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Pentagon mulls special pay boost to fix health care personnel shortage
Officials blamed the shortage on an inability to set competitive pay and other instances of bureaucratic red tape slowing the onboarding of workers.
Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US government workers
The ruling upholds a preliminary injunction issued by a federal judge in January 2022. At that point, nearly 98% of covered employees had been vaccinated.
Veterans Affairs drops mask requirement for all agency medical offices
Masks will still be mandated for some high-risk areas or facilities with rising virus numbers.
Troops who refused COVID vaccines still could face punishment
Individuals could face discipline or dismissal for failing to follow orders.
Advanced analytics key to fighting unemployment insurance fraud
The Labor Dept. inspector general estimates that fraudsters may have stolen $45.6 billion from the unemployment insurance program during the pandemic.
By Carl Hammersburg
Austin ends the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate
The Defense Department will no longer require currently serving troops to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
VA to get new authority over education benefits for future emergencies
The move comes in response to problems that surfaced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in America.
‘Bomb cyclone’ won’t slow Santa’s travels, NORAD says
“I think Santa will be right at home with the Arctic weather that’s hitting into the lower 48."
By Terry Chea
Military COVID-19 vaccine mandate repealed in defense bill compromise
The $858 billion measure also includes a 4.6% pay raise for troops next year and plans to backfill munition stockpiles depleted by the war in Ukraine.
VA, HHS urge veterans to get COVID shots before holiday season
More than 23,000 veterans have died from complications related to COVID-19 infections.
Keep COVID-19 military vaccine mandate, defense secretary says
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making clear he wants to keep the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place to protect the health of the troops.
By Tara Copp, AP