Lawmakers seek 9/11-style commission to probe COVID-19 pandemic

A push is underway on Capitol Hill and beyond for a full-blown investigation of the coronavirus outbreak by a national commission like the one that looked into 9/11.

US unemployment claims tick up to 412,000 from pandemic low

The Labor Department said jobless claims in the U.S. rose 37,000 from the week before to 412,000, an increase for the first time since April.

Tokyo Olympics: Lancet calls for ‘global conversation’ on whether to cancel

Prominent medical journal The Lancet has called for a “global conversation” about the safety of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, criticizing global health organizations for staying silent on the matter.

COVID vaccine proof: Wisconsin bill forbids requiring it

The Wisconsin Assembly on Wednesday passed a Republican-backed bill that would prohibit businesses, colleges and universities, governments and anyone else in the state from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

FDA OKs additional 15M doses of J&J vaccine from troubled Baltimore plant

The FDA approved an additional 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine made at the troubled Emergent BioSolutions plant in Baltimore, which has been shuttered for weeks.

COVID-19 vaccinations slow down as infectious delta variant spreads

One major concern is the highly contagious and potentially more severe delta variant of the coronavirus that originated in India. While health officials say the vaccines are effective against it, the fear is that it will lead to outbreaks in states with lower vaccination rates.

Research finds links between air quality and COVID vulnerability: UCLA

Long-term exposure to poor air quality increased the risk of COVID-19 throughout the country last year, according to research announced Wednesday from a UCLA-led team.

Royal Caribbean postpones 1st US cruise after crew members test positive for COVID-19

Royal Caribbean International is postponing for nearly a month one of the highly anticipated first sailings from the U.S. since the pandemic began because eight crew members tested positive for COVID-19.

US buys additional 200 million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

The U.S. purchased an additional 200M doses of Moderna’s vaccine, an extra supply that could potentially be used for kids or as a booster, the company said.

Meet the first person to get vaccinated in California

The first person in California to get vaccinated was frontline ICU nurse Helen Cordova. At first, she didn't want the shot.

Some hospitals seeing no new COVID-19 patients, but delta variant could undo progress

Some hospitals are going days without any new COVID-19 patients for the first time in more than a year, but the milestone could be undone by the delta variant becoming more dominant in the U.S., putting unvaccinated Americans at risk.

Airbnb bans certain new listings as COVID-19 eviction moratorium set to end

Airbnb announced a new initiative in hopes of better protecting renters as the CDC’s eviction moratorium is set to expire later this month.

Juneteenth celebrations continuing in Austin after skipping last year
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The Greater East Austin Youth Association and City of Austin are getting the community back together to celebrate Juneteenth with a parade and festival after having to cancel last year due to the pandemic.