Good morning and welcome to Fox News First. Here's what you need to know as you start your day …
Kentucky candle factory owner speaks out on FEMA rescue mission after devastating tornadoes
"Sunday Night in America" spoke with Mayfield candle factory owner Troy Propes, whose factory was destroyed after deadly tornadoes hit the U.S. and pushed through approximately six states.
About one hundred people are presumed dead or missing after four tornadoes hit Kentucky on Saturday. Fox News host Trey Gowdy spoke with one factory owner about the conditions on the ground.
"Fortunately, FEMA has still declared this a rescue mission. They’re the experts in this situation, and that gives us all hope because, the people of this town and myself, we’re in uncharted waters, Trey. And that is good news for us," Propes said. "We have 110 people that worked the second shift the other night, making candles for some of the largest brands. This tornado came through with a force that was described in the earlier segment. It totally devastated this community."
It was reported that the candle factory was operating "24/7" to meet demands for the Christmas holiday before the tornado struck the area. Although the bad weather was known to the employees, the intensity of the tornado took the community by surprise. Propes complimented his management team for properly handling the situation as best as they could.
On Sunday, the candle company said at least eight people were confirmed dead and eight remained missing, according to the Associated Press. More than 90 others have been located, the company added.
"While we mourn the loss of the eight that we know of, we celebrate every time that we know that other number has gone down. We appreciate the awareness that you bring to our community because it needs help. It needs the ability to thrive again, and we can’t do that without everyone’s prayers and everyone’s support," Propes said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON OUR TOP STORY.
In other developments
- Spokesman: 8 factory workers dead, 8 missing from tornado
- Indiana woman finds Kentucky family photo that traveled over 150 miles from where tornado hit
- Kentucky tornado death toll climbs to over 80, including children, Gov. Beshear says
- FEMA in 'life-saving, sustaining' mode combing for survivors in tornado devastation
- FEMA administrator blames climate change for deadly tornado outbreak
- Arkansas tornado aftermath continues to strike humanitarian havoc
Fauci: Americans may 'just have to deal with' more COVID boosters
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci said that Americans will "just have to deal with" the prospect of getting more coronavirus booster shots.
Fauci made the statement on Sunday morning and said that the level of protection that the current coronavirus booster shots give to individuals will have to be monitored closely over the next several months.
"If it becomes necessary to get yet another boost, then we’ll just have to deal with it when that occurs," Fauci said.
Fauci said he is "hoping" that a third mRNA shot will give longer-lasting protection.
"I’m hoping from an immunological standpoint that that third shot of an mRNA and the second shot of a J&J will give a much greater durability of protection than just the six months or so that we’re seeing right now," he added.
Fauci noted that it's possible that the booster shot could "dramatically" increase the level of protection. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
In other developments
- ‘SNL' cold open shows Fauci dispelling coronavirus myths -- with help from Cuomos, Ted Cruz
- Dem governor declares COVID-19 emergency ‘over,’ says it’s ‘their own darn fault’ if unvaccinated get sick
- Vaccinated people no longer have to follow lockdown restrictions in Austria
- De Blasio says NYC is 'thriving' and is 'much safer' since pandemic
Teenage New York couple missing after taking train from suburbs to Big Apple
Two New York 15-year-olds have been missing since taking a train from suburban Suffolk County into the Big Apple last Thursday, according to police.
Vincent Abolafia and his girlfriend Kaileigh Catalano intended to board a 3:11 p.m. train from Ronkonkoma to Manhattan on Dec. 9, the Suffolk County Police Department said Sunday evening. They may have visited Times Square, at the heart of New York City.
Both of them are from Manorville, according to authorities. That’s about a 30-minute drive east of the train station in Ronkonkoma, which itself is about 1 hour and 20 minutes by train from Penn Station in Manhattan.
Both teens were wearing all black when a classmate dropped them off at the station, and they may have changed their hairstyle and color, according to Kaileigh's mom, Ehrin Catalano.
The teens were both reported missing later in the evening on Dec. 9. They have never run away before, according to their parents.
"This definitely blindsided me," Kaileigh's dad, Joe Catalano, said Sunday. "My daughter's a varsity cheerleader. She's a good kid. I don’t know what possessed them to do this." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
In other developments
- Alabama Air Force base security incident ends with 2 service members, civilian in hospital: report
- Coast Guard searching for cruise ship passenger who went overboard off coast of Mexico
- North Carolina murder-suicide at private tennis club leaves couple dead
- Texas woman shoots, kills man during attempted robbery: authorities
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
TODAY'S MUST-READS:
- Putin opens up about little-known old job, says it’s ‘unpleasant to talk about’
- Bloomberg's advice to Americans struggling to make ends meet mocked
- Chargers' Justin Herbert launches jaw-dropping touchdown pass vs. Giants, social media goes into frenzy
- Fordham University lecturer fired after mixing up names of two Black students
- REALLY CLEANING UP: NYC garbage collectors see OT salaries reach eye-popping amount due to staffing shortage
- New poll reveals what a potential Trump-Biden 2024 showdown might look like
THE LATEST FROM FOX BUSINESS:
- Peloton gets last laugh with clever new Mr. Big ad featuring a familiar voice
- Owner of private-equity firm backed by Coors is accused of misusing funds
- Uber, Lyft drivers want more protection as rising crime keeps many off the roads
- San Francisco's vaunted tolerance dims amid brazen crimes
- Oil rises on optimism Omicron impact will be limited on fuel demand
- Inflation riding high as we roll into one of the last weeks of the year: What to know
SOME PARTING WORDS
Fox News' Trey Gowdy on Sunday evening suggested President Biden should "switch parties" to experience what "nonstop negative press looks like" if he's unsatisfied with the current media coverage of his administration.
"Democrats complaining about media coverage? I’m sure journalists do not enjoy writing negative stories about a Democratic president and in their defense, they have no experience writing negative stories about Democratic presidents," the "Sunday Night in America" host said, "because they have never said anything critical about President Obama."
Not signed up yet for Fox News First? Click here to find out what you're missing.
Fox News’ Go Watch page is now available, providing visitors with Pay TV provider options in their area carrying Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.
Fox News First was compiled by Fox News' David Aaro. Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We’ll see you in your inbox first thing Tuesday.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
