Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Biden to celebrate Obamacare and fix its ‘family glitch’ in ceremony alongside the law’s namesake
President Biden will try to bolster Obamacare by fixing its "family glitch" as he celebrates the program Tuesday with former President Barack Obama and cajoles Congress to extend supersized subsidies that fueled record enrollment but will expire after this year. Published April 5, 2022
Senators agree to $10 billion virus-aid package, nix Biden’s request to fund global COVID-19 fight
Bipartisan negotiators struck a $10 billion Senate deal Monday to handle COVID-19 that is less than half the amount that President Biden demanded last month. Published April 4, 2022
Senate closes in on $10B virus funding deal; House Dems object to lack of global funding
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill scrambled Monday to finalize and pass a $10 billion COVID-19 response package that will likely be less than half the amount that President Biden demanded. Published April 4, 2022
China dispatches 2,000 troops to Shanghai as port city struggles with coronavirus
China is sending thousands of health workers to Shanghai, including 2,000 members of the military, as the coastal economic hub struggles with a COVID-19 surge. Published April 4, 2022
Trump endorses ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in state’s wild primary for House seat
Former President Donald Trump is endorsing former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's bid for the House seat vacated by longtime Rep. Don Young, who died last month. Published April 4, 2022
Hillary Clinton urges U.S. to ‘double down’ on Russia after failed reset with Moscow
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday the U.S. and its allies need to "double down" in sanctioning Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling his invasion of Ukraine is a wake-up call for the West after her attempt to reset relations with Russia under President Obama failed to change Moscow's behavior. Published April 4, 2022
German police catch man who allegedly got up to 90 COVID shots in fraudulent vaccine card scheme
German authorities have arrested a man who is accused of getting as many as 90 shots against COVID-19 in the eastern state of Saxony as part of a scheme to procure real vaccine cards for people who did not want to get vaccinated but needed proof of immunization, according to reports. Published April 4, 2022
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam declines to seek second term
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced Monday that she will not seek a second term after battling with democratic protesters in 2019 and then a huge surge in the coronavirus in recent weeks, resulting in pressure from both everyday citizens and the central government. Published April 4, 2022
NYC Mayor Eric Adams sticks to preschool mask mandate, fearing BA.2 wave
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his health advisers reversed course Friday and said they will not lift mask rules on children in preschools and daycare centers. Published April 1, 2022
N.J. Gov. Murphy leans into April Fools’ Day, claims state bird changed to middle finger
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, seized the April Fools' Day spirit and signed a mock order Friday declaring the middle finger as the new state bird, replacing the goldfinch that held the perch since 1935. Published April 1, 2022
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
