Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
At least seven dead in chaos at Kabul airport as U.S. troops scramble to maintain order
Chaos enveloped the international airport in Kabul on Monday, with U.S. troops trying to maintain order while throngs of people rushed the tarmac and large crowds crushed against the facility's outer gates amid mounting collective fear a day after the Taliban swept back to power in the Afghan capital. Published August 16, 2021
N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy mandates masks in schools
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday that K-12 school students, teachers and staff will have to wear masks at the start of the academic year regardless of vaccination status, a reversal of previous guidance that left mandates up to individual districts. Published August 6, 2021
‘The Biden plan is working,’ president proclaims
President Biden said a rosy jobs report Friday proves his recovery plan is working, but a fast-moving strain of the coronavirus poses a threat that must be overcome with broader vaccination. Published August 6, 2021
United Airlines requires U.S.-based workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19
United Airlines said Friday it will require all of its U.S.-based workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by late October, making it the first major airline to take the step amid a steady drumbeat of employer mandates across the country. Published August 6, 2021
Trump slams Cuomo over impeachment and COVID-19, predicts a GOP governor in N.Y. speech: Report
Former President Donald Trump used a New York fundraiser Thursday to slam Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a leader with "real problems" after a state report detailed a pattern of sexual harassment by the Democratic governor. Published August 6, 2021
Biden launches vaccination effort at schools
The Biden administration said Thursday it will promote COVID-19 vaccination in schools this fall by pushing the shots at sports physicals, educating parents on "Back to School" nights and helping school districts offer pop-up clinics at their schools. Published August 5, 2021
N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy to anti-vaccine protesters: ‘You’ve lost your minds’
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is slamming anti-vaccine protesters as the "ultimate knuckleheads" as he and other officials battle those who have contributed to lagging uptake of the COVID-19 shots. Published August 5, 2021
Trump’s lawyers fight order to give Congress tax returns
Former President Donald Trump's lawyers told a federal court Wednesday to block the Treasury Department from giving his tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee, arguing lawmakers are wading into uncharted territory in a bid to embarrass the ex-president. Published August 4, 2021
Majority of reluctant unvaccinated adults find COVID-19 shots scarier than the virus, poll shows
Three-quarters of U.S. adults who say they will "definitely not" get a COVID-19 vaccine believe getting the shots is a bigger risk to their health than becoming infected with the coronavirus, according to a poll released Wednesday that underscores the challenges of getting the most resistant to come forward. Published August 4, 2021
Obama scraps big birthday bash and scales back party after backlash, virus concerns: Report
Former President Barack Obama has reportedly canceled plans for a big 60th birthday celebration in Martha's Vineyard that created a backlash due to concerns around the delta variant of the coronavirus. Published August 4, 2021
NYC to require COVID-19 vaccine proof for indoor dining, gyms, performances
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday customers must prove they are vaccinated for COVID-19 to enjoy indoor dining, gyms and public performances in the Big Apple, making it the first city in the nation to impose European-style rules for admission. Published August 3, 2021
Tyson Foods mandates COVID-19 vaccine for workers by Nov. 1
Tyson Foods said Tuesday it will require all of its workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November, a major step within a meat-processing industry that was hit hard by earlier waves of the pandemic. Published August 3, 2021
White House: U.S. has given 110 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to 60 countries
The U.S. has donated more than 110 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to 65 countries, President Biden said Tuesday as he plots new ways to get more Americans immunized at home. Published August 3, 2021
Four officers have died by suicide after U.S. Capitol attack
Four officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during and after the Jan. 6 attack have died by suicide. Published August 3, 2021
COVID-19 ‘breakthrough infection’ is rare amid increasing delta fears, Dr. Walensky says
The Biden administration said Monday that COVID-19 is clearly "not done with us" but that vaccines remain a critical barrier of protection against disease and transmission amid concerns about "breakthrough" infections from aggressive variants. Published August 2, 2021
Sen. Lindsey Graham reports breakthrough COVID-19 infection
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday he tested positive for the coronavirus despite being fully vaccinated, though he is experiencing a mild case. Published August 2, 2021
Obama plans 60th birthday bash amid COVID-19 fears: Report
Former President Barack Obama is reportedly planning a 60th birthday bash at his Martha's Vineyard home that will include a Pearl Jam performance and more than 600 guests and staff even as health officials sound the alarm over the fast-moving delta variant of the coronavirus. Published August 2, 2021
White House sees rising COVID-19 vaccine uptake as delta variant rips through the U.S.
Scary news about the coronavirus might be spurring a positive side benefit -- more vaccinations. Published August 2, 2021
New Jersey Republican sees COVID-19 impacts as viable way to unseat governor
Jack Ciattarelli, the GOP nominee, trying to knock Democrat Phil Murphy out of the governor's mansion in November. Mr. Murphy is the only governor facing reelection in the U.S. this year -- Virginia has a race, but Gov. Ralph Northam is term-limited -- and Garden State Democrats have been unable to get one of their governors reelected since 1977. Published August 2, 2021
Virus numbers worsen rapidly with delta variant but nowhere near peak
U.S. hospitalizations for COVID-19 are averaging nearly 35,000, a whopping 46% increase over the prior reporting week but still far below the pandemic peak in early January. Published August 1, 2021
