Kids 5 and up are now eligible for Pfizer jabs – National & International News – Wed 3Nov2021

Pfizer jabs OK’d for kids 5+. Defeat for Dems in VA. SCOTUS reviews concealed carry laws. Australian girl, 4, found alive after 18 days missing!

NATIONAL NEWS

Kids 5 and up are now eligible for Pfizer jabs

CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has given final approval for pediatric doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11. This means that children 5 and up nationwide are now eligible to get their first jab. Thousands of pediatric clinics and hospitals across the country have already received shipments of the kid-sized jabs, which are one-third the size of an adult dose. The pediatric vaccines will also soon be available at pharmacies and some schools. Like the adult Pfizer jab, the kids’ jab is a course of two injections given 3 weeks apart.

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Republican wins VA governor’s race in blow to Biden

Political newcomer Glenn Youngkin has defeated Democratic former governor Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia race. Repulican Youngkin campaigned largely on core issues of economy, crime and education. While he also embraced some Trump tropes including “critical race theory” in schools, mask mandates, and election integrity, he did not endorse Trump’s view that the 2020 election had been stolen from him.

President Biden had won Virginia by 10 points just a year ago and campaigned for McAuliffe. Many view the loss in Virginia as a referendum on Biden and his fellow Democrats’ handling of the economy, and possibly a bad omen for Congressional mid-term elections next year.

Another gubernatorial race in deep blue New Jersey between incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy and Republican challenger Jack Ciatterelli remains too close to call at this time.

Click here for the full story and other notable election results from yesterday (opens in new tab).

Supreme Court to review concealed carry gun laws

The Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to a law in New York state that prohibits concealed carrying of firearms in public without a special license. New York and seven other states have the strictest regulations governing who is allowed to carry guns outside the home. In 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that state and local laws could not prevent individuals with no felony convictions from keeping a gun in their home for self defense. On the subject of carrying guns outside the home, the court has until now remained largely silent. This has largely allowed state and local authorities to pass whatever laws they found appropriate in this domain.

Some observers of the court are speculating that the Justices may rule in favor of broadening rights to concealed carry outside the home. Other commentators believe there is a possibility the court will respect long-standing case law that allows local jurisdictions to decide the matter.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Australia: Missing girl, 4, is found 18 days after disappearing from family campsite

On October 16, Ellie Smith awoke to find her daughter Cleo, 4, was missing from their family tent. Smith and her partner Jake Gliddon immediately alerted authorities. They were adamant that Cleo could not have opened the tent and left on her own. The previous day, the family had pitched a two-room tent at a campsite near Quobba Blowholes, 10 hours north of Perth in Western Australia. Smith and Gliddon were in one room while Cleo and her little sister slept in the other.

For 18 days, police scoured rugged terrain within a 1000km (621 mile) radius of the campsite. But it was tips from members of the public that led police to a locked home in Carnarvon, about 60 miles from the campsite. Cleo’s family is also from Carnarvon, a town of about 5,000.

When detectives forced their way into the home, they found Cleo safe and sound. One of the detectives present was visibly emotional recounting the moment they found Cleo and reunited her with her family. Cleo is currently receiving treatment in a local hospital, but detectives say she appeared unharmed.

Police have detained a 36-year-old man for questioning in connection with Cleo’s disappearance. He appears to have no connection to the family.

Click here for the full story and to see video of the moment detectives discovered Chloe (opens in new tab).