promoearn: Third dose the charm?

Wednesday, December 8

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines sit ready for use at a Dallas County Health and Human Services drive-up vaccine site in Mesquite, Texas.

Preliminary lab data from BioNTech shows positive signs for its coronavirus vaccine against the omicron variant. It's Wednesday's news.

NFT auction: USA TODAY and iconic artist Peter Tunney are teaming up to benefit charity – and you can get involved.

Pfizer says the third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may protect against the omicron variant. Americans are still quitting jobs at a historical rate. And Tiger Woods will return to competition.

👋 It's Julius, here with Wednesday's news.

But first, a flying giant. 😳 Researchers discovered how a prehistoric creature the size of a giraffe was able to fly.

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Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine protects against new variant, company says

A third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may protect against the omicron coronavirus variant . The companies said Wednesday that two doses of their vaccine may provide protection from severe disease but may not be sufficient to protect against infection with omicron, according to preliminary lab data. A third dose offers more robust protection, providing a level of neutralizing antibodies against omicron similar to the level observed after two doses against the original coronavirus and other variants. Scientists and health officials are still conducting studies to learn more about omicron, and early information indicates it could be more contagious, but perhaps less dangerous, than previous variants such as delta.

•	Omicron could be more contagious, less dangerous. That would be 'good news for the human race.'

Americans quit jobs at near-record pace in October

Job openings in the U.S. approached record levels in October while the number of people quitting eased off its record pace but remained historically high, the Labor Department said Wednesday. Employers posted 11 million job openings, up from 10.4 million the previous month and just below July's record clip. Openings have topped 10 million for five straight months. The number of resignations fell from 4.4 million to 4.2 million, meaning 2.8% of workers voluntarily left their positions, typically to take another job. Before the pandemic, resignations hovered at about 3.5 million.

•	Great Resignation sets off 'vicious cycle': As more people quit, exhausted colleagues also head for the exit.

What everyone's talking about

•	Scott Peterson gets new life sentence in wife's murder after years on death row.
•	26 states plan to ban abortion in some form if the Supreme Court OKs Mississippi's ban. Here's who is most at risk.
•	The plumber who found stashed money at Joel Osteen's Lakewood church awarded $20,000.
•	What is a situationship? And how to avoid being in one.
•	Black people use Facebook more than anyone. Now they're leaving.

The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

Jury hears opening statements in Kim Potter trial

Jurors were hearing opening statements Wednesday in the manslaughter trial of former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter , who shot Daunte Wright while yelling "Taser" in a Minneapolis suburb in April. Prosecutors say Potter was a veteran of Brooklyn Center Police who committed first- and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Wright, 20. "This case is about the defendant, Kim Potter, betraying her oath, betraying her badge, and betraying her trust," prosecutor Erin Eldridge said in her opening statement. But in his opening statement, Potter's defense attorney Paul Engh said Potter "made a mistake" and "she had to do what she had to do to prevent a death of a fellow officer."

Jan. 6 committee to pursue contempt citation against Mark Meadows

Leaders of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol said they would pursue a contempt citation for Mark Meadows , former White House chief of staff for former President Donald Trump, and recommend possible criminal charges. Meadows, who defied a committee subpoena by refusing to testify Wednesday, became the third witness to tangle with the committee over subpoenas for documents and testimony. Political strategist Steve Bannon faces a trial on criminal contempt charges. The committee will meet again on Dec. 16 with former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark before deciding whether to pursue contempt charges against him.

•	Mark Meadows reverses course, won't cooperate with Jan. 6 committee

Real quick

•	Coast Guard diver pulls woman's body from car above Niagara Falls.
•	A record-setting pot brownie: A Massachusetts-based company unveiled an 850-pound baked good.
•	Man faces multiple charges after setting Christmas tree on fire outside Fox News building.
•	Dozens of camels barred from competing in Saudi Arabia beauty contest over use of Botox.
•	'He's definitely once-in-a-lifetime': 7-foot-3 Bol Kuir is a basketball 'unicorn' in the Kentucky mountains

Tiger Woods will be back

Less than a year after a single-car accident almost required his leg to be amputated, Tiger Woods will tee it up alongside his son , Charlie, next week in the 2021 PNC Championship. The father-son event to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 16-19, has been holding a spot for Woods and his son, who stole the show at the 2020 event. The 15-time major champion has been teasing his return to the course for a few weeks now, most recently by rocking his Sunday red during a practice session during the final round of his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

•	5 ways the 'Tiger Woods effect' has left an indelible mark on golf

Tiger Woods and son Charlie fist bump on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2020 PNC Championship.

Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

A break from the news

•	💵 Your 401(k) should be your first priority for retirement contributions in 2022. Here's why.
•	💨 Chapped lips are common this time of year. But is your chapstick making it worse?
•	⛄ Feel like you're in a snow globe: Here are eight stays where you'll be immersed in a winter wonderland.

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.