Carl Williams

A cyclosporiasis outbreak has surged to over 4,173 confirmed cases across 41 states, with symptoms including severe intestinal issues and 308 hospitalizations. The CDC links 1,644 cases to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico sold by Taylor Farms, while state health departments face challenges tracking the parasite's complex genome.

North Carolina reports 561 cyclosporiasis cases as of July 20, 2026, with the cause attributed to multiple potential sources. Health officials advise washing fresh produce and cooking to 165°F to kill the parasite, while the CDC assists in tracing the outbreak.

A 34-year-old Chicago man, Malik Wrightsell, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery against two police officers following a July 3 shooting. During a traffic stop, Wrightsell fled, leading to a pursuit where he fired a gun, injuring one officer protected by a vest and another in the arm. Both officers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while Wrightsell was critically injured and arrested.

Two people were killed and seven injured, including two police officers, during Chicago shootings over the Fourth of July weekend. A suspect shot two officers during a traffic stop in South Shore, and other incidents included a self-inflicted fatal shooting in Portage Park and multiple injuries from separate shootings.