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National

Thursday

Florida Becomes 3rd U.S. State To Identify New Coronavirus Variant

The Florida Department of Health said officials are working alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to figure out how a 20-something-year-old man contracted the new, more contagious coronavirus strain that was first discovered in the U.K. Lynne Sladky/AP hide caption

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Lynne Sladky/AP

Coronavirus Updates

Florida Becomes 3rd U.S. State To Identify New Coronavirus Variant

"The individual is a male in his 20s with no history of travel. The Department is working with the CDC on this investigation," Florida Department of Health officials announced Thursday.

Pharmacist Arrested, Accused Of Destroying More Than 500 Moderna Vaccine Doses

Grafton, Wis., police officials said the now-fired pharmacist admitted he removed the vials of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from refrigeration to render them useless. Elise Amendola/AP hide caption

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Elise Amendola/AP

The Coronavirus Crisis

Pharmacist Arrested, Accused Of Destroying More Than 500 Moderna Vaccine Doses

The now-fired hospital employee later said he knew "that people who received the vaccinations would think they had been vaccinated against the virus when in fact they were not," investigators said.

Amid Health Care Worker Shortage, LA Mayor Presses For Faster Vaccine Rollout

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti visits a coronavirus vaccination site at the city's Lincoln Park on Wednesday. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

Amid Health Care Worker Shortage, LA Mayor Presses For Faster Vaccine Rollout

As the city's hospitals reach a breaking point, Mayor Eric Garcetti says Los Angeles needs more vaccine doses as soon as possible: "We can go as fast as you give us those vaccines."

Amid Health Care Worker Shortage, LA Mayor Presses For Faster Vaccine Rollout

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Group Behind Alleged Russia Hack Broke Into Microsoft's Internal Systems

Microsoft for the first time on Thursday revealed that the hackers behind the SolarWinds attack had compromised its internal systems and accessed company source code. Ng Han Guan/AP hide caption

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Ng Han Guan/AP

Technology

Group Behind Alleged Russia Hack Broke Into Microsoft's Internal Systems

Microsoft previously said it was among thousands of companies that discovered malware on its systems. But now it is revealing the attack allowed hackers to access its closely guarded source code.

Group Behind Alleged Russia Hack Broke Into Microsoft's Internal Systems

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Religion

The Rev. Howard-John Wesley On Taking A Break From The Pulpit After 30 Years

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with the Rev. Howard-John Wesley of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., about his sabbatical, which coincided with the beginning of the pandemic.

The Rev. Howard-John Wesley On Taking A Break From The Pulpit After 30 Years

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Books

Poet Tess Taylor Invites People To Embrace Darkness Of This Time Of Year

As 2020 draws to an end, poet Tess Taylor shares some poems that invite listeners into the dark of our times and the darkness of this time of year.

Poet Tess Taylor Invites People To Embrace Darkness Of This Time Of Year

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With Exception Of Federal Government, Death Penalties Reach Historic Low In U.S.

Executions and new death sentences in the U.S. reached historic lows, with only 17 people executed this year. The pandemic and longer-term trends are moving away from capital punishment, experts say.

With Exception Of Federal Government, Death Penalties Reach Historic Low In U.S.

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Health

Coronavirus Pandemic Put A Halt On Plans To Tackle America's Opioid Crisis

The pandemic interrupted what was expected to be a year of reckoning for drug companies tangled up in the opioid crisis. Many communities are left waiting as lawsuits remain on hold.

Coronavirus Pandemic Put A Halt On Plans To Tackle America's Opioid Crisis

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Business

This Year's Car Sales Exceeded Expectation Despite The Pandemic

Forecasts for new-car sales show that automakers are finishing this year strong. Retail sales have done far better than anticipated, and average car prices have climbed to record highs.

This Year's Car Sales Exceeded Expectation Despite The Pandemic

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Latest Pandemic Relief Package Includes Help For Cultural Venues

The $900 billion coronavirus relief bill sets aside $15 billion for arts funding. It's a lifeline for music venues, museums and theaters that were hit hard by the pandemic.

Latest Pandemic Relief Package Includes Help For Cultural Venues

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Economy

The Fate Of Local Budgets Without Enough Money In The Relief Bill

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Tracy Gordon, a senior fellow with the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, about how the pandemic continues to affect local government funding.

The Fate Of Local Budgets Without Enough Money In The Relief Bill

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Minneapolis Police Officers Shoots And Kills A Man During Traffic Stop

MPR News

A Minneapolis police officer fatally shot a man in an exchange of gunfire during a traffic stop on Wednesday. Residents are awaiting footage of the incident from a police body camera.

Minneapolis Police Officers Shoots And Kills A Man During Traffic Stop

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Spurs' Becky Hammon Becomes First Woman To Act As Head Coach Of An NBA Team

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon made NBA history Wednesday, becoming the first woman to lead a team in the regular season. She's seen here talking to her players as they faced the Los Angeles Lakers at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images hide caption

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Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

Sports

Spurs' Becky Hammon Becomes First Woman To Act As Head Coach Of An NBA Team

"Obviously, it's a big deal. It's a substantial moment," Hammon said after the game. But she added it would have been nice to win.