States, cities that expected to go bankrupt from pandemic now seeing cash surplus
Nattakorn Maneerat/iStock (WASHINGTON) — When the pandemic hit Alexandria, Virginia, the economic outlook was bleak. In April 2020, the city projected a budget shortfall of up to $100 million as businesses shut down and workers lost their
Northeast Florida hospitals returning to COVID-19 peak amid delta surge
beerkoff/iStock (JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Hospital officials in Northeast Florida are urging people to get vaccinated as the number of COVID-19 patients is approaching or exceeding levels they saw during the worst of the pandemic amid “rampant” spread
14-year-old girl drowns at Ohio water park
kali9/iStock (MIDDLETOWN, Ohio) — A 14-year-old girl died Tuesday evening after she was pulled from the water at an Ohio theme park, officials said. Police were called to the Land of Illusion Aqua Adventure Park in Middletown
US Olympic volleyball player tests positive for COVID-19 just days before Tokyo Olympics
Narvikk/iStock (TOKYO) — An American volleyball player tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival to Japan and is reportedly no longer participating in the Tokyo Olympics. “In alignment with local rules and protocols, the athlete has been transferred
Prince George smiles in photo taken by Duchess Kate to mark his 8th birthday
_ultraforma_/iStock (LONDON) — Prince George is turning 8, and stealing the show in a new photo released to mark his birthday. George, who was born on July 22, 2013, was photographed earlier this month in Norfolk, England,
Mask mandate imposed on county employees in Las Vegas – but not tourists or casinos
PinkOmelet/iStock (LAS VEGAS) — Alarmed by the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Las Vegas, elected officials approved a new indoor public space mask mandate for all county employees, but it excludes tourists and has no bearing
Plans released for new Highway 101 Elwha Bridge

PORT ANGELES — State transportation officials have released a plan to replace the Highway 101 bridge over the Elwha River. WSDOT’s environmental assessment for the project is now open for public comment. Spokesperson Tina Werner says
Alabama council member who used racist slur faces calls to resign
City of Tarrant, Alabama (TARRANT, Al.) — An Alabama city council member is facing calls to resign after he used a racist slur while pointing toward a Black colleague during a meeting Monday night. John “Tommy” Bryant
Heat from fires out West so severe it's causing thunderstorms without rain
Toa55/iStock (LOS ANGELES) — The heat emanating from the dozens of wildfires ravaging the West is creating thunderstorms without rain in regions desperate for moisture. The pyrocumulus clouds, or fire-driven thunderstorm clouds, are created as large pockets
Top general responds to reports he feared Trump would use military after losing election
Alex Wong/Getty Images (WASHINGTON) — America’s top general on Wednesday spoke publicly for the first time about whether he feared then-President Donald Trump would try to involve the military in the aftermath of the 2020 election, as