May 4, 2020 10:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – It’s been a morning of firsts for the Supreme Court: the first time audio of the court’s arguments was heard live by the world and the first arguments by telephone. The changes are a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has made holding courtroom sessions unsafe. The experiment that began Monday could propel the court to routinely livestream its arguments. The phone arguments ran smoothly. The justices asked roughly two questions apiece. The chief justice occasionally interjected to keep things moving. And there was one mild surprise: Justice Clarence Thomas asked questions for the first time in more than a year. (Photo: CNN)
May 4, 2020 9:32 am
NEW YORK (AP) – The owner of J.Crew is filing for bankruptcy protection, the first major retailer to do so since the pandemic forced the closing of most stores in the United States. More retail bankruptcies are expected in coming weeks with the doors of thousands of stores still locked. March sales at stores and restaurants had their most severe plunge on records dating back to 1992. Clothing sales fell more than 50% that month and it has grown worse. The abrupt closure of stores threatens the overall health of the U.S. with consumers driving 70% of all economic activity in the country. The company said Monday that it anticipates its stores will reopen when it’s safe to do so.
May 4, 2020 4:09 am
ROME (AP) – From the United States to Asia, people are emerging from their homes as virus-related restrictions are being eased. But the pandemic is climbing to worrisome peaks in some of the world’s most populous countries. India reported more than 2,600 new cases, its biggest single-day jump, and new cases in Russia exceeded 10,000 for the first time. Britain’s death toll climbed near Italy’s, even though the U.K. population is younger and Britain had more time to prepare. The coronavirus has killed more than 247,000 people. Experts warn a second wave of infections could hit unless testing is expanded dramatically.
May 4, 2020 4:07 am
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Officials in Nebraska are forging ahead with plans for the state’s May 12 primary despite calls from Democrats to only offer voting by mail and concerns from public health officials that in-person voting will help the coronavirus spread. Top Republican officials in the GOP-dominated state have repeatedly urged voters to cast early, absentee ballots, but they argue that voters must have the option of voting in-person. If the election proceeds as planned, Nebraska will be the first to hold a statewide election with physical polling sites since Wisconsin’s much-criticized primary, which was plagued by a poll worker shortage and long lines.
May 4, 2020 4:06 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Faced with 20,000 coronavirus deaths, the nation’s nursing homes are pushing to get states to grant them emergency protection from lawsuits alleging inadequate care. At least 15 states have enacted measures providing nursing homes some protection from lawsuits arising from the crisis. Now the industry is forging ahead with a campaign to get other states on board. Their argument is that nursing homes should not be liable for events beyond their control, such as shortages of protective equipment and testing. Watchdogs and patient advocates argue that lawsuits are the only safety net to keep facilities accountable.
May 4, 2020 4:05 am
HVAMMSTANGI, Iceland (AP) – High schools, hair salons, dentists and other businesses across Iceland are reopening after six weeks of lockdown, after this North Atlantic nation managed to tame its coronavirus outbreak. Iceland has confirmed 1,799 cases of the virus, but just 10 people have died. The number of new COVID-19 cases each day has fallen from 106 at the peak of the outbreak to single digits – even, on some days, zero. áIceland’s success reflects decisive action by authorities, who used a rigorous policy of testing and tracking to find and isolate infected people, even when they had no symptoms. Even so, Iceland’s chief epidemiologist, Thorolfur Gudnason, says “I didn’t expect the recovery to be this fast.”
May 4, 2020 4:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate gaveled in Monday as the coronavirus raged. The senators face a deepening national debate over how best to confront the deadly pandemic and its economic devastation. With the House staying away due to the health risks, but the 100 senators meeting for the first time since March, the conflicted Congress reflects an uneasy nation. Tops on the Senate agenda is not the next virus aid package, but confirming President Donald Trump’s nominees. Senate Republicans are reluctant to spend more money on virus relief. They’re counting on the country’s re-opening to kick start the economy and reduce the need for aid. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is quietly crafting the next relief package and Democrats say more must be done.
May 4, 2020 3:55 am
Students at more than 25 universities are filing lawsuits demanding tuition refunds from their schools after finding that the online classes they’re being offered don’t match up to the classroom experience. The class-action lawsuits have been filed against prestigious private schools and large public universities alike. The suits reflect students’ growing frustration with online classes that schools scrambled to create as the coronavirus forced campuses across the nation to close last month. Colleges, though, reject the idea that refunds are in order. They insist that, after being forced to close by their states, they are still offering students a quality education.
May 4, 2020 3:54 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Police are investigating the possible connection between the shooting deaths of two men found dead not far from each other in the Pittsburgh area. Police in Allegheny County say one man was found inside his home Saturday in a Ross Township apartment complex. The medical examiner identified him as 37-year-old Bing Liu of Pittsburgh. Police say a second man was found about 100 yards away in a car. He has not yet been identified. Township police say both men died of apparent gunshot wounds. Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp said the two appear to be connected beyond their proximity to each other.
May 4, 2020 3:52 am
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Flight resumed Sunday at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Westmoreland County, but extra precautions will continue to keep passengers and employees safe. Spirit Airlines is back up and running after suspending all flights about a month ago. The sole commercial carrier at the airport stopped service after bookings dropped dramatically, causing the airport to lay off 60 of its employees. Executive Director Gabe Monzo said extra safety measures will be taken to prevent the spread of the virus, starting with increasing the frequency of cleaning routines. Spirit is expected to resume mid-day flight from Latrobe to Orlando, Florida, on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. The airport is anticipating more flights to return eventually.
