NYC Legionnaires' disease outbreak kills fourth victim, 76 cases reported

An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New York City killed a fourth person as 76 cases have now been reported in the city, city health authorities announced Monday.

The outbreak, which city authorities have linked to a series of cooling towers in Upper East Side buildings, has hospitalized 60 people, 53 of whom were discharged while seven remained in the hospital, according to authorities.

The fourth death announced Monday follows a first death from the disease on Friday. City officials announced two additional deaths over the weekend.

Legionnaires disease comes from live Legionella bacteria infecting a person's lungs. While, according to New York City health authorities, most people exposed to the bacteria don't get sick, infection can cause a severe form of pneumonia that can be fatal.

DEADLY LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE OUTBREAK SPARKS CONCERN IN MAJOR US CITY: KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

"Symptoms typically develop two to fourteen days after exposure and include fever, chills, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and cough. Legionnaires’ disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics when diagnosed early," New York City's Health Department wrote in a statement.

City officials discovered the recent outbreak on July 2, and quickly tied it to a series of cooling towers in 31 different buildings in the city. 

NYC HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN CENTRAL PARK VISITORS AFTER LEGIONNAIRES’ OUTBREAK GROWS ON UPPER EAST SIDE

After testing 180 different cooling towers, the city found live or dead Legionella bacteria in 31 buildings. The city, in a statement, stressed that the discovery of dead bacteria in some buildings did not necessarily mean people in that building were ever exposed to the disease. 

The city ordered the following buildings, which includes the building that houses the vaunted Guggenheim Museum at 1071 Fifth Ave., to initiate a deep clean and disinfectant of their cooling towers "out of an abundance of caution.

City officials cautioned residents that mask wearing will likely not help stave off infection as Legionella bacteria is not transmissible person-to-person. Community cluster outbreaks like the Upper East Side one usually stem from common sources of exposure, such as "cooling towers, hot tubs, and spray fountains," the city said.

Public testing of the bacterium are ongoing, the city also announced. 

The city last experienced a major Legionnaires' outbreak in August 2025, when over 100 people in Harlem got sick and seven died. 

Fox News Digital contacted the NYC Health Department for additional comment.

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'World's Oldest Pole Dancer' is an 82-year-old who turned a fitness challenge into a passion to work the pole

I'm not sure how I got on the old lady pole dancing beat, but I'm here. Is it a fascination with the crazy in the world? Is it for the love of the game? The answer is anyone's guess.

Enough about me. Let's focus on why we're all here. An 82-year-old Italian woman who isn't plopping herself in a chair and knitting sweaters all day long. She's too busy for that.

Idanna Abignente is out climbing on poles performing moves designed for much younger women and earning herself the title of "World's Oldest Pole Dancer," which is in the bio of her Instagram account.

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Why wouldn’t she have an Instagram account? And why wouldn't she have tens of thousands of followers? She's an 82-year-old who still rocks a two piece and hangs upside down on a pole.

The soon-to-be 83-year-old got her start about 12 years ago when a friend of her son's opened a studio in Turin, reports the NY Post. A fitness challenge followed and turned into a passion.

Abignente has been on a pole ever since. She competes and trains at least two or three times a week when she's not preparing for competitions, although she doesn't have much competition in her age group.

"I always win because there aren’t any other competitors over 80," she said. "I still haven’t met anyone over 80. I’d really like to."

POLE DANCING GRANDMA SAYS SHE'S IN THE BEST SHAPE OF HER LIFE SINCE ADDING THE POLE TO HER EXERCISE ROUTINE

The oldest competitor she's faced was a 74-year-old American and that took place last year. This is more than an activity for strippers. It's a sport, according to Abignente, and not one for the weak.

"It's a complete sport, but also a very demanding one. You have to learn to trust your body and endure physical exertion. Like many sports, it leaves its marks," she explained.

While anyone can do it, you need "tenacity, determination, consistency and a high tolerance for pain" to reach her level.

As if you haven't already been inspired enough by an 82-year-old pole dancer, she's not planning to quit doing what she loves. She's going to keep going.

"I’ll be 83 in September, I’m not pretending to be 40. But I don’t want the number to decide for me."

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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Angels betting pick favors the home team through five innings

I had another rough outing the other day with a loss on the Rays. It wasn't quite as heartbreaking or frustrating as the Royals game on Friday night, but it was still a tough loss. The Rays were up big, and then in the seventh inning, they allowed four runs to the Red Sox. Boston won again and moved on to their 12th straight win (they got No. 13 yesterday). After taking the day off yesterday, I'm back on the diamond today and have a play on this one between the Cardinals and Angels.

The St. Louis Cardinals are having a solid season, despite them supposedly looking to quasi-tank this season. For the year, they are 51-47, which puts them in the Wild Card hunt. They just had their breakout star, Jordan Walker, win the Home Run Derby, and their team could find a way to the postseason if they can keep up their winning ways in the second half. I am a little intrigued to see what they do around the deadline. They could add pitching, or they could ignore any trades and roll the dice on how the rest goes.

If they are looking for some sort of addition, the starting rotation is probably where they need to upgrade. They have some decent arms, but I'm not sure they are ones you want to go into a playoff series or even a playoff chase with. Kyle Leahy is a solid arm for them, for example, but this is his first full year as a starter; will he last? He has been great with a 7-4 record, a 3.73 ERA, and a 1.41 WHIP. He has been substantially worse on the road, with a 4.69 road ERA compared to 2.94 in St. Louis. The good news for Cardinals fans is that the team is 0-for-9 against him.

The Los Angeles Angels are likely going to be the worst team in all of baseball when the season is over. There will be talk about trading some players, including their superstar Mike Trout, but I'm guessing very little will happen. They are in one of the worst positions as most analysts will tell you this team needs a complete rebuild and their farm system is empty. Although they hung in there for a few months, they've dropped down to 22 games under .500 and are no longer even sniffing contention. At just 11.5 games back, crazier things have happened, but the team just doesn't seem to have the ability to get where they need to go.

One of the arms that might bring them back a bit of a return - and they should be looking at prospects more than anything - is today's starter, Jose Soriano. He has been surprisingly reliable for the Angels with an 8-6 record and a 3.49 ERA for the year. In addition, he has a 1.29 WHIP. While these numbers won't blow anyone away, he seems like an arm you'd at least be tolerant of in the middle of your rotation if you're chasing a playoff spot. A typical Soriano start will be two or three runs allowed in five or six innings of work. He hasn't faced the Cardinals often, and they are just 1-for-5 against him.

I am not a guy who likes to back bad teams, and the Angels are a bad team. However, there is often value in taking these teams that are often overlooked. They are still winning about 40% of their games. If you pick the right spot to back them, that can be a profitable endeavor. I think in this situation it does make sense to back the Angels. They are playing at home after the Cardinals have to travel. Leahy is bad on the road, and Soriano has been reliable. Give me the Angels through five innings.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024

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Stomach bugs surging as doctors say certain travel essentials could save your trip

Stomach bugs can quickly turn a dream vacation into days spent in a hotel room, but doctors say packing a few key essentials can help keep your summer or fall trip on track.

Gastrointestinal illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites commonly trigger nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The agency says travelers' diarrhea, usually caused by bacteria, is the most common travel-related illness. 

WHY A BLOWN-OUT PLANE WINDOW NEARLY SUCKED A PASSENGER OUTSIDE AT 16K FEET

It affects an estimated 30% to 70% of travelers during a two-week trip, depending on the destination and season.

While not every stomach bug can be prevented, doctors say packing a few essentials before you leave can help manage symptoms, prevent dehydration and make it easier to know when it's time to seek medical care.

Before your next trip, the CDC recommends packing the following items:

If illness does strike, staying hydrated should be the top priority.

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Most people recover from common stomach bugs within one to three days without treatment, though dehydration can become serious enough to require medical attention, Chad D. Neilsen, director of Infection Prevention and Control at Nemours Children's Health in Florida, previously told Fox News Digital.

Doctors say smart food choices can also help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness while traveling.

Bethany Doerfler, a senior clinical research dietitian at the Digestive Health Institute of Northwestern Medicine, recommends thoroughly cooking higher-risk vegetables, such as leafy greens and fresh herbs, to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness, including parasitic infections such as Cyclospora.

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"Heating to temperatures over 160 degrees [Fahrenheit] will kill the parasite," Doerfler told Fox News Digital.

She also recommends choosing fruits and vegetables with thick skins that can be washed and peeled, such as bananas, avocados and melons, instead of avoiding fresh produce altogether.

Careful food and beverage choices can help lower the risk of gastrointestinal illness, the CDC says, although the choices cannot eliminate it completely because restaurant hygiene and local sanitation are often beyond a traveler's control.

Travelers should seek medical care if diarrhea persists or worsens, particularly if it is accompanied by a fever, bloody stools or signs of dehydration.

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Angelica Stabile of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. 

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Bill Maher admits he could vote for JD Vance, warns 'cowardly' Democrats face socialist takeover

Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher said Sunday that he could vote for Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election if Democrats nominate a candidate aligned with the party's socialist wing, calling Democrats "cowardly" and warning that radicals are taking over the party.

"Yes," Maher said when asked by ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl if Maher could see himself voting for Vance. "If this is the Democratic side, yes."

VANCE CONFRONTED ABOUT 2028 AMBITIONS AFTER TRUMP TEASES 'DREAM TEAM' RUBIO TICKET

Maher said his vote remained open because President Donald Trump cannot run again and rejected efforts to distinguish socialism from communism while discussing the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

"My vote is in play because it can’t be Trump running, so I’m not living in communist America," Maher said.

"I mean, I know the talking point is that it’s not communism, it’s socialism. OK, I’ve read the quotes from the DSA platform from their own mouths. Don’t tell me I’m not seeing what I am seeing," Maher said.

Maher also contrasted Republicans' willingness to appear on his HBO program, "Real Time with Bill Maher," with Democrats who declined invitations despite receiving his vote.

MAHER SHAMES CLINTONS, KAMALA, DEMS, SAYING THEY WON'T GO ON HIS SHOW OR ANYWHERE THEY AREN'T 'PRE-ADORED'

"The Democrats don’t come, and yet they got my vote. What... it’s just odd, isn’t it? Why is that? So what is that all about?" Maher said. "Democrats are cowardly. They’re cowardly."

The HBO host warned that the Democratic Party was being overtaken by increasingly radical figures, recalling the criticism he received after refusing to embrace left-wing positions.

"Their party is being taken over now by, you know, every day I hear about a new very radical," Maher said.

"I feel very good about [it]. Like 10 years ago, like I did lose fans because, you know, I wasn’t going to go along with some of this crazy stuff on the left too," he said.

DEM REP HENRY CUELLAR REJECTS DSA AGENDA, SAYS SOCIALISTS ARE TRYING TO 'USE' DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Maher said he had not changed his views about Republicans but refused to overlook positions promoted by members of his own political camp.

"I didn’t change really on what I thought about the right, but just, I can’t sit and just not notice stuff which people seem to want to do because it’s all about my team or your team," Maher said.

"But you know there’s some crazy stuff. You know, when we’re cheering for the Intifada, I cut, I’m out," he said.

He also predicted Democrats would perform well in the 2026 midterms because the races would remain a referendum on Trump. He distinguished those contests from the next presidential election.

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"2028 is a different story because by then this wing of the party, this new wing with all the energy, and it’s not just a few people anymore," Maher said.

Maher cited candidates in Colorado and Wisconsin advocating the abolition of police and prisons as examples of the party's leftward movement.

"I read every day I read about a new person in some Colorado and Wisconsin, somebody who is saying some variation of not defund the police," Maher said. "Abolish the police. No prisons, no police. Like, what world do they think we could possibly live in under these conditions?"

The DSA’s 2026 program calls for public ownership of the largest corporations and essential industries, fully abolishing police and prisons and abolishing the Senate.

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'Let's brew it in the United States': Teamsters target Modelo and Corona in push for Mexican beer tariffs

One of the nation's largest labor unions wants President Donald Trump to make one of America's favorite imports a lot more American.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters are urging the administration to impose significant tariffs on Mexican beer, arguing more of it should be brewed by U.S. workers instead of across the border.

The request comes as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative continues to assess whether certain countries’ policies have fueled unfair manufacturing advantages. 

The Teamsters argue Mexico has fueled its brewing industry through government-backed investment incentives, lower labor costs and export-focused policies that have expanded production and exports, helping imported beer capture a growing share of the U.S. market.

AMERICA'S FAVORITE BEERS — AND THE JOBS TIED TO THEM — ARE AT THE CENTER OF A BREWING TRADE FIGHT

The tariff push could have implications for some of America's best-known imported beer brands, including Modelo, Corona, Pacifico and Tecate, much of which is brewed in Mexico before being shipped to retailers across the U.S.

"We can brew Modelo beer. It's the same recipe. Let's brew it in the United States," Sean O'Brien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told Fox News Digital. "We are very good at producing goods and services in this country," he added.

In its filing, the union said Mexican beer production has increased 85% since 2014, with about 80% of the country's beer exports shipped to the United States. Meanwhile, capacity utilization at major U.S. breweries fell from 82% in 2013 to 65% in 2023, a trend the Teamsters say threatens thousands of well-paying union jobs.

TRUMP BET TARIFFS WOULD BRING BACK AMERICAN FACTORY JOBS. NEW REPORT SAYS IT DIDN'T WORK

The union argues tariffs would help shift more beer production back to the U.S., supporting American breweries along with the farmers who grow barley and hops, aluminum manufacturers that produce cans and the truckers who move beer across the country.

"I'm pro-America, pro-American worker, pro American jobs. So if there's an opportunity to tariff Mexican beer in this situation, which is gonna provide opportunity for our current members, which we have tens of thousands in the brewery and distribution industry, then I'm all for tariffs and all for keeping American jobs in America," O'Brien added.

THINK YOUR STATE IS EXPENSIVE? NEW DATA REVEALS WHERE AMERICANS FACE THE HIGHEST COST OF LIVING

The Teamsters say the threat to U.S. brewery jobs is growing as major brewers continue investing billions of dollars in Mexico.

According to the filing, breweries have announced plans to add another 19 million to 23 million hectoliters of production capacity over the next five years, an expansion the union attributes to export-focused tax incentives, lower labor costs and industrial policies aimed at boosting manufacturing for foreign markets.

The filing also cites Mexico's 2023 tax incentives for export-oriented manufacturers and its broader "Plan México" industrial strategy, arguing those policies have encouraged additional investment while suppressing wages and making it more difficult for U.S. producers to compete.

The Teamsters have publicly backed tariffs as high as 75% on Mexican beer imports, calling them one potential remedy to what they describe as an uneven playing field. In a separate submission to USTR, the union said continued pressure from imported beer could force more U.S. brewery slowdowns or closures, jeopardizing good-paying brewery jobs that have supported American families for generations.

The Teamsters' filing is one of several submitted as USTR weighs potential trade actions under its ongoing Section 301 investigation.

USTR did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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Historic nude beach in California is putting its clothes on when it opens later this month

Another historical clothing optional location in California is putting its clothes on. The San Gregorio Ranch State Beach, considered one of the first nude beaches in the state, is being added to the California State Parks.

The nonprofit land trust Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased the land last spring and has plans to donate it to the state park system later this year. The beach will open on July 29 and clothing will be required.

The day-to-day operations will be managed by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, KQED reported. Bonny Hawley, the Executive Director of the organization, said nudity isn't allowed at state parks.

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She added that the parks system will be educating the public about the beach no longer being a nude one. A sad day, I'm sure, for those who enjoy letting it all hangout while allowing sand easier access to their bodies.

"I’m not happy about it," Bob Morton told the Los Angeles Times. He's been to the beach and is confused by the state parks not allowing the swinging to and fro of body parts normally covered up in public.

"It seems counterintuitive," he added. "You go there to be one with nature."

FAMOUS BEACH NOW REQUIRES VISITORS TO RESERVE SPOTS WEEKS AHEAD AND PAY FEES

How in the world are you expected to be one with nature with your swimsuit on at the beach? You can be close to one with nature, but to some that isn't enough.

They require the sun and the ocean breeze covering their entire body. As if the rule changes at the historic beach weren't enough, they're not allowing dogs on the stretch of beach either.

They apparently are going after a dull beach experience. Swimsuits will be on every single person and nobody will have to dodge any piles of dog crap. Where's the sense of adventure that made California?

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