Biden team fumbled early response to Cuban unrest  —  The Biden administration has been far from stellar in its reaction to the unrest in Cuba, but at least its tepid message is improving.  —  As Biden at first took far too long to comment on the wave of protests against Cuba's vicious communist regime …

In Undervaccinated Arkansas, Covid Upends Life All Over Again  —  While much of the nation tiptoes toward normalcy, the coronavirus is again swamping hospitals in places like Mountain Home, in a rural county where fewer than one-third of residents are vaccinated.

Gaetz and Greene Hold Bizarre Outdoor ‘Protest’ After Multiple Venues Bailed  —  The controversial pair were forced to address supporters on the street outside the Riverside City Hall, after three California venues turned their planned “protest” away.  —  Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz …

3 Texas Democrats test positive for COVID-19 in Washington, D.C.  —  Nicole Cobler Madlin MekelburgAustin American-Statesman  —  WASHINGTON — Three Texas House Democrats have tested positive for COVID-19 from Washington, D.C., according to Texas House Democratic Caucus leadership.

Moving Past the Finger Pointing  —  At a time when COVID-19 cases are rising in America, the Biden administration has chosen to blame a handful of American social media companies.  While social media plays an important role in society, it is clear that we need a whole of society approach to end this pandemic.

GOP governor's vaccination tour reveals depths of distrust  —  TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) — Free lottery tickets for those who get vaccinated had few takers.  Free hunting and fishing licenses didn't change many minds either.  And this being red-state Arkansas, mandatory vaccinations are off the table.

As Frozen Land Burns, Siberia Fears: 'If We Don't Have the Forest, We Don't Have Life'  —  Northeastern Siberia is a place where people take Arctic temperatures in stride.  But 100-degree days are another matter entirely.  —  MAGARAS, Russia — The call for help lit up villagers' phones …

‘Shadow State’: Embracing corporate governance to escape constitutional limits  —  Teddy Roosevelt gave a speech in 1902, “The Control of Corporations,” which warned of the danger of corporate power over citizens' lives.  Calling corporations “creatures of the state,” he said they must be controlled by …

Death of a legend: Louisiana's Edwin Edwards didn't stoop to racism  —  There may be no Southern politician who was more colorful, controversial and consequential than Edwin Edwards, who dominated Louisiana politics for more than three decades.  —  Everything about Edwards, who died this week at 93 …

Arlington approves collective bargaining for county employees, marking shifting tides on labor in Virginia  —  The Arlington County Board voted to allow collective bargaining for the county's nearly 4,000 public employees on Saturday, giving labor unions the right to negotiate pay, benefits and other working conditions.

National Review Says the Vaccines Are Good: A Collection  —  I interned at The Weekly Standard and harbor none of the same visceral anger toward Bill Kristol that his most vigorous critics do — even if I can't profess to fully understand or remotely agree with the increasingly sharp left turn he's taken.

Police search for killer of 6-year-old girl remembered for her energy and smile  —  She liked to mimic her grandmother, so a week ago, Nyiah Courtney got her hair braided.  —  “We twins now,” the smiling 6-year-old told Andrea Courtney.  —  It was one of the last times the two talked.

U.S. diplomats in Afghanistan face daunting, dangerous mission with little military backup  —  The conclusion of the Pentagon's two-decade effort in Afghanistan lays bare the challenges facing U.S. diplomats and aid workers who remain behind, as a modest civilian force attempts …

New York City politicians reveling in new Black power surge  —  It's not quite Chocolate City, but recent election wins by African-American politicians has the Big Apple on the verge of being the hub of Black Power.  —  Not only is the nation's largest city poised to elect …

2020 election becomes early dividing line for Republicans in crucial 2022 Senate race in Arizona  —  (CNN)In one of next year's most consequential Senate races, the Republican primary to take on Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona is turning on a question: Who won the 2020 presidential election?