Latest news with #KathrynPalmer
USA Today
6 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
See where COVID cases are rising amid summer wave: New CDC data
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows activity of COVID-19 is increasing across a wide swath of the country. As the U.S. approaches the midpoint of summer, the CDC is reporting cases of the virus are growing or likely growing in more than half of all states, including many in the South and Southeast. The center's July 18 report shows at least 26 states plus Washington, D.C., are encountering a summer surge, according to its epidemic trend modeling, using data from emergency department visits. The CDC notes its modeling indicates trends in overall cases, not the actual numbers of current infections. New COVID variant is spreading: What are the symptoms? A familiar summer surge The rate of positive COVID-19 tests is increasing nationally, the CDC said of the last week in data, with emergency department visits for the virus are increasing among children 4 years old and younger. Though there is an uptick in COVID-19 cases in more than two dozen states, the CDC says the overall amount of people seeking care for acute respiratory illnesses is at a very low level. That's accompanied by low levels of seasonal influenza activity and very low levels of RSV activity, the CDC says. Overall, trends in COVID-19 cases continue downward as compared to the last few years, according to long-term data trends in deaths, emergency room visits and positive cases. The U.S. has seen a wave of higher COVID-19 cases every summer since 2020. COVID-19 in 2025: What's the latest vaccine guidance? It's complicated. COVID-19 cases are growing in 10 states: The CDC's latest report says cases are likely growing in more than a dozen other states, plus Washington, D.C. In one state − Montana − COVID-19 cases are likely declining. COVID-19 cases are likely growing in the following 16 states: Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Storm tracker: Disturbance east of Caribbean expected to weaken, forecasters say
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disorganized group of showers and thunderstorms east of the Caribbean, with odds of it forming into a tropical cyclone slightly decreasing on Monday, July 21. As of the center's July 21 midday report, there are showers and thunderstorms associated with an area of low pressure hundreds of miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles, with a 10% chance it will form into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours. The disturbance was set to move west at about 15 miles per hour, forecasters said, but conditions are expected to prevent further formation in the coming days. Chances of it strengthening into a cyclone within the next week are similarly low, forecasters say, also at about 10%. "Although the wave is still producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, environmental conditions are not expected to be conducive for development during the next few days," the July 21 update said. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will last through the end of November. Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October. Atlantic hurricane season storm tracker How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
The Herald Scotland
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Approval rating, immigration: Trump polling numbers drop in new survey
Overall, the poll puts Trump's approval rating at 42%, with disapproval at 58%. The survey previously found Trump's approval rating was 45% in June and 47% in mid-April. In contrast, the second-term president's aggregate approval ratings from The New York Times and Real Clear Politics show a 44% and 45.5% approval, respectively, and a 53% and 52% disapproval. The new survey's findings come just a few days after Trump's approval numbers on immigration hit an all-time low since the start of his second term in a Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted between July 15 and July 16. Approximately 41% of Americans approved of the administration's immigration stances, while 51% disapproved. Among the 2,343 U.S. adult respondents in the CBS poll, 56% said they disapprove of the way the president is handling immigration, while 44% said they approve. That's a ten-point drop from when pollsters asked the same question at the beginning of the president's second term in February, the outlet reports, when 54% approved and 46% disapproved. The poll also specifically asked respondents about the administration's efforts to deport immigrants they say are in the U.S. illegally. Support for the push has also dropped ten points since February, with a majority now against the policies. Less than half - 49% - of respondents said they approved of the deportations in the July survey, compared to 59% in the results from February. "Approval of the deportation program has slipped over these months to become slightly net-negative now, with support becoming more exclusively drawn from Republicans and MAGA identifiers," CBS said upon release of the results on Sunday. The differences in support for Trump's immigration policies is split among party lines. Nearly all Republicans surveyed - 91% - say they approve of the president's deportation program. Among Democrats, 14% say they approve, while a majority - 86% - disapproved. Among independents, 59% were against the deportations and 41% were for them. The administration's use of detention facilities, like its deportation efforts, saw similar results in the July poll, with 58% disapproving and 42% approving of their use. Support was also drawn across party lines, with 85% of Republicans approving of the detention facilities, compared to 15% of Democrats. The poll was conducted between July 16-18. It has a margin of error of ?2.5 points. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- USA Today
Volcano erupts in Iceland spewing wall of lava: See video, photos
An Icelandic volcano erupted early Wednesday, spewing a bright red wall of lava in a region known for high seismic activity. The eruption began in the early morning hours of July 16, on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row in the Reykjanes Peninsula of southwestern Iceland about 30 miles southwest from the capital, Reykjavik. It's the ninth eruption in the area since December 2023, officials said, and has prompted evacuations of a nearby town and the geothermal tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon. As of Wednesday afternoon local time, there were no reports of immediate threats to nearby structures, though officials have warned of gas pollution and fine glass fibers emitted from the Sundhnúkur volcano's eruption. The Icelandic Meteorological Office first reported at 1:20 a.m. local time of an "intense seismic swarm" on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row, and that magma had begun to intrude into an area of rock, heightening the chance of an eruption. A little over 2.5 hours later at about 5 a.m., scientists noted the eruption began, which has since grown to more than one single fissure after a second one opened west of Fagradalsfjall, measuring about 1,600 feet. Video shows Icelandic volcano eruption Last Reykjanes Eruption in April: Volcano erupts in Iceland, forcing evacuation of tourists and residents Photos display volcano eruption in Iceland Volcano eruption prompts evacuation, residents ordered to stay inside Officials noted the eruptive fissure about a half a mile long a little over an hour after the eruption started. It grew to just under 1.5 miles long several hours later, according to updates at noon local time. Residents in the area have been advised by meteorological officials to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and turn off ventilation systems to avoid gas pollution risk. There have been reports of so-called "witch's hair" drifting in the wind, the office says, which are fine glass fibers formed when lava droplets cool rapidly and stretch, causing skin and eye irritation. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service has reported that about 200 guests were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon, and a police commissioner in Suðurnes said the evacuation of Grindavík included about 100 individuals. The government in a July 16 statement advised travelers in the area to monitor air quality, with conditions posted here, and noted that the eruption area is closed to the public for safety reasons. According to Iceland's Department of Civil Protection and Response, the eruption has no impact on other parts of the Reykjanes Peninsula or the rest of Iceland, including Reykjavík. Flights to and from Iceland are operating on schedule, the department said, and the Ring Road (Route 1) remains open. Updates are available via the Icelandic Meteorological Office, and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, as well as official government channels. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- USA Today
Volcano erupts in Iceland spewing wall of lava: See photos
An Icelandic volcano erupted early Wednesday, spewing a bright red wall of lava in a region known for high seismic activity. The eruption began in the early morning hours of July 16, on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row in the Reykjanes Peninsula of southwestern Iceland about 30 miles southwest from the capital, Reykjavik. It's the ninth eruption in the area since December 2023, officials said, and has prompted evacuations of a nearby town and the geothermal tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon. As of Wednesday afternoon local time, there were no reports of immediate threats to nearby structures, though officials have warned of gas pollution and fine glass fibers emitted from the Sundhnúkur volcano's eruption. The Icelandic Meteorological Office first reported at 1:20 a.m. local time of an "intense seismic swarm" on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row, and that magma had begun to intrude into an area of rock, heightening the chance of an eruption. A little over 2.5 hours later at about 5 a.m., scientists noted the eruption began, which has since grown to more than one single fissure after a second one opened west of Fagradalsfjall, measuring about 1,600 feet. Last Reykjanes Eruption in April: Volcano erupts in Iceland, forcing evacuation of tourists and residents Photos display volcano eruption in Iceland Volcano eruption prompts evacuation, residents ordered to stay inside Officials noted the eruptive fissure about a half a mile long a little over an hour after the eruption started, growing to just under 1.5 miles long several hours later according to updates at noon local time. Residents in the area have been advised by meteorological officials to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and turn off ventilation systems to avoid gas pollution risk. There have been reports of so-called "witch's hair" drifting in the wind, the office says, which are fine glass fibers formed when lava droplets cool rapidly and stretch, causing skin and eye irritation. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service has reported that about 200 guests were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon, and a police commissioner in Suðurnes said the evacuation of Grindavík included about 100 individuals. The government in a July 16 statement advised travelers in the area to monitor air quality, with conditions posted here, and noted that the eruption area is closed to the public for safety reasons. According to Iceland's Department of Civil Protection and Response, the eruption has no impact on other parts of the Reykjanes Peninsula or the rest of Iceland, including Reykjavík. Flights to and from Iceland are operating on schedule, the department said, and the Ring Road (Route 1) remains open. Updates are available via the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, as well as official government channels. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
