Navy discharges 1st active-duty sailors for vaccine refusal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy said Tuesday that it has discharged 23 active-duty sailors for refusing the coronavirus vaccine, marking the first time it has thrown currently serving sailors out of the military over the mandatory shots.
Pro-ivermectin Kansas doctor-lawmaker under investigation
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas doctor-lawmaker who has prescribed a parasitic worm treatment for COVID-19 symptoms acknowledged Wednesday that the state medical board has been investigating him since the summer of 2020.
Vaccine mandate to kick in for first wave of health workers
Health care workers in about half the states face a Thursday deadline to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine under a Biden administration mandate that will be rolled out across the rest of the country in the coming weeks.
Norwegian skiers, other Olympic hopefuls positive for virus
OSLO (AP) — Two members of Norway's women's cross-country ski team have tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of next month's Beijing Olympics, the team said Wednesday, as other countries also face tense waits to see whether their own infected athletes can recover in time.
Georgia lawmakers unveil bill to tackle mental health crisis
ATLANTA (AP) — Facing a surge in overdose deaths and rural suicides, Georgia lawmakers unveiled a bill Wednesday to bolster the state's dismal mental health care system.
Professor suspended over video sues Michigan university
DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan professor asked a judge Wednesday to immediately reinstate him, two weeks after he was suspended for making a sarcastic video for students that included profanity and criticism of Ferris State University's COVID-19 policies.
US bobsledder Williamson positive for virus, status unclear
U.S. Olympic bobsledder Josh Williamson has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not fly with his teammates to China on Thursday, though he remains hopeful of getting there in time for the Beijing Games.
EXPLAINER: 'Excited delirium' and George Floyd
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The issue of whether George Floyd was suffering from the disputed condition of “excited delirium” the day he was killed resurfaced Wednesday at the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with depriving him of his civil rights.
New Mexico Democrats seek sweeping voting access changes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A statewide holiday on Election Day to encourage voting. Automated restoration of voting rights for ex-convicts. More time to distribute and count absentee ballots.
Fed plans to raise rates as soon as March to cool inflation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it will “soon” be time to start raising interest rates, a key step in reversing pandemic-era policies that have fueled hiring and growth but also high inflation.
Medical marijuana bill headed to Mississippi GOP governor
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi lawmakers are sending Gov. Tate Reeves a bill that would create a medical marijuana program for people with serious medical conditions.
Democrats walk out of hearing with Florida's top doctor
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo moved closer to Senate confirmation Wednesday after a tense hearing where Democrats accused the state's top doctor of evading questions on his coronavirus policies and stormed out before casting their votes.
Senators say they were denied full access to federal prison
Two U.S. senators said Wednesday that they were denied access to major parts of a federal prison in Connecticut while trying to examine conditions there in response to correctional officers' complaints about a staffing shortage and lack of coronavirus precautions.
EXPLAINER: How COVID tests, isolation will work at Olympics
NEW YORK (AP) — Athletes and others headed to the Olympics face a multitude of COVID-19 testing hurdles as organizers seek to catch any infections early and keep the virus at bay.
Medicare posts key nursing home staffing info for consumers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shining a light on key markers for nursing home quality, Medicare said Wednesday it is now posting details on staff turnover and weekend nurse coverage on its “Care Compare” website, where families can research a facility.
Total abortion ban advances in South Carolina legislature
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A group of South Carolina lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a proposal to ban all abortions in the state should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn the nationwide right to the procedure.
