Public Service Commission extends utility disconnection moratorium to September 1
MADISON -- The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) voted 2-1 to on Thursday, July 23 to stay a portion of its June 26 order -- extending the moratorium on utility disconnections until September 1.The decision applies to residential customers and disallows refusal of service for nonpayment during the period of moratorium.The additional time granted by the moratorium's extension will allow the PSC staff to collect more data and information from utilities on their disconnection plans, allow for comment from customer organizations and monitor further the spread of COVID-19 in the state.The move comes as COVID-19 positive cases in Wisconsin have more than doubled since the PSC met in June to order the end of the moratorium.
MADISON -- The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) voted 2-1 to on Thursday, July 23 to stay a portion of its June 26 order -- extending the moratorium on utility disconnections until September 1.The decision applies to residential customers and disallows refusal of service for nonpayment during the period of moratorium.The additional time granted by the moratorium's extension will allow the PSC staff to collect more data and information from utilities on their disconnection plans, allow for comment from customer organizations and monitor further the spread of COVID-19 in the state.The move comes as COVID-19 positive cases in Wisconsin have more than doubled since the PSC met in June to order the end of the moratorium.
In shift, President Trump says some schools may need to delay opening
Softening his earlier stance, President Donald Trump on Thursday acknowledged that some schools may need to delay their reopening this fall as the coronavirus continues to surge.
Softening his earlier stance, President Donald Trump on Thursday acknowledged that some schools may need to delay their reopening this fall as the coronavirus continues to surge.
'Carelessness:' Families of COVID-19 victims write obituaries blaming lawmaker' handling of pandemic
LOS ANGELES -- Amid the devastating loss of life caused by the novel coronavirus, several obituaries written by family members of those claimed by COVID-19 have expressed frustration on how certain lawmakers are handling the ongoing pandemic.The obituary for a North Texas woman who died from COVID-19 puts blame on the "carelessness" of politicians, and added that her death could have been prevented.The obituary for Isabelle Odette Hilton Papadimitriou, 64, which was published Tuesday by The Dallas Morning News, described her as "a compassionate spirit" and "a ray of light in everyone's life.""Her undeserving death is due to the carelessness of the politicians who continue to hedge their bets on the lives of healthcare workers through a lack of leadership, through a refusal to acknowledge the severity of this crisis, and through an inability and unwillingness to give clear and decisive direction on how to minimize the risks of the coronavirus.
LOS ANGELES -- Amid the devastating loss of life caused by the novel coronavirus, several obituaries written by family members of those claimed by COVID-19 have expressed frustration on how certain lawmakers are handling the ongoing pandemic.The obituary for a North Texas woman who died from COVID-19 puts blame on the "carelessness" of politicians, and added that her death could have been prevented.The obituary for Isabelle Odette Hilton Papadimitriou, 64, which was published Tuesday by The Dallas Morning News, described her as "a compassionate spirit" and "a ray of light in everyone's life.""Her undeserving death is due to the carelessness of the politicians who continue to hedge their bets on the lives of healthcare workers through a lack of leadership, through a refusal to acknowledge the severity of this crisis, and through an inability and unwillingness to give clear and decisive direction on how to minimize the risks of the coronavirus.
Woman without mask commands 'demon' customers to leave grocery store aisle until she's done shopping
LONGVIEW, Wash. -- A maskless woman at a grocery store in Washington state was captured on video ordering others away from an aisle until she was done shopping, calling one person a “demon” while invoking the name of Jesus Christ.The incident happened July 21 at a Fred Meyer grocery store in Longview, Washington, located about 50 miles north of Portland.
LONGVIEW, Wash. -- A maskless woman at a grocery store in Washington state was captured on video ordering others away from an aisle until she was done shopping, calling one person a “demon” while invoking the name of Jesus Christ.The incident happened July 21 at a Fred Meyer grocery store in Longview, Washington, located about 50 miles north of Portland.
'Confident that we'll get a season:' Packers' president discusses 2020 outlook at virtual shareholder meeting
GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers' annual shareholders meeting, like many other events during the COVID-19 pandemic, was held virtually on Thursday, July 23.
GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers' annual shareholders meeting, like many other events during the COVID-19 pandemic, was held virtually on Thursday, July 23.
NIH details plan to increase number of daily COVID-19 tests in US to 6 million by December
LOS ANGELES -- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) unveiled the details of a plan on Wednesday to increase daily COVID-19 testing quality and availability while addressing testing inequities for underserved communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the novel coronavirus.First announced in April 2020, the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) program was discussed in a recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which said diagnostic testing capacity in the U.S. for June was between 520,000 and 823,000 tests.“Models that provide robust estimates of the number of tests needed per day vary widely.
LOS ANGELES -- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) unveiled the details of a plan on Wednesday to increase daily COVID-19 testing quality and availability while addressing testing inequities for underserved communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the novel coronavirus.First announced in April 2020, the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) program was discussed in a recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which said diagnostic testing capacity in the U.S. for June was between 520,000 and 823,000 tests.“Models that provide robust estimates of the number of tests needed per day vary widely.
Officials: Turnout 'amazing' for 1st State Fair Food Drive-Thru featuring 11 favorites
WEST ALLIS -- The Wisconsin State Fair isn't going on as normal due to COVID-19, but the food is, at least some of it!
WEST ALLIS -- The Wisconsin State Fair isn't going on as normal due to COVID-19, but the food is, at least some of it!
Prince William, Kate donate $2.3M for pandemic mental health work
LONDON — The foundation of Britain's Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge have awarded almost 1.8 million pounds ($2.3 million) to support the mental health of front line workers and others affected by the coronavirus pandemic.The couple’s Royal Foundation Covid-19 Response Fund is helping a range of projects, including a charity that provides individual grief trauma counselling to workers in ambulance, fire, police and search and rescue services.
LONDON — The foundation of Britain's Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge have awarded almost 1.8 million pounds ($2.3 million) to support the mental health of front line workers and others affected by the coronavirus pandemic.The couple’s Royal Foundation Covid-19 Response Fund is helping a range of projects, including a charity that provides individual grief trauma counselling to workers in ambulance, fire, police and search and rescue services.
WIAA decides there will be fall sports, but start dates have been changed
MILWAUKEE -- The body that oversees Wisconsin high school sports recommended Thursday that schools offer fall sports but delay start dates by several weeks as the coronavirus surges across the state.The Wisconsin Interscholastic Association Board of Control voted 8-3 to approve pushing back the start date for girls golf, tennis and swimming to Aug. 17.
MILWAUKEE -- The body that oversees Wisconsin high school sports recommended Thursday that schools offer fall sports but delay start dates by several weeks as the coronavirus surges across the state.The Wisconsin Interscholastic Association Board of Control voted 8-3 to approve pushing back the start date for girls golf, tennis and swimming to Aug. 17.
MADISON — Gov.
Pres. Trump calls off RNC in Florida, citing 'flare-up' of coronavirus; North Carolina events still on
President Donald Trump announced Thursday, July 23 that he has canceled segments of the Republican National Convention scheduled for Florida next month, citing a “flare-up” of the coronavirus. Convention events will still be held in North Carolina.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday, July 23 that he has canceled segments of the Republican National Convention scheduled for Florida next month, citing a “flare-up” of the coronavirus. Convention events will still be held in North Carolina.
DHS reports 1,052 new cases of COVID-19 3 days after Wisconsin saw single-day record
MADISON -- The number of positive cases of COVID-19 rose by more than 1,000 again on Thursday, July 23, officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported, for a total of 45,899 positive cases of the coronavirus in the state.There have been 878 deaths statewide, an increase of 13 Thursday, DHS officials reported.Of the positive cases, 4,273 have required hospitalization (9.3%).More than 35,500 have recovered (77.4%), making for 9,504 active cases.More than 778,000 have tested negative.
MADISON -- The number of positive cases of COVID-19 rose by more than 1,000 again on Thursday, July 23, officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported, for a total of 45,899 positive cases of the coronavirus in the state.There have been 878 deaths statewide, an increase of 13 Thursday, DHS officials reported.Of the positive cases, 4,273 have required hospitalization (9.3%).More than 35,500 have recovered (77.4%), making for 9,504 active cases.More than 778,000 have tested negative.
Pepcid as a virus remedy? Trump administration's $21M research gamble fizzled
WASHINGTON -- A nearly $21 million government-funded study to see if a popular, over-the-counter heartburn medication could be a COVID-19 remedy has fizzled amid allegations of conflicts of interest and scientific misconduct, according to interviews, a whistleblower complaint and internal government records obtained by The Associated Press.In mid-April, the Trump administration funded a study of famotidine, the main ingredient in Pepcid, despite a lack of published data or studies to suggest heavy doses would be effective against the novel coronavirus.
WASHINGTON -- A nearly $21 million government-funded study to see if a popular, over-the-counter heartburn medication could be a COVID-19 remedy has fizzled amid allegations of conflicts of interest and scientific misconduct, according to interviews, a whistleblower complaint and internal government records obtained by The Associated Press.In mid-April, the Trump administration funded a study of famotidine, the main ingredient in Pepcid, despite a lack of published data or studies to suggest heavy doses would be effective against the novel coronavirus.
AP source: MLB, players agree to expand playoffs to 16 teams for pandemic-delayed season
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and the players’ union agreed Thursday to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16 for the pandemic-delayed season, a person familiar with the deal said, a decision that makes it likely teams with losing records will reach the postseason.The agreement was reached Thursday hours before the season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to owner approval.Sixteen of the 30 teams will advance to a best-of-three first round.
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and the players’ union agreed Thursday to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16 for the pandemic-delayed season, a person familiar with the deal said, a decision that makes it likely teams with losing records will reach the postseason.The agreement was reached Thursday hours before the season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to owner approval.Sixteen of the 30 teams will advance to a best-of-three first round.
MCTS to require masks on buses starting August 1
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) announced Thursday, July 23 that masks or face coverings will be required on buses starting Saturday, Aug. 1 -- the transportation provider's latest step to minimize the risk of COVID-19.Milwaukee County health officials say wearing a mask over one’s mouth and nose helps reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially when in close proximity to others -- such as on shared, public transportation."We really urge you all to be wearing your masks and physical distancing," said Darren Rausch, director of the Greenfield Health Department. "This isn't just a Milwaukee County issue."
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) announced Thursday, July 23 that masks or face coverings will be required on buses starting Saturday, Aug. 1 -- the transportation provider's latest step to minimize the risk of COVID-19.Milwaukee County health officials say wearing a mask over one’s mouth and nose helps reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially when in close proximity to others -- such as on shared, public transportation."We really urge you all to be wearing your masks and physical distancing," said Darren Rausch, director of the Greenfield Health Department. "This isn't just a Milwaukee County issue."
US COVID-19 cases surpass 4 million, according to Johns Hopkins
LOS ANGELES -- Amid news of surging case counts and ICU bed shortages across the country, data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center confirmed that more than 4 million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States.As of July 23, there had been more than 143,000 deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus in the U.S., with over 625,000 COVID-19 deaths confirmed across the world.The 4 million cases milestone is being crossed in the U.S. at a time when the Trump administration is pushing schools across the country to reopen, while health experts and education officials continue to discuss just how much risk children may face from contracting the novel coronavirus, and potentially spreading the virus to others.Just days before the end of an enhanced unemployment benefit, the nation got another dose of bad economic news Thursday: The number of laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits last week rose for the first time since late March, intensifying concerns the resurgent coronavirus is stalling or even reversing the economic recovery.And an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits, provided by the federal government on top of whatever assistance states provide, is set to expire at the end of this week.
LOS ANGELES -- Amid news of surging case counts and ICU bed shortages across the country, data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center confirmed that more than 4 million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States.As of July 23, there had been more than 143,000 deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus in the U.S., with over 625,000 COVID-19 deaths confirmed across the world.The 4 million cases milestone is being crossed in the U.S. at a time when the Trump administration is pushing schools across the country to reopen, while health experts and education officials continue to discuss just how much risk children may face from contracting the novel coronavirus, and potentially spreading the virus to others.Just days before the end of an enhanced unemployment benefit, the nation got another dose of bad economic news Thursday: The number of laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits last week rose for the first time since late March, intensifying concerns the resurgent coronavirus is stalling or even reversing the economic recovery.And an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits, provided by the federal government on top of whatever assistance states provide, is set to expire at the end of this week.
Southwest, American tighten mask rules; Delta widens testing
DALLAS — Delta Air Lines will provide at-home coronavirus tests for some employees, while Southwest and American will tighten their rules on face masks by ending exceptions for medical reasons.“We’re simply seeing too many exceptions to the (mask) policy, it has put our flight crews in a really tough spot and also made our customers pretty uncomfortable," Southwest Airlines President Tom Nealon said Thursday.Those moves come as airlines try to reassure passengers and their own employees about safety during a pandemic that has made many people afraid to fly.Delta said it will expand coronavirus testing at its hub airports and provide at-home tests for employees in Florida and Texas — states that have seen a surge of virus infections and deaths in recent weeks.
DALLAS — Delta Air Lines will provide at-home coronavirus tests for some employees, while Southwest and American will tighten their rules on face masks by ending exceptions for medical reasons.“We’re simply seeing too many exceptions to the (mask) policy, it has put our flight crews in a really tough spot and also made our customers pretty uncomfortable," Southwest Airlines President Tom Nealon said Thursday.Those moves come as airlines try to reassure passengers and their own employees about safety during a pandemic that has made many people afraid to fly.Delta said it will expand coronavirus testing at its hub airports and provide at-home tests for employees in Florida and Texas — states that have seen a surge of virus infections and deaths in recent weeks.
Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant owner files for bankruptcy protection, will close some stores
NEW YORK -- Ascena Retail Group, the parent company of Lane Bryant, Ann Taylor and Justice, announced Thursday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after its business was "severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic."Ascena, which also operates Ann Taylor Loft, Lou & Grey, Catherines and Cacique, is slated to close all of its Catherines stores, in addition to closing a "significant number" of its Justice stores and a "select number" of Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant and Lou & Grey stores, the company said in a press release after filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Virginia."The meaningful progress we have made driving sustainable growth, improving our operating margins and strengthening our financial foundation has been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic," Ascena interim executive chair Carrie W.
NEW YORK -- Ascena Retail Group, the parent company of Lane Bryant, Ann Taylor and Justice, announced Thursday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after its business was "severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic."Ascena, which also operates Ann Taylor Loft, Lou & Grey, Catherines and Cacique, is slated to close all of its Catherines stores, in addition to closing a "significant number" of its Justice stores and a "select number" of Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lane Bryant and Lou & Grey stores, the company said in a press release after filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Virginia."The meaningful progress we have made driving sustainable growth, improving our operating margins and strengthening our financial foundation has been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic," Ascena interim executive chair Carrie W.
Study: Mix of hand-washing, mask-wearing and social distancing could stop most COVID-19 outbreaks
NEW YORK -- As the coronavirus pandemic continues its rapid spread across the globe, public health experts and policymakers have sought to better understand how to “flatten the curve” on a rising tide of cases.Researchers behind a new study found that both self-imposed prevention measures — such as washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing — combined with government-imposed shutdowns, could help mitigate and delay the COVID-19 pandemic, even without a vaccine or treatment.The study, published July 21 in the journal PLoS Medicine by researchers from University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands, used a new model to study the predicted effect of various COVID-19 prevention methods.The model showed that if a population quickly becomes aware of the virus and practices prevention measures such as hand-washing, mask-wearing and social distancing, these efforts can both diminish and postpone the peak number of cases."We estimate that a large epidemic can be prevented if the efficacy of these measures exceeds 50%," the study authors wrote.Throughout the pandemic, experts have stressed the importance of “flattening the curve” or peak as to not overwhelm healthcare systems with critically-ill patients.The model found that if the public is slow to catch on to these self-imposed prevention measures, but does eventually adopt them, it may reduce the number of cases — but not delay a peak in cases.If governments shut down early and no personal protective steps are taken by the public, it would delay but not reduce the peak in COVID-19 cases.
NEW YORK -- As the coronavirus pandemic continues its rapid spread across the globe, public health experts and policymakers have sought to better understand how to “flatten the curve” on a rising tide of cases.Researchers behind a new study found that both self-imposed prevention measures — such as washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing — combined with government-imposed shutdowns, could help mitigate and delay the COVID-19 pandemic, even without a vaccine or treatment.The study, published July 21 in the journal PLoS Medicine by researchers from University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands, used a new model to study the predicted effect of various COVID-19 prevention methods.The model showed that if a population quickly becomes aware of the virus and practices prevention measures such as hand-washing, mask-wearing and social distancing, these efforts can both diminish and postpone the peak number of cases."We estimate that a large epidemic can be prevented if the efficacy of these measures exceeds 50%," the study authors wrote.Throughout the pandemic, experts have stressed the importance of “flattening the curve” or peak as to not overwhelm healthcare systems with critically-ill patients.The model found that if the public is slow to catch on to these self-imposed prevention measures, but does eventually adopt them, it may reduce the number of cases — but not delay a peak in cases.If governments shut down early and no personal protective steps are taken by the public, it would delay but not reduce the peak in COVID-19 cases.
AP-NORC poll: 3 in 4 Americans back requiring wearing masks
LOS ANGELES — Three out of four Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favor requiring people to wear face coverings while outside their homes, a new poll finds, reflecting fresh alarm over spiking coronavirus cases and a growing embrace of government advice intended to safeguard public health.The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research also finds that about two-thirds of Americans disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling the outbreak, an unwelcome sign for the White House in an election year shaped by the nation’s battle with the pandemic.More than four months after government stay-at-home orders first swept across the U.S., the poll spotlights an America increasingly on edge about the virus.
LOS ANGELES — Three out of four Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favor requiring people to wear face coverings while outside their homes, a new poll finds, reflecting fresh alarm over spiking coronavirus cases and a growing embrace of government advice intended to safeguard public health.The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research also finds that about two-thirds of Americans disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling the outbreak, an unwelcome sign for the White House in an election year shaped by the nation’s battle with the pandemic.More than four months after government stay-at-home orders first swept across the U.S., the poll spotlights an America increasingly on edge about the virus.