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Oklahoma seeking to return $2M worth of hydroxychloroquine
Read full article: Oklahoma seeking to return $2M worth of hydroxychloroquineFILE - In this Feb. 21, 2017, file photo, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter sits at a meeting in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office is attempting to return $2 million worth of an anti-malaria drug once touted by former President Donald Trump as an effective treatment for COVID-19, a spokesman said Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. Alex Gerszewski, a spokesman for Attorney General Mike Hunter, said Hunter is attempting to negotiate a return of the 1.2 million hydroxychloroquine pills Oklahoma acquired in April from a California-based supplier, FFF Enterprises. He said the office was acting on a request from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, which authorized the purchase. The attempt by Oklahoma to return the hydroxychloroquine was first reported by the online news publication The Frontier.
States eye allowing concealed carry of guns without a permit
Read full article: States eye allowing concealed carry of guns without a permitFifteen states already allow concealed carry without a permit, and lawmakers in nine others have proposed allowing or expanding the practice. Against that backdrop, the efforts to loosen concealed carry requirements are a frightening trend for Shannon Watts, founder of the gun control group Moms Demand Action. He pointed to a multistate study published in 2018 by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons that found loosening concealed carry permit laws didnโt lead to more homicides or violent crime. In Montana, the House recently passed a bill to allow people to carry concealed firearms without a permit in most places. Similar bills that would allow or expand concealed carry without a permit have been introduced in Texas, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Alabama and Georgia.
Supreme Court rejects Republican attack on Biden victory
Read full article: Supreme Court rejects Republican attack on Biden victoryKathy Kratt of Orlando, Fla., displays her Trump flags as she and other protesters demonstrate their support for President Donald Trump at the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Trump bemoaned the decision late Friday, tweeting: โThe Supreme Court really let us down. Two days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed his suit, Trump jumped into the high court case. โIf the Supreme Court shows great Wisdom and Courage, the American People will win perhaps the most important case in history, and our Electoral Process will be respected again!โ he tweeted Friday afternoon. Many Republican voters in several states won by Biden have demanded that their elected officials find a way to invalidate the president-elect's victories.
Hundreds of GOP members sign onto Texas-led election lawsuit
Read full article: Hundreds of GOP members sign onto Texas-led election lawsuitIn this Nov. 5, 2020, file photo, the Supreme Court in Washington. The Supreme Court has rejected Republicans' last-gasp bid to reverse Pennsylvanias certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory in the electoral battleground. โBut itโs worth it for the Supreme Court to weigh in and settle it once and for all,โ he said. Spencer Cox, who will become governor in January, blasted Attorney General Sean Reyes for deciding to join the suit. Despite the political pressure, Idahoโs Republican attorney general chose not to join the Texas suit.
The Latest: Emperor's New Year greeting cancelled in Japan
Read full article: The Latest: Emperor's New Year greeting cancelled in JapanExperts have urged the government to reduce social and business activity before the holiday season because of a rise in serious coronavirus cases. The 583 new cases reported Thursday was the first time that South Koreaโs daily tally had exceeded 500 since March. KCCI reports that the Iowa Department of Public Health reported 3,331 new positive COVID-19 cases as of 10 a.m. to bring the total to 222,278. The 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 of population, a recognized measure of the pandemicโs spread, also fell Thursday, to 325. The Reno-Sparks area has recorded 59 COVID-19 deaths the last 30 days โ half of those this past week.
States impose new rules, plead with public to stop spread
Read full article: States impose new rules, plead with public to stop spreadPete Ricketts warned that he could impose tighter social-distancing restrictions before Thanksgiving if hospitalizations continue to rise. In Washington state, elective procedures such as joint and heart valve replacements and some cancer surgeries could be postponed to make room for coronavirus patients, said Washington State Hospital Association CEO Cassie Sauer. Even so, health officials are trying everything they can to slow the spread and address an even worse surge that many say is inevitable. New York Gov. New York state has averaged nearly 5,500 new cases per day over the past seven days.
Some GOP governors shift on mask mandates as hospitals fill
Read full article: Some GOP governors shift on mask mandates as hospitals fillโIf our health care system exceeds capacity, itโs not just COVID-19 weโll be fighting. GOP governors in Ohio and West Virginia have also recently strengthened existing mask mandates, while Mississippi's governor expanded the stateโs partial mandate to cover more counties. Still, 13 other states with GOP governors still have no statewide mask mandates, and many of them have affirmed their opposition in recent days even as cases, hospitalizations and deaths rise in their states. โI donโt think mask mandates are appropriate,โ Nebraska Gov. โMask mandates will likely have the opposite effect of what was intended,โ Rep. Steven Holt, chair of the Iowa House Judiciary committee, wrote on his Facebook page.
States tightening anti-virus restrictions amid case surge
Read full article: States tightening anti-virus restrictions amid case surgeAt the same time, she claimed โthereโs science on both sidesโ about whether masks reduce the spread of the coronavirus. With Thanksgiving coming up next week, public health officials are bracing for a holiday-fueled surge. The national death toll is on pace to keep climbing in the coming days as states set new records. In South Dakota, the state with the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths per capita in November, Republican Gov. The state recorded more than 4,400 cases during the week ending Sunday, a 63% increase from the previous week.
The Latest: Connecticut governor is self-quarantining
Read full article: The Latest: Connecticut governor is self-quarantiningNed Lamont is self-quarantining after his chief spokesperson tested positive for COVID-19, his administration announced late Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. Ned Lamont is self-quarantining after his chief spokesperson tested positive for COVID-19. Another governor, Democrat Steve Sisolak of Nevada, announced Friday that he had tested positive for COVID-19. DeWine tested positive using a rapid test before testing negative later that day after using a more sensitive laboratory-developed test. The latest state health department figures also show hospitalizations have edged back up statewide โ hitting 684 after dipping to 676 a day earlier.
As cases rise, states say they'll work with Biden on virus
Read full article: As cases rise, states say they'll work with Biden on virusGary Herbert speaks as he joins state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn at a press conference at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, clarifying the state's mask mandate on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. Minnesotaโs per-capita new case counts are better than neighboring Wisconsin and the Dakotas, which have some of the countryโs highest transmission rates, but have still raised alarm with the state's health officials. In Idaho, where 1 of every 223 residents tested positive for the virus over the last week, Republican Gov. With Trump still not conceding the race, some Republican governors have greeted Bidenโs efforts in a more measured way. In Oklahoma, where cases also are on the rise, Republican Gov.
The Latest: Shanghai quarantines 186 after case at airport
Read full article: The Latest: Shanghai quarantines 186 after case at airportState officials said testing sites in Lee County also were forced to close due to the stormโs impact. ___MADISON, Wis. โ Wisconsin health officials reported another dip in new COVID-19 infections Monday from a record high over the weekend. Of the 707 people in the hospital, the state reported 168 were in intensive care. New daily confirmed cases are up more than 60% over the past two weeks, to an average of nearly 109,000 a day. The U.S. accounts for about one fifth of the worldโs 50 million confirmed cases.
Utah governor issues statewide mask mandate amid virus surge
Read full article: Utah governor issues statewide mask mandate amid virus surgeGary Herbert declared a state of emergency and ordered a statewide mask mandate in an attempt to stem a surge in coronavirus patient hospitalizations that is testing the stateโs hospital capacity. State officials sent out an emergency alert to state residents on their phones Sunday to alert them to Herbert's televised address outlining the orders. Earlier Sunday, Utah health authorities announced a new high in the number of coronavirus hospitalizations and 2,386 more confirmed COVID-19 cases as the pandemic surged. At least 659 state residents have died of the coronavirus and more than 132,000 have been infected. Herbert has said heโs concerned that people are feeling fatigued from the pandemic and urged Utah residents to follow masking and social distancing requirements.
Races for governor take top billing in Missouri, Montana
Read full article: Races for governor take top billing in Missouri, MontanaFILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 file photo, Missouri Republican Gov. Its the most hotly contested of the nations 11 governors races this fall. Which party holds the governor's office could be especially consequential over the next few years. In governorโs races, many of the attack ads are funded by each partyโs governors association. In the governorโs race, he said Gianforteโs financial support of a Montana museum dedicated to creationist beliefs was a big problem.
State leaders facing 2nd wave resist steps to curb virus
Read full article: State leaders facing 2nd wave resist steps to curb virusThey include Nebraska and South Dakota, where the number of new cases topped previous highs for each state. But this fall's resurgence of the virus, despite being far more widespread, has brought a decidedly more limited response in many states. Most are led by Republican governors backing a president who insists, falsely, that the country is getting the virus under control. โAt the end of the day, personal responsibility is the only way. โI believe in personal responsibility and that it is our responsibility as American citizens to choose if we want to wear it or not,โ she said.
'So frustrating': Grave missteps seen in US virus response
Read full article: 'So frustrating': Grave missteps seen in US virus responseState lawmakers who used federal COVID-19 aid to plug budget holes instead of beefing up testing and contact tracing. โThe inconsistency of the response is whatโs been so frustrating,โ said Dr. Irwin Redlener of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University. The handling of the crisis has emerged as a central issue in the race between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has mocked Biden's mask-wearing and repeatedly assured the country that it is โrounding the cornerโ on the outbreak. Biden has hammered the president for downplaying the virus and undermining scientists.
US sets coronavirus infection record; deaths near 224,000
Read full article: US sets coronavirus infection record; deaths near 224,000The United States is approaching a record for the number of new daily coronavirus cases in the latest ominous sign about the disease's grip on the nation. The total U.S. caseload reported on the site Friday was 83,757, topping the 77,362 cases reported on July 16. Weโve bought more hospital beds,โ said Dr. Robert Scoggins, a pulmonologist at the Kootenai Health hospital in Coeur dโAlene. Gary Herbert proclaimed Friday to be โa record day for Utah โ but not a good oneโ as COVID-19 cases reached an all-time high for the state. The seven-day rolling average for new daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surpassed 61,140 Thursday, compared with 44,647 two weeks ago.
The Latest: New outbreak delays easing of rules in Melbourne
Read full article: The Latest: New outbreak delays easing of rules in MelbourneIt is not appropriate for us to do that now.โโณVictoria reported seven new coronavirus cases on Sunday, with six linked to the latest outbreak, which involves 39 people across 11 households. Eight countries now have more than 1 million confirmed cases, and three are in Latin America. Argentina hit 1 million confirmed cases on Monday. ___OKLAHOMA CITY โ Oklahoma has registered more than 1,800 newly confirmed coronavirus cases. ___ATHENS, Greece โ Greece officials introduced mandatory wearing of masks everywhere Saturday, with the country reaching records for new daily coronavirus cases.
Leaders in US, Europe divided on response to surging virus
Read full article: Leaders in US, Europe divided on response to surging virusVirus cases are surging across Europe and many U.S. states, but responses by leaders are miles apart, with officials in Ireland, France and elsewhere imposing curfews and restricting gatherings even as some U.S. governors resist mask mandates or more aggressive measures. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, reiterated Tuesday that he has no plans to do so and would instead leave such decisions to local officials. Doug Burgumโs approach of leaving management of the virus to local officials. Mahoney, himself, cast the deciding vote against a city mask mandate early this month. Associated Press writers Adam Causey in Oklahoma City, Dave Kolpack in Fargo, North Dakota, and Jill Lawless and Sylvia Hui in London contributed to this story.
The Latest: Honolulu to allow some activities to resume
Read full article: The Latest: Honolulu to allow some activities to resume(AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)HONOLULU -- Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says the city plans to allow some activities that were shut down last month to control the spread of the coronavirus to resume under new guidelines. Gary Herbert will increase pandemic restrictions in two Utah cities as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the state. The county accounted for 42% of the stateโs cases despite having only 20% of stateโs population. Eric Holcombโs statewide mask mandate and other coronavirus restrictions poses a possible disruption to his reelection campaign. But the real toll is thought to be much higher, in part because many COVID-19 deaths were probably ascribed to other causes, especially early on, before widespread testing.
The Latest: South Korea's daily virus total drops slightly
Read full article: The Latest: South Korea's daily virus total drops slightlyItโs the first time for South Koreaโs daily jump to fall to double digits since Aug. 13. But even before Sunday, South Koreaโs daily virus tally had been staying in the 100s for more than two weeks, after it once surpassed 400 in late August. Like other countries in Europe, the number of virus cases has spiked in recent days in Romania. ___TEL AVIV, Israel โ Dozens of Israelis held a beach demonstration against a new lockdown prompted by a surge in coronavirus cases. ___NEW DELHI โIndia has maintained its surge in coronavirus cases, adding 93,337 new confirmed infections in the past 24 hours.
The Latest: U of Colorado shifting students for virus cases
Read full article: The Latest: U of Colorado shifting students for virus casesIndia's coronavirus cases jumped by another 96,424 in the past 24 hours, showing little sign of leveling. The announcement came as the university reported 130 newly confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 671 cases since classes began about a month ago. Little says Idaho residents have done well in their precautions, such as wearing face coverings, but virus infections have continued. John Hopkins University says that through Thursday, Idaho had more than 36,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 434 deaths. That tally raised the stateโs rolling average number of daily new confirmed coronavirus cases to 726, more than double 381 just one week ago.
Utah sees virus surge -- but not in county with mask order
Read full article: Utah sees virus surge -- but not in county with mask orderUtah has been experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases - but not around the densely populated capital city, where cases are dropping nearly a month after Salt Lake County instituted a mask mandate. Today were sharing data that indicates that face coverings and other interventions implemented by Salt Lake County are having a positive impact, county Mayor Jenny Wilson said. These actions are saving lives, protecting health and stabilizing the spread of COVID-19 cases.Based on data in Salt Lake County, Wilson called on the governor to order a statewide mask requirement. The number of new cases reported daily in Salt Lake County is nearly down to levels seen in June. The county used to consistently report 60% of the states cases, but now typically sees about 40% of those cases, Wilson said.
Reality shows shortfalls of Trump's claim to 'best testing'
Read full article: Reality shows shortfalls of Trump's claim to 'best testing'Trump's persistent salesmanship about the prowess of testing in the United States is colliding with a far different reality for those affected by the explosion in coronavirus cases. We have the best testing in the world, the president insisted Tuesday. 'Whoever is responsible for testing shortfalls, the result is working against Trump's own goals to move beyond the virus and get the economy moving. In Pennsylvanias Allegheny County, which encompasses Pittsburgh and 1.2 million residents, health officials are trying to triage the demand for tests. This week U.S. health officials announced they would begin shipping rapid testing machines and kits to nursing homes in COVID-19 hot spots.
Reality shows shortfalls of Trump's claim to 'best testing'
Read full article: Reality shows shortfalls of Trump's claim to 'best testing'Trump's persistent salesmanship about the prowess of testing in the United States is colliding with a far different reality for those affected by the explosion in coronavirus cases. We have the best testing in the world, the president insisted Tuesday. 'Whoever is responsible for testing shortfalls, the result is working against Trump's own goals to move beyond the virus and get the economy moving. In Pennsylvanias Allegheny County, which encompasses Pittsburgh and 1.2 million residents, health officials are trying to triage the demand for tests. This week U.S. health officials announced they would begin shipping rapid testing machines and kits to nursing homes in COVID-19 hot spots.
Crowded meeting with few masks 'foolish,' Utah governor says
Read full article: Crowded meeting with few masks 'foolish,' Utah governor saysAngry residents react when the Utah County Commission meeting was adjourned before it even started, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in Provo, Utah. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)SALT LAKE CITY People crowding into a public meeting in Utah to push for an exception to mask requirements in schools was rather foolish" and reflects an almost mob mentality, Republican Gov. Herbert spoke the day after local officials in Utah County abruptly canceled the meeting because the crowd did not follow social-distancing guidelines meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The county commissioners had planned to vote on whether or not to ask for a partial exemption from Herbert's statewide mask mandate for schools. Video footage showed the meeting was packed with people who opposed the mandate, very few of whom were wearing masks.
'Moving target': Schools deal with new plans, Trump demands
Read full article: 'Moving target': Schools deal with new plans, Trump demandsHere is a look at what several school districts are planning and discussing. -NEW DANCELike many schools, the Forth Worth Independent School District in Texas will give parents a choice between in-person and remote learning. Among the considerations: Plexiglas separators for multi-student desks, separating individual desks and even using gyms, cafeterias and auditoriums as spaces distancing students. The district is working off a plan it devised with local health officials and is modeled after the Nashville district's plan, he said. -MOVING TARGETIts an ever-moving target, Superintendent Chris Knutsen said about the reopening framework for the Florence Unified School District, southeast of Phoenix.
Governors stress 'personal responsibility' over virus orders
Read full article: Governors stress 'personal responsibility' over virus ordersWhen we have people dying in this state as a result of this virus, we should be taking personal responsibility for this, the Republican governor said. Elevating a message of personal responsibility over statewide crackdowns on businesses and requirements for people in public spaces has been a consistent approach among certain governors during the coronavirus crisis. She has consistently invoked personal responsibility as a key strategy in combating the virus. The personal responsibility ethos has been GOP orthodoxy for decades, often used to justify smaller government and promote individualism. In the current climate, personal responsibility is being used to encourage wearing masks, social distancing and avoiding large crowds without making those steps mandatory.
Governors face competing voices as reported virus cases rise
Read full article: Governors face competing voices as reported virus cases riseWith reported coronavirus cases rising rapidly in many states, governors are getting lots of advice on what they should do. Dr. Brian Labus, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health and a member of the medical team advising Sisolak, said he knows the governor has to weigh public health advice against political and economic considerations. The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases per day in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40,000 Friday. In Utah, coronavirus cases have been surging since most businesses were allowed to reopen in May. As West Virginia has seen a spike in reported virus cases, Gov.
The Latest: German meat company plans daily tests
Read full article: The Latest: German meat company plans daily tests(Guido Kirchner/dpa via AP)BERLIN A German meat company says it plans to perform daily coronavirus tests on all 5,000 workers involved in the production process amid concerns about a series of outbreaks at slaughterhouses in the country. Westfleisch, one of Germanys biggest meat processing companies, said Friday that it is already conducting weekly tests on the workers but from next week wants to perform them daily. Westfleisch suffered a COVID-19 outbreak involving hundreds of workers at its plant in the western town of Coesfeld in May, but that has since passed. ___PHOENIX An Arizona nightclub faces a misdemeanor charge for alleged failure to enforce its own social distancing polices as the number of COVID-19 cases continued rising. The state Department of Health Services reported 3,056 additional COVID-19 cases Thursday, the fourth day in a week in which the state had daily increases over 3,000.
Some states hit pause, others press on amid spike in virus
Read full article: Some states hit pause, others press on amid spike in virus(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)AUSTIN, Texas Utah and Oregon put any further reopenings of their economies on hold amid a spike in coronavirus cases, but there was no turning back Friday in such states as Texas, California, Arkansas and Arizona despite flashing warning signs there, too. So far, only a small number of governors have shown a willingness to retreat, or at least hit pause. As I've said before, reopening comes with real risk, Brown said in announcing a one-week pause that will affect, among other places, Portland, the state's biggest city. California Gov. Associated Press writers Andrew Selsky in Salem, Ore.; Kimberly Chandler in Montgomery, Ala.; and Bob Christie in Phoenix contributed to this report.
Utah governor race has conservative coronavirus fault lines
Read full article: Utah governor race has conservative coronavirus fault linesJon Huntsman, Jr., speaks during the Utah Gubernatorial Republican Primary Debate in Salt Lake City. He stepped down as U.S. ambassador to Russia under Donald Trump to return to Utah and make a run and reclaiming his seat. Now, it's showcasing conservative fault lines over the coronavirus crisis response and what recovery looks like. Hes still deciding between Huntsman and Cox, but has so far been impressed with the states handling of the coronavirus crisis. You keep hearing over and over that Utah wasn't locked down, Utah is doing so great, he said.
The Latest: California closes all downtown state buildings
Read full article: The Latest: California closes all downtown state buildingsProtests continued following the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. ___PORTLAND, Ore. Police in Portland deployed tear gas to disperse a large crowd downtown late Sunday night after authorities said projectiles were thrown at officers. Thousands of people marched throughout Oregons largest city on Sunday, the third day of George Floyd protests in Portland. Unlike Dallas, where police made dozens of arrests to enforce a downtown curfew, Austin doesnt have a curfew and demonstrators have been roaming downtown from the police station to the state Capitol several blocks away for nearly 10 hours. The demonstration over the death of George Floyd came after turbulent protests that led to the arrest of 83 people Saturday night.
Utah authorities identify 4 Chinese tourists killed in bus crash
Read full article: Utah authorities identify 4 Chinese tourists killed in bus crashUtah Highway Patrol(CNN) - The four Chinese tourists killed in a bus crash in southern Utah have been identified, the Utah Highway Patrol said on Twitter. "They (the bus crash victims) told me they never expected this kind of accident and they just don't know what to do or how to react," Chang said. "We are saddened to hear about the accident in Utah involving a bus carrying Chinese tourists. The wreck was about 7 miles northwest of the entrance of the Bryce Canyon National Park. It connects a number of national and state parks, including Bryce Canyon National Park and Red Canyon on the Dixie National Forest.