Face yoga gives healthy glow
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WV News) — Gene Taylor Dodd, 73, of Bridgeport, passed away at his home on Tuesday afternoon, December 3, 2024. He was born in Maysville, KY on March 9, 1951, a son of the late Gene Austin Dodd and Phyllis Wallingford Dodd. He is survived by his son, Gene W. (G.W.) Dodd; his daughter, Abby (Dodd) Davis and her husband Sam, all of Bridgeport; his granddaughters, Abigail Davis, a student at WVU; Ava Davis of Bridgeport; his grandson, Ashton Davis of Bridgeport; his sister Janice (Dodd) Schultz and her husband Gary of Bridgeport; his brother, Gary Dodd and his wife Amy (Reep) Dodd of Bridgeport; his sister-in-law, Stephen's widow, Heide Dodd of Stuart, FL; 10 nieces and nephews; and 14 great-nieces and nephews, and his favorite companion, his German Shepherd, Lucy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the mother of his children and former wife, Melissa Stout Dodd; and his brother Stephen Dodd. Gene was a graduate of Bridgeport High School, Class of 1969, and attended Potomac State College from 1969-1971. He graduated from Fairmont State College in 1974 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Secondary Social Studies Education. He was a life-long member of Bridgeport United Methodist Church. After graduating from college, Gene owned and operated one bar, Dr. John's, in Morgantown, WV, and Northwood Supper Club near Maple Lake in Bridgeport. Gene was a hard worker and had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He decided to leave the restaurant/bar business and go into the asphalt paving business. In 1978, Gene, along with his brother Steve (Stephen) Dodd, began Dodd General Contractors. They began the business going door to door asking residents if they needed any gravel or asphalt work on their driveways. Also, Gene's youngest brother, Gary Dodd, worked alongside his older brothers and helped run Dodd General Contractors. Through blood, sweat, and tears Gene and his brother Steve built up their paving business and did paving contract work throughout North Central WV from the Ohio River area east to the Mountain counties of WV. They even owned and operated their own asphalt plant on the banks of the Ohio River in the late 1990s/early 2000s. He owned and operated Dodd General Contractors until he retired in 2018. Gene was an avid amateur Civil War historian. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Civil War in general and specifically the Civil War in WV. He enjoyed trips to Civil War Battlefields. Every year he took his children to the Gettysburg Battlefield to explore and instill in them his love of history. His favorite location to visit was Key West, Florida. He worked hard all year long so that he could spend his winters in Key West. Gene's favorite spot in Key West was Sloppy Joe's bar. Gene went to Key West for over 25 years. He frequented Sloppy Joe's every night during his trips, so much so that all of the staff knew and loved Gene. He was a Sloppy Joe's bar fixture. Gene's greatest loves were his children, grandchildren, his son-in-law, Sam Davis, the 4th of July, and his house that he designed and built himself. Most evenings you would find Gene sitting on his front porch at his high-top table, feeding the wild deer and turkeys on his property, watching the sunset behind the hills, and enjoying a nice cold beer. Those who knew Gene T. Dodd never forgot him. He was his own man and his own character. A type of man someone does not forget. Gene was strong-willed and stubborn, but lovable. Gene lived his life by his own rules, and he did until the day he died. One of his favorite sayings to friends and family was, "What's wrong with ya?" This meant grab a beer and let's talk about the events of the day and of the world. When he passed, his family, his friends, Bridgeport, WV, and Key West, Florida lost one of its most interesting and independent people. Gene is now with his brother and best friend Steve, enjoying the warmth of a Key West sunset and the cool and refreshing taste of a beer. Cheers! Gene's family would also like to thank his caregivers, Rhonda Vincent, Stephanie Montgomery, and Becky McAtee. Not only did they give Gene superb care, but they also became part of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer's Association West Virginia Chapter, P.O. Box 18485, South Charleston, WV 25303. Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, on Monday from 4-8 p.m., where services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, with Reverend Dr. Matthew Paugh presiding. Interment will follow in Bridgeport Cemetery. Burnside Funeral Home, Bridgeport
Justin Herbert tosses 3 TDs, Chargers clinch a playoff spot with a 40-7 rout of Patriots FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots. The win also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second such losing streak of the season. They are now 2-14 the last two seasons at home. Dallas' Naji Marshall gets 4-game suspension, Phoenix's Jusuf Nurkic is banned 3 games for fight The NBA has suspended Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall for four games and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic for three games for their roles in an on-court fight during Friday night’s game. Dallas forward P.J. Washington was suspended for one game. All of the suspensions are without pay. Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while being guarded by Daniel Gafford with 9:02 left in the third quarter before the altercation quickly escalated. Nurkic confronted Marshall before taking an open-handed swing at his head and then Marshall responded with a punch. Washington quickly shoved Nurkic to the ground before the teams were separated. The NBA said Marshall “attempted to further engage Nurkic in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms.” Shohei Ohtani to become a father for the 1st time in 2025 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is adding a newcomer to his family lineup. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar has posted on his Instagram account that he and wife Mamiko Tanaka are expecting a baby in 2025. The photo shows the couple's beloved dog, Decoy, as well as a pink ruffled onesie along with baby shoes and a sonogram that is covered by a baby emoji. Ohtani announced in February that he had married Tanaka, a former professional basketball player from his native Japan. The news from the intensely private player stunned Ohtani's teammates and his fans. Eli Manning and Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The Hall on Saturday announced the names of the 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting. The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl. Georgia QB Carson Beck announces plan to enter NFL draft after season-ending elbow injury Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery. The fifth-year senior made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. He is expected to begin throwing next spring. Backup Gunner Stockton will make his first start in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame on Wednesday. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Panthers place 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard on IR for final 2 games with strained calf CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have shut down leading rusher Chuba Hubbard for the final two games of the season because of a strained calf. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Hubbard was limited in practice Friday with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After practice, Hubbard complained of pain and had an MRI, which revealed a grade two calf strain, according to the team. Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He becomes the third Panthers running back to be placed on injured reserve this season, joining Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathan Brooks. Patriots QB Drake Maye returns to game after evaluation for head injury vs. Chargers FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye has returned to the game after being evaluated for a head injury following a blow to the helmet in the first quarter of New England’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession of the game when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field on his own power. He briefly sat on the bench before going to the medical tent and then the locker room. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett in the next series. But Maye returned at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. Corbin Burnes and Arizona Diamondbacks agree to $210 million, 6-year deal, AP source says PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $210 million, six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a successful physical. The 30-year-old Burnes was perhaps the top free agent pitcher on the market after going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA for Baltimore last season. The Orioles acquired the right-hander in a February trade after he spent his first six major league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers.This year's Black Friday shopping event showcased a shift in consumer behavior, with U.S. retail stores seeing muted sales compared to substantial online growth. Preliminary estimates from Mastercard reveal that brick-and-mortar sales grew by a mere 0.7% year-over-year, while online sales soared by 14.6%, highlighting a clear preference for e-commerce platforms. As inflation continues to impact spending power, in-store numbers remained fragile, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse. Michelle Meyer of Mastercard Economics Institute noted that competitive pricing in popular holiday categories softened inflation's blow. Despite these challenges, digital giants like Amazon and Walmart capitalized on the trend by increasing e-commerce capabilities and delivery options. The shopping shift is further reflected in data from Adobe and Salesforce, both reporting healthy increases in online sales and highlighting top-selling items ranging from beauty products to electronics. As the holiday season progresses, retailers are gearing up for increased online sales and the ensuing battle to capture consumer attention and spending habits. (With inputs from agencies.)
Stephanie Vaquer Signed With WWE Despite Another “Very Juicy” OfferEven with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weight
The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said hundreds of raccoons took over a woman's yard. The woman had been feeding them for more than 30 years. (Credit: Kitsap County Sheriff's Office) A bewildered mom happened upon her infant son being attacked by a raccoon that had sneaked inside their Idaho home and successfully fended off the unlikely holiday visitor . The mother called the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and the Cassia County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 23 after she heard "a loud noise in the home" and discovered the raccoon attacking her baby boy, Idaho Fish and Game shared in a release. Authorities said the mother managed to grab the furry intruder to save her son. BIRD FLU CAUSES DEATHS OF CATS AND ZOO ANIMALS AS VIRUS SPREADS IN US Idaho Fish and Game said a wild raccoon sneaked into a home and attacked an infant. (Idaho Fish and Game) The infant was taken to the Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley for undisclosed injuries before being transferred to a hospital in Salt Lake City . According to officials, a sheriff’s deputy returned to the home with the baby's father, located the animal and killed it. IDFG noted it was unclear how the raccoon got inside the home and that there were no other raccoons inside. COMPLETE MASTODON JAW FOUND IN NEW YORK HOMEOWNER'S BACKYARD: ‘REMARKABLE DISCOVERY’ The animal's carcass has since been tested for rabies by the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories, and tests were negative, the release said. "Once notified of the incident, staff from the Magic Valley Region activated their Wildlife Human Attack Response Team," the IDFG wrote. "This specially trained team of department staff has the responsibility to act to protect the safety of the public and incident responders; attempt to identify, locate, and control the animal(s) involved in a human-wildlife incident ; and conduct, document and report investigative findings." Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted to humans through the bite of a rabid animal. (iStock) The agency noted that raccoon attacks on humans in the state are "extremely rare" and that there has only been one case of raccoon rabies documented in Idaho . The IDFG instructed Idahoans to "never purposely feed a raccoon," saying they generally avoid humans unless they feel "threatened." "As with all wildlife that can be found around homes in Idaho, the best course of action to avoid raccoon encounters is to take preventative actions before a problem starts," the department wrote. "Raccoons can live in a variety of habitats, but an area with access to water and food will attract them. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "A homeowner can limit food sources by securing residential garbage, removing any fallen fruit or rotten produce from your yard or garden, feeding pets indoors, keeping pet food securely stored, and removing or securing bird feeders," IDFG added. "Blocking raccoon access to hiding places in sheds and outbuildings and sealing off potential entryways and exits in and around a home will also discourage raccoon use." Fox News Digital has reached out to the IDFG for comment. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten .
Bashar al-Assad’s downfall came not with a bang but a whimper. The Syrian dictator reportedly fled his home in the wake of a blitzkrieg advance by a coalition of anti-government rebels. Now, he’s gone — leaving armed groups as the country’s dominant political players. A spirit of anti-Assad sentiment surged across Syria, manifesting itself through displays of both celebration and defiance. The question now is whether this unleashed energy — brutally suppressed by fear and authoritarian control — will become a unifying force in building a new nation or, rather, a precursor to deeper divisions. The fall of the House of Assad, which has ruled Syria for more than half a century, should be a warning to dictatorial regimes. Assad’s departure underscores a broader truth: Societies cannot indefinitely tolerate systemic abuses, such as state-sponsored propaganda, corruption and violence. The fish rots from the head down. ... The Syrian people were often forsaken. In this moment of fragile hope, the world must not fail them again. A concerted effort toward political stability, reconciliation and reconstruction is essential to ensure their sacrifices lead to a lasting peace. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Percentages: FG 39.726, FT .588. 3-Point Goals: 9-21, .429 (Lacey 3-6, McMiller 3-5, Petticord 2-6, Thompson 1-3, Perkins 0-1) Blocked Shots: 3 (Adams 1, McMiller 1, Perkins 1) Turnovers: 9 (McMiller 4, Thompson 2, Lacey 1, Perkins 1, Walker 1) Steals: 8 (Adams 6, Lacey 1, McMiller 1) Technical Fouls: None Percentages: FG 39.394, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 4-21, .190 (Mays-Prince 3-5, Jackson 1-6, Gaines 0-1, Gwynn 0-3, Akinsola 0-1, Eddings 0-5) Blocked Shots: 5 (Johnson 2, Jackson 1, Green 1, Akinsola 1) Turnovers: 16 (Gaines 4, Gwynn 4, Mays-Prince 3, Jackson 2, Johnson 1, Green 1, Akinsola 1) Steals: 5 (Gwynn 2, Eddings 2, Green 1) Technical Fouls: None A_0 Officials_Erika Herriman, Kenya Kirkland, Angelica SuffrenJustin Herbert tosses 3 TDs, Chargers clinch a playoff spot with a 40-7 rout of Patriots FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots. The win also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second such losing streak of the season. They are now 2-14 the last two seasons at home. Dallas' Naji Marshall gets 4-game suspension, Phoenix's Jusuf Nurkic is banned 3 games for fight The NBA has suspended Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall for four games and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic for three games for their roles in an on-court fight during Friday night’s game. Dallas forward P.J. Washington was suspended for one game. All of the suspensions are without pay. Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while being guarded by Daniel Gafford with 9:02 left in the third quarter before the altercation quickly escalated. Nurkic confronted Marshall before taking an open-handed swing at his head and then Marshall responded with a punch. Washington quickly shoved Nurkic to the ground before the teams were separated. The NBA said Marshall “attempted to further engage Nurkic in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms.” Shohei Ohtani to become a father for the 1st time in 2025 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is adding a newcomer to his family lineup. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar has posted on his Instagram account that he and wife Mamiko Tanaka are expecting a baby in 2025. The photo shows the couple's beloved dog, Decoy, as well as a pink ruffled onesie along with baby shoes and a sonogram that is covered by a baby emoji. Ohtani announced in February that he had married Tanaka, a former professional basketball player from his native Japan. The news from the intensely private player stunned Ohtani's teammates and his fans. Eli Manning and Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The Hall on Saturday announced the names of the 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting. The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl. Georgia QB Carson Beck announces plan to enter NFL draft after season-ending elbow injury Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery. The fifth-year senior made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. He is expected to begin throwing next spring. Backup Gunner Stockton will make his first start in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame on Wednesday. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Panthers place 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard on IR for final 2 games with strained calf CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have shut down leading rusher Chuba Hubbard for the final two games of the season because of a strained calf. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Hubbard was limited in practice Friday with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After practice, Hubbard complained of pain and had an MRI, which revealed a grade two calf strain, according to the team. Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He becomes the third Panthers running back to be placed on injured reserve this season, joining Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathan Brooks. Patriots QB Drake Maye returns to game after evaluation for head injury vs. Chargers FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye has returned to the game after being evaluated for a head injury following a blow to the helmet in the first quarter of New England’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession of the game when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field on his own power. He briefly sat on the bench before going to the medical tent and then the locker room. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett in the next series. But Maye returned at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. Corbin Burnes and Arizona Diamondbacks agree to $210 million, 6-year deal, AP source says PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $210 million, six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a successful physical. The 30-year-old Burnes was perhaps the top free agent pitcher on the market after going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA for Baltimore last season. The Orioles acquired the right-hander in a February trade after he spent his first six major league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Attendee at Chiefs vs. Steelers Game Addresses Taylor Swift Comparison
Unlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For Griffin, the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said Griffin, who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to the medications. It's a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It's all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight — and a person's response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for Griffin, who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn't happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It's not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. Griffin, who didn't respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I'm hoping it's slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Hillenbrand Declares First Quarter Dividend of $0.225 Per Share
WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress continue to demand answers on mysterious drone activity on the East Coast that has alarmed residents and officials, with several senators expressing "urgent concern," as the White House downplayed concerns over some of the sightings. The New York and New Jersey senators have asked the heads of the FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to brief them on the issue in a new letter. "We write with urgent concern regarding the unmanned aerial system (UAS) activity that has affected communities across New York and New Jersey in recent days," a letter dated Wednesday from New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim stated. They asked to be briefed "as soon as possible on how your agencies are working with federal and local law enforcement to identify and address the source of these incursions." The letter said there are potential safety and security risks posed by the large drones, which have been observed near "critical infrastructure and sensitive locations, including reservoirs and military installations." Local and state officials have been calling for greater action and transparency on the unexplained drone sightings reported in the Northeast, particularly in New Jersey, where one state senator has called for a limited state of emergency in response to the activity and nearly two dozen elected officials from one impacted county have demanded a full investigation. There have been reports ranging from four to 180 sightings per night, according to New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who attended a closed-door meeting on Wednesday with other state leaders and representatives from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the New Jersey drone activity. RELATED: Homeland security officials meet with lawmakers about mysterious drone flights in New Jersey Action News has received numerous reports from areas all across the region. New Jersey has seen the bulk of activity. One video was taken on the Garden State Parkway Friday over Cape May. "We were joking about it the whole ride up here. We were thinking it was aliens," said Macayla Allen of Cape May. Cape May County Commissioner Len Desiderio says they have one substantiated sighting and are fielding other tips : "We're being proactive here in Cape May County. We're hoping any minute something comes out of Washington or Trenton," he said. SEE ALSO: Mysterious drone clusters witnessed across Philadelphia region as FBI continues investigation The drones "operate in a coordinated manner" and have not been identified as hobbyist drones or ones related to DHS, she said. It remains unclear who is operating the drones, according to a DHS handout released by Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, who attended the meeting. "At this time, according to the FBI, there are no known specific or credible threats related to these sightings," the handout stated. White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday that they have been unable to "corroborate some of the reported sightings" using their detection techniques, but are still investigating. "Many" of the reported drone sightings appear to be lawfully operated manned aircraft, he said. "We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus," Kirby said. "The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings, and they're working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin." There have been no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace, he noted. "That said, we certainly take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems, which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports, even though they have uncovered no malicious activity or intent at this particular stage," Kirby said. RELATED: NJ state senator calls for 'limited state of emergency' over mysterious drone sightings Mine Hill Mayor Sam Morris, one of the elected officials in Morris County who demanded action over the drones in a letter sent to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy earlier this week, called Kirby's remarks "ridiculous." "So what that means, he's saying we're all seeing small planes, that's my take on that. I have to tell you ... I'm incredulous about that," Morris told ABC News Live on Thursday. "I would invite Mr. Kirby to Mine Hill -- come on out, Mr. Kirby -- and let's go on out one night, about 9:30, 10 o'clock. I'll go out behind my town hall and you can count them with me all night." He said one resident told him there's "anywhere from 30 to 40 a night" in the same area over the town of Roxbury. "I have to say to Mr. Kirby, that's a lot of nonsense," he added. Murphy said he spoke with the White House Homeland Security adviser on Thursday "to discuss my concerns over the federal government's response to recent drone sightings in NJ." "I'll continue to press the federal government, including the @FBI, for answers on behalf of the public," he said on X. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will be receiving a classified briefing Thursday on the mysterious drone activity, calling it a "quandary." "I'm anxious to find out," Johnson said about the drones. The speaker declined to provide further details on the briefing. The Pentagon said there is no evidence the drone activity is coming from any foreign entity or is the work of an adversary, refuting New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew's claim that they could be coming from an Iranian mothership off the East Coast. "There is not any truth to that -- there is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States," deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Wednesday. "We're going to continue to monitor what is happening," she said, adding, "At no point were our installations threatened when this activity was occurring." A spokesperson for the FBI, which is the lead agency investigating the sightings, said it is "doing all we can [ to ] figure out what's going on." "The public can continue to call our 800 line, or submit a tip online, we are acting on every substantive lead that we get," the FBI spokesperson said. The FAA has imposed flight restrictions over Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County in response to the drone activity. The U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) is also monitoring reports of "unauthorized drone flights in the vicinity of military installations in New Jersey," a spokesperson said. "Local law enforcement and the FBI are currently investigating," the spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that at this time NORTHCOM has not been requested to assist with the events but is prepared to respond "when asked or should the situation escalate to threaten any DoD installations." Read the full joint statement released by the Department of Homeland Security and FEBI on the reports of drones: "We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings. Historically, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities. We are supporting local law enforcement in New Jersey with numerous detection methods but have not corroborated any of the reported visual sightings with electronic detection. To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully. There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space. We take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports. To be clear, they have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage. While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities."Clement: Rangers disappointed with Spurs draw - and I like that