Top eight today

Top eight stories for today including the Supreme Court appeared unconvinced that the government can force large businesses to mandate vaccines or tests for employees; Job market growth fell well short of expectations; The United Kingdom plans to incentivize the natural restoration of farmland, and more.

National

Key to Biden’s pandemic response on thin ice at Supreme Court

In an unusual Friday argument session lasting over three hours, the supermajority conservative Supreme Court showed strong opposition to President Joe Biden’s Covid-19 vaccine or test mandate for large businesses but left some optimism for a mandate that covers health care workers at federally funded hospitals.

A dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is prepared at Lurie Children's Hospital, Nov. 5, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Employers add just 199,000 jobs in year-end hiring slowdown

The U.S. economy added a disappointing 199,000 jobs in December, ending a record-breaking year on a low note.

Prospective employers and job seekers interact during a job fair in Los Angeles in September 2021. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Regional

Challenge to Texas abortion law returns to Fifth Circuit

The Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments Friday in a challenge to Texas’ six-week abortion ban, the most restrictive in the country.

Jillian Dworin participates in a Sept. 1, 2021, protest at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, against the six-week abortion ban. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)

Ahmaud Arbery killers sentenced to life, two without parole

The three white men convicted of chasing and killing Ahmaud Arbery were sentenced Friday to life in prison, with the judge refusing to grant any possibility of parole to the father and son who initiated the pursuit of the 25-year-old Black jogger.

Ahmaud Arbery's mother Wanda Cooper-Jones, center, reacts as Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley sentences his murderers at the Glynn County Courthouse in Brunswick, Ga., on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton, Pool)

Albany DA drops harassment case against Cuomo

A judge speedily dismissed a misdemeanor charge against Andrew Cuomo then issued an order sealing the matter after Albany County prosecutors formally dropped allegations that the disgraced former New York governor groped an aide in the Executive Mansion.

This image shows Brittany Commisso, left, answering questions during an interview with CBS correspondent Jericka Duncan on "CBS This Morning" on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in New York. (CBS This Morning and Times Union via AP)

Accused Michigan school shooter waives hearing, heading straight to trial

The 15-year-old Michigan sophomore accused of killing classmates with a gun gifted from his parents briefly faced a state judge Friday for a probable cause hearing, hours before his mother and father are set to appear for a bond hearing.

Michigan school shooting suspect Ethan Crumbley attends a Zoom court hearing on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

International

UK unveils post-Brexit environmental restoration scheme

The United Kingdom has announced plans to give subsidies to English landowners who commit to the regeneration of natural habitats in a landmark policy move aimed at greening the Brexit process.

A farm in rural England. (David Mark/Pixabay via Courthouse News)

Shoot ‘without warning’ to quash revolt, Kazakhstan president orders troops

Labeling those who have launched protests against his authoritarian government as terrorists, Kazakhstan's authoritarian president said security forces will open fire and shoot to kill.

A Kazakhstan's soldier stands atop of a military vehicle at a check point in Kazakhstan, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. (RU-RTR Russian Television via AP)