Tom Howell Jr.

White House says no need to lock down amid omicron scare

The Biden administration said there isn't a need for lockdowns as the U.S. battles a coronavirus surge and the omicron variant threatens to romp through states in the coming weeks.

December 15, 2021

NYC workplace vaccine mandate calls for fines up to $5K; de Blasio insists he’ll work with employers

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued an order Wednesday that says businesses will face fines that start at $1,000 and reach $5,000 per violation of his sweeping COVID-19 mandate that requires all private-sector employees to show proof of vaccination as of Dec. 27.

December 15, 2021

Amtrak scales back COVID-19 vaccine mandate amid court order, fears of service cuts

Amtrak is backtracking on its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees after a court decision prompted it to reevaluate its policy and take steps to avoid service cuts the rules might have caused.

December 15, 2021

NYC Mayor-elect Eric Adams selects Keechant Sewell to lead NYPD

New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams said Wednesday he will appoint Nassau County Chief of Detectives Keechant Sewell as the city's next police commissioner, making her the first woman to serve in the role.

December 15, 2021

Georgetown University to require COVID-19 booster shots as of Jan. 21

Georgetown University said it will require people on campus to get a booster shot for COVID-19 by Jan. 21, a sign that some institutions will strengthen the definition of what it means to be fully protected by vaccines.

December 15, 2021

FDA pick Robert Califf pledges to make COVID-19 task ‘No. 1’

Robert Califf promised Tuesday to "hit the ground running" if he is confirmed as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a role that he filled under President Obama but which has taken on new importance with the COVID-19 pandemic, a surging opioids crisis and alarming rates of teen vaping.

December 14, 2021

Judge turns back another attempt to halt L.A. COVID vaccine mandate

A judge on Monday rejected the Los Angeles police union's bid to halt the city's COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

December 14, 2021

Congressional leaders to hold a moment of silence as COVID-19 toll reaches 800K

Congressional leaders will hold a moment of silence on the U.S. Capitol steps late Tuesday as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 nears 800,000.

December 14, 2021

Pfizer: COVID-19 pills were 89% against hospitalization, death; fought back omicron in lab studies

A Pfizer pill for COVID-19 reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% compared to a placebo group, the company said Tuesday in final study results that are similar to initial findings. Pfizer also said its drug, Paxlovid, showed "robust antiviral activity" against the omicron variant in lab studies.

December 14, 2021

Biden signs order to make government services more customer friendly

President Biden signed an executive order that directs federal agencies to streamline routine government services like renewing a passport or applying for college loans so they are simple tasks instead of time-consuming nightmares.

December 13, 2021

States, cities impose new COVID-19 rules amid winter spike

Philadelphia said it will require proof of vaccination at eateries; Minnesota hospitals ran full-page ads saying they are "heartbroken" and "overwhelmed" as a winter coronavirus spike takes hold and sparks new restrictions that fall short of lockdown.

December 13, 2021

Philadelphia requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for indoor dining, movie theaters

Philadelphia on Monday became the latest American city to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enjoy activities such as indoor dining.

December 13, 2021

South Africa’s president tests positive for the coronavirus amid omicron spike

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for the coronavirus late Sunday, but is in "good spirits" and will delegate his duties for the rest of the week as the country battles the fast-moving omicron variant.

December 13, 2021

U.K. confirms first death from omicron variant of COVID-19

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the first known death in his country from the omicron variant of COVID-19 on Monday, underscoring the potential virulence of the strain that moves swiftly but had appeared to cause only mild illness.

December 13, 2021

Biden to sign order to make government services more customer friendly

President Biden on Monday will sign an executive order that directs federal agencies to fulfill a seemingly simple yet elusive task: making the government friendly and responsive.

December 13, 2021

Kamala Harris promotes Biden’s electric-car goals during Maryland tour

Plugging in an electric car should be as easy as filling up at the gas station, Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday as she outlined White House plans to build a national network of charging stations in pursuit of President Biden's goal of ensuring that electric cars make up half of all vehicle sales by 2030.

December 13, 2021

Democrats’ message shifts as Biden’s hard line on worker vaccines backfires

Democrats are increasingly talking up the testing option for employees who refuse to get vaccinated for COVID-19, a tacit acknowledgment that they are losing the public relations battle over President Biden's mandates.

December 10, 2021

N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James quits governor’s race, will focus on Trump probe

New York Attorney General Letitia James has decided she will focus on her investigation of former President Donald Trump and his finances instead of seeking higher office.

December 10, 2021

Inflation reaches 6.8%, highest in 40 years, government reports

Prices climbed 6.8% in November compared to last year, a 40-year high, putting the squeeze on American consumers and complicating the political outlook for President Biden and Democrats pushing their big-spending plans.

December 10, 2021

Michigan reports first omicron case amid a nation-leading COVID-19 surge

Michigan reported its first case of the omicron variant late Thursday as the state battles one of the worst surges of COVID-19 in the nation.

December 10, 2021