Some of the day top local/national stories:
--
A recall notice is out for a baby cough syrup because it might be contaminated with a bacterium that can cause deadly reactions. The recall covers DG/health Naturals Baby Cough Syrup + Mucus. The syrup was sold nationwide at Dollar General stores. The Food and Drug Administration says the bacterium that could be in the syrup can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Most illnesses from the bacterium are mild, but the FDA says there is a potential for serious illness and death.
--
Governor Phil Bryant wasn't kidding when he said he was eager to sign Mississippi's new abortion law. Only 48 hours after the legislature wrapped up work on a bill that could ban an abortion before a woman even knows she's pregnant, Bryant is planning to make it law at a ceremony at the Capitol this morning. It prohibits most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, or about six weeks into a pregnancy. But the ink from the governor's signature will barely be dry before opponents file a court challenge. They're confident a federal judge will declare the law unconstitutional.
--
The American Red Cross is asking for the public's help in preventing fire deaths in Mississippi. It's organizing teams of volunteers to go into homes across the state this spring to install smoke detectors and teach people what to do if a fire breaks out. The Red Cross says smoke detectors installed during the Sound the Alarm campaign in previous years have saved at least seven lives in Mississippi.
--
Mississippi is already considered a leader in telemedicine, and now, it's taking a big step forward with a program establishing a high speed broadband network for first responders all across the state. FirstNet Authority is overseeing the rollout of the new system nationwide and is working with the University of Mississippi Medical Center on a pilot project to allow doctors in Jackson to receive detailed patient information from paramedics and other first responders. The Mississippi program will become a model for other states to follow.
--
Attorney General Jim Hood says that 31-year-old Michael Hillie, of Gulfport, a former adult care facility operator, is headed to prison. Hood says Hillie, who headed up "Precious Care," an unlicensed facility, has been ordered to serve five years behind bars for the exploitation of a vulnerable person. He allegedly took four-thousand-dollars in Social Security benefits from several victims and will have to pay the money back. Hillie received a three-year suspended sentence for his guilty plea to an abuse charge lodged against him for denying medical care to a patient who had suffered second and third-degree burns.
--
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is under investigation for alleged ethics violations. The Pentagon's Inspector General said in a statement Wednesday it began the investigation after getting a recent complaint that Shanahan allegedly acted to promote his former employer, Boeing, and disparage its competitors. Shanahan worked at Boeing for 31 years before joining the Trump administration.
--
Suspected mail bomber Cesar Sayoc is due in court in Manhattan today to enter a guilty plea. There's no word on exactly what he'll plead guilty to, but prosecutors have charged him with 30 counts, including using a weapon of mass destruction. The Florida man is accused of mailing bombs last year to prominent Democrats and critics of Donald Trump, including actor Robert De Niro. None of the bombs detonated, and no one was hurt. At the time of his arrest, Sayoc was living in a van that was covered with pro-Trump and Republican stickers.
--
A teenager who claims he wasn't allowed into the National Honor Society because he's a Trump supporter will be at the White House today by invitation. Boris Kizenko says he was barred from the society after getting into trouble with the administration at his New Jersey high school for making a T-shirt with a Trump-like campaign slogan and putting a Trump quote on his class' Instagram account. The school superintendent says politics don't play a role in getting into the National Honor Society.
--
Forget social media influencers … A new survey has found that when it comes to people’s biggest influencer … it’s mom. 41 percent of adults under the age of 45 said they believe kids are more likely to get advice from their mom, compared to 28 percent who think bloggers and social media influencers have a bigger impact. And 60 percent of adults surveyed said they pass their mother’s advice onto their own kids.
According to the survey, here are the biggest lessons we learn from mom:
- Always try your best – 36%
- Treat others as you would like to be treated – 31%
- If you don’t ask, you don’t get – 26%
- Don’t worry about what others think – 25%
- There’s no such word as “can’t” – 23%
- Never give up – 22%
- Believe in yourself – 22%
- Do what makes you happy – 21%
- It’s what’s inside that counts – 20%
And here are mom’s biggest beauty and fashion tips:
- Drink lots of water – 36%
- Beauty comes from within – 36%
- Wear what you feel comfortable in – 31%
- Always wear sunscreen – 25%
- Moisturize daily – 23%
- Invest in a good bra – 22%
- Always take your make-up off before bed – 20%
- Don’t compare your style to others – 20%
- Embrace your shape – 19% (SWNS)
--
A new study says drinking piping hot tea almost doubles the risk of cancer. Researchers with the American Cancer Society have found that tea drinkers who like their tea warmer than 140 degrees Fahrenheit and consumed about two large cups per day had a 90-percent higher risk of esophageal cancer, compared to those who drank their tea cooler. Previous studies have found a link between hot tea and cancer of the esophagus. The new study published Wednesday is the first to pinpoint a specific temperature. The study's lead author advises tea drinkers to wait until it cools down before drinking.
PEOPLE DON’T REALLY BECOME “ADULTS” UNTIL THEIR 30S
According to a new study, people don’t become “adults” until they’re in their 30s.Researchers found that changes continue in the brain, which can affect behavior all the way through the 20s -- and into the 30s.It’s not like there’s a childhood and then an adulthood. Instead, people are on journey. And, they don’t really have everything in place until about age 40. (BBC)
--
Once again Labrador retrievers are the most popular dog breed in the U.S. The updated rankings were based on data from the American Kennel Club, and the Labs reigned above all others for the 28th consecutive year. Labs are credited for their friendly nature and ability to fill so many different working-dog roles. They've been used as service animals, bomb-sniffing dogs, hunters' helpers, dog-sport competitors and still make great family pets. Behind Labs were German shepherds, golden retrievers, French bulldogs and bulldogs.
--
Days of Our Lives is leading this year's Daytime Emmy Awards. The nominations were announced Wednesday for the 46th annual Daytime Emmys. Leading the pack is the long-running drama Days of Our Lives with 27 nominations. General Hospital and The Young and the Restless both scored 20 nominations, and the Bold and the Beautiful got 12. In the best morning show category, NBC's Today show will face off against ABC's Good Morning America, CBS This Morning and CBS Sunday Morning. Best game show nominees include Family Feud, Jeopardy!, Let's Make a Deal, The Price Is Right and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Other nominees for Daytime Emmys include Dr. Oz, Rachel Ray, Ellen DeGeneres and The View. Judge Judy will receive a lifetime achievement award.