Dec 22 2021 likely to eclipse last year as nation's deadliest, CDC says By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press It's too early to say for sure, but based on available information, it seems likely 2021 will surpass last year's record number of deaths by at least 15,000, according to the CDC. Continue reading
Dec 22 WATCH: White House downplays Secret Service estimate of COVID fraud By Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press The White House downplayed a statement by the U.S. Secret Service that nearly $100 billion at minimum has been stolen from COVID-19 relief programs, saying Wednesday that the estimate is based on old reports. Continue reading
Dec 22 Nearly $100 billion stolen in pandemic relief funds, Secret Service says By Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press The Secret Service says it has more than 900 active criminal investigations into pandemic fraud, with cases in every state, and 100 people have been arrested so far. Continue reading
Dec 22 COVID helped cause the biggest drop in U.S. life expectancy since WWII By Laura Santhanam Changes in U.S. life expectancy normally move at a more glacial pace – at incremental tenths of a year. But the coronavirus pandemic has upset that steady trend. Continue reading
Dec 21 Justice Department says inmates on home confinement can stay out of prison By Associated Press Attorney General Merrick Garland's announcement comes Tuesday after months of pressure on the Biden administration from criminal justice groups, lawmakers and other advocates who had argued the Justice Department's prior finding was unfair and unjust. Continue reading
Dec 21 WATCH: Jury deliberates in trial of Kim Potter, former officer who killed Daunte Wright — Day 11 By Scott Bauer, Amy Forliti, Associated Press Jurors weighing the case of the suburban Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed Black motorist Daunte Wright asked the judge after a full day of deliberations Tuesday what they should do if they can’t reach a verdict. Continue reading
Dec 21 Watch 3:36 Biden vows to ramp up testing, boost other health systems in response to omicron wave By Yamiche Alcindor, Shoshana Dubnow President Joe Biden is out with new plans and new appeals to control the spread of COVID-19. He spelled them out Tuesday as the new omicron variant sweeps largely unchecked across the country. White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor reports. Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 8:10 Dr. Walensky on the omicron variant, testing, vaccines and mask rules President Joe Biden is out with new plans and new appeals to control the spread of COVID-19. He spelled them out Tuesday as the new omicron variant sweeps largely unchecked across the country. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers… Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 4:07 News Wrap: U.S. population growth hits lowest recorded rate In our news wrap Tuesday, the pandemic has pushed the United States population growth to its lowest rate since the country's founding. Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the West for growing tensions in Eastern Europe and renewed his demands for… Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 7:11 Moderate Dem. coalition chair on the consensus, flashpoints in Biden social spending bill The search is on among Congressional Democrats for a way to revive the Build Back Better legislative agenda after Sen. Joe Manchin’s blow to the bill as it stood. Given total Republican opposition, Democrats will have to decide what parts… Continue watching