Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
White House gears up for booster push, fears winter surge of COVID-19
The White House said Thursday it will make an all-out push to get Americans to roll up their sleeves for another COVID-19 shot, framing a reformulated booster shot as the start of a fall tradition alongside the yearly flu shot. Published September 8, 2022
Survey says 63% of small businesses are unwilling to hire
More than 6 in 10 small businesses are not hiring because they cannot take on the additional costs, according to a new survey. Published September 8, 2022
Hillary Clinton urges all sides to tone down the ‘fascism’ and ‘socialism’ talk
Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton called on all sides to stop using extreme rhetoric to describe their political opponents, using a television appearance to address the fallout from President Biden labeling the MAGA movement as "semi-fascism." Published September 8, 2022
Federal investigators subpoena personal aide to Trump: Report
Federal prosecutors have reportedly issued a subpoena to a personal aide of former President Donald Trump as an investigation into the post-2020 election period reaches deeper into the ex-president's orbit. Published September 8, 2022
Large majority of Americans favor an age limit on elected officials, poll shows
More than seven in 10 Americans favor putting a maximum age limit on elected officials, according to a survey released Thursday that finds people of all political backgrounds and ages think the cap would improve U.S. politics. Published September 8, 2022
Dems look for ballot box payback from young voters after student debt, climate change action
Young voters who previously wrote off President Biden are now jump-starting Democrats' midterm fortunes and possibly imperiling Republicans' hopes for sweeping gains after a whirlwind of summer action on issues that the upcoming generation holds dear, including abortion, climate change and crippling student debt. Published September 6, 2022
Biden promotes climate deputy to lead White House office as Gina McCarthy departs
President Biden announced a shakeup of his climate and energy team Friday, saying that a top climate deputy -- Ali Zaidi -- will be promoted to replace Gina McCarthy, who is leaving as climate czar. Published September 2, 2022
WH outlines $47B wish list of emergency spending as Congress debates stopgap bill
President Biden wants more than $47 billion to help Ukraine and respond to COVID-19, monkeypox and natural disasters from Kentucky to California as Congress debates a stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown before November's midterm elections. Published September 2, 2022
Steve Bannon’s home in D.C. swatted for the second time since July: Report
Police were reportedly called to the Washington home of Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, on Thursday in the second "swatting" prank at his rowhouse in as many months. Published September 2, 2022
Two-thirds of Americans worry U.S. democracy is on verge of collapse, poll shows
Two-thirds of Americans say the nation's democracy is in danger of collapse, according to a recent poll that finds a growing share feel that way and party affiliation isn't a factor. Published September 2, 2022
GOP PAC buys New Hampshire ads to boost establishment candidate over Trump-allied front-runner
New ad buys in New Hampshire show national Republicans are worried the front-runner in the GOP Senate primary is too extreme and could squander the party's chance to defeat Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan in the general election. Published September 2, 2022
Trump revives claims Biden has dementia after anti-MAGA speech
Former President Donald Trump on Friday accused President Biden of suffering from dementia after the man who defeated him in 2020 characterized the pro-Trump strain of Republican politics as a threat to democracy. Published September 2, 2022
CDC signs off on reformulated COVID-19 booster
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed Thursday the reformulated COVID-19 booster shots authorized by U.S. regulators one day prior, clearing the way for people to seek another shot before a potential winter surge. Published September 1, 2022
California asks residents to avoid charging EVs during a Labor Day weekend heat wave
California's power operator wants residents to avoid charging electric vehicles at certain hours through Labor Day to ease the stress on the power grid amid extreme heat and high demand. Published September 1, 2022
House GOP urges Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to drop vaccine mandate on National Guard
House Republicans are pressing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to drop the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for National Guard members, saying the policy is hurting recruiting and affecting military readiness. Published September 1, 2022
Attorney John Eastman appears before Atlanta grand jury, pleads the Fifth on some matters
Lawyer John Eastman, a key player in former President Donald Trump's effort to discredit the official 2020 election results, appeared Wednesday before the Atlanta grand jury investigating actions in Georgia, but it is unclear if he divulged much to the panel. Published September 1, 2022
Chengdu orders 21 million people to stay home in China’s latest zero-COVID lockdown
The major Chinese city of Chengdu put 21 million people in lockdown Thursday as it conducts mass COVID-19 testing through Sunday. Published September 1, 2022
Guns are off-limits in ‘sensitive zone’ of Times Square, new signs warn
Visitors to New York City will see signs in Times Square advertising it as a "sensitive location" where people cannot carry guns, Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday as Democrats manage the fallout from a Supreme Court decision that said blue states went too far in restricting concealed carry. Published August 31, 2022
FDA clears COVID-19 boosters targeting fast-moving variants
The Food and Drug Administration authorized reformulated COVID-19 boosters Wednesday that target omicron variants alongside the original strain discovered in China, clearing the way for another shots-in-arms campaign to launch by next week. Published August 31, 2022
Newsom’s in-laws donated to DeSantis as high-profile governors feud: Report
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are openly feuding ahead of a potential 2024 showdown, but Mr. Newsom's in-laws are reportedly backing the Florida Republican with their wallets. Published August 31, 2022
