Metronews

MILWAUKEE — Reaction to the resignation of David Clarke as sheriff of Milwaukee County is coming in swift. Below is a collection of statements from officials on this move. State Sen. Lena Taylor (D – Milwaukee) “This is truly a good Thursday. I want to thank Sheriff Clarke for his decision to step down. After years of abuse at his hands, the people of Milwaukee can sleep soundly tonight.” Milwaukee County Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde “I am pleased to learn of the resignation of David Clarke, who obviously no longer wanted to be Sheriff of Milwaukee County, and had lost touch with the people. “Nevertheless, this news is bittersweet, as we are left with incomplete answers regarding what led to the massive failures in his jail. “Sadly, the public may never get a full accounting from Clarke regarding his failures, which is why it is important for the legal system to take whatever action they deem appropriate.”

A health expert warns standing water from Harvey could create a boom in the mosquito population and the potential transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Joon Lee is a medical entomologist at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. He says Harvey’s floodwaters will wash away immature mosquito populations from their breeding grounds, but they can be quickly re-established in stagnant water. Lee says mosquito populations will likely explode within the next two weeks and will stay for at least a month or two. Lee says that could be mean increased transmission of potentially life-threatening, mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. Lee says outbreaks of Zika, dengue fever and Chikungunya are also possible, but those diseases must originate from a person already infected.

SURF CITY, N.C. – A North Carolina man who jumped into the ocean to avoid police found himself just feet away from a shark. Zachary Kingsbury, 20, of Surf City, was pulled over around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, WECT reports. When police noticed illegal contraband inside his car and asked him to step out, he ran toward the ocean and started swimming to avoid police. During the search, Surf City police launched a drone to monitor Kingsbury. Incredible video shows a shark swimming just feet away from him. Kingsbury was eventually taken into custody around 7:45 p.m. in North Topsail Beach. Officers took Kingsbury to the Pender County Jail. He faces a slew of charges including resisting arrest, obstructing an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and possession of marijuana of up to a half an ounce, according to The Charlotte Observer. VIDEO: Shark spotted swimming near man trying to elude police» https://t.co/DphJw9PbvE http://pic.twitter.com/7nOtgubRBS — WBT...

WASHINGTON — Affirming its disdain for “Obamacare,” the Trump administration on Thursday announced sharp cuts in programs promoting health care enrollment under the Affordable Care Act for next year. Advertising will be cut from $100 million spent on 2017 sign-ups to $10 million, said Health and Human Services officials. Funding for consumer helpers called “navigators” will also be cut, from $62.5 million for 2017, to $36.8 million for next year. About 12.2 million people signed up for subsidized private health insurance under former President Barack Obama’s signature law this year. The number currently enrolled is estimated to be around 10 million, due to attrition also seen in prior years. Democrats are likely to accuse the administration of trying to undermine the ACA. President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have been unable to deliver on their vow to “repeal and replace” the 2010 health care law. President Trump has repeatedly pronounced the program on the verge of...

CHICAGO — Safety advocates and state health officials are formally calling on the Food and Drug Administration to ban high-dose opioid painkillers to prevent accidental overdose deaths among patients and people who abuse drugs. A petition filed Thursday asks the FDA to ban opioid pills that, when taken as directed, would add up to a daily dose of more than 90 milligrams of morphine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that level is dangerous for most patients and doesn’t improve pain control or the ability to function. The petitioners claim toddlers and preschoolers who get their hands on the pills and teenagers who experiment with drugs would be less likely to overdose and die if the high-dose pills were off the market. The petition was signed by leaders of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing, the National Safety Council and the American College of Medical Toxicology. “The existence of these p...

TEXAS — A Texas A&M University analysis of floodwater samples from the Houston area shows E. coli levels that are 125 times higher than is considered safe for swimming. Terry Gentry, an associate professor in the university’s Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, says even walking through floodwater could lead to infections and other problems. Gentry says tests from a sample in Cypress, a suburb northwest of Houston, showed bacteria levels 15 times higher than acceptable for wading. E. coli in water isn’t what causes illnesses but is an “indicator bacteria” that signals the presence of fecal matter, which can make people sick.

Blain’s Farm and Fleet JANESVILLE — Blain’s Farm and Fleet in Janesville is set to host a 12-hour donation drive for Harvey victims. According to a news release, on Friday, September 1st, from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., you can donate needed items at the store on Old Humes Road in Janesville. This donation drive is in conjunction with  Hufcor and the JJ Watt Foundation, established by Wisconsin native and Houston Texans football star, JJ Watt. Requested donations include: buckets, sponges, rubber gloves, hand sanitizer, water gallons, disinfectant wipes, kitchen trash bags, and pet supplies. To make it easy for the community to support the relief effort, Blain’s Farm and Fleet will open early Friday so that folks can purchase items that will then be loaded onto relief trailers outside the store. Alternatively, those interested in donating may bringing new, unopened items from home. Hufcor and Blain’s Farm and Fleet trailers will be on site for loading and will then be...