May 2020

The fake ‘Obamagate’ is Trump’s new birther con

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Trump’s pathetic competitive obsession with his predecessor knows no bounds, and now that his deadly failures are being fully exposed, he actually thinks he can distract the public with yet another lie about the guy who easily tops him as a president and as a man.

TODAY IN HISTORY

1792 - 24 merchants form New York Stock Exchange at 70 Wall Street

40,000 new unemployment claims as Louisiana looks to reopen

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — More than 40,000 people filed new claims for unemployment in Louisiana last week as the coronavirus fight continued to pound the state’s economy, according to figures posted Thursday by state and federal labor officials.

For the comparable week last year, the figure was around 2,000. As of last week, more than 325,000 people qualified for unemployment benefits in the state, compared to 13,400 for the comparable week last year.

STATE BRIEFS

Saints bring back reserve lineman Omameh

METAIRIE (AP) — New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has re-signed offensive lineman Patrick Omameh.

The 6-foot-4, 327-pound Omameh joined New Orleans at the start of training camp last season and appeared in 14 regular-season games with one start.

The seven-year veteran filled in at both the guard and tackle positions as well as on special teams. He started at left tackle in a Thanksgiving night victory at Atlanta.

Miss. casinos to reopen before Memorial Day weekend

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Gaming Commission said Thursday that casinos in the state can start reopening May 21 — more than two months after the commission closed them because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The reopening is allowed just before the Memorial Day weekend, which usually marks the beginning of the summer tourist season.

McNeese State ends search for new athletics director

LAKE CHARLES (AP) — McNeese State has decided to end its search for a new athletics director.

In a news release Thursday, university President Dr. Daryl Burckel said a new search will begin during the 2020-21 academic year but an exact date has not been set.

“This was a very thorough search and many highly qualified candidates applied for this position,” Burckel said. “However, after careful consideration, we have decided to terminate this search and leave the position unfilled for now.”

Virus tests hospitals in pockets of US as states reopen

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — From a hospital on the edge of the Navajo Nation to the suburbs of the nation’s capital, frontline medical workers in coronavirus hot spots are struggling to keep up with a crushing load of patients while lockdown restrictions are lifting in many other parts of the U.S.

Graham to probe Russia investigation; won’t call Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham said Thursday his committee is opening a wide-ranging inquiry into the Russia investigation, but rejected President Donald Trump’s call to bring in former President Barack Obama to testify.

“I am greatly concerned about the precedent that would be set by calling a former president for oversight,’’ said Graham, a South Carolina Republican and staunch Trump ally. “No president is above the law. However, the presidency has executive privilege claims against other branches of government.’’

Hundreds protest stay-at-home order outside Michigan capitol

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of people angry or frustrated over Michigan’s coronavirus stay-at-home order protested again outside the state Capitol on Thursday, standing in the rain to call for a loosening of restrictions and for business owners to reopen in defiance of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The demonstration was smaller than previous rallies. The Senate canceled session so the Capitol could be closed Thursday. The step came weeks after some armed protesters entered the building during a rally.

Unique payout Alaskans get from oil wealth could be at risk

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska has no income or statewide sales taxes, and it cuts residents a check every year from its oil wealth.

But the future of that unique payout is in question amid low oil prices and an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic. The size of the check — expected to be about $1,000 this year — has become a political battle in a state that already struggled to pay its bills.