Author: Associated Press

US jobless claims unchanged at 205,000

By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits was unchanged last week, remaining at a historically low level that reflects the job market's strong recovery from the coronavirus recession last year. Jobless claims remained…

US adds Merck pill as 2nd easy-to-use drug against COVID-19

By MATTHEW PERRONE WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators on Thursday authorized the second pill against COVID-19, providing another easy-to-use medication to battle the rising tide of omicron infections. The Food and Drug Administration authorization of Merck’s molnupiravir comes one…

Mississippi public universities nix staff vaccine mandates

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi public universities are withdrawing policies requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 after an injunction from a federal judge prohibiting the Biden administration from enforcing its vaccination mandate for federal contractors. Spokespersons for the University…

Sports betting underway at 8 Louisiana casinos; more planned

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Eight Louisiana casinos have started accepting bets on live-action sporting events, and seven more applications for sports wagering licenses from casinos are pending, according to the head of the state’s gambling regulatory board. The Advocate reports that…

Mississippi surpasses 10,000 coronavirus-related deaths

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The state of Mississippi has surpassed 10,000 coronavirus-related deaths, health officials reported Monday. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported that 10,024 people have died of COVID-19 or its complications in the state, which has a…