The Hill Articles: December 21, 2021

Delta CEO asks CDC to reduce quarantine times for breakthrough COVID-19 cases Harvard professor convicted for hiding affiliation with China Jackson State football player arrested in alleged COVID-19-related fraud scheme Oregon extends state of emergency due to omicron spread These courses are where an IT career is born — and they’re on sale for under $60 Prominent Mormon billionaire leaves church over LGBT rights, other social issues Biden administration advances two large-scale solar projects in California NBA players union encourages players to get booster shots amid COVID-19 outbreak New York House Republican tests positive for COVID-19 Collins open to negotiating overhaul of child tax credit set to expire Barbara Lee tests positive for COVID-19 in latest breakthrough case Sounding the alarm on the administration’s recent action on abortion pills Overnight Health Care — Biden lays out omicron playbook This pocket projector delivers HD quality video and extended battery life for $100 off Hillicon Valley — Biden’s misinformation warning Nuclear power has no business case and could make climate change worse Latinos in new poll say both parties take them for granted Life expectancy fell almost 2 years in 2020: CDC On The Money — Biden’s plea: Don’t count out Build Back Better Boulder police turning to genetic DNA in JonBenet Ramsey case Lorne Michaels mulling departure from ‘Saturday Night Live’ Packaged salad products recalled in 19 states Overnight Defense & National Security — Biden mobilizes military help amid virus surge Overnight Energy & Environment — New York Democrats go after ‘peaker’ plants Unvaccinated Bills wide receiver tests positive for COVID-19, put on reserve list A perfectly preserved, rare baby dinosaur egg discovered in China Former Dallas Morning News bureau chief dies in car crash Middle school teacher charged with making false terror threat Five things to know about Biden’s omicron plan DC records more than 3,700 new COVID-19 cases this past weekend DHS expands bug bounty program to encourage hunting down Apache vulnerability De Blasio says ‘no more lockdowns’ despite omicron surge Equilibrium/Sustainability — New life blossoms in Antarctic ice shelf Intel tells unvaccinated workers they will go on unpaid leave in April Biden mulling student loan freeze extension Sugar shortage could mean fewer candy canes this Christmas Former student pleads guilty to hazing in fraternity pledge’s death Biden: ‘Dangerous misinformation’ on social media, TV fueling vaccine hesitancy ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith announces positive COVID-19 test Does anyone like Congress anymore? DOJ reverses Trump-era pandemic home confinement policy Omicron spread ‘truly unprecedented,’ Fauci says Hispanic Dems aim to expand footprint beyond traditional Latino districts Warren, Democrats ask federal government to resume tracking breakthrough cases Could Botox be used to help reduce anxiety? Chicago mayor requiring vaccines for restaurants, gyms, other venues Germany to limit gathering sizes, ban spectators from events amid omicron surge Biden: Pentagon to deploy 1,000 more troops help with COVID-19 spike Take a slice out of civic health this holiday season NHL, NHLPA agree to skip Beijing Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns: report Over 80 percent of Earth’s oceans remain unexplored — the US can step up Briefing in brief: COVID-19 at-home testing questions linger House panel says documents show One Medical failed to give out COVID-19 vaccines ‘equitably’ Biden says ‘there’s a possibility’ Build Back Better can still pass Biden considering reversing African travel ban ‘soon’ Fauci says quarantines may be shortened for asymptomatic health care workers Biden preaches concern, not panic on omicron Two University of Illinois campuses to start semester remotely Cuba has vaccinated more than 90 percent of its population, surpassing the US, other wealthier nations Incoming New York City mayor appoints five women as deputy mayors Pressley calls on Massachusetts governor to reinstate mask mandate Duke joins list of universities requiring boosters UAE agency put spyware on phone of Jamal Khashoggi’s wife prior to murder: report Is the media laundering open lawlessness at the FDIC? Putin blames West for increasing tensions in Europe Republican senator texted Joe Manchin about joining GOP Energy Department announces new office for renewable demonstration projects CDC ‘examining’ definition of ‘fully vaccinated,’ director says Crowds limited at Metropolitan Museum of Art as cases rise Census numbers show record low US population growth Poll reveals how holiday party organizers are handling COVID-19 surge Minnesota governor announces positive COVID-19 test New York breaks daily COVID-19 case record for fourth straight day ESPN host reveals he contracted COVID-19 CDC warns daily COVID-19 cases ‘could exceed previous peaks’ due to omicron ICE investigations unit testing body cameras in multiple states Telehealth payment parity prevents cost savings Alabama COVID-19 hospitalizations climbed significantly in past month US says bilateral engagement with Russia likely to start in January Kristof announces he has filed paperwork to run for governor in Oregon Top Canadian diplomat tests positive for COVID-19 Coal power heading toward all-time high this year Fossil of massive millipede the length of a car discovered in the UK Biden’s weakness is emboldening Putin Procter & Gamble recalls 32 aerosol hair products after detecting chemical linked to cancer White House names leaders of AAPI advisory committee Unruly airline passengers could lose TSA PreCheck privileges Regulators underrate air pollution mortality by $100B, ignore racial gaps: study Rep. Katie Porter running for reelection in newly drawn California district When and how you should get tested if exposed to omicron Walgreens limiting purchases of at-home COVID-19 tests due to ‘incredible demand’ ‘Harm reduction’ for drug use is here, but where do we draw the line? NYC launches $100 booster shot incentive through the new year ‘Sex and the City’ stars speak out amid Chris Noth sexual assault allegations FDA to authorize COVID-19 pills this week: Bloomberg Scotland limiting crowds at public events Trump’s relocation of the Bureau of Land Management was part of a familiar Republican playbook UK court orders Dubai ruler to pay ex-wife $728m in divorce settlement PepsiCo expanding food aid foundation globally Three House Democrats ask watchdog to probe ‘peaker’ power plant pollution The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Biden delivers omicron update ahead of holidays Japan hangs 3 inmates in first executions since 2019 Senior Secret Service official to lead crackdown on COVID-19 scams Jan. 6 panel threatens subpoena after GOP lawmaker rebuffs request for interview Nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ newspaper gets seat in WH briefing room Navy sailor becomes military’s 81st COVID-19 death Man faces fraud charges after buying engraved ‘Brady’ Super Bowl rings Watch live: Biden delivers remarks on COVID-19 Watch live: Psaki holds press conference Manchin bailed Biden out on Build Back Better Large majority of unvaccinated say omicron doesn’t make them more likely to get shot: KFF Former military intelligence chief acknowledges Israel’s involvement in Soleimani killing Rite Aid follows CVS in announcing store closings Queen’s Brian May urges fans to get vaccinated after ‘horrendous’ COVID-19 battle 10 tips for an emotionally intelligent holiday season The climate disconnect Kellogg’s workers vote to end months-long strike The United States is waging a war on women in America Report cites ‘major failure’ in prosecutor’s office over handling of Jussie Smollett case New cases in Illinois at highest level in more than a year FDA approves first HIV prevention injection White House makes case for Biden progress Massachusetts activates National Guard amid COVID-19 surge Lawmakers call on tech firms to take threat of suicide site seriously, limit its visibility EU requiring boosters to extend vaccine passes SpaceX launches Christmas presents, supplies to International Space Station Manchin’s ‘intervention’ may have saved the Democratic Party — for now WHO urges people to consider canceling holiday plans amid omicron surge First 3D-printed, owner-occupied home in US to be unveiled It’s beginning to look like a warm Christmas for much of the US Fox dropping COVID-19 testing option, requiring vaccinations for workers in New York Judge rules against San Diego schools’ vaccine mandate It’s time to trade the moonshot mentality for a new National Cancer Plan Trump to hold news conference from Mar-a-Lago on Jan. 6 Federal judge rules against Oath Keepers, upholding felony charge Fauci on Fox’s Jesse Watters: He ‘should be fired on the spot’ Biden must be clear with Beijing: It’s one China, one Taiwan San Francisco officials push back on mayor’s plan for troubled neighborhood Prosecutors or Praetorian Guard: Why is FBI investigating one missing diary in a sea of smash and grabs? Rising: December 21, 2021 Bette Midler says Manchin wants US to be like West Virginia: ‘Poor, illiterate and strung out’ Physician-lawmakers team up to urge boosters Warren targets supermarket chains over high food prices West Virginia lawmaker slams GOP colleague over support for infrastructure law Build Back Better could be a sea change for American women Japanese billionaire returns to Earth after 12-day trip in space Chicago mayor calls for federal help to fight violent crime New NY health commissioner tests positive for COVID-19 breakthrough case New Zealand border reopening delayed amid omicron spread Russian diplomat says talks with US on security guarantees underway: report We need a nonpartisan COVID Commission now  Spain, several other nations added to CDC high-risk travel list Boeing, Airbus say deployment of new 5G wireless services could harm aviation safety, urge delay in rollout No coal for you this Christmas Pope calls for spending on education instead of weapons Texas death believed to be first in US linked to omicron Moderna vaccine needs only ‘minor adjustments’ for omicron, CEO says Good news: We have reason to ‘lift every voice and celebrate’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by National Industries for the Blind – US reeling from omicron; Manchin-Biden aftershocks Democrats set to play hardball with Manchin The Memo: Biden searches for a path through deepening gloom Democrats face tough choices on Biden plan after Manchin setback Expanded child tax credit may be Manchin casualty Bottom line Pelosi faces pushback over stock trade defense Democratic critics link party problems to bad messaging Best gift for teachers Best beauty minis to give as stocking stuffers this year Smart tech your grandparents are sure to enjoy Best candle gift set Biden to announce 500 million COVID-19 at-home test buy