CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — Andre Washington had 20 points in Eastern Illinois’ 71-61 victory over Tennessee Tech on Thursday.

Washington shot 8 for 13, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc for the Panthers (5-10, 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference). Meechie White added 13 points and four steals. Kooper Jacobi finished with 11 points and added seven rebounds.

The Golden Eagles (6-10, 1-4) were led in scoring by Jah’Kim Payne, who finished with 11 points. Tennessee Tech also got 10 points from Mekhi Turner.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

CASPER, Wyo. — While the fall and winter are often highlighted by snowfall and holiday gatherings, the season is also marked by the coughing, running noses and chills that come with the flu. This year, health experts warn of an especially virulent flu in Wyoming and beyond.

Data from the Wyoming Department of Health show that Wyoming saw 426 new influenza cases reported in just the final week of 2025, with well over 1,000 cases in total through flu season thus far in Wyoming. The report also states that, through Dec. 27, there had been 19 deaths in Wyoming caused by the flu this season. Nationally, the CDC reports more than 7.5 million cases of the flu and more than 3,100 deaths.

The uptick in flu cases is seen locally, too, the Natrona County Health Department told Oil City News on Thursday.

“While we don’t have exact numbers locally and only have the statewide data that’s reported, I can definitely say anecdotally that locally we’re seeing the same trends that we’re seeing statewide and nationally,” health department PIO Hailey Bloom said. “There is a surge in the rate across our community, the state and the country.”

Bloom said the surge in cases can partially be attributed to this year’s particular strain. The current flu is a mutated strain known as subclade K, originating from the common flu-causing virus influenza A and its variant H3N2. The strain is one of the more aggressive influenza variants, Bloom said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, subclade K is also more adept at resisting immune systems that have already built up protections against other strains of the virus. Bloom also said this season’s vaccine may not be ideally suited for combating the current strain.

“We use the flu season in the southern hemisphere as a predictor [when crafting the vaccine], and we did see that there were some strains not as effectively combated by this year’s flu shot,” she said. “Some years we get a really, really good match on the flu shot and all of the circulating strains are perfect matches to that shot, and some years it’s not as perfect.”

However, Bloom also said some of the increased cases can be attributed to a lower number of people getting vaccinated, which remains the best way to avoid the virus.

Bloom said 989 Natrona County residents have gotten a flu shot through the health department so far this season. That’s down from the 1,227 distributed in the 2024–25 flu season and the 1,478 the year before that.

The decline in vaccinations similarly mirrors a nationwide trend. In mid-December, the CDC reported that roughly 32.5 million flu shots had been given thus far, which is down about 1.9 million from the same point the prior flu season.

People still in need of a vaccine can get one at the Natrona County Health Department by calling ahead and setting up an appointment or by walking in, Bloom said. Vaccinations can also be administered at other locations like various local pharmacies.

Other than getting vaccinated, tips for avoiding the flu include regularly washing hands, avoiding people you know to be sick, exercising caution if feeling under the weather and dressing appropriately for the weather, Bloom said.

“This year’s flu is more aggressive, more intense and not as well covered by the vaccine, so it’s definitely nasty,” Bloom said. “All that said, the flu shot is still going to give significantly more protection than not getting one.”

Related

San Francisco says traffic deaths plunged 42% last year.

While the city celebrates the numbers, leaders say there’s still a lot more work to do.

“We are so glad to see fewer of these tragedies on our streets last year, and I hope this is a turning point for this city,” said Marta Lindsey with Walk San Francisco.

Marta is cautiously optimistic as the city looks to build on its street safety efforts.

“The city has been doing more of the things we need on our streets, whether its speed cameras or daylighting or speed humps,” she said.

Viktorya Wise with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said there are many things the agency has been doing to ensure street safety is the focus, including adding speed cameras at 33 locations, and it’s paying off.

“Besides the visible speed cameras, we’re doing a lot of basic bread and butter work on our streets,” Wise said. “For example, we’re really data driven and focused on the high injury network.”

Late last year, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the city’s street safety initiative.

“Bringing together all of the departments, all of the city family to collectively tackle the problem of street safety,” Wise said. “And all of us working together into the future, I’m very hopeful that we will continue this trend.”