Flu season in the US is the most intense it’s been in at least 15 years

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. winter virus season is in full force, and by one measure is the most intense in about 15 years. One indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctor’s office visits driven by flu-like symptoms. According to data posted Friday, that level last week was higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010. So far this season, the CDC estimates, there have been 13,000 flu deaths — including at least 57 children. The flu has forced schools to shut down in some states. One Texas district closed for three days because 650 students and 60 staff were out one day last week.

2 dead, 3 injured in weather event with tornadoes officials in Tennessee say

WARTBURG, Tenn. (AP) — Officials in eastern Tennessee say two people were killed when severe storms with two tornadoes moved through the region. The Morgan County Emergency Management Agency announced Friday morning that a mother and daughter were killed when the storm passed through the Deer Lodge and Sunbright areas of Morgan County on Thursday night. Officials say three injuries were also reported. The Tennessee Highway Patrol says troopers were in Morgan County ensuring resident safety and assessing and helping with structure damage. Officials say county schools were closed Friday because of “significant damage from tornadoes in parts of our county.” The National Weather Service says teams will survey storm damage in Morgan and Grainger counties on Friday.

Prosecutors say ex-aide to NYC Mayor Adams will plead guilty to conspiracy charge

NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say a former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams has agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge. In court papers, prosecutors said Friday that a plea deal has been reached with the city’s former chief Muslim liaison, Mohamed Bahi. His October arrest came weeks after prosecutors charged Adams with accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official seeking political favors. The mayor has denied any knowledge of wrongdoing. The plea deal comes a month after Brooklyn real estate magnate Erden Arkan pleaded guilty to conspiracy, admitting that he funneled illegal campaign contributions to Adams.

Authorities search frozen tundra and icy sea for missing plane with 10 aboard

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Authorities are searching part of Alaska’s western coast for a plane that went missing while carrying 10 people. The Bering Air Caravan was heading from Unalakleet to Nome with nine passengers and a pilot. The route is over the Norton Sound south of the Arctic Circle. The single-engine turboprop went missing before 4 p.m. Thursday and authorities are working to determine the plane’s last known coordinates. Unalakleet is a community of about 690 people in western Alaska. Rescuers searched by air and sea for any sign of the plane.