Bob Ross documentary on Netflix reveals business disputes, alleged affair
A new Netflix documentary examines the artist’s legacy and the bitter dispute over the continued use of the TV personality’s name and likeness.
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More companies weighing penalties for unvaccinated workers
Employers are increasingly moving from luring workers to get their shots to using threats, workplace experts say, frustrated by vaccine holdouts and emboldened by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week.
FDA approval of Pfizer shot not swaying some vaccine holdouts
For some unvaccinated Americans, the FDA approval is the latest in a series of actions and appeals that have fallen flat, or further antagonized them.
Inconclusive review of COVID origins prompts calls for more probes
An array of activists, scientists and politicians said Wednesday that the Biden administration’s inconclusive report on the origins of the coronavirus pandemic demonstrates the need for further investigation, even if that leads the United States into delicate geopolitical territory.
Biden appeals to top tech, energy and finance execs to ‘raise the bar on cybersecurity’
The president raised concerns about the shortage of cybersecurity professionals, as the White House estimates roughly half a million cybersecurity jobs remain open, amid an onslaught of cybersecurity attacks.
U.S. probes whether Moderna vaccine linked to higher risk of rare side effect
Federal health officials are investigating emerging reports that the Moderna coronavirus vaccine may be associated with a higher risk of a heart condition called myocarditis in younger adults than previously believed, according to two people familiar with the review.
Amazon plans to open its own department stores, report says
For Amazon, this could be an opportunity to shake things up: Its 30,000-square-foot department stores would be about one-third the size of a traditional mall anchor, mirroring plans by many of the country’s retailers to open smaller, more easily-accessible stores.
Biden administration OKs largest boost to food assistance benefits in SNAP history
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is expected to announce Monday morning that benefit amounts for the program, formerly known as food stamps, will rise an average of 25% above pre-pandemic levels.
U.S. averaging half-million new vaccinations per day for first time since June
The vaccination news comes as the nation continues to experience an increase in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Ninety percent of U.S. counties are now experiencing substantial or high transmission of the virus.
Biden calls for action to reduce prescription drug prices
President Joe Biden stepped up his battle over drug costs on Thursday, calling on Congress to pass legislation that would let Medicare negotiate directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers and penalize drugmakers that increase prices faster than inflation.
Airlines begin to see drop in travel demand as virus numbers rise
A surge in coronavirus caseloads across the nation is starting to dampen the enthusiasm of leisure travelers, with one major airline warning Wednesday that the more contagious delta variant could darken the outlook through fall.
Senate push for expansive electric-vehicle incentives in $3.5T budget could hit bumps
The Senate dust-up Tuesday reflects long-standing disagreements on Capitol Hill over the benefits of financial incentives to spur the transition to electric vehicles, which make up about 2% of U.S. sales.
For first time, average hourly pay for supermarket, restaurant workers tops $15
Wages have been rising rapidly as the economy reopens and businesses struggle to hire enough workers. Some of the biggest gains have gone to workers in some of the lowest-paying industries.
Biden considers withholding funds, other measures to spur vaccinations
If the Biden administration goes forward with the plans, it would amount to a dramatic escalation in the effort to vaccinate the roughly 90 million Americans who are eligible for shots but who have refused or have been unable to get them.
Spirit cancels most flights amid days-long disruption for strained air carriers
Experts say some carriers are facing difficulties in finding pilots, flight attendants and ground crew to service flights as they recover from historic declines in air travel, leaving them vulnerable when more routine problems occur.
Real estate, landlord groups file legal salvo to stop new eviction moratorium
Only one day after the Biden administration issued a new policy protecting renters from eviction, a series of real estate and landlord groups is trying to invalidate it.
NCAA probe finds ‘systemic’ gender disparities, recommends combined basketball Final Four
The review, commissioned by the NCAA in the wake of an uproar over inferior facilities at the women’s basketball championships, offers a detailed accounting of the ways systemic inequities can disadvantage women athletes and constrain the growth of women’s sports.
Tsunami of deferred debt is about to hit homeowners no longer protected by a foreclosure moratorium
Congress approved $10 billion in federal assistance to help homeowners pay off debt, but the program is moving so slowly that protections are expiring before states have figured out how to distribute the money.
NFL’s player vaccination rate is pushing 90%, but coronavirus issues remain
The league said Thursday that 87.9% of NFL players had received at least one vaccine dose, and that 19 of the 32 teams had more than 90% of their players vaccinated. But with teams’ training camps underway, coronavirus-related issues have persisted.
Semiconductor shortage hammering automakers, costing billions in lost production and sales
The shutdowns have affected plants in Michigan, Kentucky, Kansas, Mexico, Canada and Germany.