They made it official

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Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine was granted full approval by the Food and Drug Administration. In the wake of a sexual harassment scandal, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is set to resign at the end of the day. And a U.S. Capitol Police officer was cleared in the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt on Jan. 6.

👋 Hey y'all! It's Laura. Here's all the news you need to know Monday.

But first, this house is definitely haunted. 🏡 They said it had good bones, but I don't think they meant it like this: An Illinois couple bought a 125-year-old house with plans to renovate it. Then they found the box of human bones in the attic.

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The Pfizer vaccine is FDA official

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine became the first to win full approval by the Food and Drug Administration on Monday. The FDA’s decision to fully license the vaccine is expected to trigger more vaccination mandates and allow company marketing of the shot. Now that the companies' detailed, so-called biologics license application has been granted, many more companies, schools and other entities are likely to require vaccination. And it may launch a race for booster shots, allowing doctors to prescribe extra Pfizer-BioNTech shots "off label" to anyone they think should get one.

  • Wasn’t the vaccine already approved? Not fully. Pfizer's had been approved for emergency use in the USA. Now it has the full stamp of approval.

  • What about Modera and J&J? Moderna has begun the process of applying for a full license, and Johnson & Johnson – which makes the other COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use in the USA – plans to apply this year.

  • More buy-in? Some people reluctant to take a vaccine authorized for emergency use may be willing to get a vaccine that has full approval, Anthony Fauci told USA TODAY's editorial board this month.

Student Rose Jean-Mary, 19, receives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Isabel Ruiz at St. Thomas University on Aug. 20 in Miami. The university offered a pop-up vaccination site for students on move-in day in preparation for the first day of school Aug. 23.
Student Rose Jean-Mary, 19, receives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Isabel Ruiz at St. Thomas University on Aug. 20 in Miami. The university offered a pop-up vaccination site for students on move-in day in preparation for the first day of school Aug. 23.

What everyone's talking about

US Capitol officer cleared in fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt on Jan. 6

The U.S. Capitol Police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt Jan. 6 during the insurrection was cleared Monday after a review concluded the action may have spared the lives of lawmakers and staffers who had barricaded themselves inside the building. "The officer’s actions were consistent with the officer’s training and (U.S. Capitol Police) policies," the agency's inquiry found. Some who supported the Capitol siege cast Babbitt as a martyr to the conservative cause. Former President Donald Trump described Babbitt as "innocent." Babbitt, 35, from San Diego, was trying to climb through a barricaded door near the House Speaker's Lobby when the officer fired.

A man outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Jan. 17 protests the death of Ashli Babbitt, 35, who was fatally shot during the riot at the Washington Capitol on Jan. 6.
A man outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Jan. 17 protests the death of Ashli Babbitt, 35, who was fatally shot during the riot at the Washington Capitol on Jan. 6.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign at end of the day

Marking an ignominious end to his decade-plus as New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, whose last full day in office is Monday, aired a defiant prerecorded farewell address. In the video, he highlighted his accomplishments and suggested he's the victim of a "political firecracker" that derailed his career. After Cuomo, a Democrat, resigns, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will become the state's 57th governor at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Three weeks ago, an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James concluded Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women while in office, including nine current or former state employees. Cuomo, who denied the accusations, repeatedly suggested the investigation was politically motivated and designed to defame him.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepares to board a helicopter after announcing his resignation on Aug. 10, 2021, in New York.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepares to board a helicopter after announcing his resignation on Aug. 10, 2021, in New York.

Real quick

Northeast lashed by historic storm; dozens missing after Southeast floods

Tropical Depression Henri inched across the Northeast on Monday, a record-setting storm that knocked out power to more than 100,000 homes and businesses and drenched parts of New York City with more than 8 inches of rain. Henri, centered about 60 miles north of New York City, was expected to begin sliding east later in the day. Flood watches were in effect across eastern Pennsylvania, southeast New York, New Jersey, Long Island and portions of New England.

After deadly floods in Tennessee, search-and-rescue teams frantically picked through the saturated ruins of dozens of homes Monday, holding out hope that missing loved ones would be found alive. At least 21 people were killed when walls of water powered by up to 17 inches of rain roared through rural Humphreys County, home to about 20,000 people 70 miles west of Nashville. Dozens of people were missing Monday, authorities said.

Emergency personnel and first responders help residents Aug. 22 after heavy rains from Henri flooded Helmetta, N.J.
Emergency personnel and first responders help residents Aug. 22 after heavy rains from Henri flooded Helmetta, N.J.

A break from the news

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, Ashli Babbitt, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Tropical Storm Henri, floods in Tennessee. It's Monday's news.