While most voters were asleep, the fate of Ohio’s Tuesday primary election was being decided by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Read the full story‘Chaos and Confusion’ Surround Ohio’s Canceled, Then On Again, Then Off Again Election
Tag: Coronavirus
Minnesota Limits Testing Because of ‘National Shortage’ of COVID-19 Testing Materials
The Minnesota Department of Health said Tuesday that it is tightening its “testing criteria” for the coronavirus because of a “national shortage of COVID-19 laboratory testing materials.”
Read the full storyMinnesota Lawmakers Call Walz’s Order Closing Private Businesses ‘An Overreach That Will Be Devastating’
Republican lawmakers said they appreciate Gov. Tim Walz’s leadership in responding to the coronavirus outbreak, but think his executive order closing most private businesses is “an overreach that will be devastating.”
Read the full storyMichigan Department of Education Publishes ‘Meet Up and Eat Up’ Map for Students Relying on School Food
The Michigan Department of Education has published a map to make it easier for families who rely on schools for meals to find locations where they are being provided.
Read the full storyIn Tennessee, Most People With Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus Are Not Elderly
As a state, Tennessee has a total of 73 positive coronavirus cases, which is the 12th most in the country.
Read the full storyAnalysis: Vital Facts About Covid-19
Given the spread of misinformation about Covid-19, Just Facts is providing a trove of rigorously documented facts about this disease and its impacts. These include some crucial facts that have been absent or misreported in much of the media’s coverage of this issue.
Read the full storyManny Sethi Schedules Coronavirus Tele-Town Hall for Thursday
U.S. Republican senatorial candidate Manny Sethi announced Monday he will host a tele-town hall this coming Thursday on Facebook to discuss the Coronavirus.
According to a press release, Sethi has scheduled his Coronavirus town hall for noon central Thursday on Facebook.
People may submit questions and get more information by going to Sethi’s campaign website.
Read the full storyRichard Grenell Denies Reports Suggesting Trump Wants Exclusive Access to a German Vaccine
U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell told his Twitter followers Sunday afternoon that the a report from Welt am Sonntag German newspaper discussing Trump’s offer is “not true.”
“The Welt story was wrong. But Business Insider, Reuters and others went with it anyway despite not having their own sources. Now everyone is back peddling,” Grenell said in his Sunday afternoon tweet.
Read the full storyMark Green Requests Flexibility for School Statewide Assessments Amid Coronavirus
U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-TN-07) on Monday asked U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to recognize the impact the Coronavirus emergency has had on schools’ abilities to administer statewide assessments.
Green asked this of DeVos in a letter dated Monday.
Read the full storySteve Bannon Discusses the Potential Impact the Coronavirus Could Have on the United States and What We Can Learn from Other Infected Countries
Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Michael Patrick Leahy was joined on the newsmakers line by War Room Pandemic host Steve Bannon.
During the third hour, Bannon gave his take on how the coronavirus could be managed in the United States based on the math proven in other countries. He described the dramatic steps that governor’s in Washington were taking around the nation and urged the public to take the necessary precautions to help prevent the spread until it becomes manageable.
Read the full storyWhite House Easter Egg Roll Canceled ‘Out Of An Abundance Of Caution’
The White House Easter Egg Roll has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Office of the First Lady announced Monday that the Easter Egg Roll was called off “out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with the National Emergency Declaration concerning the COVID-19.”
Read the full storyStudents to College Administrators: ‘Send Us Home – Pay Us Back’
Students at one New York university have gathered to demand that their school close campus and give them their money back.
After an increasing number of universities nationwide have closed their doors and extended their spring breaks amid coronavirus concerns, students at Stony Brook University have begun to protest and demand refunds from the school’s administration.
While Stony Brook has moved to online courses, students have not yet been dismissed from campuses.
Read the full storyBreaking: Gov. DeWine Flouts Judge’s Ruling, Declares Health Emergency to Postpone Primary Election
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he wants to postpone Tuesday’s primary election, but he lacks the authority to unilaterally delay an election under the Ohio Constitution.
Read the full storyWhitmer Orders All Bars, Restaurants, Theaters and More to Close
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a sweeping executive order Monday that orders the closure of several public places in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Under the executive order, the following places of public accommodation were required to close: restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, bars, taverns, brewpubs, distilleries, clubs, movie theaters, indoor and outdoor performance venues, gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, spas, and casinos.
Read the full storyMichigan Coronavirus Cases Up to 53
Michigan currently has 53 confirmed cases of the coronavirus after 20 more cases were recently confirmed, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced on Sunday.
The virus, identified by medical professionals as COVID-19, has been confirmed in seven different counties: Washtenaw County, Oakland County, Macomb County, Kent County, Wayne County, Ottawa County and St. Clair County. It has also been confirmed in the city of Detroit.
Read the full storyWhitmer Expands Unemployment Benefits for Those Impacted by the Coronavirus
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order extending unemployment benefits for Michigan workers impacted by the spread of the coronavirus in the state.
Under the expanded eligibility, unemployment benefits are available to workers who are sick, quarantined or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid time off; workers who have “unanticipated family care responsibility” such as ill family or additional childcare responsibility due to school closures; and first responders who are ill or quarantined because of the coronavirus. The extended eligibility is in effect until April 14.
Read the full storyOhio Hides Number of Coronavirus Tests It Is Conducting
Ohio leaders are so busy sending restaurant workers to the unemployment line over fears of the coronavirus they apparently do not have time to actually test for the presence of the virus among their citizens, nor do they want you to know how many they have tested.
As Monday afternoon, Ohio had 50 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to The COVID Tracking Project. Out of 551 tests that have been taken, 140 were negative and 361 results are pending.
Read the full storyMinnesota Legislature Will Meet on As Needed Basis for Next 30 Days, Bars and Restaurants Ordered Shut
The Minnesota Legislature will be meeting on an “on-call” basis for the next 30 days, leaders announced Monday morning.
During that time, much of their legislative work will focus on responding to the coronavirus outbreak, which reached 54 confirmed cases in the state as of Monday afternoon.
“Over the next few weeks, the Minnesota Legislature will continue to work, but by alternative means. We expect to operate efficiently and safely to aid Minnesotans with COVID-19 preparedness and response, and to continue our work to address other pressing needs of the state,” leaders of both the House and Senate said in a joint statement.
Read the full storyGovernment Red Tape May Keep Nashville Business Owners from Getting Tax Relief During Coronavirus Emergency
Nashville Democratic Mayor John Cooper hinted Monday that city officials will help businesses in the city that have either had to shut down or limit capacity because of the Coronavirus emergency, per city orders.
Will city officials offer tax relief?
Metro officials say a maze of government rules complicate matters.
On Sunday members of the Metropolitan Board of Health of Nashville and Davidson County declared a public health emergency that forced business owners to either close their doors or limit capacity, according to the city’s website.
Read the full storyGovernor Bill Lee: ‘I Urge Every School District in Tennessee to Close As Soon As Practically Possible’
Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee said Monday that he wants all school districts in the state to close as soon as possible and to remain closed until the end of this month.
“As the response to COVID-19 evolves, I urge every school district in Tennessee to close as soon as practically possible, with all schools expected to close by Friday, March 20, 2020 at the latest. Schools should remain closed through March 31, 2020 to further mitigate the spread of this infectious disease and we will issue further guidance prior to March 31,” Lee said in a statement.
Read the full storyJeff Webb Commentary: Corporate Responsibility During the Coronavirus Pandemic Economic Crisis
by Jeff Webb For the past several decades large corporations operating in the United States have made business decisions significantly influenced by the widely held belief they have social responsibilities that extend beyond their fiduciary responsibility to maximize profits. The current economic slowdown created by the Coronavirus pandemic presents every company in the country–and particularly large multinationals–the opportunity to demonstrate by their actions that they are the good corporate citizens they have claimed to be. Doing good deeds in a community has long been considered the best demonstration of corporate social responsibility. Now the most important thing companies can do is first, protect their own employees, and second, protect their business partners–the vendors and contractors that help enable their businesses to operate as successful companies. The president’s declaration of a national emergency on Friday, combined with the shutting down of virtually every event in the country that involves crowds of almost any size, have confirmed this economic crisis. No one knows how severe the peak of this pandemic in the United States, which as of Sunday has already caused the deaths of at least 59 of our fellow country men, will be. Estimates from public health care experts and…
Read the full storyUK Government Walks Back Plan to Aim for ‘Herd Immunity’ in Response to Coronavirus
The U.K. government is backing down from a controversial plan to aim for “herd immunity” in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Read the full storyA New Jersey Hospital Has Six Male ICU Patients with Coronavirus, All Ages 28 to 48
One New Jersey hospital in the front lines of fighting the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak shows startling statistics as its section of the Garden State braces for more cases.
Of 11 cases at Holy Name Medical Center, six are in the ICU, and all six are men between the ages of 28 to 48, according to a story by ROI-NJ. Forty more patients are under observation at the Teaneck, NJ hospital, according to CEO Mike Maron.
“From what we’ve seen, it’s not impacting children at all — or pretty much anybody under 20,” he said. “That doesn’t mean they don’t have it. They may just process it in a better way, a faster way. That’s the beauty of being young.
Read the full storyLargest Catholic Church in North America Suspends All Masses Until ‘Further Notice’
The largest Catholic church in North America suspended all masses and confessions until “further notice” Friday.
Read the full storyFour Primaries to Take Place Tuesday Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Tuesday’s upcoming presidential primary contests with a combined 577 delegates up for grabs will move forward as planned despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Read the full storyFrance, Israel Shut Down All Non-Essential Stores, Restaurants, Cafes
France and Israel shut down all non-essential stores, restaurants and cafes Saturday to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from spreading.
Read the full storyMichigan State Prisons Stop in-Person Visits Effective Immediately
The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) announced Friday that it will cut off in-person prison visits, effective immediately, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Read the full storyGovernor Walz Orders Closure of All Public Schools, Confirmed Cases Jumps to 35
Gov. Tim Walz ordered the temporary closure of all K-12 public schools in Minnesota Sunday in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Under the executive order, all schools will be closed to students by Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 27 to accommodate teachers and administrators as they devise a long-term plan for responding to the virus.
Read the full storyGovernor DeWine Says Ohio Schools Could Remain Closed for Rest of Academic Year, Orders All Restaurants to Close
Gov. Mike DeWine said Sunday morning that Ohio’s public schools could remain closed for the rest of the academic year.
DeWine ordered all K-12 public schools to close for three weeks beginning at the end of the day Monday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, said that closing for eight weeks or more would have a greater impact on mitigating the spread of the virus.
Read the full storySanders, Biden to Debate Without Studio Audience
The last two major U.S. Democratic presidential candidates – former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders – are debating Sunday night in a world turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic, seated in a Washington television studio without any people attending it.
The two long-time politicians will be trading their thoughts – and likely more than a few barbs at each other – over two hours.
Read the full storyAmericans Could Face More Restrictions Due to Coronavirus
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday morning that more needs to be done to reduce personal interactions throughout the country.
“I would like to see a dramatic diminution of the personal interaction that we see in restaurants and in bars,” Fauci said. “Whatever it takes to do that, that’s what I’d like to see.”
Read the full storyLucas County Case Brings Ohio’s Coronavirus Total to 27
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department announced its first presumptive case of coronavirus in the county. The person, who was not identified, had recent travel to an area where the infection is present.
Read the full storyPresident Trump Tests Negative for the Chinese Coronavirus
President Donald Trump tested negative for the COVID-19 virus after taking the test Friday night.
Read the full storyCommentary: Coronavirus Reminds Us What Education Without Schooling Can Look Like
As the global coronavirus outbreak closes more schools for weeks, and sometimes months—some 300 million children are currently missing class—parents, educators, and policymakers are panicking.
Read the full storyRonna McDaniel Took Coronavirus Test After Coming Down With Fever, Is Awaiting Results
Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, is awaiting the results of a coronavirus test she took Friday after experiencing flu-like symptoms, a spokesman for the party said on Saturday.
Read the full storyAll These Major Places And Events Are Closed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
From Disney World to the Supreme Court, institutions across the country are being affected by the rampant spread of coronavirus.
Read the full storyHouse Passes Coronavirus Bill That Provides Free Testing, Sick Leave Benefits
The House voted overwhelmingly early Saturday morning to pass a bill that provides coronavirus testing at no cost to patients, and extends paid sick leave to workers who come down with the virus or have to go into self-quarantine.
Read the full storyCommentary: Five Questions About the Coronavirus Testing Answered
The U.S. government is fighting to contain and slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Testing is central to these efforts. Molecular biologist and viral researcher Maureen Ferran answers some basic questions about how these diagnostic tests work – and if there are enough to go around.
Read the full storyGovernor Walz Declares Peacetime Emergency, COVID-19 Spreads to Rural Counties
Health officials identified seven new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Saturday morning, including the first case in a rural county.
Read the full storyPeters and Stabenow Ask Trump to Reopen Health Insurance Enrollment Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Michigan’s U.S. senators sent a letter to the Trump administration Friday requesting a special health insurance enrollment window in response the coronavirus outbreak.
Read the full storyOhio Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Doubles in One Day
Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine and state health leaders announced Saturday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state had doubled in one day.
Read the full storyRep. Green Says Chinese Official Told ‘Baldfaced Lie’ that American Troops Unleashed Coronavirus on Wuhan
U.S. Rep. Dr. Mark Green called China’s statement that American troops committed biowarfare by unleashing the COVID-19 coronavirus on Wuhan a “baldfaced lie.”
Read the full storyTrump Declares National Emergency to Deal With COVID-19; Announces ‘Drive-Thru Testing’
President Trump on Friday declared a national emergency to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, amid media hysteria and a tumbling stock market. The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has infected more than 1,700 people in the United States, and killed 41 of them.
Read the full storyMichigan Governor Doesn’t Rule Out Martial Law as Coronavirus Response
The governor of Michigan dodged a question on whether she would rule out martial law as a response to the coronavirus pandemic Friday.
Read the full story‘We’re Taking an Overabundance of Caution’: Border Patrol Braces for Spread of Coronavirus
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said its agency, including Border Patrol agents, is following all the necessary steps to combat the coronavirus outbreak in a conference call with reporters Friday.
Read the full storyDemocrats Continue to Use the Coronavirus to Push Their Political Agenda
On Friday’s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed all-star panelist and co-host Ben Cunningham to the studio.
Read the full storyOhio Governor’s Alarming Claim About the Number of Coronavirus Cases Was Based on a ‘Guesstimate’
A top Ohio health department official who said Thursday that 100,000 or more people in the state have coronavirus now says she was “guesstimating” to arrive at the alarming number.
Read the full storyWhitmer Issues Executive Order Banning Large Public Gatherings
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order Friday banning all public gatherings of more than 250 people in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Read the full storyWhitmer Orders All K-12 Schools Closed To Prevent Spread of Coronavirus
All K-12 school buildings in Michigan are closed starting Monday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday. The closure applies to public, private and boarding schools. Schools are set to reopen on April 6.
Read the full storyGov. DeWine Closes Schools and Bans Mass Gatherings Over 100 to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine took extra steps Thursday to prevent the Chinese coronavirus from spreading in the Buckeye state.
Read the full story