SC: Measles outbreak is over, after sickening nearly 1,000 people

Source: SFGate

“South Carolina’s measles outbreak — the worst in the U.S. in more than 35 years — is over, state health officials declared Monday. On Sunday, the state passed the threshold of 42 days with no new outbreak-related cases. In the end, 997 people were sickened by the vaccine-preventable disease since October and at least 21 of them were hospitalized, based on voluntary reports to the state. State health officials estimate the outbreak response cost $2.1 million. ‘The outbreak was predominantly contained to one area of one county and never went statewide, thanks to timely investigations, identification of those exposed, and people’s willingness to stay home,’ said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health.” [editor’s note: I caught the measles at around age 10 or 11; it was no fun, and I spent about a week in lowered light, running from bed to bathroom and back, but it was far from fatal – SAT] (04/27/26)

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/south-carolina-s-measles-outbreak-is-over-after-22228292.php

Steve Trinward

Neon Liberalism, episode 71

Source: Liberal Currents

“Samantha interviews Bethany Andres-Beck, running in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District. They talk about the spiritual crisis in the Democratic Party, the need to fix what’s broken in America, and how they intend to fight for working people across a range of issues.” (04/26/26)

https://www.liberalcurrents.com/what-next-democrats-neon-liberalism-71-with-bethany-andres-beck/

Thomas L. Knapp

Is the Lebanon File the Key to Ending the Iran War?

Source: The American Conservative
by Ali Rizk

“One of the important conclusions to draw from the Iran War is how much importance Tehran attaches to Hezbollah, its long-time Lebanese Shiite ally. This is not to be dismissed as business as usual, but rather reflects a major shift whereby supporting Hezbollah has become even more necessary for Iran’s national security.” (04/27/26)

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/is-the-lebanon-file-the-key-to-ending-the-iran-war/

Thomas L. Knapp

India: Modi’s BJP Gains Ground in Upper House After AAP Lawmakers Defect

Source: US News & World Report

“Indian Prime Minister ⁠Narendra ⁠Modi’s BJP party strengthened its ⁠position in parliament’s upper house after seven opposition lawmakers joined ​it, a parliamentary list showed on Monday, a shift that could ease the government’s ‌passage of legislation. All seven defectors ‌are from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by one of Modi’s most high‑profile ⁠critics, Arvind ⁠Kejriwal. The party governs the northern state of Punjab and ​previously ran the national capital territory of Delhi. The defections leave the AAP with just three seats in the Rajya Sabha house, while Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party now has 113 members, ​10 short of a simple majority in the 245‑member chamber.” (04/27/26)

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-04-27/modis-bjp-gains-ground-in-indias-upper-house-after-aap-lawmakers-defect

Thomas L. Knapp

Re-Radicalization in an Age of MAGA Remorse

Source: exile in happy valley
by Nicky Reid

“Something very strange is shifting in the darker corners of the internet. Something serpentine slick and black as ink. While Donald Trump moves farther and farther to the right and much of his cultish base mindlessly follows him into the abyss, the farthest of the far-right appear to be turning against Orange-Man-Fash with a vengeance. The brazenly Zionist massacre in Iran was certainly the last straw, but this subterranean sea change was a longtime coming.” (04/26/26)

https://exileinhappyvalley.blogspot.com/2026/04/re-radicalization-in-age-of-maga-remorse.html

Thomas L. Knapp