AURN News

(AURN News) — HP Hood LLC is recalling several varieties of its Lactaid milk products due to potential almond contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recall affects five types of 96-ounce containers of Lactaid milk that may contain undeclared almonds, posing a serious health risk to individuals with nut allergies.

The affected products were shipped to retailers and wholesalers in 27 states from Sept. 5 to 18, 2024. The recall includes whole milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, fat-free milk, and 2% calcium-enriched milk. No illnesses have been reported so far, according to the company.

However, people with almond allergies or severe sensitivities could face a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction, according to the company’s statement posted on the FDA website.

The recall applies to products with the code 51-4109 P2 and specific "Best By" dates ranging from Nov. 22, 2024, to Dec. 5, 2024, depending on the product variety. The code and date can be found in the center-top area of the container.

Affected states include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN NEWS) — The Pew Research Center has unveiled a new online calculator designed to help Americans gauge their economic standing. The new tool allows you to determine whether you fall into the lower, middle, or upper-income category. Users are prompted to input key information, including their state of residence, metropolitan area, household income before taxes, and the number of people in their household. Utilizing data from 2022, the tool then processes this information to categorize your household as lower, middle, or upper income.

The calculator also offers an additional feature that allows for more nuanced comparisons. You can also input further demographic details such as education level, age, race, and marital status. With this information, the calculator provides a comparison of your economic standing to others with similar demographic profiles.

According to Pew, 52% of U.S. adults reside in middle-income households, while 28% are classified as lower-income, and 19% fall into the upper-income category. The Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater metropolitan area in Washington state boasted the highest percentage of middle-income households at 46%. In contrast, Laredo, Texas had the largest share of lower-income households, also at 46%. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area in California stood out with the highest percentage of upper-income households, at 41%.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster in Georgia following the impact of Tropical Storm Debby, the White House announced Tuesday. The storm affected the state from August 4 to August 20, 2024.

According to the White House, federal funding is now available to support recovery efforts in several counties hit by the storm. Eight counties - Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, and Screven - will receive assistance for those affected by the disaster. The White House also stated that this aid can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans for uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.

Additionally, the federal government will provide funding to state, tribal, and eligible local governments, as well as certain nonprofit organizations, in 33 counties. This assistance will support emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storm on a cost-sharing basis.

If you were affected by the storm, you can apply for assistance through www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I have pledged that building a strong middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency."

In a major economic speech in Pittsburgh, Vice President Kamala Harris laid out her vision to grow America's middle class.

"When we invest in those things that strengthen the middle class - manufacturing, housing, healthcare, education, small businesses, and our communities - we grow our economy."

She highlighted the administration's success in reducing inflation and creating nearly 740,000 manufacturing jobs and acknowledged that the cost of living remains too high, with many Americans still struggling to afford homes, healthcare, and daily expenses.

"I want Americans and families to be able to not just get by, but be able to get ahead."

In contrast, she criticized Donald Trump, accusing him of favoring billionaires and big corporations over the middle class.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to NBC New York, the FBI searched Gracie Mansion, the residence of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, on Thursday morning. The FBI declined to comment, but Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, called the operation a “spectacle,” noting that Adams was not arrested and is looking forward to his day in court.

Federal charges against Adams are expected, potentially making him the first sitting NYC mayor to face prosecution, though the exact charges remain unclear. Adams denies any wrongdoing, calling the accusations false and politically motivated.

He vowed to fight the allegations and stated he would not resign, insisting he could still lead the city. The search is part of ongoing investigations into Adams' fundraising and ties to Turkey, including potential improper contributions linked to his 2021 mayoral campaign.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN NEWS) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued urgent warnings as Tropical Storm Helene approaches the southeastern United States. According to NOAA's latest advisory, Helene is forecast to intensify to near hurricane strength Wednesday as it nears the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect.

NOAA warns of a life-threatening storm surge danger along the entire west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida's Big Bend, with the highest inundation levels expected along the Big Bend coast. The agency has also issued a Hurricane Warning for portions of Florida's Big Bend, where damaging hurricane-force winds are anticipated. The agency urged residents to complete preparations by early Thursday.

As the storm moves inland, NOAA is warning of considerable flash and urban flooding across portions of Florida, the Southeast, southern Appalachians, and the Tennessee Valley from Wednesday through Friday, with a risk of landslides in the southern Appalachians.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the Associated Press, North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson has hired a law firm to investigate a CNN report alleging he made explicit racial and sexual posts on a pornography website’s message board, which Robinson calls “false smears.”

The report has sparked concerns among Republicans, with some urging Robinson to address the claims quickly to avoid losing support. The Republican Governors Association has withdrawn its backing, and key staffers have resigned.

CNN reported Robinson made inflammatory posts praising Hitler, criticizing Martin Luther King Jr., and expressing controversial views. While Robinson denies the allegations, he has yet to provide counterevidence.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcellus Williams was executed last night in Missouri despite widespread calls for clemency and mounting doubts about his guilt. Williams, a Black man convicted in the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, maintained his innocence for 23 years. DNA evidence found on the murder weapon did not match Williams', yet the courts denied his appeal.

The prosecutor who initially sought the conviction, St. Louis County's Wesley Bell, later advocated for the case to be overturned. Even the jury said they wanted it overturned, citing racial bias and contaminated evidence. The victim's family also opposed the execution, but the Missouri Supreme Court and governor pushed forward with it.

Many are questioning how such a grave miscarriage of justice can occur in 2024, with the murderer of Felicia Gayle potentially still on the loose, and issues of racial injustice and wrongful convictions in the death penalty system persisting.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his final address to the United Nations, President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of democracy and the needs of the people over personal power, stating "Some things are more important than staying in power."

While he highlighted ongoing global conflicts, he offered little in terms of immediate solutions for the escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Biden recognized the challenges in the region and reaffirmed that diplomatic solutions are essential for lasting peace. He also expressed a desire for cooperation with China on urgent issues.

With pressing global challenges ahead, Biden's speech served as a reminder of the complexities facing international leaders as they navigate a rapidly changing world.

With Biden having only a few more months in office and the election nearly 40 days, many are asking what happens next. Will there be changes in democracy and diplomacy?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart covers the victorious outcome for T.I. and Tameka “Tiny” Harris in their four-year legal battle against MGA Entertainment. The couple successfully sued the company for infringing on the intellectual property rights of their music group, the OMG Girls, with MGA’s popular LOL Surprise OMG Dolls. After a long fight, the jury reached a unanimous verdict in favor of T.I. and Tiny, awarding them a staggering $71 million in damages, with an additional $53 million in punitive damages.

Tanya shares the couple’s heartfelt gratitude to the jurors for believing in their case and ensuring justice was served. With this massive victory, T.I. and Tiny are set to have a very bright holiday season ahead. Tune in for more on this story and the latest updates from Hollywood, and don’t forget to follow Tanya Hart on social media for all the entertainment buzz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices