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Listen Up: A Closer Look at the Top Stories for Tuesday, Jan. 8

What to Know

  • In the past three years, Google searches for the term 'microdosing' have tripled, and books and articles on the subject are exploding
  • The CDC says flu activity is the highest it has been all season in both New York City and New Jersey
  • Fliers seeking money back on their 2018 income taxes could see delayed refunds if the federal government shutdown continues

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2018 

Happy Tuesday! You may be waking up to some snow or rain, but don't worry the temps are on the rise and it will dry up before the afternoon. As always, get the latest forecast at nbcnewyork.com/weather.

1. 'Microdosing' Trend Booms as More Try to Get an Edge at Work

In the past three years, Google searches for the term “microdosing” have tripled, and books and articles on the subject are exploding.

Microdosing is described as taking an imperceptible dose of an illegal psychedelic drug, typically LSD, MDMA or Psilocybin, more commonly known as magic mushrooms. It’s a fraction – roughly a tenth -- of a full hallucinogenic dose that would cause a high.

"It’s just been a constant upward trend, constantly on the rise," said a drug dealer who spoke with News 4 New York's I-Team on the condition of anonymity.

Read more here.

2. Flu Activity Highest It's Been in NYC, New Jersey, CDC Says

Have you gotten a flu shot yet?

The CDC says flu activity is the highest it has been all season in both New York City and New Jersey. 

The department of Health says there were more than 1,650 cases reported in the Big Apple in the last week they have data for. 

Read more here.

3. How the Government Shutdown May Affect Tax Returns, Refunds

With tax season fast approaching, filers seeking money back on their 2018 income taxes could see delayed refunds if the federal government shutdown continues.

According to an Internal Revenue Service operational plan for the shutdown, issuing refunds is listed under "non-excepted" activities that would be furloughed during the stalemate.

The agency is operating with just 12 percent of its workforce, mainly focused on technology and security.

Read more here.

For the latest entertainment news and things to do, tune in to New York Live, Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. on NBC 4 New York. 

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