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From rent to canned goods, here's what CNN readers plan to spend their relief payments on

Everyone knows the expression "time is money." But for millions of Americans who lost their jobs or saw their work hours drastically reduced as a result of the pandemic, money buys time. Time to stay in your home. Time to keep your car fueled. Time to keep your cellphone service on.

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Sears is dying a quiet, invisible death

Sears has made it through another holiday shopping season. Just barely. Once the nation's leading retailer up through the 1980s, the company that now owns the Sears and Kmart chains emerged from bankruptcy less than two years ago. It avoided another trip to bankruptcy court this year as the Covid-19 pandemic sent department store chains such as JCPenney and Neiman Marcus went through their own bankruptcies, while others such as Lord & Taylor and Century 21 announced they would go out of business.

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Croatia hit by 6.4 magnitude earthquake, leaving at least 6 dead

At least six people died after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocked parts of central Croatia on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry said on Twitter.

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Double winter storms will bring snow and ice for New Year's Eve

If you find yourself this New Year's Eve cozy on the couch in your pajamas, like so many Americans during this pandemic, it might be the best place to be. The weather won't be ideal for much of the country, making the "at-home" option of ringing in the New Year sound even better.

How Atlanta rappers helped flip the White House

Welcome to Atlanta, where the players politic. Anger, fear, new voters, PAC money, minority turnout -- these are often credited with shaping elections. What you don't tend to hear is that rappers in hip-hop's modern mecca educated voters and got them to the polls to help bounce an incumbent out of the White House.

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Record Covid-19 hospitalizations in US could soon force health experts to ration care

The number of patients hospitalized across the US with Covid-19 is the highest it's ever been -- and at this rate health experts warn some hospitals may have to ration nurses, respirators and care.

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Never Underestimate Your Opponent Texans will not take the Bengals lightly on Sunday

Houston Texans interim head coach Romeo Crennel has been coaching in the NFL long enough to know that you don’t take any opponent for granted no matter what their record is. As the Texans prepare to take on the Cincinnati Bengals (3-10-1) on Sunday at NRG Stadium, coach Crennel knows that they will be in for a dog fight.

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Short-Handed Rockets lose overtime thriller in Portland

The Houston Rockets knew earlier in the week that their delayed open to the 2020-21 NBA season would be a rough one. Their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday was cancelled earlier in the day due to COVID-19 tracing that left them without the league minimum of eight player.

ASTROS AGREE TO TERMS ON MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT WITH OUTFIELDER JOSE SIRI

HOUSTON, TX - Today, the Houston Astros have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with outfielder Jose Siri. The deal includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager James Click.

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Rockets NBA Season Opener Cancelled Due To COVID

On Wednesday the National Basketball Association postponed the game scheduled between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols. It would have been the season opener for both teams.

Georgia runoff timing means Perdue won't be in Congress for joint session on Electoral College

The tight January political calendar means Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue won't be in office when Congress meets for a joint session on the Electoral College on January 6, regardless of the results of the Senate runoff the day before.

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Here's What's In the Second Stimulus Package

Congress passed a $900 billion pandemic relief bill that includes enhanced unemployment benefits and direct cash payments. There were several changes made from a proposal put forward nearly two weeks ago by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Direct stimulus checks were brought in at the last minute. Direct aid to states and liability protections for companies were left out.

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Rick Ross’ 100-Pound Weight Loss Achieved to Save His Life

After the urging of his doctor, rapper Rick Ross changed his diet and exercise and saved his life by losing nearly 90 lbs. and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

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Push is On to Increase African American Confidence in COVID Vaccine

Former President Barack Obama has vowed to take the new COVID-19 vaccination on live television. Dr. Ebony Hilton, a physician in the critical care and anesthesiology department at the University of Virginia Health, is also publicly taking the vaccine and documenting how she’s coping on YouTube.

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Lightning Does Strike Twice

Texans come up short again against the Colts on a turnover

The odds of being struck by lightning twice in a lifetime are one in nine million. For the Houston Texans those the odds were doubled within the last 3 weeks. Houston (4-10) lost another close game to divisional rival Indianapolis Colts (10-4) on a fumble inside of the five-yard line. The Texans were left wondering again, “What could have been” as they lost 27-20 to the Colts.

What does this new coronavirus strain mean for you?

A new strain of coronavirus first detected in the UK has prompted dozens of travel bans and widespread concern about what this means for the world.

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#CAP Dow Promise Virtual Summit Gives Students a Head Start On College Admissions

Dow knows how to keeps its promises. In 2000, they took their original promise and expanded it to make a broaden stance of their support to the community with an initiative called The Dow Promise Program. The annual competitive grant program allows organizations to obtain a grant up to $10,000 for use for a sustainable project with longevity in the community. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter was a proud recipient of a $5,000 grant that they used to host the #CAP Dow Promise Virtual Summit.

Fauci, Collins and Azar receive their first doses of Covid-19 vaccine

Dr. Anthony Fauci, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins received their first doses of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine Tuesday.

Biden faces uncertain outlook for quick confirmation of Cabinet nominees as some Republicans urge caution

President-elect Joe Biden has been moving swiftly to fill out much of his Cabinet. Whether the Senate will do the same is another question.

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Christmas Is Literally the Mass for Christ, Marking the Birth of Jesus

On Friday, millions of people across the world will celebrate Christmas. Here and abroad, safety -- staying home, social distancing, wearing masks, being sensible -- requires limits on the gatherings and parties. Yet the bells still ring, music is in the air, lights on homes and lampposts shine, blessings are still shared. For too many, this holiday is a difficult time: the cold and hungry, those separated from families, those alone or imprisoned or sick.