More COVID-19 vaccine booster shots have been approved. Who exactly does that cover? Horse patrols have been suspended at a Haitian migrant camp in Texas. And millions of Boppy pillows have been recalled.
👋 Helloooo! Laura here, it’s Thursday, here’s all the news you need to know.
But first, we’re following a couple of breaking news stories.
- 🚨 At least two people are dead and 12 more were injured in a shooting at a Kroger in Collierville, Tennessee. The shooter is also dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. Follow along with our coverage of this breaking news.
- 🚨 An arrest warrant has been issued for Brian Laundrie, the fiancé of Gabby Petito. A grand jury indictment released Thursday accuses Laundrie, who is still missing after more than a week, of unauthorized use of a debit card and several accounts, spending more than $1,000. Catch up with the latest updates on this story.
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CDC OKs more COVID-19 vaccine booster shots
A booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is recommended six months after initial vaccination for a number of groups, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee said Thursday. People 65 and older; those who live in long-term care facilities; and adults with underlying medical conditions should receive booster shots, the committee said. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky is likely to quickly sign off on the committee ruling, making boosters available to more people within a few days. The vote comes almost six weeks after the FDA authorized extra doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for people who are severely immunocompromised. That includes people 18 and up who are at high risk for severe COVID-19. Here’s who else may be eligible for the shot in a few days.
👉 COVID-19 news: New York health commissioner resigns; COVID-19 spurs mental health crises in kids: Check out the latest updates here.
- Could COVID-19 precautions break the stigma and spread of head lice?
- Who is considered ‘high risk’ for COVID-19 booster shots? What to know.
Horse patrols suspended at Haitian migrant camp
The Biden administration faced questions Thursday about its handling of a surge of Haitian migrants crossing the southern border, even after suspending horse patrols in the area. Images of horseback patrols pursuing Haitians spread this week, drawing outrage from Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as the White House. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security and White House confirmed those patrols had been stopped for now. DHS officials said about 7,000 migrants remained in Del Rio, Texas, down from a peak of about 15,000 on Sept. 18. Migrants have been moved to other sectors for processing, sent back to Haiti and, in some cases, turned back to Mexico. Read more of the latest updates from Del Rio.
- As deaths climb, Border Patrol launches more migrant rescues than ever.
- Photos: Haitians continue to cross the Rio Grande into Del Rio, Texas.
- Deportation, expulsion, repatriation: What’s the difference?
What everyone’s talking about
- Hey, all you cool cats and kittens! “Tiger King 2” is coming soon.
- Woman found with no memory designed jewelry worn by Diana Ross.
- 92-year-old TikTok-famous WWII vet takes dream flight in historic plane.
- Taking Tylenol during pregnancy? Be careful. Here’s why.
- Elon Musk vows bathroom upgrades after Inspiration4’s toilet troubles.
- Cheer choreographer pushed boyfriend off third-floor walkway, then livestreamed the aftermath, authorities say.
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Millions of Boppy pillows recalled
Gotta Boppy? Please don’t use it, the company says. After eight infants died of suffocation, Boppy, makers of nursing pillows and baby carriers, recalled three types of baby pillows. The infants’ deaths occurred from December 2015 to June 2020 after the babies were placed on their back, side or stomach on a newborn baby lounger, the company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday. Boppy, based in Golden, Colorado, has recalled about 3.3 million baby loungers sold. The products covered are the Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Newborn Loungers. Consumers are directed to immediately stop using the recalled loungers and contact Boppy for a refund.
- Total recall: Find out about recalls on cars, food and other products.
Do you know where they are?
The disappearance of Gabby Petito captured the nation’s attention and attracted the sleuthing skills of thousands on social media who shared her story and even turned up leads. Thousands more need that same level of care and attention. Hundreds of thousands of people vanish every year, according to FBI data. In 2020, more than 540,000 people disappeared, including more than 340,000 juveniles, according to the data. The FBI has compiled a list of 43 active missing persons cases of people under the age of 21 that the agency says need fresh leads. Some date back decades. You can see the list here.
- Gabby Petito mourned at vigil; search still on for Brian Laundrie.
- John Walsh on search: Florida police fell for ‘red herring.’
Real quick
- Officials suspect two people died of ivermectin poisoning.
- Why not use air marshals to control unruly passengers?
- Hunter finds remains of a man missing for 53 years.
- Tropical Storm Sam swirls to life, expected to be a hurricane by Friday.
- This winged microchip is the smallest human-made flying structure.
- Massachusetts school uses party bus with stripper pole for field trip.
- High school students accused of posting petition calling for the return of slavery.
Is a housing market crash on the horizon?
Exuberant buying – with multiple offers and bidding wars – has become common, reminiscent of the fevered market before the housing crash in 2008. Home prices nationwide increased year-over-year by 18% in July, the largest annual growth that CoreLogic Home Price Index has measured in its 45-year history. That leads to the inevitable question: Will history repeat itself? USA TODAY spoke to eight experts to find out whether a housing crash is on the horizon. The short answer? No. They say the housing market is not like the boom-bust cycle leading up to the Great Recession. When it comes to demand, buyers’ desire for more space during the pandemic, low mortgage rates, rising savings, an improved labor market and millennials reaching their peak homebuying age have contributed to the tightening of the inventory. If you’re in the market, there’s a bright spot on the horizon: Home price growth will decelerate in the coming year, experts predict.
- 3 families bought, sold homes during the pandemic. What they learned.
- Rent or buy? That depends on where you want to live.
A break from the news
- 🍁 It’s leaf-peeping season! Here’s your fall foliage forecast.
- 📚 30 cool indie bookstores that you’ll want to check out.
- 👩💻 9 free software copycats that work better than the real programs.
🗣 Psssst: USA TODAY launched something really fun. It’s a new and improved Crossword App! .
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