House Speaker Pelosi nominates Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger to join Jan. 6 committee

On Sunday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Ilinois to serve on the select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Pelosi noted Kinzinger’s experience as an Air Force veteran and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, and said he “brings great patriotism” to the committee …

California’s Dixie Fire continues to grow, destroying 16 structures; Oregon’s Bootleg Fire reaches 46% containment

Fire officials said Sunday that California’s Dixie Fire — the largest active blaze in California — has destroyed 16 structures throughout the state as multiple wildfires continue to burn on the West Coast.  According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, more than 10,700 structures in Butte and Plumas Counties remain threatened by …

U.S. sanctions Cuban officials over human rights abuses, protests

The U.S. Treasury Department announced Thursday that the United States imposed new sanctions on Cuban officials accused of “serious human rights abuse and corruption” amid ongoing protests calling for economic reform and COVID-19 relief. The sanctions target Cuba’s Interior Ministry and Alvaro Lopez Miera, head of Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. The financial …

CDC stands firm on mask guidance despite surge of Delta COVID-19 variant

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters on Thursday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is standing firm for now with its guidance  that only unvaccinated people need to wear masks to be safe, and vaccinated people are able to go without. Last May, the CDC said that vaccinated people could safely go without …

Senate Republicans block vote to advance bipartisan infrastructure bill

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked a procedural vote to advance a massive bipartisan infrastructure bill, saying it is premature to do so while negotiators are still ironing out its details. The infrastructure bill, ultimately expected to be worth $600 billion, has been a key priority of President Joe Biden. GOP senators blocked consideration of the …

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vetoes two GOP recommendations for Jan. 6 committee

On Wednesday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi vetoed two choices to serve on the committee set to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Reps. Jim Banks on Indiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio, chosen by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, were rejected by Pelosi to sit on the panel, which will …

Contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 making up 83% of new coronavirus cases

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director, said on Tuesday that the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19 now makes up 83% of sequenced samples in the United States. Walensky said in a Senate committee hearing: “This is a dramatic increase, up from 50% for the week of July 3.” Health …

Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin crew soar successfully into space, landing safely

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and three crewmates soared into space aboard a Blue Origin rocket from Texas, landing safely in the desert about 10 minutes later.  The New Shepard suborbital rocket lifted off about 9:12 a.m. EDT from the company’s Corn Ranch launch site 160 miles east of El Paso. Bezos’ brother, Mark Bezos, rode …

Canada announced plans to reopen border to fully-vaccinated American travelers

Canadian health officials announced on Monday that American citizens who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed entry into Canada for non-essential travel, beginning next month. The Public Health Agency of Canada said in an official update that beginning Aug. 9, Americans who have completed regimens of approved vaccines can enter the country for …

Ben & Jerry’s to stop sales of ice cream in occupied Palestinian territories

Ben & Jerry’s, which is owned by Unilever, will no longer sell ice cream in occupied Palestinian territories, saying it’s inconsistent with the values of the socially conscious brand. The ice cream company has been doing business in Israel since 1987. The Vermont-based company has aligned itself with liberal causes, including diverting some funds destined …