Disney World reopens ‘Mission’
Walt Disney World reopened its “Mission: Space” attraction Thursday, a day after a woman who became ill after leaving the ride died at a hospital.
It was the second death in less than a year related to the Epcot Center ride, which spins riders in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity. It is considered so intense it has motion sickness bags and signs warning people with heart, back and neck problems not to board it.
The 49-year-old German woman who died Wednesday had reported dizziness and nausea after stepping off the ride on Tuesday, Disney reported to state officials.
The medical examiner’s office identified the victim Thursday as Hiltrud Bleumel and said an autopsy was planned today.
Disney told state officials that the woman may have had high blood pressure and other unspecified health problems.
Iowa City, Iowa
Eastern Iowa raked by tornadoes
Severe storms ripped through eastern Iowa on Thursday night, spawning tornadoes that crushed homes and cars and killed one person.
The National Weather Service said the fatality occurred in Muscatine County, where a tornado toppled the victim’s mobile home. The victim’s name was not released.
Twisters, high wind and hail toppled trees and cut off power to thousands across the region.
Residents sifted through debris downtown and in several Iowa City neighborhoods. “We’re in disaster mode,” an Iowa City dispatcher said.
Washington
FDA approves alcoholism shot
A once-a-month injection to treat alcoholism won federal approval Thursday, expanding availability of a drug previously sold only in daily pill form.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Vivitrol, spokeswoman Laura Alvey said. Alkermes Inc. will make the injectable form of the drug, also known as naltrexone. Cephalon will market and sell it.
The companies hope monthly injections of the drug, to be administered at a doctor’s office, will prove an easier regimen for alcoholics to follow than the daily pill.
The drug works by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain believed to be associated with alcohol dependence, diminishing the craving for alcohol.
San Diego
Bilbray wins slot in June runoff
Lobbyist and former GOP Rep. Brian Bilbray will face Democrat Francine Busby in a June runoff to fill the House seat left vacant by jailed former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham.
A count of several thousand last-minute absentee and provisional ballots Thursday widened Bilbray’s second-place lead over millionaire challenger Eric Roach to more than 1,000 votes. Bilbray had 20,880 votes or 15 percent of the updated total, while Roach had 19,827 votes or 14 percent.