Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
76% of Americans think Facebook making society worse, CNN poll says
Three-quarters of Americans think Facebook is making U.S. society worse and nearly half say they know someone who was led to believe a conspiracy theory due to content on the social media platform, a CNN poll conducted by SSRS said Wednesday. Published November 10, 2021
‘Criminals’: Pfizer CEO takes aim at those who spread COVID-19 ‘misinformation’
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Tuesday said people who deliberately spread false information about COVID-19 vaccines, often through sophisticated web operations, are "criminals." Published November 9, 2021
Bipartisan Senate group backs ‘9/11-style’ commission on COVID-19 response
A bipartisan group of senators said Tuesday they are seeking a "9/11-style commission" to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic began, the U.S. government's response and ways to prevent a similar tragedy. Published November 9, 2021
McConnell praises infrastructure bill as ‘godsend’ for Kentucky
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says the bipartisan infrastructure bill that made it through Congress is a "godsend" for his state, as the GOP pivots to attacking the social spending plank of President Biden's agenda and his push to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine. Published November 9, 2021
‘Sick behavior’: Twitter flags violent anime video from Rep. Paul Gosar
Twitter has flagged a video posted by Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona that depicts anime characters killing other characters with the faces of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and President Biden. Published November 9, 2021
Harris lands in Paris to reinforce French ties, her own standing
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Paris early Tuesday to work with French President Emmanuel Macron on climate change and the COVID-19 fight and further ease the ruckus over a submarine deal with Australia that irked France. Published November 9, 2021
Families reunite, airlines celebrate as U.S. ends COVID-19 travel bans for vaccinated visitors
The U.S. opened its doors to visitors from Canada, Mexico, Europe and elsewhere for the first time in 20 months under new COVID-19 safety rules, allowing separated couples to reunite and giving airlines hope they can rebound from heavy losses during the pandemic. Published November 8, 2021
Ted Cruz rebukes Big Bird over ‘government propaganda’ on COVID-19 vaccine push for kids
Sen. Ted Cruz went to war with Big Bird on Twitter over the weekend, accusing the "Sesame Street" character of pushing "government propaganda" as part of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for kids. Published November 8, 2021
First lady Jill Biden visits Virginia school to push COVID-19 shots for children
First lady Jill Biden used a visit Monday to the first school to administer the polio vaccine in 1954 as a backdrop when she urged parents everywhere to vaccinate children for COVID-19. Published November 8, 2021
U.S. lifts pandemic travel ban, opens doors to international visitors
The U.S. on Monday will open its doors to a wide swath of international travelers for the first time in 20 months under its new COVID-19 rules. Published November 8, 2021
Biden condemns drone attack targeting Iraqi PM
President Biden condemned a drone attack on the home of Iraq's prime minister Sunday as the Middle East nation tried to unpack the results of disputed parliamentary elections. Published November 7, 2021
White House says ruling against vaccine mandate start of a long fight
White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain on Sunday said he is confident President Biden's decision to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine or weekly testing at large businesses will hold up in court over, despite a federal appellate court temporarily blocking its implementation. Published November 7, 2021
Biden chief of staff sees positives ahead after ‘rough and tough’ year
White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain on Sunday said Americans are tired after a "rough and tough" year and that voters "sent a message" to Democrats who suffered bruising losses on Election Day. Published November 7, 2021
Richmond urges Biden go ‘big,’ despite Manchin call for ‘patience’
White House adviser Cedric Richmond said Sunday that President Biden's spending plans will improve the economy instead of worsening pandemic-related issues as Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin III urge the party to slow down and look at potential impacts on inflation. Published November 7, 2021
Maryland’s Hogan: Youngkin struck the right balance on Trump
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Sunday that Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin showed he can keep former President Donald Trump at arm's length without losing the GOP base, all while appealing to a broader audience. Published November 7, 2021
Truck driver in South Jersey pulled off the biggest upset of Election Day
Republican Glenn Youngkin's win in the Virginia governor race rattled Democrats and political assumptions, but the biggest election night upset of all happened in southern New Jersey, where a furniture truck driver beat the second-most powerful politician in the Garden State. Published November 5, 2021
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio: Get kid vaccinated against COVID-19, get $100
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he found a way to get families with kids ages 5 to 11 into the COVID-19 vaccine clinic: Pay 'em. Published November 5, 2021
Pfizer to seek FDA authorization of COVID-19 pill by Thanksgiving
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said last week he will ask the Food and Drug Administration to authorize by Thanksgiving a groundbreaking pill for treating COVID-19 after the drugmaker announced "game-changer" results from its clinical trial. Published November 5, 2021
Biden: I wished vaccine mandates had ‘not become necessary’
President Biden defended his decision to issue sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandates Thursday by saying he did not want to resort to heavy-handed rules, but too many people remained on the sidelines, threatening both public health and the economy. Published November 4, 2021
Biden vaccine mandate issued for private employers: Jan. 4 deadline for workers to get shots
The Biden administration published an unprecedented rule Thursday that requires workers at large companies and institutions to get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or face weekly testing, reigniting the mandate wars and unnerving business groups who warned of a worsening labor crunch and excessive red tape dampening the holiday season. Published November 4, 2021
