WEATHER ALERT
China's ban on key high-tech materials could have broad impact on industries, economy
Read full article: China's ban on key high-tech materials could have broad impact on industries, economyChina has banned exports of key materials used for a wide range of products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, radar systems and CT scanners, swiping back at Washington after it expanded export controls to include dozens of Chinese companies that make equipment used to produce computer chips.
US expands list of Chinese technology companies under export controls
Read full article: US expands list of Chinese technology companies under export controlsThe U.S. Commerce Department has expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips.
US gathers allies to talk AI safety as Trump's vow to undo Biden's AI policy overshadows their work
Read full article: US gathers allies to talk AI safety as Trump's vow to undo Biden's AI policy overshadows their workPresident-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal President Joe Biden’s signature artificial intelligence policy when he returns to the White House for a second term.
Blinken is heading to Europe for urgent talks on Ukraine after Trump's election
Read full article: Blinken is heading to Europe for urgent talks on Ukraine after Trump's electionSecretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Europe for urgent meetings on Ukraine with NATO and European Union officials following last week’s U.S. presidential election and the return of Donald Trump to the White House in January.
Biden administration to provide $325 million for new Michigan semiconductor factory
Read full article: Biden administration to provide $325 million for new Michigan semiconductor factoryThe federal government plans to provide up to $325 million to Hemlock Semiconductor to produce a key material for computer chips, an announcement Tuesday with possible political significance as the new factory would be in the swing state of Michigan.
Biden admin to provide $750 million to North Carolina-based Wolfspeed for advanced computer chips
Read full article: Biden admin to provide $750 million to North Carolina-based Wolfspeed for advanced computer chipsThe Biden-Harris administration announced plans to provide up to $750 million in direct funding to Wolfspeed, with the money supporting its new silicon carbide factory in North Carolina that makes the wafers used in advanced computer chips and its factory in Marcy, New York.
Biden administration seeks to ban Chinese, Russian tech in US autonomous vehicles
Read full article: Biden administration seeks to ban Chinese, Russian tech in US autonomous vehiclesThe U.S. Commerce Department is seeking a ban on the sale of connected and autonomous vehicles in the U.S. that are equipped with Chinese and Russian software and hardware with the stated goal of protecting national security and U.S. drivers.
Biden administration to host international AI safety meeting in San Francisco after election
Read full article: Biden administration to host international AI safety meeting in San Francisco after electionGovernment scientists and artificial intelligence experts from at least nine countries and the European Union will meet in San Francisco after the U.S. elections to coordinate on safely developing AI technology and averting its dangers.
China opposes US sanctions on firms over alleged ties to Russia's war efforts
Read full article: China opposes US sanctions on firms over alleged ties to Russia's war effortsChina has expressed its opposition to the latest U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies over their alleged ties to Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying it would adopt necessary measures to safeguard the rights and interests of the country’s businesses.
Biden administration provides $504 million to support 12 technology hubs nationwide
Read full article: Biden administration provides $504 million to support 12 technology hubs nationwideThe Biden administration says it's providing $504 million in implementation grants for a dozen technology hubs in Ohio, Montana, Nevada and Florida, among other locations.
Commerce Department announces new restrictions on U.S. firearms exports
Read full article: Commerce Department announces new restrictions on U.S. firearms exportsThe Commerce Department is announcing new restrictions on U.S. firearms exports in an effort to prevent the guns from ending up in the hands of drug traffickers and criminals in other nations.
Biden administration agrees to provide $6.4 billion to Samsung for making computer chips in Texas
Read full article: Biden administration agrees to provide $6.4 billion to Samsung for making computer chips in TexasThe Biden administration has reached an agreement to provide up to $6.4 billion in direct funding for Samsung Electronics to develop a computer chip manufacturing and research cluster in Texas.
Biden administration announces $6.6 billion to ensure leading-edge microchips are built in the US
Read full article: Biden administration announces $6.6 billion to ensure leading-edge microchips are built in the USThe Biden administration has pledged to provide up to $6.6 billion so that a Taiwanese semiconductor giant can expand the facilities it is already building in Arizona and better ensure that the most-advanced microchips are produced domestically for the first time.
Scathing federal report rips Microsoft for shoddy security, insincerity in response to Chinese hack
Read full article: Scathing federal report rips Microsoft for shoddy security, insincerity in response to Chinese hackA Biden administration-appointed review board has issued a scathing indictment of Microsoft corporate security and transparency.
Biden touts Arizona as America's 'future' as government invests $8.5 billion in chipmaker Intel
Read full article: Biden touts Arizona as America's 'future' as government invests $8.5 billion in chipmaker IntelPresident Joe Biden is celebrating an agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans for computer chip plants around the country.
Philippines says US will address concerns over garment exports held up on suspicion of forced labor
Read full article: Philippines says US will address concerns over garment exports held up on suspicion of forced laborPhilippine trade officials say they have received assurances that the United States will address their concerns after American authorities held up shipments of garments on suspicion that cotton was produced by forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region.
US is constantly assessing expansion of export controls on chips that could boost China's military
Read full article: US is constantly assessing expansion of export controls on chips that could boost China's militaryThe U.S. commerce secretary says Washington is constantly assessing the need to expand export controls to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips and manufacturing equipment that can be used to boost its military.
Biden orders US investigation of national security risks posed by Chinese-made 'smart cars'
Read full article: Biden orders US investigation of national security risks posed by Chinese-made 'smart cars'The Biden administration will investigate potential national security risks posed by Chinese-made “smart cars” that can gather sensitive information about Americans driving them.
White House wades into debate on 'open' versus 'closed' artificial intelligence systems
Read full article: White House wades into debate on 'open' versus 'closed' artificial intelligence systemsThe Biden administration is wading into a contentious debate about whether the most powerful artificial intelligence systems should be “open-source” or closed.
Biden administration announces $5 billion commitment for research and development of computer chips
Read full article: Biden administration announces $5 billion commitment for research and development of computer chipsThe Biden administration is announcing an investment of $5 billion in a public-private consortium aimed at supporting research and development in advanced computer chips.
Biden administration says New Hampshire computer chip plant the first to get funding from CHIPS law
Read full article: Biden administration says New Hampshire computer chip plant the first to get funding from CHIPS lawThe Biden administration is announcing the first allocation of incentives from last year’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act.
Biden promises a better economic relationship with Asia, but he's specifically avoiding a trade deal
Read full article: Biden promises a better economic relationship with Asia, but he's specifically avoiding a trade dealThe United States and 13 partners in the Indo-Pacific region are announcing a signed deal on supply chains and agreements in principle on climate and anti-corruption efforts.
The APEC summit is happening this week in San Francisco. What is APEC, anyway?
Read full article: The APEC summit is happening this week in San Francisco. What is APEC, anyway?The United States is hosting the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference this week for the first time since 2011.
China's top diplomat raises hopes for improving US ties as he starts three-day visit to Washington
Read full article: China's top diplomat raises hopes for improving US ties as he starts three-day visit to WashingtonChina’s top diplomat says dialogue between Beijing and Washington should not only be resumed but deepened.
Biden names technology hubs for 32 states and Puerto Rico to help the industry and create jobs
Read full article: Biden names technology hubs for 32 states and Puerto Rico to help the industry and create jobsThe White House says the dozens of U.S. technology hubs President Joe Biden is announcing will help communities across the country become centers of innovation critical to its competitiveness.
China says US moves to limit access to advanced computer chips hurt supply chains, cause huge losses
Read full article: China says US moves to limit access to advanced computer chips hurt supply chains, cause huge lossesBeijing has vigorously protested the U.S. Commerce Department's latest update of export controls to prevent exports to China of advanced computer chips and the equipment to make them.
The Commerce Department updates its policies to stop China from getting advanced computer chips
Read full article: The Commerce Department updates its policies to stop China from getting advanced computer chipsThe Commerce Department has updated and broadened its export controls to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips and the equipment to manufacture them.
Biden says a meeting with Xi on sidelines of November APEC summit in San Francisco is a possibility
Read full article: Biden says a meeting with Xi on sidelines of November APEC summit in San Francisco is a possibilityPresident Joe Biden says that he could potentially meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco.
Biden says US outreach to Vietnam is about providing global stability, not containing China
Read full article: Biden says US outreach to Vietnam is about providing global stability, not containing ChinaPresident Joe Biden says his visit to Vietnam to showcase stronger ties with Hanoi isn't about trying to start a “cold war” with China.
Biden to use G20 summit and Vietnam visit to highlight US as trustworthy alternative to China
Read full article: Biden to use G20 summit and Vietnam visit to highlight US as trustworthy alternative to ChinaPresident Joe Biden hopes to demonstrate at the upcoming Group of 20 summit in India and a visit to Vietnam that the United States and like-minded allies can be more trustworthy partners than China on economic and security issues.
US commerce secretary warns China will be 'uninvestable' without action on raids, fines
Read full article: US commerce secretary warns China will be 'uninvestable' without action on raids, finesCommerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says she warned Chinese leaders that U.S. businesses might stop investing in their country without prompt action to address complaints about worsening conditions due to raids on firms, unexplained fines and unpredictable official behavior.
US commerce secretary rejects Chinese appeal to ease export controls
Read full article: US commerce secretary rejects Chinese appeal to ease export controlsU.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says she rebuffed an appeal by Chinese leaders to reduce U.S. export controls on technology with possible military uses.
Stock market today: Asian shares mostly rise as attention turns to earnings, economies
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares mostly rise as attention turns to earnings, economiesAsian shares are mostly rising as markets shift their attention from the U.S. Federal Reserve to earnings and economic reports.
US, China agree to discuss export controls as commerce secretary visits to warm up chilly ties
Read full article: US, China agree to discuss export controls as commerce secretary visits to warm up chilly tiesCommerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says she and her Chinese counterpart agreed to exchange information on U.S. export controls that irk Beijing and set up a group to discuss other commercial issues.
Biden's commerce secretary is the latest Cabinet member to visit China in a bid for improved ties
Read full article: Biden's commerce secretary is the latest Cabinet member to visit China in a bid for improved tiesCommerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is the latest member of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet to visit China as his administration tries to mend the deteriorating ties between the world’s two largest economies.
China says it would welcome a visit by US commerce secretary after imposition of investment controls
Read full article: China says it would welcome a visit by US commerce secretary after imposition of investment controlsChina says it would welcome a visit by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo following the imposition of foreign investment controls by her agency that have stung numerous Chinese companies.
Joe Biden's 'Buy America' policy on infrastructure projects leads to factory jobs in Wisconsin
Read full article: Joe Biden's 'Buy America' policy on infrastructure projects leads to factory jobs in WisconsinEfforts by the Biden administration have been helping create new factory jobs as part of a push to bring high-speed internet to the whole country.
Biden goes west to talk about his administration's efforts to combat climate change
Read full article: Biden goes west to talk about his administration's efforts to combat climate changePresident Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures.
Protest derails planned celebration of 20-year ban on oil drilling near Chaco national park
Read full article: Protest derails planned celebration of 20-year ban on oil drilling near Chaco national parkU.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland's plans to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park on Sunday were derailed when protesters blocked the entrance to the northwestern New Mexico site.
White House website highlights infrastructure, manufacturing investments as Biden pushes policy wins
Read full article: White House website highlights infrastructure, manufacturing investments as Biden pushes policy winsThe White House on Tuesday is starting a website to map and track tens of thousands of infrastructure projects and private manufacturing investments, an effort by the administration to show the impact of its policies on the U.S. economy.
US, Chinese trade officials express concern about each other's restrictions
Read full article: US, Chinese trade officials express concern about each other's restrictionsCommerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao, have expressed concern about policies of each other’s governments following Chinese raids on consulting firms and U.S. restrictions on exports of semiconductor technology.
Commerce Department starts process to fund tech hubs across the US with $500 million in grants
Read full article: Commerce Department starts process to fund tech hubs across the US with $500 million in grantsThe Commerce Department is launching the application process for cities to receive a total of $500 million in grants to become technology hubs.
GOP senators: Computer chip money underwriting 'woke' agenda
Read full article: GOP senators: Computer chip money underwriting 'woke' agendaRepublican senators says the Biden administration is taking $39 billion in federal money that's meant to build computer chip factories and using it to further “woke” ideas such as requiring some recipients to offer child care and encouraging the use of union labor.
Computer chip funding to require security, worker benefits
Read full article: Computer chip funding to require security, worker benefitsThe Commerce Department is opening the application process for computer chip manufacturers to access $39 billion in government support to build new factories and expand production.
US, Japan poised to agree on shift in Marine unit on Okinawa
Read full article: US, Japan poised to agree on shift in Marine unit on OkinawaTop national security officials from the United States and Japan are expected to agree to changes in the joint defense posture this week as the two nations confront rising threats from North Korea and increasing aggressiveness from China.
US, EU agree to intensify talks on 'green subsidies' dispute
Read full article: US, EU agree to intensify talks on 'green subsidies' disputeThe United States and European Union have agreed to intensify talks to resolve EU concerns over major subsidies for American companies contained in a U.S. clean energy law.
Rhode Island Gov. McKee narrowly wins Democratic primary
Read full article: Rhode Island Gov. McKee narrowly wins Democratic primaryRhode Island Gov. Dan McKee eked out a victory in his Democratic primary on Tuesday, beating back strong challenges from a pair of opponents as he seeks his first full term in office.
US invites Mexico to join semiconductor production effort
Read full article: US invites Mexico to join semiconductor production effortA high-level United States delegation invited Mexico to participate in a push to shift semiconductor production from Asia to North America and expand production of electric vehicles.
What to watch in last multistate primaries of midterm season
Read full article: What to watch in last multistate primaries of midterm seasonMonths after the first nominating contests of the 2022 midterm season, New Hampshire, Delaware and Rhode Island will bring up the rear with their primaries on Tuesday.
Raimondo: Inquiry on solar imports follows the law
Read full article: Raimondo: Inquiry on solar imports follows the lawCommerce Secretary Gina Raimondo pushed back forcefully Wednesday against critics — including some within the Biden administration — who say a government investigation of solar imports from Southeast Asia is hindering President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate goals.
AP Was There: The surreal first day of the pandemic
Read full article: AP Was There: The surreal first day of the pandemicOn the day the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, Koloud “Kay” Tarapolsi reflected the views of many people when she told an Associated Press reporter: “If we avoid each other and listen to the scientists, maybe in a few weeks it will be better."
EXPLAINER: A scarcity of chips feeds frustration, inflation
Read full article: EXPLAINER: A scarcity of chips feeds frustration, inflationEven coming off its fastest rate of annual growth in 37 years, the U.S. economy is still bogged down by a persistent shortage of the computer chips essential to the technology that connects, transports, and entertains us.
US and Japan reach deal to make most steel imports tax-free
Read full article: US and Japan reach deal to make most steel imports tax-freeU.S. government officials say they have reached an agreement to essentially lift the 25% tariff that former President Donald Trump imposed on imported Japanese steel.
Biden admin reveals 60 finalists for $1B in economic grants
Read full article: Biden admin reveals 60 finalists for $1B in economic grantsCommerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is announcing 60 finalists for $1 billion in economic development grants tied to the Biden administration’s coronavirus relief package.
US details new international COVID-19 travel requirements
Read full article: US details new international COVID-19 travel requirementsChildren under 18 and people from dozens of countries with a shortage of vaccines will be exempt from new rules requiring most travelers to the United States be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Biden admin stepping up community grants from COVID bill
Read full article: Biden admin stepping up community grants from COVID billPresident Joe Biden’s administration says it is making $3 billion in economic development grants available to communities — a tenfold increase in the program paid for by this year’s COVID-19 relief bill.
Biden, GOP senators upbeat, plan more infrastructure talks
Read full article: Biden, GOP senators upbeat, plan more infrastructure talksAfter meeting at the White House, President Joe Biden and a group of Republican senators have agreed to talk again early next week as negotiations on an infrastructure plan are intensifying.
Biden talks about $2T American Jobs Plan: ‘Inaction is simply not an option’
Read full article: Biden talks about $2T American Jobs Plan: ‘Inaction is simply not an option’President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver a speech about the $2 trillion American Jobs Plan at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday from the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris is also scheduled to attend.
Biden names 5 promoters of $2.3T ‘American Jobs’ plan
Read full article: Biden names 5 promoters of $2.3T ‘American Jobs’ planPresident Joe Biden tasked five cabinet members to help promote his administration’s $2.3 trillion “American Jobs” plan. He met with the five — Pete Buttigieg, Jennifer Granholm, Marcia Fudge, Marty Walsh, and Gina Raimondo — and about 20 others on Thursday in the White House.
Senate confirms Raimondo as Biden commerce secretary
Read full article: Senate confirms Raimondo as Biden commerce secretaryFILE - In this Jan. 8, 2021 file photo, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of Commerce, Rhode Island Gov. The Senate has voted to confirm Raimondo as President Biden's commerce secretary. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)WASHINGTON – The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to confirm Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to serve as President Joe Biden’s commerce secretary and help guide the economy's recovery during and after the coronavirus pandemic. Later Tuesday, the Senate voted 95-4 to confirm Cecilia Rouse to be chair of Biden's Council of Economic Advisers.
Biden's Commerce pick, Raimondo, voices tough line on China
Read full article: Biden's Commerce pick, Raimondo, voices tough line on ChinaGina Raimondo testifies remotely during her nomination hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. Gina Raimondo, a former venture capitalist, would be responsible for promoting opportunities for economic growth domestically and overseas. U.S. companies need to get a license to sell sophisticated technology to companies on the list. Raimondo promised to give the Census Bureau more time to crunch the numbers for the 2020 census if needed. “I believe we need to take the politics out of the census and we need to rely on the experts,” Raimondo said.
Time, transparency needed as Biden inherits frazzled census
Read full article: Time, transparency needed as Biden inherits frazzled census“We are optimistic that things at the Census Bureau will be better. The Biden administration also has pledged to give the Census Bureau the time it needs to process the data. He will report to Biden's new pick to head the Commerce Department — which oversees the Census Bureau — Rhode Island Gov. Former Census Bureau Director Kenneth Prewitt said he’s optimistic the final product will be as accurate as past censuses, especially now that Jarmin is at the helm. “The Census Bureau faced a number of challenges with the 2020 Census,” Schatz said in a letter.
Data snags cause Trump to miss giving Congress census data
Read full article: Data snags cause Trump to miss giving Congress census dataPresident Donald Trump on Sunday let slip the target date for transmitting the apportionment numbers to Congress as the U.S. Census Bureau continued to work toward fixing data irregularities from its number-crunching efforts. “The Census Bureau is committed to fixing all anomalies and errors that it finds in order to produce complete and accurate results," said Deborah Stempowski, an assistant director at the Census Bureau, in a court filing last week. Gina Raimondo will be his nominee for Commerce Secretary, which would make her responsible for the final 2020 census numbers instead of current Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, if census data processing continues past Jan. 20. assertions ... can never be fully tested," coalition attorneys said in a court filing. The Department of Justice attorneys have said sanctions are inappropriate.
The Latest: Scores test positive in China's Hebei province
Read full article: The Latest: Scores test positive in China's Hebei provinceMore than 360 people have tested positive in a growing COVID-19 outbreak south of Beijing in neighboring Hebei province. (Jin Haoyuan/Xinhua via AP)BEIJING — Chinese health authorities say scores more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Hebei province bordering on the capital Beijing. The National Health Commission said Monday that another 82 people had tested positive in Hebei and were showing symptoms. Around the country, another 36 people had tested positive without displaying symptoms, although it wasn’t immediately clear how many of those were in Hebei. The man who tested positive had no symptoms upon arrival but was hospitalized after his breathing became difficult.
Boston mayor, RI governor among Biden adds to economic team
Read full article: Boston mayor, RI governor among Biden adds to economic team– President-elect Joe Biden on Friday introduced the governor of Rhode Island, the mayor of Boston and a small-business advocate from California as the newest members of his economic team. Gina Raimondo as his choice to become commerce secretary, Mayor Marty Walsh as his candidate for labor secretary and Isabel Guzman as his pick to lead the Small Business Administration. As commerce secretary, Raimondo would help set the Biden administration's trade policy and promote U.S. opportunities for growth domestically and overseas. When the Democrat took the oath of office in 2018 for his second term, Biden presided over the inauguration. Biden's pick for the leader of the Small Business Administration, Guzman, is the current director of California's Office of the Small Business Advocate in the California governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
Biden picks Rhode Island Gov. Raimondo as commerce secretary
Read full article: Biden picks Rhode Island Gov. Raimondo as commerce secretaryFILE - In this March 1, 2020 file photo, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo faces reporters during a news conference, in Providence, R.I. President-elect Joe Biden has picked Rhode Island Gov. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)WASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden has picked Rhode Island Gov. Her name had been floated for Biden's health secretary, though she said last month she would be staying in Rhode Island and continuing to focus on the coronavirus pandemic. She is a former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff at the Small Business Administration and a small business entrepreneur herself.
EXPLAINER: Why the smallest state has a big virus challenge
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Why the smallest state has a big virus challengeThe nation's smallest state by area has reported 1,870 pandemic deaths so far, far fewer than many states but giving Rhode Island the nation's sixth highest COVID-19 death rate. Like other Northeastern states, Rhode Island was hit hard early in the pandemic. Clusters of cases among students were reported this fall at the University of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University and Providence College. Like other states, Rhode Island limited indoor dining and customer capacity at many businesses in the spring and temporarily shuttered bar areas, gyms and theaters. Rhode Island has performed more than 2 million tests, more per resident than any other state, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
'If not one thing, it's another': Northeast preps for storm
Read full article: 'If not one thing, it's another': Northeast preps for storm“Our theme today ought to be, ‘If it’s not one thing, it’s another,’” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said as he gave residents storm guidance that's new this year — mask up if you help your neighbors shovel. In New York City, officials braced for the biggest storm in about three years. But they are being told to secure outdoor furniture, remove heaters and take other steps to make way for plows. Gina Raimondo suspended the scheduling of coronavirus tests for Thursday and said some outdoor testing sites may close, though others will remain open.
The Latest: Biden: Trump inaugural presence important to US
Read full article: The Latest: Biden: Trump inaugural presence important to USWASHINGTON – The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):9:55 p.m.President-elect Joe Biden says it is important that President Donald Trump attend his inauguration only in the sense that it would demonstrate the nation’s commitment to a peaceful transfer of power between political rivals. ___8:45 p.m.Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have made a fresh push for President-elect Joe Biden to nominate New Mexico Gov. But $207.5 million came in after Election Day as Trump repeatedly – and falsely – claimed President-elect Joe Biden won due to voter fraud. Gina Raimondo has knocked down talk that she is in the running for President-elect Joe Biden’s secretary of health and human services. ___12:25 p.m.President-elect Joe Biden has tapped former Obama administration senior economic adviser Brian Deese to be director of the National Economic Council.
Next for Biden: Getting the right health team as virus rages
Read full article: Next for Biden: Getting the right health team as virus ragesWASHINGTON – Up soon for President-elect Joe Biden: naming his top health care officials as the coronavirus pandemic rages. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus made a fresh push during a virtual conference call Thursday for Biden to nominate Lujan Grisham as HHS secretary. Biden is expected to announce his choice for HHS secretary next week. In the running for a top health job is former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, co-chair of Biden's coronavirus task force. Alongside his health secretary, Biden is expected to name a top-level White House adviser to coordinate the government’s extensive coronavirus response.
Americans face new COVID-19 restrictions after Thanksgiving
Read full article: Americans face new COVID-19 restrictions after ThanksgivingJonathan Eshnaur lugged his 32-inch TV to a Thanksgiving Day family gathering at his sister’s home in Olathe, Kansas, so he could watch football outside. Health officials are urging people to remain vigilant until a vaccine becomes widely available, which is not expected to happen for at least a few months. Health officials on Monday added 4,425 confirmed infections and 87 hospitalizations to the state’s pandemic tally since Friday. Rhode Island’s hospitals reached their COVID-19 capacity on Monday, the same day the state’s two-week pause took effect. In suburban St. Louis, a hospital official warned that hospitalizations could double in two to three weeks if people don’t quarantine after Thanksgiving gatherings.
CDC pleads with Americans to avoid Thanksgiving travel
Read full article: CDC pleads with Americans to avoid Thanksgiving travelThe CDC's Thanksgiving warning was some of the firmest guidance yet from the government on curtailing traditional gatherings to fight the outbreak. The CDC issued the recommendations just one week before Thanksgiving, at a time when diagnosed infections, hospitalizations and deaths are skyrocketing across the country. “The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is at home with the people in your household,” she said. ___KEEPING UP WITH NON-COVID-19 CASESHospitals are struggling to keep up with non-coronavirus cases ranging from broken bones to heart attacks in states where COVID-19 cases are tying up resources. '”Earlier this month, the Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin announced it was suspending elective medical procedures.
Voters strip ‘Plantations’ from Rhode Island’s formal name
Read full article: Voters strip ‘Plantations’ from Rhode Island’s formal name(AP Photo/Susan E. Bouchard, File)Rhode Island will now be officially known as ... Rhode Island. Officially, Rhode Island was incorporated as The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations when it declared statehood in 1790. Although the word “Plantations” in Rhode Island’s name does not specifically refer to a place where slaves labored, the measure’s backers insisted it still offends, especially since Rhode Island’s ties to the slave trade are undeniably deep. The formal vote for House speaker, however, won’t happen until January, when the new legislature convenes. Mattiello rose to House speaker in 2014 after then-Speaker Gordon Fox resigned amid a public corruption investigation.
The Latest: Kentucky sees near-record number of new cases
Read full article: The Latest: Kentucky sees near-record number of new cases(AP Photo/Michael Probst)FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky reported a near-record number of new coronavirus cases Friday as the surging outbreak continued sending more people to hospitals, Gov. Total statewide COVID-19 cases surpassed 105,000, and the virus-related death toll reached at least 1,476. The new virus cases brought the number of cases statewide to 13,520, according to the Department of Health. The announcement comes as Kenya’s government says a second surge in coronavirus cases has begun in East Africa’s economic hub. The Czech Republic has 310,068 total confirmed cases, with 161,050 cases in the last two weeks.
US colleges struggle to salvage semester amid outbreaks
Read full article: US colleges struggle to salvage semester amid outbreaksSeveral teams in other leagues have had to postpone games because of outbreaks among players and staff. Ron DeSantis, alarmed by what he sees as draconian rules on college campuses, said he is drawing up a “bill of rights” for college students. The University of Wisconsin-Madison had seen more than 2,800 confirmed cases in students as of Friday. At Kansas State University, more than 2,200 students have been placed in quarantine or isolation since class began. But Mariscano said universities should expect college students to act like college students.