Chicago area code named worst for scam calls in Illinois

While scam calls and texts irritate thousands across the state and country on a seemingly constant basis, one area code in Illinois is more responsible for scam messages than others.

According to a recent study by background check company BeenVerified, Chicago’s “773” area code was ranked as the worst area code in the state for scam calls.

While scam calls remain prevalent, particularly from the 773 area code, the study shows that spam text messages have gained relevance, with nine of the top 12 scam phone numbers across the country sending text messages.

Among the most commonly-sent scam messages was one sent from a 312 number, Chicago’s other main area code:

“Hi. I was looking all day for a product that would kickstart our weight loss journey and saw this. It was featured in Forbes. Everyone’s been raving about it. My friend said they lost 17 pounds in the first 2 weeks. I just got one and I think you can even get a complimentary bottle, but there aren’t many left. Check this: hardbodyketo.com/XXXX

Parcel Tracking: Hello, your package with the track code 94385***** is waiting for confirmation on the shipment location: foryouonhold.com/XXXX“

The above text message was sent from 312-339-1227, and was the seventh-most common spam message in the country, according to the study.

The study also revealed that Onvoy is the top carrier used by phone scammers in Illinois, followed by AT&T and Verizon.

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Volunteer bakers make birthday wishes come true for children in need

Whether chocolate, vanilla or a special theme, a birthday cake makes you feel special. Using the sweet dessert, the non-profit Cake4Kids seeks to brighten spirits of children and teens who’ve experienced tough times.

The Chicago chapter, led by Emily Gyure, was baked up during the pandemic when people took up baking and kids at risk were in great need of a slice of happiness. Founded in 2010, the organization services at-risk or underserved youth, including those in foster care, group homes and homeless shelters.

You can read more about Cake4Kids and learn how to get involved here.

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Nebraska man pulled over with bull riding shotgun, video shows

A live bull riding shotgun in a car sounds impossible, yet one Nebraska man made it happen.

The Norfolk Police Division received a call of a man driving on the highway with a cow in the passenger seat at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, according to NBC affiliate News Channel Nebraska. Officers thought the call was referencing a calf or something else small enough to fit inside a vehicle, but it turned out to a Watusi bull.

Video shows the bull sticking out of a reconfigured white car that was able to accommodate the massive animal.

Officers performed a routine traffic stop and informed the driver, Lee Meyer of Neligh, of the traffic violations he was committing by driving around with the bull, whose name is Howdy Doody, police said. But authorities just issued Meyer a warning and asked him to take Howdy Doody back home.

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Nationwide study determining if FDA-approved drug can help prevent Alzheimer's disease

A nationwide study, now enrolling in Chicago, is examining whether a drug that is FDA-approved to treat Alzheimer’s disease can prevent the neurodegenerative disease.

“My mom died with it. My sister has it. At this point, she’s 81 and still alive and suffering with it,” said Jane Hansen, 76, from Naperville.

Hansen enrolled in the clinical trial, called the AHEAD study, because of her family history.

“My mom wrote children’s books and the first thing that she lost were her words. She could not find the right words, which I find I can do and, in the minute I do it, I think ‘Oh, oh, here I go,” Hansen said.

Hansen enrolled in the trial at RUSH University Medical Center. Researchers want to know whether lecanemab, a drug already approved to treat Alzheimer’s disease, can prevent it.

“It’s a monoclonal antibody, which means it will go ahead and attack the amyloid plaques in the brain,” said Dr. Neelum Aggarwal, a professor in the department of neurological sciences and the site principal investigator at RUSH.

“You have an accumulation of this amyloid and, over time, that accumulation causes issues where the brain cells can’t communicate as well with each other,” Aggarwal said.

“The plaque is not always a sign that you have Alzheimer’s. But my understanding is that if you have Alzheimer’s, you have the plaque,” Hansen said.

To qualify for the AHEAD study, you must be between the ages of 55 and 80 and have not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“We are going to give this medication in this group of people to see if we can remove any amyloid that is already there and also prevent any new amyloid from being deposited,” Aggarwal said.

The drug is given through an intravenous infusion, every two to four weeks depending on your enrollment.

“It’s a long study, you know, these studies, unfortunately, take long to show results. So it can go up to four years, four and a half years from when people come in,” Aggarwal said.

“It’s a big commitment. It’s a four and a half year commitment,” Hansen said, explaining that she still felt compelled to sign up.

“I have plaque. And I also have the gene. I got one of the genes, probably from my mom, because she had Alzheimer’s, and it raises the likelihood that I will have Alzheimer’s,” Hansen said, adding that she believes this is much bigger than her own brain health.

“If it’s something that I can do, that will change someone else’s future from this disease, which I know personally, and really don’t like, I’m doing it,” Hansen said.

Dr. Aggarwal said they are looking for candidates from a variety of racial and ethnic groups, saying diversity in enrollment is very important.

“We want you to come in the study and want to follow and see how things go because we want these drugs to be for everybody,” Aggarwal said.

For more information about the AHEAD study, click here.

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Humidity, 90 degree temperatures back in Chicago's forecast for Labor Day weekend

Although this week’s cool and crisp days may have offered a glimpse into fall, the Chicago area is set to get at least one more taste of summer before the season comes to an end.

According to NBC 5 Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes, Labor Day weekend across the region will see higher humidity and temperatures in the 90s. And while it may be muggy, heat index levels aren’t expected to reach nearly as high as they did last week, when Chicago saw multiple excessive heat warnings and the city’s hottest day in 11 years.

Thursday is expected to be bright and sunny, with temperature highs in the mid 70s, Jeanes said. After that however, temperatures will begin to heat up.

Friday, the start of meteorological fall, will see highs in the mid 80s, Jeanes said, but humidity remains low. And though temperatures Saturday are expected to warm to 90 degrees, the heat index will remain about the same, Jeanes said.

Sunday looks to be a hotter and more humid day, Jeanes said. Temperatures are expected to rise a bit more, up to 95 degrees, Jeanes said, with a “feels like” temperature of 96 degrees.

By Monday however, humidity is expected to rise again, with a high temperature of 95 and a heat index level of 99, the NBC 5 Storm Team said.

According to officials, the record high for Sunday is 97 degrees, and the record high for Monday is 95 degrees. By Tuesday, temperatures are expected to cool back down.

The next chance for rain doesn’t come until late next week, the NBC 5 Storm Team said.

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Video shows chaotic scene as 2 firefighters lured inside home, held at knifepoint

Police and firefighters forced their way into a South Side Chicago home after officials said a man lured, then held two firefighters at knifepoint inside.

Police said the incident happened around 12:18 p.m. Tuesday in the 7700 block of South Marshfield Avenue.

Firefighters had been called to the area for a report of a garage fire.

While battling the flames, fire officials said a battalion chief and a lieutenant were lured inside a nearby home by a man who said he smelled gas in his basement.

Once inside, the two firefighters, both about 50 years old, were locked inside the home by the man. who was armed with a knife.

The trapped firefighters were able to call for help, leading fellow firefighters and Chicago police officers to the scene.

Video captured the chaotic scene as authorities responded.

“Right inside the door, he had a knife,” one person can be heard saying in the footage.

Chicago officers responded to the scene, made entry into the home and the two firefighters were able to flee, police said.

“They just went up in there, broke the door and broke the window and just went in there and got him out,” one witness told NBC Chicago.

The man who locked the firefighters in was taken into custody and authorities said charges are pending.

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What led to lockdown at Dundee-Crown High School? A call and fake gunfire, village says

A caller threatening a school shooting at Dundee-Crown High School used sound effects with fake gunfire, leading to an hours-long lockdown at the school in what authorities now believe was a hoax, village officials said Wednesday.

The scene unfolded around 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Carpentersville high school, where district officials reported a phone call that was received by the school’s front office “made a threat against our school.”

“Upon receiving the phone call, the school contacted law enforcement and placed the school in lockdown,” an alert from the school’s website stated.

The village manager for Carpentersville, John O’Sullivan, said the village’s police department also received a phone call, which included sound effects simulating fake gunfire at the time.

Chaos erupted in school’s halls as students said they were rushed into classrooms for what they believed was an active shooter.

“I saw everybody started running in the hallway like crazy,” said junior Michael Soto. “The teachers were like, ‘Everybody get in a classroom.’ It was terrifying.”

District 300 Supt. Susan Harkin said in an initial notice that the lockdown was issued by administrators “as a precautionary measure” and “all students and staff are safe.”

A district spokesperson later said the incident did not involve an active shooter and students were under a late start Wednesday.

As word spread, crowds of students and parents gathered outside the school with the hours-long situation still unfolding.

“My daughter starts crying, she’s like, ‘I heard there was a shooting, somebody got shot,’ and I’m like, ‘Wait, wait, wait – we don’t know yet,” said parent Josefa Gomez.

The lockdown was lifted just after 12 p.m., after SWAT officers went door-to-door releasing students from the building.

“Students and staff are safe and have been directed to return inside of the building,” an update from the district stated. “For the remainder of the day, Dundee-Crown will remain open in a shelter in place. Students will remain in the field house, cafeteria, or gym during this time. Support services will be provided to any student who may need them.” 

Authorities said the investigation into the call deemed it unfounded.

“No shooter, no one was injured, no firearm,” O’Sullivan said. “Actually, determined that it was a false alarm, prank call … a lot of economic damage caused by this call.”

O’Sullivan noted the threat is not the only one for the area this week.

Other area schools like South Elgin received a fake bomb threat just days earlier.

“Report I got from the police chief was it’s believed these calls were filtered through some sort of app to mask the caller, so it’s very unlikely we’ll ever determine the identity of this caller,” O’Sullivan said.

While the call may have been fake, the fear was real, witnesses said.

“If the same call came in tomorrow of course we would do the exact same thing. We have no choice,” O’Sullivan said. “There’s no boy who cried wolf situation.”

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Prosecutors drop felony charges against Iowa man who had guns, ammunition in Chicago hotel room

Prosecutors have dropped all felony charges against an Iowa man who was arrested in 2021 by Chicago police for having guns and ammunition in his hotel room overlooking a popular tourist attraction

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Rare super blue moon: What to know if you want to see it in Chicago area

The moon Wednesday night will be a sight to see — for more reasons than one.

The rare evening moon will not only mark the second super moon this month, it will also mark a so-called “blue moon.” Such a “super blue moon” combination won’t be seen again for more than a decade.

But that’s not all.

The Aug. 30 super moon will mark the closest full moon to Earth’s surface this year, drifting approximately 222,043 miles from the planet, EarthSky said.

When can you see it?

The moon is scheduled to rise at 7:42 p.m. CT Wednesday, according to Time and Date.

The latest forecasts indicate the skies look to be clear for some Wednesday night in the Chicago area — and you won’t need much to see it.

“Generally you need just a clear view to the southeast,” said Michelle Nichols, director of public observing at the Adler Planetarium. “Also the full moon tonight isn’t also going to get terribly high above the horizon at its highest point to the south. So if your local area has a lot of trees, tall trees, tall buildings, if the horizon is very close to you because of all the local buildings and trees and things that might make it harder to see.”

Still, Nichols said “it appears that for certain parts of our area, it might be a little cloudy tonight.”

“That’s really the only thing that will affect a wider portion. So folks closer to the lake might have a harder time seeing the full moon tonight just because when you face to the southeast, if there’s a lot of clouds in that direction, that might affect your view,” she said.

For those unable to look up in the sky or who may have an obstructed view, there will be a chance to catch the rare sight virtually from Adler Planetarium beginning at 9 p.m. CT.

Will the moon be blue?

No, the moon will not actually be blue.

According to NASA, there are actually two types of blue moons.

“A monthly Blue Moon is the second Full Moon in a calendar month with two Full Moons. Then, there’s a seasonal Blue Moon – the third Full Moon of an astronomical season that has four Full Moons,” NASA reported.

In this case, the Aug. 30 super blue moon marks the second full moon of the month.

What is a supermoon?

According to NASA, a “supermoon” occurs when a full moon or a new moon is within 90% of its closest point to Earth.

Why is this moon so unique?

While the moon will not actually be blue in color, it is rather uncommon.

“About 25 percent of all full moons are supermoons, but only 3 percent of full moons are blue moons,” NASA said.

This blue moon, NASA added, will be the final blue moon until May 31, 2026. However, the next “super blue moon” won’t occur again until 2037, NASA said.

“The time between super blue moons is quite irregular ― it can be as much as 20 years,” NASA said. “But in general, 10 years is the average. The next super blue moons will occur in a pair, in January and March 2037.”

And that’s not the only factor that makes Wednesday’s supermoon so unique.

The Aug. 30 supermoon will actually be the closest full moon to Earth’s surface this year.

When will the next full moon be?

According to the Adler Planetarium, the next full moon will be Sept. 29. It will be the “fourth and final consecutive supermoon of the year,” a blog post from Adler said.

As it is the closest full moon to the autumnal equinox, this moon is known as the “Harvest Moon” or the “Full Super Harvest Moon,” the post added.

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Charcoal toothpaste, pimple patches on bug bites: Do ‘health hacks' work? Chicago docs weigh in

From brushing with charcoal toothpaste to using a pimple patch on a mosquito bite, you’ve probably seen the viral videos on social media. And maybe you’ve even tried some of the trends yourself. But a handful of Chicago medical experts are setting the record straight when it comes to health hacks.

“My patients ask me questions about the things they’re seeing online, ‘like should I do this?'” Whitney DiFoggio, a Registered Dental Hygienist told NBC Chicago. “There’s so many wild things, the weirdest things you’d ever think of.”

DiFoggio also hosts a YouTube channel called “Teeth Talk Girl,” to help decipher fact from fiction when it comes to myths and rumors around oral hygiene, teeth whitening and more.

“There’s so many things that could damage your teeth and you wouldn’t even know until it’s too late,” DiFoggio said, adding that some trends can lead to irreversible consequences, like damaged enamel.

“Once it’s damaged, it’s damaged,” DiFoggio said. “Enamel doesn’t grow back.”

So what works, and what doesn’t? When it comes to hacks seen on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, here’s a breakdown.

Teeth whitening hacks: which ones work, which ones don’t?

Brushing with charcoal toothpaste: According to DiFoggio, brushing with charcoal is “too abrasive.”

“Although charcoal might work, it might actually whiten your teeth a little, it’s actually removing layers of your enamel,” DiFoggio said, adding that worn down enamel can be “painful and sensitive.”

Purple toothpaste: “It’s a gimmick,” DiFoggio said, adding that its marketed as a “purple shampoo” that can chemically bond to teeth to remove stains.

“That’s not what’s happening, because there’s no binding happening,” DiFoggio said. “It washes right off your teeth.”

Spices like turmeric: “The American Dental Association has it on their website that spices do not have any evidence of teeth whitening,” DiFoggio said.

Apple Cider Vinegar: According to DiFoggio, the acidity in apple cider vinegar can do more harm than good.

“You don’t want your mouth to be acidic. You want your mouth to be neutral, and a neutral mouth reduces cavities, reduces enamel erosion,” DiFoggio said.

Whitening strips: According to DiFoggio, whitening strips do work, “especially if they contain peroxide.”

“Even better if they’re approved by the American Dental Association,” DiFoggio said. “You can find on the box of whitening if there’s the ADA seal of acceptance on there. Then you know it has been tested for safety and efficacy.”

“I also tell my patients it’s the best option because they’re affordable. And the only negative is they might take some time. They might take a couple of weeks to two or three weeks,” DiFoggio added.

Other health hacks making the rounds on social media

Pimple patches to treat mosquito bites

Can pimple patches help heal mosquito bites faster? NBC Chicago health reporter Lauren Petty asked Megha Trivedi, a dermatologist at RUSH University Medical Center.

“Overall, not a bad idea, if it’s a mosquito bump and you want it to kind of heal faster, you can absolutely use a hydrocolloid patch,” Trivedi said.

“We use it for wound care, and hydrocolloid has the property of moisture wicking,” Trivedi said, explaining how she uses hydrocolloid patches in her practice all the time. But she said there’s one thing the pimple patches can’t do.

“Some of these claims that hydrocolloid patches help with itching are actually not true,” Trivedi said. “You want to make sure you use something like a hydrocortisone over the counter to help with that.”

Drinking liquid chlorophyll for better digestion

Michael Brown, a gastroenterologist at RUSH, said he’s seen a lot of “buzz” around drinking liquid chlorophyll to aid in digestion. But can it?

“It might,” Brown said.

However, more human research is needed, Brown added.

“There’s animal data that suggested it’s a strong antioxidant. It may alter that gut microbiome in a way that’s favorable, that could perhaps help with bloating, which is a really difficult symptom to deal with,” Brown said.

Side effects include nausea and diarrhea, but Brown said liquid chlorophyll may work for some people.

“If a patient gets better with it, there’s no harm. This can be taken forever. It’s very safe stuff. You can get it when you eat kale and lettuce too, but you can get a more concentrated here,” Brown said.

But safe isn’t always the case for all the health hacks that fill social media feeds.

“The problem with social media is it’s testimonials,” Brown said. “You’ve got to be a little bit careful because sometimes the things that they’re pushing aren’t exactly safe. This one happens to be safe.”

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Sen. Mitch McConnell appears to freeze again at a Kentucky event

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze again during a gaggle with reporters in Covington, Kentucky, stopping for more than 30 seconds after he was asked if he would run for re-election.

The Kentucky Republican previously froze during a news conference on Capitol Hill in July. McConnell, 81, was silent for 19 seconds during that episode before being escorted away from the cameras. He returned shortly thereafter and continued his press conference, telling reporters, “I’m fine.”

When it became apparent that McConnell had frozen again on Wednesday, an aide came up to him and asked, “Did you hear the question, senator?” McConnell continued to be unresponsive.

Once McConnell reengaged, he responded briefly to another question about Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican; his aide needed to repeat the question to him.

For more on this story, go to NBC News.

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Everything to know about the rare super blue moon, which rises this week

The sky will shine a little brighter this week as summer winds down.

A rare super blue moon will appear on Aug. 30 — an occurrence that won’t happen again until 2037.

This will be the third of four consecutive supermoons, which are about 16% brighter and notably bigger than an average moon. NASA claims that the size difference between an average moon and a supermoon is comparable to the difference between a nickel and a quarter.

The term “blue” doesn’t mean that the moon will appear blue — it instead signifies that it’s the second full moon of the month. Just 3% of full moons are blue moons, according to NASA, while 25% of full moons are supermoons.

Here are the answers to all your questions about Wednesday’s super blue moon:

What is a super blue moon?

A super blue moon is a combination of a supermoon and a blue moon.

Supermoons occur when the moon is full and located at or near its closest point to Earth, according to NASA. These moons appear especially large and bright because they are slightly closer to Earth than normal full moons.

A blue moon is the term used to describe the second full moon in a month. The moon’s cycle is 29 and a half days, so every two-to-three years there is a blue moon where there’s a full moon at the very beginning and end of a single month.

When is the super blue moon?

The 2023 super blue moon will occur on the night of Aug. 30-31, beginning on Wednesday night and lasting until the early hours of Thursday morning.

Where will the super blue moon be visible?

You can see the super blue moon from wherever you are located, as long as the sky is clear of clouds.

What does a super blue moon look like?

A super blue moon isn’t actually blue, but it is bright. Compared to normal full moons, super blue moon are 16% brighter and 14% bigger.

How rare is a super blue moon?

The time between super blue moons isn’t always the same. NASA says it can be as much as 20 years between occurrences, but the average is 10 years. The last super blue moon appeared on Jan. 31, 2018.

If you miss the super blue moon on Wednesday, you’ll have to wait a while for the next one — January 2037, to be exact, with another following in March 2037.

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As COVID cases rise, what will that mean for mask guidance and mandates?

COVID cases are on the rise in Illinois and across the U.S., and while that has led some to bring back mask requirements or mandates, could public health guidance soon follow?

Already, some U.S. schools and businesses have started bringing back mask mandates.

Morris Brown College in Atlanta announced last week that it was reinstating its mask mandate “due to reports of positive cases among students.”

A mask mandate was also reinstated for several employees at Lionsgate headquarters in Santa Monica, according to an internal memo obtained by the Los Angeles Times.

The Illinois Department of Public Health warned Friday that COVID cases are on the rise in the state.

Despite all of the state’s 102 counties remaining at what the department said was a “low level” for hospital admissions, as of data from the middle of August, wastewater surveillance has detected “rising COVID-19 activity,” the department said.

“Although hospitalization rates and deaths from COVID-19 remain low, it is important for our residents to know that we are seeing rising COVID-19 activity across Illinois,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. “We are fortunate the vast majority of Illinoisians have received immunity from a COVID-19 vaccine or previous infection that protects them against severe disease. However, COVID-19 continues to pose a risk for our seniors, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and those who are immunocompromised. IDPH is closely monitoring COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, emerging variants, and a broad range of respiratory illnesses including flu and RSV. As we approach the fall, our residents will have access to a number of tools, including updated shots and treatments, that can help us avoid another ‘tripledemic.’ Please contact your primary care provider to learn about the options available to protect you and your loved ones this upcoming respiratory season.”

The latest alerts come weeks after experts indicated a potential climb in both cases and hospitalizations in what was being described as a “mini-surge” ahead of the new school year.

“We’re starting to see an increase,” Dr. Mark Loafman, assistant chair of Family and Community Medicine at Cook County Health, told NBC Chicago in early August. “I mean, the cases are ticking up, we’re looking at a positivity rate – you know, with COVID and the rate of tests that are positive – has increased up, it’s almost up to 7% now. So it’s that combination of that, and we know hospitalizations lag a little bit behind, but we’re starting to see an uptick in hospitalization as well.”

In Chicago, hospitalizations remain low, but have seen a rise, with a 42% increase reported week over week for data reported on Aug. 23. In that same time frame, cases rose 22%, data from the Chicago Department of Public Health showed.

But with at-home testing now common, experts said the total number of cases is likely higher.

Meanwhile, hospitalizations have been increasing since the beginning of July, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reported 12,613 new hospital admissions for the week ending Aug. 12, a 21.6% increase.

The numbers remain low, however, when compared to earlier in the pandemic.

“The U.S. has experienced increases in COVID-19 during the last three summers, so it’s not surprising to see an uptick after a long period of declining rates,” CDC spokesperson Kathleen Conley said in an email to NBC News.

In a statement to NBC Chicago, the CDC said its “advice for individual and community actions around COVID-19 is tied to hospital admission levels, which are currently low for more than 97 percent of the country.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health has also not indicated the potential for returns of masking guidance from a state level.

That is consistent with what public health officials have stressed during the recent uptick.

“I don’t think that we’re at a place anywhere in the United States, where we’re going to see mask mandates,” said Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer at the Association of State and Territory Health Officials. “Again, you know, I just don’t think that the rates are high enough that we could do that. And I also think that now with vaccination treatment, and also the fact that many, many people in the public who are supposed to have had COVID itself, you know, our immunity is much higher and the likelihood of people getting hospitalized or getting really ill if they get COVID is much less.”

What would it take for mask mandates to return from a public health perspective?

“The biggest thing we’re concerned about in public health is the capacity of our hospital systems,” Plescia told NBC Chicago. “So if we got to a place where there were so many people getting respiratory illnesses – and I don’t think we would get there with COVID alone because there is such such stronger immunity to COVID now – but in the fall if we have COVID, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, which is RSV, you know, it is possible in the fall that we get to a place where if we had a bad season in the fall and the winter for RSV and flu together, with maybe an uptick in COVID, when you get to a place where some of our hospital systems would really be in danger of becoming overcrowded and overwhelmed. And that’s the only time that I think public health officials might step in, and, you know, do some kind of mandates or requirements, either using masking or any other types of, you know, ways that we have to limit the spread.”

Experts say masking will likely be done more on a voluntary basis going forward, based on an individual’s personal health or the activities they are doing.

“For people who have underlying health conditions that would put them at higher risk if they got COVID, or for people who are in sort of older age brackets … those are individuals that really might want to consider beginning to wear masks, and particularly in crowded settings, because COVID seems to be on the rise, and these are people that if they did get COVID, they, you know, might be more likely to have a severe case.”

Currently, much of the country is awaiting vaccination guidance surrounding a potential fall booster.

The FDA in June advised manufacturers to update their vaccines to target the XBB 1.5 variant, aiming for a fall 2023 rollout. But no guidance has so far been given surrounding updated vaccinations.

Guidance is expected from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in the coming weeks, according to a statement.

Does that mean residents should get a booster shot now or wait until the fall when an updated vaccine is expected?

“You should wait,” former Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady told NBC Chicago. “We anticipate a new vaccine available probably late-September or early-October. That is going to be an update that will be the newest version to help fight off omicron, the type of omicron subvariants we’re seeing more recently. And it’ll be important that everybody get that booster. That’s what helps get us through the fall. That’s what’s turned COVID. Even during this time of increased cases, we are seeing zero to one deaths a day. We are seeing handfuls of Chicagoans being hospitalized. When I compare that to the more than 50 Chicagoans a day who were dying during COVID, the, at some points, more than 300 Chicagoans being newly hospitalized every day, it is vaccines and it is treatments that have turned this into a disease that we can coexist with.”

Currently, COVID booster shots and initial doses are formulated as “bivalent” vaccines, meaning they offer protection both against the original strain of COVID that impacted the U.S. in 2020, and the Omicron variants known as BA.4 and BA.5, which were the most-recent dominant strains of the virus.

The new monovalent vaccine doses will specifically target the XBB.1.5 strain, according to officials.

CDC data shows the current variant dominating U.S. cases is EG.5, followed by FL.1.5.1 and XBB.1.16.

At the same time, CNBC reports health experts and initial data suggest the new shots will also be effective against the Eris, or EG.5, variant, along with other circulating variants.

“I think that these vaccines will provide very substantial protection against EG.5. Maybe just a little bit of loss, but it’s nothing that I’m very concerned about,” Dr. Mark Mulligan, director of the NYU Langone Vaccine Center, told CNBC. “It looks like we’re going to be OK.”

In addition to COVID booster shots, IDPH urged residents to also follow guidelines surrounding the flu and recently-authorized RSV vaccines.

“We’ve got … people going back to school, people starting to do indoor activities, we have flu and RSV season coming to start as well,” Loafman said. “And we have, you know, a real fatigue with masking, we are very, very under vaccinated for COVID. So we’ve got a lot of ingredients, you know – a so-called ‘perfect storm’ – to see some things get worse,” he said. “So I would say we’re vigilant, we’re on the lookout, we hope people aren’t so fatigued that they won’t take precautions, but that’s the biggest concern is the numbers go up and people are just tired and they won’t follow some good self management. I think we need people to do this on their own so we don’t have to rely on mandates and, and rules and regulations. So hopefully people will follow the rules on their own. And we could keep this thing at bay.”

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Report: Bears cut Nathan Peterman, paving way for Tyson Bagent QB2

The Bears have reportedly cut quarterback Nathan Peterman. The move– paired with Sunday’s decision to part ways with P.J. Walker– paves the way for UDFA preseason phenom Tyson Bagent to take over as the team’s QB2 behind Justin Fields.

Bagent spent the early portions of the offseason working as the team’s fourth quarterback, but as the summer went on he earned more and more reps. He really captured everyone’s attention in the second preseason game however, when he completed 9-10 passes for 76 yards and ran for a touchdown. In the preseason finale, the Bears made Bagent QB2 as they completed their evaluation of him.

Peterman joined the Bears in the 2022 offseason and spent the beginning of the year on the practice squad. He saw a little bit of action in relief of Fields in Weeks 14 and 15, then drew a start in Week 18 to close out the season. Over the three games he played, Peterman completed 14-25 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Bears like what Peterman adds to the quarterback room in terms of his knowledge of the game and mentorship. He could be a candidate to return to the practice squad.

The Bears could still decide to bring in another veteran QB, like Colt McCoy who was reportedly cut by the Cardinals on Monday. When asked about that option, head coach Matt Eberflus said it was a “good thought.”

“We are certainly looking at that option,” Eberflus said. “We are looking at other options too. But that’s certainly a good thought, when you can have somebody with experience in there to help younger quarterbacks. It’s certainly something that we’ve talked about.

As of now, however, it appears the Bears are ready to move forward with Bagent as the team’s primary backup.

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Chicago White Sox release video of two women being shot during game

Incident took place during game against Oakland Athletics at Guaranteed Rate Field

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Family of 8 living out of minivan offered helping hand after NBC Chicago story

A Chicago family of eight, including six children, who for the past four months been living in a minivan in the city’s Austin neighborhood will soon have a permanent place to call home thanks to the help of local organizations, State Rep. La Shawn Ford tells NBC Chicago.

Monday, NBC Chicago reported that Alicia, her partner and her six children ages 1 to 14, had been living in a van parked in an empty lot in South Austin, following the death of Alicia’s father.

“This is our home right now,” Alicia told NBC Chicago. “One person has to stay up while the other person watches our surroundings,” Alicia said. “The kids wake up on and off … they cant stretch much.”

The family had been on an affordable housing waiting list through the Chicago Housing Authority, Ford said. However, aid started to pour in after NBC Chicago shared their story.

Local organizations Primo Center and BUILD Chicago have both offered shelter, support and hygiene services to Alicia and her family, and Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said her office will provide the family with a 10-day hotel stay. The family is set to check into the hotel Tuesday afternoon, Thompson’s office said.

According to Ford, the goal is to place the family in a permanent home by the end of the week, and Ford has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise additional funds.

‘I don’t want anyone to be in my predicament’

Alicia’s partner and father of her children works full-time at a local restaurant. While the family is grateful to have some money coming in, it’s not enough to afford a home. And feeding the children, has become a daily struggle.

“It’s hard… especially when they ask you for certain stuff and you cant get it or they say they’re hungry and you can’t feed them,” she said. “Sometimes you feel you’re failing as a mother.”

Through the work of NBC Chicago’s documentary, “Homeless Youth: An Invisible Crisis,” we learned affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges in Chicago, according to the Chicago Homeless Coalition.

Alicia said she understands her family is not the only one facing housing insecurities and appreciates any help provided.

“It’s sad… everyone has their own problems. I wish we could all get help. I don’t want anyone to be in my predicament,” she said.

Aside from housing, Alicia said her priority is also to get her children enrolled in school. Without an address, she did not know how to navigate that process.

NBC Chicago reached out to Chicago Public Schools officials to see what options the family had. A spokesperson said the children can be enrolled without a permanent address.

CPS reported that as of April 2023, at least 16,844 students identify as STLS, or students in temporary living situations. Students enrolled in the program have access to numerous resources through the program, which Alicia and her children can enroll in.

“I want them to go to school and be comfortable instead of being in a car every day in the sun… it’s hot,” Alicia said.

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Tropical storm Idalia expected to become a major hurricane before hitting Florida, forecasters say

What to Know

• Tropical Storm Idalia was gaining strength Monday and had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami
• Idalia could approach Florida on Wednesday as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 115 mph, the NHC said
• Watches and warnings were issued up and down Florida’s Gulf coast as mandatory evacuations were ordered for some and airport and school closures were announced

Florida residents loaded up on sandbags and evacuated from homes in low-lying areas along the Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Idalia intensified Monday and forecasters predicted it would hit within days as a major hurricane with potentially life-threatening storm surges.

As of Monday evening, the storm was about 35 miles south-southwest of the western tip of Cuba and moving north at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Forecasters said they expected Idalia to become a hurricane later Monday in the Gulf of Mexico and then curve northeast toward the west coast of Florida.

Idalia could approach Florida on Wednesday as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 115 mph, according to the latest forecasts from the Hurricane Center.

A number of watches and warnings were issued up and down Florida’s Gulf coast from the lower Florida Keys to the Panhandle.

A hurricane warning was issued from the middle of Longboat Key northward to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay, while a hurricane watch was in effect for Englewood to the middle of Longboat Key.

A tropical storm warning was issued for the Dry Tortugas, Chokoloskee northward to the middle of Longboat Key, and west of Indian Pass to Mexico Beach.

And a tropical storm watch has been issued for the lower Florida Keys west of the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge and Sebastian Inlet northward to the South Santee River in South Carolina.

Along a vast stretch of Florida’s west coast, up to 11 feet of ocean water could surge on shore, raising fears of destructive flooding.

A storm surge warning has been issued from Englewood northward to the Ochlockonee River, including Tampa Bay, while a storm surge watch has been issued from Mouth of the St. Mary’s River to Altamaha Sound, Georgia.

At a news conference Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that his administration had submitted a pre-landfall declaration with the federal government Sunday night. The Biden administration approved it Monday.

“I have also expanded our state of emergency, the executive order, to include 13 additional counties,” DeSantis added.

This brings the total to 46 Florida counties under the state of emergency for Idalia.

DeSantis warned of a “major impact” to the state. Idalia would be the first storm to hit Florida this hurricane season and a potentially big blow to the state, which is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ian almost a year ago.

Large parts of the western coast of Florida are at risk of seawater surging onto land and flooding communities when a tropical storm or hurricane approaches. That part of Florida is very vulnerable to storm surges, Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, said Sunday.

Pasco and Levy counties, located north of Tampa, both ordered mandatory evacuations for some residents deemed to be at risk. In Levy County, officials said residents of Cedar Key must be off the island by Tuesday evening because storm surges would make bridges impassable.

“The property — we can rebuild someone’s home,” DeSantis said during a news conference Monday. “You can’t unring the bell, though, if somebody stays in harm’s way and does battle with Mother Nature.”

Tampa International Airport and St.Pete-Clearwater International Airport said they would close on Tuesday. Many school districts along the Gulf Coast said they would be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Several colleges and universities said they would close their campuses on Tuesday, including the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Florida emergency officials on Sunday urged residents to keep their vehicle gas tanks at least half-full in case they need to evacuate.

“This will ensure you can evacuate tens of miles inland to a safe location should the need arise,” the Florida Division of Emergency Management said on social media.

Florida has mobilized 1,100 National Guard members, and “they have at their disposal 2,400 high-water vehicles, as well as 12 aircraft that can be used for rescue and recovery efforts,” said DeSantis.

“If you are in the path of this storm, you should expect power outages,” he added. “So please prepare for that, particularly if this storm ends up coming in the Tallahassee region, there’s a lot trees that are going to get knocked down, the power lines are going to get knocked down – that is just going to happen, so just be prepared for that and be able to do what you need to do.”

So far this year, the U.S. East Coast has been spared from cyclones. But in the West, Tropical Storm Hilary caused widespread flooding, mudslides and road closures earlier this month in Mexico, California, Nevada and points to the north.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently said the 2023 hurricane season would be far busier than initially forecast, partly because of extremely warm ocean temperatures. The season runs through Nov. 30, with August and September typically the peak.

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Big changes coming to Chicago driver facilities. Here's what to expect

Before you head out to renew your license, you might want to check first. Changes are coming to Illinois driver facilities starting this week.

Beginning Friday, Illinois drivers looking to perform a number of tasks at driver facilities in the state will soon be required to make an appointment, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias had previously announced that a “Skip-the-Line” program will be implemented at the state’s busiest DMVs.

The program will offer extended hours and appointment scheduling, as the office aims to reduce long wait times seen at a number of area facilities.

So what exactly will you need an appointment for and where?

Here’s a breakdown of what to know:

Where will appointments be required?

Appointments will now be required for some services at 44 of the state’s busiest driver services locations, including all locations in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

The following DMVs will be appointment-only beginning on Sept. 1, with their days of operation visible in the right-hand column:

Facility                                    Address                                                          Days of Operation      

Chicago:

Chicago North                         5401 N. Elston Ave.                                         Mon-Sat

Chicago South                         9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive         Mon-Sat

Chicago West                          5301 W. Lexington St.                                     Mon-Fri

Diversey Express                    4642 W. Diversey Ave.                                    Mon-Fri

Suburbs:

Aurora                                     339 E. Indian Trail                                           Mon-Fri

Bridgeview                              7358 W. 87th St.                                              Mon-Fri

Chicago Heights                      570 W. 209th St.                                             Mon-Fri

Deerfield                                  405 Lake Cook Road                                      Mon-Sat

Des Plaines                             1470 Lee St.                                                    Mon-Fri

Elgin                                        595 S. State                                                     Mon-Fri

Joliet                                        201 S. Joyce Road                                          Mon-Fri

Lake Zurich                             951 S. Rand Road                                            Mon-Fri

Lockport                                  1029 – 31 East 9th St.                                       Mon-Fri

Lombard                                  837 S. Westmore B27                                      Mon-Sat

Melrose Park                           1903 N. Mannheim Road                                 Mon-Fri

Midlothian                                14434 S. Pulaski                                              Mon-Sat

Naperville                                931 W. 75th St., Ste. 161                                 Mon-Sat

Orland Township                     14807 S. Ravinia Ave.                                      Mon-Fri (4:30p close)

Plano                                       236 Mitchell Drive                                            Mon-Fri

Schaumburg                            1227 E. Golf Road                                           Mon-Sat

St. Charles                              3851 E. Main St.                                               Mon-Fri

Waukegan                               617 S. Green Bay Road                                   Mon-Fri

*West Chicago (CDL only)       721 Kress Road                                               Mon-Sat

Woodstock                              428 S. Eastwood Drive                                     Mon-Fri

Central/Downstate:

Belleville                                  400 W. Main St.                                               Mon-Fri

Belvidere                                 425 W. Southtowne Drive                                Mon-Fri

Bethalto                                   20 Terminal Drive, Ste. 103, East Alton           Mon-Fri

Bloomington                            1510 W. Market St.                                          Mon-Sat

*Bradley                                   111 Village Square Shopping Plaza                Mon-Fri

Champaign                              2012 Round Barn Road                                  Mon-Sat

Decatur                                   3149 N. Woodford St.                                      Mon-Fri

DeKalb                                    1360 Oakwood St.                                           Mon-Fri

Edwardsville                            1502A Troy Road                                            Mon-Fri

Galesburg                               1066 E. Losey St.                                            Mon-Fri

Granite City                             1810 Edison Ave.                                            Mon-Sat

*Marion                                    1905 Rendleman St.                                       Mon-Sat

*Moline/Silvis                           2001 Fifth St., Ste. 10                                     Mon-Sat

Morris                                      425 E. Route 6                                                Mon-Fri

Pekin                                       200 S. Second St.                                           Mon-Fri

*Peoria                                    3311 N. Sterling Ave.                                       Mon-Sat

*Quincy                                    2512 Locust St.                                               Mon-Fri

Rockford Central                      3720 E. State St.                                            Mon-Sat

*Springfield Wabash                1650 Wabash Ave.                                          Mon-Sat

Tilton                                       #5 Southgate Drive                                          Mon-Fri

*CDL services will also be available.

What tasks will require an appointment and which will not?

Those seeking REAL ID, driver’s license and ID card services, and in-car driving tests will now be required to make an appointment for an in-person visit.

However, those seeking vehicle-related services, such as title, registration and license plate sticker renewal do not need to make an appointment.

What other changes are being made?

In addition to extended hours and an appointment-only system for certain services at some locations, additional online services for renewal of driver’s licenses and license plate stickers are being introduced, with the program taking effect on Sept. 1.

Additionally, all DMVs in Illinois are extending their hours of operation, now open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

More extended hours will be initiated at 16 DMVs throughout the state, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays as well.

For more information, visit the Illinois Secretary of State website here.

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Bears roster cuts tracker: transaction reports to get to 53-man roster

If the Chicago Bears could, they’d keep every player on their roster from OTAs to the end of Week 18. But they can’t. By 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the team will need to trim their roster from the 91 players they carried throughout the summer to 53.

‘It’s a big emotional swing, because the way I feel, anytime you’re telling someone no and they worked as hard as they worked, that’s a big deal,” said defensive coordinator Alan Williams. “So right now I do care about people. This is a people business.”

The Bears began making their cuts in earnest on Sunday night when they released backup quarterback P.J. Walker and 2021 first-round draft pick Alex Leatherwood. Per several reports, the team made more moves on Monday, and those reports will continue to trickle out up to Tuesday’s deadline.

We’ll track all those moves here, so bookmark this page in your browser– or keep it open and refresh it on your phone– if you want to follow along.

P.J. WALKER – QUARTERBACK

The Bears gave Walker a two-year contract and over $2 million in guaranteed money this offseason to act as Justin Fields’ primary backup, but he never got in a groove over the summer program. Walker was underwhelming in most practices and preseason games– except for the preseason finale when he was playing against the Bills’ third and fourth stringers. The move was an early indication that the Bears will value performance on the field over money they owe guys when picking who will stay and who will go. We’ll see if that trend continues.

ALEX LEATHERWOOD – LEFT GUARD

The Bears took a flier on Leatherwood when they claimed him off waivers last season– meaning they also inherited his more lucrative rookie contract, rather than trying to wait and sign him to a cheaper deal. Things got off to a bad start when Leatherwood contracted mononucleosis and missed around two months before he really got started. Leatherwood never got settled once he returned and bounced around several positions on the line.

GABE HOUY – OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

The Bears waived Houy with an injury designation on Sunday night. The team brought him in as an undrafted free agent this year, and he was a longshot to make the roster.

DAURICE FOUNTAIN – WIDE RECEIVER

The Bears added Reece Fountain to their practice squad last October and he was a good training camp wide receiver. If this was last season he may have had a better shot of making the team, but with the additions of D.J. Moore, Chase Claypool and Tyler Scott, he had an uphill battle to make the team.

KELLEN DIESCH – OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Diesch was a UDFA for the Dolphins in 2022, and the Bears added him to their practice squad when the Dolphins cut him at the end of August. He never was able to beat out Larry Borom for meaningful backup tackle reps this summer.

BOBBY HASKINS -OFFENSIVE TACKLE

The Bears signed Haskins as a UDFA this offseason. Like Diesch and Houy he was a longshot to make the team.

LOGAN STENBERG – OFFENSIVE GUARD

The Bears claimed Stenberg off waivers at the beginning of August, and the presumption was that he would push for backup IOL snaps. He never made it ahead of Ja’Tyre Carter or Alex Leatherwood, though.

BRAVVION ROY – DEFENSIVE TACKLE

The Bears claimed Roy off waivers this August, but he never made much of a splash at camp. He’s played in 45 career games with 76 tackles, one sack and one interception.

MICHAEL OJEMUDIA – CORNERBACK

The Bears claimed OJ off waivers in Dec. 2022 and he made it onto the field for one special teams snap in Week 18. He had an up and down training camp with some great plays and some not-so-great plays.

NSIMBA WEBSTER – WIDE RECEIVER

The Bears claimed Webster off waivers after cut down day in 2021. He played four games that year as a punt returner, but didn’t make much of an impact. He played two games last season and caught two balls for 14 yards.

ANDREW BROWN – DEFENSIVE TACKLE

The Bears signed Brown off of the Cardinals practice squad last November to boost their anemic defensive line. The team loved what he brought as a nose tackle, even though he only notched one tackle in five games. Draft picks Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens, plus free agent signing Andrew Billings, made Brown more expendable this year.

D’ANTHONY JONES – DEFENSIVE END

The Bears signed Jones to a UDFA deal this offseason after he notched 14 sacks in his last two seasons at Houston. He didn’t make a big enough splash at camp to stick around.

DAVION TAYLOR – LINEBACKER

The Bears signed Taylor midway through August after they let other linebackers go. He never ascended the depth chart in his quick stint with the team.

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Teen wounded in shooting during large gathering in Cicero

A teen was wounded in a shooting during a large gathering outside a movie theater in Cicero, according to a town spokesperson.

Cicero communications director Ray Hanania said a gathering of approximately 200 teens occurred early Sunday evening in front of the AMC Theater, near the intersection of Cermak Road and Cicero Avenue.

During the dispersal from the area, a teen was wounded after being struck by gunfire in a nearby Aldi parking lot, police said.

Officials are investigating both the shooting and large gathering, and there is currently no further information available.

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Nancy Burnet opens up about Bob Barker's final days and why they kept their relationship ‘low-key'

Bob Barker’s longtime companion, Nancy Burnet, is recalling some of their fondest memories together and opening up about his final days. 

While the pair had a romantic relationship over the years, Burnet tells TODAY.com that her connection with Barker “evolved into more of a friendship” toward the end of his life.

The beloved television personality, who hosted “The Price Is Right” for 35 years and “Truth or Consequences” for almost two decades, died at the age of 99.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker has left us,” Barker’s publicist, Roger Neal, shared in a statement Aug. 26.

Neal added that Barker died of natural causes at his home in Hollywood Hills, California, and that he was survived by Burnet, who was also the co-executor of Barker’s estate.

In a phone interview with TODAY.com, Burnet reflected on how she met Barker and the evolution of their relationship.

Celebrity Relationships 10 hours ago

Who is Nancy Burnet? Everything to know about Bob Barker's longtime companion

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Bob Barker, iconic ‘Price is Right' host, dead at 99

How they met

Burnet and Barker first met in 1983 at an animal adoption event. She was involved in animal legislation, and the two bonded over their mutual passion for protecting and caring for pets and wildlife. In Barker’s 2009 autobiography titled “Priceless Memories,” co-written by Digby Diehl, “The Price Is Right” host remembered seeing Burnet at the event and thinking, “There is one great-looking lady.” 

She says she immediately thought he was funny during their first conversation. 

“My friend and I were there and we’re just kind of standing around and he walked over to me and introduced himself,” she says. 

In Barker’s book, he recalled asking Burnet if she was married or single. She responded that she was “winding up a divorce” at the time.

Burnet says he eventually asked her to get dinner with him. She declined his initial invitation, explaining that it was an “inconvenient time” because she couldn’t abandon her friend and car. So, he tried again and called her later. 

They met up in Los Angeles for their date. It went so well that they took trips to Santa Barbara and Las Vegas together as their connection blossomed. 

“We saw each other periodically for dinner or lunch and, if I was in Los Angeles for business, we would meet up,” she shares.

Why did they never marry?

Before meeting Burnet, Barker was married to Dorothy Jo Gideon from 1945 until her death in 1981.

As Burnet and Barker continued to work together publicly after their 1983 meeting, he occasionally spoke about their personal relationship. She tells TODAY.com that she wanted to keep their romance out of the public eye. 

“I kept my relationship with him very low-key because people treat you differently when they know that there’s a celebrity involved,” she explains. “At one time, we were very much a couple and then later (our) relationship evolved into more of a friendship.” 

Early in their relationship, they shared their opinions on remarriage, she says.

“When we started seeing each other, that was one of the things we talked about at the beginning, about ever remarrying or anything,” Burnet says. “And he said ‘No, no, he would never remarry.’ And I said, ‘Perfect because I have no intention ever remarrying.’ And then some years passed, and he proposed many times.”

Although Barker seemingly changed his mind and popped the question — something she says “very few people know” — her opinion on tying the knot again did not waver.

“I think it was in 2011, maybe, he had his attorney draw up a prenup and sent that to me,” she says with a laugh. “I just didn’t accept that. I didn’t want to. I just never wanted to remarry, to anyone. And so we just continued on as we were.”

As to how she would describe their relationship at the end of his life? 

“I would say, as a friend and companion. I did oversee every aspect of his health, of his care,” she says.

Their secret to long-lasting companionship?

Burnet says the foundation of their decades-long partnership was their similar sense of humor as well as a shared passion.

“People have to have fun together,” she says. “They sometimes forget that after they’ve been together for a while. But if they can keep that in their relationship, it’ll last a long time and get you over some really rough spots. And so, just like any relationship, we just evolved from there. But it was very, very much around the work that was done.”

The “work” was their animal activism. They helped rescue animals through his DJ&T Foundation. He asked her to oversee the nonprofit’s spay and neuter unit, and in 2000, she became the DJ&T Foundation’s vice president and executive director.

Although they were constantly busy, they took time to travel. She recalls the moment Barker revealed his silver locks for the first time on “The Price Is Right.” Burnet tells TODAY.com that the pair traveled around Europe together, and sported his whitish, gray hair before he publicly revealed it on television. 

“Not a lot of people had recognized him so that was a good time,” she says.

While he could temporarily escape celebrity, Burnet says they always discovered animals that needed their help wherever they went and worked with chimpanzees, whales, elephants and more. His foundation also provided funding for DonkeyLand, a wildlife sanctuary in Southern California. 

Bob Barker’s ‘final stages’

Burnet says she ensured that Barker had the best caregivers and nurses, joking that she possibly “set a record” in Los Angeles for the amount of caretakers she went through. 

She says doctors were surprised to see “how healthy and sturdy he was” toward the end of his life. 

“Even in his final stages, he wasn’t that gaunt,” she shares. “You know, some people at that age are very gaunt and thin and frail. He was not.” 

She adds, “I was in touch with the caregiver nurses every day, all day, and they checked in with me at night, if ever there was a problem and I was speaking with them until late … It was my pleasure to do it.  To make sure that he was cared for in a way that everybody should be, frankly, but not everyone has that benefit that he did.” 

Burnet says the caregivers would send videos so she could check in on Barker every day. They would also talk on the phone. 

He died about four months before they would have celebrated his 100th birthday.

For his 99th birthday in December 2022, Burnet shares he had a small, private party — a reflection of how he lived his life.

“He lived a very simple, quiet life, nothing extravagant or out of the ordinary,” she says.

Now that he has passed, Burnet says Barker’s legacy will live on through his impact on animal care and adoption. She praises him for using his classic “The Price Is Right” signoff—“This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered”— to bring awareness. 

“A lot of people did appreciate him or enjoy his work or certainly appreciated what he did for animals,” Burnet says. “He was aware, of course, of all of that. He was always grateful for it.”

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• Pink shares rare throwback video of son with dad on 2nd anniversary of death: ‘I miss you’
• Kim Cattrall returns as Samantha in ‘And Just Like That…’ Here’s what happened
• 22-year-old influencer Beauty Couch found dead near burned vehicle

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