Dec 15 Watch 5:08 What we know about the severity of omicron and possibility of 'triple whammy' this winter By John Yang, Courtney Norris As the omicron variant is spreading rapidly, top federal health officials warn it could bring a massive wave of new infections to the United States as early as January. There are now confirmed cases of omicron in at least 36… Continue watching
Dec 15 Watch 4:58 Mountaineer group aims to become first all-Black team to climb Everest By Amna Nawaz, Maea Lenei Buhre A group of mountaineers is aiming to make history and inspire others in a field not known for its diversity. Called “Full Circle Everest,” the team of ten experienced mountaineers and climbers from the United States and Kenya, is set… Continue watching
Dec 15 Watch 12:20 Three experts on U.S. role and response options in Taiwan-China conflict By Nick Schifrin, Dan Sagalyn Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is warning that current Chinese military exercises could be cover for a future invasion. China's President Xi Jinping has said he wants to reunite with Taiwan peacefully, but Beijing has increased the pace of its… Continue watching
Dec 15 Tests show lead in Benton Harbor tap water finally dropping By Michael Phillis, Associated Press Michigan officials said the new results indicate that corrosion control is helping, but the nearly 10,000 residents of Benton Harbor should still use bottled water for basic activities such as drinking and cooking. Continue reading
Dec 15 Fed will tighten credit faster and sees 3 rate hikes in 2022 amid inflationary pressure By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press In an abrupt policy shift, the Fed announced Wednesday that it will shrink its monthly bond purchases at twice the pace it previously announced, likely ending them altogether in March. Continue reading
Dec 15 U.S. faces double coronavirus surge as omicron variant spreads By Laura Ungar, Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press Omicron, even if it proves milder on the whole, may disarm some of the life-saving tools available and put immune-compromised and elderly people at particular risk as it begins a rapid assault on the United States. Continue reading
Dec 15 WATCH: The National Cathedral tolls bell marking 800,000 American COVID-19 deaths By News Desk The funeral bell at the Washington National Cathedral will toll 800 times on Wednesday to mark the 800,000 Americans who have died so far from COVID-19. Continue reading
Dec 15 WATCH: Senate Commerce Committee hearing on U.S. airline industry's use of COVID-19 aid By Associated Press The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing Wednesday about the U.S. airline industry’s use of COVID-19 aid from the federal government. Continue reading
Dec 15 Evictions on the rise months after federal moratorium ends By Michael Casey, Associated Press The federal ban, along with a mix of state and federal moratoriums, is credited with keeping millions of Americans in their homes during the pandemic and preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Continue reading
Dec 15 WATCH: Jerome Powell says Federal Reserve will tighten credit amid inflation surge By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press With inflation surging and unemployment falling, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it will shrink its support for the economy more quickly and expects to raise interest rates three times next year. Continue reading