Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Biden scrambles to defeat the surging virus, salvage agenda
President Biden on Thursday forced federal workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine and compelled private employers to crack down, too, as he resorts to heavy measures in a scramble to fend off a delta variant that could tank his campaign pledge to defeat the virus and "build back better." Published September 9, 2021
‘Show some respect’: Biden vaccine mandates target 100 million Americans
President Biden said Thursday he is forcing 100 million Americans across federal agencies, large businesses and hospitals to "show some respect" and get the COVID-19 vaccine. Published September 9, 2021
Afghan exit makes over half of voters think 9/11-style attack is ‘more likely,’ poll shows
More than half of American voters believe President Biden's handling of the Afghanistan exit makes it more likely the U.S. will see another 9/11-style terror attack, and nearly 56% say the episode made them less confident the president can lead the country overall, according to a poll released Thursday by conservatives. Published September 9, 2021
Weekly child COVID-19 cases surpass 250K as school restarts
One in four COVID-19 cases is occurring in children as schools reopen across the country, a prominent medical organization said Wednesday, as President Biden prepared a six-pronged plan to fight a virus surge upending economic recovery plans. Published September 8, 2021
Biden uses tour of storm devastation to tout climate change agenda
President Biden on Tuesday used a trip to survey the destruction across New York and New Jersey from the remnants of Hurricane Ida to push his climate agenda. Published September 7, 2021
Odds of a ‘breakthrough’ COVID-19 infection worsen with delta variant
People who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 seem to be getting infected with alarming frequency, from Georgia Bulldog football players to people you might follow on social media, and this is driving talk of booster shots before waning protection against the virus grows into a crisis that fills hospitals. Published September 7, 2021
Biden: Infrastructure bill can fix flood-damaged towns ‘permanently’
President Biden said Tuesday he will use his tour of flood damage in New York and New Jersey to focus on things that could be overhauled by an infrastructure plan that is working its way through Congress. Published September 7, 2021
Propane explosion blows out Maryland home, injures two in Laytonsville
Montgomery County firefighters responded to a home explosion in Laytonsville, Maryland, early Tuesday. Published September 7, 2021
Ex-FBI deputy chief: Law enforcement should take U.S. Capitol rally ‘very seriously’
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is urging law enforcement to take an upcoming right-wing rally on Capitol Hill "very seriously" after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Published September 7, 2021
Biden’s ‘beat COVID-19’ optimism battered by variant, vaccination resistance
The U.S. feels stuck in neutral as it watches another surge and girds for what might be a difficult winter, poking holes in the economic recovery and Mr. Biden's campaign pledge to "beat COVID-19." Published September 5, 2021
Giuliani rips ‘mentally impaired’ Biden over Afghan chaos ahead of 20th anniversary of 9/11
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said Sunday he is "very upset" on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks because the Taliban is back in charge in Afghanistan, faulting President Biden in harsh terms on the sidelines of an event honoring a 9/11 nonprofit. Published September 5, 2021
Gov. Phil Murphy: All N.J. storm deaths due to flooding, not tornadoes
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday that all 25 deaths in his state from the aftermath of Hurricane Ida were due to flooding, and everyone hit by tornadoes managed to survive. Published September 3, 2021
Dr. Fauci: Three-dose program could become standard for COVID-19 vaccine
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday he would not be surprised to see a three-dose regimen of the COVID-19 vaccine be considered the norm for protecting the population against the virus, citing positive data on boosters from Israel and its potential durability. Published September 2, 2021
Death toll climbs after Northeast lashed by remnants of Hurricane Ida
Mid-Atlantic states spent Thursday mourning the dead and cleaning up debris-strewn downtowns, flooded basements and downed trees after the remnants of Hurricane Ida thrashed the region. Published September 2, 2021
Heavy U.S. rains renew focus on climate change, infrastructure package
The New York City region awoke Thursday to debris-strewn downtowns, soggy basements and crippled transit after a "historic" overnight downpour from the remnants of Hurricane Ida killed at least eight people. Published September 2, 2021
Maderna? Misspelled COVID-19 vaccine card leads to charges in Hawaii
A 24-year-old Illinois woman was arrested and charged with suspicion of falsifying a vaccine document in a bid to avoid quarantine rules in Hawaii as detecting COVID-19 fraud becomes a new focus for law enforcement. Published September 1, 2021
Biden focused on ‘perception’ of Afghan forces in final call with Ghani: Report
President Biden told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in late July that Afghanistan had a "perception" problem that should be manipulated for the public, suggesting Mr. Biden was aware of Afghan forces' weaknesses even as he assured Americans they could defend their nation against the Taliban. Published September 1, 2021
North Korea reportedly rejects COVID-19 vaccine doses from Chinese drugmaker
North Korea reportedly rejected 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese drugmaker Sinovac BioTech Ltd., claiming they should go to countries facing bigger problems from the coronavirus. Published September 1, 2021
White House announces plan to build 100K affordable homes
The White House said Wednesday it will use existing federal funds to build and provide 100,000 homes to low- and middle-income buyers and nonprofits over the next three years to bolster supply that is often snapped up by deep-pocketed investors. Published September 1, 2021
White House defends COVID booster plan amid staff upheaval, CDC skepticism
The White House defended its COVID-19 vaccine booster shot campaign Tuesday after outside advisers complained of limited data on the need for third doses and senior Food and Drug Administration officials abruptly retired amid criticism of President Biden's decision to trumpet the plan before regulators had signed off on it. Published August 31, 2021
