Government

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The first shipments of a COVID-19 vaccine for widespread use in the United States headed Dec. 13 from Michigan to distribution centers across the country, with the first shots expected to be given in the coming week to health care workers and at nursing homes.

Pfizer Inc. gained emergency U.S. authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 11, completing an unprecedented scientific sprint that could eventually help bring an end to a pandemic that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans.

Oil just managed a weekly gain as an impasse in Washington over pandemic relief dimmed chances of an imminent boost to demand.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is planning to submit an Information Collection Request associated with its annual survey on commercial driver license skills testing delays.

Legislation meant to assist rural transportation corridors was introduced by Rep. Carol Miller this month.

Uber says its drivers should get priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine because they provide crucial transportation to health care workers and the general public.

A gauge of U.S. consumer sentiment unexpectedly increased in early December to the second-highest level since March, amid prospects for a vaccine coming soon to tame the pandemic.

WASHINGTON — The head of the Food and Drug Administration says his agency has told Pfizer that it “will rapidly work” to grant emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine following a positive recommendation by government advisers.

The Senate passed a one-week government spending bill and President Donald Trump signed it Dec. 11, averting a government shutdown.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a congressional oversight committee that the federal government has made money on a $700 million loan it extended to YRC Worldwide under a coronavirus relief package for businesses that were deemed essential in fighting the pandemic.