Novel coronavirus

Schools reopen with masks optional in many U.S. classrooms

By Jeff Amy, Associated Press

MCDONOUGH, Ga. — As Tussahaw Elementary opened this week for a new school year, teary-eyed mothers led in kindergartners dwarfed by backpacks and buses dropped off fifth graders looking forward to ruling their school. The biggest clue to the lingering…

U.S. hiring surges in July, unemployment rate drops to 5.4 percent

By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press

Hiring surged in July as American employers added 943,000 jobs. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent as the U.S. economy continues to bounce back with surprising vigor from last year’s coronavirus shutdown.

WATCH: Biden speaks on July job gains

By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press

The unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent as the U.S. economy continues to bounce back with surprising vigor from last year’s coronavirus shutdown.

In New York City, impending vaccination rules prompt concern

By Bobby Caina Calvan, Associated Press

The latest move by New York City to control the coronavirus pandemic is renewing uncertainty among some business owners.

California to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for health workers

By Adam Beam, Associated Press

The order, issued Thursday by the California Department of Public Health, is different when Governor Gavin Newsom announced health care workers would have the choice of either getting vaccinated or submitting to weekly testing.

Schools sue and mayor defies Arkansas mask mandate ban

By Andrew DeMillo, Associated Press

Arkansas' ban on mask mandates faces a new legal challenge and defiance from the mayor of the state capital as the state's coronavirus cases continue to spiral.

Thousands of Floridians hospitalized with COVID-19, as governor rejects CDC recommendations

By Kelli Kennedy, Associated Press

Across Florida, more than 12,000 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday, and nearly 2,500 of them were in ICU beds.

WATCH: White House COVID Response Team holds news briefing

By Associated Press

Foreign nationals traveling to the United States "may need to have some type of a vaccine requirement," Jeff Zients, White House Coronavirus coordinator said during a COVID briefing Thursday.

Tokyo logs its most coronavirus cases since the pandemic began

By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press

Tokyo reported 5,042 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, its most since the pandemic began as infections surge in the Japanese capital hosting the Olympics.

U.S. plans to require COVID-19 shots for foreign travelers

By Zeke Miller, Associated Press

The Biden administration is taking the first steps toward requiring nearly all foreign visitors to the U.S. to be vaccinated for the coronavirus, a White House official says.