upi--2020-05-15--Louisville mayor, police seek federal review of Breonna Taylor probe

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The mayor and police chief in Louisville , Ky. , called on federal authorities ' help to review the police department 's internal investigation into three officers who killed Breonna Taylor in her bed during a raid .
Their request comes amid uproar in the city from Taylor 's family and activists who said her death was `` senseless '' and may have been racially influenced .
`` My priority is always that the truth comes out , '' Mayor Greg Fischer said in a statement Thursday .
`` That 's why my administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation currently underway , and why I am committed to a process that restores trust in our police and community relations . ''
He and Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad asked the FBI and the U.S. Attorney to review the findings of the internal investigation , as well as Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron .
`` We can be transparent with the people of our city , '' Fischer said .
`` And we can and we must also talk about the relationship between our police and our communities of color : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor died in the early hours of March 13 , when three plainclothes officers carried out a drug raid on her apartment , which she shared with boyfriend Kenneth Walker .
Walker said the officers did n't identify themselves , so he grabbed his gun and shot at them , injuring one of the officers in the leg .
The officers responded with fire , striking Taylor eight times , killing her .
Walker 's attorney , Rob Eggert , said officers shot at least 22 bullets .
Taylor , 26 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not the subject of the raid .
She had no criminal history .
Her family filed a lawsuit in late April , accusing the three officers -- Myles Cosgrove , Brett Hankison and Jonathan Mattingly -- of wrongful death , excessive force and negligence .
They 're seeking a jury trial with compensatory and punitive damages .
Taylor 's mother , Tamika Palmer , the plaintiff in the suit , took issue with the officers ' use of a `` no-knock '' search warrant , which means that , by definition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the apartment .
`` The defendants had absolute , certain and imperative duties to knock , announce their presence , give Breonna and Kenneth notice that they were peace officers there to serve a warrant , offer to show Breonna and Kenneth the warrant and afford the opportunity to be let into the home , '' the lawsuit says .
Palmer 's lawyer , Ben Crump , described Taylor 's death as an `` execution . ''
The attorney , who also represents the family of Ahmaud Arbery , an unarmed black man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February , blamed both on race .
`` You ca n't walk while black .
With Ahmaud , you ca n't jog while black , '' Crump said during a news conference Wednesday .
`` But Breonna Taylor was sleeping while black in the sanctity of her own home . ''

May 15 (UPI) -- The mayor and police chief in Louisville, Ky., called on federal authorities' help to review the police department's internal investigation into three officers who killed Breonna Taylor in her bed during a raid.
Their request comes amid uproar in the city from Taylor's family and activists who said her death was "senseless" and may have been racially influenced.
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"My priority is always that the truth comes out," Mayor Greg Fischer said in a statement Thursday. "That's why my administration has requested a thorough review of the investigation currently underway, and why I am committed to a process that restores trust in our police and community relations."
He and Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad asked the FBI and the U.S. Attorney to review the findings of the internal investigation, as well as Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
"We can be transparent with the people of our city," Fischer said. "And we can and we must also talk about the relationship between our police and our communities of color: past, present and future."
Taylor died in the early hours of March 13, when three plainclothes officers carried out a drug raid on her apartment, which she shared with boyfriend Kenneth Walker. Walker said the officers didn't identify themselves, so he grabbed his gun and shot at them, injuring one of the officers in the leg.
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The officers responded with fire, striking Taylor eight times, killing her. Walker's attorney, Rob Eggert, said officers shot at least 22 bullets.
Taylor, 26, was a certified emergency medical technician, and was not the subject of the raid. She had no criminal history.
Her family filed a lawsuit in late April, accusing the three officers -- Myles Cosgrove, Brett Hankison and Jonathan Mattingly -- of wrongful death, excessive force and negligence. They're seeking a jury trial with compensatory and punitive damages.
Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, the plaintiff in the suit, took issue with the officers' use of a "no-knock" search warrant, which means that, by definition, they didn't announce themselves when entering the apartment.
"The defendants had absolute, certain and imperative duties to knock, announce their presence, give Breonna and Kenneth notice that they were peace officers there to serve a warrant, offer to show Breonna and Kenneth the warrant and afford the opportunity to be let into the home," the lawsuit says.
Palmer's lawyer, Ben Crump, described Taylor's death as an "execution." The attorney, who also represents the family of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black man killed during a citizens arrest in Georgia in February, blamed both on race.
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"You can't walk while black. With Ahmaud, you can't jog while black," Crump said during a news conference Wednesday. "But Breonna Taylor was sleeping while black in the sanctity of her own home."


upi--2020-05-15--Oprah Winfrey encourages class of 2020 to lead post-pandemic world

May 15 ( UPI ) -- Oprah Winfrey gave a commencement speech to the nationwide class of 2020 via Facebook Live on Friday .
She had a message specifically for the class that had to finish senior year at home and graduate remotely .
`` Even though there may not be pomp because of our circumstances , never has a graduating class been called to step into the future with more purpose , vision , passion , energy and hope , '' Winfrey said .
She cited the Latin origin of the word `` graduate . ''
`` Gradus '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the class of 2020 to lead the way into post-pandemic society .
`` Can you , the class of 2020 , show us not how to put the pieces back together again but how to create a new and more evolved normal , a world more just , kind , beautiful , tender , luminous , creative , whole ? ''
Winfrey said .
`` We need you to do this because the pandemic has illuminated the vast systemic inequities that have defined life for too many for too long . ''
Winfrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic disproportionately affected the poor , immigrant and incarcerated communities .
She also addressed communities affected by racial inequality , stating that the black community is afraid to go jogging for fear of violence , a reference to Ahmaud Arbery , who was killed in Georgia in February .
`` You have the power to stand for and fight for and vote for healthier conditions that will create a healthier society , '' Winfrey said She suggested every graduate in 2020 could become an essential worker if they figure out what service they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will you use what matters in service to yourself , your community and the world ?
Use it to create more equity , more justice and joy in the world . ''
The Office costars and writers Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak hosted the Facebook Live graduation , which showcased graduating classes in all 50 states .
Originally scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. EDT , the live stream started 30 minutes late and continued to have technical glitches in its first hour .
Video frequently froze as the 2-hour graduation roll continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the class of 2020 including Diplo , DJ Khaled , Awkwafina , Kristen Bell , Hugh Jackman ( who said , `` Listen to Oprah .
`` ) , Hasan Minhaj , The Kid Mero , Desus Nice , Jennifer Garner , Steve Aoki , the Fab Five from Queer Eye , Matthew McConaughey , Yara Shahidi and Selena Gomez .
Miley Cyrus also said congratulations and performed her song , `` The Climb . ''

May 15 (UPI) -- Oprah Winfrey gave a commencement speech to the nationwide class of 2020 via Facebook Live on Friday.
She had a message specifically for the class that had to finish senior year at home and graduate remotely.
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"Even though there may not be pomp because of our circumstances, never has a graduating class been called to step into the future with more purpose, vision, passion, energy and hope," Winfrey said.
She cited the Latin origin of the word "graduate." "Gradus" means to step towards. She asked the class of 2020 to lead the way into post-pandemic society.
"Can you, the class of 2020, show us not how to put the pieces back together again but how to create a new and more evolved normal, a world more just, kind, beautiful, tender, luminous, creative, whole?" Winfrey said. "We need you to do this because the pandemic has illuminated the vast systemic inequities that have defined life for too many for too long."
Winfrey thanked essential workers and highlighted how the pandemic disproportionately affected the poor, immigrant and incarcerated communities. She also addressed communities affected by racial inequality, stating that the black community is afraid to go jogging for fear of violence, a reference to Ahmaud Arbery, who was killed in Georgia in February.
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"You have the power to stand for and fight for and vote for healthier conditions that will create a healthier society," Winfrey said
She suggested every graduate in 2020 could become an essential worker if they figure out what service they can provide the world.
"How will you use what matters in service to yourself, your community and the world? Use it to create more equity, more justice and joy in the world."
The Office costars and writers Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak hosted the Facebook Live graduation, which showcased graduating classes in all 50 states. Originally scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. EDT, the live stream started 30 minutes late and continued to have technical glitches in its first hour.
Video frequently froze as the 2-hour graduation roll continued. Many celebrities recorded congratulatory messages for the class of 2020 including Diplo, DJ Khaled, Awkwafina, Kristen Bell, Hugh Jackman (who said, "Listen to Oprah."), Hasan Minhaj, The Kid Mero, Desus Nice, Jennifer Garner, Steve Aoki, the Fab Five from Queer Eye, Matthew McConaughey, Yara Shahidi and Selena Gomez.
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Miley Cyrus also said congratulations and performed her song, "The Climb."


upi--2020-05-15--Stocks close flat Friday; finish worst week since March

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The major U.S. stock indexes rallied Friday to close flat , but not enough @ @ @ @ @ worst week since late March .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 270 @ @ @ @ @ , before closing up 0.25 percent .
The S & P 500 and Nasdaq Composite @ @ @ @ @ about 0.3 percent .
For the week , though , numbers were more bleak .
@ @ @ @ @ P 500 each lost about 2.4 percent , while the Nasdaq was down 1.7 percent @ @ @ @ @ week for the Dow and S & P 500 since late March , when the @ @ @ @ @ in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the start of stay-at-home orders across the United @ @ @ @ @ Stock Exchange announced Thursday it would be reopening its floor for physical trading beginning May @ @ @ @ @ closed since March 20 in response to the threat of COVID-19 .

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 each had their worst week since late March. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 15 (UPI) -- The major U.S. stock indexes rallied Friday to close flat, but not enough to overcome the market's worst week since late March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 270 points early in the day, before closing up 0.25 percent. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each finished the day up about 0.3 percent. Advertisement
For the week, though, numbers were more bleak. The Dow and S&P 500 each lost about 2.4 percent, while the Nasdaq was down 1.7 percent.
This was the worst week for the Dow and S&P 500 since late March, when the markets started a serious slide in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the start of stay-at-home orders across the United States.
The New York Stock Exchange announced Thursday it would be reopening its floor for physical trading beginning May 26. It's been closed since March 20 in response to the threat of COVID-19.


upi--2020-05-15--COVID-19 is more severe in smokers

COVID-19 is more severe in smokers

COVID-19 hits smokers much harder than nonsmokers , according to a new review .
Researchers from the University of California , San Francisco ( UCSF ) , analyzed 19 studies that included data on smoking and severity of COVID-19 among nearly 11,600 patients in the United States , China and Korea .
Most patients were hospitalized , but two studies also included outpatients .
Just over 6 percent of participants had a history of smoking .
While COVID-19 symptoms worsened in 18 percent of all patients , the rate was 29.8 percent among current or former smokers , compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is associated with substantially higher risk of COVID-19 progression , '' said study co-author Stanton Glantz , director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at UCSF .
And when COVID-19 progressed , current or ex-smokers had more acute or critical conditions and a higher risk of death , the researchers found .
`` This finding suggests that California 's ongoing strong tobacco control measures that have lowered smoking may , together with the state 's other strong public health interventions , be contributing to California 's efforts to thwart the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a university news release .
Co-author Dr. Roengrudee Patanavanich , a visiting scholar at UCSF , noted that the fact tobacco use is lower among COVID patients than the general population has been cited as evidence for a protective effect of smoking .
`` But this low prevalence may actually be due to an under-assessment of smoking , especially when you consider the difficult conditions involved when caring for people in often overwhelmed health systems , '' said Patanavanich , of Ramathibodi Hospital at Mahidol University in Bangkok , Thailand .
Tobacco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airways and dampen immune function , which increases smokers ' risk and severity of lung infections , according to the researchers .
Quitting smoking and e-cigarettes should be added to the list of measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic , the authors suggested .
The study was published May 13 in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 .

COVID-19 symptoms worsened more among current and former smokers, a new study found. Photo courtesy of Max Pixel
COVID-19 hits smokers much harder than nonsmokers, according to a new review. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), analyzed 19 studies that included data on smoking and severity of COVID-19 among nearly 11,600 patients in the United States, China and Korea. Advertisement
Most patients were hospitalized, but two studies also included outpatients. Just over 6 percent of participants had a history of smoking.
While COVID-19 symptoms worsened in 18 percent of all patients, the rate was 29.8 percent among current or former smokers, compared with 17.6 percent among nonsmokers.
"Smoking is associated with substantially higher risk of COVID-19 progression," said study co-author Stanton Glantz, director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at UCSF. And when COVID-19 progressed, current or ex-smokers had more acute or critical conditions and a higher risk of death, the researchers found.
"This finding suggests that California's ongoing strong tobacco control measures that have lowered smoking may, together with the state's other strong public health interventions, be contributing to California's efforts to thwart the effect of COVID-19," Glantz said in a university news release.
Co-author Dr. Roengrudee Patanavanich, a visiting scholar at UCSF, noted that the fact tobacco use is lower among COVID patients than the general population has been cited as evidence for a protective effect of smoking. "But this low prevalence may actually be due to an under-assessment of smoking, especially when you consider the difficult conditions involved when caring for people in often overwhelmed health systems," said Patanavanich, of Ramathibodi Hospital at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Tobacco and electronic cigarettes both damage the upper airways and dampen immune function, which increases smokers' risk and severity of lung infections, according to the researchers.
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Quitting smoking and e-cigarettes should be added to the list of measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors suggested. The study was published May 13 in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-15--Hospital ship USNS Mercy leaves Los Angeles

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy left Los Angeles on Friday after serving as assistance to area hospitals dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic .
Mercy departed the World Cruise Center Terminal of the Port of Los Angeles for San Diego , its home base , after treating a wide variety of patients .
Several surgeries , including the ship 's first pacemaker replacement procedure , were performed .
The 1,000-bed hospital ship arrived on March 27 , not to treat COVID-19 patients but to handle other patient concerns as local hospitals dealt with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to its home port in San Diego .
Over the course of its six weeks in port in Los Angeles , the vessel treated a total of 77 patients , including 36 surgeries overall , USNI reported .
`` We came to Los Angeles to be the relief valve for local hospitals in the fight against COVID-19 , '' Capt .
John Rotruck , commanding officer of the hospital 's onboard Medical Treatment Facility , said in a statement .
`` I am very impressed with how well the team came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completing a wide-range of high-quality medical procedures from orthopedic surgeries to interventional radiology . ''
Over 60 of the ship 's personnel will remain in Los Angeles to assist local medical efforts in skilled nursing homes and a state alternative care site , California 's Office of Emergency Services said on Thursday .
`` After arriving on station , the personnel aboard Mercy were able to safely execute our mission in support of FEMA and in coordination with state and local authorities , '' said Capt .
Dan Cobian , the ship 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting Los Angeles-area hospitals , we were able to expand our mission by providing support to a local skilled nursing facility and we also sent personnel to aid USNS Comfort for their effort in New York . ''
The USNS Comfort had a similar mission in deploying to New York City .
It treated 182 patients , the last discharged on April 26 .
The ship departed on April 30 .

The hospital ship USNS Mercy left Los Angeles on Friday, after serving as a relief valve for local hospitals dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by MCS2 Ryan W. Breeden/U.S. Navy/UPI
May 15 (UPI) -- The Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy left Los Angeles on Friday after serving as assistance to area hospitals dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Mercy departed the World Cruise Center Terminal of the Port of Los Angeles for San Diego, its home base, after treating a wide variety of patients. Several surgeries, including the ship's first pacemaker replacement procedure, were performed. Advertisement
The 1,000-bed hospital ship arrived on March 27, not to treat COVID-19 patients but to handle other patient concerns as local hospitals dealt with the virus. The vessel is now expected to return to its home port in San Diego.
Over the course of its six weeks in port in Los Angeles, the vessel treated a total of 77 patients, including 36 surgeries overall, USNI reported.
"We came to Los Angeles to be the relief valve for local hospitals in the fight against COVID-19," Capt. John Rotruck, commanding officer of the hospital's onboard Medical Treatment Facility, said in a statement. "I am very impressed with how well the team came together on this rapid response mission, completing a wide-range of high-quality medical procedures from orthopedic surgeries to interventional radiology."
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Over 60 of the ship's personnel will remain in Los Angeles to assist local medical efforts in skilled nursing homes and a state alternative care site, California's Office of Emergency Services said on Thursday.
"After arriving on station, the personnel aboard Mercy were able to safely execute our mission in support of FEMA and in coordination with state and local authorities," said Capt. Dan Cobian, the ship's mission commander. "In addition to supporting Los Angeles-area hospitals, we were able to expand our mission by providing support to a local skilled nursing facility and we also sent personnel to aid USNS Comfort for their effort in New York."
The USNS Comfort had a similar mission in deploying to New York City. It treated 182 patients, the last discharged on April 26. The ship departed on April 30.


upi--2020-05-15--Look: RSPCA rescues fox cub with head stuck in ceramic vase

May 15 ( UPI ) -- Animal rescuers in Britain said a fox cub needed some help after being found with its head stuck inside a ceramic vase .
The RSPCA said Animal Collection Officer Joe White responded to a resident 's garden Tuesday in Dengayne , Basildon , after the woman reported finding a fox cub with its head stuck in a vase .
`` The woman found the poor cub distressed and disorientated in her garden with this large , heavy pot stuck on his head .
She was worried that he could n't breathe so she smashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us for help , '' White said .
White took the cub to South Essex Wildlife Hospital , where personnel helped him remove the vase .
`` The caller had never seen the vase before so the cub must have found it discarded somewhere under a bush or something , '' White said .
He said the fox was monitored overnight before being returned to the garden .
`` He was filthy so he had a bath and was monitored overnight but , thankfully , did n't seem too worse for wear , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's den is in the woman 's garden so we released him back where he was found so he could return to his mother and littermates . ''

Animal rescuers in Britain were called to a resident's garden where a fox cub was found with its head stuck in a ceramic vase. Photo courtesy of the RSPCA
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe May 15 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in Britain said a fox cub needed some help after being found with its head stuck inside a ceramic vase. The RSPCA said Animal Collection Officer Joe White responded to a resident's garden Tuesday in Dengayne, Basildon, after the woman reported finding a fox cub with its head stuck in a vase. Advertisement
"The woman found the poor cub distressed and disorientated in her garden with this large, heavy pot stuck on his head. She was worried that he couldn't breathe so she smashed the end of the vase and called us for help," White said.
White took the cub to South Essex Wildlife Hospital, where personnel helped him remove the vase.
"The caller had never seen the vase before so the cub must have found it discarded somewhere under a bush or something," White said.
He said the fox was monitored overnight before being returned to the garden.
"He was filthy so he had a bath and was monitored overnight but, thankfully, didn't seem too worse for wear," White said. "The fox's den is in the woman's garden so we released him back where he was found so he could return to his mother and littermates."


upi--2020-05-15--Poorer, racially diverse neighborhoods more likely to lose health facilities, study finds

May 15 ( UPI ) -- Neighborhoods with high black and Hispanic or Latino populations are more likely to lose healthcare facilities , potentially making it more difficult to access care , a new study has found .
In research published Friday by JAMA Network Open , the authors observed that these areas had a higher than 50 percent risk for experiencing a healthcare facility closure -- including hospitals , clinics and pharmacies -- than those with predominantly white populations .
Similarly , regions with high levels of poverty , based on findings from the U.S. Census in 2000 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see needed health facilities close .
`` There is increasing evidence that racial and ethnic disparities in access to healthcare have been reduced for some subgroups after implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , '' the authors wrote .
`` However , our findings suggest that differential change in geographic presence of health care facilities by neighborhood demographic composition may further widen disparities in population health , '' they added .
For the study , the authors used business data from the National Establishment Time-Series , a study that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambulatory care facilities , pharmacies and drugstores in census tracts throughout the continental United States between 2000 and 2014 .
In general , they found that among 72,246 census tracts included in the analysis , the percentage of non-U.S.-born residents in the population , residents age 75 or older , those living in poverty and population density all increased over the 15-year study period .
Additionally , just over 8 percent of the tracts saw their racial or ethnic make-up change , evolving from predominantly white populations to other racial or ethnic compositions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presence of ambulatory care facilities increased by about 5 per census tract between 2000 and 2014 , while the presence of pharmacies and drugstores increased from a mean of 0.6 per census tract to 0.9 over the same period .
However , they also found that census tracts with predominantly black populations were more than twice as likely than white neighborhoods to lose healthcare facilities between 2000 and 2014 .
Similarly , over the same period , Hispanic and Latino areas were 30 percent more likely to see a healthcare facility closure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent more likely .
`` These trends over time may indicate a need for more targeted efforts to address disparities in access to ambulatory care services , '' the authors wrote .

Poverty and race may play a role in access to healthcare, a new study has found. File photo by Max Pixel
May 15 (UPI) -- Neighborhoods with high black and Hispanic or Latino populations are more likely to lose healthcare facilities, potentially making it more difficult to access care, a new study has found. In research published Friday by JAMA Network Open, the authors observed that these areas had a higher than 50 percent risk for experiencing a healthcare facility closure -- including hospitals, clinics and pharmacies -- than those with predominantly white populations. Advertisement
Similarly, regions with high levels of poverty, based on findings from the U.S. Census in 2000 and 2010, were 12 percent more likely to see needed health facilities close.
"There is increasing evidence that racial and ethnic disparities in access to healthcare have been reduced for some subgroups after implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," the authors wrote.
"However, our findings suggest that differential change in geographic presence of health care facilities by neighborhood demographic composition may further widen disparities in population health," they added.
For the study, the authors used business data from the National Establishment Time-Series, a study that examined the presence of and change in ambulatory care facilities, pharmacies and drugstores in census tracts throughout the continental United States between 2000 and 2014.
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In general, they found that among 72,246 census tracts included in the analysis, the percentage of non-U.S.-born residents in the population, residents age 75 or older, those living in poverty and population density all increased over the 15-year study period. Additionally, just over 8 percent of the tracts saw their racial or ethnic make-up change, evolving from predominantly white populations to other racial or ethnic compositions.
Overall, the researchers observed that the presence of ambulatory care facilities increased by about 5 per census tract between 2000 and 2014, while the presence of pharmacies and drugstores increased from a mean of 0.6 per census tract to 0.9 over the same period.
However, they also found that census tracts with predominantly black populations were more than twice as likely than white neighborhoods to lose healthcare facilities between 2000 and 2014.
Similarly, over the same period, Hispanic and Latino areas were 30 percent more likely to see a healthcare facility closure, while ethnically mixed neighborhoods were 53 percent more likely.
"These trends over time may indicate a need for more targeted efforts to address disparities in access to ambulatory care services," the authors wrote.


upi--2020-05-15--Poor Americans likely to miss preventive heart screenings, study shows

Low-income Americans are much less likely to be screened for heart disease or to receive counseling about controlling risk factors , a new study finds .
Heart health screenings -- such as regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks -- and counseling to improve diet , increase exercise or quit smoking play important roles in reducing heart disease risk .
Income has long been associated with heart disease risk , but the connection between income and heart disease preventive care is less well understood , according to the study presented Friday at a virtual meeting of the American Heart Association ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal .
For the study , the researchers analyzed data on nearly 33,000 American adults diagnosed with heart disease between 2006 and 2015 , and more than 185,000 without heart disease .
Compared to those with high incomes , low-income Americans without heart disease were 58 percent less likely to have had their cholesterol checked within five years and 55 percent less likely to have had their blood pressure checked within the past two .
Those with heart disease were 66 percent less likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lowest-income group , people without heart disease were 64 percent less likely to have had their cholesterol and 59 percent less likely to have had their blood pressure checked .
Those with heart disease were nearly 70 percent less likely to have had those checks .
`` Preventive care , including regular cholesterol screenings and blood pressure monitoring , are essential to reducing heart disease and stroke , '' he said in an AHA news release .
Shahu is a resident physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , such as the current COVID-19 pandemic .
`` The American people need to know these types of disparities can not be fixed in the doctor 's office alone , '' Shahu said .
`` They must be addressed using city-level , state-level or even nationwide interventions , and public health policies must align to support these interventions . ''
The U.S. National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute offers a guide to a healthy heart .

Heart health screenings -- such as regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks -- play important roles in reducing heart disease risk. Photo by hamiltonpaviana/Pixabay
Low-income Americans are much less likely to be screened for heart disease or to receive counseling about controlling risk factors, a new study finds. Heart health screenings -- such as regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks -- and counseling to improve diet, increase exercise or quit smoking play important roles in reducing heart disease risk. Advertisement
Income has long been associated with heart disease risk, but the connection between income and heart disease preventive care is less well understood, according to the study presented Friday at a virtual meeting of the American Heart Association (AHA).
Research presented at meetings is typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
For the study, the researchers analyzed data on nearly 33,000 American adults diagnosed with heart disease between 2006 and 2015, and more than 185,000 without heart disease.
Compared to those with high incomes, low-income Americans without heart disease were 58 percent less likely to have had their cholesterol checked within five years and 55 percent less likely to have had their blood pressure checked within the past two. Those with heart disease were 66 percent less likely to have had either check.
In the lowest-income group, people without heart disease were 64 percent less likely to have had their cholesterol and 59 percent less likely to have had their blood pressure checked. Those with heart disease were nearly 70 percent less likely to have had those checks.
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Lead author Dr. Andi Shahu called the gap in preventive care "incredibly worrisome."
"Preventive care, including regular cholesterol screenings and blood pressure monitoring, are essential to reducing heart disease and stroke," he said in an AHA news release. Shahu is a resident physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
He added that problems are often magnified during times of crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
"The American people need to know these types of disparities cannot be fixed in the doctor's office alone," Shahu said. "They must be addressed using city-level, state-level or even nationwide interventions, and public health policies must align to support these interventions."
More information
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers a guide to a healthy heart.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-15--Making a snack run leads to $1 million lottery jackpot

May 15 ( UPI ) -- A North Carolina man said making a snack run paid off when he won a $ 1 million jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket .
Stephen Howell of Graham told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he went to the Fairview One Stop in Haw River to pick up some drinks and snacks for his family and decided to buy a few $ 10 scratch-off tickets while at the store .
Howell later scratched the tickets off at home and discovered one of the tickets , a Red Hot Millions scratch-off , was a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he rushed into the next room to tell his mother .
`` I handed her the ticket , '' he recalled .
`` And she said , 'You won a million dollars ! '
'' Howell said the win caused much celebration for his family .
`` They all have decided that they 'd like a cut of it , '' he said .
`` Now whether or not they get it is a different matter ! ''
Howell said he is considering a new car purchase with his winnings .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .

A North Carolina man said he decided to grab some scratch-off lottery tickets while buying snacks and drinks for his family and ended up winning a $1 million jackpot. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe May 15 (UPI) -- A North Carolina man said making a snack run paid off when he won a $1 million jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket. Stephen Howell of Graham told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he went to the Fairview One Stop in Haw River to pick up some drinks and snacks for his family and decided to buy a few $10 scratch-off tickets while at the store. Advertisement
Howell later scratched the tickets off at home and discovered one of the tickets, a Red Hot Millions scratch-off, was a $1 million winner.
The astonished winner said he rushed into the next room to tell his mother.
"I handed her the ticket," he recalled. "And she said, 'You won a million dollars!'"
Howell said the win caused much celebration for his family.
"They all have decided that they'd like a cut of it," he said. "Now whether or not they get it is a different matter!"
Howell said he is considering a new car purchase with his winnings.
"Everyone's picked out cars for me," he said.


upi--2020-05-15--Space Force flag unveiled in Oval Office

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Space Force unveiled its new flag Friday in a ceremony with President @ @ @ @ @ Office .
The president praised it as `` a very special moment . ''
It @ @ @ @ @ new military flag has been created in more than seven decades .
`` Space is @ @ @ @ @ , both in terms of defense and offense and so many other things , '' @ @ @ @ @ already , from what I 'm hearing and based on reports , we 're now @ @ @ @ @ `` This is really to unfurl the flag , but we 've been doing this @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump signed the defense spending bill that created the Space Force in December .
@ @ @ @ @ released logo , which features a blue globe , a delta wing and three stars @ @ @ @ @ mission of organizing , training and equipping .
The flag unfurled during Friday 's ceremony @ @ @ @ @ Office with the flags representing the other five branches of the military .

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Gen. Jay Raymond (R), chief of Space Operations, CMSgt. Roger Towberman (C) and Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett present President Donald Trump with the official flag of the U.S. Space Force in the Oval Office at the White House on Friday. Pool Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo
May 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force unveiled its new flag Friday in a ceremony with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The president praised it as "a very special moment." Advertisement
It's the first time a new military flag has been created in more than seven decades.
"Space is going to be the future, both in terms of defense and offense and so many other things," Trump said. "And already, from what I'm hearing and based on reports, we're now the leader in space.
"This is really to unfurl the flag, but we've been doing this now for quite awhile."
Trump signed the defense spending bill that created the Space Force in December.
The flag features the previously released logo, which features a blue globe, a delta wing and three stars to represent the branch's mission of organizing, training and equipping. The flag unfurled during Friday's ceremony will remain in the Oval Office with the flags representing the other five branches of the military.


upi--2020-05-15--U.S. Army plans adoption of Next Generation Squad Weapon

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Army 's Next Generation Squad Weapon will be tested by Army Rangers , Green Berets and special operations ground forces , an Army official said .
NGSW prototypes from Sig Sauer Inc. , General Dynamics and Textron Systems are in their final phase of soldier evaluation , with formal testing of weapons and ammunition scheduled for December .
The final design is expected to be named in 2022 , with the weapons arriving in the field a year later .
`` We are an enthusiastic supporter of the Army 's 6.8mm Next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Babbitt , of Program Executive Officer Special Operations Forces Warrior , told Military.com .
`` We expect there will be Next Generation Squad Weapons in our formations as soon as we can receive them via fielding . ''
The prototypes use ammunition that is up to 30 percent lighter than brass rounds currently in use , and the weapons are meant to replace the 5.6mm M4A1 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapon , Babbitt said during the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference earlier this week .
The Army regards the 6.8 mm ammunition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NATO ammunition currently in use .
Feedback has been positive , Babbitt said , to the point that a plan to design a light machine gun using the 6.5 mm Creedmoor ammunition cartridge has been put on hold until NGSW test results are available .
Army tests led to use of the Creedmoor cartridge by special operations snipers in place of 7.62 mm NATO cartridges .
The Army recently awarded L3Harris Technologies five-year , $ 8.7 million contract to provide prototypes for an advanced weapon sight attachment for the NGSW , an optical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on built-in sensor data .

U.S. Army Special Operations forces are enthusiastic about the Next Generation Squad Weapon, an Army official said, as prototypes, and light-weight ammunition undergo testing. Photo by Lt. Ryan DeBooy/U.S. Army/UPI
May 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon will be tested by Army Rangers, Green Berets and special operations ground forces, an Army official said. NGSW prototypes from Sig Sauer Inc., General Dynamics and Textron Systems are in their final phase of soldier evaluation, with formal testing of weapons and ammunition scheduled for December. Advertisement
The final design is expected to be named in 2022, with the weapons arriving in the field a year later.
"We are an enthusiastic supporter of the Army's 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapons," Col. Joel Babbitt, of Program Executive Officer Special Operations Forces Warrior, told Military.com. "We expect there will be Next Generation Squad Weapons in our formations as soon as we can receive them via fielding."
The prototypes use ammunition that is up to 30 percent lighter than brass rounds currently in use, and the weapons are meant to replace the 5.6mm M4A1 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapon, Babbitt said during the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference earlier this week.
The Army regards the 6.8 mm ammunition as more lethal than the 5.62 mm NATO ammunition currently in use.
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Feedback has been positive, Babbitt said, to the point that a plan to design a light machine gun using the 6.5 mm Creedmoor ammunition cartridge has been put on hold until NGSW test results are available. Army tests led to use of the Creedmoor cartridge by special operations snipers in place of 7.62 mm NATO cartridges.
The Army recently awarded L3Harris Technologies five-year, $8.7 million contract to provide prototypes for an advanced weapon sight attachment for the NGSW, an optical device that automatically adjusts to a target based on built-in sensor data.


upi--2020-05-15--Medicaid expansion under Obamacare may have cut U.S. cancer deaths

Cancer death rates have declined more in U.S. states that expanded Medicaid after the Affordable Care Act than in those that did n't , a new study finds .
`` This is the first study to show the benefit of Medicaid expansion on cancer death rates on a national scale , '' said lead author Dr. Anna Lee , a radiation oncology fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City .
`` We now have evidence that Medicaid expansion has saved the lives of many people with cancer across the United States , '' she added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Care Act enacted in 2010 .
At the time of the analysis , 27 states and the District of Columbia had adopted Medicaid expansion , while 23 states did not .
In the study , Lee 's team analyzed nationwide data from 1999 to 2017 and found a 29 percent decline in cancer deaths in states that expanded Medicaid , from 65.1 to 46.3 per 100,000 people .
In states that did n't expand Medicaid , there was a 25 percent decline , from 69.5 to 52.3 per 100,000 people .
The additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an estimated 785 fewer cancer deaths in 2017 alone .
The findings will be presented this week at a virtual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists , or ASCO .
Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal .
`` This study provides needed data to understand the effects of Medicaid expansion on cancer care .
Better access to quality cancer care , in this case through state expansion of Medicaid , leads to fewer cancer deaths , '' Dr. Richard Schilsky , ASCO chief medical officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting news release .
The study authors also examined changes in cancer death rates among specific groups , including blacks and Hispanics .
While there were significant declines in cancer deaths among blacks nationwide , no additional declines were seen in states that expanded Medicaid .
However , cancer death rates were consistently worse for blacks in states without expansion than in states with expansion , 63.4 vs. 58.5 per 100,000 , respectively .
In contrast , the researchers found that the greatest change in cancer death rates between expansion and non-expansion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is a greater Hispanic population in states that have adopted Medicaid expansion , and they have almost three times the uninsurance rate as white adults , '' said senior study author Dr. Fumiko Chino , a radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering .
`` Our research shows that Hispanic patients with cancer may have benefited the most because they had the most to gain , '' she explained in the release .
The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on cancer .

Cancer death rates have declined more in U.S. states that expanded Medicaid after the Affordable Care Act than in those that didn't, a new study finds.
"This is the first study to show the benefit of Medicaid expansion on cancer death rates on a national scale," said lead author Dr. Anna Lee, a radiation oncology fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
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"We now have evidence that Medicaid expansion has saved the lives of many people with cancer across the United States," she added.
Medicaid expansion is part of the Affordable Care Act enacted in 2010. At the time of the analysis, 27 states and the District of Columbia had adopted Medicaid expansion, while 23 states did not.
In the study, Lee's team analyzed nationwide data from 1999 to 2017 and found a 29 percent decline in cancer deaths in states that expanded Medicaid, from 65.1 to 46.3 per 100,000 people.
In states that didn't expand Medicaid, there was a 25 percent decline, from 69.5 to 52.3 per 100,000 people.
The additional benefits for states that expanded Medicaid amounted to an estimated 785 fewer cancer deaths in 2017 alone. The findings will be presented this week at a virtual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, or ASCO. Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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"This study provides needed data to understand the effects of Medicaid expansion on cancer care. Better access to quality cancer care, in this case through state expansion of Medicaid, leads to fewer cancer deaths," Dr. Richard Schilsky, ASCO chief medical officer and executive vice president, said in a meeting news release.
The study authors also examined changes in cancer death rates among specific groups, including blacks and Hispanics.
While there were significant declines in cancer deaths among blacks nationwide, no additional declines were seen in states that expanded Medicaid. However, cancer death rates were consistently worse for blacks in states without expansion than in states with expansion, 63.4 vs. 58.5 per 100,000, respectively.
In contrast, the researchers found that the greatest change in cancer death rates between expansion and non-expansion states was seen for Hispanics.
"There is a greater Hispanic population in states that have adopted Medicaid expansion, and they have almost three times the uninsurance rate as white adults," said senior study author Dr. Fumiko Chino, a radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
"Our research shows that Hispanic patients with cancer may have benefited the most because they had the most to gain," she explained in the release.
More information
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The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more on cancer.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-15--Florida neighborhood taken over by loud, messy peacocks

May 15 ( UPI ) -- Residents of a Florida neighborhood are complaining about a loud and messy flock of @ @ @ @ @ residence in the area .
Residents of the Hillside Terrace area of Brandon said a @ @ @ @ @ the neighborhood several years ago and the flock has since grown to more than 50 @ @ @ @ @ currently in their mating season , which residents said involves noise keeping them up all @ @ @ @ @ their homes .
Some neighbors said they have even had to evict peacocks from inside @ @ @ @ @ officials said the peacocks are n't regulated as pets because no one has claimed ownership @ @ @ @ @ Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the birds also are n't considered wildlife , @ @ @ @ @ have jurisdiction over them .

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May 15 (UPI) -- Residents of a Florida neighborhood are complaining about a loud and messy flock of peacocks that has taken up residence in the area.
Residents of the Hillside Terrace area of Brandon said a pair of peacocks moved into the neighborhood several years ago and the flock has since grown to more than 50 birds.
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The peacocks are currently in their mating season, which residents said involves noise keeping them up all night and increased messes outside their homes.
Some neighbors said they have even had to evict peacocks from inside their homes.
Hillsborough County officials said the peacocks aren't regulated as pets because no one has claimed ownership of them, but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the birds also aren't considered wildlife, so the agency doesn't have jurisdiction over them.


upi--2020-05-15--New U.S. Commerce Dept. rule to further hamper Huawei

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday implemented plans to block China 's Huawei Technologies from obtaining foreign-made semiconductors built using U.S. technology .
It 's the latest effort by the Trump administration to prevent the company from doing business in the United States amid a battle for technological dominance with China .
In 2019 , the Bureau of Industry and Security added Huawei to a list of foreign entities required to obtain a license to import U.S. items .
The agency said Friday that the company has undermined that rule by importing non-U.S.-made items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology , such as semiconductors .
`` This is not how a responsible global corporate citizen behaves , '' Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said .
`` We must amend our rules exploited by Huawei and HiSilicon and prevent U.S. technologies from enabling malign activities contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests . ''
CNBC reported that the rule will hit chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. , a key Huawei supplier .
TSMC announced plans Friday to build an Arizona-based plant .
The company already has a manufacturing plant in Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In February 2018 , U.S. intelligence officials advised Americans against using cellphones by Huawei and ZTE , another Chinese telecom company , warning that they may pose security risks , including allowing spying by the Chinese government .
In May of the same year , the Pentagon announced it would ban the sale of all smartphones made by Huawei and ZTE from all U.S. military bases worldwide .
The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act then included a provision that prevented federal agencies and contractors from buying certain products from the companies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a lawsuit said the ban is based on `` numerous false , unproven and untested propositions '' and that the U.S. government failed to provide evidence Huawei products pose a security risk .

The new rule requires Huawei to obtain a license to purchase semiconductors made with U.S. software or technology. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
May 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday implemented plans to block China's Huawei Technologies from obtaining foreign-made semiconductors built using U.S. technology. It's the latest effort by the Trump administration to prevent the company from doing business in the United States amid a battle for technological dominance with China. Advertisement
In 2019, the Bureau of Industry and Security added Huawei to a list of foreign entities required to obtain a license to import U.S. items. The agency said Friday that the company has undermined that rule by importing non-U.S.-made items that are made using U.S. software and technology, such as semiconductors.
"This is not how a responsible global corporate citizen behaves," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said. "We must amend our rules exploited by Huawei and HiSilicon and prevent U.S. technologies from enabling malign activities contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests."
CNBC reported that the rule will hit chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., a key Huawei supplier.
TSMC announced plans Friday to build an Arizona-based plant. The company already has a manufacturing plant in Washington, and design centers in Texas and California.
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In February 2018, U.S. intelligence officials advised Americans against using cellphones by Huawei and ZTE, another Chinese telecom company, warning that they may pose security risks, including allowing spying by the Chinese government.
In May of the same year, the Pentagon announced it would ban the sale of all smartphones made by Huawei and ZTE from all U.S. military bases worldwide.
The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act then included a provision that prevented federal agencies and contractors from buying certain products from the companies.
Huawei has repeatedly denied any risks and in a lawsuit said the ban is based on "numerous false, unproven and untested propositions" and that the U.S. government failed to provide evidence Huawei products pose a security risk.


upi--2020-05-15--Average 30-year mortgage rate drops to record 3.09 percent

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage loan fell to a record low 3.09 percent , Mortgage News Daily said Friday .
The low mortgage rate reflected a drop in the country 's retail sales for April , as investors moved their money to the bond market .
Rates for a 15-year fixed mortgage also hit a 52-week low of 2.74 percent while the FHA 30-year fixed dropped to 2.75 percent .
`` Not every lender is there , though , and any scenarios where the buyer has a less-than-perfect profile may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Matthew Graham , chief operating officer of Mortgage News Daily , said .
`` Lenders are increasing fees for riskier borrowers due to the economic uncertainties brought on by the coronavirus and the rising number of borrowers struggling to make their monthly payments . ''
As of Tuesday , about 4.7 million homeowners were in forbearance plans , according to mortgage data and analytics company Black Knight .
Forbearance plans allow the mortgage servicer or lender to pause or reduce homeowner 's mortgage payments for a limited period of time for financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a government plan set up by the first coronavirus relief legislation .

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage loan fell to a record low 3.09 percent. Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI | License Photo
May 15 (UPI) -- The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage loan fell to a record low 3.09 percent, Mortgage News Daily said Friday. The low mortgage rate reflected a drop in the country's retail sales for April, as investors moved their money to the bond market. Rates for a 15-year fixed mortgage also hit a 52-week low of 2.74 percent while the FHA 30-year fixed dropped to 2.75 percent. Advertisement
The jumbo 30-year fixed-rate remained stable at 4.34 percent.
"Not every lender is there, though, and any scenarios where the buyer has a less-than-perfect profile may not even be close to all-time lows," Matthew Graham, chief operating officer of Mortgage News Daily, said. "Lenders are increasing fees for riskier borrowers due to the economic uncertainties brought on by the coronavirus and the rising number of borrowers struggling to make their monthly payments."
As of Tuesday, about 4.7 million homeowners were in forbearance plans, according to mortgage data and analytics company Black Knight. Forbearance plans allow the mortgage servicer or lender to pause or reduce homeowner's mortgage payments for a limited period of time for financial reasons.
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Most of those homeowners are in a government plan set up by the first coronavirus relief legislation.


upi--2020-05-15--Watch: Escaped wallaby hops through Wales neighborhood at night

May 15 ( UPI ) -- A Welsh man said he was `` nothing short of gobsmacked '' when he @ @ @ @ @ footage and saw a wallaby hopping through the neighborhood .
Duncan Lewis , 62 , @ @ @ @ @ were awakened in the middle of the night at their Cadoxton , Neath , home @ @ @ @ @ vehicle door slamming and they looked outside to see a police van driving away .
@ @ @ @ @ wife checked their home CCTV footage the next morning and spotted the suspect that was @ @ @ @ @ a wallaby .
`` In the morning my wife checked the CCTV and saw what @ @ @ @ @ a kangaroo , though it was too small to be a kangaroo , '' Lewis @ @ @ @ @ I then had a look and there it was -- I was nothing short of @ @ @ @ @ Police confirmed officers captured the loose wallaby in Cadoxton and the Australian marsupial was returned @ @ @ @

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May 15 (UPI) -- A Welsh man said he was "nothing short of gobsmacked" when he checked his home security camera footage and saw a wallaby hopping through the neighborhood.
Duncan Lewis, 62, said he and his wife were awakened in the middle of the night at their Cadoxton, Neath, home by the sound of a vehicle door slamming and they looked outside to see a police van driving away.
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Lewis said he and his wife checked their home CCTV footage the next morning and spotted the suspect that was being pursued by police: a wallaby.
"In the morning my wife checked the CCTV and saw what she at first thought was a kangaroo, though it was too small to be a kangaroo," Lewis told Wales Online. "I then had a look and there it was -- I was nothing short of gobsmacked."
South Wales Police confirmed officers captured the loose wallaby in Cadoxton and the Australian marsupial was returned to its owner.


upi--2020-05-16--Aerobic exercise can improve thinking, memory in seniors

Want to give your brain a boost ?
Go for a swim , take a walk , or spin your partner on the living room floor .
A new study finds that aerobic exercise can improve older adults ' thinking and memory , even if they 're longtime couch potatoes .
This type of exercise increases blood flow to the brain and counters the effects of normal aging , according to the study published online May 13 in the journal Neurology .
`` As we all find out eventually , we lose a bit mentally and physically as we age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise program later in life , the benefit to your brain may be immense , '' said study author Marc Poulin , of the University of Calgary School of Medicine in Canada .
`` Sure , aerobic exercise gets blood moving through your body .
As our study found , it may also get blood moving to your brain , particularly in areas responsible for verbal fluency and executive functions .
Our finding may be important , especially for older adults at risk for Alzheimer 's and other dementias and brain disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
The study included 206 adults , average age 66 , with no history of memory or heart problems .
For six months , they took part in supervised exercise program three times a week .
As they progressed , their workout increased from an average 20 minutes a day to least 40 minutes .
They were also asked to work out on their own once a week .
At the end of the exercise program , participants had a 5.7 percent improvement on tests of executive function , which includes mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recall instructions and multi-task .
They also had 2.4 percent increase in verbal fluency , a measure of how quickly a person can retrieve information .
`` This change in verbal fluency is what you 'd expect to see in someone five years younger , '' Poulin said .
On average , blood flow to their brain increased 2.8 percent -- a gain tied to a number of improvements in types of thinking that typically decline with age .
`` Our study showed that six months ' worth of vigorous exercise may pump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically improve your verbal skills as well as memory and mental sharpness , '' Poulin said .
`` At a time when these results would be expected to be decreasing due to normal aging , to have these types of increases is exciting , '' he said .
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about exercise and physical activity .

Want to give your brain a boost? Go for a swim, take a walk, or spin your partner on the living room floor.
A new study finds that aerobic exercise can improve older adults' thinking and memory, even if they're longtime couch potatoes.
Advertisement
This type of exercise increases blood flow to the brain and counters the effects of normal aging, according to the study published online May 13 in the journal Neurology.
"As we all find out eventually, we lose a bit mentally and physically as we age. But even if you start an exercise program later in life, the benefit to your brain may be immense," said study author Marc Poulin, of the University of Calgary School of Medicine in Canada.
"Sure, aerobic exercise gets blood moving through your body. As our study found, it may also get blood moving to your brain, particularly in areas responsible for verbal fluency and executive functions. Our finding may be important, especially for older adults at risk for Alzheimer's and other dementias and brain disease," Poulin said in a journal news release.
The study included 206 adults, average age 66, with no history of memory or heart problems.
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For six months, they took part in supervised exercise program three times a week. As they progressed, their workout increased from an average 20 minutes a day to least 40 minutes. They were also asked to work out on their own once a week.
At the end of the exercise program, participants had a 5.7 percent improvement on tests of executive function, which includes mental abilities used to focus, plan, recall instructions and multi-task. They also had 2.4 percent increase in verbal fluency, a measure of how quickly a person can retrieve information.
"This change in verbal fluency is what you'd expect to see in someone five years younger," Poulin said.
On average, blood flow to their brain increased 2.8 percent -- a gain tied to a number of improvements in types of thinking that typically decline with age.
"Our study showed that six months' worth of vigorous exercise may pump blood to regions of the brain that specifically improve your verbal skills as well as memory and mental sharpness," Poulin said.
"At a time when these results would be expected to be decreasing due to normal aging, to have these types of increases is exciting," he said.
More information
Advertisement
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about exercise and physical activity.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-16--Famous birthdays for May 16: Thomas Brodie-Sangster, David Boreanaz

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- William @ @ @ @ @ state whose purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $ 7.2 million was called @ @ @ @ @ '' in 1801 -- Banker Levi Morton , U.S. vice president under Benjamin Harrison , @ @

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Thomas Brodie-Sangster attends the Burberry Festive Film Premiere in London on November 3, 2015. The actor turns 30 on May 16. File Photo by Paul Treadway/ UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- William Seward, U.S. secretary of state whose purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million was called "Seward's Folly," in 1801
-- Banker Levi Morton, U.S. vice president under Benjamin Harrison, in 1824
-- Serial killer H. H. Holmes in 1861
-- Actor Henry Fonda in 1905
-- Author Louis "Studs" Terkel in 1912
-- Entertainer Liberace, born Władziu Valentino Liberace, in 1919
-- New York Yankees player/Manager Billy Martin in 1928
-- Actor Danny Trejo in 1944 (age 76)
-- Actor Pierce Brosnan in 1953 (age 67)
-- Olympic gold medal gymnast Olga Korbut in 1955 (age 65)
-- Actor Debra Winger in 1955 (age 65)
-- Actor Mare Winningham in 1959 (age 61)
File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI
-- Singer Janet Jackson in 1966 (age 54)
-- Singer Ralph Edward Tresvant Jr. in 1968 (age 52)
-- Actor Tracey Gold in 1969 (age 51)
-- Political commentator Tucker Carlson in 1969 (age 51)
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-- Actor David Boreanaz in 1969 (age 51)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Former Argentine tennis player Gabriela Sabatini in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor/stunt performer Jason "Wee Man"Acuna in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Tori Spelling in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Joseph Morgan in 1981 (age 39)
-- Actor/model Megan Fox in 1986 (age 34)
-- Model Behati Prinsloo in 1989 (age 32)
-- Actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster in 1990 (age 30)
-- Figure skater Ashley Wagner in 1991 (age 29)
-- Actor Miles Heizer in 1994 (age 26)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-05-16--On This Day, May 16: Joan of Arc canonized as saint

On this date in history : In 1871 , U.S. Marines landed in Korea in an attempt to open the country to foreign trade .
In 1920 , Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church .
In 1929 , the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had its first Academy Awards ceremony .
Wings was named Best Picture in the event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel .
In 1932 , following the assassination of Premier Inukai Tsuyoshi , fears began to spread that a militarist `` super-party '' was beginning to take shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unmanned Soviet spacecraft Venera 5 landed on Venus .
In 1985 , the NBA named the Chicago Bulls ' Michael Jordan rookie of the year after he led all players in points .
In 1988 , U.S .
Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said nicotine was as addictive as heroin or cocaine and called for the licensing of tobacco product vendors .
In 1991 , Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address a joint session of Congress .
In 1997 , Mobutu Sese Seko -- who ruled Zaire for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of billions of dollars -- fled the capital as rebel forces advanced .
He died in exile less than four months later .
In 2006 , Italian President Giorgio Napolitano appointed Romano Prodi premier amid charges of election fraud from outgoing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi .
In 2012 , Vermont became the first state to ban hydraulic fracturing ( fracking ) to extract gas from underground deposits .
In 2013 , Britain 's David Beckham announced he would retire from soccer .
In 2014 , election results in India gave Narenda Modi and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory elevating him to prime minister .
In 2019 , the final episode of The Big Bang Theory aired after a 12-season run .
The comedy series starred Jim Parsons ( Sheldon ) , Johnny Galecki ( Leonard ) , Kaley Cuoco ( Penny ) , Simon Helberg ( Howard ) , Kunal Nayyar ( Raj ) , Melissa Rauch ( Bernadette ) and Mayim Bialik ( Amy ) .

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A gilded bronze statue of Joan of Arc stands in the Place des Pyramides in Paris. On May 16, 1920, Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. File Photo by Eco Clement/UPI | License Photo
On this date in history: In 1804, the French Senate declared Napoleon Bonaparte emperor. Advertisement
In 1871, U.S. Marines landed in Korea in an attempt to open the country to foreign trade.
In 1920, Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had its first Academy Awards ceremony. Wings was named Best Picture in the event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
In 1932, following the assassination of Premier Inukai Tsuyoshi, fears began to spread that a militarist "super-party" was beginning to take shape in Japan.
File Photo courtesy of the Japan's National Diet Library
In 1969, the unmanned Soviet spacecraft Venera 5 landed on Venus.
In 1985, the NBA named the Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan rookie of the year after he led all players in points.
In 1988, U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said nicotine was as addictive as heroin or cocaine and called for the licensing of tobacco product vendors.
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In 1991, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address a joint session of Congress.
UPI File Photo
In 1997, Mobutu Sese Seko -- who ruled Zaire for more than 30 years, allegedly looting it of billions of dollars -- fled the capital as rebel forces advanced. He died in exile less than four months later.
In 2006, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano appointed Romano Prodi premier amid charges of election fraud from outgoing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
In 2012, Vermont became the first state to ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract gas from underground deposits.
In 2013, Britain's David Beckham announced he would retire from soccer.
In 2014, election results in India gave Narenda Modi and his opposition Bharatiya Janata Party a major victory elevating him to prime minister.
In 2019, the final episode of The Big Bang Theory aired after a 12-season run. The comedy series starred Jim Parsons (Sheldon), Johnny Galecki (Leonard), Kaley Cuoco (Penny), Simon Helberg (Howard), Kunal Nayyar (Raj), Melissa Rauch (Bernadette) and Mayim Bialik (Amy).
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upi--2020-05-16--Studies show no benefit of malaria drug against COVID-19

Two new studies are the latest in a series to show that a drug touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a potential game changer against COVID-19 does n't work .
Hydroxychloroquine reduces inflammation , pain and swelling , and is widely used to treat rheumatic diseases and malaria .
Laboratory tests of the drug against COVID-19 yielded promising results , but mounting evidence from clinical and observational studies suggest that it does n't provide any meaningful benefits for COVID-19 patients .
In the first of the two new studies published May 14 in the BMJ , researchers in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with standard care in 181 adults hospitalized with pneumonia due to COVID-19 who needed oxygen .
Of those patients , 84 received hydroxychloroquine within 48 hours of admission and 97 did not .
Treatment with the drug did not significantly reduce admission to intensive care or death within seven days , or the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome within 10 days .
The findings do not support the use of hydroxychloroquine in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia , said the team led by Matthieu Mahevas , from the department of internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Paris .
The second study , led by Qing Xie , from the department of infectious disease at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , was conducted in China and included 150 adults hospitalized with mainly mild or moderate COVID-19 .
Half received hydroxychloroquine in addition to standard care and the others received standard care only .
Both groups had similar rates of COVID-19 recovery after 28 days , but those who received hydroxychloroquine experienced more adverse events .
There was little difference in reduction of symptoms and time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of patients .
The findings do not support the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients with persistent mild to moderate COVID-19 , the study authors said in a journal news release .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration now warns against use of the drug outside clinical trials or hospital settings due to the risk of heart rhythm problems .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 .

Two new studies are the latest in a series to show that a drug touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a potential game changer against COVID-19 doesn't work.
Hydroxychloroquine reduces inflammation, pain and swelling, and is widely used to treat rheumatic diseases and malaria.
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Laboratory tests of the drug against COVID-19 yielded promising results, but mounting evidence from clinical and observational studies suggest that it doesn't provide any meaningful benefits for COVID-19 patients.
In the first of the two new studies published May 14 in the BMJ, researchers in France assessed the effectiveness and safety of hydroxychloroquine compared with standard care in 181 adults hospitalized with pneumonia due to COVID-19 who needed oxygen.
Of those patients, 84 received hydroxychloroquine within 48 hours of admission and 97 did not. Treatment with the drug did not significantly reduce admission to intensive care or death within seven days, or the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome within 10 days.
The findings do not support the use of hydroxychloroquine in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, said the team led by Matthieu Mahevas, from the department of internal medicine at Henri-Mondor Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris.
The second study, led by Qing Xie, from the department of infectious disease at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, was conducted in China and included 150 adults hospitalized with mainly mild or moderate COVID-19. Half received hydroxychloroquine in addition to standard care and the others received standard care only.
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Both groups had similar rates of COVID-19 recovery after 28 days, but those who received hydroxychloroquine experienced more adverse events. There was little difference in reduction of symptoms and time to relief of symptoms between the two groups of patients.
The findings do not support the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients with persistent mild to moderate COVID-19, the study authors said in a journal news release.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration now warns against use of the drug outside clinical trials or hospital settings due to the risk of heart rhythm problems.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-15--NFL owners to vote on proposal to incentivize minority coach, GM hires

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The NFL will present a pair of resolutions to league owners next week , including one that would improve draft picks for teams that hire minority candidates in head coach or general manager roles .
Under the proposal , which is aimed at fixing diversity issues across the league , a team could upgrade its third-round draft selection by up to 16 picks if a minority candidate is hired .
The draft pick could go up 10 spots for hiring a minority general manager or an equivalent-level position and six spots for hiring a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan is approved , teams also could move up five spots in the fourth round should a minority general manager or head coach enter the third year on the job .
If a minority quarterbacks coach is retained after one season , the club would receive a fourth-round compensatory pick .
Under the other proposal , the league would eliminate the anti-tampering barrier that currently allows teams to block assistant coaches from interviewing for coordinator positions with other clubs .
Among other ideas being proposed : requiring multiple interviews for minority candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rooney Rule to include coordinator positions .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Friday that the proposals , which were submitted by the league 's diversity committee , are expected to be addressed during the owners ' virtual meeting Tuesday .
The plans need 24 of 32 votes in favor to pass .
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is in favor of the proposals , according to ESPN .
Three of the last 20 NFL head-coaching hires were minority candidates , while two of the league 's 32 general managers are minorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera was the only minority hired .

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera became the next coach of the Washington Redskins after the 2019 regular season. He was the only minority hired in the last coaching cycle. File Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo
May 15 (UPI) -- The NFL will present a pair of resolutions to league owners next week, including one that would improve draft picks for teams that hire minority candidates in head coach or general manager roles. Under the proposal, which is aimed at fixing diversity issues across the league, a team could upgrade its third-round draft selection by up to 16 picks if a minority candidate is hired. The draft pick could go up 10 spots for hiring a minority general manager or an equivalent-level position and six spots for hiring a minority candidate as head coach. Advertisement
If the plan is approved, teams also could move up five spots in the fourth round should a minority general manager or head coach enter the third year on the job. If a minority quarterbacks coach is retained after one season, the club would receive a fourth-round compensatory pick.
Under the other proposal, the league would eliminate the anti-tampering barrier that currently allows teams to block assistant coaches from interviewing for coordinator positions with other clubs.
Among other ideas being proposed: requiring multiple interviews for minority candidates for head coaching jobs and expanding the Rooney Rule to include coordinator positions.
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League sources told ESPN and NFL Media on Friday that the proposals, which were submitted by the league's diversity committee, are expected to be addressed during the owners' virtual meeting Tuesday. The plans need 24 of 32 votes in favor to pass.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is in favor of the proposals, according to ESPN. Three of the last 20 NFL head-coaching hires were minority candidates, while two of the league's 32 general managers are minorities.
During the last coaching cycle, Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera was the only minority hired.


upi--2020-05-16--First storm of the Atlantic hurricane season sets records in Florida

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Depression One has become the first storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season on Saturday over the warm waters offshore of Florida .
Tropical Depression One will be upgraded to Tropical Storm Arthur when it is determined that the storm contains sustained winds of 39 mph or greater .
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for parts of the North Carolina coast by the National Weather Service .
Although the official start of hurricane season is June 1 , there has been a preseason tropical system for most of the last 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have tropical activity this early , according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Travis .
Residents in South Florida saw impacts from Tropical Depression One before it fully developed .
A number of flash flood warnings were triggered along the southeastern coast of Florida as heavy downpours and thunderstorms continued on Friday night .
Street flooding was reported across the Miami metro area .
Thursday was the second wettest May day on record for the city of Marathon in the Florida Keys .
Heavy rain totaled 5.76 inches , stopping short of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inches set on May 27 in 1959 .
Marathon picked up a total of 6.45 inches from May 14-15 , when the normal precipitation for all of May is 3.35 inches .
`` Showers will also wet eastern Florida , but rainfall will not be as heavy compared to Friday across South Florida .
A brisk onshore wind will keep surf rough along the East Coast of Florida on Saturday , which could produce strong rip currents , '' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said .
The heavy rain and thunderstorm activity seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lift to the north and northeast into Sunday , AccuWeather meteorologists say .
The storm and its heavy rain will remain off the coast from northeastern Florida to southern North Carolina this weekend .
According to Dan Kottlowski , AccuWeather 's top hurricane expert , the storm will track offshore of the southeastern United States and pass about 75 to 125 miles off the coast of North Carolina 's Outer Banks Sunday night into Monday , as Outer Banks beaches reopen to visitors .
The strongest winds will likely remain to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open waters of the Atlantic ; however , coastal parts of the Carolinas could have gale-force gusts Sunday into Monday .
`` While it still appears that the worst of the storm will stay offshore , we are monitoring the potential for the storm to track closer to the coast and bring the Outer Banks more substantial rain and wind , '' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller said .
Those planning to head to the beach should be aware of the risk of rough surf and strong rip currents that expands northward along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multiple coronavirus testing sites in Florida were forced to close this weekend due to showers and windy weather caused by Tropical Depression One .
The 14 state-run COVID-19 testing sites include Brevard Eastern Florida State College 's Palm Bay campus and University High School in Orange City .
Miami Dade County has temporarily closed all testing sites as well .
The testing sites will be closed until Monday , according to the Florida Department of Health .
The 2020 season follows four straight years during which there were at least two U.S.-landfalling hurricanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
That 's the longest streak since 1947-50 and only twice since 1851 has the streak reached at least five years ( 1932-36 and 1876-82 ) .

AccuWeather meteorologists expect conditions to become more conducive for the system to organize into a tropical depression or storm over the warm waters offshore of Florida and near the Bahamas. Photo courtesy of NOAA
May 16 (UPI) -- Tropical Depression One has become the first storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season on Saturday over the warm waters offshore of Florida. Tropical Depression One will be upgraded to Tropical Storm Arthur when it is determined that the storm contains sustained winds of 39 mph or greater. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for parts of the North Carolina coast by the National Weather Service. Advertisement
Although the official start of hurricane season is June 1, there has been a preseason tropical system for most of the last 10 years, so it is not uncommon to have tropical activity this early, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Travis.
Residents in South Florida saw impacts from Tropical Depression One before it fully developed. A number of flash flood warnings were triggered along the southeastern coast of Florida as heavy downpours and thunderstorms continued on Friday night. Street flooding was reported across the Miami metro area.
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Thursday was the second wettest May day on record for the city of Marathon in the Florida Keys. Heavy rain totaled 5.76 inches, stopping short of the city's rainiest May day record of 6.60 inches set on May 27 in 1959. Marathon picked up a total of 6.45 inches from May 14-15, when the normal precipitation for all of May is 3.35 inches.
May 16 @ 530am - Check out these rain totals from Friday into Friday night! How much rain did you get? #flwx pic.twitter.com/1j8XEo1wqV- NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) May 16, 2020
May 16 @ 530am - Check out these rain totals from Friday into Friday night! How much rain did you get? #flwx pic.twitter.com/1j8XEo1wqV- NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) May 16, 2020
"Showers will also wet eastern Florida, but rainfall will not be as heavy compared to Friday across South Florida. A brisk onshore wind will keep surf rough along the East Coast of Florida on Saturday, which could produce strong rip currents," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said.
The heavy rain and thunderstorm activity seen in the Bahamas and Florida will continue to lift to the north and northeast into Sunday, AccuWeather meteorologists say. The storm and its heavy rain will remain off the coast from northeastern Florida to southern North Carolina this weekend.
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According to Dan Kottlowski, AccuWeather's top hurricane expert, the storm will track offshore of the southeastern United States and pass about 75 to 125 miles off the coast of North Carolina's Outer Banks Sunday night into Monday, as Outer Banks beaches reopen to visitors.
The strongest winds will likely remain to the east of the low and across the open waters of the Atlantic; however, coastal parts of the Carolinas could have gale-force gusts Sunday into Monday.
"While it still appears that the worst of the storm will stay offshore, we are monitoring the potential for the storm to track closer to the coast and bring the Outer Banks more substantial rain and wind," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller said.
Those planning to head to the beach should be aware of the risk of rough surf and strong rip currents that expands northward along the entire Southeast coast this weekend.
High Risk of DEADLY Rip Currents this weekend at area beaches. When in doubt, don't go out! Rip currents will be life-threatening for all levels of swimmers. Windy conditions expected by early afternoon at area beaches with building surf#flwx #gawx #jaxwx @JaxReady pic.twitter.com/BQl8NweHyL- NWS Jacksonville (@NWSJacksonville) May 16, 2020
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Multiple coronavirus testing sites in Florida were forced to close this weekend due to showers and windy weather caused by Tropical Depression One. The 14 state-run COVID-19 testing sites include Brevard Eastern Florida State College's Palm Bay campus and University High School in Orange City. Miami Dade County has temporarily closed all testing sites as well. The testing sites will be closed until Monday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The 2020 season follows four straight years during which there were at least two U.S.-landfalling hurricanes, with Barry and Dorian striking in 2019. That's the longest streak since 1947-50 and only twice since 1851 has the streak reached at least five years (1932-36 and 1876-82).


upi--2020-05-16--Police identify bodies found under Georgia bridge, rule deaths as homicides

May 15 ( UPI ) -- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the deaths of two women whose bodies were found Wednesday under a north Georgia bridge has been ruled a homicide .
The GBI identified the victims in a statement Thursday as 19-year-old Vanita Richardson and 31-year-old Truvenia Clarece Campbell .
Autopsies performed by the GBI Medical Examiner concluded `` the manner of death is homicide , '' the statement read without explaining how the women were killed .
The Floyd County School District confirmed Richardson was a student at Armuchee High School and was scheduled to graduate next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for being a fun-loving , humble and motivated student who was making strong plans for her future , '' the school board said in a statement .
`` Even throughout the school closures , Vanita 's passing is felt by all . ''
Social workers and counselors will be available for grief counseling , it said .
GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Johnston told the Rome-News Tribune the bodies were found Wednesday morning by a Georgia Department of Transportation crew performing maintenance on the bridge .
He said the two bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passenger side .
The GBI requested anyone who saw `` anything suspicious '' between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in the area to contact the authorities .

May 15 (UPI) -- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the deaths of two women whose bodies were found Wednesday under a north Georgia bridge has been ruled a homicide.
The GBI identified the victims in a statement Thursday as 19-year-old Vanita Richardson and 31-year-old Truvenia Clarece Campbell.
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Autopsies performed by the GBI Medical Examiner concluded "the manner of death is homicide," the statement read without explaining how the women were killed.
The Floyd County School District confirmed Richardson was a student at Armuchee High School and was scheduled to graduate next Saturday.
"Vanita will be remembered for being a fun-loving, humble and motivated student who was making strong plans for her future," the school board said in a statement. "Even throughout the school closures, Vanita's passing is felt by all."
Social workers and counselors will be available for grief counseling, it said.
We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the news of the death of one of our students, Vanita Richardson who was scheduled to graduate next Saturday. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Armuchee Community and her friends and family at this time.- Floyd County Schools (@FloydCoSchools) May 14, 2020 Advertisement
GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Johnston told the Rome-News Tribune the bodies were found Wednesday morning by a Georgia Department of Transportation crew performing maintenance on the bridge.
He said the two bodies are believed to have been dropped over the passenger side.
The GBI requested anyone who saw "anything suspicious" between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in the area to contact the authorities.


upi--2020-05-16--Georgia police search for car belonging to woman found under bridge

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Georgia police are searching for a vehicle that belonged to a woman found under @ @ @ @ @ with another woman in what they believe is a double homicide .
Vanita Richardson , @ @ @ @ @ , 31 , were found dead Wednesday under the Etowah Bridge near Rome , a @ @ @ @ @ northern part of the state .
Investigators believe the two women -- described as half-sisters @ @ @ @ @ as stepsisters or close friends in others -- were riding together in Richardson 's car @ @ @ @ @ of the car , a gold 1997 Toyota Corolla , are unknown , and individuals @ @ @ @ @ have other information about the case have been urged to contact Georgia police at 1-800-597-TIPS @ @ @ @ @ investigator told an Atlanta NBC affiliate the women had bags over their heads when they @ @ @ @ @ their bodies had `` obviously been dropped from the bridge . ''
Richardson was scheduled @ @ @ @ @ School this month .

Vanita Richardson, 19, and Truvenia Campbell, 31, were found dead under a Georgia bridge this week in what police are investigating as a homicide. Family photo via 11Alive/ Youtube
May 16 (UPI) -- Georgia police are searching for a vehicle that belonged to a woman found under a Georgia bridge this week with another woman in what they believe is a double homicide. Vanita Richardson, 19, and Truvenia Campbell, 31, were found dead Wednesday under the Etowah Bridge near Rome, a town of 36,303 in the northern part of the state. Advertisement
Investigators believe the two women -- described as half-sisters in some media counts and as stepsisters or close friends in others -- were riding together in Richardson's car Tuesday night.
The whereabouts of the car, a gold 1997 Toyota Corolla, are unknown, and individuals who see it or may have other information about the case have been urged to contact Georgia police at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
An investigator told an Atlanta NBC affiliate the women had bags over their heads when they were found, and that their bodies had "obviously been dropped from the bridge."
Richardson was scheduled to graduate from Armuchee High School this month.
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upi--2020-05-16--Filmmaker Lynn Shelton dead at 54

Filmmaker Lynn Shelton dead at 54

May 16 ( UPI ) -- Director Lynn Shelton , known for the films `` Humpday '' and `` Your Sister 's Sister , '' as well as directing a number of acclaimed television shows , died Friday of a blood disorder .
She was 54 .
Known for eschewing big-budget offers in favor of quirky , low-budget films , Shelton also worked extensively on small-screen fare , most recently directing four episodes of the Hulu miniseries `` Little Fires Everywhere . ''
She had also directed several episodes of `` GLOW , '' `` Love , '' `` Fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mindy Project . ''
`` There was a previously unknown , underlying condition , '' said her partner , comedian Marc Maron , in a statement shared with USA Today .
`` It was not COVID-19 .
The doctors could not save her .
They tried .
Hard . ''
Shelton had worked with Maron on `` GLOW '' and directed two of his standup specials . ''
Shelton began her entertainment career as an editor , then shifted to directing , with her breakout film being `` Humpday , '' a film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make gay pornography together .
`` Humpday '' received a special jury prize at Sundance in 2009 and was acclaimed by critics .
Shelton was born in Oberlin , Ohio , and grew up in Seattle , then went on to attend Oberlin College and the University of Washington School of Drama , then the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan , where she studied photography and related media .
Shelton was married to the actor Kevin Seal from 2011 to 2019 .
She is survived by a son from her marriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents , Wendy and Alan Roedell and David `` Mac '' Shelton and Frauke Rynd .
She is also survived by three siblings : David Shelton , Robert Rynd and sister Tanya Rynd .

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Director Lynn Shelton, shown here at the 2011 premiere of 'Your Sister's Sister' at Ryerson Theatre during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, died Friday of a blood disorder. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
May 16 (UPI) -- Director Lynn Shelton, known for the films Humpday and Your Sister's Sister, as well as directing a number of acclaimed television shows, died Friday of a blood disorder. She was 54. Known for eschewing big-budget offers in favor of quirky, low-budget films, Shelton also worked extensively on small-screen fare, most recently directing four episodes of the Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere. Advertisement
She had also directed several episodes of GLOW, Love, Fresh Off the Boat and The Mindy Project.
"There was a previously unknown, underlying condition," said her partner, comedian Marc Maron, in a statement shared with USA Today. "It was not COVID-19. The doctors could not save her. They tried. Hard."
Shelton had worked with Maron on GLOW and directed two of his standup specials."
Shelton began her entertainment career as an editor, then shifted to directing, with her breakout film being Humpday, a film about two straight male friends who decide to make gay pornography together.
Humpday received a special jury prize at Sundance in 2009 and was acclaimed by critics. Shelton was born in Oberlin, Ohio, and grew up in Seattle, then went on to attend Oberlin College and the University of Washington School of Drama, then the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where she studied photography and related media.
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Shelton was married to the actor Kevin Seal from 2011 to 2019.
She is survived by a son from her marriage to Seal as well as by her parents, Wendy and Alan Roedell and David "Mac" Shelton and Frauke Rynd. She is also survived by three siblings: David Shelton, Robert Rynd and sister Tanya Rynd.
Notable deaths of 2020
Richard Thornburgh Richard "Dick" Thornburgh, former attorney general of the United States and former governor of Pennsylvania, takes a seat at the witness hearing after U.S. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2005. Thornburgh Richard "Dick" Thornburgh, former attorney general of the United States and former governor of Pennsylvania, takes a seat at the witness hearing after U.S. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2005. Thornburgh died on December 31 at age 88. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo