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Biden to double free COVID tests, add masks to fight omicron
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says the government plans to double to 1 billion the rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to be distributed free to Americans. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Biden says his administration will also make “high-quality masks” available for no charge. He spoke at an event aimed at highlighting the…
Probe finds ‘unintentional mistakes’ in Petito police stop
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — An investigation has found that Utah police made “several unintentional mistakes” when they stopped Gabby Petito and her boyfriend before she was killed in what became a high-profile missing person case. The independent report released Wednesday examines a stop by police in the tourist town of Moab on Aug. 12.…
Survivors sexually abused as adults want chance to sue in NY
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New Yorkers who were sexually abused as adults could sue abusers in civil court under a bill that supporters are again urging the state to pass. The Adult Survivors Act would provide a one-year litigation window for those individuals to launch lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has passed. Supporters…
Soaring COVID-19 cases renew US debate over mask mandates
(AP)- Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows weary of pandemic-related restrictions. Much of the debate centers around the nation’s schools, some of which closed due to infection-related staffing issues. Yet in a variety of places, mask mandates are…
Film armorer blames ammo supplier in deadly ‘Rust’ shooting
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A new lawsuit accuses an ammunition supplier of creating dangerous conditions on a movie set where a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin killed a cinematographer, by including live ammunition in a box that was supposed to include only dummy rounds. The lawsuit was filed in New Mexico state district…
Interior to hold auction for offshore wind power in NY, NJ
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The Biden administration says it will hold its first offshore wind auction next month. It’s offering nearly 500,000 acres off the coast of New York and New Jersey for wind energy projects that could produce enough electricity to power nearly 2 million homes. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland says the Feb. 23…
New York to receive $6B chunk of federal aid for transit
NEW YORK (AP) — New York city’s subways and commuter rails are getting a big chunk of federal COVID-19 relief funds. Sen. Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has received $6 billion, part of more than $14.5 billion in overall federal relief aid. The Democrat said he pushed to have it disbursed in…
Offer made to drop perjury charges in Ghislaine Maxwell case
NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say the U.S. government will agree to drop pending perjury charges against British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell if her sex trafficking case goes to sentencing later this year. The offer was made in a letter to a judge late Monday that was filed jointly by the prosecutors and Maxwell’s attorneys in…
GOP sues over law letting noncitizens vote in NYC elections
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Republicans have sued to prevent noncitizens from voting in New York City elections under a new local law. The law allows more than 800,000 noncitizens and “Dreamers” in the city to vote in municipal elections as early as next year. They still cannot vote in federal or state races, such as…
US shoppers find some groceries scarce due to virus, weather
(AP)- Shortages at U.S. grocery stores have grown more acute in recent weeks. New problems like the fast-spreading omicron variant and severe weather are piling on to the supply chain struggles and labor shortages that have plagued retailers since the coronavirus pandemic began. The shortages are widespread, impacting produce and meat as well as packaged…
Local COVID contact tracing now optional in New York
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — State health officials say New York will no longer require local health departments to conduct contact tracing for people who test positive for COVID-19. Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said Tuesday the shift will help public health staff across New York focus on testing and vaccination. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul added that…
NY to end eviction ban, reopen rent relief site
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York will let its eviction and foreclosure moratorium expire at the end of the week, but will once again let people apply for eviction protection and rent relief. Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a press conference Tuesday that she’s having conversations with the Legislature on what to do once the…