Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Illinois lawmakers vote to remove GOP members who violate mask rule
Democratic lawmakers in Illinois have voted to oust nine Republicans from the state House after they refused to wear masks under the chamber's mandate. Published February 18, 2022
VP Harris warns Russia of severe consequences if it invades Ukraine
Vice President Kamala Harris opened meetings at the Munich Security Conference on Friday by recommitting the U.S. to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and warning Russia it will face "severe consequences" if it invades Ukraine. Published February 18, 2022
WHO announces mRNA transfer ‘hub’ to help Africa produce its own vaccines
The World Health Organization said Friday that six African countries will receive the technology and training needed to make messenger-RNA vaccines so they do not rely on donated shots to stave off COVID-19 and other diseases. Published February 18, 2022
Corporate America relaxes mask rules, reopens offices as blue states relent on COVID-19 mandates
Corporate America is starting to allow workers to go maskless and ordering them back to the office as states and cities relax COVID-19 rules, signaling that the era of delayed re-openings is coming to an end and a tough period of negotiation over remote and "hybrid" work is starting. Published February 17, 2022
Education Department cancels $415M in student debt, citing for-profit college fraud
The Education Department is canceling an additional $415 million in federal student loan debt for 16,000 borrowers who attended for-profit colleges and say they were defrauded by the institutions. Published February 17, 2022
Brian Kemp holds 9-point lead over David Perdue in Georgia governor’s race: poll
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has a 9-point lead over former Sen. David Perdue in a gubernatorial race that is serving as a barometer for the power of former President Donald Trump's endorsements, according to a new poll. Published February 17, 2022
NYC Mayor Eric Adams tells businesses to reopen offices
Mayor Eric Adams wants New York City to get back to work. Published February 17, 2022
White House says changes to COVID-19 guidance, including masks, may come within weeks
The Biden administration signaled Wednesday that COVID-19 guidance could be relaxed in the coming weeks as businesses and state and local governments -- from Walt Disney World to city leaders in the nation's capital -- increasingly rush to lift indoor mask rules ahead of the federal government. Published February 16, 2022
Teens seek out COVID-19 shots amid rifts with parents
The COVID-19 vaccines have been more than politically divisive: Sometimes a single household is split, prompting kids to tap state and local laws that allow minors to get vaccinated without parental consent. Published February 16, 2022
Disney theme parks in California and Florida to ease mask rules Thursday
The Walt Disney theme parks in California and Florida will no longer require fully vaccinated visitors to wear masks, starting Thursday, as states and cities across the nation relax COVID-19 rules alongside the easing omicron wave. Published February 16, 2022
China’s leader Xi Jinping increases pressure on Hong Kong officials to control COVID-19 outbreak
Chinese President Xi Jinping is urging Hong Kong Executive Carrie Lam to make controlling the COVID-19 outbreak in the island city her "overriding task," according to state-run newspapers. Published February 15, 2022
Several GOP votes lift Califf as some Democrats buck Biden’s FDA pick
The Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Robert M. Califf as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, overcoming vocal opposition from West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin III and other Democrats who said President Biden's pick was too cozy with the pharmaceutical industry. Published February 15, 2022
Senate overcomes objections, passes bill to recognize Japanese American internment camp as historic
The Senate unanimously moved late Monday to establish a historic site at a former internment camp for Japanese Americans in Colorado, overcoming objections from a Utah senator to pass the bill ahead of the 80th anniversary of Franklin D. Roosevelt's decision to set up the camps during World War II. Published February 15, 2022
GOP enjoys double-digit lead in voter preference ahead of midterms, poll shows
Voters prefer Republican candidates over Democratic ones by nearly 13 percentage points ahead of the midterm elections and expect the GOP to be a check on President Biden, according to a poll released Tuesday by a conservative group. Published February 15, 2022
Ontario eases COVID-19 limits, says it is not because of protests
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says public venues will no longer have to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination as of March 1 but said the change was a response to pandemic trends and not protests in Ottawa and elsewhere in the province. Published February 15, 2022
Scientists work on next generation of coronavirus vaccines that are easier to take, more effective
Scientists are working feverishly to develop the next generation of coronavirus vaccines, including a nasal spray, even as President Biden and others struggle to get the current COVID-19 shots in Americans' arms. Published February 14, 2022
D.C. mayor lifts vaccination-checking mandate on businesses
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Monday she will no longer require businesses to check patrons' vaccination status at the door, effective Tuesday. Published February 14, 2022
Gov. Glenn Youngkin releases upbeat ad urging Virginians to get COVID-19 vaccine
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released on Monday a public service announcement urging state residents to get vaccinated for COVID-19, part of a strategy that relies on upbeat messaging about the future instead of arm-twisting through mandates. Published February 14, 2022
Heritage Foundation index: U.S. economic freedom at all-time low after Biden’s first year
The conservative Heritage Foundation says economic freedom is at an all-time low under President Biden. Published February 14, 2022
Sen. Lujan said he is recovering from stroke, will return to D.C. in a few weeks
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico says he will make a full recovery from the stroke he suffered last month and is set to return to Washington in a few weeks to vote on important legislation and President Biden's forthcoming Supreme Court pick. Published February 14, 2022
