All of Puerto Rico is without electricity as Hurricane Fiona pummels the island
Updated September 18, 2022 at 7:23 PM ET Hurricane Fiona made landfall in southwestern Puerto Rico on Sunday afternoon, as the entire island continues to reel from the knockout of its electricity grid. Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said the damage on the island is “catastrophic in many areas,” calling it a “very delicate and […]
Yeshiva University cancels all clubs after it was ordered to allow an LGBTQ group
Yeshiva University says it’s pausing all student clubs on campus just days after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block a lower court ruling that ordered the school to recognize an LGBTQ group. In an unsigned email to students, the New York City school said that, considering upcoming Jewish holidays, “the university will hold off […]
Why your electricity bill is so high — and why your heating bill might be next
If air-conditioning your home felt expensive this summer, get ready, because turning up the heat may cost even more this winter. The rising utility bills are being driven by the surge in the price of natural gas, which generates about 40% of the United States’ electricity. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects this surge to […]
Biden says tentative railway labor deal has been reached, averting a strike
A strike that could have halted both freight and passenger trains across the country seems to have been averted. After a marathon negotiating session lasting 20 hours, the White House announced early Thursday that a tentative agreement had been reached between rail companies and the unions representing conductors and engineers. “This agreement is validation – […]
Omicron boosters: Do I need one, and if so, when?
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending updated COVID boosters, for people ages 12 and older. These newly authorized shots are reformulated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines and they’re available at pharmacies, clinics and doctors’ offices around the country. Listen to this story here. The boosters target both […]
Liz Truss is the U.K.’s next prime minister
LONDON — Liz Truss will be the U.K.’s new prime minister, after the Conservative Party named her as its next leader on Monday, replacing the outgoing Boris Johnson. Truss, who currently serves as the foreign minister, has spent the summer campaigning against her opponent for the party leadership, the U.K.’s former finance minister, Rishi Sunak. […]
Biden has a $369 billion climate plan — and new advisers to get the program running
President Biden is switching up his climate team at the White House. On Friday, Biden announced his national climate adviser, Gina McCarthy, will step down. Her deputy, Ali Zaidi, will move into her role. And John Podesta, a chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton and a climate adviser to former President Barack Obama, […]
Biden is giving a prime-time speech on threats to democracy as midterm races heat up
President Biden is giving a rare prime-time speech on Thursday on what he calls the “battle for the soul of the nation” — including threats posed by a faction of the Republican party tied to former President Donald Trump. It’s a message that comes just two months ahead of the midterm congressional elections, where Democrats […]
Former Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev has died at age 91.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who played a central role in ending the Cold War, died Tuesday at the age of 91. Russian media reported his death, citing the hospital that was treating him as saying he died of a “serious and protracted disease,” without providing more information. Gorbachev’s trademark policies of glasnost and perestroika helped open […]
When Artemis 1 finally lifts off, manikins and Snoopy will make up the crew
UPDATE: Monday’s scheduled launch of the Artemis 1 test flight to the moon was scrubbed, after engineers were unable to resolve an engine problem. One of the four Space Launch System (SLS) core-stage engines failed to reach the proper temperature for launch, prompting the Artemis I mission’s launch director to scrub the planned Monday morning […]
3 things you need to know about Biden’s student loan announcement
WASHINGTON — President Biden’s announcement of a sweeping effort to forgive federal student loan debt – up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients, and up to $10,000 for others who qualify – leaves millions of borrowers with unanswered questions, and some of the details won’t be clear for weeks or months. Here are three big […]
Colleges ease COVID-19 restrictions as fall semester begins for millions of students
WORCESTER, Mass. — Millions of students are heading back to college for their third full academic year since the COVID pandemic hit. But as students move into their dorms and sign up for classes this year, things are different. On many campuses, the masking restrictions are gone. Classes are being held in-person, testing requirements are […]
Kraft Heinz recalls contaminated Wild Cherry flavored Capri Sun pouches
NORTHFIELD — Kraft Heinz announced the voluntary recall of 5,760 cases of Capri Sun Wild Cherry Flavored Juice Drink Blend pouches on Monday. Only those flavored Capri Sun products with June 25, 2023 “Best When Used By” date are being recalled, the company said. The company says diluted cleaning solution, used to clean food processing […]