Hospitals across America are scrambling after damage to a supplier in North Carolina has jeopardized their inventory of IV fluids.Baxter International, a factory that manufactures medical products in Marion, North Carolina, about 35 miles outside Asheville, was battered by Hurricane Helene. Muddy conditions, damaged bridges, flooding, and other concerns have forced the factory to shut down for the time being.'If we get a big burn, we can blow through a ton of these fluids very quickly.'"The safety of our employees, their families, and the communities in which we operate remains our utmost concern, and we are committed to helping ensure reliable supply of products to patients," said a statement from José "Joe" Almeida, chair, president, and chief executive officer at Baxter. "Remediation efforts are already underway, and we will spare no resource -- human or financial -- to resume production and help ensure patients and providers have the products they need."According to CBS News, Baxter provides about 60% of the country's IV fluid bags, so the shutdown there has left hospitals from as far away as Massachusetts and Oregon implementing emergency procedures to deal with a possible shortfall of IV fluids.A long-time medical professional at Mass General Brigham in Boston explained to Blaze News that an IV fluid shortage can impact patients with many different medical needs."Patients that are dehydrated, patients that can't eat, patients that can't swallow, patients that have had surgery, that have come in for surgery, patients that have come in for surgery where the surgery hasn't gone well, patients that are bleeding and need resuscitative fluids, trauma patients, burn patients, cancer patients, you know, it covers all the population," said the medical staff member who preferred not to be named."If we get a big burn, we can blow through a ton of these fluids very quickly."Thus far, Mass General Brigham has managed to meet patient needs, the medical professional told Blaze News. However, he also shared a screenshot of a memo, issued by the hospital on October 2, that makes the severity of the situation clear. The memo claims the hospital is experiencing "a serious and immediate IV fluid shortage" and demands that medical personnel "immediately act to conserve fluids." Screenshot shared with Blaze News. Used with permission.The hospital did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News, but Dr. Paul Biddinger, the chief preparedness and continuity officer at Mass General Brigham, admitted to CBS News that the hospital is enduring "one of the biggest shortages" in its history.At a news conference on Friday, Biddinger claimed he expects MGB will continue to receive about 40% of the usual supply from Baxter.Chris Laman, vice president of strategy for Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria, Oregon, told NPR a similar story. "My hospital has been told we can expect 40% of what we normally order," Laman told the outlet in an email. "We are talking about having to limit elective surgeries."In the meantime, manufacturers located well outside the path of Hurricane Helene and the subsequent flood zone are attempting to make up for the shortages. B. Braun told CBS News that it is "taking immediate steps to increase production at our pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in Irvine, California, and Daytona Beach, Florida, focusing on critical IV fluids."Many experienced medical professionals have also already dealt with a similar shortage after Hurricane Maria brought a major IV fluid manufacturer in Puerto Rico to a halt in 2017."Having experienced similar challenges in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017, we continue to be mindful of how we manage the supply of these medications to ensure minimal impact on our patients. Hospital operations continue as normal and patient care remains unaffected," Biddinger said.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The NAACP’s recent “Dear Dad” radio ad is another reminder that progressives value black men far more for how they vote than for what they bring to their families. The ad features a young woman telling her father that he is her “hero” and quickly pivots into standard Democratic talking points about the election. The daughter tells her dad, “Our black history, my access to health care, and our voting rights are under attack” before imploring him to use his “power” to vote in the upcoming election. We know nothing is 'pro-black' about destroying our own offspring. Unlike many activists, we believe black lives matter — even ones in the womb. This is exactly what I have come to expect from progressive institutions. But what makes this ad so disappointing is the fact that the NAACP doesn’t highlight the importance of fathers at any other time. I’ve written before how civil rights organizations promote abortion with far more passion than they promote marriage and family. This is more of the same. The NAACP’s campaign has nothing to do with fathers, other than using them as political tools to get Kamala Harris elected president. A real “Dear Dad” campaign meant to uplift black fathers and families would sound far different from the ad that is circulating right now. Here’s how it might sound. Dear Dad, You know that you are my hero. Thank you for loving me and letting me know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image. You have provided me with a great example of what a real man looks like. I see how your faith impacts how you live your life. I watch how you love Mom. I also appreciate all the lessons you have taught me and my siblings. Thank you for being who you are. You’ve always encouraged me to dream big dreams and not to be afraid. You made me feel loved and protected growing up, something I know every girl doesn’t have. You challenge me in ways big and small to maximize the God-given potential that resides deep inside me. Dad, thank you for being willing to sacrifice for our family. I see how hard you work and know that I am blessed never to have missed a meal or gone to bed hungry. I don’t say it as often as I should, but I genuinely appreciate everything you have down for us over the years. You’ve taught us to be grateful for everything we have and to never be jealous about what someone else has. Dad, I even love your jokes! I know we give you a hard time about them, but you add a level of joy to our home that is a good balance to your serious side. Dad, I know everyone is talking about the election. I thank you for raising us to understand that what happens in our home will determine our trajectory far more than who is in the White House. You taught us that being civically and politically engaged is a good thing but that our politics should always be driven by our faith, not the other way around. But even more than that, you taught us not to make politics or politicians an idol. All my friends ever want to talk about is politics. They seem obsessed with it, and I see how this can become unhealthy. They are willing to cut off their friends and family members over political disagreements. They say this election is about “joy,” but they seem pretty miserable — and unstable — to me. I know every politician thinks I should be motivated by “reproductive justice,” but I thank God for giving me a father who taught me how to cut through phony political talking points. I’m glad you and mom raised us to see our Christian identity before any other identity. I’m also glad you raised us to recognize the value of life. We know nothing is “pro-black” about destroying our own offspring. Unlike many activists, we believe black lives matter — even ones in the womb. Dad, I just want you to know that the “black job” that I’ve always considered your most important is leading our family. I love how you start any conversation about identity by telling people that you are a Christian, a husband, and a father — in that order and before anything else. You and Mom said you’re raising us to value marriage and family. That’s one reason I can’t wait to be a wife and a mother in the near future. Seeing how you love each other gave us a great example to follow. Dad, you really are my hero. I wish every girl like me had a father like you looking out for her. You mean far to me than a paycheck — or a vote. Your loving daughter.

Anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University were criticized on social media for appearing to chant in support of the horrific October 7 terror attack on the one-year anniversary. 'Tension, division, and politicization have disrupted our campus.' Video posted to social media Monday showed protesters chanting, "Resistance is justified," while marching with anti-Israel signs. Another video showed them chanting, "One solution! Revolution!" which many took to be a reference to Hitler's "final solution" of genocide. Some of the protesters carried Palestinian flags and signs supporting the Israeli divestment movement. A smaller group of demonstrators assembled to express support for Israel. They also set up an art installation in honor of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists. Some of the anti-Israel protesters left the Columbia demonstration to join another protest on Wall Street in downtown New York City. The Oct. 7 terror attack claimed the lives of 1,139 people and injured many thousands. In addition, about 250 people were taken hostage from Israel, including some U.S. citizens. Israel responded by launching a military attack on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but the conflict has spread to the north after Hezbollah attacked from Lebanon. In April, the pro-Palestinian protesters took over an academic building at Columbia, prompting officials to shut down entry gates. In August, the president of Columbia University announced her resignation and cited the violent protests. "Tension, division, and politicization have disrupted our campus over the last year," said Minouche Shafik. "I have tried to navigate a path that upholds academic principles and treats everyone with fairness and compassion." A news video report about the protest can be viewed on YouTube. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Quick-thinking employees at a Chick-fil-A in New Jersey may have saved a 6-year-old girl from danger, according to police. A male motorist went to the drive-thru of the Turnersville fast-food joint with his 6-year-old daughter in his pickup truck.One of the officers allegedly distracted the daughter so she wouldn't see her father being arrested.Fast-acting Chick-fil-A workers allegedly noticed the motorist in the drive-thru smelled of alcohol — as well as spotting the young child in his vehicle. “They smelled alcohol on his breath, and they were able to see all that alcohol inside the car,” Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik told WTXF-TV.The outlet reported that there was an open beer can in the car — plus a 30-pack of beer, and a trash bag full of empty alcohol containers.Bodycam video shows officers retrieving the alcohol from the vehicle. The female Chick-fil-A employee who smelled the alcohol allegedly informed the manager, who in turn contacted police. In order to prevent the driver from getting back on the roads and potentially causing an accident, Chick-fil-A employees reportedly informed the driver to pull over and wait for his order. While waiting for his food, police officers made it to restaurant within five minutes and approached the driver before he departed. Chief Gurcsik noted that the man was "extremely cooperative" with law enforcement. Upon arrival at the Chick-fil-A, police conducted field sobriety tests — which the driver reportedly failed. The driver took a breathalyzer test that reportedly revealed a blood-alcohol level of .16 — twice the legal limit.The driver was heard telling cops on the police bodycam footage, "I was just trying to go home and get to bed, you know?"Police arrested the driver.One of the officers allegedly distracted the daughter so she wouldn't see her father being arrested. Officers occupied the 6-year-old girl with food until her grandfather could pick her up. Gurcsik said, "It could have been a tragic ending for another family or for this family — who we essentially helped Saturday night by taking him off the road." A manager for the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Turnersville declined to provide a comment to WTXF. You can view a video report here about the incident.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

PvP is probably the hardest thing to master in an MMO. Some games somewhat shove it to the sidelines like World of Warcraft, others focus on it like Throne and Liberty, and some simply excel at having a thriving community enjoying all that it can offer, as in the case of the Elder Scrolls Online. Occasionally, however, a new idea comes along that really shakes things up, and that looks to be the case in the upcoming relaunched MMO, New World Aeternum. Continue reading New World Aeternum details how its free-for-all PvP zone will work MORE FROM PCGAMESN: New World server list, Best MMORPGs, New World review

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By Francesco Perono Cacciafoco/The Conversation The origins of English expressions are often obscure and require deep linguistic and documentary research to be explained. Being phrases, not single words, their intrinsic meanings can be reconstructed by studying old texts and their earliest use. Once the intricacies of their origins are unraveled, they can tell us a lot about how our language has developed over centuries. In the end, they often unveil to us fascinating and unexpected stories. Let’s try to briefly analyze four of them. 1. So long Though now considered dated, “so long” was once a common English expression. It was used to bid farewell, with different degrees of definitiveness, depending on the context. The phrase can be interpreted as “goodbye until we’ll meet again”. However, if considered literally, the idiom means just “so long” and nothing else. What happened to its meaning and what are its origins, then? Five Common English Words We Don’t Know the Origins of – Including ‘Boy’ and ‘Dog’ The Hidden Origins of Three English Plant Names If the expression was generated from the English language, it could be considered a shortened form of a sentence like this: “It will only be so long before we meet again.” However, this explanation is based on a retrospective interpretation of the idiom. Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later