VP Harris in South Carolina to push COVID vaccination drive
By MICHELLE LIUJune 14, 2021 GMT
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris visited South Carolina on Monday to kick off a nationwide push to vaccinate millions more Americans against the coronavirus as July 4 holiday celebrations loom.
Harris spoke at the Phillis Wheatley Community Center at a vaccine mobilization event, reminding an audience of more than 150 that the coronavirus vaccines available are safe, free and effective in an effort to debunk misinformation and dislodge vaccine skepticism experts say have slowed down the administration of the shots across the country.
“They are safe, and they are free,” Harris said of the vaccines. “They are inspected, and it is that simple.”
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Home schooling nearly doubled in New Mexico last year as thousands of parents opted out of virtual learning programs offered in public schools. The unprecedented defection from the public school system is putting a strain on school budgets, which are rooted in student enrollment.
In tech school boost, gov wants South Carolina back to work
By MEG KINNARDJune 8, 2021 GMT
FILE - In this April 30, 2021 file photo, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster speaks during the Richland County GOP convention in Columbia, S.C. Continuing efforts to boost South Carolina s economy following pandemic-related hardships, McMaster on Tuesday, June 8 announced a cash infusion for the state s technical colleges, aimed at training out-of-work residents for new skills as they reenter the workforce. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
FILE - In this April 30, 2021 file photo, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster speaks during the Richland County GOP convention in Columbia, S.C. Continuing efforts to boost South Carolina s economy following pandemic-related hardships, McMaster on Tuesday, June 8 announced a cash infusion for the state s technical colleges, aimed at training out-of-work residents for new skills as they reenter the workforce. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
RENO, Nev. (AP) Nevada has become the latest flashpoint in a national debate over how to teach students about racism and its role in U.S. history, with parents clashing over curriculum proposals.
Parson sets tight deadline for Missouri Medicaid funding fix
By SUMMER BALLENTINEJune 22, 2021 GMT
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Monday set a tight deadline for lawmakers to work out a deal on a critical piece of Medicaid funding.
ADVERTISEMENT
If lawmakers can’t find a solution by noon Tuesday, Parson said he’ll cut $722 million from the state budget July 1. That includes close to $182 million in state funding and would hit programs ranging from K-12 school busing to nursing home care.
“The implications of this are huge,” Parson said.
At issue is a tax on hospitals and other medical providers that’s used to drawn down federal Medicaid funding. Parson said without the tax, the state face a nearly $1.4 billion funding gap over the next two years.