Since Omicron was first discovered in late 2021, it has stubbornly refused to go away. Highly transmissible even compared to earlier versions of COVID, it led to a record winter spike at the start of this year—and it’s believed to have gotten even more transmissible since. Omicron has mutated several times, first from BA.1 and BA.2 through to BA.5, the version that’s now spreading across the country along with the similar sub-type BA....

Fauci made the remarks during a video question and answer session with the Journal of the American Medical Association on Wednesday. He said that five companies with vaccines in advanced clinical trials could be in a position to “move forward” in December, but the vaccines will not be available then, even if they sidestep the traditional approval process with an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)....

Paducah’s Walt DeFreitas volunteered to face Centralia’s Lew Bekeza in a pregame cow milking contest. DeFreitas kneeled down and wrapped his hands around the cow’s udders as laughter filled Paducah’s Brooks Stadium. Then the calf hurt his calf. “DeFreitas not only lost, but was unable to play that evening because the cow kicked him in the shins,” the Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball reported. Maybe the nearby leather gloves provoked the cow....

The Cowboys rookie offensive lineman destroyed two Seahawks defenders Sunday on a run play early in the second quarter. That’s a 321-pound man running full speed at your chest. MORE: Live scoreboard | Best of NFL Week 8 | Brees, Manning post video game numbers Unfortunately for the Cowboys, Darren McFadden was unable to gain more than three yards on the play. Let’s hope we get to see Collins pull to the outside on another run play before the game is over....

While praising Dallas for its efforts and growth this season, McCarthy effectively guaranteed during a Thursday news conference that his team would beat Washington in Week 14. “We know what people think of us. We love that,” McCarthy told reporters. “We’re comfortable [with] who we are, where we are. But I’m excited about what’s in front of us because — we’re gonna win this game. I’m confident in that and the prep that’s going into it....

As proven again during Sunday’s defeat in Carolina, Dallas’ formula of winning with ball control and defense doesn’t always work. The big changes around Prescott this offseason led to an offensive dud in Sunday’s 16-8 loss to the Panthers in Week 1. As a passer (19 of 29, 170 yards, 81.1 rating), Prescott was at the same level efficiency-wise as counterpart Cam Newton. But unlike Newton, Prescott could not run his team to enough points to win....

Team owner Jerry Jones, who played hardball at times during negotiations with Elliott’s camp, sat down with CNBC just hours after the Cowboys announced the deal and appeared content with the move, despite being “$100 million lighter.” “We’re glad to get him booked in. We’re glad to have him on the team,” Jones said. “Zeke has been arguably our best player.” Jones touched on the “pretty interesting dynamics” involved in the negotiations considering the short career span for top running backs, but also evoked the memory of Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith, who starred for Dallas into his 30s....

That’s the right decision. Adding Hardy — not keeping Murray or going after Peterson — allows the Cowboys to keep up with NFC heavyweights. STEELE: Bucs decide against the risk | MORE: Free agency bargains, wallet-busters Murray was a huge part of Dallas’ playoff breakthrough last season, and Peterson could have filled that void as an established, prolific power runner. But it’s much harder to get a free agent of Hardy’s ilk (let alone on the open market)....

The Cowboys would like to go back to their dominant ways after losses to other AFC West teams, the Broncos and Chiefs, in two of the past three games. ailments on offense have slowed them down around Dak Prescott. Top wide receivers Amari Cooper (COVID-19) and CeeDee Lamb (concussion), while left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee) will hope to be effective playing through their injuries....

The Greensboro Police Department said officers responded to the Lake Brandt marina at 5945 Lake Brandt Road shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, following reports that an animal was on the loose in the area and may present a threat to the public. An effort to humanely trap the animal was launched after it was described as possibly being a coyote or a “similar wild species,” police said. There were at least six reported attacks in the area on Friday and Saturday, with four people believed to have been bitten, according to media outlet WFMY....

This style of CPAP mask may be just the interface you need to overcome certain problems tolerating CPAP, such as claustrophobia and air leaks. Discover whether nasal pillows CPAP masks are right for you and how to select the best one. Nasal Pillows for CPAP Therapy Nasal pillows are a type of CPAP mask consisting of plastic inserts that look like headphone earbuds that slip directly into the nostrils. The prescribed pressure used to keep the airway open is delivered through this mask....

Alternatively, there are free templates for grade books online! Click More templates on the home page to search for “grade book” templates. You may see different templates depending on what version of Excel you’re using. The web app version of Excel has two grade book templates, one for points-based grading and another for percentage-based grading. Alternatively, there are free templates for grade books online! Click More templates on the home page to search for “grade book” templates....

Federal law explicitly prohibits the creation of a federal firearm registry, and it requires that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System erase background check information within 24 hours of completion and that it not keep a database. Yet in 2016, the Government Accountability Office called out the Obama administration for holding on to the data, and the Biden administration continues to compile digital records. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has collected nearly one billion firearm purchase records from gun dealers who have gone out of business....

But the fact that the school is planning Lumberjack Night on Feb. 7 vs. DePaul in honor of its bearded wonder (74 of his 76 made shots this season have been from distance) is just a delightful coincidence, says Creighton sports information director Rob Anderson. Fans are being asked to wear flannel and beards to that game. The promotional video leads with a clip from Monte Python’s “The Lumberjack Song,” and a fan thought of putting more Jays-centric lyrics with it that appear on Creighton’s Facebook page....

Tendulkar has become a revered figure in India for his cricketing prowess, with the 40-year-old having amassed 15,837 test runs -- more than any other player in the history of the game. He is also the only batsman to score 50 test centuries -- he now boasts 51 -- and owns the records for the most hundreds and runs in one-day internationals. Currently on 198 test appearances, Tendulkar announced on Thursday that he will finish his career at the end of a two-match series against the West Indies....

He does have a point. As he said, there have been 90,000 murders in the United States during the past four years, up more than 10 percent from the prior four-year period. In one week alone last month in Washington, there were 24. Cynics everywhere like to juxtapose the fortress that is the White House with the violence and mayhem that occur just up the block, let alone in the Congress Except for stiffer sentences and new prison construction, little criminal-justice reform has made it through Washington over the past decade....

Once again, Saddam Hussein kept out of sight as an announcer read a statement on Iraqi television last Saturday. It contained a grim threat to the well-being of 3,100 Americans and thousands of other Westerners trapped in Iraq and Kuwait. The spokesman alluded to a warning the previous day that citizens of “aggressive nations” would be held prisoner at Iraqi military bases and other potential targets for American bombers. And he warned that, because of the international embargo on trade with Baghdad, the foreigners would have to share whatever food was left over after Iraqi soldiers and essential workers had been fed....

Portugal was unexpectedly knocked out of World Cup contention on Saturday, losing a quarterfinal match to Morocco, 1-0. Ronaldo, widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, left the pitch in tears following the results, with the Portuguese star previously stating that this year would mark his final World Cup before retirement. Despite his illustrious career, Ronaldo will now likely never win FIFA’s top tournament, should his prior statements about retirement hold true....

While having crooked teeth primarily impacts feelings of self-worth, it can also cause difficulty chewing and swallowing, and, in rare cases, speaking. Luckily, there are a number of options for teeth straightening, including metal braces, clear aligners, retainers, and veneers, among others. What Causes Crooked Teeth? Perfect teeth, with the upper set fitting a little over the lower and the molars interlocking appropriately, are relatively rare. However, most issues are minor, and many don’t require treatment....

350,000 people a year take flights, creating noise problems and visual clutter. More than 40 operators fly over. In summer, the Grand Canyon National Park Airport becomes Arizona’s second busiest. During the summer, 6,400 cars daily can face two-mile waits at the entrance. And there are only 1,600 parking spaces. About 100 roll through the park daily. 2.2 million riders per year. An old steam train carries 100,000 people into the park annually....