A second person in this country has died after contracting the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine flu. Health officials say the victim, a U.S. resident,  was a woman living in Texas. The first death occurred in Texas as well, however, the toddler who died had been visiting from Mexico. Today officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put the number of confirmed cases of that new influenza strain nationally at around 400 in 44 states.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says it’s okay for schools to reopen and she recommend parents keep sick children home at least seven days.  

Meanwhile in Los Angeles County, the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 stands at 11.  However, Director of Public Health in the county, Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, suggests there are probably many more cases, but because the symptoms mimic those of seasonal flu a lot people are not seeking treatment.  

Worldwide, there are reportedly more than a thousand people in 22 nations infected with H1N1.

The entertainment industry is mourning the death of funnyman, Dom DeLuise. The actor’s son Michael told KNX 1070 newsradio that his father died in Santa Monica last night after a long illness. He was 75. During his long career, DeLuise was best known for his comic genius on television and in the movies. However, the entertainer was a published author as well. DeLuise  wrote several cookbooks of Italian recipes with wit and humor. His popular first cookbook was reissued in October of 2007 as “Eat This Again.”

Also, DeLuise wrote the children’s books, “Charlie the Caterpillar,” “The Pouch Potato,” and “No Place Like Home.”

The entertainer was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 1, 1933. The son of immigrant parents, DeLuise developed an interest in acting at an early age. He performed on stage and in television shows during the 1950s and 1960s. Also, DeLuise had great success on the big screen.

DeLuise starred with Mel Brooks in “The Twelve Chairs” (1970 ), “Blazing Saddles” (1974), “Silent Movie”  (1976), “History of the World: Part 1″ (1981), and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993). Some of his other films include, “Smokey and the Bandit II” (1980), “The Cannonball Run” (1981), “Cannonball Run II (1984), and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982) all with actor Burt Reynolds.

DeLuise appeared in several films with actor Gene Wilder; among them, “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother” (1975) and “Haunted Honeymoon” (1986).

This afternoon, flowers were placed on DeLuise’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  

Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

President Obama is making good on a campaign promise to overhaul the tax system. Today the president took aim at some loopholes in the tax code and the wealthy individuals and corporations that use them to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

At the White House, the president announced steps to crack down on overseas tax havens and to create more incentives for U.S. companies to keep jobs here at home: “It’s a down payment on the larger tax reform we need to make our tax system simpler and fairer and more efficient for individuals and corporations.”

Combined with other international tax reforms, the administration estimates a savings of $210 million over the next decade. However, getting these proposals through congress is going to be a tough battle with special interests and big business lobbying against the changes. 

 A superhero mutant with some amazing steel claws stormed the Box Office this weekend.  “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” raked in around $40 million at  midnight shows Thursday and screenings on Friday. The film continued to trounce the competition on Saturday. By today, the weekend haul for “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” had soared to an estimated $87 million — allowing the film to easily debut in the number one spot.

This latest installment in the “X-Men” franchise is about the evolution of Wolverine, played by the hunky Hugh Jackman. ”X-Men Origins: Wolverine”  had the second best opening of the franchise and created a terrific kick off to the hot summer movie season.

In second place, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” with around $15.3 million. The romantic comedy is about a bachelor who gets haunted by his ex-girlfriends at his brother’s wedding. The main stars are Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Michael Douglas.

Last week’s number one film, “Obsessed”  landed in third with about $12.2 million. The drama thriller has now rung up $47 million at theaters in two weeks. Coming in fourth, the comedy, “17 Again,” with $6.3 million, and rounding out the top five the animated 3-D flick, “Monsters vs. Aliens” with $5.8 million.

Photo: Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier leaped into the air to celebrate at Dodger Stadium last night, as the boys in blue beat the San Diego Padres 2-to1. The Dodgers are now in first place in the National League West. Also, the win means the Dodgers are 9-0 at home, which ties the 1946 record set by the Brooklyn Dodgers for the best home start in franchise history.

Los Angeles County has its first confirmed cases of that new flu strain, H1N1. Local health officials are now reporting three cases of the virus and don’t think they will be the last. On KNX 1070 newsradio today, Los Angeles County Director of Public Health, Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, encouraged residents to “… be cautious and not overreact…”

Nationally, there are now 160 cases in 21 states. Worldwide, 787 cases have been confirmed by the U.N. World Health Organization. Also in Canada, there’s a report of the virus in pigs on a farm in Alberta. Canadian officials say the pigs may have been infected by a farm worker who recently returned from Mexico. 

President Obama has a new challenge to deal in the next 100 days of his administration; a previously unknown flu virus, which has the potential to kill. Last Wednesday night, the president highlighted efforts being made to handle the two wars, the bad economy, and other problems inherited from the Bush years. The president said: “I am pleased with our progress, but I am not satisfied.”

Now we have to add to the country’s list of problems a health issue: a new strain of the swine flu or as it is being called now the H1N1 virus. This week, the flu virus popped up in a number of states and several countries, prompting concern about a pandemic. Today Mexico, ground zero for this flu outbreak, reportedly cut its number of suspected deaths from over 170 to around 101. Only one death in the U.S., a toddler in Texas.

Today in his weekly address, President Obama discussed H1NI and what steps and precautions the government is taking: “The good news is that the current strain of H1N1 can be defeated by a course of antiviral treatment that we already have on hand.  We began this week with 50 million courses of this treatment in the Strategic National Stockpile.  Over the course of the last few days, we have delivered one-quarter of that stockpile to states so that they are prepared to treat anyone who is infected with this virus.  We then purchased an additional thirteen million treatments to refill our strategic stockpile.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, I have also asked Congress for $1.5 billion if it is needed to purchase additional antivirals, emergency equipment, and the development of a vaccine that can prevent this virus as we prepare for the next flu season in the fall.” More of the president’s comments on the White House website.

Meanwhile, in California there are now 17 confirmed cases of H1NI, none of those are in Los Angeles County.

Photos: Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers power hitter Manny Ramirez slugged a home run in the third inning at Dodger Stadium last night. That’s the fifth homer for Ramirez this season; and number 532 in his career. Ramirez’ homer followed one by teammate, Orlando Hudson.

Manny celebrated his homer with his fellow Dodgers in the dugout last night. The guys in blue beat the San Diego Padres 8-to-5.