US schools reopen amid COVID-19 surge with masks optional for many

Schools have begun reopening in the U.S. with most states leaving it up to local schools to decide whether to require masks.

United Airlines to require U.S. employees to be vaccinated

United Airlines will require employees in the U.S. to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by late October, perhaps sooner, joining a rising number of big corporations that are responding to a surge in virus cases. However, North Texas-based American and Southwest are not going that far just yet.

Arkansas judge blocks law banning mask mandates in schools

An Arkansas judge has temporarily blocked the state from enforcing a law that prevents schools and other governmental agencies from requiring masks.

Fried seeks funds for schools after DeSantis threatens to withhold money over mask mandates

Gov. Ron DeSantis has threatened to withhold funding sources should a school district go against his executive order and impose a mask mandate. Now, one of his chief critics, Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried, is firing back.

150 Arizona doctors call for statewide school mask mandate

“Your prohibition on mask requirements means no Arizona school can provide a safe learning environment,” the doctors wrote. “Each and every one of our students and their educators deserve better.”

Valleywise Health sees increase in COVID cases, mostly in unvaccinated patients

Valleywise Health doctors and nurses say they're back to having two COVID-19 units, and most of their patients are unvaccinated and under the age of 50.

Yelp feature allows users to find businesses requiring COVID-19 vaccination

The company announced two free features for businesses — “proof of vaccination required” and “all staff fully vaccinated” — to help consumers understand how a business is currently operating amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brophy College Prep to mandate vaccinations, masks

Brophy College Prep is requiring students, staff and teachers to be vaccinated by Sept. 13 or they must get tested twice a week for COVID-19.

Jennifer Aniston says she cut anti-vaxxers out of her life

“Friends” star Jennifer Aniston used quarantine to reflect on herself and clean out the negativity in her life, including anti-vaxxers, she said in a recent interview.

Moderna says delta variant will lead to more breakthrough cases among vaccinated

Moderna said it believes the delta variant’s spread combined with people indoors as it gets colder will lead to an increase in breakthrough COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19 spike: In Florida hospitals, 'there are only so many beds'

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 50,000 new COVID-19 cases in Florida during a three-day span, raising the seven-day average to one of the highest counts since the pandemic began.

COVID-19 Delta variant symptoms: What we know and what to look for

Here’s what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says about the Delta variant, its symptoms, characteristics and other things to watch for.

US unemployment claims drop by 14,000 to 385,000

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 385,000. The applications have mostly fallen steadily since early January.