May 2020

STATE BRIEFS

Labor department surpasses $1 billion in economic relief

Biden pressed to choose a black woman as running mate

DETROIT (AP) — After a devastating start to the Democratic primary, Joe Biden’s campaign was revived when black voters in South Carolina and throughout the South overwhelmingly sided with him. Now that he’s the presumptive Democratic nominee, black voters and leaders are pressing for him to pick a black woman as his running mate.

States with few virus cases get big share of relief aid

(AP) - Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and Wyoming are among the least-populated states in the U.S., and not surprisingly have the lowest numbers of residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus. But despite their small size, they scored big this spring when Congress pumped out direct federal aid to the states.

US service sector shrinks, first time since Great Depression

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. service sector shrank for the first time in a decade last month as the pandemic forced shutdowns and layoffs nationwide.

Vote-by-mail debate raises fears of election disinformation

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bitterly partisan debate unfolding on whether more Americans should cast their votes through the mail during a pandemic is provoking online disinformation and conspiracy theories that could undermine trust in the results, even if there are no major problems.

Obama to headline televised prime-time commencement

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Barack Obama will deliver a televised prime-time commencement address for the high school Class of 2020 during an hourlong event that will also feature LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt, among others.

Justices wary of tying AIDS money to prostitution pledge

WASHINGTON (AP) — In its second day of arguments by phone, the Supreme Court appeared skeptical of a requirement that foreign affiliates of U.S.- based health organizations denounce prostitution as a condition of receiving taxpayer money to fight AIDS around the world.

Stocks rally from Hong Kong to Wall Street on reopening hope

(AP) - Stocks rallied worldwide on Tuesday as more countries relaxed restrictions on businesses, raising hopes for a recovery from the historic plunge that is sweeping the global economy.

Jennings man arrested, released three times this month

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A Jennings man was arrested multiple times during a recent crime spree that began at the beginning of the month. According to Jennings

Solo truckers struggle to get rolling with stimulus fund

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rodney Morine believes his second chance is no better than his first to secure a loan through a government program intended to help small businesses like his survive the pandemic.