Yurts, Igloos And Pop-Up Domes: How Safe Is 'Outside' Restaurant Dining This Winter?

A quick pivot to outdoor dining helped many restaurants survive pandemic restrictions. Now some have added temporary shelters to accommodate winter weather. The safest don't have walls, experts say.
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Samuel Little, The Nation's Most Prolific Serial Killer, Dies At 80

In 2018, he confessed to the murder of 93 women over the course of 35 years. At the time of his death, police were still trying to connect him to dozens of murders.
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Trump Appointee Seeks Lasting Control Over Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia

The CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media is seeking to retain control over Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for at least two years — even though President-elect Biden has signaled he'll be replaced.
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Joe Biden and Kamala Harris heading to Georgia ahead of Senate runoffs

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will campaign in Georgia this weekend ahead of the two Georgia runoffs that will decide which party controls the Senate, the transition team announced Wednesday. Harris will head out to the Peach State Sunday, stumping for the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in Savannah. Biden will...
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Swiss nursing home resident reportedly dies after getting COVID-19 vaccine

A nursing home resident in Switzerland who was among the first in the country to be vaccinated against COVID-19 later died – but officials did not indicate whether the death was related to the jab, according to reports. “We are aware of the case,” an official in the canton of Lucerne told Reuters, adding that...
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Leader of BLM-inspired group calls for creation of ‘race offenders’ registry

A UK activist who calls herself the “Black Panther of Oxford” wants to create a “race offenders” registry that would bar alleged racists from getting work or living near communities of color. Sasha Johnson, 26, divulged the agenda for the Taking the Initiative Party, a political group in the UK that’s inspired by Black Lives...
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'That Terrifies Me': Trump Rule Allows Natural Gas Transport By Rail In Dense Areas

Fifteen states are challenging the decision, arguing that the risk of explosion puts lives in danger. For one project, highly flammable gas will travel 200 miles through a busy East Coast corridor.
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The Spectacular Rise Of SPACs: The Backwards IPO That's Taking Over Wall Street

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, or SPACs, are exploding in popularity. They allow companies to go public without all the hoops of an initial public offering.
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In Atlanta, A Wave Of Coronavirus Deaths And The Questions Left In Its Wake

At least 17 residents at an assisted living home in Atlanta died of COVID-19 this spring. It is the company's only home in Georgia in a black neighborhood and the only one to suffer a severe outbreak.
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Tony Rice, A Giant Of The Acoustic Guitar, Dead At 69

Tony Rice first gained attention as a member of J.D. Crowe's boundary-pushing New South. Rice took it even further in the David Grisman Quintet. But the road took a toll on Rice.
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Why The World Is Seeing Some Of Its Most Extreme Pandemic Lockdowns

Even as the European Union began vaccine rollouts on Sunday, nations around the globe are instituting severe lockdowns and travel restrictions. Fear of the U.K. variant is a key reason.
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Hall Of Famer Phil Niekro, Known For His Knuckleball, Dies At 81

"Knucksie," as he was known, pitched the most games of any Braves pitcher. He retired at 48 years old in 1987.
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Brazil's President Downplays Pandemic Despite Rising Cases In His Hometown

A second wave of COVID-19 is rippling across Brazil. The latest hot spot is Rio de Janeiro, hometown of President Jair Bolsonaro. Even so, he is continuing to subvert efforts to control the pandemic.
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Politics Chat: Two Unemployment Benefits Expired, With More To Follow

With another COVID-19 relief bill awaiting his signature or veto, what's President Trump's end game? A new Congress begins Jan. 3, a new president in 24 days, and millions of Americans are struggling.
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Model Train Company Makes Comeback In Quarantine

The model train company Hornby has seen a big increase of sales because families are spending more time at home. Prior to the pandemic, it was described as a "company in chaos".
http://dlvr.it/RpQst2

Great Britain And The European Union Finalize Brexit Trade Deal

The details of the long-awaited Brexit deal between Great Britain and the European Union are coming into focus.
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The Latest From Nashville After Explosion

The latest on the Christmas Day explosion in downtown Nashville.
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What Does The New COVID-19 Variant In The U.K. Mean For Americans?

A look at the week's COVID-19 and vaccine news, including new information from the variant out of the United Kingdom.
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US to require negative COVID-19 test from UK travelers

The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late Thursday. The U.S. is the latest country to announce new travel restrictions because of a new variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in Britain. Airline passengers from...
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Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may cause side effects for those with cosmetic facial fillers: FDA

People with cosmetic facial fillers could experience swelling and inflammation with one of the coronavirus vaccines, the FDA advisory committee noted. According to the committee, several trial participants with fillers have already experienced side effects. A California-based dermatologist said the reaction was immunological, ABC7 reported on Thursday. “Your immune system which causes inflammation is revved up when you get a vaccine, that’s...
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New Hampshire mom, son found dead amid abuse accusations

A New Hampshire mother and her 2-year-old son were found dead in their home last week after the mom was accused of verbally and physically abusing the tot. Officers found 25-year-old Mercedes Tremblay and her son, Mason, dead in their Manchester apartment on Dec. 14, police said in a statement. The medical examiner’s office said...
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The Federal Election Commission Can Finally Meet Again. And It Has A Big Backlog

The FEC has not been able to operate since July, and there's a lot to do. Complaints against the Trump campaign and Mike Bloomberg are among the cases awaiting action.
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New Jersey EMTs In Early Epicenter Of Coronavirus Outbreak Brace For Surge

The state's hospitalizations have reached levels not seen since mid-May, but the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps crew say they're only getting a handful of COVID-19-related calls.
http://dlvr.it/RpHNpd

The Tragedy Of 'St Joe's'

Back in March, a coronavirus outbreak at St. Joseph's Senior Home in Woodbridge, New Jersey, led state officials to evacuate all 78 of its residents. Within weeks, nearly half of them were dead.
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Wheels Come Off For Bus Companies, Closing Down Travel Options For Poorer Americans

Demand for bus travel has dropped sharply during the pandemic, jeopardizing an industry that ordinarily serves many lower-income travelers.
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U.K.-France Border Reopens Amid Spread Of New Coronavirus Strain

The two countries reached a deal Tuesday after France initially closed its borders to U.K. travelers on Sunday following news of an outbreak of a new strain of the coronavirus in southeast England.
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Ohio Officer Removed From Duty After Fatal Shooting Of Black Man

The shooting of the as-yet unidentified man in Columbus is the second this month where officers' body cameras weren't switched on.
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Navalny Reportedly Dupes Agent Into Revealing Details Of Poisoning

The Russian opposition leader posed as a national security agent during a 45-minute phone call to extract information from a spy who was reportedly involved in Navalny's August poisoning.
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More Than 70 West Point Cadets Accused Of Cheating In Academic Scandal

Instructors at the Army's premier training ground for officers revealed the academic scandal on Monday, saying it's the worst they've seen since 1976. Some called it a national security issue.
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Congress Passes $900 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill, Ending Months-Long Stalemate

The legislation extending aid to unemployed, providing money for vaccine distribution and a round of $600 stimulus checks was attached to an annual government funding bill that tacked on other items.
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Biden To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Monday

The president-elect will join a group of political leaders who are sharing photos and videos of themselves receiving a shot in order to boost the public's confidence in the vaccines.
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U.S. Embassy In Baghdad Hit In Rocket Attack

The attack killed one Iraqi civilian and caused damage to the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad as well as surrounding residential areas. No embassy personnel were hurt.
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Congress Poised To Simplify FAFSA, And Help People In Prison Go To College

In a bipartisan effort, Congress is close to a deal to simplify the federal financial aid form, or FAFSA, a major policy goal of retiring Republican senator Lamar Alexander.
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Tennessee Faces COVID-19 Vaccine Delay While Leading In New Case Numbers

A snafu with Operation Warp Speed leaves at least 14 states short of the vaccine doses they were promised. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with WPLN's Blake Farmer about what that means in Tennessee.
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Rift Between Georgia Republicans Grows As Runoff Elections Approach

President Trump's pressure campaign against officials in Georgia has caused a major rift within the Republican party. It could have major implications if the Senate runoffs don't go the GOP's way.
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Jupiter And Saturn To Unite In Night Sky

On Monday, Jupiter and Saturn will look as if they are merging in the night sky. This hasn't happened in nearly 400 years.
http://dlvr.it/Rp1XLb

'Our Houses Are Not Safe': Residents Fear Taliban In Afghanistan's Capital

The Taliban have waged attacks across the country, prompting a call to reduce the violence from Gen. Mark Milley. In Kabul, the public worries about the Taliban's return.
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COVID-19 Relief Deal Stalled As Trump Signs 2-Day Stopgap Bill To Avoid Shutdown

As congressional leaders negotiate, other lawmakers are demanding more details. Plus, Democrats are objecting to a push by some Senate Republicans to limit emergency lending rules.
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Massive Snowstorm Hits Japan, Trapping More Than 1,000 Cars On A Highway

"As time went by, the cars got buried," said a driver. "I was really scared." Japan's Self-Defense Forces distributed food, blankets and fuel to the stranded and worked with shovels to free vehicles.
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If COVID-19 Vaccines Bring An End To The Pandemic, America Has Immigrants To Thank

Scientists and investors born outside the U.S. played crucial roles in the development of COVID-19 vaccines — a remarkable vindication for the argument that innovation depends on immigration.
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I Felt Fine, But Tested Positive For The Coronavirus. What's That Really Mean?

Science writer Robin Marantz Henig has written about dangerous emerging pathogens for 30 years. But none of what she learned could shed light on her own confusing encounter with this virus.
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A Rural School Under Pressure To Stay Open: 'People Are Just Rough And Tough'

Despite alarming rises in COVID-19 cases and deaths in rural America, some schools are under pressure to stay open for in-person learning while resisting requiring masks and other measures.
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Florida man bitten by shark walks home before being hospitalized

A Florida man who was bleeding profusely from a shark bite managed to walk home on Tuesday before being hospitalized. The 39-year-old man was attacked by a shark in the waters off Siesta Key, Fox 13 reported, citing Sarasota County Fire Rescue and hospital staff. After returning home, a woman called 911 to report the...
http://dlvr.it/Rnr1pW

Wisconsin motorist pulled over for driving car covered in Christmas lights

A Wisconsin driver was pulled over for driving a car decked out in colorful Christmas lights, police said Tuesday. A state trooper credited the driver for his creativity, but warned him it is against state law to drive with the festive lights display. Wisconsin State Patrol posted a photo of the sports vehicle covered in...
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Two killed in Pennsylvania highway crash amid snowstorm

A crash involving dozens of cars on a Pennsylvania highway killed two people Wednesday amid a snowstorm, authorities said. The crash occurred on the westbound lanes on Interstate 80 in Clinton County, closing the road for several hours, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Initial reports said at least 30 to 60 cars were involved in...
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Ex-Houston Police Officer Charged In Attack Over Bogus Election Fraud Plot

Former police captain Mark Anthony Aguirre was paid $266,400 by the right-wing Liberty Center for God and Country to investigate an alleged ballot fraud scheme in Harris County, Texas.
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From Congress To Local Health Boards, Public Officials Suffer Threats And Harassment

COVID-19, polarization, and election misinformation — including from the president — are three factors in politicians suffering harassment and even threats from voters in recent weeks.
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In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

Stations have been playing Christmas music earlier than ever this year, as a way of luring in listeners during the pandemic. One Indiana station was doing it in July.
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FDA finds Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to be safe, 94% effective

The feds are reportedly slated to release detailed data about Moderna's coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday ahead of a key vote to clear a second shot for emergency use.
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Mink in Utah is first wild animal to test positive for COVID-19

COVID-19 is running wild in America. A mink in Utah has tested positive for the contagion — the first-ever known case in a wild animal, according to officials. While the small mammals are known to get infected — with Denmark infamously announcing plans to slaughter 17 million of them — they have until now only...
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