Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Schools spent only 15% of Biden’s student-relief money last school year, analysis shows
Schools have spent only a small fraction of the money earmarked to combat learning loss from the pandemic despite growing evidence that students are struggling to catch up, according to a new analysis. Published October 25, 2022
Biden gives VP another verbal promotion as ‘President Harris’
President Biden called Vice President Kamala Harris a "great president" while wishing her a happy birthday on Monday. Published October 25, 2022
Biden to supercharge COVID-19 booster campaign ahead of holidays
President Biden will try to jumpstart the COVID-19 booster campaign Tuesday by rolling up his sleeve on camera for his pre-winter shot and prodding Americans to get their own at pharmacies and special clinics across the country. Published October 25, 2022
National report card saw U.S. reading, math scores are down after pandemic
Students across the country saw marked drops in reading and math scores following the pandemic, according to a "report card" issued Monday that will reignite scrutiny of coronavirus-induced disruptions to classroom learning. Published October 24, 2022
Republicans lean toward Ron DeSantis as the main party influencer over Trump
Nearly three-quarters of Republicans want Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to wield influence over the future of the GOP compared to around two-thirds who would like former President Donald Trump to exert that power, according to a new poll that underscores a simmering party rivalry. Published October 24, 2022
RNC files over 70 lawsuits to challenge states on election rules
The Republican National Committee has filed more than 70 lawsuits over election integrity this cycle, taking a more aggressive legal posture than in previous elections. Published October 24, 2022
Biden defends mental fitness, says he has time to make formal decision on reelection
President Biden said it is his "intention to run again" in 2024, but he has time to make that decision, though he paused for an awkward length of time when asked if first lady Jill Biden supports another bid. Published October 24, 2022
CDC advisers’ vote to put COVID shots on ‘vaccine schedule’ ignites new fight in midterm campaigns
The recent federal endorsement of COVID-19 vaccines for children won't turn into school mandates overnight but the routine decision injected a fiery new debate into the late-October campaigns. Published October 21, 2022
Texas sues Google for surreptitiously collecting users’ biometric data in photos, voice recordings
Texas has filed a lawsuit against Google claiming the tech behemoth took users' biometric data without permission. Published October 21, 2022
Biden’s approval rating sinks ahead of midterms, dragging down Democrats
President Biden's job approval has dropped significantly over the past month, according to a poll out Friday that finds his dwindling fortunes are weighing down Democrats ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm midterms. Published October 21, 2022
CDC recommends COVID-19 shots for kids and adults, sparking uproar over possible mandates
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to add COVID-19 shots to the recommended immunization schedule for adults and children, though it will not trigger school mandates unless states act. Published October 21, 2022
GOP’s Budd pulls ahead in N.C. Senate showdown, Beasley enlists Dave Matthews to energize Dem voters
Republican bigwigs kicked off early voting in North Carolina on Thursday by stumping for Senate candidate Rep. Ted Budd, hoping to drive momentum as a series of polls show GOP candidates are making inroads due to President Biden's lagging approval numbers. Published October 20, 2022
CDC weighs vaccine schedule for kids, but advisers cannot require COVID vaccines for school
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are taking steps to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines remain free for children and considering whether to add them to routine schedules, though they cannot mandate the shots in schools. Published October 20, 2022
Foggy day in London as Truss quits, Conservatives ponder grim future
The shortest prime ministership in Britain's history is leaving the ruling Conservative Party and the country facing a long list of questions. Published October 20, 2022
Biden says Putin in a ‘difficult position’ and resorting to brutality
President Biden on Wednesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin declared martial law in occupied parts of Ukraine because his back is against the wall and the Kremlin's first instinct is to crack down on civilians. Published October 19, 2022
Biden to tap 15M barrels from oil reserve to ease high price; GOP calls it midterm politicking
President Biden said Wednesday he is tapping another 15 million barrels from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to stabilize gasoline prices, sparking accusations of political gamesmanship with the stockpile before the midterms. Published October 19, 2022
Trump set to appear for questioning in E. Jean Carroll lawsuit
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear for a deposition Wednesday in a defamation lawsuit filed by former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll. Published October 19, 2022
Midterm momentum swings toward the GOP in polls, forecasts
The midterm election landscape is shifting in favor of Republicans, according to polling and forecasts that show key races tilting into the GOP column, and the economy, inflation and crime are crowding out abortion as a top issue. Published October 19, 2022
Biden uses abortion as wedge issue in urgent appeal to women before midterms
Women are fired up over the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the federal right to abortion, fueling a stark gender divide in midterm polling, but sour feelings on the economy are starting to eclipse the summer bombshell -- a bad sign for Democrats. Published October 18, 2022
Biden: I will codify Roe v. Wade as the first act if Democrats deliver bigger majorities
President Biden on Monday said the Supreme Court "practically dared" women to show up in large numbers in the midterm contests when it overturned the broad right to abortion and he declared the November contests the most consequential election in recent history. Published October 18, 2022
