Ep. 97: News Roundup Week of 8/16/21

Heart & Home

Parts of the Northeast could begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Henri as soon as late Saturday, as the storm barrels toward the region of the United States. ———— Afghanistan and Haiti dominated the news this week with stunning images from both countries in chaos. ———— U.S. health experts are expected to recommend COVID-19 booster shots for all Americans eight months after they get their second dose of the vaccine, to ensure longer-lasting protection as the delta variant spreads across the country. ———- Full US Food and Drug Administration approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is expected early next week. ————- Both New York City and San Francisco became the first major cities in the nation to require proof of vaccination against the coronavirus for people to dine inside restaurants, work out in gyms or attend indoor concerts. ————- The skies might not be so smooth because the mask requirement for planes was extended this week from September into January. ——— New Zealand placed its largest city, Auckland, into lockdown for seven days following the first case of Covid-19 in the community since February. ———- Nationally, there are 104 large fires burning, mostly in the West, where drought conditions and red flag warnings continue to fuel the raging wildfires, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. ———- Moving vans were at the governor's mansion in Albany on Friday and workers were seen carrying out boxes and artwork as Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepared for his last day in office. The Democrat is scheduled to have a last full day as governor Monday, giving way to Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul at the stroke of midnight. ——- The Biden Administration approved the largest single increase in the history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and permanent increase in the levels of food aid available to needy families as well as will automatically erase student loan debt for more than 300,000 Americans with severe disabilities that leave them unable to earn significant incomes. ——— Finally, Jeopardy’s host Mike Richards announced Friday he is stepping aside immediately amid recent scrutiny over past comments surfaced this week about women, Jews, poor people and Haiti seven years ago while he was co-executive producer of “The Price Is Right” and hosting a podcast called “The Randumb Show.” Richards was chosen last week as the successor to Alex Trebek.