Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Supreme Court sides with docs in opioid pill mill case, may upend other over-prescribing cases
The Supreme Court sided Monday with a pair of doctors facing long prison terms for aggressively prescribing pain pills in a case that could make prosecutors think twice about how they go after doctors amid the opioid epidemic. Published June 27, 2022
Nancy Pelosi accused of shoving GOP Rep. Mayra Flores’ daughter
A photo-op for new Rep. Mayra Flores of Texas turned into a debate over what constitutes a shove after the Republican accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of pushing her daughter last week. Published June 27, 2022
Gov. Gavin Newsom, state Democrats offer ‘inflation relief’ payments to Californians
Millions of Californians will see "inflation relief" payments ranging from $200 to $350 per person in the coming months under a budget deal struck by Gov. Gavin Newsom and top state Democrats. Published June 27, 2022
Texas city council eyes measure to water down abortion ban
City lawmakers in Austin, Texas, are looking to decriminalize abortion via legislation that would insulate locals from a state trigger law that largely bans the procedure in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Published June 27, 2022
South Dakota governor says doctors, not mothers, will be prosecuted under state abortion ban
Gov. Kristi Noem says South Dakota will prosecute doctors who perform abortions but not pregnant women as a ban in her state goes into effect following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the longstanding right to the procedure. Published June 27, 2022
Biden, G-7 leaders to announce a new round of punishment for Russia’s invasion
The White House said President Biden and Group of Seven leaders will follow a Monday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a new round of sanctions designed to "sap" Russian President Vladimir Putin's military-industrial complex and strangle its economy. Published June 27, 2022
Blue states scramble for fixes after Supreme Court eases rules on concealed carry of pistols
Blue state leaders are scrambling to draft legislative fixes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that imperiled state laws requiring people to show "proper cause" to carry a firearm. Published June 24, 2022
Former chair of Texas Log Cabin Republicans says state party platform disrespects LGBTQ
The departing chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of Texas, which represents gay GOP members, scolded the state party for approving a platform calling homosexuality an "abnormal lifestyle." Published June 24, 2022
Investigators scrutinize Rudy Giuliani’s activities in Georgia: Report
Georgia investigators are reportedly poring over Rudolph W. Giuliani's actions in their state as part of a broader investigation into whether former President Donald Trump and his allies violated the law in pushing to reverse President Biden's victory in 2020. Published June 24, 2022
N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul eyes special legislative session to respond to Supreme Court gun ruling
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is eyeing a special session in July to pass legislative fixes to its gun laws after the Supreme Court ruled a state law requiring people to show "proper cause" to carry a firearm ran afoul of the Constitution. Published June 24, 2022
Ukrainian troops withdraw from Sievierodonetsk; Zelenskyy thanks Biden for extra assistance
Ukraine has told its forces to withdraw from Sievierodonetsk, an eastern city that's been the center of fighting for weeks. Published June 24, 2022
Juul to appeal FDA decision that orders its vapes off shelves
Vaping company Juul said Thursday it plans to appeal the Food and Drug Administration's decision to order its products off U.S. shelves. Published June 23, 2022
Biden team launches all-out push to vaccinate youngest children
The Biden administration pushed American families to immunize infants and small children for COVID-19 on Thursday, deploying ads that tug at heartstrings as it contends with Republicans and parents who are leery or outright opposed to shots for children as young as 6 months. Published June 23, 2022
Biden approval stuck in neutral at 42% as voters worry about inflation, poll shows
President Biden's approval rating remains stuck at 42% and three-quarters of voters are "very concerned" about inflation, according to a poll Thursday that underscored Mr. Biden's political challenges. Published June 23, 2022
FDA ready to remove Juul products from U.S. market: Report
The Biden administration is set to order JUUL e-cigarettes off the U.S. market after years of scrutiny around company marketing practices and fears its products fueled the youth vaping crisis. Published June 22, 2022
Mexican scientist gets 4-year prison term after spying in Miami for Russia
A Mexican scientist has been sentenced to four years in prison for spying on "a U.S. government source" on behalf of Russia. Published June 22, 2022
GOP challengers seize on Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s ‘menstruating people’ comments
Republican contenders for Michigan governor are making hay with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's referring to "menstruating people" in a state Democratic Party discussion on how to protect a woman's right to abortion. Published June 22, 2022
6 in 10 voters oppose overturning Roe v. Wade as Supreme Court ruling looms, poll shows
Nearly a third of registered voters said if a state banned abortion, that would make it a less desirable place to live, according to a new poll. Published June 22, 2022
Biden hails COVID-19 vaccine for young kids as historic, says it offers peace of mind
President Biden on Tuesday pledged a smooth rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 6 months to 4 years old who can now head to pharmacies and doctors' offices for them, giving the rollout a different look than efforts for older ages that featured converted gymnasiums and drive-thru centers. Published June 21, 2022
Biden eyeing moves to cut nicotine in cigarettes: Report
The White House on Tuesday declined to confirm reports it will force cigarette companies to slash nicotine levels to minimally addictive or non-addictive levels, an ambitious effort that would likely cut cancer rates but spark a backlash from the tobacco industry. Published June 21, 2022
