Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
L.A. County launches guaranteed income program to measure impact on well-being, spending
Los Angeles County is launching a guaranteed income program that will give residents who meet certain conditions $1,000 a month for three calendar years. Published April 1, 2022
N.Y. state lawmakers consider new casino downstate, even in the Big Apple
New York lawmakers negotiating a budget deal might issue new gambling licenses downstate, meaning new casinos could land in New York City. Published April 1, 2022
Bus convoy takes 2,000 Ukrainians fleeing Mariupol through a military corridor
About 2,000 civilians are being evacuated on buses Friday as part of a humanitarian mission to get Ukrainians out of the devastated city of Mariupol. Published April 1, 2022
Schumer says deal for more COVID-19 emergency spending is within reach
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer delayed a procedural vote Thursday on billions in new COVID-19 spending, saying bipartisan negotiators needed time to settle on a final price tag. Published March 31, 2022
Shanghai official admits city was ill-prepared for omicron wave
A leading Shanghai official said Thursday the major Chinese city had been "insufficiently prepared" for the COVID-19 wave that is striking the coastal financial hub -- a rare admission in the communist-run country, which has taken a draconian approach to fighting the virus. Published March 31, 2022
Inflation watch: Prices for chicken, pork, ground beef to soar while cost of steak drops
Meat and poultry prices are expected to climb this year due to substantially higher costs for feed. Published March 31, 2022
Large COVID-19 study finds no meaningful benefit of ivermectin vs. placebo
A large, randomized study in Brazil found that COVID-19 patients who received ivermectin, an anti-parasite medicine that surged in popularity as a potential treatment for the coronavirus, did not meaningfully reduce the risk of hospitalization. Published March 31, 2022
TSA to let passengers choose gender PreCheck program
The Transportation Security Agency said it will allow enrollees in its pre-check program to select their gender based on self-attestation regardless of what is listed in their personal identification documents. Published March 31, 2022
Russian strikes on Chernihiv continue despite talk of pivot
Russian forces have continued to strike the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv despite Moscow's assertions that it would reduce military operations in the area, intelligence officials said Thursday. Published March 31, 2022
Biden prods Congress for more money for COVID-19 testing, treatments, booster shots
President Biden on Wednesday said the government is running out of money for critical COVID-19 treatments, tests and boosters shots, trying to spur Capitol Hill talks on his stalled request for $22 billion in emergency funds. Published March 30, 2022
Biden to get fourth shot after COVID-19 speech
President Biden will receive a fourth COVID-19 shot Wednesday following a speech about the pandemic fight, the White House said. Published March 30, 2022
Russian newscaster calls for ‘regime change’ in U.S., reinstatement of ‘partner’ Trump
A Russian television personality reportedly called for "regime change" in the U.S. by removing President Biden and reinstalling former President Donald Trump. Published March 30, 2022
Cornell researchers land a promising nasal spray for COVID-19
Researchers at Cornell University say they've made progress in developing a nasal spray that can prevent infection from the coronavirus and stave off disease if given shortly after infection. Published March 30, 2022
Rep. Madison Cawthorn causes GOP stir with orgy, cocaine comments
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy plans to speak with Rep. Madison Cawthorn after the North Carolinian angered his GOP colleagues with claims that Capitol Hill is a decadent environment that includes invitations for orgies and cocaine use. Published March 30, 2022
White House launches COVID.gov, a one-stop shop for coronavirus tools, info
President Biden on Wednesday announced the launch of a COVID.gov website that will serve as a "one-stop shop" for information on testing and vaccination sites and test-to-treat centers that provide infected persons with groundbreaking antiviral treatments. Published March 30, 2022
FDA authorizes a second COVID-19 booster for adults over 50
The Biden administration said Tuesday that Americans over 50 may get another booster to protect against COVID-19 if they want to, although the extra shot has not been explicitly recommended. Published March 29, 2022
DHS to offer COVID-19 vaccines to migrants caught at the southern border: Report
The Biden administration is reportedly planning to offer COVID-19 vaccines to migrants taken into custody at the U.S.-Mexico border. Published March 29, 2022
NYC begins clearing homeless encampments under Mayor Eric Adams’ plan
Police and sanitation workers are clearing homeless encampments from New York City, days after Mayor Eric Adams said surging crime and homelessness made the city a "laughingstock." Published March 29, 2022
Share of Americans citing inflation as biggest concern is surging: Gallup
Roughly 1 in 5 Americans point to inflation or rising gas prices as the most important problem facing the country, the Gallup polling company said Tuesday, underscoring the challenge for President Biden as he tries to sustain the pandemic recovery and punish petroleum-rich Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Published March 29, 2022
Ukrainian forces hit Russian locations outside of Kyiv
Ukrainian forces are counterattacking the Russian army outside Kyiv and having some success in pushing back the invaders from a number of positions around the capital, British intelligence officials said Tuesday. Published March 29, 2022
