Chicago judge reverses decision, will allow unvaccinated mom to see her son after all

Cook County Judge James Shapiro told Rebecca Firlit in early August she would not be allowed to see her 11-year-old son because she refuses to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

5 Republican-run states under federal investigation for banning masks in schools

The Education Department says it’s investigating five Republican-led states that have banned or limited mask requirements in schools, saying the policies could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions.

European Union takes US off safe travel list, recommends reinstating restrictions

The decision to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses advice from June, when the European Council recommended lifting restrictions on U.S. travelers.

Liberty University orders campus-wide quarantine amid COVID-19 spike

Liberty University ordered a campus-wide quarantine amid a COVID-19 spike. The school had previously lifted building masking and distancing requirements.

Anti-parasite drug for animals ivermectin flying off store shelves as COVID spikes

The drug has been reportedly flying off stores shelves in multiple states even though it has not been approved for treating or preventing COVID-19 in humans. 

Child obesity increased during COVID-19 pandemic: study

A new study found the prevalence of obesity between the ages of 5 and 11 jumped by about 9.5% during the pandemic.

30-year-old who led anti-mask efforts in Texas community dies of COVID-19

A man who led efforts in his community against wearing masks and other preventative measures during the pandemic has died from COVID-19, one month after being admitted to the emergency room.

Louisiana hospitals full with COVID-19 patients hope for best as Ida hits

As Hurricane Ida hits, New Orleans hospitals plan to ride out the storm as best as possible. Evacuating patients wasn’t an option as beds are nearly full amid the state's fourth COVID-19 surge.

Hostile school board meetings have members calling it quits

A growing number of school board members are resigning or questioning their willingness to serve as meetings have devolved into shouting contests between deeply political constituencies over how racial issues are taught, masks in schools, and COVID-19 vaccines and testing requirements.

Florida feed store hides Ivermectin to prevent misuse by COVID-19 patients

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says the Florida Poison Control Center is seeing an uptick in calls and cases from people taking Ivermectin, a medication used to treat parasites in cows and horses.

Teacher took off mask for read-aloud and infected half the class with COVID-19, CDC report says

Health officials investigated a COVID-19 delta outbreak at an elementary school in California and found an unvaccinated, infected teacher who read aloud to students without a mask started the spread.

Arizona reports nearly 3,900 COVID cases as surge continues

The 3,893 additional cases and 55 deaths reported Saturday increased Arizona’s pandemic totals to 1,005,864 cases and 18,779 deaths, according to the state’s coronavirus dashboard.

COVID-19 contact tracing takes back seat during latest surge

Health officials say with the overwhelming number of new cases, they’re not able to track every case and instead try to focus on infections that could have exposed large numbers of people or vulnerable groups.

US intelligence agencies remain divided on origins of COVID-19

U.S. intelligence agencies are still divided on the origins of the coronavirus, but believe China’s leaders did not know about the virus before the start of the global pandemic.

Governor’s school mask-mandate ban illegal and unsupported, judge rules

A Florida judge ruled Governor Ron DeSantis's executive order banning mask mandates in schools was unconstitutional, while also rejecting many of the anti-mask claims DeSantis made when issuing the ban back in July.