Apr 29 Making public transit safe a next hurdle in easing lockdowns By Mike Corder, Angela Charlton, Associated Press Public transportation systems in cities around the world are key to getting workers back on the job and restarting devastated economies as coronavirus infections decline. Yet officials say mass transit will have to be re-imagined for the pandemic era. Continue reading
Apr 29 U.S. economy shrank at 4.8 percent rate last quarter as virus struck By Associated Press The Commerce Department says the gross domestic product, the total output of goods and services, posted a quarterly drop for the first time in six years. Continue reading
Apr 29 Despite widespread economic hardship, most Americans not ready to reopen, poll says By Laura Santhanam A majority of Americans want life to return to normal when it is safe to do so, according to the latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll. Continue reading
Apr 28 ‘Truly the last safe haven’: Libraries serve vulnerable communities during the pandemic By Courtney Vinopal Like so many other services, libraries around the country have had to quickly adapt to the shutdowns and distancing measures put in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but also to figure out how to reach the most… Continue reading
Apr 28 Watch 4:36 More states lift restrictions, as small businesses struggle to secure relief By Amna Nawaz Nine states have begun lifting pandemic restrictions in a bid to revive struggling economies. Many small businesses have tried to secure financial relief from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program -- but the initiative’s second round has been plagued with… Continue watching
Apr 28 Watch 9:47 Why is it so difficult for small businesses to get federal pandemic aid? Demand remains high for relief the federal Paycheck Protection Program is making available for smaller businesses. But the distribution of that money continues to be a source of controversy, and the program has been mired with technical problems. Lisa Desjardins… Continue watching
Apr 28 Riots in crisis-hit Lebanon reflect growing poverty, despair By Bassam Hatoum, Bilal Hussein, Associated Press Hundreds of protesters have set fire to two banks and hurled stones at soldiers who responded with tear gas and batons in the northern city of Tripoli. Continue reading
Apr 28 Trump to sign order keeping meat processing plants open By Jill Colvin, Associated Press President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Tuesday meant to stave off a shortage of chicken, pork and other meat on American supermarket shelves because of the coronavirus. Continue reading
Apr 28 WATCH: California governor gives coronavirus update By Pat Eaton-Robb, Associated Press California schoolchildren could return to their classrooms as early as July though there likely will be modifications. Continue reading
Apr 28 WATCH: Trump holds briefing to address coronavirus relief for small businesses By Joyce M. Rosenberg, Associated Press Banks trying to submit applications for thousands of small businesses seeking coronavirus relief loans have hit a bottleneck for a second day at the Small Business Administration. Continue reading