, all you’ll need to do is hit “send.”

    While some areas around the U.S. already have the ability to text 911, this new service allows users to do so even when they can’t get reception from a traditional cell tower. If that’s the case, Text to 911 finds you a signal from a satellite up in space.

    The company said it “was a no-brainer” to make Text to 911 available and free for any person who enrolls and has a compatible phone.

    “There’s a good chance you’ve had that moment in your life at some point. Badly rolled ankle deep into a backcountry hike. Stuck in a tree well while skiing. Flat tire on a backcountry road. Or a million other situations that require access to emergency services in a place without cell service. It’s an absolutely terrifying feeling that we don’t want anyone to have ever again,” Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products for T-Mobile, said in announcing the availability of Text to 911 on Nov. 5.

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  • Mayor Bass lifts state of emergency on homelessness. But ‘the crisis remains’

    On her first day in office, Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness.

    The declaration allowed the city to cut through red tape, including through no-bid contracts, and to start Inside Safe, Bass’ signature program focused on moving homeless people off the streets and into interim housing.

    On Tuesday, nearly three years after she took the helm, and with homelessness trending down two years in a row for the first time in recent years, the mayor announced that she will lift the state of emergency on Nov. 18.

    “We have begun a real shift in our city’s decades-long trend of rising homelessness,” Bass said in a memorandum to the City Council.

    Still, the mayor said, there is much work to do.

    “The crisis remains, and so does our urgency,” she said.

    The mayor’s announcement followed months of City Council pushback on the lengthy duration of the state of emergency, which the council had initially approved.

    Some council members argued that the state of emergency allowed the mayor’s office to operate out of public view and that contracts and leases should once again be presented before them with public testimony and a vote.

    Councilmember Tim McOsker has been arguing for months that it was time to return to business as usual.

    “Emergency powers are designed to allow the government to suspend rules and respond rapidly when the situation demands it, but at some point those powers must conclude,” he said in a statement Tuesday.

    McOsker said the move will allow the council to “formalize” some of the programs started during the emergency, while incorporating more transparency.

    Council members had been concerned that the state of emergency would end without first codifying Executive Directive 1, which expedites approvals for homeless shelters as well as for developments that are 100% affordable and was issued by Bass shortly after she took office.

    On Oct. 28, the council voted for the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would enshrine the executive directive into law.

    The mayor’s announcement follows positive reports about the state of homelessness in the city.

    As of September, the mayor’s Inside Safe program had moved more than 5,000 people into interim housing since its inception at the end of 2022. Of those people, more than 1,243 have moved into permanent housing, while another 1,636 remained in interim housing.

    This year, the number of homeless people living in shelters or on the streets of the city dropped 3.4%, according to the annual count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. The number of unsheltered homeless people in the city dropped by an even steeper margin of 7.9%.

    The count, however, has its detractors. A study by Rand found that the annual survey missed nearly a third of homeless people in Hollywood, Venice and Skid Row — primarily those sleeping without tents or vehicles.

    In June, a federal judge decided not to put Los Angeles’ homelessness programs into receivership, while saying that the city had failed to meet some of the terms of a settlement agreement with the nonprofit LA Alliance for Human Rights.

    Councilmember Nithya Raman, who chairs the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, said the end of the emergency does not mean the crisis is over.

    “It only means that we must build fiscally sustainable systems that can respond effectively,” she said. “By transitioning from emergency measures to long-term, institutional frameworks, we’re ensuring consistent, accountable support for people experiencing homelessness.”

    Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report.

    Noah Goldberg

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  • How Tiny Drones Inspired by Bats Could Save Lives in Dark and Stormy Conditions

    Don’t be fooled by the fog machine, spooky lights and fake bats: the robotics lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute lab isn’t hosting a Halloween party.

    Instead, it’s a testing ground for tiny drones that can be deployed in search and rescue missions even in dark, smoky or stormy conditions.

    “We all know that when there’s an earthquake or a tsunami, the first thing that goes down is power lines. A lot of times, it’s at night, and you’re not going to wait until the next morning to go and rescue survivors,” said Nitin Sanket, assistant professor of robotics engineering. “So we started looking at nature. Is there a creature in the world which can actually do this?”

    Sanket and his students found their answer in bats and the winged mammal’s highly sophisticated ability to echolocate, or navigate via reflected sound. With a National Science Foundation grant, they’re developing small, inexpensive and energy-efficient aerial robots that can be flown where and when current drones can’t operate.

    Last month, emergency workers in Pakistan used drones to find people stranded on rooftops by massive floods. In August, a rescue team used a drone to find a California man who got trapped for two days behind a waterfall. And in July, drones helped find a stable route to three mine workers who spent more than 60 hours trapped underground in Canada.

    But while drones are becoming more common in search and rescue, Sanket and researchers elsewhere want to move beyond the manually operated individual robots being used today. A key next step is developing aerial robots that can be deployed in swarms and make their own decisions about where to search, said Ryan Williams, an associate professor at Virginia Tech.

    “That type of deployment — autonomous drones — that is effectively nil,” he said.

    Williams tackled that problem with a recent project that involved programming drones to choose search trajectories in coordination with human searchers. Among other things, his team used historical data from thousands of missing person cases to create a model predicting how someone would behave if lost in the woods.

    “And then we used that model to better localize our drones, to search in locations with higher chances of finding someone,” he said.

    At WPI, Sanket’s project addresses other limitations of current drones, including their size and perception capabilities.

    “Current robots are big, bulky, expensive and cannot work in all sorts of scenarios,” he said.

    By contrast, his drone fits in the palm of his hand, is made mostly from inexpensive hobby-grade materials and can operate in the dark. A small ultrasonic sensor, not unlike those used in automatic faucets in public restrooms, mimics bat behavior, sending out a pulse of high-frequency sound and using the echo to detect obstacles in its path.

    During a recent demonstration, a student used a remote control to launch the drone in a brightly lit room and then again after turning off all but a faintly glowing red light. As it approached a clear, Plexiglas wall, the drone repeatedly halted and backed away, even with the lights off and with fog and fake snow swirling through the air.

    “Currently, search and rescue robots are mainly operational in broad daylight,” Sanket said. “The problem is that search and rescues are dull, dangerous and dirty jobs that happen a lot of times in darkness.”

    But development didn’t go completely smoothly. The researchers realized that the noise of the bat robot’s propellers interfered with the ultrasound, requiring 3D printed shells to minimize the interference. They also used artificial intelligence to teach the drone how to filter and interpret sound signals.

    Still, there’s a long way to go to match bats, which can contract and compress their muscles to listen only to certain echoes and can detect something as small as a human hair from several meters away.

    “Bats are amazing,” Sanket said. “We are nowhere close to what nature has achieved. But the goal is that one day in the future, we will be there and these will be useful for deployment in the wild.”

    Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 

    Associated Press

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  • Kotek Declares 60-Day Food Security Emergency As Federal Shutdown Halts SNAP Benefits – KXL

    FILE – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek speaks during a signing ceremony in Washington, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

    SALEM, Ore. — October 29, 2025 — With federal funding for food assistance halted during the ongoing government shutdown, Governor Tina Kotek has declared a 60-day statewide food security emergency and directed $5 million to Oregon’s food bank network to help families facing hunger.

    The move comes as thousands of Oregonians lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is entirely funded by the federal government. SNAP supports roughly one in six people in Oregon, including children, working families, seniors and people with disabilities.

    Emergency declaration and state response

    Kotek’s declaration activates the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to coordinate food distribution efforts through December, aiming to ensure that emergency food reaches vulnerable families during the holiday season.

    The order also positions the state to restart SNAP benefits quickly once federal operations resume. “It’s unacceptable that families are being used as leverage in a political standoff in Washington, D.C.,” Kotek said in a statement. “While Congress fails to do its job, Oregon will do ours.”

    $5 million directed to food banks

    The Governor has authorized $5 million from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) carryover funds to bolster Oregon’s network of food banks. According to the state, the funding will be used for food purchasing, distribution, and local operations to meet increased demand during the shutdown.

    Call to action for Oregonians

    Kotek also urged residents to help their neighbors by donating, volunteering, or supporting food relief efforts. The Oregon Food Bank has launched a “SNAP Gap” fundraising campaign at OregonFoodBank.org/SNAP-Gap.

    In addition, the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative is activating its Emergency Fund from Oct. 30 through Nov. 30, allowing Oregonians to donate bottle and can refunds to food assistance organizations through bottledrop.com/food. Many grocery stores across the state will also host checkout donation drives and food collection campaigns in the coming weeks.

    The Department of Administrative Services will expand its annual charitable giving campaign to include statewide nonperishable food drives through December 5.

    Federal appeal

    Kotek renewed her call for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release contingency funds authorized under federal law to sustain SNAP benefits nationwide. Earlier this week, Oregon leaders sent a letter to USDA Secretary Rollins urging the department to use all available funds to prevent hunger during the shutdown.

    How to get help

    Residents seeking food assistance can find resources at needfood.oregon.gov or alimentos.oregon.gov, or by calling 2-1-1.
    The Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder tool, available in 19 languages, lists local pantries and meal programs.

    Older adults and people with disabilities can contact the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or visit adrcoforegon.org.

    More about:

    Jordan Vawter

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  • ‘A plot twist I didn’t see coming’: NYC woman buys $500 gold Oura Ring. Then she says it landed her in the ER

    Oura Rings offer round-the-clock health updates with a little bit of glamour, but is it all too good to be true?

    TikToker Sonam (@sonam_says) has gone viral after sharing her troubling experience with the popular product.

    She begins this clip, which has amassed 18,200 views, by saying, “I used to wear an Oura ring, and I don’t anymore, and I’ll tell you why.”

    Why did she stop wearing her Oura ring?

    “So many of you have recently found my old video on it, probably because of the Palantir U.S. government news, and also because they’re launching a new ring.”

    The previous video in question consists of an image of a very red, swollen finger with an Oura Ring on it.

    “So here’s what happened,” she said. “Mind you, this is my second Oura Ring. My first ring was in the exact same size. It flew off my hand one day when I was just like, out dancing, and I lost it. So I bought a new one. Told myself that it was just gonna be loose, and that’s OK.”

    She then detailed how she woke up one day while visiting her family with an inflamed “balloon” finger.

    “We tried all the home remedies and eventually went to the ER, and they couldn’t use their ring cutters on me because the ring is way too thick,” she explained. “[They] also said they couldn’t drill through it because it would take too long and may cause nerve damage. Really, my only option was for them to submerge my hand in ice water and numb my hand so that I couldn’t feel it. And then they went and threaded the ring off.

    “I thought maybe I had an allergic reaction to the ring, but they said, ‘No, that’s not the case. ‘They just said that you shouldn’t be wearing rings to sleep. I was like, ‘This is a sleep ring.’ So if you have one, stay vigilant, if not for your data, but for the safety of your fingers.”

    @sonam_says I’m all for health tech and data – but this one came with a plot twist I didn’t see coming ? TLDR: don’t wear it to sleep, and maybe… stay vigilant ? @ouraring #OuraRing #WellnessTech #Biohacking #SleepTracking #rednailtheory ♬ original sound – sonam_says

    This isn’t news to some

    One commenter wrote, “I put it on a smaller finger at night and put it back on the regular finger when I get up.”

    Another added, “Your fingers can swell when sleeping. [You’re] never advised to wear rings to bed.”

    “Previously, the reason I would never buy it is because I’ve lost weight enough in my life to need another ring size,” a third shared. “Now I have a second reason.”

    A couple of commenters could also relate to Sonam’s experience.

    “I actually had an allergic reaction to the ring,” said a fourth. “I wear rings all the time and I’ve never had an issue like that before just with the aura ring I think it was like the four or the three whichever one came out.”

    “Woke up one day and my wedding ring finger was swollen and my ring was hard to get off,” a fifth noted. “Had to use soap and water. Gave me anxiety for sure.”

    The issue is common

    Clearly, Sonam’s experience isn’t unique. Countless Reddit users have also reported similar ailments that developed after they started wearing Oura Rings.

    In the comments, fellow Redditors, including what appeared to be Oura’s official Reddit account, suggested trying soap and water to reduce swelling.

    “Use cold water and gentle soap to wet your finger, and slowly twist the ring to remove it,” the account wrote. “Hold your hand up above your heart until the finger swelling is reduced, and then try to remove it.”

    “In cases of emergency, discomfort, or if you can’t remove the ring yourself, seek immediate medical attention.”

    The Mary Sue reached out to Oura Ring via email and to the creator for comment.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Charlotte Colombo

    Charlotte Colombo

    Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.

    Charlotte Colombo

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  • 1 dead, 2 injured in shooting at Alcorn State

    1 dead, 2 injured in shooting at Alcorn State University

    1 dead, 2 injured in Alcorn State University shooting; MBI investigating.

    Updated: 10:11 PM EDT Oct 11, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate a shooting on the campus of Alcorn State University that left at least one person dead and two injured.According to MBI, the shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the Industrial Technology Building on campus. No arrests have been made at this time. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, and MBI says details remain preliminary and could change as the investigation develops.

    The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate a shooting on the campus of Alcorn State University that left at least one person dead and two injured.

    According to MBI, the shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the Industrial Technology Building on campus.

    No arrests have been made at this time.

    Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, and MBI says details remain preliminary and could change as the investigation develops.

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  • Montgomery County Fire officials urge residents to fill out a ‘file of life’ – WTOP News

    Montgomery County Fire officials are urging the public to prepare a “file of life” folder as a means to help first responders provide more accurate care during emergencies.

    The “file of life” is a folder with a magnetic strip on the back that can be hung on the family refrigerator. Inside are forms that can be filled out to provide residents’ medical information, from existing health conditions to allergies.(Credit Montgomery County, Maryland Fire & Rescue Service)

    Whenever firefighters with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service check homes for smoke detectors, they also offer another potentially lifesaving tool — the “file of life.”

    The “file of life” is a folder with a magnetic strip on the back that can be hung on the family refrigerator. Inside are forms that can be filled out to provide residents’ medical information, from existing health conditions to allergies.

    The comprehensive health document allows emergency personnel to quickly respond to someone’s needs if they’re incapacitated or can’t speak.

    David Pazos, assistant chief with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, explained, “It’s useful for anybody in the home” who may be unable to speak to first responders when help is needed.

    The department is urging residents to make sure they get one for their home and fill it out so the information is readily available in the event of an emergency situation.

    Pazos explained first responders are trained to look on the refrigerator for the files whenever they’re called to a home where someone is ill or injured.

    Montgomery County residents can get a “file of life” by calling 311, Pazos said, “and within a certain few days, they’ll have one delivered to your home.”

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kate Ryan

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  • Milton Disrupted the Flow of Drinking Water—so Florida Deployed a Machine to Harvest It From Air

    Milton Disrupted the Flow of Drinking Water—so Florida Deployed a Machine to Harvest It From Air

    David Stuckenberg, cofounder and chief operations officer at Genesis Systems, explains that the WaterCube uses proprietary liquid and solid sorbents—materials that absorb water—that essentially “form a handshake with the water in the air.” The machine then heats these materials to extract the water.

    Atmospheric water generators typically require a substantial amount of energy to run, but Stuckenberg claims the company’s materials work 400 percent better than those that are currently commercially available, and that they have a very high affinity for water.

    But the tech comes at a steep price. The WaterCube delivered to St. Petersburg is listed at $860,000. The company just started selling a second, smaller device for home use called the WaterCube 100, which retails for $20,000 and is about the size of an HVAC system. That device can generate about 100 to 200 gallons of water per day. Efficiency ranges from 0.07 to 0.8 kilowatt-hours per gallon of water and costs anywhere from $10 to $80 a day to operate, depending on cost of energy and humidity. A WaterCube can run on either solar or conventional energy.

    The machines make more water in a humid environment and work well in atmospheric humidity down to 40 percent. Stuckenberg says the company is constantly improving its technology and is working with the US Department of Defense to be able to generate water at 10 percent humidity.

    The WaterCube connects to a building’s water supply so that water doesn’t have to be harvested directly from the machine. “The systems are designed to connect to anything from a garden hose to a hospital water system, and provide water that goes through four steps of filtration before it leaves,” Stuckenberg says.

    After Typhoon Mawar hit the US territory of Guam in May 2023, Genesis Systems worked with the US Air Force to test the WaterCube 1000 in a disaster response scenario on the island.

    At their current price, and for the amount of water they’re able to generate, these devices are unlikely to be the sole source of water in these types of situations anytime soon. According to figures published by the US Department of Energy, a hospital the size of All Children’s would typically use anywhere from 10,000 to 90,000 gallons a day, depending on the services provided, age of the building, and water use practices. That’s far more than the 2,000 gallons that the larger Genesis Systems unit is able to produce in 24 hours.

    Still, in scenarios where water can’t be restored or transported immediately to an area, these devices may be able to serve as a bridge or a supplementary source of water. But in order to be useful, they need to be in the right place at the right time, and the logistics of moving an 18,000-pound machine in a disaster situation can be tricky.

    According to a hospital spokesperson, All Children’s didn’t end up needing to draw water from the device; shortly after it was d­elivered, the city’s sewer system was functional and water service resumed with a boil advisory. “We were able to modify our operations accordingly,” the spokesperson said on Friday. Over the weekend, Florida’s AHCA relocated the WaterCube to a shelter where it can be quickly moved to another location if needed.

    Emily Mullin

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  • Tornado Devastates Furry Friends Ranch in Palm City, Florida

    Tornado Devastates Furry Friends Ranch in Palm City, Florida


    JUPITER, Fla., October 13, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    A tornado triggered by Hurricane Milton has completely obliterated Furry Friends Ranch, a beloved animal shelter and community center in South Florida. The tornado ripped through the facility on Wednesday night, tearing roofs from buildings, blowing out windows, downing power lines, and ruining the structures that were essential to the organization’s animal care capacity.

    Thankfully, all dogs and cats under Furry Friends’ care survived the impact and were rescued without injury. However, the damage to the ranch is catastrophic: The facility has been deemed a total loss, with major repairs needed that could take months—or even years—before it is safe for animals to return.

    “The damage is unimaginable,” said Jason Gluck, Chief Executive Officer of Furry Friends. “It’s a miracle that no animals were harmed, but our facility has been decimated. We are heartbroken, and we urgently need the community’s support to rebuild.”

    The ranch was home to hundreds of rescue animals, including dogs and cats in desperate need. With no shelter left to house the ranch animals, Furry Friends is urgently seeking adopters, temporary foster homes and other facilities to help care for the animals in the coming months. The cost of rebuilding is expected to run into the millions, and with no functioning ranch facility, the organization will need to rely heavily on donations
    from the public and local businesses.

    How to Help: Furry Friends is asking animal lovers, philanthropists, and businesses to assist with the recovery effort. Donations of any size will make a difference and go directly toward rebuilding the ranch and providing essential care for the animals. Donations can be made online at: www.furryfriendsadoption.org/donate

    “Furry Friends is resilient, and we know the community cares deeply about these animals and our organization,” CEO Jason Gluck added. “With your help, we can rebuild stronger and continue Furry Friends’ deeply impactful work saving lives in our region and beyond.”

    About Furry Friends:
    Furry Friends is a nonprofit animal shelter and community hub dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in need and supporting the human-animal bond. Serving Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Furry Friends is a safe haven for tens of thousands of animals each year, providing love, care, and advanced behavioral and medical support.

    Media Contact:
    Jason Gluck
    Chief Executive Officer
    (561) 747-5311, ext. 8
    jgluck@furryfriendsadoption.org
    www.furryfriendsadoption.org

    Source: Furry Friends

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  • Florida Hospitals and Nursing Homes Are Bracing for Hurricane Milton

    Florida Hospitals and Nursing Homes Are Bracing for Hurricane Milton

    Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene tore through the American Southeast, hospitals and health care providers in Florida are preparing for yet another destructive storm as Hurricane Milton hurtles toward the state’s west coast.

    Though downgraded to a Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center described the storm as “extremely dangerous” late Tuesday morning. As it makes landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday near Tampa, Milton is predicted to bring high winds and storm surges of 10 feet or higher to parts of Florida’s west coast and heavy rains throughout most of the peninsula.

    As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 200 health care facilities in impacted areas were reporting evacuations, including over 100 assisted living facilities and 10 hospitals. In preparation for the storm, the Florida Department of Health has deployed more than 600 ambulances and other emergency response vehicles and has set up 11 special-needs shelters for people with disabilities.

    “We truly are concerned about the magnitude of this hurricane and the potential catastrophic impacts,” Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, tells WIRED. The organization represents the state’s more than 300 hospitals. In Florida, which gets hit with more storms than any other US state, hospitals have closed in the past because of weather disasters, but Mayhew says what is unusual this time is the high number of health care facilities that have evacuated ahead of Milton.

    Affected hospitals are transferring patients to other facilities within their health care systems. Steve McCoy, Florida’s chief of emergency medical oversight, said during an emergency preparedness briefing on Tuesday that nearly 600 vehicles, including buses, ambulances, and vans, have been deployed to move patients to safety. “This has been our largest evacuation ever,” he said.

    HCA Florida Healthcare, a network of hospitals and physician practices that operates across the state, said Tuesday afternoon that it is temporarily closing or suspending services at several hospitals and emergency rooms. “Once the patient transfers are complete, the hospitals will be temporarily closed and will reopen when it is safe to do so following the storm,” the health care system said in a statement.

    Hospitals that remain open have implemented flood-mitigation plans, moved electrical equipment away from flood areas, and stocked supplies that may be needed in an emergency.

    Tampa General Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Milton’s path, will remain open and has activated its hurricane-preparedness plan. The academic health system is the region’s only Level I Trauma Center and, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said it is “ready to meet the needs of patients throughout the state who require care after the storm has passed.” Health care providers and staff who are trained in emergency management will remain on-site throughout the storm to care for patients. Additional providers and staff will return to work as soon as the storm passes and the roads are safe.

    The hospital—which is sited on the Davis Islands at sea level and is protected by various systems including an AquaFence barrier—has an on-site central energy plant located 33 feet above sea level that can provide a power supply in the event of power disruption. According to Tampa General, the energy plant was built to withstand the impact and flooding of a Category 5 hurricane. The hospital says it has more than five days of supplies, including food and linens, on-site.

    Emily Mullin

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  • How Google’s Satellite eSOS Works During Emergencies on the Pixel 9

    How Google’s Satellite eSOS Works During Emergencies on the Pixel 9

    You should be sure to keep your personal information up to date. That includes your emergency contacts (which you can configure at Settings > Safety & Emergency > Emergency Contacts) and your Google Account. Your “name, email, phone number, location, device information, and emergency contacts are shared with emergency services and satellite service providers.”

    When you tap Start on Satellite SOS, you’ll first be prompted to answer a few questions about your emergency, like whether you’re in a vehicle, and if anyone is in immediate danger. Once you answer these questions, you can then connect to a satellite. You’ll see a giant circle on the screen suggesting directions to point your phone. It’ll need to be flat in your palm, and you’ll need to be outdoors, away from buildings, trees, and mountains (as best as you can). For the best signal, make sure your grip doesn’t interact with the upper half of the Pixel.

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Once you point your phone in the right direction, it should connect. Now you’ll get a text message view where you can send messages to emergency services detailing the situation, and hopefully, you’ll have first responders en route soon after.

    Now just because you can use smartphones like the Pixel 9 or iPhone 15 to reach emergency responders via satellite doesn’t mean your phone is suddenly the best option for backcountry connectivity. Satellite messengers are more rugged and durable, and since you’re probably not using them all the time like you would be using a smartphone, they have better battery life. They also offer more features, like creating waypoints. All in all, Satellite eSOS is a helpful backup feature, but if you’re regularly going to be in remote areas with limited to no cell connectivity, there’s still a place for dedicated satellite messengers.

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Julian Chokkattu

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  • Emergency Pod! First ‘Love Island USA’ Reunion.

    Emergency Pod! First ‘Love Island USA’ Reunion.

    Juliet and Callie had to meet again to recap the Love Island USA reunion! First, they address the flaws of the show format (01:15) and the girls who came prepared to seek revenge, especially against Andrea (05:56). Then, they talk about the bomb that Aaron dropped without being prompted to do so and what he could do with his current, infamous attention (15:44). They are shocked that the show opened by discussing Kendall’s postshow drama (20:38), and they predict which of the contestants will continue rising in fame (36:54)

    Hosts: Juliet Litman and Callie Curry
    Producer: Olivia Crerie

    Subscribe: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Stitcher / RSS

    Juliet Litman

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  • Artificial intelligence and ‘deepfakes’ could spread life threatening misinformation in emergencies

    Artificial intelligence and ‘deepfakes’ could spread life threatening misinformation in emergencies

    RICHMOND, Texas – When a hurricane is eyeing up the Texas Gulf Coast, we all want to know the most up-to-date information every single minute.

    Technology has given us the resources to do just that. But at the same time, that same technology could be used to spread misinformation just as fast as real updates.

    Social media started a fire of misinformation, allowing anyone to post just about anything. It could be true or it could be false.

    Now, with advancements in artificial intelligence, it’s becoming harder to sort through what’s fake and what’s real.

    The introduction of Deepfakes just poured jet fuel on that fire.

    Defining Deepfakes

    Deepfake (n) – an image or recording that has been convincingly altered and manipulated to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said

    That’s the official definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

    To learn a little more, we lean on the experts at the University of Virginia.

    “A deepfake is an artificial image or video (a series of images) generated by a special kind of machine learning called “deep” learning (hence the name). There two overviews of how deepfakes work in this article: one for the layperson, and one for the technically-minded,” the university shared online. “Deep learning is similar to any kind of machine learning, where an algorithm is fed examples and learns to produce output that resembles the examples it learned from. Humans learn the same way; a baby might try eating random objects, and it quickly discovers what’s edible and what isn’t.”

    You Might Use Deepfake Technology Everyday

    That’s right. The technology that fits in the palm of your hand and lives in your pocket is the same type of tech behind deepfakes.

    Apps like Face Swap, filters on Instagram and Snapchat and apps that alter your voice or allow you to type text and have your voice say the words are all examples of the machine learning that’s used to create deepfakes.

    “They kind of do it now. It’s kind of like a joke,” said Ariana Elias of Stafford.

    The difference is the complexity of the machine learning.

    A simple app like Face Swap doesn’t use a lot of resources.

    Meanwhile, creating a video of someone saying something they never did is a very resource intensive process.

    Deepfakes During Dangerous Situations

    Deciphering between a deepfake and what’s real can be really difficult. And here’s the real problem: it’s only going to get harder.

    During an emergency situation, like a hurricane or other natural disaster, taking the time to analyze a piece of information, for example a statement from a press conference held by the local emergency management office, could mean evacuating before a storm hits or staying put.

    “I am actually really, really concerned about that on many levels,” said Roderi Holmes of Stafford.

    It’s that exact fear that presents a new challenge for Fort Bend County Emergency Management Coordinator Greg Babst.

    He’s no stranger to the danger deepfakes pose to the community. But it wasn’t until a recent training conference that he first hand got to experience a deepfake of himself.

    “One of the cyber analysts came in there and they basically took my information,” Babst explains. “During the end of the conference. They were able to put up their presentation and using AI and only an hour of time, that person was able to grab my face off of social media, was able to grab my voice over from press conferences and whatnot that I’ve done in the past on social media from our sites, and then put that capability with AI and putting me in an emergency operation center and telling people to evacuate.”

    It’s that very experience that opened a whole new vulnerability to getting life-saving information out fast, but also accurately.

    Gage Goulding: “Was that experience eye opening for you?”

    Greg Babst: “Yes. I honestly knew it was out there. I didn’t know that it could be that almost that real.”

    Don’t Be Afraid, Be Aware

    During a time of emergency, a deepfake video of someone like Babst, a mayor, governor or county judge could put potentially life-threatening or deadly misinformation out into the world.

    You shouldn’t be scared of the world, but instead don’t take everything at face value until you investigate the source and ensure it’s coming from a trusted, vetted place.

    “Know your sources, vet those sources and then continue to follow those exact sources,” Babst said.

    Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.

    Gage Goulding, Oscar Chavez

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  • ‘Misfire and explosion’ leave pyrotechnic workers injured at La Puente fireworks show

    ‘Misfire and explosion’ leave pyrotechnic workers injured at La Puente fireworks show

    A pyrotechnics worker was seriously injured and two other fireworks professionals suffered minor injuries Wednesday night due to a mishap during a show sponsored by the city of La Puente.

    “Our hearts are heavy as we share news about the La Puente’s Fortunate Jimenez Fireworks Show,” the city posted in a statement on social media. “One dedicated pyrotechnic technician was seriously injured due to a misfire and explosion. Two other technicians suffered minor injuries.

    “We ask for your thoughts and support for their families during this challenging time.”

    Those injured “were giving the community a wonderful 4th of July display,” the statement added.

    The incident apparently brought the show to a halt. “We thank the community for your patience and understanding,” officials stated.

    The city had promoted the event online as a “family-friendly beer garden celebration” that included live music and food, with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. at the La Puente Baseball Field.

    One witness, Tiffany Angulo, said on Facebook: “The firework did blow too low. Twice! I literally said, ‘God forbid anyone get hurt.’ Whatever company we purchased the fireworks from I hope we don’t again.”

    “We saw the explosion and asked staff if anyone was injured,” posted Maggie Perez Martinez in response to La Puente’s announcement. “They said, ‘No. everyone’s fine.’ So sorry to hear this.”

    Vincent A. Barela added: “So sad to read this, we were there and the show ended abruptly. Hope the show runners recoup quickly and with minimal injuries.”

    A Wednesday night report from NBC4 showed a small fire burning on the ground amid the pyrotechnic equipment. From the news helicopter, it looked as though fire crews and police officers were remaining clear temporarily of the potentially dangerous area.

    One social media poster, Shirley Garay-Bermudez, saw the incident as a sad, teachable moment: “This explains why fireworks are dangerous… The pyrotechnics are trained and do wear protective gear and they are aware anything can go wrong, which is why the fire department and paramedics are on site in cases of emergency. Prayers for all who were injured.”

    Howard Blume

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  • Kangana Ranaut reacts to Annu Kapoor’s ‘Who is she?’ comment, ‘We tend to hate successful women… ‘ | Bollywood Life

    Kangana Ranaut reacts to Annu Kapoor’s ‘Who is she?’ comment, ‘We tend to hate successful women… ‘ | Bollywood Life

    Kangana Ranaut has been ruling the headlines lately because of her achievements as a politician. In the recent Lok Sabha elections 2024, Kangana Ranaut managed to win from Mandi constituency. However, after he big win, an incident took place at the Chandigarh airport where she was slapped by a CISF personnel. It was her comments on Farmer’s protest that sparked the reaction from the woman CISF officer. Now, in a recent press conference for film Hamare Baarah, Annu Kapoor was asked to comment on the same. However, he gave a surprising reaction asking ‘Who is she?’ He counter questioned the journalist asking ‘First let me know who is she. If asking about her, she might be a big heroine.’ It has received a strong reaction from Kangana Ranaut. Also Read – Swara Bhasker reacts to Kangana Ranaut being slapped; says ‘She was only slapped, people are actually dying’

    For all the TV News and Entertainment News updates, follow BollywoodLife on WhatsApp. Also Read – Kangana Ranaut REACTS to the viral video of PM Modi with Giorgia Meloni; ‘He makes women feel…’

    Kangana Ranaut who is quite active on social media took to her Instagram to share the clip from Annu Kapoor‘s press conference. She shared it with a caption stating that society tends to hate successful women especially if they are powerful. She wrote, “Do you agree with Annu Kapoor ji that we tend to hate a successful woman, hate her more if she is beautiful and hate her even more passionately if she is powerful? Is it true?” Also Read – Karan Johar reacts to Kangana Ranaut getting slapped by CISF woman constable

    Kangana Ranaut who is now an MP from Mandi has spoken at length about the CISF slap incident. In one of the post shared earlier, Kangana Ranaut revealed her theory as to why she got slapped. She wrote that the CISF personnel ‘strategically waited for me to cross her and in signature Khalistani style, quitely came from behind and hit my face without saying a word.’ She also added, ‘Farmers Laws have been repealed and they don’t concern anyone anymore probably this was her way of joining Khalistani bandwagon which is getting major political seats in Punjab.’

    Here’s a video of stars supporting Kangana Ranaut

    On the work front, Kangana Ranaut is now looking forward to the release of her film titled Emergency. She plays the role of Indira Gandhi in the film.

    Stay tuned to BollywoodLife for the latest scoops and updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, South, TV and Web-Series.
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  • Emergency Prep Before Heat Wave – KXL

    Emergency Prep Before Heat Wave – KXL

    HOOD RIVER, Ore. — It’s a question she asks a lot. “How many of you here have an emergency plan?” Nora Yatsov is a professional emergency manager. She works for PacifiCorps.

    “An emergency plan doesn’t take any money. It just takes a little bit of time, some conversations.  Find out what you and your family, those that rely on you, what to expect during a disaster, where are you going to meet if you can’t get home.”

    She’s telling people at a community gathering in Hood River what they should do to have a plan in place now before the weather turns hotter and the danger of wildfires increases.

    “What are your important contacts’ information, do you know all the phone numbers in your phone? Do you have them memorized? I don’t. Write them down, make sure they’re accessible.  Important financial information or medications or prescription information.  It just takes a little bit of time to wrap all that together.   And put it in a document or in a folder that you can have with you.  You never know when you could be in a situation where you don’t have access to your resources.”

    When she speaks to groups, Yatsov also asks, “How about a kit? Who has a kit here?”

    That kit is vital, she says.  “We really encourage everybody to have a kit, not just power outages. We live in Cascadia subduction zone territory here, right? We have a lot of other hazards that we deal with.”

    She lists for what needs to be in that kit, now, before the hotter weather boosts our risk of wildfires.   “For a home kit, we encourage a two to three week supply of food, shelf stable food, and food that you like to eat, not MREs, because who wants to eat that when you’re stuck in a disaster?  A first aid kit, of course.  If you have any pets, a leash and food for them, or a kennel, or some way to contain them, because they get scared. For kids, comfort items, because they’ll be scared. Things that make them feel safe and comfortable.  Activities to keep them distracted.   For those that need some assistance walking devices or anything else like that. Make sure you have those assistive devices available for them.”

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    Annette Newell

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