Mansfield-Storrs, CT
Sports
March Madness 2025: Everything You Need To Know Before Brackets Start Busting March Madness 2025: Everything You Need To Know Before Brackets Start Busting
March Madness 2025: Everything You Need To Know Before Brackets Start Busting Let the madness begin! The day college basketball fans, office bracket pool gurus, and cute mascot aficionados have been waiting for is finally here. March Madness begins in earnest on Thursday, Mar. 20, with the start of the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The women's first round begins the following day. The men's tourney officially tipped off on Tuesday, Mar. 18, with the annual First Four play-in games in Dayton, Ohio. Four teams have already won a game, including one of the most storied programs in North Carolina, and Alabama State on an incredible…

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by Chris Spiker
Chambersburg, PA
News
Egg Smuggling Soars As US Prices Spike, Fentanyl Seizures Drop: CBP Egg Smuggling Soars As US Prices Spike, Fentanyl Seizures Drop: CBP
Egg Smuggling Soars As US Prices Spike, Fentanyl Seizures Drop: CBP U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is cracking down on a surprising contraband at the border—eggs. Egg-related seizures have surged 116% in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with officials reporting 3,254 interceptions, according to CBP data. The spike comes as U.S. egg prices continue to soar, driven by a historic avian flu outbreak decimating poultry farms nationwide. Meanwhile, fentanyl seizures have fallen 32% year-over-year. While President Donald Trump has vowed to curb fentanyl trafficking, the more immediate smuggling crisis appears to be brea…

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by Jillian Pikora
Bloomfield, CT
Business
Recall Issued For 75,000 Bottles Of Popular Creamer Due To Health Hazards Recall Issued For 75,000 Bottles Of Popular Creamer Due To Health Hazards
Recall Issued For 75,000 Bottles Of Popular Creamer Due To Health Hazards A popular coffee creamer has been recalled due to potential health risks, affecting thousands of bottles distributed across 31 states. International Delight has voluntarily recalled over 75,000 bottles of its coffee creamer after reports of spoilage and illness from consumers, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall, initiated on Friday, Feb. 21, was classified as Class II by the FDA on Wednesday, March 12 — indicating that while health risks are not life-threatening, they could cause temporary or medically reversible issues. The recall affects two flavors of Int…

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by Joe Lombardi
Albany, NY
Politics
Ontario Premier Walks Back 25% Surcharge Threat On Electricity To NY, Other States Ontario Premier Walks Back 25% Surcharge Threat On Electricity To NY, Other States
Ontario Premier Walks Back 25% Surcharge Threat On Electricity To NY, Other States Just one day after announcing a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to three US states–including New York–Ontario Premier Doug Ford has agreed to suspend the fee following talks with US officials. Ford and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced Tuesday, March 11, that they had agreed to meet in Washington, DC on Thursday, March 13, alongside the US Trade Representative, to discuss the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ahead of an April reciprocal tariff deadline. “In response, Ontario agreed to suspend its 25 percent surcharge on exports of electricity to Michigan,…

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by Michael Mashburn
Springfield, MA
News
11 Dead In Listeria Outbreak Linked To Frozen Shakes 11 Dead In Listeria Outbreak Linked To Frozen Shakes
11 Dead In Listeria Outbreak Linked To Frozen Shakes Frozen shakes are being recalled due to a Listeria outbreak that has caused 11 deaths and sickened dozens more, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said. The products under the brand names Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial were sold to institutional settings such as long-term care facilities and hospitals and distributed throughout the nation in 4-ounce cartons. For a rundown of recalled products, item numbers and best-by dates, check this link from the FDA. Click here to view product labels. States reporting cases connected to this outbreak include: Alabama California Color…

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by Joe Lombardi
Bronxville, NY
Business
Recall Issued For Popular Snack Brands Sold In 36 States, Including NY Recall Issued For Popular Snack Brands Sold In 36 States, Including NY
Recall Issued For Popular Snack Brands Sold In 36 States, Including NY Consumers in multiple states are being urged to check their snack cabinets after a major recall affecting a popular brand of biscuits, wafers, and snack rolls. ZB Importing LLC is voluntarily recalling certain lots of six varieties of Ulker Brand snack products due to undeclared wheat, egg, and/or milk in the ingredient list and/or "Contains" statement on product labels.  People with allergies or severe sensitivities to these ingredients could experience serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume the affected items. Affected Distribution Areas Products were distributed thr…

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by Joe Lombardi
Jericho, NY
Business
Nathan's Famous Puts NYC Tap Water In Cans — And Will Give It Away For Free Nathan's Famous Puts NYC Tap Water In Cans — And Will Give It Away For Free
Nathan's Famous Puts NYC Tap Water In Cans — And Will Give It Away For Free An iconic hot dog brand in New York will help some fans cook with a little extra flavor from the city. Nathan's Famous is giving away limited-edition cans of New York City tap water, the Jericho, NY-based company announced. The promotion allows people to enter for a chance to win a four-pack of the specially canned water, along with a coupon for a free pack of Nathan's Famous hot dogs. Lucky fans in 17 states and Washington DC can boil their Nathan's hot dogs in "purified water from a municipal source" just like they would in the city. "New York's tap water has been a corner…

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by Chris Spiker
Yonkers, NY
Politics
Cast Your Vote Now: Too Early For 2028 Presidential Race Picks? Not According To Oddsmakers Cast Your Vote Now: Too Early For 2028 Presidential Race Picks? Not According To Oddsmakers
Cast Your Vote Now: Too Early For 2028 Presidential Race Picks? Not According To Oddsmakers For most Americans, the 2024 presidential election just wrapped up, but for bookmakers, the 2028 race is already heating up.  While political insiders might say it’s too soon to speculate, oddsmakers are busy crunching numbers — and their latest predictions suggest a competitive field with some familiar names. According to Star Sports, Vice President JD Vance currently leads the betting market with 11/4 odds (26.7 percent), making him the early Republican favorite. Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr.’s odds of winning the presidency in 2028 have improved significantly in recent months. Once c…

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by Joe Lombardi
Taneytown-Union Bridge, MD
Politics
Elon Musk Faces Lawsuit From Maryland AG Over 'Unchecked Power' Elon Musk Faces Lawsuit From Maryland AG Over 'Unchecked Power'
Elon Musk Faces Lawsuit From Maryland AG Over 'Unchecked Power' Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is taking on billionaire Elon Musk in a landmark lawsuit, alleging that the tech mogul was unlawfully granted sweeping federal authority that threatens the constitutional balance of power. Brown, alongside attorneys general from 12 other states, filed the lawsuit this week, arguing that President Donald Trump violated the Appointments Clause of the US Constitution by creating a new federal department—dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—and handing Musk unchecked executive power without congressional approval. “Our country’s entire sy…

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by Zak Failla
Monticello-Rock Hill, NY
News
Dad Kidnapped 16-Year-Old Son Who Ran Away From White Lake Church Camp, Police Say Dad Kidnapped 16-Year-Old Son Who Ran Away From White Lake Church Camp, Police Say
Dad Kidnapped 16-Year-Old Son Who Ran Away From White Lake Church Camp, Police Say A New York man is accused of kidnapping his teenage son and taking him across state lines after the boy ran away from a church camp. John Tonchen, 54, of Endicott, was extradited to Sullivan County from Michigan on suspicion of kidnapping and related charges on Wednesday, Feb. 5, according to New York State Police. Troopers began investigating after receiving a report that a 16-year-old boy had run away from Camp Covenanter in White Lake on Sept. 20, 2024. The teen had not shown up for dinner, and a search of his belongings revealed that he had left the camp. After an investigation, police…

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by Michael Mashburn
East Hartford, CT
News
New Surge In Flu Cases Reported Nationwide; These States Are Seeing Biggest Spikes New Surge In Flu Cases Reported Nationwide; These States Are Seeing Biggest Spikes
New Surge In Flu Cases Reported Nationwide; These States Are Seeing Biggest Spikes Flu cases are surging across the nation, closing nearly a dozen schools and swamping hospitals in some states. At least 24 million cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths —including 57 children —have been reported for this flu season, which began in October, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, Feb. 7. The two strains of flu circulating this season are H1N1 and H3N2. Both are covered in this year's flu vaccine, but only about 40 percent of Americans have taken the vaccine each of the last two years, compared to 50 percent t…

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by Joe Lombardi
Allentown, PA
Business
Recall Issued For Canned Tuna Sold In PA Under These Brand Names Recall Issued For Canned Tuna Sold In PA Under These Brand Names
Recall Issued For Canned Tuna Sold In PA Under These Brand Names If canned tuna is a staple in your pantry, check your shelves immediately. A major nationwide recall has been issued for select Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Trader Joe’s canned tuna due to a potential contamination risk that could lead to botulism, a rare but potentially fatal form of food poisoning. The recall, announced by Tri-Union Seafoods, stems from a manufacturing defect in the pull-tab lids, which could cause product leakage and bacterial contamination over time.  While no illnesses have been reported, the recall is being conducted out of an abundance of caution. Where Was …

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by Joe Lombardi