Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Pessimism about U.S. economy eases slightly, Gallup says
Americans are getting less pessimistic about the economy despite the turmoil on Wall Street and the persistent burden of inflation. Published September 30, 2022
GOP nominee for Pa. governor calls for prayer and fasting as campaign struggles
Doug Mastriano, starved of cash and enthusiasm in his push to become Pennsylvania governor, is resorting to a new campaign tactic -- 40 days of fasting and prayer. Published September 29, 2022
White House claims progress in monkeypox fight with Jynneos vaccine success
The Biden administration on Wednesday claimed it had made "strong progress" against the monkeypox outbreak, pointing to new data showing people who received the Jynneos vaccine are faring much better than persons who did not get the shots. Published September 28, 2022
FEMA says it is prepared as possible for Hurricane Ian
The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday said Hurricane Ian will be a historic and multi-day crisis for Florida, and insisted it has done all it can to put fuel, equipment and manpower in place. Published September 28, 2022
Cherokee Nation demands a delegate in Congress, citing provisions in 1835 treaty
The Cherokee Nation is pushing for Congress to give it a delegate in the House, citing a nearly 200-year-old treaty that extended representation in exchange for the tribe's ancestral lands. Published September 28, 2022
Audit says millions of child tax credit payments in 2021 were faulty
The IRS sent 3.3 million child tax credit payments totaling more than $1 billion to taxpayers who were not eligible for the money, according to a new audit that underscores the difficulty of hastily implementing President Biden's push to make the program more generous. Published September 28, 2022
Biden calls Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss Hurricane Ian after confusion about lack of contact
President Biden spoke to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis late Tuesday to coordinate the response to Hurricane Ian, hours after the White House fielded questions about whether the leaders had spoken or if the president was limiting his phone calls to local leaders. Published September 28, 2022
Ian strengthens to just shy of a Category 5 hurricane before Florida landfall
Hurricane Ian reached maximum winds of 155 mph and conditions are "rapidly deteriorating" along the southwest Florida coast before landfall, the National Hurricane Center said in a stark warning Wednesday. Published September 28, 2022
Biden seizes on health care wins ahead of midterms, insists he made progress cutting costs
President Biden said Tuesday that a cap on insulin costs and other discounts for older adults would be imperiled under GOP control of Congress, leveraging a White House speech on health care to rebuke political rivals and win over voters who could decide the midterms. Published September 27, 2022
FEMA chief warns Floridians not to underestimate Hurricane Ian
President Biden's top emergency official told Floridians to "get ready" and not to underestimate Hurricane Ian as it creeps toward Florida's western coast, posing the risk of deadly winds, flooding and powerful storm surges. Published September 27, 2022
Process server says Texas AG Ken Paxton fled home to avoid subpoena
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton fled his home with his wife when a person tried to serve him a subpoena related to a lawsuit over abortion rules in the state, according to court papers. Published September 27, 2022
Universal masking no longer recommended in all health care settings: CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer recommends universal masking in health care settings unless a facility is in an area with high levels of coronavirus transmission. Published September 27, 2022
House Republicans sound the alarm over a China-linked land purchase near N.D. Air Force base
Dozens of House Republicans told the Biden administration they fear a Chinese company's purchase of farmland near a military base in North Dakota will imperil national security. Published September 27, 2022
NYC starts building a tent facility for its influx of migrants
Workers have begun constructing the first of two tent shelters that will house the influx of migrants who are being sent to New York City by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Published September 27, 2022
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott leads Beto O’Rourke by 8 points, poll shows
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott leads Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke by 8 points in a gubernatorial race survey released six weeks before the election. Published September 27, 2022
Jan. 6 panel wants to talk to Wisconsin Speaker Robin Vos about Trump call
The House special committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot is demanding an interview with Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos about a July phone call in which former President Donald Trump tried to cajole him into decertifying the 2020 election results. Published September 26, 2022
Obama’s Secret Service SUV takes up handicapped parking spot in L.A.
Former President Barack Obama enjoyed well-wishes and offers of free ice cream as he departed a high-end sushi restaurant in Los Angeles and got into a vehicle that took up the handicapped spot during his dinner. Published September 26, 2022
Rep. Liz Cheney will quit GOP if Donald Trump is the 2024 presidential nominee
Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming says she "won't be a Republican" if former President Donald Trump is the GOP nominee for president in 2024 and would consider stumping for Democrats in some cases. Published September 26, 2022
Hurricane Ian takes aim at Florida’s West Coast, panhandle
Hurricane Ian strengthened overnight, making Florida uneasy as the storm took an uncertain path toward its western coast. Published September 26, 2022
GOP’s Reardon Sullivan makes Youngkin-style run for executive in deep-blue Montgomery County
Reardon Sullivan's push to become the first Republican Montgomery County executive in over 40 years hinges on a platform that emphasizes public safety over the demonization of police, transparency around school curriculum, and a business climate that entices firms instead of scaring them off. Published September 24, 2022
