Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
‘Start mandating’: Officials eye options to combat sputtering rollout, vaccine hesitancy
The risk of side effects and the "newness" of the vaccine are the top reasons people provide, at 53% each, for not getting COVID-19 vaccines that are free and plentiful in the U.S., according to a recent poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a nonprofit health-policy group that tracks the issue. Published July 11, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Matthew McConaughey challenge: Bring it on
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he would take actor Matthew McConaughey seriously if he challenges him in 2022. Published July 11, 2021
Kinzinger warns fellow Republicans: ‘People are going to know the truth’ about Jan. 6 attack
Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said fellow Republicans should tread carefully about downplaying the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol because "people are going to know the truth" about the day's events, even if it takes a year or two, from congressional probes and federal prosecutions of the rioters who were inspired by former President Donald Trump. Published July 11, 2021
Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson blasts off into space
Richard Branson and his Virgin Galactic crew blasted to the edge of space from New Mexico on Sunday, fulfilling a 17-year ambition for the British billionaire and opening the latest chapter in commercial space tourism. Published July 11, 2021
NYC mayor nominee Eric Adams will attack gun violence, says no quick release of violent defendants
Democratic mayoral nominee Eric Adams says he will use "precision policing" to tackle the flow of firearms to New York City. Published July 11, 2021
Fauci calls for COVID-19 vaccine mandates: ‘This is serious business’
The federal government does not require the COVID-19 vaccine, but Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that he would welcome more mandates at the local level, particularly once the Food and Drug Administration grants the shots a full license instead of relying on an emergency authorization. Published July 11, 2021
WH slams GOP governors who resist ‘door-to-door’ vaccine effort
The White House on Friday said GOP governors who rejected President Biden's door-to-door vaccine effort are fueling attitudes that are "literally killing people." Published July 9, 2021
Biden: Hearing aids should be sold over the counter
President Biden will direct federal agencies on Friday to rein in the high cost of hearing aids and crack down on hidden fees from airlines and internet providers as part of a package of what administration officials say are pro-consumer moves. Published July 9, 2021
Biden: Capitalism is great, but needs competition to work
President Biden will ask the Federal Trade Commission on Friday to take a harder line on Big Tech companies by scrutinizing how dominant internet players block out competition through "killer acquisitions" of other platforms and drafting rules that curb how much sensitive information they can collect. Published July 9, 2021
House report: Top drugmakers spend more on investor perks than R&D
Fourteen leading drugmakers spent billions more on stock buybacks and dividends than on research and development during the 2016-2020 period, House Democrats said Thursday in a report drafted to rally support behind a liberal plan to let Medicare negotiate down U.S. drug prices. Published July 8, 2021
U.S. COVID-19 coordinator says ‘door-to-door’ effort has been misconstrued
The Biden administration on Thursday said its door-to-door campaign to boost COVID-19 vaccinations will hinge on doctors and trusted locals, not government agents, and scolded those pushing "misinformation" about the effort. Published July 8, 2021
Minneapolis’ Federal Reserve requires workers to get vaccinated
The Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis says it will require its 1,100 workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of August as a condition of employment. Published July 8, 2021
GOP leaders to intervene in DOJ lawsuit against Georgia
The Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee said Thursday they will intervene in a lawsuit the Department of Justice filed against Georgia over its new elections law. Published July 8, 2021
No spectators allowed during Olympics because of virus uptick; Japan declares state of emergency
The Tokyo Olympics will be held without spectators, organizers said Thursday, delivering another major blow to the Summer Games less than two weeks before festivities begin. Published July 8, 2021
Rapper Juvenile drops video to promote vaccines, dating app: ‘Vax that thing up’
New Orleans rapper Juvenile wants you to "vax that thing up." Published July 7, 2021
75 House members to Biden: Open the U.S.-Canada border
Dozens of House members from both parties urged the Biden administration Wednesday to reopen the border with Canada and take other steps to ease international travel, citing the power of COVID-19 vaccines and widespread testing. Published July 7, 2021
NYC ‘almost-mayor’ Eric Adams rips Democrats for ignoring urban problems for too long
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, the declared winner of the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, said Wednesday he wants to fix "crevices" in the city that are reeling from crime and poor education, as the broader society celebrates economic gains that shroud those problems. Published July 7, 2021
Tropical Storm Elsa set to make landfall in Big Bend, Florida — avoids Tampa
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said early Wednesday that Tropical Storm Elsa will make landfall "in the next few hours" around the Big Bend coastal area of northern Florida. Published July 7, 2021
Haitian President Jovenel Moise assassinated at home; Biden calls attack ‘very worrisome’
Gunmen assassinated the president of Haiti in an attack at his private residence early Wednesday, sparking new concerns about unrest in the Caribbean nation. Published July 7, 2021
Eric Adams wins New York mayor Democratic primary
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams maintained his slim lead over former Sanitation Commissioner Kathyrn Garcia in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, the Board of Elections said Tuesday, making the retired police captain the apparent winner after a ranked-choice tabulation that included nearly all ballots. Published July 6, 2021