Some Valley residents are still waiting for their $1,200 federal COVID-19 stimulus check to arrive. And government data shows it could take several more weeks for the promised relief money to reach them. That's because Visalia and Fresno residents are ranked at the very bottom of the list of Americans...
‘If This Thing Boomerangs’: Second Wave of Infections Feared
WASHINGTON — As Europe and the U.S. loosen their lockdowns against the coronavirus, health experts are expressing growing dread over what they say is an all-but-certain second wave of deaths and infections that could force governments to clamp back down in a drawn-out, two-steps-forward-one-step-back process. “We’re risking a backslide that...
On National Nurses Day, Trump Rebukes Nurse After She Laments ‘Sporadic’ Access to Protective Gear
[aggregation-styles] Daily News President Trump paid tribute to the nation’s nurses on Wednesday by scolding one them after she noted that hospitals across the country have faced shortages in protective gear during the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking in the Oval Office after Trump signed a proclamation in honor of National Nurses...
Dallas Salon Owner Jailed for Defying Virus Shutdown Order
DALLAS — A Texas' judge's decision to jail a hair salon owner for defying restrictions meant to limit the spread of the coronavirus has drawn criticism from the governor and state attorney general. Shelley Luther was booked in the Dallas County jail on Tuesday afternoon following a video hearing during...
California Court Denies Bid to Block Payments to Immigrants
SACRAMENTO — The California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a bid to block the state's first-in-the-nation plan to give money to immigrants living in the country illegally who are hurt by the coronavirus. It was the second time in two days that judges refused to stop Gov. Gavin Newsom's $75...
Why Are Some Planes Crowded Even With Air Travel Down?
Every once in a while, social media lights up with photos or video from flights that are nearly full, with passengers clearly violating advice from public health officials about social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. That raises the question: How can planes still be full when air travel is down...
Court Upholds California Ban on Church Services in Pandemic
LOS ANGELES — Gov. Gavin Newsom had the right to ban church assemblies in the interest of public health during the coronavirus outbreak, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. Newsom's stay-at-home order did not violate the constitutional rights to free assembly and religion when the Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi...
Pelosi Pushes Ahead on Massive Virus Bill, but GOP Wary
WASHINGTON — Even in absentia, House Democrats are seeking to drive the debate on the fifth coronavirus response bill, promising to produce a mega-package stuffed with Democratic priorities despite a chorus of Republicans voicing hesitation about more spending. Speaker Nancy Pelosi promises that the Democratic-controlled House will deliver legislation to...
UK Scientist Who Warned Over Virus Quits for Lockdown Breach
LONDON — Britain’s health secretary said Wednesday that national lockdown rules were “for everyone,” after one of the government’s key scientific advisers quit for receiving secret visits from his girlfriend amid the coronavirus pandemic. Imperial College epidemiologist Neil Ferguson developed models that predicted hundreds of thousands would die unless the...
Trump: COVID-19 Task Force Not Dismantling, Just Refocusing
WASHINGTON — One day after saying that the COVID-19 task force would be winding down, President Donald Trump said Wednesday that it would continue indefinitely, but focus more on rebooting the economy. Trump tweeted that the panel's focus would be on "SAFETY & OPENING UP OUR COUNTRY AGAIN." Trump's reversal...