West
Swimming, surfing in waters near Hawaii wildfire site is safe, officials say
Hawaii authorities say coastal waters off the wildfire-stricken town of Lahaina pose no significant risk to human health and it’s safe to surf and swim there.
The state Department of Health announced the decision Thursday after reviewing water sampling test results collected by groups including University of Hawaii researchers, the Surfrider Foundation and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Authorities are continuing to limit access to some coastal areas off the Maui town’s burn zone as the cleanup from the Aug. 8 wildfire continues, and recreation won’t be allowed in these places.
MAUI WILDFIRE REPORT DELAYED DUE TO SUBPOENAS OF COUNTY AGENCIES
Officials have been telling residents and visitors to limit their exposure to waters off Lahaina ever since the deadly fire destroyed the historic town. They’ve also told people to avoid eating fish from Lahaina’s waters. The department’s announcement didn’t address the safety of eating fish and other marine species.
Lahaina’s waters are popular with surfers, swimmers and snorkelers. Before the fire, tour companies would often take snorkelers to see coral reefs off the town. Since the fire, tours have been frequenting West Maui reefs to the north or south instead.
The department said it was particularly interested in test results for metals because of their elevated concentrations in wildfire ash and the possibility that rain and runoff could carry them into the ocean.
Measurements taken by University of Hawaii included assessments of nutrients, metals and carbonate chemistry. The Surfrider Foundation tested for metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, which are a class of chemicals occurring naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline.
The state analyzed harbor sediment samples for metals, dioxins, total petroleum hydrocarbons and other contaminants.
Scientists say there has never been another instance of a large urban fire burning next to a coral reef anywhere in the world. They are using the Maui wildfire as a chance to study how chemicals and metals from burned plastics, lead paint and lithium-ion batteries might affect delicate reef ecosystems.
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New Mexico
CDC: 'Vampire facials' at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico led to HIV infections in three women
Three women were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report last week, marking the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through cosmetic services using needles.
Federal health officials said in a new report that an investigation from 2018 through 2023 into the clinic in Albuquerque, VIP Spa, found it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use, transmitting HIV to clients through its services via contaminated blood.
WHAT IS A VAMPIRE FACIAL? IS IT SAFE?
Vampire facials, formally known as platelet-rich plasma microneedling facials, are cosmetic procedures intended to rejuvenate one’s skin, making it more youthful-looking and reducing acne scars and wrinkles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
After a client’s blood is drawn, a machine separates the blood into platelets and cells.
The plasma is then injected into the client’s face, either through single-use disposable or multiuse sterile needles.
Vampire facials have gained popularity in recent years as celebrities such as Kim Kardashian have publicized receiving the procedure.
HIV transmission via unsterile injection is a known risk of beauty treatments and other services, officials say.
Despite this, the Academy says vampire facials are generally safe.
Health officials say spa facilities that offer cosmetic injection services should practice proper infection control and maintain client records to help prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV.
HOW WERE THE HIV CASES LINKED TO THE SPA?
The New Mexico Department of Health was notified during summer 2018 that a woman with no known HIV risk factors was diagnosed with an HIV infection after receiving the spa’s vampire facial services that spring.
Four women — former spa clients — and one man — the sexual partner of one of the spa clients but who did not receive services at the spa himself — received HIV infection diagnoses there during 2018-2023. Analysis showed similar HIV strains among all cases, according to the CDC’s report last week.
The HIV diagnoses for two of these patients “were likely attributed to exposures before receipt of cosmetic injection services,” according to the CDC.
Evidence suggested that contamination from services at the spa resulted in the positive HIV infection tests for the other three patients.
Health officials found equipment containing blood on a kitchen counter, unlabeled tubes of blood and injectables in the refrigerator alongside food and unwrapped syringes not properly disposed of. The CDC report said that a steam sterilizer, known as an autoclave — which is necessary for cleaning equipment that is reused — was not found at the spa.
ARE ANY OTHER PATIENTS AT R
ISK?
Through the New Mexico Department of Health’s investigation, nearly 200 former clients of the spa, and their sexual partners, were tested for HIV, and no additional infections were found.
According to the CDC, free testing remains available for those who previously frequented the spa.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SPA OWNER?
The former owner of VIP Spa, Maria de Lourdes Ramos de Ruiz, pleaded guilty in 2022 to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license, including conducting the unlicensed vampire facials.
The New Mexico Attorney General’s office said Ramos de Ruiz also did illegal plasma and Botox-injection procedures.
According to prosecutors, inspections by state health and regulation and licensing departments found the code violations, and the spa closed in fall 2018 after the investigation was launched.
Ramos de Ruiz was sentenced to 7 1/2 years, with four years being suspended on supervised probation, 3 1/2 years time in prison and parole, according to court documents.
Raul A. Lopez, attorney for Ramos de Ruiz, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate solutions reporter. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @alexa_stjohn. Reach her at [email protected].
Oregon
Oregon authorities to reveal winner of $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot
Oregon authorities on Monday are set to publicly reveal the winner of the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot.
The winning Powerball ticket was sold in early April at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Portland, ending a winless streak that had stretched more than three months. The Oregon Lottery said it had to go through a security and vetting process before announcing the identity of the person who came forward to claim the prize.
Under Oregon law, with few exceptions, lottery players cannot remain anonymous. Winners have a year to claim the top prize.
The jackpot has a cash value of $621 million if the winner chooses to take a lump sum rather than an annuity paid over 30 years, with an immediate payout followed by 29 annual installments. The prize is subject to federal taxes and state taxes in Oregon.
The $1.3 billion prize is the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history, and the eighth largest among U.S. jackpot games, according to the Oregon Lottery.
The biggest U.S. lottery jackpot won was $2.04 billion in California in 2022.
Utah
Utah Sweeps UCLA For First Time Ever, Jump Into Top 25
The Utah Utes baseball team is in the midst of a fantastic season that got even better on Sunday after they officially swept UCLA.
It marked the first time that they swept Utah in program history, and it also saw them jump into a first place tie with Arizona. Kai Roberts launched a home run, and also nabbed stolen base No. 28 on the year for what was the single-season program record. His outfield running mate TJ Clarkson also had a fantastic day, going 3-for-4 and was just a triple shy of securing the cycle.
The Utes went on to win the game by a score of 12-7, and also ascended to No. 25 in the country according to D1Baseball.
The Utes will hit the road for the next four games, as they head to Oregon for a three game series against the formerly ranked Ducks before returning to Utah to take on Utah Tech at their place.
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