Author: Associated Press

FDA gives final approval for emergency COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. has given the final go-ahead to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, launching emergency vaccinations in a bid to end the pandemic. Shots will begin in a few days after Friday’s decision by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA called the vaccine from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech safe and strongly protective. But initial…

Supreme Court rejects Republican push to overturn Biden victory

HOUSTON (AP) – The Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation’s highest court. The court’s order today was its second this week rebuffing Republican requests that it get involved in the 2020 election…

Congress stuck as McConnell torpedoes emerging COVID-19 deal

Current proposal does not have the stimulus payment millions of Americans received earlier in the year

WASHINGTON (AP) – An emerging $900 billion COVID-19 aid package from a bipartisan group of lawmakers all but collapsed Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republican senators won’t support a key compromise. It includes a slimmed-down liability shield for companies from virus-related lawsuits in exchange for adding $160 billion for cash-strapped states and cities that Democrats want. The hardened…

US carries out rare execution during presidential transition

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) – The Trump administration has carried out its ninth execution of the year and the first during a presidential lame-duck period in 130 years. Federal prison officials in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Thursday executed a Texas street-gang member for his role in the 1999 slayings of an Iowa religious couple. The case of 40-year-old Brandon Bernard…