U.S. unemployment claims drop to 198,000
The four-week average of unemployment claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, fell to just above 199,000, the lowest level since October 1969.
Associated Press
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Widespread flight cancellations continue as omicron spreads
Omicron has intensified already significant staffing issues for airlines, which winnowed workforces in 2020 as air travel collapsed, only to be broadsided when vaccination rates jumped and millions of people felt comfortable flying again this year.
Revised COVID protocols keep Colts QB Wentz a possibility for Sunday
Less than 24 hours after NFL officials eased COVID-19 isolation rules, Indianapolis Colts Coach Frank Reich is installing contingency game plans as he waits to see who might be available to play against Las Vegas.
NCAA not considering bubble for this year’s basketball tournament
NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt told NCAA.com that the tournament was slated to go on in the normal format and there has been no discussion of playing in a bubble like last season.
New COVID-19 cases in U.S. soar to highest levels on record
The fast-spreading mutant version of the virus has cast a pall over Christmas and New Year’s, forcing communities to scale back or call off their festivities just weeks after it seemed as if Americans were about to enjoy an almost normal holiday season.
NFL’s new COVID-19 isolation protocol could benefit Colts
The reduction in isolation time could allow Colts quarterback Carson Wentz to return for Sunday’s key game against Las Vegas after Indianapolis placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
QB Wentz joins COVID-19 list as Colts try to earn playoff spot
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Colts, who have rebounded from a 1-4 start to win eight of their past 10 games. They can clinch one of the seven AFC playoff spots with a win over the Raiders.
U.S. government puts pause on Lilly’s COVID antibody therapies
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cited new data that shows the therapies are unlikely to be effective against the Omicron variant.
Biden signs $768.2B defense spending bill into law
The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes a 5% increase in military spending, and is the product of intense negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over issues ranging from reforms of the military justice system to COVID-19 vaccine requirements for soldiers.
Flu making comeback in U.S. after unusual year nearly off
In CDC figures released Monday, states with high flu activity are Indiana, New Mexico, Kansas, New Jersey, Tennessee, Georgia and North Dakota.
U.S. officials recommend shorter COVID isolation, quarantine
U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation recommendations for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.
Fauci: U.S. should consider vaccine mandate for domestic air travel
The Biden administration has thus far balked at imposing a vaccination requirement for domestic air travel. Two officials said Biden’s science advisers have yet to make a formal recommendation for such a requirement to the president.
Indiana town to seek reimbursement from business after fire
Officials in a small central Indiana town plan to seek reimbursement from a straw-storage business after fire crews spent weeks fighting a fire smoldering amid corncobs and straw bales.
New easy-to-use COVID-19 pills require early use
The challenge for possible users is getting tested, getting a prescription and starting the pills in a short window.
Regulators step up probe into Hyundai-Kia engine failures, fires
Engine failures and fires have dogged the Korean automakers’ vehicles since September 2015 when the company issued an engine failure recall.
COVID outbreaks taking toll on college football bowls
The Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl were both canceled due to the pandemic on Sunday, and the University of Miami withdrew from the Sun Bowl.
COVID-19 variant disrupts holiday travel, but not shopping
Globally, airlines scrapped more than 2,700 flights as of Sunday evening, nearing the more than 2,800 cancellations the day before.
Indiana’s RV industry sets annual production record
Factories shipped about 49,000 recreational vehicles in November alone, a record number for the month and a 15% jump from November 2020.
Despite supply issues and omicron, holiday sales rise 8.5%
The results, which covered Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, were fueled by purchases of clothing and jewelry.
Consumer prices up 5.7% over past year, fastest in 39 years
Personal incomes, which provide the fuel for future spending increases, rose 0.4% in November, slightly lower than the 0.5% increase in October.