CNN – National

By Scottie Andrew, CNN There are nearly 1,000 known LGBTQ elected officials in the US, according to a new report — a significant increase from just four years ago, when fewer than 450 elected officials in the US were known to identify as LGBTQ. All but one state — Mississippi — has elected an LGBTQ

By Natasha Chen, Kevin Conlon, Alta Spells and Erica Henry, CNN More than 100 students at Atlanta’s Drew Charter School are in quarantine after nine students and five staff members tested positive for Covid-19, the head of school said Friday. The school had informed parents in a letter Thursday that two staff members and a

By Alaa Elassar and Laura Ly, CNN Starting Friday, any New York City resident who gets a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at a city-run vaccination site will receive $100. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday the new Covid-19 incentive as the city experienced a steady increase in Covid-19 cases over the past

By Alexandra Meeks, CNN Criminal charges will be filed against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in connection with Zogg Fire, which killed four people and damaged numerous homes and structures, the district attorney for Shasta County in California said Thursday. DA Stephanie Bridgett said in a statement that PG&E was “criminally liable” and that

By Amir Vera, CNN Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee was confronted Wednesday evening by the mayor of Providence, prompting security to separate the two politicians. McKee was preparing to deliver remarks during a news conference when Mayor Jorge Elorza approached him. “Governor, this is too important for you to play the coward role on this,”

By Madeline Holcombe, CNN The start of Chicago’s famed music festival, Lollapalooza, has stirred fears of a rise in Covid-19 cases as thousands gather for four days of performances. The festival, which kicked off Thursday, is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of people to Grant Park in downtown Chicago. But with nationwide concern over

By Paul Vercammen, CNN A Los Angeles judge dropped one of 11 sexual assault charges against Harvey Weinstein on Thursday, though prosecutors will be able to amend it. Weinstein’s attorneys had previously filed a motion to dismiss three of the 11 charges, saying the statute of limitations had expired. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa

By Peter Nickeas and Emma Tucker, CNN The number of homicides continues to rise in major American cities following a year that saw a record increase in homicides across the country, according to a report published Thursday by the Council on Criminal Justice. A study of homicides during the first six months of this year

By Stella Chan and David Williams, CNN Air traffic controllers warned pilots to be on the lookout after a “man in a jetpack” was spotted near Los Angeles International Airport. “Use caution, the jet man is back,” an air traffic controller said in an audio transmission obtained by CNN. “Let me know if you see

By Leah Asmelash, CNN A Colorado web designer who didn’t want to create wedding websites for same-sex couples has lost her appeal of the state’s anti-discrimination law. The US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit rejected 303 Creative owner Lorie Smith’s challenge to the state law on constitutional grounds. The appellate decision comes three

By Eric Levenson, CNN The mask mandates are coming back — and so, too, are mandates against mask mandates. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated guidance this week saying that people in areas of “substantial” and “high” transmission should wear a face mask indoors. The agency also said all teachers, staff,

By Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN A renowned wine expert has been arrested, charged with setting three fires in Manhattan — two of them to outdoor dining structures, according to the FDNY. The FDNY released two videos that it says show Caleb Ganzer, 35, lighting an outdoor dining structure at a pizza restaurant on fire and walking

By Harmeet Kaur, CNN House lawmakers are considering legislation that would withhold federal funds from tribal nations who discriminate against Freedmen, the descendants of people they once enslaved. The House Committee on Financial Services held a subcommittee hearing on Tuesday to discuss reauthorizing the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), a federal

By Rachel Ramirez, CNN Greenland is experiencing its most significant melting event of the year as temperatures in the Arctic surge. The amount of ice that melted on Tuesday alone would be enough to cover the entire state of Florida in two inches of water. It’s the third instance of extreme melting in the past

By David Williams, CNN Auburn University is giving away scholarships, unlimited meal plan upgrades, priority class registration and other perks to encourage students to get the Covid-19 vaccine. The Alabama school announced the program this week, as the state’s vaccination rate lags behind the rest of the United States. Only 34.2% of Alabama residents are