Stocks tumble as investors weighed potential effects from omicron variant The stock market took a dive on Tuesday, as investors fretted about the new coronavirus variant and the prospect of more long-lasting inflation. Scott Horsley
News brief: omicron variant, abortion court case, high school shooting There is still not much known about the newest coronavirus variant. The Supreme Court considers the future of abortion in the U.S. In Michigan, people are mourning after the latest school shooting. A Martinez
Pfizer wants the FDA to let 16- and 17- year-olds get a COVID-19 booster shot Pfizer's CEO says the vaccine maker has asked federal regulators to authorize boosters for 16- and 17-year-olds. Currently, only people 18 and over are eligible for a booster in the U.S. Will Stone
Omicron's arrival in Washington state is imminent. Experts say they're prepared With the emergence of the new Covid-19 variant, omicron, doctors in Washington state are on the lookout for cases that may appear here. The variant has caused concern around the globe, but has not yet been detected in the U.S. Kate Walters
As U.S. races to detect and track omicron, patchwork surveillance makes that tough What's the U.S. doing to watch out for the omicron variant? Here's the work underway and the challenges that experts say may slow down the country's efforts. Carmel Wroth
An FDA panel supports Merck COVID drug in mixed vote If the Food and Drug Administration authorizes use of the drug, called molnupiravir, it would be the first oral COVID-19 treatment that could be taken at home. Scott Hensley
Despite omicron, Ron DeSantis remains firmly against lockdowns and vaccine mandates Florida's governor is reacting to the omicron variant much differently than New York's. Messaging around how to respond has varied widely by state, depending on politics and recent COVID burdens. Greg Allen
What we know about the omicron variant The omicron variant of the not been found in the United States yet. Here's what's we known about it, how dangerous it's likely to be, and whether vaccines or new drugs will be effective against it. Michaeleen Doucleff
The omicron variant was in Europe a week before South Africa reported it The rapidly spreading variant was identified in retests of samples that were taken on Nov. 19 and 23 in the Netherlands, according to a Dutch health agency. Bill Chappell
African leaders condemn travel restrictions as omicron variant spreads globally African nations are bristling at the restrictions imposed on them by rich countries — and say they are harmful to local economies and discriminate against countries in the region. Joe Hernandez