What a strange legislative year it was. The coronavirus pandemic forced California state lawmakers to twice shut down their sessions for weeks at a time — the first unexpected work stoppage in 158 years. Masked lawmakers tried to limit the number of bills they considered, but still ran out of...
First Reported US Case of Virus Variant Triggers Questions
DENVER — The new and seemingly more contagious variant of the coronavirus that has set off alarm in Britain has been reported for the first time in the U.S., in a Colorado man who hadn't been traveling, triggering a host of questions about how it got here and adding urgency...
State Capitols Face Showdown Over COVID Powers and Spending
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State lawmakers across the country will convene in 2021 with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic rippling through much of their work — even affecting the way they work. After 10 months of emergency orders and restrictions from governors and local executive officials, some lawmakers are eager to...
Senate GOP Blocks Democratic Push for Trump’s $2K Checks
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats' push to immediately bring President Donald Trump's demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote, saying the chamber would “begin a process” to address the issue. Pressure is mounting on the Republican-led Senate to follow the...
‘Like a Bathtub Filling Up’: Alabama Is Slammed by the Virus
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — With its dozen intensive care beds already full, Cullman Regional Medical Center began looking desperately for options as more and more COVID-19 patients showed up. Ten beds normally used for less severe cases were transformed into intensive care rooms, with extra IV machines brought in. Video monitors...
Fate of Trump’s $2,000 Checks Now Rests With GOP-Led Senate
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks now rests with the Senate after the House voted overwhelmingly to meet the president's demand to increase the $600 stipends, but Republicans have shown little interest in boosting spending. The outcome is highly uncertain heading into Tuesday's session. Senate...
‘Surge on Top of a Surge’ to Challenge California Hospitals
LOS ANGELES — Coronavirus hospitalizations are stabilizing in parts of California, but patients are still overwhelming hospitals in a large swath of the state, leading Gov. Gavin Newsom to warn Californians to brace for the effect of a “surge on top of a surge" from recent holiday travel. Intensive care...
Now That Trump Has Signed on, When Do I Get My Stimulus Check?
Now that President Donald Trump relented and signed a new coronavirus stimulus package Sunday, many millions of Americans want to know when they'll get their second stimulus checks and how big they'll be. According to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the first stimulus payments could go out beginning the week of Jan....
Valley Will Likely See COVID Lockdown Order Extended Tuesday
UPDATE: Stay-at-home orders are expected to be extended in Central and Southern California Tuesday as hospitals quickly run out of intensive care unit beds for coronavirus patients ahead of the presumed post-holiday surge. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the decision would be made after a review of the latest hospitalization data, including from...
Trump Relents, Signs COVID Relief, Averts Federal Shutdown
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump has signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package, ending days of drama over his refusal to accept the bipartisan deal that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and avert a federal government shutdown. The deal also provides $1.4 trillion to fund...