Dec 20 Deal on Fed removes obstacle to agreement on virus aid bill By Andrew Taylor, Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Top congressional lawmakers struck a late-night agreement on the last major obstacle to a COVID-19 economic relief package costing nearly $1 trillion, clearing the way for votes as early as Sunday. Continue reading
Dec 19 Tight supplies for virus gear cost U.S. states billions By David Lieb, Camille Fasset, Associated Press The AP tallied more than $7 billion in purchases by states this spring for personal protective equipment, or PPE, and high-demand medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers. Much of the buying happened outside normal competitive bidding procedures, and… Continue reading
Dec 19 Watch 9:21 A major battle is brewing over abortion rights in Poland By Malcolm Brabant, Ivette Feliciano A major battle is underway over abortion rights in Poland. The country’s constitutional court, whose legitimacy has been questioned by some, has made it even harder for Polish women to get abortions. The move has been condemned by the European… Continue watching
Dec 19 1 in 5 prisoners in the U.S. has had COVID-19, 1,700 have died By Beth Schwartzapfel, Katie Park, The Marshall Project, Andrew DeMillo, Associated Press One in every five state and federal prisoners in the United States has tested positive for the coronavirus, a rate more than four times as high as the general population. Now the rollout of vaccines poses difficult decisions for politicians… Continue reading
Dec 19 Watch 9:55 A second COVID-19 vaccine is on its way. What's next? By PBS NewsHour The U.S. has approved a second COVID-19 vaccine, made by Moderna, to begin rollout on Sunday. With America regularly recording more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths per day, the much-needed additional doses will provide a boost to efforts to vaccinate healthcare… Continue watching
Dec 18 U.S. clears Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 By Lauran Neergaard, Matthew Perrone, Associated Press The U.S. added a second COVID-19 vaccine to its arsenal Friday, boosting efforts to beat back an outbreak so dire that the nation is regularly recording more than 3,000 deaths a day. Continue reading
Dec 18 House passes two-day stopgap spending bill to avert government shutdown By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press The hoped-for agreement would provide more than $300 billion in aid to businesses, a $300-per-week bonus federal jobless benefit, and $600 direct payments to individuals. Continue reading
Dec 18 How COVID-19 could worsen America's childhood trauma crisis By William Brangham, Cat Wise, Laura Santhanam, Jaywon Choe, Sam Lane, Leah Nagy, Rachel Wellford, Vika Aronson, Erica R. Hendry, Emily Carpeaux In this episode, PBS NewsHour correspondent William Brangham talks to special correspondent Cat Wise and reporter Laura Santhanam about why the pandemic is likely making the childhood trauma crisis worse and how caregivers can help their kids and themselves through… Continue reading
Dec 18 COVID-19 models plot dire scenarios for California hospitals By Brian Melley, Associated Press Hospitals were on the brink of being overrun with nearly 15,000 coronavirus patients when Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement Tuesday. Continue reading
Dec 18 Pelosi, McConnell get COVID-19 vaccine, urge others to do so By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The top Capitol doctor urged all members of Congress to join them. Both Pelosi and McConnell tweeted photos of themselves receiving the vaccine from Capitol physician. Continue reading