Apr 21 Virus misinformation flourishes in online protest groups By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press A wave of Facebook groups launched by pro-gun advocacy groups and conservative activists has mobilized people to protest stay-at-home orders in states around the country. There's little basis in reality for many of the claims on the sites. Continue reading
Apr 21 READ FULL: Lawmakers reach a deal on $500 billion Paycheck Protection Program By Lisa Desjardins After two weeks of negotiations, Republicans and Democrats agreed on a nearly $500 billion deal to extend rescue programs for millions of small businesses which had run out of funding last week. Continue reading
Apr 21 WATCH: Louisiana governor gives coronavirus update By Justin Stabley Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards held a news conference to give an update on the state's efforts to fight the novel coronavirus. Continue reading
Apr 21 WATCH: Trump announces green card restrictions By Jill Colvin, Ben Fox, Associated Press President Donald Trump announced what he described as a “temporary suspension of immigration into the United States” on Tuesday. But he said the executive order he plans to sign as soon as Wednesday would apply only to those seeking permanent… Continue reading
Apr 21 WATCH: Texas governor gives coronavirus update By Justin Stabley, Laura Santhanam Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is holding a news conference to give an update on the state's efforts to fight the novel coronavirus. Continue reading
Apr 21 Elective surgeries allowed again in parts of New York state By Michael Hill and Jennifer Peltz, Marina Villeneuve, Associated Press New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said hospitals in parts of New York will be able to conduct outpatient elective surgeries again. The governor also pledged to consider regional differences when re-opening the state's outbreak-stalled economy. Continue reading
Apr 21 U.S. approves first coronavirus test that allows self-swab at home By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press The test from LabCorp will initially only be available to health care workers and first responders under a doctor's orders. The sample will still have to be sent back to LabCorp for processing. Continue reading
Apr 21 WATCH: Mississippi governor gives coronavirus update By Justin Stabley Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves is holding a news conference to give an update on the state's efforts to fight the novel coronavirus. Continue reading
Apr 21 Publicly traded firms get $300M in small-business loans, AP reports By Reese Dunklin, Justin Pritchard, Krysta Fauria, Associated Press An Associated Press investigation has found that a relief fund Congress created to protect small businesses amid the coronavirus crisis has helped companies with thousands of employees, past regulatory run-ins and risks of financial failure even before the economy got… Continue reading
Apr 21 Criminal records shut small business owners out of aid program By Jill Colvin, Associated Press The Paycheck Protection Program is supposed to be a lifeline for small businesses, but government guidelines say that businesses are ineligible if anyone who owns the company is incarcerated, under indictment, on probation or parole or had been convicted of… Continue reading