Novel coronavirus

LISTEN: Supreme Court holds special session on vaccine requirements

By Jessica Gresko, Mark Sherman, Associated Press

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears skeptical of the Biden administration’s authority to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation’s large employers.

Omicron surge sidelines 800 police, firefighters in Los Angeles

By Brian Melley, Associated Press

A dramatic surge in coronavirus cases has sidelined more than 800 Los Angeles city police and firefighters and led to slightly longer ambulance and fire response times.

CDC advisers endorse Pfizer COVID boosters for younger teens

By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

An influential government advisory panel is recommending COVID-19 boosters for younger teens. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older.

Grammy Awards postpone ceremony, citing omicron COVID variant risk

By Associated Press

The Recording Academy said Wednesday it made the decision to postpone the ceremony "after careful consideration and analysis with city and state officials, health and safety experts, the artist community and our many partners."…

WATCH: CDC urges ‘up to date’ COVID shots but won’t change definition of ‘fully vaccinated’

By Zeke Miller, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

The move to keep the existing definition of fully vaccination — either two doses of the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — comes as health officials warned of waning…

Chicago cancels classes after union backs remote learning

By Sophia Tareen, Associated Press

Chicago schools have canceled classes after the teachers union voted to switch to remote learning due to record COVID-19 levels.

Chicago public school CEO plans to cancel classes if union votes for remote learning

By Sophia Tareen, Associated Press

Schools CEO Pedro Martinez's comments Tuesday come as the district and Chicago Teachers Union are locked in an escalating battle over safety protocols in schools.

Federal judge blocks Navy from acting against 35 COVID vaccine refusers

By Robert Burns, Associated Press

A federal judge in Texas has granted a preliminary injunction stopping the Navy from acting against 35 sailors for refusing on religious grounds to comply with an order to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

British government rushing COVID tests to schools so classes can reopen

By Mike Corder, Associated Press

Schoolchildren have returned to classes in parts of Europe, while the British government is pledging to rush ventilation units and enough COVID-19 test kits to schools to ensure they, too, can reopen later this week despite soaring infection rates.

WATCH: Biden meets with independent farmers and ranchers about competition in the meat industry

By Josh Boak, Associated Press

Biden met virtually with independent farmers and ranchers on Monday to discuss initiatives to reduce food prices by increasing competition within the meat industry.