People remain resilient despite COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 World Happiness report says

An annual report on happiness around the world suggests the coronavirus pandemic has not crushed people’s optimism about the future after a year of loneliness, anxiety, lockdowns, illness and death.

CDC changes school guidance, allowing students to sit 3 feet apart

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed its social distancing guidelines for schools Friday, saying students can now sit 3 feet apart in classrooms.

West Michigan pizzeria owner arrested for defying epidemic orders, food laws

Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, who runs Marlena's Bistro and Pizzeria in Holland, "continued to willfully violate" the state's epidemic orders, according to a release from the attorney general's office.

California Legislature OK's paid sick leave for coronavirus, vaccine appointments and more

The California Legislature on Thursday voted to expand paid sick leave for about 10.4 million workers, sending a bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom that mandates up to two weeks of paid time off for things like having coronavirus symptoms, scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine or caring for a child who is doing school at home.

Scientist behind Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine says next target is cancer

The scientist who won the race to deliver the first widely used COVID-19 vaccine says the technology behind it will soon be used to fight cancer.

Birx says she still thinks about Trump’s comments on injecting disinfectant ‘every day’

Former White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx says she’s still wrestling with the memory of former President Donald Trump’s remarks on injecting disinfectant.

Scientist with son who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome hopes research can help COVID-19 patients

Ron Davis, a Stanford University professor recognized for his work in genetics and biochemistry, changed his field of study when his son fell seriously ill with a chronic fatigue syndrome that has been reported in COVID-19 patients.

President Biden’s 100M vaccinated goal to be reached Friday

President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that his ambitious goal to have 100 million Americans vaccinated in 100 days will be accomplished well ahead of schedule.

FEMA to reimburse families for COVID-19-related funeral expenses

Starting in April, FEMA said it will begin reimbursing funeral costs for many who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Here are the eligibility requirements.

Woman arrested after refusing to wear mask at Office Depot

The same woman who went viral for refusing to wear a mask at a Galveston Bank of America has just been arrested after refusing to wear a mask at an Office Depot in Texas City.

Vaccinating children against COVID-19 will be crucial to ending pandemic, experts say

America’s children make up about a quarter of the population and will need to also be immunized to reach the necessary level of “herd immunity” against the coronavirus, experts say.

Disneyland, Disney California Adventure to reopen on April 30

After a yearlong closure, Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure Park will reopen to the public on April 30 with limited capacity, park officials announced Wednesday. 

DeSantis proposes $1,000 bonuses for Florida's first responders

Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing to use some of Florida's stimulus money from the federal government to give $1,000 bonuses to first responders: “We know the pandemic put a lot of strain on our first responders — EMTs, sworn law enforcement, firefighters — so we believe we should recognize their sacrifice."

FAA extending zero-tolerance policy amid COVID-19 pandemic for unruly passengers

The FAA has slapped hefty fines on two separate passengers in recent weeks, and announced it will be extending its zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers for as long as the CDC and TSA’s mask mandate is in effect.

DeSantis offers blueprint for stimulus spending, including $1,000 bonus for first responders

DeSantis proposed the $4.1 billion in spending would go toward issues such as boosting state tourism marketing efforts and bringing in new recruits to the Florida National Guard.