NYC taxis, Fisher Cats, casinos: News from around our 50 states

Alabama

Montgomery: Gov. Kay Ivey extended a state order requiring face coverings in public for another month and expanded it to include students in grade 2 and above in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 as schools reopen. Ivey’s action, announced during a Capitol news conference Wednesday, added more than four weeks to an earlier order that had been set to expire Friday. The mask order will now last through Aug. 31. Hospital officials had pushed for an extension, saying the state’s intensive care units are nearly full. “Y’all, we just must remain vigilant if we are going to get our kids back in school and keep our economy open. Wearing a mask can’t hurt, but it sure can help,” Ivey said. The Republican governor, in a nod to the opposition some conservatives have to the mask orders, said her job is “to do the right thing, not necessarily the most popular thing.” State Health Officer Scott Harris said the extension was the right thing to do, particularly as students head back to school beginning next week.

Alaska

Juneau: Nonresident travelers to Alaska will need to show they tested negative for COVID-19 shortly before arriving as part of an effort aimed at minimizing cases and preserving testing supplies and protective gear, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said. “We’re not trying to make this difficult for folks to come here,” Dunleavy said during a Tuesday evening news conference. “We just want to make sure that we are taking care of Alaskans first.” The changes take effect Aug. 11 and will require nonresidents arrive with negative results from a test taken 72 hours before arrival. Dunleavy said enforcement details are being worked out. Currently, travelers have several testing options, including taking a test within three to five days of leaving for Alaska and being tested at an airport location when they arrive in Alaska. Those opting not to test can quarantine for 14 days. Under quarantine, one is to leave their location only for medical emergencies or necessary medical care. Dunleavy indicated quarantine would no longer be an option for nonresident travelers under the new protocols. “We feel it’s best to just go straight to a testing approach that requires folks coming in to have a negative,” he said. “So, if you come to Alaska, you should have a negative.”

Arizona

Phoenix: Navajo Nation leaders on Thursday will continue discussions about proposed expenditure plans for the tribe's remaining federal COVID-19 aid, which could include allocating more than $20 million to its four casinos following mass layoffs. This week, the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, which oversees the tribe's casinos, laid off about 900 of its more than 1,000 employees, according to the enterprise's Interim Chief Executive Officer Brian Parrish. He said another 140 employees could face layoffs early next week as the enterprise was running low on cash reserves because of casino closures during the pandemic. The 24th Navajo Nation Council during a special session on Tuesday discussed legislation that proposed expenditures from the tribe's remaining $652 million in federal COVID-19 aid. The Council voted in favor of including an amendment in the bill that would allocate $24.6 million to the enterprise. Tribes across the country have until the end of the year to spend all federal COVID-19 aid and complete whichever projects the funds were allocated toward, according to officials. U.S. Rep. Tom O'Halleran, D-Ariz., earlier this month introduced legislation to extend the deadline to tribal governments to Dec. 30, 2022.

Arkansas

Little Rock: Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday said he wants to hear “dissenting voices” after the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported the state’s interim health secretary in June voiced concerns about the consequences of further lifting restrictions that had been placed on businesses because of the coronavirus. “I am concerned that pushing on to Phase 2 for the entire state will lead (to) significant increases in COVID cases that will overwhelm our healthcare systems,” Dr. Jose Romero wrote in a June 9 email to Dr. Nate Smith, then the state’s health secretary that the newspaper obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request. “The public seems not to have taken seriously recommendations for social distancing and masks.” Hutchinson on June 10 announced the state would move into Phase 2 of reopening, a move that eased capacity limits on bars, restaurants and other businesses. Romero on Tuesday said he didn’t believe Hutchinson made a mistake by moving into Phase 2. He said his comments were based on the data at the time and noted Hutchinson has since signed a statewide order requiring mask s in public. Romero’s email was in response to a list of options for reopening strategies Smith sent to a medical advisory panel for the governor. Hutchinson, a Republican, said he wants to hear all voices from his advisory panel but said he went with the option that had the most consensus. “I want to know dissenting voices,” Hutchinson said. “I want to know broadly what the thinking of our medical advisory group is.”

California

Santa Ana: Education officials in Orange County are planning to sue Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials over rules barring most schools from reopening classrooms when the academic year starts because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Orange County Register reported that the county’s Board of Education voted 4-0 on Tuesday to file the lawsuit. The board majority said in a statement the state hasn’t addressed how high-risk students will navigate distance learning and that the rules violate students’ constitutional rights. The board approves the budget for the county’s education department but doesn’t make decisions for local school districts. Previously, the board stoked controversy by recommending schools reopen without requiring social distancing measures or masks. Al Mijares, the county’s superintendent, said Wednesday he was disappointed by the decision to sue and that the board has diverted time and energy from students and programs to satisfy “ideological interests.” Newsom has said public and private schools in counties that are on a state monitoring list for rising coronavirus infections can’t hold in-person classes and the counties will need to meet strict criteria for schools to reopen. Orange County is one of more than 30 counties on that list following a rise in virus cases and hospitalizations. A conservative legal organization filed a federal lawsuit last week alleging the state doesn’t have the right to shutter schools.

Colorado

Denver: A rodeo and concert ended without official intervention after the landowner learned of the event’s unexpectedly large size, a police official said. The event held in Weld County was criticized for its large crowds heeding little-to-no virus safety measures, The Denver Post reported. Some 2,000 people attended the gathering north of Lochbuie on Sunday night. Authorities were alerted around 5 p.m. to the new location by callers concerned about traffic, noise and a lack of masks and social distancing by attendees, Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Joe Moylan said. The crowds were mostly gone around 9 p.m., Moylan said. The sheriff’s office previously stopped the event at another location. The landowner at the second location had not realized the scale of the event to be held on his property, Moylan said. “The organizers said it would be a small get together,” Moylan said. “And when he realized he had over 2,000 people on his property he went a little ballistic. He was like, ‘I didn’t approve of this, I didn’t sign off on this.’ And it kind of dispersed on its own.” The landowner could not immediately be reached for comment. The event organizer did not return requests for comment.

Connecticut

Waterbury: Former Waterbury Mayor Philip A. Giordano, who is serving a 37-year sentence in a South Carolina prison for child sexual abuse, is asking to be released early because of the health risks he faces from the COVID-19 pandemic. Giordano, a former attorney and Republican U.S. Senate candidate, filed a handwritten petition in federal court asking for “compassionate release,” as well as the appointment of an attorney, the Hartford Courant reported on Tuesday. Giordano is not set to be released until 2033. Giordano, 57, wrote that he has “extraordinary and compelling” reasons to be released, citing the spread of COVID-19 in the federal prison system and at the medium security facility where he’s being confined in Bennettsville, S.C. Giordano said eight inmates in his unit have been infected and he claimed the prison ventilation system created a “petri dish effect” for his unit. On Wednesday, however, the Federal Bureau of Prisons website listed no current, positive COVID-19 cases among the 1,229 inmates at the facility. It reported that seven inmates have recovered and none has died. Among staff, seven are listed as having tested positive, five have recovered and none has died. Giordano, who also said he suffers from chronic spinal pain, was convicted in 2003 of sexually abusing the 9- and 11-year-old daughter and niece of a prostitute girlfriend, who was addicted to drugs, in his office at City Hall. He was charged after FBI agents overheard the assaults while conducting surveillance for a separate corruption investigation.

Delaware

Wilmington: Delaware’s beach towns are open to the public, but government and public health officials warn that everyone’s help is needed to curb the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing is encouraged in all public spaces, and people should maintain at least 6 feet of distance from those who are not members of their immediate household. As for face masks, they are required to be worn in public spaces where social distancing is difficult, and inside businesses that are open. Face masks are recommended, but not required, on most beaches, but social distancing is a must. Masks must be worn on the streets, sidewalks, boardwalk and inside businesses in Rehoboth Beach city limits. Lewes also requires masks to be worn outdoors in the city’s downtown area, public beach parking lots and while crossing the Savannah Road drawbridge between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. There are similar rules in Bethany Beach, where people in violation of mask rules can face up to a $100 fine. Swimming is permitted at all beaches unless dangerous weather conditions arise. Make sure to check in with the local lifeguards before you dive in to learn about any potential hazards in the water or on the sand. At beaches within the Delaware State Parks system, like Cape Henlopen State Park, Fenwick Island State Park and Delaware Seashore State Park near the Indian River Inlet, there are limits on how many people will be admitted. The number of vehicles allowed in will be capped at 60% of parking capacity, according to parks officials. Masks or face coverings are required in bathhouse and concession areas at all three parks and strongly encouraged on the beach as well.

District of Columbia

Washington: D.C. Public Schools will move to virtual and distancing learning for the start of the 2020-21 academic year from Aug. 31 to Nov. 6, Mayor Muriel Bowser said Thursday, WUSA-TV reported. The decision to move to a virtual learning scenario came after District leaders in conjunction with D.C. Health Department analyzed recent COVID-19 data that suggested that it was the best decision to keep students safe during the pandemic. The school system asked families and staff members to fill out a survey and received about 17,000 responses regarding the reopening of schools. Education officials said they designed virtual and online schedules depending on ages and grade levels. The majority of independent learning time will be on Wednesdays and virtual learning will be live lessons online during the week. Teachers will be conducting learning checks to monitor and understand gaps in learning. Attendance will also be tracked and taken during this learning scenario, officials said. Students will also have access to mental health support and social-emotional learning activities to get them through the virtual learning process, officials said. Officials said they will continue to monitor data and decide what the future of schools will be like for Term 2 on Nov. 9.

Florida

West Palm Beach: Child care assistance is available for children of first responders and other essential workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic – but time to apply is running out. The deadline to sign up for an Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County scholarship is Friday, the agency said. More than 2,000 children of first responders, health care employees and other workers considered “essential” – including grocery store, food, gas station and sanitation workers – have been helped by the program. It was launched earlier this year as the pandemic gripped the country, throwing families in need of child care into chaos as numerous facilities closed. “We are proud of that and want to serve more while we can,” Early Learning Coalition CEO Warren Eldridge said. Eligible families could receive financial help for 60 or 90 days, or more, the coalition reported. The program is for workers with children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. To apply, call 561-514-3300. In addition to helping these families pay for child care, the coalition said it also can help locate facilities that are open and accepting new students. Placement help is available for all Palm Beach County residents. For more information, go to www.elcpalmbeach.org.

Georgia

Statesboro: Tuition at Georgia Southern University will not change this fall if a student’s undergraduate course moves online, the university announced in an email sent to students Wednesday. The email highlights things students should know about attending on-campus classes while maintaining social distancing, such as face-covering enforcement, the health center reopening and notice of no tuition changes. “If you are an undergraduate student and you change your class to an online class, your tuition also will not change as Georgia Southern has eliminated differential tuition for online classes at the undergraduate level,” the email read. “However, if you change a graduate-level class from an in-person class to one that is scheduled completely online, there may be a change in tuition charges as some graduate classes still have different costs if delivered online.” Another point in the email is the announcement that GS’ CARES Center has opened, which is a tool to help students report and track COVID-19 cases. The online resource provides answers for COVID related questions, self-reporting instructions and more on academic needs. Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 17 on all campuses.

Hawaii

Honolulu: Hawaii was listed among 12 countries and regions the Japanese government considers safe international travel destinations for its citizens during the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement could provide a boost to Hawaii’s tourism industry, which is vital to the state economy and has been devastated since the virus put the brakes on global travel. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced the new Japan-Hawaii safe travel program, which will be tightly regulated to protect the health of travelers and prevent the additional spread of COVID-19. The program is expected to require negative coronavirus tests for tourists before they travel and include screening of travelers entering Japan. Hawaii, like Japan, has low numbers of coronavirus cases and is the only U.S. state under consideration for Japan’s program. Others destinations on the list include China, South Korea, Taiwan and nations in Europe. The program likely would benefit Oahu disproportionately as Hawaii is expected to limit the relaxed entry program to Oahu, which usually receives the majority of visitors to the state from Japan. Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said the announcement is good news for the Big Island and the state. Kim favors allowing travel to and from Japan without quarantines if testing protocols are established.

Idaho

Boise: Lawmakers on Thursday voted for proposed legislation creating a liability shield for protection against lawsuits during declared emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic, and are asking Republican Gov. Brad Little to call the Legislature back into session to pass it. A majority of House and Senate lawmakers on the Judiciary and Rules Working Group said such a law is needed to protect government entities and private businesses. Some lawmakers opposed to the legislation said a liability shield will remove incentives for businesses and government to take precautions. Little is the only one who can call the part-time Legislature back into session, which otherwise wouldn’t meet until early January. Lawmakers in favor of the legislation say current law leaves businesses and schools open to lawsuits during an emergency. As an example, one lawmaker noted that a family could sue if a child got the coronavirus at school, passed it on to a grandparent who died as a result. Businesses could also be sued if someone believes they became infected while at the business, lawmakers said.

Illinois

Peoria: A dozen Bradley University students, including some who attended a social gathering after leading freshmen orientation programs this month, have tested positive for COVID-19, the school said. After the Peoria school learned of the new cases on July 23, it determined after testing and contact tracing that the outbreak apparently stemmed from a small off-campus gathering in which attendees didn’t wear masks or practice social distancing, Bradley spokeswoman Renee Charles said. Officials said they don’t believe it was connected to the orientation sessions that preceded the party. “This event highlights the importance of remaining vigilant about engaging in behaviors proven to slow the spread of the virus,” Bradley President Stephen Standifird said in a message Monday. “Face masks, physical distancing and frequent hand washing matter. This case also highlights the importance of an aggressive testing and contact tracing routine.” Some of the students became infected after attending outdoor and indoor orientation activities on July 20 and July 21 at the 5,000-student campus. Attendees who were determined to have spent more than 15 minutes with one of the infected students were notified by a phone call or text message, but school officials said they don’t think the risk of transmission was high during the sessions because attendees had to wear masks and adhere to social distancing. The school said it plans to resume in-person classes in late August, but that it is monitoring a recent increase in the number of cases and emergency room visits for COVID-19 symptoms in the Peoria area.

Indiana

Indianapolis: Indiana will keep its coronavirus restrictions in place for at least most of August, with Gov. Eric Holcomb choosing to encourage compliance with safety measures amid continued concerns about recent growth in the state’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Holcomb announced that statewide limits including crowd sizes for restaurants, bars and public events would remain in effect until Aug. 27. The Republican governor lifted the state’s stay-at-home order and began easing business restrictions in early May, but he has delayed the final lifting of crowd limits for the past month. Holcomb is leaving it up to city and county officials to take any more aggressive measures, such as closing bars, which have been linked to a rise in cases among young adults across the country. That’s despite fears among federal officials that Indiana and other Midwestern states could see a significant jump in COVID-19 infections. Although Indianapolis officials have ordered bars in the city to shut down, Holcomb emphasized that steps as wearing face masks as required under a new state mandate and proper distancing should be followed to slow the virus’ spread.

Iowa

Des Moines: A person who played in a league July 22 at the Greater Des Moines Softball Complex has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a news release. The infected person played in the 7:30 p.m. league, the release said. Upon learning of the case on Wednesday, the city notified other players, staff and umpires who were present, the announcement said. High-traffic areas at the adult softball complex, located at 4980 N.E. 46th St., are disinfected multiple times daily, according to the city. Officials advised people who believe they might have been exposed to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and follow guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The city prohibits patrons who were exposed from returning to the facilities until they complete a home isolation period per CDC recommendations, the news release said.

Kansas

Lawrence: The Kansas State High School Activities Association is allowing all fall high school sport competitions in Kansas to move forward as scheduled despite the coronavirus pandemic. Its executive board narrowly defeated a motion that would have delayed the start of fall competitions, the Lawrence Journal-World reported. The decision means fall sports and activities programs can start practices on Aug. 17 and competitions can move forward as scheduled. However, local school boards will still be able to change sports schedules within their districts.

Kentucky

Louisville: The Old Lou Brew Craft Beer Festival planned for Aug. 29 has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The event will next be held in 2021. “Old Lou Brew is becoming one of the city’s favorite beer festivals just because it’s so relaxed and fun in Old Louisville’s beautiful Central Park. We will be back better than ever, as soon as it’s safe, hopefully next summer," Old Louisville Neighborhood Council director Shawn Williams said. The event typically features Kentucky's finest independent brewers and a half-dozen food trucks and acts as a fundraiser for the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council.

Louisiana

Baton Rouge: Eleven Louisiana bar owners filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Gov. John Bel Edwards, arguing his coronavirus rules limiting bars to takeout and delivery unlawfully target one business sector and impose overly harsh restrictions. The lawsuit names the Democratic governor and Fire Marshal Butch Browning, the chief enforcement officer of the virus regulations for Edwards, as defendants. It was filed in Lafayette federal court by bars located across Acadiana, including in New Iberia, Morgan City, Youngsville and Lafayette. The bars argue Edwards cannot show a “real or substantial relation” between the closure of bars to onsite drinking and the public health crisis. They say only a small number of known COVID-19 cases have been traced to bars by the state, and they say none of those cases were tracked to their businesses. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth, representing the bar owners, said Edwards’ coronavirus restrictions “may have warranted the benefit of the doubt” in the early days of the outbreak of COVID-19. But he said more scientific data is available, and he argued that data undermines Edwards’ decision. The Louisiana Department of Health said it traced 464 confirmed coronavirus infections to 41 bars, among the largest number of cases tracked to a specific type of business. Edwards banned onsite consumption at bars earlier this month after previously allowing bars to reopen with restaurants and other businesses. But the governor and his health advisers said bars have shown to be specifically problematic because people tend to huddle closely together inside without masks while drinking and lapse in their virus precautions the more alcohol they consume.

Maine

Eastport: A cruise ship that tied up in Eastport during the coronavirus pandemic is ready to set sail. The Oceania Riviera will depart this weekend for Europe. The 785-foot ship arrived in Eastport on June 14 with no passengers and has been waiting for the green light for cruise ships to resume operations. Oceania Cruises, which owns and operates Riviera, declined to comment on why the ship is moving. But a local official told the Bangor Daily News that the ship is sailing to Europe so it can switch out the crew members who live on the ship and maintain the vessel. Cruise lines stopped sailing in mid-March after several outbreaks of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, in ships at sea. The Riviera was big enough to hold Eastport’s entire population of 1,300, and it dominated the community’s harbor.

Maryland

Annapolis: Gov. Larry Hogan issued a travel advisory urging residents to avoid visiting some states with rapidly increasing cases of coronavirus and expanded mask-wearing requirements. Anyone older than age 5 will be required to wear a face covering starting at 5 p.m. Friday in all indoor public areas of businesses and buildings, including churches, offices and restaurants. Hogan’s order also expands the requirement to outdoor spaces when it is not possible to maintain social distance. “This expansion of the masking order is an action that is both fact-based, apolitical and solidly grounded in science,” Hogan said. “While it can be an inconvenience, especially in the heat, wearing a mask is the single best mitigation strategy that we have to fight the virus.” The travel advisory applies to states with positive test rates of or higher than 10%. As of Wednesday, that would include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas. Hogan said if people must visit those states, they should immediately be tested upon returning to Maryland and quarantine themselves until learning the results.

Massachusetts

Andover: An executive at a Massachusetts facility helping create a potential vaccine for the coronavirus said Thursday that the company hopes to have the treatment ready by the end of the year. “We have the potential, subject to technical success and regulatory authorization, to manufacture up to 100 million vaccine doses by the end of this year and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021,” said Meg Ruesch, research and development leader at Pfizer Inc.’s Andover facility. The vaccine candidate, a collaboration between Pfizer and BioNTech, “introduces into the body the genetic instructions for the cell to make a specific protein – in this case a SARS-CoV-2 protein – which is intended to stimulate an immune response,” she said. The data on the trials has been encouraging, she said at a news conference with Gov. Charlie Baker. She also put to rest concerns that the vaccine process is being rushed. “We don’t cut any quality corners,” she said. The Trump administration last week announced that it would pay Pfizer nearly $2 billion for December delivery of 100 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine under development. Pfizer earlier this week announced it had started a study of its vaccine candidate in the U.S. and elsewhere. That study aimed to recruit 30,000 people.

Michigan

Lansing: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tightened pandemic restrictions in northern Michigan while letting Detroit’s three casinos reopen at limited capacity after four-plus months of being closed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The new limits covering 32 northern counties match ones already in place in the rest of the state. Indoor gatherings in the Traverse City and Upper Peninsula regions – where the rate of new COVID-19 cases is lower – will be capped at 10 starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday, down from 50. Bars must close for indoor service if more than 70% of their gross receipts are from alcohol sales. The three casinos in Detroit can open Aug. 5. They will have to ban smoking and limit capacity to 15%. Tribal casinos, which are not regulated by the state, have reopened and have been operating safely, Whitmer said. Indoor theaters, gyms, bowling alleys and places like outdoor concert venues can remain open in the Upper Peninsula and much of the northern Lower Peninsula, subject to capacity caps and distancing requirements.

Minnesota

Minneapolis: Mayor Jacob Frey ordered that indoor bar areas be closed in the state’s largest city as coronavirus cases have surged among young adults. At least nine bars have been tied to virus outbreaks, with at least seven customers testing positive. The city said more than half of its new cases are in people younger than 35 who report increased exposure in bars and at gatherings of family and friends. “A night out at the bar is too often leading to nights in the hospital for family, for friends and for neighbors,” Frey said. “By focusing on bar areas, which are proven to be hotbeds for congregation and community spread, we can help keep both Minneapolis and Minnesotans safe and can help keep trends stable.” The regulation, which goes into effect on Saturday, includes bars, nightclubs, distilleries, tap rooms and bar areas inside restaurants. Patrons can still go to these establishments but must be seated and served from socially distanced tables. City Health Commissioner Gretchen Musicant said cases have steadily increased citywide since June 21, roughly two weeks after Gov. Tim Walz issued reopening guidelines. The city is reporting a rate of 18 new cases per 100,000 people per day, significantly higher than the state’s roughly 11 per day.

Mississippi

Jackson: School districts have just days to submit plans for this academic year to the state, but as the deadline nears and new cases of the coronavirus continue to rise, those plans keep changing. Jackson Public Schools came out with a detailed plan in mid-July for how it was going to return students to in-person classroom instruction at the start of the school year. Children were to undergo temperature checks before getting on the bus or entering school buildings in the morning. Hand-washing and sanitization breaks were built into the school day. All students would wear masks on campus. Families had the option of keeping children at home and doing online learning with district-issued laptops, something educators said would allow for more social distancing in the classroom. The program was created after dozens of surveys, constituent feedback and hours of strategic planning among staff. But last Friday, just over a week after releasing its plan, Superintendent Errick L. Greene announced Jackson schools officials made the difficult decision to change course and educate students entirely online, at least for the fall. He said he was proud of the work that went into creating a plan to enable kids to return to the classroom but rising cases of coronavirus in the state were a undeniable concern. School districts are due to submit their plans to the Mississippi Department of Education by Friday, but there’s still uncertainty about what schooling during the pandemic will look like, just weeks from the start of the academic year. Districts have been reframing plans almost weekly as they receive updates from the state department of health.

Missouri

Springfield: With coronavirus cases surging, several St. Louis-area school districts have decided to start the school year with online-only learning, while the state’s largest school district is limiting the number of days each student will attend in-person. Springfield Public Schools plan to reopen with each student attending classes for two days, and learning virtually otherwise. Republican Gov. Mike Parson was in Springfield on Wednesday and said he supported the plan, the Springfield News-Leader reported. Parson said after meeting with local educators that he understood the frustration of many parents who want their kids back in the classroom full-time. “But when you look at a Springfield school district, I would look at how big that is, and ask ‘How do you do that?’ and ‘How do you do that safely?’ ” Parson said. Meanwhile, a growing list of St. Louis-area districts will start the year with virtual instruction only. The Clayton, Parkway, Pattonville and Webster Groves districts were among those to announce their plans Wednesday. St. Louis County has no authority to mandate what schools do, but County Executive Sam Page has urged parents to opt for virtual learning.

Montana

Helena: The Montana Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism and Business Development has launched a campaign to promote coronavirus-related safety precautions among travelers in the state. Officials announced the $5 million “Montana Aware” campaign aims to use fliers, posters and social media messages to inform the public about steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. The state’s mask mandate is in effect for 25 counties.

Nebraska

Lincoln: Nebraska’s meatpacking plants won’t have to worry about any new safety restrictions this year, despite outbreaks of the coronavirus among their workers, after a state lawmaker on Wednesday could not secure enough support for the idea. Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha fell two votes short of the 30 he needed to introduce a bill in the waning days of the 2020 session. The Legislature’s rules only allow new bills to be introduced during the first 10 days of each session, unless a super majority of lawmakers agrees to suspend the rule. Wednesday was the 51st day of this year’s 60-day session. Lawmakers voted 28-10 to allow the new proposal. Many of Nebraska’s meatpacking plants were forced to temporarily shutter their operations earlier this year after they became among the nation’s largest coronavirus hot spots. In May, state officials acknowledged that nearly one in six coronavirus cases in Nebraska had been linked to a meatpacking plant. Conservative lawmakers argued that a new bill wasn’t necessary because Nebraska’s plants have since taken steps to protect their workers, seeking guidance from infectious disease experts at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on how to safely operate. The companies said they have introduced measures such as social-distancing and plastic barriers that separate employees who work close together.

Nevada

Las Vegas: State casino regulators are seeking fines against two casinos and a bowling alley in rural Nevada, alleging that employees and patrons failed to comply with requirements including a mandate for people to wear face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Nevada Gaming Control Board spokesman Michael Lawton said Wednesday that confidentiality rules prevent the agency from making public details of 156 open investigations or names of entities unless formal complaints are filed with the state Gaming Commission. Records showed that complaints were filed since last Friday against C.O.D. Casino in Minden and the Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall in Ely. Representatives of each property declined telephone requests Wednesday for comment. The complaints in each case allege that during repeat visits held several days apart, state inspectors saw employees and patrons without face coverings or wearing them improperly. At the Hotel Nevada, a regulator noted that casino employees approached customers while an agent was taking photos and appeared to tell them to don face coverings. A third complaint filed Tuesday named Bowl Incline on the Lake Tahoe shoreline, where owner Curt Wegener said he was unaware until a gaming control agent visited his bowling alley bar on July 11 that Gov. Steve Sisolak had rolled back permission for bar areas to be open, effective midnight July 10.

New Hampshire

Manchester: Faced with an empty minor-league baseball stadium for the summer, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats are seeking $1 million to pay their bills during the coronavirus pandemic.The team is facing a $5.5 million loss in revenue, officials told lawmakers advising the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery. It leases the stadium from the city of Manchester, which would face its own budget difficulties if payments aren’t made, said Mayor Joyce Craig. “They’ve been a very significant player in the city of Manchester’s economic viability,” said state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, D-Manchester. The team did receive $350,000 in federal funding – the maximum amount available – from the state’s Main Street relief fund. It also has applied for funding from a General Assistance and Preservation Fund for businesses and nonprofits that haven’t been able to otherwise get support. The deadline for those applications is Aug. 4. So far, the state has allocated $1 billion of the $1.25 billion in received in federal coronavirus relief aid.

New Jersey

Trenton: New Jersey’s Labor Department said unemployment claims jumped nearly 9% last week from the previous week. New Jersey’s job market, like the country’s, continues to feel effects from the COVID-19 outbreak with more than 28,000 people seeking jobless benefits last week, up from nearly 26,000. Labor officials said there have been more than 1.4 million claims in the state since the virus first broke out here in March. So far, state officials said they have paid out $12.4 billion in state and federal benefits over 19 weeks. Last week also marked the end of the federal weekly $600 supplemental payment. About 840,000 people claimed the benefit last week, the department said. The state labor figures came out the same day a federal report indicated the nation’s economy shrank by 32.9% in the last quarter. New Jersey has among the highest unemployment rates in the country at 16.6%, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

New Mexico

Las Cruces: TriCore Reference Laboratories is establishing a branch lab on New Mexico State University’s campus to boost clinical laboratory testing capacity for the novel coronavirus in southern New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Health will provide the university with funding to support the lab, according to a news release from the university Tuesday. The lab will begin functioning later this month. NMDOH Secretary Kathy Kunkel said in a statement the lab will increase the state’s overall testing capacity. Testing in this case does not refer to the process by which a sample is collected from somebody for a possible coronavirus diagnosis, such as a nasal swab. Testing refers to the processing of those samples to see if someone is positive or negative for the virus. Samples have often needed to be sent north to be tested. When the lab begins operating, the university release said it hopes to "provide much-needed testing capability in the Paso del Norte region."

New York

New York City: Demand for rides from taxis and app-based services plummeted in New York City during the height of the pandemic, and only slowly started to climb back as the city re-opened, according to a report released Wednesday. New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission said trips started declining in mid-March and continued into April, falling as much as 84% from the previrus days at their lowest point. Since then, there was a gradual increase through the period until the end of June. The city data showed yellow taxis had just over 18,000 daily trips at the end of June, compared with more than 200,000 before the shutdown. The high-volume for-hire services, which includes apps like Uber and Lyft, were at more than 251,000 daily trips, down from almost 750,000 in February. The pandemic also took drivers off the road. In February, there were just under 115,000 drivers making trips, but by April, that had fallen to fewer than 29,000. At the end of June, the number of drivers had risen slightly, to 30,675.

North Carolina

Raleigh: Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Raleigh on Wednesday in a push to encourage more K-12 schools to reopen with entirely in-person instruction. Air Force Two landed around noon Wednesday at Raleigh-Durham International Airport ahead of planned stops at a private school and a company working on coronavirus vaccine trials. Pence disembarked the plane wearing a dark face mask. He was greeted by a small group and waved at onlookers before getting in a black SUV. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper announced in July that public schools can offer a mix of online and in-person instruction, though districts can choose to offer fully remote learning.

North Dakota

Bismarck: The pronounced rise of confirmed coronavirus infections around North Dakota’s capital city likely stems from multiple Fourth of July gatherings and citizens’ failure to take precautions to minimize the risk of spreading the disease, a local health official said Wednesday. Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Director Renae Moch said there appears to be a lax attitude toward the virus and a belief that precautions such as wearing a mask don’t help. “Masks in other part of the nation are the norm, but if you’re doing it out here, you’re the minority,” Moch said. Cases in Burleigh County and neighboring Morton County have tripled this month and account for about a third of the 1,038 confirmed active cases reported Wednesday. The two counties added 36 new positive cases on Wednesday, the Department of Health reported. Burleigh and Morton counties continue to post the highest percentage of positive tests in the state at an average positive rate of 4.2% for the last 14 days, significantly higher than the statewide rate of 2.79% and Cass County’s 2.72 %, the Health Department reported. Cass County, which contains the Fargo metropolitan area, reported 10 of the 89 new positive cases Wednesday. Burleigh and Cass counties each reported one new death linked to the virus, raising the statewide death toll to 102.

Ohio

Columbus: The Ohio pharmacy board reversed course Thursday and tossed a rule that would have prohibited use of a malaria drug for patients with COVID-19. The decision followed public feedback and a request by Gov. Mike DeWine to ditch the rule. At issue was the prescribing of the drug hydroxychloroquine, whose effectiveness for the coronavirus has been widely questioned. On Wednesday, the pharmacy board banned its use as a coronavirus treatment, noting that the Food and Drug Administration previously revoked the emergency use of the drug. The FDA “made this determination based on recent results from a large, randomized clinical trial in hospitalized patients that found these medicines showed no benefit for decreasing the likelihood of death or speeding recovery,” the state pharmacy board said. But on Thursday, FDA Commissioner Dr. Steven Hahn said on NBC’s “Today” show that the drug’s use should be between doctor and patient. DeWine said he agreed with that assessment. “The Board of Pharmacy and the State Medical Board of Ohio should revisit the issue, listen to the best medical science, and open the process up for comment and testimony from experts,” DeWine said. The board said it decided to roll back the rule as “a result of the feedback received by the medical and patient community and at the request of Governor DeWine.” It plans to reexamine the issue along with the state medical board.

Oklahoma

Macomb: To ensure Macomb Public Schools provide the best instruction and safety measures against COVID-19, the district has decided to push the first day of school to Aug. 19. According to Superintendent Matt Riggs, students were originally scheduled to return to school Aug. 5. “As we get closer to the start date, I just don’t feel we will be ready to provide the type of instruction we want to provide by Aug. 5,” Riggs said. Like other districts, Riggs said Macomb will offer students the opportunity to continue distance learning and in-person instruction. Riggs said although distance learning will be offered to all, details will vary for each grade. In addition to distance learning, Riggs said the district has developed policies and procedures to keep staff and students safe during in-person instruction. “We are keeping students and staff in one room and delivering meals to the classrooms to decrease the opportunities for large group gatherings,” Riggs said. “Teachers will be spacing students in their classrooms to the best of their ability.” The administrator said one of the biggest challenges the district will face is physical distancing as buildings on campus have limited space.

Oregon

Silverton: The annual summertime festivals in Silverton might have been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but not the Davenport International Cartoon Contest. The contest for political or editorial cartoons on any topic – as long as they’re not libelous, slanderous, racist, sexist or salacious – has been staged since 1984 in honor of Homer Davenport, Silverton’s famous political cartoonist. Entries must be original and unpublished, and the entry fee is $25 per cartoon. The deadline to enter is 5 p.m Friday. Cash prizes are $750 for grand prize, $500 for first, $300 for second and $200 for third. The work will be judged on artistic skill, clearly implied message and the cartoon’s overall appeal. Judging the contest will be state Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland; Dr. David Lewis, cultural anthropologist from Salem; and Oregon State Rep. Rick Lewis, R-Silverton. For rules and entry forms, visit HomerDavenport.com/tooncon.

Pennsylvania

Harrisburg: Pennsylvania bar and restaurant owners said they have been unfairly blamed for rising virus case numbers, challenging the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf to provide evidence and criticizing the Democratic governor over pandemic restrictions they said will drive many of them out of business. Wolf cited rising infection rates in some hot spots when he imposed a new round of restrictions on bars and restaurants two weeks ago. Occupancy was reduced from 50% to 25% capacity, and alcohol can only be served with meals. Riki Tanaka, who owns three restaurants in lightly impacted McKean County, in the rural northwest, told a state House panel it makes no sense and “flat out isn’t fair” to lump eateries in his region with those in virus hot spots like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. He said no restaurant can survive under the limitations imposed by Wolf, noting he had to furlough dozens of workers. “Give us a fighting chance,” he said. “Let me operate my business.” Tanaka and other restaurant owners and industry officials testified at a hearing arranged by House Republicans.

Rhode Island

Providence: Lt. Gov. Dan McKee is urging owners of small businesses struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic to apply for a grant to help them recover. Applications for the Restore RI program will be available starting Monday, McKee said in a statement Thursday. The $50 million program will provide grants of up to $15,000 based on whether the business is in a severely impacted industry, the number of full-time employees, and the degree of revenue loss. Businesses will need to demonstrate at least 30% revenue loss if they are in a severely impacted industry or at least 50% revenue loss for other eligible industries. Businesses with between one and 20 employees are eligible to apply, with the exception of restaurants and caterers, which are not subject to an employee cap. Sole proprietors are eligible for the program as long as they have at least one employee in addition to the owner. Applicants must have a physical presence in Rhode Island and must be open or plan to be open within 60 days.

South Carolina

Greenville: State health officials said that a child under the age of 5 died of COVID-19 in Greenville County earlier this month, marking the state's second pediatric coronavirus death reported during July. The child's death happened on July 8 and was disclosed Tuesday by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Citing privacy concerns, a spokesperson for the agency did not provide the child's age or gender. The spokesperson also would not provide details about when the child tested positive for COVID-19, whether the child had underlying health issues or where the child was hospitalized. Asked why almost three weeks passed before the child's death was reported, the spokesperson responded in an email, "A delay in the reporting of an individual’s death during this pandemic is most often the result of ensuring the death is accurately classified. DHEC crosschecks the initial information reported to us when a COVID-19 death occurs with the information listed on the official death certificate when that document is submitted to the agency." On July 11, DHEC reported that a child under the age of 5 from Chester County died of COVID-19. DHEC said at the time that it was the first COVID-19 death of a child in South Carolina.

South Dakota

Sioux Falls: Top South Dakota Republican lawmakers said they would rather wait until the legislative session in January to decide how to use most of the federal coronavirus aid the state has received. Following a conference call with Gov. Kristi Noem on Tuesday night, Republican legislative leaders said they were following the current negotiations in Congress over the new coronavirus aid package and hoping that Congress would extend the deadline beyond the end of the year to allocate most of the $1.25 billion the state has received. If that happens, there might not be a special session this fall, said House Majority Leader Lee Qualm, a Platte Republican. Qualm cautioned that it might be a couple of weeks before Congress completes the rules for spending the aid, saying, “There’s still some things up in the air.” The state has spent about $75 million of the aid, with most of that going toward unemployment benefits. As leaders figure out what to do with roughly a billion dollars of what’s left, the governor told lawmakers that if Congress extends the deadline, there would likely be no need for a special session, according to state Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, a Watertown Republican. Republicans said the Legislature needs time to make sure the money has the most impact. It would allow legislative committees to vet the allocations, rather than deciding in a rushed special session. Senate Majority Leader Kris Langer, a Republican from Dell Rapids, said she is hoping Congress also allows state governments to put some of the federal funding towards covering losses in revenue. But Democrats, who hold a minority in the Legislature, argued that waiting to spend the money until next year would be too late for people and businesses struggling from the pandemic. Senate Minority Leader Troy Heinert, a Democrat from Mission, called for legislators to convene as early as September, creating a task force of convening committees.

Tennessee

Nashville: The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday over whether to keep absentee voting open to all eligible voters for the November election becauser of the coronavirus pandemic. The hearing came on the last day to request absentee ballots for the Aug. 6 primary election. Last month, a state court judge ordered the absentee expansion during the pandemic, and the Supreme Court decided against blocking it for the primary. The first day to request absentee ballots for the general election is Aug. 5, likely requiring the court to rule quickly. Tennessee election officials have opposed the expansion of absentee eligibility, arguing it is unfeasible for the 2020 elections and citing some issues experienced in other states. The groups that sued, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have argued that without the expansion, Tennessee would make many voters choose between risking their health at the polls or forgoing their constitutional right to vote.

Texas

Austin: U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, said he will take hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, a day after testing positive for the virus at the White House. “My doctor and I are all in,” he told Sean Hannity on Wednesday night on Fox News, adding that he will start the regimen in the “next day or two.” Hydroxychloroquine, a drug typically used to prevent and treat malaria and certain autoimmune conditions, has been touted by President Donald Trump as a possible cure for COVID-19, despite research that has shown that the drug is not effective in treating the virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration withdrew its emergency-use authorization for the drug, warning against the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial because of the risk of heart rhythm problems. The agency also has listed other safety issues associated with the drugs, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries and liver problems and failure. Gohmert was scheduled to fly to Texas on Wednesday morning with President Donald Trump, but tested positive at the White House and did not go on the trip. He said he does not have any COVID-19 symptoms but will self-quarantine for 10 days.

Utah

St. George: The Washington County School Board voted unanimously to enact the official plan for students to return to school, just as Utah's largest union of teachers announced opposition to reopening on the regular schedule this fall. Board Superintendent Larry Bergeson said students will be required to wear masks, but that the situation is fluid and might be subject to change. Schools are set to reopen Aug. 13 for in-person school on a traditional schedule from Monday through Friday. Friday will be an early release day for all K-12 students for deep cleaning and staff training. On Fridays, intermediate schools will dismiss at 11:45 a.m., middle and high school will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. and elementary schools will dismiss at 1:15 p.m. Face coverings are required for all staff and students, with the exception of those that have qualifying health conditions. Parents and students will have options for in-person or virtual at-home learning and there is a "blended in-person/virtual combination" option where students can do both depending on qualifying health conditions. On buses to and from school, students and all bus drivers must be wearing face coverings. In the classrooms, teachers are also required to wear face coverings and sanitize or wash their hands frequently.

Vermont

Burlington: The state reported its first new death from the coronavirus in 43 days on Thursday, bringing the state’s total number of deaths since the pandemic began to 57. “We have been uniquely fortunate to have been spared such a loss for many weeks,” said Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine in a written statement. The state also reported one new case of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. The state is maintaining a relatively low rate of new positive cases because of “the cooperation and sacrifices Vermonters,” he said. “However, while we are hopeful that together, our efforts will keep us from experiencing more illness and deaths in the future, we must be prepared for the fact that the virus is not going away anytime soon,” Levine said. “I ask everyone in Vermont to join me in honoring this latest loss by recommitting to doing everything we can to keep each other safe and prevent further spread of this virus.”

Virginia

Williamsburg: Busch Gardens Williamsburg said it plans to reopen in early August. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Wednesday that the park’s parent company did not provide details on when the reopening would be. The park is owned by SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. “The company expects its Busch Gardens theme park in Virginia to commence a phased reopening in early August 2020,” the company said in a news release. The announcement did not say whether the Water Country USA park would reopen, as well. Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water County USA have been closed since March. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions and economic boosters. Another popular park, Kings Dominion in Hanover County, remains closed.

Washington

Olympia: As a $600 weekly bonus to those seeking unemployment benefits in Washington expired, the state saw a slight dip in new weekly claims, which remained at high levels as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the state’s economic recovery. More than 1.2 million people have filed claims for unemployment since early March when the pandemic job losses began, and more than 966,000 people who filed initial claims have been paid. To date, the state has paid more than $8.7 billion in benefits, two-thirds of which is federal money that is providing the unemployed with an additional $600 a week on top of the state’s weekly maximum benefit of up to $790 per week. That $600 weekly bonus is technically set to expire Friday, but the cutoff was effectively June 25, owing to how states process payments. Congress has not been able to reach agreement on an extension. The number of new claims for unemployment benefits in Washington last week – 28,840 – was down 1.7% from the previous week.

West Virginia

Huntington: Marshall University will move more fall semester courses to a remote format than originally planned because of the coronavirus pandemic. “This transition will allow us to continue to monitor the status of the pandemic in our community, further reduce density inside our classroom facilities, and preserve, as much as possible, the important on-campus experience for our freshmen,” Marshall President Jerome Gilbert said in a statement. Gilbert said most sophomores, juniors and seniors will attend classes online that are broadcast live and recorded. He said freshmen, some graduate students and most professional students can expect a combination of online and face-to-face instruction. Marshall’s fall semester is set to begin on Aug. 24. Students can move into residence halls starting Aug. 15. In Morgantown, West Virginia University has pushed back the start of its semester by one week to Aug. 26 and also is switching some courses to online instruction.

Wisconsin

Madison: Rural counties in northern Wisconsin that had largely been immune from the coronavirus pandemic are now seeing a surge in cases, with Iron County now having the state’s highest rate of active confirmed COVID-19 infections. The number of confirmed infections in Iron County was in the single digits for four months before spiking in July, with 75 total cases. Of those, 68 are of residents and seven are of nonresidents. The cases are spread throughout the county. Thirty-eight people have recovered, three have been hospitalized and one has died, Wisconsin Public Radio reported Thursday. Zona Wick, the former county health officer who has been rehired as a public health nurse during the crisis, said the spike is a result of “quarantine fatigue.” That led to people casting aside social distancing for graduation parties, Fourth of July gatherings and other social events where the disease spread, Wick said. The low numbers “lulled people into complacency, into saying, ‘Hey, things are safe here. It’s just our family. It’s just our friends. It’s just people we know.’ … And the virus doesn’t care,” Wick said. Only four of Wisconsin’s 72 counties showed more active cases than recovered ones, according to the state Department of Health Services. Those were Iron, Juneau, Langlade and Menominee counties. Two others, Taylor and Washburn counties, had the same number of active and recovered cases. All six are rural counties. On Wednesday, Trempealeau County public health nurse Kaila Baer said in a statement that the western Wisconsin county was “on the edge of moving to severe risk.” It had the seventh-highest case rate in Wisconsin per 100,000 people, Baer said.

Wyoming

Cheyenne: The coronavirus pandemic has prompted cancellation of a charity antelope hunt that has drawn teams of famous, powerful men to central Wyoming for more than 75 years and now faces growing criticism that ceremonies tied to the event crudely and inaccurately appropriate Native American culture. The Lander One Shot Antelope Hunt has been held every year since 1944. Participants have included Roy Rogers, Peter Fonda, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Vice President Dick Cheney, 16 astronauts and the governors of 30 states. Wyoming’s governors have participated in all but two hunts since 1954. This year, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon was planning to invite Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, a fellow Republican, to be on his team, according to Gordon’s office. The mid-September hunt has raised millions of dollars for conservation-oriented causes but lately has faced criticism for associated ceremonies in which politicians, including former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat now running for U.S. Senate, have worn indigenous women’s headscarves designating them as “losers” of the event. Hickenlooper in 2018 wore a native headdress designating him a “winner” of the hunt, Wyoming Public Radio reported recently. Although the hunt takes place on the high plains – prime territory for social distancing – and rural Wyoming has escaped the worst of the virus outbreaks, banquets associated with the event draw hundreds of people. Meanwhile, several of this year's eight, three-man teams dropped out amid concern about traveling during the pandemic, said Vickie Hutchinson, a hunt organizer and executive director of the Water for Wildlife Foundation. The hunt is the latest major outdoor event in Wyoming to fall victim to COVID-19. Cheyenne Frontier Days, a two-week rodeo and Western culture festival that would have wrapped up last weekend, also was called off at a cost of millions of dollars to the state capital economy.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 50 States