Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Natural bug products join Zika repellent market
Fear of the mosquito-borne Zika virus is spurring sales of well-known insect repellents, but companies pushing natural products are hoping to grab a share of the market as well, saying their methods will keep the bugs at bay without the ickiness of traditional sprays. Published June 5, 2016
WHO says it is still evaluating Zika risk tied to Olympics
The World Health Organization is evaluating the risks of holding this August's Olympic Games in Brazil as regularly scheduled, amid widespread fears of spreading the Zika virus beyond the hot zone in South America. Published June 3, 2016
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DNC chief, reverses course, backs ‘payday’ lending rules
The head of the Democratic National Committee reversed course Friday and backed the Obama administration's bid to rein in "payday" lenders, after prior support for House legislation that would have blocked those very regulations threatened to deepen a rift between her and the progressive wing of her party. Published June 3, 2016
Supreme Court hesistant to allow cameras into chambers
Allowing cameras to capture Supreme Court oral arguments would give Americans an unfiltered look at how the judiciary branch works, government investigators have found, yet the high court itself remains leery, saying the debut of video would invite grandstanding by lawyers while only spotlighting a smidgen of what the justices do. Published June 1, 2016
Rick Scott, Florida governor, to Obama: Give us gear to prevent Zika virus
Florida Gov. Rick Scott pleaded with President Obama on Wednesday to provide his state with mosquito traps, insecticide and other gear they need to fight the Zika virus, saying it is "profoundly disappointing" that Congress failed to pass a funding package before the start of hurricane season. Published June 1, 2016
Francisco Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers pitcher, says he caught Zika during offseason in Venezuela
Detroit Tigers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez says he caught the Zika virus during the offseason in Venezuela and that he "wouldn't blame" athletes for having second thoughts about competing in this summer's Olympic Games in Brazil. Published June 1, 2016
Obama administration: Zika virus fight needs quick, generous spending
The White House accused Republicans of being indifferent to pregnant women and their unborn babies by refusing to spend the nearly $2 billion President Obama wants freed up to fight the Zika virus, escalating the fracas in Washington over spending. Published May 31, 2016
Obama admin evading questions of illegal Obamacare funding, House GOP says
House Republicans accused the Obama administration Tuesday of stonewalling their investigation into whether the government is funding an obscure Obamacare program without asking Congress for the money first. Published May 31, 2016
Louisiana kicks off Medicaid expansion, marking ‘tipping point’ under Obamacare
Louisiana will enroll the first of thousands of newly eligible residents into Medicaid on Wednesday, marking a "tipping point" in President Obama's push to expand the government-run insurance program under his signature health care law. Published May 31, 2016
WHO doubles its safe-sex recommendation for Zika
Couples returning from areas with the Zika virus should practice safe sex or abstain for eight weeks, instead of just four, to avoid transmitting the disease, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. Published May 31, 2016
Rob Portman touts opioids work in first re-election ads
Sen. Rob Portman parlayed his work to combat the prescription painkiller and heroin crisis into a series of campaign ads Tuesday, as he tries to stave off former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and win re-election in November. Published May 31, 2016
Zika virus risk higher from trips abroad
Americans are more likely to catch the Zika virus from a trip abroad than a mosquito bite in their backyard, and officials along the threatened Gulf Coast want to keep it that way, drawing up game plans to defend against disease-carrying insects before they spark an outbreak on the mainland. Published May 29, 2016
Hillary Clinton campaign begs for donations to stop Donald Trump
Faced with sagging fundraising numbers, Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign admitted it was wrong in assuming GOP nominee Donald Trump couldn't possibly win a general election contest, and that it needs a cash infusion to move beyond a bruising primary and take on the mogul. Published May 29, 2016
Trump aide slams suggestion of third-party run by conservative Republican
One of Donald Trump's top aides said a third-party run by Mitt Romney or another Republican would be a "complete disaster" and ensure victory for Hillary Clinton. Published May 29, 2016
Bernie Sanders says ‘dumb’ primary process is hurting his Democratic presidential campaign
Bernard Sanders said Sunday that a "dumb" primary process is hurting his grassroots campaign. Published May 29, 2016
Arnold Scwharzenegger will announce his presidential preference in his own ‘unusual’ way
Arnold Schwarzenegger had a lot to say about the virtues of political compromise and GOP principles Sunday. Published May 29, 2016
Former GOP presidential contender Marco Rubio ready to help Donald Trump
Marco Rubio said Sunday he's ready to turn the page and back the billionaire businessman against Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. Published May 29, 2016
Bernie Sanders: I have a 3-point path to victory
Bernard Sanders showed no signs of ceding to Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton on Sunday. Published May 29, 2016
Bayer donates mosquito nets, birth control to Puerto Rico for Zika fight
Pharmaceutical giant Bayer has given Puerto Rico a "very substantial donation" to help it fight the Zika virus, including thousands of mosquito nets and units of birth control for women who want to avoid pregnancy during the outbreak, the philanthropic arm of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. Published May 26, 2016
Pelosi, Reid: Cancel Memorial Day recess to deal with Zika, Supreme Court
House and Senate Democrats told Republican leaders Thursday to postpone a Memorial Day recess until their demands for Supreme Court nomination hearings and emergency spending to combat the Zika virus and other crises are met. Published May 26, 2016
