Times Square New Years Eve ball drop being scaled back

Times Square New Years Eve ball drop being scaled back

With COVID cases surging in hotspot New York City, plans for New York's NYE in Times Square are being scaled back. Some local events are canceled in New York City.

With COVID cases surging in hotspot New York City, plans for New York's NYE in Times Square are being scaled back. Some local events are canceled in New York City.

Merck COVID-19 pill: FDA approves 2nd at-home treatment

Merck COVID-19 pill: FDA approves 2nd at-home treatment

Merck’s COVID-19 pill has been authorized by the FDA, providing another easy-to-use medication to fight the rapidly-spreading omicron variant.

Merck’s COVID-19 pill has been authorized by the FDA, providing another easy-to-use medication to fight the rapidly-spreading omicron variant.

Mohave County board refuses to declare state of emergency over hospital staffing

Mohave County board refuses to declare state of emergency over hospital staffing

Mohave County, a conservative part of the state that has several small cities but is largely rural, has one of the state’s lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates at 43.4% of eligible people, and its hospitals report being packed with unvaccinated virus patients.

Mohave County, a conservative part of the state that has several small cities but is largely rural, has one of the state’s lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates at 43.4% of eligible people, and its hospitals report being packed with unvaccinated virus patients.

Michigan man who defied state pandemic orders to keep diner open dies of COVID-19

Michigan man who defied state pandemic orders to keep diner open dies of COVID-19

John Parney said he kept the Quincy Diner open partly to pay for medical bills. The south Michigan man wasn't vaccinated when he got infected, but pledged during his illness he would, arguing "the battle, at this point, was worse than any training he endured in the military."

John Parney said he kept the Quincy Diner open partly to pay for medical bills. The south Michigan man wasn't vaccinated when he got infected, but pledged during his illness he would, arguing "the battle, at this point, was worse than any training he endured in the military."

Supreme Court to hold special session on Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Supreme Court to hold special session on Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandates

The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to hear arguments on the Biden administration’s vaccine or testing requirement for large employers and a separate vaccine requirement for health care workers.

The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to hear arguments on the Biden administration’s vaccine or testing requirement for large employers and a separate vaccine requirement for health care workers.

Omicron variant less likely to require hospitalization, studies show

Omicron variant less likely to require hospitalization, studies show

Scientists stress that even if the findings of these early studies hold up, any reductions in severity need to be weighed against the fact omicron spreads much faster than delta and is more able to evade vaccines.

Scientists stress that even if the findings of these early studies hold up, any reductions in severity need to be weighed against the fact omicron spreads much faster than delta and is more able to evade vaccines.

Disturbing Houston nursing home experience shared by victim's granddaughter

Disturbing Houston nursing home experience shared by victim's granddaughter

One Houston woman says she was horrified when she finally saw her grandmother after COVID restrictions lightened. Her grandmother didn't last much longer after restrictions lifted.

One Houston woman says she was horrified when she finally saw her grandmother after COVID restrictions lightened. Her grandmother didn't last much longer after restrictions lifted.

COVID-19 at-home test kit purchases capped at CVS, other stores

COVID-19 at-home test kit purchases capped at CVS, other stores

Customers seeking at-home COVID-19 test kits from CVS stores will be limited to no more than six, according to a company spokesperson.

Customers seeking at-home COVID-19 test kits from CVS stores will be limited to no more than six, according to a company spokesperson.

Student loan payment pause extended through May 1

Student loan payment pause extended through May 1

President Joe Biden said financial recovery from the pandemic will take longer than job recovery, especially for those with student loans.

President Joe Biden said financial recovery from the pandemic will take longer than job recovery, especially for those with student loans.

WHO chief: Blanket COVID booster drives risk prolonged pandemic

WHO chief: Blanket COVID booster drives risk prolonged pandemic

The head of the World Health Organization warned Wednesday that blanket booster programs in rich countries risk prolonging the world's battle with COVID-19 and said that “no country can boost its way out of the pandemic.”

The head of the World Health Organization warned Wednesday that blanket booster programs in rich countries risk prolonging the world's battle with COVID-19 and said that “no country can boost its way out of the pandemic.”

Nearly $100B in COVID-19 relief funds stolen, Secret Service says

Nearly $100B in COVID-19 relief funds stolen, Secret Service says

Most of that figure comes from unemployment fraud. The Labor Department reported about $87 billion in unemployment benefits could have been paid improperly, with a significant portion attributable to fraud.

Most of that figure comes from unemployment fraud. The Labor Department reported about $87 billion in unemployment benefits could have been paid improperly, with a significant portion attributable to fraud.

Former USC football player charged in COVID-19 unemployment benefits fraud scheme

Former USC football player charged in COVID-19 unemployment benefits fraud scheme

Former USC football player Abdul-Malik McClain allegedly organized and assisted a group of other USC football players in filing fraudulent claims for hundreds of thousands of dollars of COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

Former USC football player Abdul-Malik McClain allegedly organized and assisted a group of other USC football players in filing fraudulent claims for hundreds of thousands of dollars of COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

Judge rules against California school district in COVID vaccine suit

Judge rules against California school district in COVID vaccine suit

San Diego Unified is one of several large school districts in California to announce such mandates. Other districts with similar mandates include Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and West Contra Costa Unified school districts.

San Diego Unified is one of several large school districts in California to announce such mandates. Other districts with similar mandates include Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and West Contra Costa Unified school districts.