Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Schools look to testing, technology for a leg up against COVID-19
Schools are looking for any advantage they can get as they reopen their doors for full-time, in-person teaching even as the coronavirus sticks around. Published September 20, 2021
Matt Dolan, Ohio state senator, leaps into U.S. Senate race
Ohio state Sen. Matt Dolan said Monday he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Rob Portman, adding an establishment voice to a GOP primary field that includes author J.D. Vance and other candidates trying to align themselves with former President Donald Trump. Published September 20, 2021
Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is safe in kids 5 to 11, will send data to FDA as soon as possible
Pfizer on Monday said its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and generated a "robust" antibody response in children aged 5 to 11, a positive sign as parents clamor to protect their children against the virus. Published September 20, 2021
‘Story is not over’: Fauci, others say booster push is just starting
U.S. health officials said Sunday the "story is not over" after Food and Drug Administration advisers rejected President Biden's push to provide everyone with COVID-19 booster shots, saying incoming data may prompt regulators to expand the campaign despite moves to limit extra doses to high-risk Americans for now. Published September 19, 2021
Cassidy: GOP must build positive agenda, avoid 2020 quagmire
Mr. Cassidy, Louisiana Republican, said fuming over the November results is futile. Published September 19, 2021
Rep. James Clyburn: ‘We’re going to get there’ on spending plans
House Majority Whip James Clyburn said Democrats will "do what's necessary" to reach a compromise on President Biden's big-spending plan before a Sept. 27 vote on a parallel infrastructure package. Published September 19, 2021
Miss. Gov. Tate Reeves: Biden using vaccine mandates as a distraction
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Sunday said President Biden is forcing workers to choose between a "jab in their arm and their ability to feed their families" to distract from mounting political problems at home and abroad. Published September 19, 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci: ‘Story not over yet’ on boosters after FDA vote
Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration made a "good recommendation" in endorsing COVID-19 booster shots for seniors, health workers and high-risk persons, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday. Published September 19, 2021
Murthy: Biden pre-approval rollout of vaccine booster strategy was for transparency, early planning
The Biden administration said Friday it announced a COVID-19 booster program ahead of regulatory approval to be transparent about how the shots were performing and help states and vaccine providers plan for the effort. Published September 17, 2021
One of the 10 House GOP members to impeach Trump calls it quits
Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump over the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, has decided not to seek reelection, citing in part the "toxic dynamics" within the GOP. Published September 16, 2021
Biden careful not to play favorites, but Pfizer enjoys some ‘comparative advantage’ in mandate era
The COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech was the first to reach American arms, and it accounts for more than half of the 380 million doses administered in the U.S. so far. Published September 16, 2021
Crunch time for Biden’s booster plan as key health panels convene
Scientists are divided on whether the general population needs booster shots for their COVID-19 vacations, leaving President Biden's push for a third dose in limbo. But now it is crunch time for key federal advisers and agencies, who will render a verdict in the coming days. Published September 16, 2021
Ex-Pa. governor contender buys billboards depicting Biden as Taliban
A former Pennsylvania state senator who ran for governor is reportedly behind a dozen billboards that depict President Biden as a Taliban fighter with the slogan "Making the Taliban Great Again!" Published September 16, 2021
France fumes over Aussie sub deal with U.S.
France lashed out Thursday at Australia for abandoning a submarine deal and striking a strategic pact with British and American allies that includes U.S.-made nuclear subs. Published September 16, 2021
Pope cites ‘history of friendship’ with vaccines; cardinal who resisted shot required treatment
Pope Francis said Wednesday he does not know why some people resist the COVID-19 vaccines and finds it ironic that a cardinal who refused the shots needed treatment for the disease. Published September 16, 2021
Biden touts vaccine mandates, economic benefits of shots with business leaders
President Biden on Wednesday said "vaccine requirements work" as he promoted his COVID-19 plan in a meeting with executives from Microsoft, Disney and other large companies. Published September 15, 2021
Biden: Special enrollment period sparked 2.8M Obamacare signups
President Biden on Wednesday said 2.8 million Americans selected a health plan through Obamacare during a special enrollment period from February to August, bringing the total number of active customers in the program to an all-time high of 12.2 million. Published September 15, 2021
Republicans press FDA chief on COVID-19 booster scuffle
Senior House Republicans on Tuesday accused President Biden of "playing politics" with COVID-19 booster shots and told the Food and Drug Administration to divulge what it told the White House ahead of a planned Sept. 20 start to the rollout. Published September 14, 2021
Abortion activists march in front of Justice Kavanaugh’s home, protest his Texas law vote
Activists marched in front of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home in Maryland late Monday to protest his refusal to block a Texas law curtailing abortions. Published September 14, 2021
Russia’s Putin to self-isolate due to COVID-19 cases among inner circle
Russian President Vladimir Putin will self-isolate for a period because of possible exposure to the coronavirus even though he's tested negative for COVID-19 so far, the Kremlin said Tuesday. Published September 14, 2021