Jul 17 Congressional Democrats and Republicans debate coronavirus liability policy By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press A new plan from Senate Republicans to award businesses, schools, and universities sweeping exemptions from lawsuits arising from inadequate coronavirus safeguards is putting Republicans and Democrats at loggerheads. Continue reading
Jul 17 Court backs Trump expansion of short-term health plans By Mark Sherman, Associated Press A divided federal appeals court has upheld the Trump administration's expansion of cheaper short-term health insurance plans as an alternative to the Affordable Care Act's costlier comprehensive insurance. Continue reading
Jul 17 Georgia mask debate ensnares Trump as Gov. Kemp battles Atlanta By Jeff Martin, Ben Nadler, Associated Press More than a dozen other cities and counties defied Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and issued local orders requiring that masks be worn in public. The dispute ratched up several notches this week, leading to tough talk from both the governor… Continue reading
Jul 17 WATCH: California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlines strict guidelines for schools By Jocelyn Gecker, Kathleen Ronayne, Associated Press The rules announced Friday include a mandate that students above 2nd grade and all staff wear masks in school. Newsom's new guidance mandates that public schools in California counties that are on a monitoring list for rising coronavirus infections cannot… Continue reading
Jul 17 WATCH: Defense officials hold virtual town hall after Pentagon bans Confederate flag By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The town hall meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Army Gen. Mark Milley, the nation's top military officer, are expected to attend. Watch their remarks here. Continue reading
Jul 17 Justice Ginsburg says cancer has returned, but won't retire By Associated Press Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says she is receiving chemotherapy for a recurrence of cancer, but has no plans to retire from the Supreme Court. Continue reading
Jul 17 Pentagon bans Confederate flag in way to avoid Trump's wrath By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The Pentagon is banning displays of the Confederate flag on military installations, using a carefully worded policy that doesn’t mention the word ban or that specific flag. The policy is laid out in a memo signed by Defense Secretary Mark… Continue reading
Jul 17 Biden's bid touts faith, courts even religious conservatives By Elana Schor, Jack Jenkins, Associated Press President Donald Trump’s appeal to religious conservatives is a cornerstone of his political identity. But Joe Biden is a different kind of foe than Trump has faced before: one who makes his devout Catholicism a central part of his persona. Continue reading
Jul 17 Voters to get say in dropping 'plantations' from R.I.'s name By Associated Press Rhode Island voters will get another chance to strip the words “and Providence Plantations” from the state’s formal name. Lawmakers on Thursday approved a joint resolution to put the question on the November ballot. Continue reading
Jul 17 WATCH: Treasury Secretary Mnuchin urges swift aid bill in Congress hearing By Martin Crutsinger, Marcy Gordon, Associated Press Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urged Congress to quickly enact a new pandemic relief package targeting hardest-hit swaths of the economy, as lawmakers race to stand up federal aid in the face of the latest spike in coronavirus cases across much… Continue reading