A week after abruptly canceling plans to attend the United Nations climate summit in Scotland, Gov. Gavin has receded from public view to deal with with unspecific family obligations. When the surprising announcement was made Oct. 29, a spokesperson said Newsom planned to participate virtually in the conference this week....
Pfizer Says COVID-19 Pill Cut Hospital, Death Risk by 90%
WASHINGTON — Pfizer Inc. said Friday that its experimental antiviral pill for COVID-19 cut rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90% in high-risk adults, as the drugmaker joined the race for an easy-to-use medication to treat the coronavirus. Currently most COVID-19 treatments require an IV or injection. Competitor Merck’s...
Surprise NJ Senate Winner Says Sorry for Anti-Muslim Posts, Other Comments
TRENTON, N.J. — A truck driver who ousted the powerful New Jersey Senate president in the election previously posted online calling Islam “a false religion,” comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust and defending rioters at the Capitol. Republican Edward Durr apologized on Friday after media outlets highlighted the posts. His victory...
In Strategy Shift, House Dems Plan Infrastructure Vote Ahead of Social Bill
WASHINGTON — Top Democrats abruptly postponed an expected House vote Friday on a 10-year, $1.85 trillion social and environment measure, as leaders' long struggle to balance demands from progressives and moderates once again dogged the pillar of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda. In a bid to hand him a needed...
PG&E Reaches $125M Settlement for Igniting Massive 2019 Wildfire
SONOMA — Pacific Gas & Electric has reached a $125 million settlement agreement with California regulators over the destructive Kincade fire, which was ignited in 2019 by the utility's equipment in a remote area of Sonoma County. PG&E shareholders would pay a $40 million fine to the state general fund...
Derek Carr: Henry Ruggs III Needs to be Loved Right Now
HENDERSON, Nev. — Derek Carr said Henry Ruggs III needs to be loved right now and needs to know he has people in his corner. “And if no one else will do it, I’ll do it,” the Las Vegas quarterback said Wednesday. Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia said it’s important...
Unemployment Claims Drop to 269,000, Another Pandemic Low
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a fresh pandemic low last week, another sign the job market is healing after last year's coronavirus recession. Jobless claims dropped by 14,000 to 269,000 last week. Since topping 900,000 in early January, the weekly applications have fallen...
House Prepares to Debate, Vote After Bolstering Biden’s Bill
WASHINGTON — The House is preparing to debate and vote on a revised draft of President Joe Biden’s now-$1.85 trillion-and-growing domestic policy package as well as a companion $1 trillion infrastructure bill, with Democrats eager to show voters they can deliver on priorities. With a flurry of late-breaking adjustments, the Democrats...
US Mandates Vaccines or Tests for Big Companies by Jan. 4
Tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested for the virus weekly under government rules issued Thursday. The new requirements, which were first previewed by President Joe Biden in September,...
Analyst Who Aided Trump-Russia Dossier is Arrested
WASHINGTON — A Russian analyst who provided information for a dossier of research used during the Trump-Russia investigation was charged Thursday with lying to the FBI when questioned about his work. A grand jury indictment issued in federal court in Virginia charges Igor Danchenko with five counts of false statements....