Influential government advisers are deciding Thursday how best to expand the nation’s COVID-19 booster campaign, including whether and when it’s OK to “mix and match” brands for the extra dose.
Stories by associated press
House Votes to Hold Trump Ally Steve Bannon in Contempt
The House vote sends the matter to the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, where it will now be up to prosecutors in that office to decide whether to present the case to a grand jury for possible criminal charges.
Can New Variants of the Coronavirus Keep Emerging?
With more than half the world still not vaccinated, the virus will likely keep finding people to infect and replicating inside them for several months or years to come. And each time a virus makes a copy of itself, a small mutation could occur.
White House Details Plans to Vaccinate 28M Children Age 5-11
Within hours of formal approval, which is expected after the Food and Drug Administration signs off and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel meets on Nov. 2-3, millions of doses will begin going out to providers across the country, along with the smaller needles needed for injecting young children.
Japan Envoy Pick Emanuel: Chicago Teen Shooting Weighs Heavy
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday he did nothing improper but still fell short in his handling of the fatal police shooting of a Black teenager in the city seven years ago.
FDA OKs Mixing COVID Vaccines; Backs Moderna, J&J Boosters
But before more people roll up their sleeves, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consult an expert panel later this week before finalizing official recommendations for who should get boosters and when.
R. Kelly’s Chicago Trial on Federal Sex Charges Set Aug. 1
U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber appeared to have wanted the trial in Chicago to begin earlier, but he set it for Aug. 1 after one of R. Kelly’s attorneys, Steven Greenberg, said that he another of Kelly’s attorneys will be in trial on other cases through July.
United Posts $473 Million 3Q Profit on Federal Pandemic Aid
United Airlines reported a $473 million profit for the third quarter thanks to more than $1 billion in federal pandemic aid that helped pay airline employees this summer.
US Expected to Authorize Mix-and-Match COVID-19 Booster Shots
Federal regulators are expected to authorize the mixing and matching of COVID-19 booster shots this week in an effort to provide flexibility for those seeking to maintain protection against the coronavirus.
Police Shooting Looms Over Emanuel in Confirmation Battle
Several liberal House lawmakers and activists complain that Rahm Emanuel's handling of the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times as he ran away from police, should have disqualified him for consideration for a coveted role.
US Plans to Reinstate ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy Next Month
The Biden administration said it plans to reinstate a Trump-era border policy next month to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court, complying with a judge’s order.
Colin Powell Dies, Trailblazing General Stained by Iraq
Colin Powell, the trailblazing soldier and diplomat whose sterling reputation of service to Republican and Democratic presidents was stained by his faulty claims to justify the 2003 U.S. war in Iraq, died Monday of COVID-19 complications. He was 84.
Biden Team Asks Supreme Court to Pause Texas Abortion Law
The Biden administration is asking the Supreme Court to block the Texas law banning most abortions, while the fight over the measure’s constitutionality plays out in the courts.
Contract Talks Resume Between Deere and Its Striking Workers
Both the Moline, Illinois-based company and the United Auto Workers union confirmed that talks had resumed.
EPA Unveils Strategy to Regulate Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’
Michael Regan, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said his agency is taking a series of actions to limit pollution from a cluster of long-lasting chemicals known as PFAS that are increasingly turning up in public drinking water systems, private wells and even food.
Former Chicago College Student Convicted of Terrorism Charge
Thomas Osadzinski, 22, designed a computer code to help the Islamic State bypass programs designed to block the group's propaganda, prosecutors said.
Chicago Sky Win First WNBA Title With 80-74 Win Over Phoenix
Courtney Vandersloot added 10 points and 15 assists for the Sky, who won the series 3-1, rallying from a 72-65 deficit with 4:42 left. Chicago scored the next nine points to take a two-point lead on Stefanie Dolson’s layup. She then added another basket to make it 76-72 with 45.8 seconds left.
Rodgers Throws 2 TDs, Runs for 1 as Packers Beat Bears 24-14
The Packers (5-1) beat the Bears (3-3) for the 20th time in 23 games counting the playoffs and improved to 22-5 with Rodgers as the starter against Chicago. They also prevented Chicago from tying them for the NFC North lead.
Farmers and John Deere Suppliers Worry about Strike’s Impact
More than 10,000 Deere employees went on strike last week at 14 Deere factories in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado and Georgia after the United Auto Workers union rejected a contract offer. The longer the strike continues, the greater the impact will be on the communities around the plants.
Bill Clinton Released From Southern California Hospital
Bill Clinton was released Sunday from the Southern California hospital where he had been treated for an infection. Clinton, 75, was admitted Tuesday to the hospital southeast of Los Angeles with an infection unrelated to COVID-19, officials said.
NASA’s Asteroid Hunter Lucy Soars Into Sky With Diamonds
An Atlas V rocket blasted off before dawn, sending Lucy on a roundabout journey spanning nearly 4 billion miles. Researchers grew emotional describing the successful launch — lead scientist Hal Levison said it was like witnessing the birth of a child. “Go Lucy!” he urged.
Chicago Uses Stellar Defensive Effort to Rout Phoenix 86-50
The Sky dominated on both ends, holding Brittney Griner to just four first half points on 1 of 8 shooting after she scored 29 in the Mercury’s overtime win on Wednesday. Chicago also took Diana Taurasi out of the game, holding her to five points on 1 of 10 shooting.
Prosecutors: Capitol Cop Told Jan. 6 Rioter to Hide Evidence
The officer, Michael A. Riley, is accused of tipping off someone who participated in the riot by telling them to remove posts from Facebook that had showed the person inside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack, according to court documents.
Judge Firms Up Trial Date for Smollett, Won’t Dismiss Case
A judge on Friday denied a last-ditch effort to dismiss a criminal case against actor Jussie Smollett, who is accused of lying to police when he reported that he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago in January 2019.
Chicago Cubs Hire Carter Hawkins as General Manager
The Chicago Cubs hired Carter Hawkins as general manager on Friday, dipping into Cleveland’s front office in an effort to bolster their own player development system.
FDA Panel Endorses Booster Shot for J&J COVID-19 Vaccine
U.S. health advisers endorsed a booster of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine Friday, citing growing worry that Americans who got the single-dose shot aren’t as protected as those given two-dose brands.
