Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Fauci: Vaccinated persons can toss mask aside outdoors
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday it is OK for fully vaccinated people to take off their masks outside unless they are in a "completely crowded" place. Published May 13, 2021
Colonial Pipeline paid $5M ransom to hackers: Report
Colonial Pipeline reportedly paid foreign hackers a $5 million ransom on Friday, shortly after a cyberattack crippled the large fuel channel that serves much of the U.S. East. Published May 13, 2021
Biden announces $7.4B to bolster, restock health workforce
The Biden administration said Thursday it will use $7.4 billion from its virus-relief package to recruit the health workforce it needs to stamp out the pandemic and prepare for future threats. Published May 13, 2021
Sens. Steve Daines, Amy Klobuchar to FTC: Protect Americans against travel scams
A pair of senators told the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday to protect Americans against travel scams as vaccinated persons splurge on big trips. Published May 13, 2021
GOP senators to Joe Biden: No sanctions relief to Iran amid Israel-Palestine violence
Senate Republicans told President Biden on Thursday to withhold any sanctions relief from Iran as administration officials plot the next steps in nuclear talks amid street violence and the heavy exchange of airstrikes between Israelis and Hamas militants in Gaza. Published May 13, 2021
McDonald’s announces wage increase at company-owned sites; move comes amid labor shortage
McDonald's on Thursday said it is raising hourly wages at its company-owned restaurants by an average of 10% as it tries to hire 10,000 more employees for the busy summer season. Published May 13, 2021
Univ. of South Carolina president resigns, used unattributed text from Adm. McRaven in speech
The president of the University of South Carolina resigned, effective Thursday, after he borrowed parts of a famous graduation speech from Adm. William McRaven, the former head of U.S. Special Operations Command, in a commencement address to his own students. Published May 13, 2021
Biden: Colonial Pipeline to return to full capacity Thursday; disruptions could last until weekend
President Biden said Thursday that Colonial Pipeline is taking fuel to most of its markets and reaching full capacity "as we speak," but a return to normal might take until the weekend. Published May 13, 2021
Biden says COVID-19 shots to begin Thursday for children 12 and older: ‘One more giant step’
President Biden said U.S. adolescents will begin receiving COVID-19 shots on Thursday, after a federal advisory panel had endorsed the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for ages 12 to 15. Published May 12, 2021
Emergent BioSolutions execs to testify before House panel
Executives from a company blamed for mishaps in the production of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will testify next week before a House panel tracking the coronavirus response, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn said Wednesday. Published May 12, 2021
Trump support holds steady, DeSantis second pick in 2024: Poll
Roughly half of GOP voters would "absolutely" vote for former President Donald Trump in a Republican primary and more than a third would back Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis if the ex-president takes a pass in 2024, according to a poll released Wednesday. Published May 12, 2021
CDC panel to clear the way for first Pfizer shots in 12-15 age group
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are meeting Wednesday to discuss the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and vote on extending its use to persons 12 to 15 years old, the final step before doses reach the age group. Published May 12, 2021
Feds scramble to deliver gas in face of pipeline shutdown, rising prices
The Biden administration on Wednesday scrambled to deliver gasoline to stations running on empty due to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown, authorizing bigger loads on federal interstates and moving to relax maritime laws so ships could deliver fuel to states gripped by panic-buying and long lines at the pump. Published May 12, 2021
German people getting pushy in seeking COVID-19 vaccine
German vaccinators say people are getting aggressive in their bids for COVID-19 shots and trying to jump the queue early. Published May 12, 2021
Nancy Pelosi says Israel has the right to defend itself, Hamas rocket attacks risk more lives
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Tuesday condemned "escalating and indiscriminate" rocket attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas, saying they risk civilian lives amid a fierce exchange of airstrikes in the region. Published May 12, 2021
White House steers clear of Hill debate over Liz Cheney
The White House says it's staying out of "inter-party" squabbles on Capitol Hill as the House GOP moves to oust Rep. Liz Cheney from her leadership post Wednesday. Published May 11, 2021
Biden, governors brainstorm vaccine incentives, mobile efforts
Governors on Tuesday told President Biden they are doing what they can to root out Americans who remain unvaccinated for COVID-19, offering shots to baseball fans and throwing L.L. Bean gift cards and free fishing licenses at outdoorsmen in Maine. Published May 11, 2021
Caitlyn Jenner: I played golf instead of voting in 2020
Caitlyn Jenner, running to unseat California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall election, said she didn't bother to vote for then-President Donald Trump in November 2020 or show up at the polls at all. Published May 11, 2021
WH: Joe Biden getting regular briefings on pipeline shutdown, says admin. will address shortages
President Biden continues to be "regularly briefed" on the Colonial Pipeline hack and shutdown and directed the federal government to address shortages where they occur, according to the White House. Published May 11, 2021
Pfizer’s vaccine decision brings hope of ‘normal’ high school year, former FDA chief says
The Food and Drug Administration's decision to approve the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech for people as young as 12 means high school students could see a normal session this fall, a former acting FDA chief said Tuesday. Published May 11, 2021