Kaiser Permanente, workers reach tentative deal to avoid strike

A tentative deal was reached Saturday between Kaiser Permanente and union leaders that will prevent a strike by thousands of nurses and other health care workers who were planning to hit the picket line Monday at Kaiser facilities across Southern California and beyond.

Santa Claus may not be coming to town this year amid hired Santa shortage

There are an estimated 10-15% fewer Santa Clauses this year compared to last year due to COVID-19 and many Santas retiring, according to Mitch Allen, head elf at Hire Santa.

LA City Council approves changes to COVID proof-of-vaccination ordinance

The City Council on Friday tweaked the ordinance, so it will now require proof of vaccinations for only individuals who are 12 years old and over, instead of all eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, which includes people over the age of 5.

California issues new guidelines on who can get booster shots

California told health care providers to not turn anyone away even if they don’t meet the CDC’s criteria as long as it has been at least six months since their second Pfizer or Moderna shot or two months since their single Johnson & Johnson shot.

California prepares for possible winter COVID-19 surge

California earlier this fall had the nation’s lowest COVID-19 case rate but is now 16th, Governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.

LA County reports first flu death of the winter season

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed the first flu-related death of the 2021-22 influenza season.

COVID-19 testing site returns to Dodger Stadium

The COVID-19 testing site at Dodger Stadium reopened this week; many people fear a winter surge could be coming. 

10 states challenge Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers

A coalition of 10 states has filed a lawsuit challenging a new rule by President Joe Biden's administration requiring millions of health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Newsom pushes COVID vaccines in West LA, denies having bad reaction to shot

Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center Wednesday to again encourage people get vaccinated against COVID-19 - - with first, second or booster doses -- while warning that "winter is coming" and raising fears of another surge in infections.

Cell process may explain why coronavirus variants are more infectious, NIH study shows

NIH scientists believe they have discovered why the coronavirus alpha and delta variants have an easier time infecting host cells and hope the discovery will lead to more effective treatment.

Matthew McConaughey says he is against mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children

Matthew McConaughey says he, his wife, and his 90-year-old mother have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. But the actor said as of "right now," he is not getting his three children vaccinated. "I couldn't mandate having to vaccinate the younger kids," he said. "I still want to find out more information."

About 900,000 kids got COVID-19 vaccine in first week, White House says

The White House says roughly 900,000 kids aged 5-11 will have received their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in just their first week of eligibility.