August 9, 2021 5:40 pm
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) – The pandemic is reshaping America’s fitness industry and ushering in a new era of home workouts and virtual classes. High-end exercise equipment maker Peloton is breaking ground Monday on its first U.S. factory in Ohio. Soaring sales for the company come as thousands of small fitness centers have gone out of business. An industry trade group says 22% of the nation’s health clubs have closed since March of 2020. Many are struggling to stay afloat and have redesigned their spaces, turned toward personal workouts and added online training. Experts say they expect the digital fitness wave will continue to shake up the industry.
August 9, 2021 5:30 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – Members of the U.S. military will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine beginning next month under a plan laid out by the Pentagon Monday and endorsed by President Joe Biden. Top Pentagon leaders said in memos to the troops that the vaccine is a necessary step to maintain military readiness. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the mid-September deadline could be accelerated if the vaccine receives final FDA approval or infection rates continue to rise. Biden told defense officials last week to develop a plan requiring troops to get shots as part of a broader campaign to increase vaccinations in the federal workforce.
August 9, 2021 5:22 pm
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) – With more than 600 colleges and universities now requiring proof of COVID-19 inoculations, an online industry has sprung up offering fake vaccine cards. Dozens of students interviewed by The Associated Press said they were aware of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, though none admitted to actually using one. On the dark web, sellers list COVID-19 vaccine cards, certificates and passports for sale, some costing about $473 in U.S. dollars.
August 9, 2021 1:43 pm
(WPXI) – The legendary voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Lange, has announced his retirement from play-by-play duties, but he will remain a part of the Penguins Radio Network. Fans will continue to hear Lange’s voice during radio appearances and various Penguins programming. Lange, known across the sports world for his colorful phrases, or “Lange-isms,” has been a fixture of the team’s radio and television broadcasts since 1974. From 1976 to 2006, he never missed a broadcast. In 2006, he was replaced by Paul Steigerwald for the television side of things, and made the move to work on the team’s radio broadcasts.
August 9, 2021 4:28 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Democrats released a budget resolution Monday that maps $3.5 trillion in spending boosts and tax breaks aimed at strengthening social and environmental programs. That will set up a battle this fall over President Joe Biden’s domestic policy ambitions. The measure’s introduction marks the start of a long trek through Congress of legislation that Democrats hope will result in a progressive reshaping of government. To succeed, they’ll have to overcome likely unanimous Republican opposition. The resolution calls for creating free pre-Kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds and two years of free community college; extending tax breaks for children and some low-income workers; and establishing paid family and sick leave.
August 9, 2021 4:26 am
(AP) – Earth’s climate is getting so hot that temperatures in about a decade will probably blow past a level of warming that world leaders have sought to prevent. That’s according to a report released Monday that the United Nations calls a “code red for humanity.” Report co-author Linda Mearns of the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research says she sees nowhere that will be safe from climate change. But scientists also eased back a bit on the likelihood of the absolute worst climate catastrophes. The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change makes more precise forecasts for the 21st century than it did last time it was issued in 2013.
August 9, 2021 4:24 am
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s top aide has resigned amid a furor over sexual harassment allegations against the Democrat. Melissa DeRosa sent a statement to news organizations Sunday night announcing her resignation, about a week after a state attorney general report found the governor had sexually harassed 11 women. DeRosa joined Cuomo’s administration in 2013, eventually becoming one of the governor’s most trusted confidantes. She became his top aide in 2017. DeRosa said in her statement “the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying.” Cuomo has denied that he ever touched anyone inappropriately, but he acknowledged hugging and kissing aides and other individuals.
August 9, 2021 4:23 am
UNDATED (AP) – Canada is lifting its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but the United States is keeping similar restrictions in place for Canadians. The reopening Monday is part of a bumpy return to normalcy from COVID-19 travel bans. The border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020 to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The U.S. has said it will extend its closure to Canadians making nonessential trips until at least Aug. 21, which also applies to the Mexican border. The lopsided rules on one of the world’s longest and busiest land borders is unsurprisingly being met with cheers and jeers.
August 9, 2021 4:22 am
MIAMI (AP) – A federal judge on Sunday night granted Norwegian Cruise Line’s request to temporarily block a Florida law banning cruise companies from asking passengers for proof of coronavirus vaccination before they board a ship. A U.S. district judge granted the preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the state’s “vaccine passport” ban, which was signed into law in May by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The state’s attorney has said the law’s aim is to prevent discrimination against passengers who don’t get vaccinated. Norwegian says vaccine proof is needed to safely resume its cruises. A Norwegian cruise is set to depart from Miami on Aug. 15. It will be the company’s first voyage from Florida since the pandemic halted its operations.
August 9, 2021 4:17 am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Active coronavirus cases in West Virginia continue to resurge at an alarming rate as public school students in some counties returned Monday for the start of fall classes. State health figures show the number of active cases statewide has reached at least 4,010, a startling jump since bottoming out at 882 cases on July 9. Gov. Jim Justice has said he won’t consider reinstating an indoor mask mandate. Instead, he continues to push for more people to get vaccines. About 57% of state residents ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated. Classes began Monday in Kanawha County. Many other counties don’t return until later this month.
