BRUSSELS (AP) — A slew of nations have moved to stop air travel from southern Africa, and stocks have plunged in Asia and Europe in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant. German Health Minister Jens Spahn said that “the last thing we need is to bring in a new variant that will cause even more problems” amid a massive spike of cases in Europe. There are fears that the new variant could be even more contagious than the current predominant one and could bypass the effectiveness of the vaccination campaigns.

NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers are expected to usher in the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season Friday with bigger crowds than last year in a closer step toward normalcy. But the fallout from the pandemic continues to weigh on businesses and shoppers’ minds. Buoyed by solid hiring, healthy pay gains and substantial savings, customers are returning to stores and splurging on all types of items. But the spike has also resulted in limited selection across the board as suppliers and retailers have been caught flat-footed. Shortages of shipping containers and truckers have helped to delay deliveries, while inflation continues to creep. The combination of higher prices and lack of inventory could make for a less festive mood.

U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but they raised questions about its safety during pregnancy. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. If FDA authorizes the drug it would be the first pill for U.S. patients infected with the virus. All FDA-authorized drugs currently used against coronavirus require an IV or injection. The FDA will ask its experts whether the drug’s benefits outweigh its risks.

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers buoyed by solid hiring, healthy pay gains and substantial savings are returning to stores and splurging on all types of items. But the big question is how much will supply shortages, higher prices and staffing issues dampen shoppers’ mood this holiday season. Shoppers, already fatigued with pandemic-induced social distancing policies and other setbacks, may get grumpy if they can’t find the help they need at the stores, or can’t find their top choice item. They may also be disappointed by some of the skimpy holiday discounts. Still, don’t write off the resilience of shoppers who have shown signs they want to celebrate the holidays after muted celebrations last year.

(Greene Township, PA)  PA State Police in Beaver are investigating threatening and harrassing phone calls that were made to two local businesses on November 17th.  Jacks Diner and Bullseye Pizza in Greene Township are the businesses that received the calls.  Beaver PSP are asking that anyone with information contact them at (724)-773-7400.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland is directing U.S. attorneys across the nation to swiftly prioritize prosecution of federal crimes that happen on commercial flights. The directive comes as federal officials face a historic number of investigations into passenger behavior. The Federal Aviation Administration said earlier this month that it had launched 950 investigations into passenger behavior on flights this year. Garland’s memo, issued Wednesday, emphasizes the Justice Department is committed to aggressively prosecuting violent passengers who assault crew members or endanger the safety of other passengers. So far this year the FAA has reported dozens of incidents of unruly airline passengers to the FBI for possible criminal prosecution.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has returned in full, after being crimped by the coronavirus pandemic last year. The lineup of balloons, floats, marching bands, clowns, performers and Santa Claus again wended though 2 1/2 miles of Manhattan streets Thursday. Participants were confined to one block or sometimes pre-taped last year. Spectators were shut out in 2020 but are lining the route again this time. The Thanksgiving parade is the latest U.S. holiday event to make a comeback amid the ongoing pandemic. Still, some safety measures continue. Parade staffers and volunteers must be vaccinated against COVID-19, and most must wear masks.

Eight civilian Philadelphia Police Department employees have been indicted on charges of collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance they were not entitled to. Seven of the employees are dispatchers and one is a clerk. Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw on Tuesday said she will suspend them for 30 days with the intent to dismiss them at the end of the 30 days upon completion of arrest procedures. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging them with theft of government funds, wire fraud and mail fraud. Prosecutors say the accused were employed and took advantage of a system that was designed to aid people left out of work because of the pandemic.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell for the eighth month in a row in October, as payrolls grew but the labor force shrank. Department of Labor and Industry figures released Friday show Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point to 6% from September’s rate. The national rate was 4.6% in October, and Pennsylvania lags most other states, tied at 40th among 50. In a survey of households, the labor force shrank for the fifth month in a row, although the number of employed grew. Payrolls grew in October by 19,000, and Pennsylvania has regained about 65% of the 1.1 million jobs lost in the pandemic.

(Hopewell Twp., Pa.) The Hopewell area School Board honored three board members who are retiring. Lesia Dobo has served on the  Hopewell School Board for almost 20 twenty years and reflected on her time as a board member at a recent meeting, Kathryn  Obolak  and Darren  Newberry also reflected on their time on the board during the meeting . Gifts were presented to the retirees for their service to the community. The board will reorganize on  Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 7 p.m.