Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Biden calls House GOP disarray on speaker ‘embarrassing’
President Biden said Wednesday the House GOP majority's inability to elect a speaker is embarrassing and probably has the rest of the world confused. Published January 4, 2023
Most Republican voters dissatisfied with GOP leadership: Poll
The majority of Republican voters say party leadership was ineffective in the midterm election cycle and nearly three-quarters of them would like to replace Ronna McDaniel as leader of the Republican National Committee, according to a new poll. Published January 4, 2023
Donald Trump Jr. inks big podcasting deal with Rumble, a YouTube rival
Donald Trump Jr. has signed a seven-figure podcasting deal with Rumble Inc. in a notable move for the video platform that is a rival to YouTube. Published January 4, 2023
N.Y. attorney general asks Supreme Court to leave state gun rules in place
New York Attorney General Letitia James wants the U.S. Supreme Court to allow new state restrictions on the concealed carry of firearms to remain in place while lawsuits over the rules play out. Published January 4, 2023
Trump backs McCarthy despite failed speaker votes, urges GOP to snatch victory
Former President Donald Trump told House Republican holdouts on Wednesday to "take the victory" and support GOP leader Kevin McCarthy for speaker after the Californian had failed in three successive ballots one day earlier. Published January 4, 2023
Recession likely but manageable, given central bank controls, says former N.Y. Fed president
Former New York Fed President William Dudley on Tuesday said an economic recession is "pretty likely" in 2023 because the central bank is working aggressively to tamp down inflation. Published January 3, 2023
Biden enters the 2024 cycle with firm progress on COVID-19, though hurdles loom
COVID-19 didn't ruin Christmas, but several public health issues are complicating President Biden's 2024 prospects. Published January 3, 2023
Students in Philly, N.J. resume classes under mask mandates
Students in the Philadelphia area will return to school under a mask mandate even though much of the country has moved on from COVID-19 rules and the U.S. enjoys a better virus posture than in previous winters. Published January 3, 2023
GOP’s Doug Ducey leaves handwritten letter to Arizona Gov.-elect Katie Hobbs
Departing Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey congratulated his successor, Katie Hobbs, and wished her well in a handwritten letter as he ceded way to the Democrat on Monday. Published January 3, 2023
Rep. Andy Biggs: McCarthy still ‘well short’ of votes on the cusp of House speaker vote
A key Republican opponent of Rep. Kevin McCarthy's bid for House speaker said late Monday the Californian remains "well short" of the 218 votes he needs. Published January 3, 2023
New in 2023: Looser pot laws, higher minimum wages and no more jaywalking tickets in California
Thousands of Connecticut residents will see their marijuana records vanish into thin air, jaywalking won't be a fineable offense in California and workers from coast to coast will see a pay increase once the calendar flips to 2023. Published December 29, 2022
Subzero temperatures sweep Great Plains as nationwide arctic blast heads eastward
A powerful blast of arctic weather caused subzero temperatures and stranded motorists in the Great Plains on Thursday before heading east ahead of Christmas. Published December 22, 2022
Griner thanks supporters, urges them to push for Whelan’s freedom
Brittney Griner wants her fans to rally for the release of Paul Whelan, an American who remains in a Russian prison after Moscow refused to include him in a prisoner swap that freed the Women's National Basketball Association player in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Published December 22, 2022
Bipartisan Senate bill would force social media to hand internal data to vetted researchers
A bipartisan quartet of senators says they will push social media companies like Twitter, TikTok and Facebook to promote transparency by submitting certain internal data to independent and vetted researchers. Published December 22, 2022
Arizona, feds strike deal to dismantle shipping container wall on border
Arizona will dismantle a makeshift border wall of shipping containers after a long-running dispute between Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and the Biden administration. Published December 22, 2022
Wyoming, Colorado see record temperature drops, governors declare emergencies
The mercury plummeted 30 degrees in 10 minutes in Wyoming's capital Wednesday, and Southeast governors declared states of emergency as much of the U.S. grapples with a historic winter storm. Published December 22, 2022
Rubio to keep fighting for permanent daylight saving time after clock runs out for this Congress
Sen. Marco Rubio vowed to fight to make daylight saving time permanent in the new year as the House prepared to leave town this week without voting on Senate-passed legislation that would stop the seasonal changing of the clocks. Published December 21, 2022
Flu season has HHS tapping into national stockpile of Tamiflu to ease drug shortage
The Biden administration said Wednesday it's tapping into a national stockpile of Tamiflu to increase the supply of the antiviral in response to soaring demand tied to the devastating flu season. Published December 21, 2022
University of Oklahoma joins list of entities banning TikTok
The University of Oklahoma is joining the growing list of governments and entities banning the use of TikTok over privacy and security concerns about the China-linked video-posting platform. Published December 21, 2022
NYC Mayor Eric Adams tells city to mask up due to trifecta of viruses
New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he'd like city denizens to mask up again as COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses surge again this winter. Published December 21, 2022
