Scientists say COVID-19 mutation more contagious than original strain is increasing at ‘alarming rate’

LOS ANGELES - Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory say they have identified 14 new mutations of the novel coronavirus that first originated in Wuhan, China in hopes of creating an early warning system to reveal new strains that may render future vaccines ineffective.One mutation that is of urgent concern to researchers is called “mutation spike D614G” which scientists say first appeared in February in Europe and became dominant strain across the world by mid-March.The study notes that by the time the new strain was being tracked by the Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), a German public-private organization aimed at sharing data related to influenza and the coronavirus, it was found in 29 percent of the global samples, but almost exclusively in Europe.The spike refers to COVID-19’s commonly observed exterior spike structure that allows the virus to attach itself to host cells.

US Treasury to begin distributing virus relief money to tribes

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The U.S. Treasury Department said Tuesday that it will begin doling out billions to help tribes respond and recover from the coronavirus more than a week after a congressional deadline and after being sued over who is eligible for the money.The $2.2 trillion federal rescue package approved in late March set aside $8 billion for tribal governments.

Cargill Meat Solutions in Milwaukee will close temporarily for COVID-19 testing

MILWAUKEE -- Cargill Meat Solutions on Emmber Lane near Canal Street in Milwaukee will close Wednesday, May 6 at 1 p.m. to test employees for COVID-19.A company spokeswoman issued this statement to FOX6 News on Tuesday:

Texas salon owner gets 7 days in jail for reopening in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions

DALLAS -- A Texas salon owner will spend seven days in jail after she refused to apologize for opening her business in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions.A Dallas County judge offered Shelley Luther, the owner of Salon a la Mode, a deal -- apologize for being selfish for having her salon open while everyone else’s were closed, pay a fine, shut down until Friday and she could avoid jail time."I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I'm selfish -- because feeding my kids is not selfish," Luther told the judge. "I have hairstylists that are going hungry because they would rather feed their kids  So sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon."

'It's like I was born again:' West Allis Army vet released from VA hospital after 48-day battle with COVID-19

MILWAUKEE -- A West Allis man who beat the odds was released from the Milwaukee VA Medical Center Tuesday, May 5 -- 48 days after he was admitted with symptoms of COVID-19.Hospital hallways are typically designed for quiet conversations over matters of life and death, but Arvin McCray's survival called for a rowdy celebration."I'm just happy," said McCray. "I'm happy I'm alive.

Government scientist says he was fired after concerns over malaria drug

WASHINGTON — A government scientist says he was ousted from his position after raising concerns that the Trump administration wanted to “flood” coronavirus hot spots like New York and New Jersey with a malaria drug that President Donald Trump was pushing despite scant scientific evidence it helped.Rick Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, filed the complaint Tuesday with the Office of Special Counsel, a government agency responsible for whistleblower complaints.

Open Record Special Edition: The need for (more) information

MILWAUKEE -- Over the last few weeks, Wisconsin has released more information about COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Pence: White House coronavirus task force could wind down by early June

WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence says the White House coronavirus task force could wind down its work by early June.Pence tells reporters at a White House briefing that the U.S. could be “in a very different place” by late May and early June.

Tommy Bartlett Show cancels summer 2020 season: 'A very difficult decision'

WISCONSIN DELLS -- The Tommy Bartlett Show will not be opening for the 2020 summer season due to Wisconsin’s “Safer at Home” order and uncertainty of when businesses can resume operations.The water ski, sky, and stage show was slated to begin its 69th summer run in Wisconsin Dells on Friday, May 22 of Memorial Day weekend.

Senators propose death benefits legislation to help COVID-19 frontline workers

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. senators are proposing to amend federal legislation to temporarily assume that first responders who contracted the coronavirus within 45 days of their last shift were infected during work and are eligible for death benefits.The federal Public Safety Officers Benefits Program provides death benefits to the survivors who die in the line of duty or as a result of a work-related incident.

Frontier Airlines launches coronavirus ‘More Room’ seat option

NEW YORK -- Frontier Airlines will allow its customers to social distance on its planes for a price.The budget airline is offering a “More Room” seat option that costs at least $39 more per passenger, one way.

Man charged with assault and battery for wiping nose on Michigan Dollar Tree employee's shirt

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. -- A 68-year-old man from Genessee County, Michigan has been charged with assault and battery of a Dollar Tree employee after he wiped his face on her shirt when she said he needed to wear a mask inside the store.Rex Gomoll, 68, of Linden, Michigan was booked into the Oakland County Jail on assault and battery charges.According to police, Gomoll was inside the Dollar Tree in Holly in northern Oakland County when an employee said he needed to wear a mask.

Former President Barack Obama will headline televised prime-time commencement

NEW YORK — Former President Barack Obama will deliver a televised prime-time commencement address for the Class of 2020 during an hour-long event that will also feature LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt, among others.ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC will simultaneously air the special May 16 at 7 p.m. CDT along with more than 20 other broadcast and digital streaming partners, according to the announcement Tuesday from organizers.Several high school students from Chicago public schools and the Obama Youth Jobs Corps will join, as will the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Megan Rapinoe and H.E.R.The event is titled “Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020.” It's hosted by the education advocacy group XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation.Obama will reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption of school life, especially for seniors who have missed out on their milestone rites of passage.“This high school graduation season will be anything but ordinary — but that’s all the more reason why the Class of 2020 deserves extraordinary advice, heartfelt encouragement, and hard-won wisdom about facing new challenges in an uncertain world,” Russlynn Ali, CEO and co-founder of XQ Institute, said in a statement.“We are grateful to President Obama for giving this gift to our nation’s three million high school seniors as they #GraduateTogether,” he added.

States with few coronavirus cases get big share of relief aid

WASHINGTON -- Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and Wyoming are among the least-populated states in the U.S., and not surprisingly have the lowest numbers of residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Where's my check? Answers to common relief payment questions

WASHINGTON -- The US government has distributed about 130 million economic impact payments to taxpayers in less than 30 days.