Novel coronavirus

What you need to know about the free at-home COVID tests promised by the Biden administration

By Darlene Superville, Zeke Miller, Associated Press

Despite the high public demand for tests, White House officials say it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped.

Tennis star Djokovic and 2 others deal with fallout from Australian Open visa issue

By John Pye, Associated Press

Novak Djokovic isn't alone in having his visa canceled after flying in for the Australian Open without the required evidence to support a medical exemption to the country's strict COVID-19 vaccination rules.

U.S. governors push back against mandates, closures amid omicron surge

By Jeffrey Collins, Associated Press

Governors across the U.S. took sweeping action during earlier surges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but are taking a much different approach during the record-setting caseloads caused by the omicron variant.

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.