Orlando police officer, WWII veteran develop lasting friendship

Orlando Police said that Cpl. Bartimac met World War II veteran Gene when she responded to a call in 2017 involving the passing of his wife.

NY offering unvaccinated chance to win $5 million in exchange for COVID shot

In an effort to encourage more New Yorkers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, the state is offering scratch-off lottery tickets and a chance to win $5 million.

CDC: More than 600K 12 to 15-year-olds have received COVID-19 vaccine

On May 12, an advisory panel for the CDC voted to endorse the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for older children ages 12 to 15, one of the final steps toward making the shots widely available for the age group.

US achieves another pandemic low with 444,000 new unemployment claims

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 444,000, a new pandemic low and a sign that the job market keeps strengthening as consumers spend freely again, viral infections drop and business restrictions ease.

Prince William gets his 1st COVID-19 vaccine shot

The Duke of Cambridge, second in line to the British throne, received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The National Health Service expanded its inoculation program to younger people.

Store mask policies: Best Buy, Lowe's, Walgreens, ALDI say masks optional for vaccinated customers

Walgreens, Aldi, Best Buy, Kohl's and Lowe's are the latest retailers to change course and drop face mask requirements for vaccinated customers after the CDC changed its guidance last week.

Orlando International Airport seeing a comeback

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Phil Brown says last weekend, which was not a holiday weekend, more than 60,000 people a day went through their Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. 

Number of daily COVID-19 vaccinations double in Ohio after state announced $1M lottery

After announcing its campaign to award five adults $1 million each for getting their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Ohio saw a significant increase in vaccinations in the following days.

CDC: Younger adults 18-49 account for one-third of COVID-19 hospitalizations in US

Adults between 18 and 49 years old are being hospitalized for COVID-19, according to doctors and CDC data, leading health officials to remind younger Americans to get vaccinated.

Royal Caribbean holds vaccine event for crew members

Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas sailed into Port Canaveral on Wednesday. It was a sign of the start of crew vaccinations for the cruise line.

EU ambassadors agree on relaxed COVID-19 travel measures for fully vaccinated visitors

European Union ambassadors agreed Wednesday on measures to allow fully vaccinated visitors in, a big step toward relaxing tourism from outside the bloc. EU countries have yet to approve the measures.

60% of US adults have received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine, CDC says

The CDC said 60% of American adults have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, putting the U.S. closer to President Joe Biden’s goal of 70% to have received a jab by the Fourth of July.

India reports highest single-day death toll to COVID-19 as cases begin to level off

Although the number of cases is beginning to decrease in the country that has been devastated as of late by COVID-19, deaths continue to rise and hospitals are still swamped by patients.

88% of children covered by monthly payments starting in July

Qualified families will receive a payment of up to $300 per month for each child under 6 and up to $250 per month for children between the ages of 6 and 17.

Orlando FEMA vaccine site to close in about 1 week

The vaccine site only offers second doses of the Pfizer vaccine and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.