Almost 75% of small businesses in a survey applied for help from a federal loan program designed to keep workers employed during the coronavirus pandemic, but only 38% of small businesses received any money, according to survey results the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday. Oil extraction and mining businesses had the best...
After Arrest, Gym Owner Defies California Again to Reopen
OCEANSIDE — About a dozen weightlifters wearing face coverings did sets Thursday in front of mirrors at a Southern California gym that was reopened by the owner despite his arrest last weekend for violating local coronavirus health orders that closed gyms. Lou Uridel — wearing a red, white and blue...
California Cracks Down on Rogue Bars
California bars are on a highball hijinx alert. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is proposing emergency powers to shut down bars and restaurants if they disobey the state’s public health order by serving mojitos and manhattans to patrons in an establishment. Not only could the alcohol cops suspend licenses, the owners...
Sheriff Says She’s Not Enforcing COVID-19 Orders. Puts Fresno in National Spotlight Again.
Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims is being cheered on social media after she told a local radio host on Tuesday she is not enforcing COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Conservative website Breitbart picked up Mims' comments for an article posted online on Thursday. The story was headlined: "Fresno County Sheriff Won't Enforce...
Officials Release Edited Coronavirus Reopening Guidance
NEW YORK — U.S. health officials on Thursday released some of their long-delayed guidance that schools, businesses and other organizations can use as states reopen from coronavirus shutdowns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted six one-page “decision tool” documents that use traffic signs and other graphics to tell...
As Revenues Plummet, California Budget Cuts Billions
SACRAMENTO — Reflecting the financial hit California is already seeing from the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday proposed cutting $6.1 billion from a variety of programs in a state budget he says prioritizes public education, public health and public safety. Newsom's 2020-2021 budget estimates unemployment will climb to...
Consumers, Lawmakers Rip Airlines for Withholding Refunds
When her Las Vegas hotel shut down and returned her money, and both Nevada and her home state of Ohio issued stay-home orders, Helen Moon canceled the flight that she and her husband had booked on Frontier Airlines and asked for a cash refund. No dice. Frontier offered only a...
California Booze Regulators Seek Swift Sanctions Amid Virus
SACRAMENTO — California's bar and restaurant regulators are seeking emergency powers to immediately crack down on businesses that refuse to follow state rules intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “Bad actors are gaming the system," the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control said in its filing this week. "Because...
US Immunologist Warns of ‘Darkest Winter’ If Virus Rebounds
ROME — European governments promised more relief to their citizens on Thursday as a top U.S. immunologist told Congress that America faces its “darkest winter in modern history” unless leaders act decisively to prevent a rebound of the coronavirus. France’s government announced an 18-billion-euro ($19.4 billion) plan to support restaurants,...
Vaccine Opponents Are Gaining in Facebook ‘Battle for Hearts and Minds,’ New Map Shows
[aggregation-styles] Science Magazine A first-of-its-kind analysis of more than 1300 Facebook pages with nearly 100 million followers has produced a network map that’s alarming public health professionals. Antivaccine pages have fewer followers than pro-vaccine pages but are more numerous, faster growing, and increasingly more connected to undecided pages, the study...