Wednesday, October 4, 2023 | 
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Jeff Parrott

Jeff Parrott is a journalist on Deseret News’ Rapid Relevance team with a focus on politics and national stories. He is a former U.S. Army officer, an Operation Enduring Freedom veteran and a graduate of the Columbia Journalism School. If not in the newsroom, Jeff can usually be found in Utah’s public lands with a pair of hiking boots and a fly rod.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adjusts her face mask.
U.S. & World
Why those who’ve had Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may get the booster first
Health officials warned the White House they may need more time to review coronavirus booster shot research before rolling out a massive national plan for shots.
By Jeff Parrott
Alaska Airlines passenger flight on a Boeing 737-9 Max airplane.
U.S. & World
Alaska Airlines to pay employees $200 to get the COVID-19 vaccine
In a new policy announced this week, Alaska Airlines will require all new employees to have the coronavirus vaccine.
By Jeff Parrott
Female soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division train in Fort Campbell, Ky.
U.S. & World
Why these veterans in Congress think women should register for a military draft
Only men are required to register for the Selective Service System, but House and Senate committees have approved expanding the draft to women.
By Jeff Parrott
Gun shop owner Jesus “Chuy” Aguirre attends Chuy’s Gun Shop in El Paso, Texas.
U.S. & World
Texas is the latest ‘Second Amendment sanctuary’ with new constitutional gun carry laws
Texans no longer need firearms training or a permit to open carry a hand gun in the Lone Star State, joining about 20 other states with similar laws.
By Jeff Parrott
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.
U.S. & World
Should the House Jan. 6 committee be able to investigate phone and social media records?
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy warned communications companies that if they turn data over to the House select committee, the GOP would remember
By Jeff Parrott
President Joe Biden about the end of the war in Afghanistan in Washington.
U.S. & World
President Biden: The war in Afghanistan is over, but evacuations and drone strikes will continue
More than 71,000 Afghan and Pakistan civilians have been killed as a result of the war in Afghanistan, according to a Brown University study.
By Jeff Parrott and Herb Scribner
A TV screen showing a file satellite image of the Yongbyon nuclear site in North Korea.
U.S. & World
North Korea is working to make more nuclear weapons. Is it ready to talk proliferation?
Nuclear weapons talks between the United States and North Korea stalled during the former President Donald Trump administration.
By Jeff Parrott
Nirvana’s “Nevermind” album released in 1991.
Music
Grunge band Nirvana sued by ‘Nevermind’ baby who alleges album cover is child porn
Now 30-year-old Spencer Elden — who’s father was friends with the photographer — says he has suffered because of the photo.
By Jeff Parrott
Parents wait outside of Loretto Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida.
Coronavirus
Can kids get the shot? Here’s when health experts think the COVID-19 vaccine will be ready for children
Both Pfizer and Moderna are studying the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines on children ages 5 to 11 years old.
By Jeff Parrott
Vials of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines sit on a table.
Coronavirus
When will the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine receive the FDA’s full approval? Maybe soon
Both the Pfizer-BioNTech, which is now fully FDA approved, and the Moderna vaccine have followed similar timelines are are popular in the United States.
By Jeff Parrott
Afghanistan__1_.jpg
U.S. & World
A tragic failure in Afghanistan. Why Americans should have seen it coming
A veteran’s struggles to find the words and emotions to express his feelings about Afghanistan and his gratitude that others have written down a history of the war.
By Jeff Parrott
Three new species of condylarths have been discovered.
U.S. & World
Paleontologists have discovered 3 new mammals in Wyoming. Here’s what they found
One of the fossilized jawbones was larger than others found in the area, so scientists named it after a shapeshifting character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.”
By Jeff Parrott
This undated image made available by NASA shows the asteroid Bennu from the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.
U.S. & World
NASA says this asteroid won’t crash to Earth and end mankind. Well, they’re pretty sure
The Bennu asteroid, which stands as tall as the Empire State Building, most likely would collide with Earth on Sept. 24, 2182. But NASA isn’t too worried.
By Jeff Parrott
Smoke rises after fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security personnel, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Aug. 12, 2021.
U.S. & World
U.S. Embassy staff in Afghanistan destroy computers as Taliban nears Kabul
The United States is deploying thousands of combat troops to Afghanistan to help secure the withdrawal of embassy staff in Kabul.
By Jeff Parrott
The FAA memes about unruly passengers.
U.S. & World
‘Don’t embarrass me!’ FAA uses memes to ground bad in flight behavior
Not wearing a mask or fighting with airline staff can lead to expensive fines and criminal charges.
By Jeff Parrott
A pump handle at a gas station near Cheyenne, Wyoming.
U.S. & World
The Biden administration thinks gasoline is too expensive. So it has asked OPEC to dig for more
A gallon of gasoline is up around a dollar from last year, with Utahns paying some of the highest prices at the pump.
By Jeff Parrott
Used vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Coronavirus
COVID-19: Anti-vaccine nurse accused of giving saline shots to thousands in Germany
German officials are encouraging 8,600 people to get the coronavirus vaccine because of the alleged shot swap.
By Jeff Parrott
New York Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul speaks in the Bronx borough of New York.
U.S. & World
Kathy Hochul will make history as New York’s first female governor. Here’s what we know about her
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will replace Andrew Cuomo when he formally leaves the governor’s office in two weeks.
By Jeff Parrott
Science teachers check-in students before a summer STEM camp due to COVID-19.
Coronavirus
Are school-aged kids suffering from the symptoms of long COVID?
Health studies and pediatrics warn that children, some who are not yet eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, are susceptible to long COVID.
By Jeff Parrott
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. walks towards the Senate chamber.
U.S. & World
Infrastructure week: Senate passes $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Tuesday
The Senate has agreed to the move forward with an infrastructure bill, as the House weighs whether or not it will vote on the bill this week.
By Jeff Parrott
The first COVID-19 mass vaccination on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
U.S. & World
Military leaders ready COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Here’s what some veterans said
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III said he was planning to mandate all military service members get the coronavirus vaccine.
By Jeff Parrott
An RQ-4 Global Hawk at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy.
U.S. & World
An Air Force drone crashed and caught fire in North Dakota field. Here’s what happened
The U.S. Air Force said the unmanned aircraft had been on its way back to Grand Forks Air Force Base and no one had been injured at the crash scene.
By Jeff Parrott
The Apple logo displayed on a Mac Pro desktop.
U.S. & World
Apple says it will scan iPhones for images of child abuse, but is that a breach of privacy?
The announcement was praised by child safety organizations, but has led to concerns of privacy and surveillance by a tech company.
By Jeff Parrott
The NASA Perseverance Mars rover digs a hole on the surface of Mars.
U.S. & World
NASA’s Perseverance rover has started sampling the first Martian rock collection
Is there life on Mars? NASA latest Mars mission is getting closer to finding out.
By Jeff Parrott
Handguns are displayed at the Smith & Wesson booth.
U.S. & World
The Mexican government is suing American gun manufactures. Here’s why
A U.S. firearms trade association rejected the Mexican government’s accusation that American gun companies’ business practices had resulted in violence in Mexico.
By Jeff Parrott
President Joe Biden drives a Ford F-150 Lightning truck.
U.S. & World
Why President Joe Biden wants half of America’s new cars to be electric
The Biden administration also announced new proposed regulatory standards that it says will address climate change and keep automotive jobs in America.
By Jeff Parrott
An iPhone displays apps.
U.S. & World
Politico reported that pro-Trump social media app GETTR was being used by ISIS. Here’s what I found
Politico reported that the Islamic State is using the new, pro-Trump social media platform GETTR to post graphic propaganda material.
By Jeff Parrott
A bear cub that was taken in for treatment to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care after it suffered burns in a California wildfire.
U.S. & World
This ‘tough’ bear cub survived a California wildfire. Then, it escaped wildlife rehab
The Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care said a young, black bear named Tamarack has answered the call of the wild, but still needs medical care.
By Jeff Parrott
Syringes are filled with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
U.S. & World
Why some Americans are sneaking a COVID-19 vaccine booster
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization called for a moratorium on coronavirus boosters while low incomes countries struggle with vaccine supply shortages.
By Jeff Parrott
President Donald Trump listens to Vice President Mike Pence as Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar speaks.
Coronavirus
This Trump-era official wants Republicans to get the vaccine. Here’s what he said
In a letter published by The New York Times, former Department of Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar says vaccines could end the coronavirus pandemic.
By Jeff Parrott
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