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Thursday, October 21, 2021

Wake-Up Call: Child Vaccines Coming In November


The White House plans to make COVID-19 vaccines available for free to children ages 5 to 11 in early November, NBC reports. About 28 million shots will be made available to pharmacies, schools and doctor's offices nationwide. Approval of the vaccine's use in children is expected from the FDA imminently.

➤TWO MORE VACCINES APPROVED FOR BOOSTER SHOTS: The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of booster shots for recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The approval was made earlier for recipients of the Pfizer vaccine. In addition, the FDA authorized providers to give people a booster shot of a different vaccine, the so-called "mix and match" strategy. The booster shots are recommended six months after the first shots for adults who have underlying medical conditions or are at least 65 years old.

➤REPUBLICANS BLOCK VOTING RIGHTS BILL: For the third time this year, Republicans in the Senate have blocked action on a voting rights bill. Opponents used the controversial filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes rather than a simple majority to move a bill forward. In this case, 49 votes against taking up the bill were enough to defeat 51 votes in its favor. The bill would establish federal standards for early and mail-in voting and make Election Day a holiday.

 
➤GUILTY PLEA IN PARKLAND SHOOTING: The man who killed 17 people and injured 17 more has pleaded guilty to all counts, more than three years after the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Nikolas Cruz faces life in prison or the death penalty. He was 19 at the time of the shootings.



➤REMAINS MAY BE FUGITIVE LAUNDRIE: Human remains have been found in a nature reserve in North Port, Florida, along with at least two personal items that belonged to fugitive murder suspect Brian Laundrie. The FBI said it is examining the finds, which were discovered in an area that had been under water until recently. Laundrie disappeared more than a month ago after the body of his girlfriend, Gabby Petito, was found in a national forest in Wyoming.

➤HUMAN GETS PIG KIDNEY: For the first time, a pig's kidney has been transplanted into a human, and it appears to be working. Considerable testing and regulatory hurdles remain before the procedure would be generally available. But a steady supply of organs from genetically altered pigs could be a lifesaver for about 100,000 Americans currently waiting for a transplant of a heart, lung or liver. USAToday first reported the breakthrough at New York University's Langone Health.

➤MCDONALD’S WORKERS REVEAL ‘LEAST ORDERED’ MENU ITEM:  Ever wonder what people don’t order from McDonald’s? Stephen Patula, a McDonald’s area supervisor from Waterford, Ohio, posted a video to TikTok saying customers almost never order hot tea. In his 15-second clip he says, “Over the years, a ton of people have asked me what is the least ordered item at any McDonald’s. We bought these stores in July and I have yet to serve one hot tea. I actually didn’t know that we sold hot tea until about a month ago. Ironically though, our most sold item is iced tea.” The video quickly went viral, and one TikTok user commented, “We sold a hot tea the other day. No one knew how to make it. We had to get the [general manager] to help us.” A number of hot tea fans argued that the drink is or could be a top order in the UK.

➤VIKINGS WERE HERE: Vikings from Greenland settled in the Americas nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus' voyage, new evidence shows. We have long known that Vikings built a settlement in Newfoundland, off the coast of Canada. But new technology dates the constructions of their village earlier than had been believed, to the year 1021. The site is a historic landmark.

➤CHECK FOR TAINTED ONIONS: Fresh whole onions have been linked to a growing salmonella outbreak in at least 37 states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the onions may be marked as imported from Chihuahua, Mexico, and distributed by ProSource Inc., or may not be marked at all. Unless they carry some other mark, the agency suggests you throw them out. The onions were sold to grocery stores and restaurants across the country.

⚾ASTROS ROLL RED SOX: The Houston Astros steamrolled the Boston Red Sox 9-1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Framber Valdez is getting a lot of the credit. That means the team heads back to Houston with a 3-2 series lead and a real chance at a third World Series in five years.

⚾BRAVES DEFEAT DODGERS: The Atlanta Braves defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-2 in Game 4. Atlanta pitcher Huascar Ynoa was out of the game due to a shoulder problem. Jesse Chavez stepped in.


🏈MAYFIELD MISSING FOR BROWNS DEBUT: Baker Mayfield won't be playing for the Cleveland Browns at tonight's game against the Denver Broncos. He has been told to rest his injured shoulder. Mayfield does not like to miss a game. In fact, the injury has interrupted his streak of 53 consecutive starts with the Browns. Backup quarterback Case Keenum will replace him tonight.


🏈DESHAUN WATSON MAY BE A DOLPHIN: The Houston Texans and the Miami Dolphins are reportedly working on an agreement that would send three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson to Miami. According to the Houston Chronicle, the two teams are hoping to complete a trade deal this week. General manager Nick Caserio is said to be holding out for three first-round picks and two second-round picks for Watson.

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