April 2020

Stimulus aid for ‘small business’ will go to some big chains

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — As the federal government prepares to launch a $349 billion loan program meant to help small businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic, critics have growing concerns that some mom-and-pop shops might get squeezed out.

Wall Street rises for first time in three days as oil spurts

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rallied Thursday for its first gain in three days after a sudden surge in oil prices revived beaten-down energy stocks. But, as has so often been the case in this year’s volatile market, it took a few U-turns to get there.

Trump admin moves toward promoting broader use of face masks

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, as the president is aggressively defending his response to the public health crisis.

Signs of stress that must be addressed

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The American Institute of Stress notes that various disorders, both emotional and physical, have been linked to stress. Such disorders include depression, stroke, hypertension, and anxiety, among others.

Nissan recalls over 250K vehicles to replace air bags

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is recalling more than a quarter-million SUVs, trucks and vans worldwide to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators.

The vehicles have air bags with volatile ammonium nitrate that can explode with too much force and hurl shrapnel. But they have a moisture-absorbing chemical that was supposed to make them safe. U.S. safety regulators are to determine whether all inflators with the drying agent have to be recalled.

Mexican economy may contract by 4-8 percent in 2020

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s Treasury predicted Thursday that the country’s economy will contract by as much as 3.9 percent in 2020 the face of the spreading COVID-19 pandemic, but private analysts are making even more dire predictions: the country’s worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

That was underscored Thursday when Mexico’s Tourism Department said it was working with hotel companies to ensure the “gradual closing” of hotels in the country. The Bank of America predicted

Patriots use team plane to help Mass., fly N95 in from China

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker found himself in need of an assist to help the state fight the coronavirus pandemic.

He called on the New England Patriots.

The team’s private plane landed in Boston from China on Thursday evening carrying more than a million masks critical to health care providers fighting to control the spread of the virus.. Members of the Massachusetts National Guard met the plane and offloaded the containers of masks onto waiting trucks for transport to warehouses for distribution.

Join child abuse prevention efforts

Child advocates around the nation and state are coming together to raise awareness in order to inspire and encourage Louisiana citizens to stand up against child abuse and domestic abuse. Just two days ago, President Donald Trump proclaimed April 2020 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The #PresidentCuomo fantasy

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How nervous are some Democrats about Joe Biden’s chances against President Trump this November? Nervous enough to entertain the notion that another Democrat — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — might swoop in and save the day.

Unlike Trump, governors in no rush to reopen states

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If you needed another reminder of the profound difference in messaging between state governors and the Trump White House, then look no further than the online news conference that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf held Wednesday.