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COVID-19: The Latest

Justice: ‘Stop the politics’

CHARLESTON — Gov. Jim Justice made his feelings known Tuesday about those pushing for spending part of the state’s $1.25 billion coronavirus relief package and those pushing him to keep unemployment benefits flowing to those being called back to work. “Let’s please stop the politics, please,” Justice said. “That’s all there is to it. That’s all this is.” Justice, speaking Tuesday afternoon during his daily coronavirus briefing from the Capitol, addressed a letter sent to state officials Monday by several union, public interest and social justice groups. The letter ...

Weirton funding cuts possible due to pandemic

WEIRTON — The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation and the Mary H. Weir Public Library could see their yearly allotment of funding from the city reduced as a result of continuing cuts implemented in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The issue was discussed by Weirton Council during its meeting Monday, at which time it was proposed a 5 percent reduction in the allotments to both groups be made for the 2020 fiscal year. Council will schedule another meeting in the coming weeks for additional discussion and formal action. “The 5 percent isn’t really detrimental to either ...

Shoppers slowly trickle back to Ohio’s retail shops

COLUMBUS (AP) — Opening day for retail stores in Ohio was anything but normal. Shopkeepers and joggers outnumbered customers in the normally bustling Short North neighborhood of Columbus. Masked shoppers bunched up in lines to buy new Air Jordan basketball shoes inside a Toledo mall lined with darkened storefronts. With Tuesday’s reopening of retail businesses after a nearly two-month-long shutdown designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Mike DeWine expects 90 percent of the state’s economy will be restarted by week’s end when barbershops, hair salons and ...

Fauci warns of serious consequences

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, warned bluntly Tuesday of “really serious” consequences of suffering, death and deeper economic damage if state and local officials lift stay-at-home orders too quickly, even as President Donald Trump pushes them to act to right a free-falling economy. Fauci’s testimony before a Senate committee came as more than two dozen states have begun to lift their lockdowns as a first step toward economic recovery. Underscoring the seriousness of the pandemic that has reached Congress and the White ...

Pa. opening probe into nursing homes

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s top prosecutor has opened criminal investigations into several nursing homes amid a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 2,600 residents of nursing homes and other facilities that care for older adults, more than two-thirds of the state’s death toll, his office announced Tuesday. The attorney general’s office did not say how many facilities it is investigating, or reveal their names or provide any other details about the specific allegations. In general, the attorney general’s office has jurisdiction in manners of criminal ...

Pelosi unveils $3T virus bill, warns inaction costs more

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled a more than $3 trillion coronavirus aid package Tuesday, a sweeping effort with $1 trillion for states and cities, “hazard pay” for essential workers and a new round of cash payments to individuals. The House is expected to vote on the package as soon as Friday. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said there is no “urgency.” The Senate will wait until after Memorial Day to consider options. “We must think big, for the people, now,” Pelosi said from the speaker’s office at the Capitol. “Not ...