Merck COVID-19 pill: FDA approves 2nd at-home treatment

Merck’s COVID-19 pill has been authorized by the FDA, providing another easy-to-use medication to fight the rapidly-spreading omicron variant.

Michigan man who defied state pandemic orders to keep diner open dies of COVID-19

John Parney said he kept the Quincy Diner open partly to pay for medical bills. The south Michigan man wasn't vaccinated when he got infected, but pledged during his illness he would, arguing "the battle, at this point, was worse than any training he endured in the military."

No makeups for CFP semis if team can’t play due to virus

If a team is unavailable to play in College Football Playoff semifinals because of COVID-19 issues, the game will be forfeited and the available team will advance to the championship game.

COVID-19 at-home test kit purchases capped at CVS, other stores

Customers seeking at-home COVID-19 test kits from CVS stores will be limited to no more than six, according to a company spokesperson.

Pfizer COVID-19 pill approved in US as 1st home treatment

Pfizer’s pill, called Paxlovid, is the first COVID-19 treatment that Americans can pick up at a pharmacy and take at home.

Nearly $100B in COVID-19 relief funds stolen, Secret Service says

Most of that figure comes from unemployment fraud. The Labor Department reported about $87 billion in unemployment benefits could have been paid improperly, with a significant portion attributable to fraud.

Former USC football player charged in COVID-19 unemployment benefits fraud scheme

Former USC football player Abdul-Malik McClain allegedly organized and assisted a group of other USC football players in filing fraudulent claims for hundreds of thousands of dollars of COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

Judge rules against California school district in COVID vaccine suit

San Diego Unified is one of several large school districts in California to announce such mandates. Other districts with similar mandates include Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and West Contra Costa Unified school districts.

Hawks look to hire hundreds during holiday job fair

The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena held a Holiday Hiring Fair on Tuesday looking to fill some 350 job openings.

GE Appliances to invest $118M in Georgia factory, hiring 600

GE Appliances, a unit of Chinese appliance maker Haier, announced Tuesday that it will invest more than $118 million to expand its factory in northwest Georgia, hiring 600 additional workers by the end of 2024.

COVID testing sites search part of Google, Biden partnership

Those interested in learning if they have the virus can search “free COVID test near me” to find the closest site

COVID-19 surge: Here’s what’s canceled or closing across the US

As the omicron variant continues to spread across the country, many events are getting canceled and businesses are closing.

DC reinstates indoor mask mandate, declares State of Emergency as COVID-19 omicron variant surges

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has reinstated the city’s mask mandate and has expanded the District’s vaccine requirements as part of a State of Emergency she declared Monday as COVID-19 cases surge nationwide due to the highly contagious omicron variant.