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Will the Taylor Farms Iceberg Lettuce Recall Empty Grocery Shelves? What to Know

Juan Oliveros
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Will the Taylor Farms Iceberg Lettuce Recall Empty Grocery Shelves? What to Know

A voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce tied to a nationwide parasite outbreak probably will not cause major shortages in grocery stores, according to health and supply chain data. Officials are still investigating thousands of illnesses across the country.

Taylor Farms, a California-based company, voluntarily pulled all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico out of the U.S. market. The Food and Drug Administration had traced a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection, to an independent farm in that area.

Even with the high-profile recall, shoppers are unlikely to see empty produce aisles. Taylor Farms’ central Mexico operations make up less than 1 percent of all lettuce sold in the U.S. The recall might cause small supply issues or temporary menu changes at some restaurants, but it should not have a big effect on supermarket shelves.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that lettuce sent to Taco Bell locations was one source of the outbreak.

A honeymoon interrupted

However, for people who got sick from the parasite, the effects have been serious.

Gretchen Pleuss from Wisconsin and her husband had only been married a few days when their honeymoon camping trip to Yellowstone National Park suddenly changed.

“I felt fine until we got out here, and a couple of days into camping here, I started having symptoms,” Pleuss said. She suffered from severe diarrhea and intense abdominal pain that landed her in an emergency room. She described the sensation as feeling as though her intestines were “really tight, like something is seizing them.”

Pleuss thinks she got the parasite after eating a sandwich with shredded lettuce while traveling. Instead of exploring Yellowstone’s hiking trails and geothermal sites, the couple spent their trip focused on her recovery, which put their vows of “in sickness and in health” to the test early on.

How far the outbreak has spread

The CDC said the outbreak has sickened nearly 3,000 people across the US. More than 5,000 potential cases are still under investigation.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by a tiny parasite called Cyclospora cayetanwhethersis. Common symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and fatigue.

Health authorities continue to monitor. Officials are still watching the situation and remind people to follow basic food safety rules, especially when traveling.

APS Welcome Back to School Community Listening Session Set for July 27; Electric Buses and Menu Tastings Await

Gregg Morgan
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APS Welcome Back to School Community Listening Session Set for July 27; Electric Buses and Menu Tastings Await

Albuquerque Public Schools is once again inviting parents and community members to share their voices. The district will hold its second community listening session of the year on Monday, July 27. 

APS said the “Welcome Back to School” event will give families an opportunity to connect directly with district leaders. The gathering will also offer a firsthand look at the future of student services.

The session will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE. APS designed the collaborative forum to focus on two pillars of the student experience: Food and Nutrition Services and Transportation.

The survey for the event ended on July 10. District officials said students’ and families’ feedback will guide the evening’s facilitated discussions.

More than just a meeting, the event will be a showcase of district innovation. 

Early arrivals can sample new cafeteria items during the “Menu Sneak Peek.” The Food and Nutrition Services department, led by Marie Johnson, created the upcoming school year’s menu based on student feedback collected last semester. 

The district will showcase its commitment to sustainability in the parking lot.

APS invites families to tour its new electric school buses. The activity gives visitors a hands-on look at the cleaner, quieter transportation technology joining the district’s fleet.

The Board of Education will livestream the session on its official YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person. It will also post a recording for later viewing.

APS urges all community members to participate in the conversation, whether they attend in person or from home. The district will use the feedback as it prepares to welcome students back for another year of learning. 

Godzilla vs. Kong star Kaylee Hottle Dies in Car Crash at 18

Gregg Morgan
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Godzilla vs. Kong star Kaylee Hottle Dies in Car Crash at 18

Kaylee Hottle, a deaf actress renowned for her role as Jia in two ‘Godzilla’ films, has passed away. She was 18. 

Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed to TMZ that a car crash killed his daughter early Tuesday morning in Maryland. He told the outlet she died on the way to a hospital.

Joshua later shared the tragic news during a nearly 23-minute livestream. Using American Sign Language, he explained that he had to fly from Texas to claim Kaylee’s body. “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take,” Joshua wrote in the caption of his Facebook post. 

He said officials called to tell him that Kaylee’s heart stopped en route to a hospital.

What Have Authorities Reported?

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office recently issued a statement regarding Kaylee’s death. According to the release, Hottle died in a single-vehicle collision in the 11400 block of Windsor Road in Ijamsville, Maryland, in which she was a passenger.

Deputies and personnel from the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services responded to a call at about 2:52 a.m. Tuesday. A preliminary investigation found that a 19-year-old Frederick man drove a 1995 Honda Accord off the right side of the two-lane roadway and struck a culvert.

The release stated that two passengers were in the vehicle with the driver at the time of the collision–one being Kaylee. The actress was transported from the scene to an area trauma center, where she was later pronounced deceased.

The driver was transported to a local hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Meanwhile, the other passenger declined medical treatment at the scene. 

Authorities said excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision. 

The crash is currently under investigation by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit. Authorities ask anyone with information about the accident to contact Dfc. Rose at 301-600-1046. 

Who Was Kaylee Hottle? 

Kaylee, who was deaf, came from a multi-generational deaf family. Her father is also deaf. According to The Houston Chronicle, Joshua’s family has been part of the deaf community for four generations.

The late actress was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 1, 2007. Entertainment Weekly reported that Kaylee got her onscreen start through an appearance in a 2017 ad for the ASL translation app Convo.

In 2021, she starred alongside Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Brian Tyree Henry, Eiza González and Rebecca Hall in Godzilla vs. Kong. She played Jia, an orphan who forms a bond with King Kong through sign language. The character is the adoptive daughter of Dr. Ilene Andrews, played by Hall, who takes her in after meeting her on Skull Island.

Hall, Henry, and Kaylee reprised their roles in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Bare-Knuckle Boxing Supporters Oppose Potential Ban on Sport

Ruben Reyes
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Bare-Knuckle Boxing Supporters Oppose Potential Ban on Sport

Supporters of bare-knuckle boxing in New Mexico spoke out Monday against a potential state ban on the sport.

Members of the local combat sports community went to a New Mexico Athletic Commission meeting on July 20. They asked commissioners to rethink plans to repeal rules for bare-knuckle boxing, which would effectively ban the sport in the state.

Bare-knuckle advocate Diego Padilla asked officials to keep the sport going. He said many fighters depend on it for their income and to keep their gyms open. Other supporters pointed out that bare-knuckle events create jobs and help bring people together in the community.

Alan Dominguez, another supporter, responded to safety concerns and asked commissioners not to take away the athletes’ opportunity. He argued the sport is not as dangerous as some critics say.

Commissioners chose not to discuss the proposed repeal in detail at the meeting, saying they need to do more research first.

“It moved pretty fast, so the commission and a few other entities wanted more information,” said Ed Manzanes, chairman of the commission.

Officials have put further action on hold and have not decided when they will bring the rules back for reconsideration.

Unexpected rule changes

Earlier this year, the commission planned to update its rules to allow for bare-knuckle boxing. However, the new draft regulations ended up removing the section about the sport entirely.

Members of Albuquerque’s bare-knuckle community say Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham started the effort to get rid of the sport because of safety concerns.

David Rios, a referee for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship events, defended the sport’s safety rules. He said there are five doctors at each event who step in right away to treat any injuries.

Besides the possible ban, participants may also have to pay higher annual licensing fees. The proposed increase would raise the fee from $25 to $75 for contestants, judges, referees, trainers, and managers. Advocates worry that many local fighters will not be able to afford this change.

Could Lettuce Be The Cause of Cyclospora? This Is What Health Officials Say

Ruben Reyes
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Could Lettuce Be The Cause of Cyclospora? This Is What Health Officials Say

Federal health officials are investigating a massive Cyclospora outbreak linked to produce. The parasite, which causes “explosive” diarrhea, has infected thousands of people.

Donald Prayer, acting deputy commissioner for food, said Monday that evidence is starting to “converge” on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, sourced from Central Mexico, as the main culprit.

The Food and Drug Administration immediately dismissed competing theories as false positives and advised consumers to avoid the potentially affected lettuce.

Taylor Farms is recalling iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and has begun removing it from store shelves.

However, removal may not immediately solve the issue. The lettuce was sold as recently as Thursday across dozens of states, including at Walmart stores under the Marketside brand. Some products have best-by dates as late as Aug. 3, meaning affected items could still be in consumer refrigerators.

The FDA encourages consumers to inspect salad and lettuce purchases made over the past week to ensure they were not sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Retailers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia sold 12-ounce and 24-ounce Iceberg Salad packages with best-by dates between July 18 and Aug. 3, as well as 8-ounce and 16-ounce Shredded Lettuce packages with best-by dates between July 18 and Aug. 3.

Authorities and distributors have recalled 33 other types of lettuce across additional states. A full list of recalled products is available on the FDA website.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned the public to stop eating shredded lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The fast-food chain responded Friday, stating it no longer uses Taylor Farms lettuce and has removed all affected products from its supply chain.

Currently, only lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms de México has been identified as a source of suspicion in the parasitic outbreak. The FDA said it will inform the public if additional sources are identified.

Varieties, such as romaine or butter lettuce, do not appear to be affected, even those produced by Taylor Farms. The CDC warning applies only to lettuce associated with the outbreak, while Taylor Farms assured consumers that their other products are safe to eat.

Several food businesses reassured the public about the safety of their products. Health experts suggest buying produce directly from local farmers, noting that while contaminated irrigation water poses a risk, local sourcing may carry a lower likelihood of large-scale contamination.

Health officials urge consumers to practice proper food safety by thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, peeling produce when possible, or cooking food to 158 degrees Fahrenheit to kill parasites.

New Mexico-Based Artist Built a 30-Foot Coyote Head in the New Mexico Desert—and You Can Sleep Inside It

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico-Based Artist Built a 30-Foot Coyote Head in the New Mexico Desert—and You Can Sleep Inside It

New Mexico-based artist Johnny DeFeo lives by a distinct motto: “The more seriously you take a silly idea, the more silly it can be.”

His boldest realization of that philosophy stands in the desert outside Taos: a rentable guest house shaped like a giant coyote head. “It’s a place to recharge and not worry about your Wi-Fi, and just have a quiet time in a place that is visually novel and beautiful,” said DeFeo, who was named a Wallpaper* US400 honoree.

The idea came from a dream six years ago. While DeFeo and his girlfriend were considering a move from Denver to New Mexico, he envisioned five animal-head-shaped houses surrounding a black pond near Vallecitos. Though he immediately sketched the idea, it sat dormant until June 2022.

One of 100 Winners

That month, DeFeo spotted an ad for Airbnb’s $100,000 “OMG! Fund” competition, which sought unique rental property concepts. He submitted a description, sketches, budget proposal, and construction timeline. His project, named “The Trickster” — also known as “Coyote Casita” — was chosen as one of 100 winners.

Turning the sketch into reality proved challenging. After interviewing several local architects and general contractors in Arroyo Hondo who struggled to grasp the vision, DeFeo partnered with Jacob Tobar of Mas Rústico. The San Antonio-based sculptor specializes in faux-bois concrete and large-scale public art.

The pair scaled up DeFeo’s small model into a 30-foot-tall structure. They framed the building using standard residential construction methods before applying and shaping layer after layer of concrete over the frame.

The process used more than 30 tons of concrete alongside extensive rebar reinforcement.

Build ‘Something Weird’

The resulting structure features sharp-toothed jaws that form an arched entrance, leading into a small foyer and an enclosed bathroom lined with stones and pebbles. Past the hallway, the double-height living area includes a small kitchenette with terrazzo counters, a walnut dining set, and seating.

A loft bedroom with a king-size bed opens to a balcony set atop the coyote’s nose. From there, guests can view the surrounding mountains. They can also look out through openings sculpted to resemble nostrils.

While the exterior is dramatic, the interior mirrors traditional New Mexico adobe architecture, featuring rounded corners and soft, mud-plaster-style textures. “I love the softness of the architecture,” DeFeo said. “You don’t do 90-degree angles out here.”

DeFeo is continuing to refine the decor, adding custom cast-iron drawer handles molded from taxidermy coyote paws, along with his own original paintings of coyotes in Southwestern landscapes.

“The Trickster” is intended as the first of five planned animal-themed rentals, with future plans for rabbit-, doe-, bear-, and fox-shaped designs as funding allows. “You don’t have to build a box for a house,” DeFeo said. “You can just make something weird.”

Bride’s Yellowstone Honeymoon Turns Into Parasite Nightmare Amid U.S. Outbreak

Juan Oliveros
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Bride’s Yellowstone Honeymoon Turns Into Parasite Nightmare Amid U.S. Outbreak

A few days after exchanging vows that promised “in sickness and in health,” Gretchen Pleuss and her husband found themselves putting those words to the test during their honeymoon at Yellowstone National Park.

What began as a camping trip turned into a medical ordeal when Pleuss, of Wisconsin, became ill with cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Cyclospora. “I felt fine until we got out here, and a couple of days into camping here, I started having symptoms,” Pleuss said.

She suffered from severe diarrhea and abdominal pain that sent her to an emergency room. Pleuss described the pain as feeling as though her intestines were “really tight, like something is seizing them.”

Pleuss believes she may have contracted the parasite after eating a sandwich containing shredded lettuce during the trip.

Instead of spending their honeymoon exploring Yellowstone’s hiking trails and geothermal attractions, the newlyweds found themselves making frequent trips to the bathroom. Still, they said they relied on the commitment they had just made to each other.

“Our vows said in sickness and in health, so we’re just getting an early start on that,” Pleuss said.

Despite the setback, the couple has remained optimistic, treating the experience as an unexpected lesson in resilience while continuing to enjoy what they can of their visit as Pleuss recovers.

U.S. health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the parasitic intestinal illness sickened nearly 3,000 across the U.S. The agency has also identified more than 5,100 additional potential cases that require further analysis to determine whether they are domestically acquired.

Health officials associated the outbreak with shredded lettuce. California-based Taylor Farms has voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration traced the outbreak to an independent farm in the region.

The California-based farm accounts for less than 1 percent of the U.S. lettuce supply, but it removed all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico from the U.S. market as a precaution.

The recall followed a CDC investigation that identified lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants as a source of the multistate outbreak.

Authorities continue to monitor the outbreak and urge the public to follow food safety guidance, especially when traveling.

Is It Possible To Slow Down Ice Cream Melting? Scientists Study

Gregg Morgan
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Is It Possible To Slow Down Ice Cream Melting? Scientists Study

People of all ages enjoy ice cream and the delight it brings. But summer heat can quickly melt the frozen treat and cut the enjoyment short. Have you ever wondered if ice cream could stay frozen longer? Food scientists in New Mexico are researching ways to slow the melting process. 

Food science professor Sergio Martinez-Monteagudo and his team at New Mexico State University are studying ways to keep ice cream frozen longer. They are modifying certain proteins already found in the dessert to create stronger bonds with water molecules. They say that slows down the melting process, according to KOB 4. 

Martinez-Monteagudo said the process “technically” works. However, it does not always produce an appetizing final product. 

“It looks amazing and it tastes good and all that but that by itself generates more complications because it’s a lot more stronger. It’s like a gel,” he said. “It’s a more rigid structure that some consumers might look like, ‘Huh, this looks weird.’”

Martinez-Monteagudo said ice cream brand Blue Bunny is funding part of the research. He added that nearly a dozen companies have expressed interest in his research into ice cream factory efficiency.

He said manufacturers waste close to five gallons of ice cream for every pound that reaches grocery store shelves. Factories generate much of the waste when they stop the machines to switch flavors. 

Martinez-Monteagudo said his team is exploring ways to salvage and recycle the usable portions.

“We’re working toward the implementation of the technology where we recover the fat from the waste and purify that fat and put it back into ice cream. That, to me, is the one that is creating a lot more momentum with industry,” he said.

Martinez-Monteagudo said his team occasionally develops new ice cream flavors alongside its research. They have created a biscotti pecan ice cream for the NMSU president and a tequila-flavored ice cream.

Don’t Wait, Vaccinate: Health Officials Urge Parents to Keep Children’s Vaccinations Up to Date Before School Starts

Gregg Morgan
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Don’t Wait, Vaccinate: Health Officials Urge Parents to Keep Children’s Vaccinations Up to Date Before School Starts

Classes in New Mexico resume in nearly two weeks. This means students, teachers, and parents will soon focus on school responsibilities. Health officials urge families to prioritize student vaccination before classes begin. 

Prevention is better than cure, as many would say. Vaccination protects students before they enter crowded spots in schools. Crowded classrooms and other school areas can easily spread highly contagious illness among students. If your child receives recommended vaccines, they protect themselves and the school community. Vaccination also helps prevent absenteeism and academic disruption. 

Health officials encouraged parents to update their children’s vaccinations before the first day of school to help keep classrooms healthy. 

KOAT Action News reported that the Department of Health said required vaccines protect against diseases such as measles, polio, whooping cough, and other infections. Officials also recommended flu, COVID-19, and HPV vaccines ahead of the respiratory season. The HPV vaccine is recommended as a cancer prevention measure.

“The best protection from any of these diseases is to be up to date on your vaccinations. So as kids are going back and that’s gathering back in the classrooms, that is most important because that’s how those get spread,” said Andrea Romero, immunization program manager for the DOH.

Many healthcare providers and public health offices statewide offer free vaccines to students up to 18 years old. 

State health officials reported that about 95 percent of students received the required school vaccines last year.

“Got Shots?” Offers Free Back-To-School Vaccinations 

The “Got Shots?” initiative is a collaborative effort by the DOH, the New Mexico Primary Care Association, and the New Mexico Immunization Coalition. It will offer free vaccinations at more than 60 locations across the state from June 13 through August 29. The program targets children from birth through age 18. Officials said they will not turn away any child, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Health officials encouraged parents to bring their child’s existing vaccination records and insurance card if they have one. The coverage, however, is not required. Many participating sites — including public health offices, community health centers and some private practices — are offering evening and weekend hours to align with work schedules of the parents. 

“Back-to-school vaccinations play a vital role in protecting children and communities from many serious diseases, and getting vaccinated helps protect you and your loved ones’ health,” Romero earlier said. 

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirm that on-time immunizations are critical. Measles requires 90–95 percent coverage, pertussis (DTaP) around 80–85 percent, and polio 92–95 percent to meet regulatory thresholds and prevent outbreaks. Falling below these benchmarks has led to a reemergence of measles, whooping cough, and polio in parts of the U.S. and worldwide.

An interactive map and clinic finder is available on the state’s vaccine portal at vaccine.doh.nm.gov. Families can also call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for assistance in locating a site or scheduling care.

An Iconic Cottonwood In White Sands National Park Has Fallen

Ruben Reyes
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An Iconic Cottonwood In White Sands National Park Has Fallen

A famous cottonwood that served as a long-standing landmark along the Dune Life Nature Trail in White Sands National Park has fallen.

Park officials announced the news in a social media post, attributing the collapse to strong winds and heavy rain from recent monsoon storms that destabilized the tree’s root system.

The Tree’s Long History

​The cottonwood had stood for decades before being photographed in 1959. Experts believe the tree was at least a decade old when that image was taken.

A photograph of the Cottonwood tree, believed to be a decade older before it was photographed in 1959. (Photo from: Jack Boucher, Credits from: whitesandsnps on Instagram)

​Over time, shifting sand gradually exposed the tree’s roots. A 2012 photograph documented the roots emerging above the surface, where they developed thick bark to adapt to the harsh environment. As sand continued moving across the dunes, more of the root structure became exposed.

The tree’s photograph from 2012, in which its roots have been exposed due to sand movement. (Photo from: whitesandnps on Instagram)

​Despite its fall, park officials said the cottonwood will continue to support local wildlife, offering habitat for various desert animals within its downed trunk and root system.

Though long considered one of the Chihuahuan Desert’s toughest survivors, officials are asking visitors to view the fallen landmark from a distance and refrain from climbing on it to protect the surrounding habitat.

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