Kroger plans to offer 15-minute COVID-19 tests to customers nationwide

Kroger announced plans to offer a completely at-home, COVID-19 test with results in 15 minutes to its customers nationwide, pending the test’s emergency approval from the FDA.

South African COVID-19 variant found in NYC hospital patient

A patient in a New York City hospital has tested positive for the South African variant of the coronavirus.

Biden extends mortgage relief, ban on home foreclosures through June 2021

Certain mortgage protections that were put in place amid the pandemic, and were set to expire next month, have been extended through June.

Mardi Gras 2021: Bars closed, Bourbon Street barricaded amid COVID-19 pandemic

Parades and parties on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and the days leading up to the annual pre-Lenten bash were canceled and bars were ordered closed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

New Zealand finds no new COVID-19 cases after largest city goes on lockdown for 1st time in 6 months

As people in Auckland adjust to a new lockdown, health officials say they’ve found no evidence the coronavirus has spread further in the community, raising hopes the restrictions might be short-lived.

Sonoma County sheriff has not issued COVID citations: report

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports the sheriff's office has not issued even one citation since the summer. 

Researchers identify 7 US-based coronavirus variants

It's news no one wants to hear, but researchers say they've found at least seven new coronavirus variants - all of them based right here in the United States.

New Zealand enters first lockdown in 6 months after unexplained COVID-19 cases found

The lockdown in Auckland, which extends through Wednesday, is the first in New Zealand in six months and represents a significant setback in the nation's largely successful efforts to control the virus.

2021 tax filing season fast facts

Tax season officially began on Friday and it is shaping up to be another hectic year for taxpayers, preparers and the IRS.

Buffets back open in Ohio despite pandemic safety concerns

The buffet is back open at restaurants and bars throughout Ohio, but with cautionary self-service measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Did you get the right stimulus check amount? Why you need to know before filing your tax return

Americans who have not received their coronavirus stimulus check payments, or who received the incorrect amount, have an opportunity to claim the missing money now that the 2020 tax season is officially underway.

Domestic violence hotline calls remain steady in pandemic, but are more 'intense'

An increased number of calls into domestic violence hotlines are more "intense" during the COVID-19 pandemic, says the director of Domestic and Sexual Violence at A New Leaf.

LIVE: Navigating a ?pandemic? tax season
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This week was the beginning of the 2021 tax season. Val Majewski with American Benefits Exchange joined Good Day Austin?s Casey Claiborne LIVE via Zoom to talk about what?s different after a pandemic year?like stimulus checks and unemployment.

Austin?s Sun Radio helping restaurants and bars
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Austin?s solar-powered radio station ?Sun Radio? gave some major help to Austin musicians during the pandemic last year, helping many of them pay their utility bills. Well now they?re helping out bars and restaurants. Anna Pardue with Sun Radio joined Good Day Austin?s Casey Claiborne this week to talk about it.

4 potential COVID-19 therapeutics advance in trials

Enrollment has begun to test additional investigational drugs to fight COVID-19 symptoms, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Friday.

CDC says strong evidence in-person schooling can be done safely

The CDC on Friday provided a roadmap for reopening schools in the middle of a pandemic, emphasizing mask wearing and social distancing and saying vaccination of teachers is important but not a prerequisite for reopening.

Mom donates 8,000 ounces of breast milk during coronavirus pandemic

Katy Bannerman, a mom of two in North Carolina, donated more than 8,000 ounces of breast milk to help other moms who may be struggling with their supply or facing other breastfeeding issues.