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1. “Though we have not confirmed the omicron variant in Maine, the Maine CDC believes it is here,” Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a media briefing. A record 381 patients were in Maine hospitals, the CDC reported Thursday.
2. CDC recommends Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines over the J&J shot. The Johnson & Johnson shot can cause rare but serious blood clots, a risk not present with the other 2 vaccines. Until now the U.S. has treated all three COVID-19 vaccines available to Americans as an equal choice.
3. Several Maine schools will have an increased police presence today after a threat to schools nationwide appeared on TikTok. The “challenge” encourages students to make violent threats to schools on Dec. 17. Lewiston schools are closed today due to a threat found on social media that is not connected to this TikTok challenge.
4. A storm is set to bring widespread snow to Maine and New Hampshire this weekend. 5-10″ of snow is likely in western Maine and New Hampshire. 3-6″ of snow is expected closer to the coast. Amounts will be lighter in northern Maine and Downeast Maine.
5. Chance the Rapper has teamed up with Ben & Jerry’s for the creation of new Mint Chocolate Chance ice cream and non-dairy dessert. Mint Chocolate Chance features a cool mint base with fudgy chocolate brownies. It’s available as both ice cream and a sunflower butter-based non-dairy dessert. A portion of the proceeds goes to SocialWorks. The new full-time flavor is set to hit shelves nationwide in early 2022.
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