ACL Music Festival to require proof of vaccination or negative COVID test

A printed copy of a negative COVID-19 test will need to be obtained within three days of attending the event. Vaccinated people can show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination instead.

Biden administration says states banning mask mandates in schools could face civil rights investigations

President Biden has ordered his Education secretary to explore possible legal action against states, including Florida, that have blocked school mask mandates. The Education Department says such bans could amount to discrimination and civil rights violations.

Nursing home advocates worry vaccine requirement could leave facilities understaffed

President Biden announced a requirement that all nursing home workers be vaccinated. If facilities don't comply, they won't be able to continue receiving federal funding for Medicare and Medicaid. Advocates worry if facilities can't meet the requirement, they may have to close.

COVID-19 severity depends on transmission, NIH study suggests

A study from the NIH suggests COVID-19 can have more of a severe impact on lungs if it’s transmitted through the air versus a contaminated surface.

Arkansas hospital shows grim picture inside its COVID-19 ICU

Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas told the story of two unvaccinated fathers who are now critically ill after contracting COVID-19.

Some high school football programs face challenges as COVID-19 cases continue to climb

Friday is the kickoff to the high school football season in Georgia, but with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the more virulent delta variant causing a rise in cases and hospitalizations in the state among unvaccinated individuals, some schools are having to take action.

DeSantis' top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has been criticized for opposing mask mandates and vaccine passports — is now touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment in which a top donor’s company has invested millions of dollars.

Wellstar health care employees protest COVID-19 vaccine mandate

A group of Wellstar health care workers are pushing back against a COVID-19 vaccine mandate recently implemented by the health system. Wellstar is one of several hospitals across the state to put that requirement in place.

‘We have the tools’: Biden says COVID-19 boosters could start in September

On Wednesday, the president outlined plans for booster shots for fully vaccinated Americans, which could begin as early as the week of Sept. 20.

COVID-19 hospitalizations could hit 32,000 a day, CDC forecast says

The COVID-19 Forecast Hub at UMass Amherst, which is utilized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, predicts new COVID-19 hospitalizations could reach 32,000 a day as soon as Sept. 13.

Clayton County elementary school going virtual after COVID-19 case spike

Kay Pace Elementary School of the Arts in Jonesboro will pivot to virtual learning on Thursday, according to a Clayton County Public Schools spokesperson. Students are projected to return on Sept. 2.

CDC COVID-19 map shows most of US under high community transmission

The majority of the U.S. was under a high level of COVID-19 community transmission according to the latest map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Biden extends 100% federal reimbursement of states’ COVID-19 costs

President Joe Biden has ordered FEMA to continue to cover 100% of states’ costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic through the end of the year.

Disability rights group files federal lawsuit challenging Gov. Abbott’s mask mandate ban

Disability Rights Texas claims in a lawsuit that Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates prevents students with disabilities from safely returning to school and is a violation of students federal rights.

Japan weighs legal penalties as country expands COVID-19 state of emergency

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has officially expanded and extended the nation’s coronavirus state of emergency as government advisers recommend legal changes that would allow penalties for violations.