Climate change shrinking odds of white Christmas (but not in Indy)
Our warming climate appears to be eating away at white Christmas chances, newly available data shows. But Indianapolis appears to be an exception.
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Moderna booster should provide ‘good level of protection’ against omicron, vaccine-maker says
A booster dose of Moderna’s vaccine—half the dose used in the original shots for adults—increased antibody levels against omicron by 37 times, the company said, citing preliminary data.
Manchin’s ‘no’ vote on Build Back Better bill undercuts Biden’s climate agenda
The senator, who had been the chief Democratic obstacle to the White House’s sweeping policy initiative for nearly six months, said he could not support the bill because of his concerns about inflation, the growing deficit and the need to focus on the omicron coronavirus variant.
Lawmakers, business leaders begin to raise alarms about dwindling federal aid, as omicron cases rise across U.S.
Over nearly two years, Congress has committed nearly $6 trillion toward combating the virus and boosting the economy, but some of the most significant programs to keep businesses afloat and help households pay bills have expired or run out of funds.
Judge overturns deal giving Purdue Pharma’s Sackler family immunity from opioid claims
The chairman of the company’s board, Steve Miller, said in a statement that the ruling would “delay and perhaps end the ability of creditors, communities, and individuals to receive billions in value to abate the opioid crisis.”
Kroger ends some COVID-era benefits for unvaccinated employees
Among other changes, the two weeks of paid emergency leave that Kroger has been offering to employees who contract COVID-19 will no longer be extended to the unvaccinated, unless local jurisdictions require otherwise.
Indiana COVID-19 hospitalizations surge again; 90 more deaths reported
As the Delta variant wreaks havoc in Indiana, CDC officials on Tuesday said the omicron variant is rapidly spreading in the United States and could peak in a massive wave of infections as soon as January.
Companies predicted to give biggest raises since 2008
Americans are in line for their biggest wage increase in more than a decade, according to a report released Wednesday, as companies struggle against a tight labor market and high inflation.
Led by Braun, Senate votes to repeal key Biden vaccine and testing policy
In their most public, forceful protest to date, Republicans led by Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana muscled to passage a proposal that aims to repeal rules ordering large private businesses to require vaccination or implement comprehensive coronavirus testing for their workers.
First lab results show omicron variant has ability to avoid vaccine antibodies
Initial data indicate that omicron may be more transmissible even than delta, the variant that became dominant throughout the world this summer.
Omicron possibly more infectious because of ties to common cold coronavirus, study says
The omicron variant is likely to have picked up genetic material from another virus that causes the common cold in humans, according to a new preliminary study.
Bloomberg pledges $750M to expand charter schools across U.S.
The plan, according to the Bloomberg Philanthropies website, is designed to create 150,000 new seats for students in charter schools in 20 metropolitan areas around the country.
COVID could cost the tourism industry $1.6T this year, and omicron might make it worse
The return of stricter COVID-19 restrictions to fight the latest variant has already left some travelers stranded. For many tourism businesses, it’s also threatening hopes of an upcoming holiday boost this year.
White House to spend $1.5B to attract doctors to underserved communities
The pandemic has highlighted what has long been a barrier to accessing quality medical care in rural areas and communities of color: provider shortages.
Big Tech pushing smart home devices as latest work-from-home tools
Amazon, Facebook parent Meta and Google are expanding work applications for the smart home, raising security and privacy concerns that could cost workers and their companies if not managed properly.
U.S. House passes $2T-plus spending package to expand social benefits, fight climate change
The measure adopted Friday amounts to a dramatic re-envisioning of the role of government in Americans’ daily lives. It still must survive an even tougher political slog in the days ahead.
House eyes vote this week on $2 trillion Biden spending plan
House Democrats hope to begin debate as soon as Wednesday on the proposal to overhaul the country’s health care, education, climate, immigration and tax laws, aiming to adopt the sweeping measure by the end of the week.
Here’s what new NCAA constitution means for college sports fans
On Monday, representatives of the full NCAA membership get the chance to weigh in during a specially called constitutional convention after being given a week to digest the 19-page document.
Biden approval hits new low as economic discontent rises, Post-ABC poll finds
Overall, the survey offers a set of harsh judgments about the president’s performance and the state of the economy. Together, they send a stark warning to Democrats about their prospects in the 2022 midterm contests.
Biden health officials push to make COVID booster shots available to all adults
The debate comes at a critical time for the Biden administration, with top advisers growing increasingly fearful the country could slide backward into a fifth pandemic wave amid colder weather and declining vaccine protection.