Weekend News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on July 19, 2024
A Buffalo-based firm — MimiVax — has raised five-point-eight million dollars toward a clinical trial of a cancer immunotherapy drug. MimiVax officials say the round is scheduled to wrap up by the end of next month. They credit Roswell Park and the Buffalo community with helping their launch. The trial is for newly-diagnosed glioblastoma patients. Glioblastoma is a fast-growing cancer that forms in the brain or the spinal cord.
As promised, the Monroe County Board of Ethics has released its report on a traffic stop involving District Attorney Sandra Doorley. She was speeding in Webster back in April but didn’t pull over until reaching her home. The report says Doorley violated the county’s ethics code during the incident and a review of body camera footage showed she repeatedly refused to follow the requests of law enforcement. It’s important to note the Board of Ethics has no disciplinary power.
The Buffalo Office of Gun Violence Prevention is a step closer to being created. The Buffalo Common Council’s Legislation Committee has endorsed the plan for the new office. It would provide support to families impacted by gun violence, implement evidence-based interventions and facilitate community engagement while working with law enforcement to better track illegal firearms. The resolution calls for the office to be open by the end of the year on December 31st.
Acting Erie County District Attorney is joining state leaders in supporting legislation to combat the state’s opioid crisis. Michael Keane said laws cracking down on how cases are handled within the legal system are long overdue. The first piece of legislation, “Chelsea’s Law,” was named in honor of Chelsea Murray who fatally overdosed on fentanyl that was traced back to her alleged supplier. The bill would allow drug dealers to be charged with manslaughter when they know a substance is likely to cause death. The second bill identifies the drug xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, as a controlled substance, while the final bill would allow families of overdose victims to access victim assistance funds. The DA’s office said they’re committed to finding solutions to reduce overdose deaths in the community while increasing awareness.
New York State has launched a new digital portal to make free or low-cost child care more accessible to families. This new program comes from the historic $1.8 billion state and federal investment in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) secured by Governor Hochul. Families can use an online tool to pre-screen for eligibility for CCAP and then apply for childcare assistance. For more information, visit ny.gov/childcare.
Area drivers this weekend are finding consistent prices at the pump when it comes time to fill up their vehicle. According to Triple-A today, the national average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is now $3.50 per gallon. The state average is $3.62. In Batavia, the average price right now is $3.55. That’s the same as it was a week ago and only one cent higher than this time one month ago.
Organizers have announced who is going to be serving as the headline act for this year’s Rochester Fringe Festival. Former Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson is going to perform at Kodak Hall on Friday, September 13th at 7:30. The full lineup for this year’s festival will be revealed during a news conference on July 23rd. Tickets are available right now for the festival, which is happening from September 10th through the 21st.
The 29th Annual Genesee Cancer Assistance Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 27th at Terry Hills. The tournament is full; however, donations and sponsorships, along with raffle tickets, are still available. Activities run from 10:30am through a post-golf dinner. Funds raised assist cancer patients in Genesee County. Call 585-345-0417 or visit www.geneseecancerassistance.org to sponsor or donate.
The annual Crossroads House Tent Sale is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24th. There will be many household items, as well as furniture, collectibles and toys to choose from. The preview and pre-sale is from 9am until 1:00 on the 24th; there’s a $5 entry fee and kids under 16 admitted free. The full sale starts July 25th from 9am until 6pm. For event details, go to www.crossroads.com/events.
The Genesee County 4-H Market Animal Auction will be on Thursday, July 25th starting at 6:00pm at the Genesee County Fair. The sale features animals raised by local 4-H members. You can bid online; head on over to www.williamkentinc.com.
NBC feature stories…
The common COVID-19 symptom involving gastrointestinal issues can cause long-term issues in patients. That’s according to an article published in the British Medical Journal. It said that the virus can cause lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting among other stomach issues. About half of people experience those symptoms after a COVID infection. Some medical professionals say chronic gut issues could be a form of long-term COVID.
And speaking of COVID…COVID 19 cases are rising throughout the United States this summer. The Centers for Disease Control says COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 45 states and territories. The CDC says 26 states have levels categorized as high or very high. The number of hospital and ER visits for COVID is the highest its been since the winter. However, hospitalization numbers overall remain very low.
A German man seems to be cured of HIV, the seventh such case recorded. The man was treated with a stem cell transplant for acute myeloid leukemia in 2015. He’s been in remission since at least 2018 and tests have shown no signs of HIV in his body. The man, who wants to remain anonymous, said, “A healthy person has many wishes, a sick person only one.” The case will be presented next week at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich.
Most of Gen Z uses TikTok to seek out health advice. The Zing Coach poll found that 56% of Gen Z looks on TikTok for wellness, diet and fitness advice. Over a third said they use the app as their main form of health advice. Meanwhile, 14% said they get health advice from friends, 13% from Google and 11% from qualified doctors or trainers. When asked why Gen Z chooses TikTok, four in 10 respondents said it’s because it’s free, and 22% said it’s because it’s quick.
The Mediterranean diet could improve children’s heart health. The diet, which focuses on plant-based cooking along with fruits, beans, seeds, fish and lean meat have shown benefits for adults. But new research shows children on the diet for at least eight weeks showed drops in blood pressure and cholesterol. The study was published last week in the journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Network Open.