Dec 18 Shutdown deadline looms over COVID-19 relief talks By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Bearing down on a midnight shutdown deadline, top negotiators on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package are committed to sealing an agreement Friday as they resolve remaining differences in hopes of passing the legislation this weekend. Continue reading
Dec 18 WATCH: Pence, wife Karen, surgeon general get COVID-19 vaccines By Zeke Miller, Jill Colvin, Associated Press Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated for COVID-19 on Friday in a live-television event aimed at reassuring Americans the vaccine is safe. He celebrated the shot as “a medical miracle” that could eventually contain the raging coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Dec 17 Biden adviser Cedric Richmond tests positive for coronavirus By Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Biden transition spokesperson Kate Bedingfield says Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond tested positive on Thursday, two days after traveling to Atlanta to attend a campaign rally that Biden headlined for Democratic Senate candidates. Continue reading
Dec 17 Watch 6:36 Local governments face cutbacks without federal aid While Congress continues to debate another round of COVID economic relief aid, funding for state and local governments appear to be on the chopping block. Judy Woodruff spoke with Dayton Ohio Mayor Nan Whaley and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Mayor David… Continue watching
Dec 17 Watch 6:22 Biden names key climate officials in departure from Trump President-elect Biden has said that tackling climate change, the environment and green energy are top priorities for his administration. And so far, his team appears to be a mix of some familiar faces and some not-so-familiar faces. John Yang spoke… Continue watching
Dec 17 U.S. gives Florida wider authority over wetland development By Bobby Caina Calvan, Associated Press The move long sought by developers and Republicans removes key layers of federal scrutiny over developments projects that could make it easier for builders to obtain permits for construction projects on wetlands. Continue reading
Dec 17 EU top official sees 'progress' in post-Brexit talks By Samuel Petrequin, Pan Pylas, Associated Press The European Union's top official says there's been "substantial progress on many issues" in post-Brexit talks, just as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a no-deal outcome seemed "very likely" — with only two weeks to go before a potentially… Continue reading
Dec 17 U.S. cybersecurity agency warns of 'grave' threat from global hack By Ben Fox, Associated Press It was the most detailed comment yet from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency since reports emerged that government agencies including the Treasury and Commerce departments were among those penetrated. Continue reading
Dec 17 Palestinians left waiting as Israel is set to deploy COVID-19 vaccine By Joseph Krauss, Associated Press Worldwide, rich nations are snatching up scarce supplies of new vaccines as poor countries largely rely on a World Health Organization program that has yet to get off the ground. Continue reading
Dec 17 Biden to pick Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary, sources say By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press The historic pick would make her the first Native American to lead the powerful federal agency that has wielded influence over the nation's tribes for generations. Continue reading