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NY: New York governor issues strict new rules for virus hotspots
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that in the most infected inner circles of New York hotspots, worship services must be limited to 10 people, mass gatherings are prohibited, only essential businesses can be open, dining must be takeout only, and schools are closed except for remote learning.
CA: The frightening implications of California’s first million-acre fire
The August Complex wildfire has reached “gigafire” status, burning more than 1 million acres, setting a new record for California and offering what experts say is a terrifying window into how climate change and other factors such as mismanaged forests are worsening the state’s fire danger.
AZ: Judge orders Arizona to extend voter registration deadline
With just hours remaining for the state’s residents to sign up to cast a ballot in the November election, U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan extended Arizona’s voter registration until 5 p.m. on Oct. 23.
WA: Washington rarely decertifies police officers, but new bill could change that
A proposal being circulated by a key Washington state lawmaker would give more power to civilian overseers than law enforcement representatives, and would expand the criteria for decertification to include the use of excessive force — for which the state has never decertified an officer.
MO: Missouri board approves plan for nation’s first police academy at historically Black college
The board tasked with overseeing police training in Missouri voted to approve initial plans for the first police academy at a historically Black college or university in the country at Lincoln University in Jefferson City.
DC: District of Columbia reports highest coronavirus caseload in months
The District of Columbia has recorded the highest number of daily COVID-19 cases in more than four months. The city is reporting that there were 105 new positive coronavirus cases on Monday, the highest number since June 2.
VA: Virginia governor experiencing ‘mild’ COVID-19 symptoms
Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said he has developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus a little less than two weeks after he and the state’s first lady tested positive.
FL: Florida reopens voter registration after web crash
Voter rights groups sued in federal court demanding potential Florida voters get more time to register after the state’s voter registration website crashed because of unprecedented volume. The state extended the deadline but only until Tuesday at 7 p.m.
OH: More rural Ohioans being hospitalized for coronavirus than residents of big cities
As the coronavirus spreads throughout Ohio, it’s moving from urban to rural areas and the most-affected age groups have shifted over time.
WI: Wisconsin limits indoor gatherings as cases surge
Wisconsin’s top public health official unveiled a new statewide order capping indoor public gatherings at certain businesses.
MI: Michigan legislature reconvenes to look at orders
Michigan’s Republican controlled legislature will consider which executive orders it will support after Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s authority to issue them was struck down by the state’s highest court.
OK: Oklahoma ends overflow hospital contracts as COVID-19 hospitalizations hit record
Public health and medical professionals are concerned about strained hospital capacity and staffing shortages in Oklahoma, especially regarding intensive-care beds.
NJ: New Jersey can count mail-in ballots early, judge says in defeat for Trump campaign
The decision was a blow to President Donald Trump’s campaign team and New Jersey Republicans, who had sued to alter the state’s plan to send ballots to every registered voter.
MA: As COVID-19 metrics rise, Massachusetts officials avoid defining how bad is too bad
Even with statistics that track the pandemic’s spread on the rise, Massachusetts continues to move forward with reopening plans. And public health officials have not clearly explained what would signal the beginning of an unmanageable new wave of COVID-19.
AK: Alaska cases hit new highs, but hospitals aren’t sounding alarms
Alaska set a record for new COVID-19 cases among residents, but a top hospital industry official said that facilities aren’t seeing a spike in patients and that there’s no immediate cause for alarm about overwhelming hospitals.
WY: Wyoming COVID-19 hospitalizations double in past week
The Wyoming spike continues a worrying trend that began in late September. Prior to that, the most people hospitalized because of COVID-19 at any point hadn’t exceeded 23 patients.
CO: Colorado officials worry about rising COVID-19 hospitalizations
Coronavirus transmission among younger Coloradans has slowed in the past week, but state health officials are now worried about spread of the disease among older people as the number of hospitalizations grows to its highest level since late July.
OR: Massive influx of tests may be Oregon’s best shot to reopen schools
Oregon officials say there’s no way those testing supplies would enable serial testing at schools and a full-scale, immediate reopening, but they hope expanding testing and eligibility will allow them to identify and quarantine more spreaders of the virus.
HI: Hawaii’s tenants and landlords alike are struggling
A new report finds that the vacancy rate for residential properties has more than doubled in Hawaii, 40% of landlords said they were struggling and tenants had a 5% increase in rent delinquencies.
MS: ‘Dirty side’ of Hurricane Delta could hit Mississippi Coast
Hurricane Delta’s path shows much of the Mississippi Coast could fall on the “dirty side” — the more dangerous side — of the powerful cyclone. Heavy rain, hurricane-force winds and “life-threatening” storm surge are expected across the Central Gulf.
ME: Maine sets Nov. 2 for opening bars, tasting rooms
The “Phase Four” reopening comes just two weeks after Maine public health officials expressed grave concern about community spread of the virus in the southern-most county.
NC: North Carolina governor scores Trump on COVID-19; says ‘this thing is not over’
Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper stressed sticking to health safety measures and wearing face coverings as COVID-19 hospitalizations in North Carolina have increased and President Donald Trump, who has COVID-19, has downplayed the severity of the pandemic.
SC: South Carolina plans to spend nearly M on prison air equipment after COVID deaths
Following more than 30 inmate deaths in South Carolina prisons, the Department of Corrections plans to spend nearly $1 million on air ionizers to slow the spread of COVID-19.
MD: Maryland casino revenue increases for first time since pandemic started
For the first time since the coronavirus shut their doors for three months, casinos across Maryland produced an increase in revenue in September — more than $1.4 million — compared with last year.
WV: West Virginia allows outdoor music performances to resume
Under an executive order signed by Republican Gov. Jim Justice, performances in West Virginia will be limited to outdoors only and must follow capacity limits and require face coverings and social distancing whenever possible.
KS: Kansas is a state full of sun, so why does it lag in solar power?
Kansas is one of the 10 sunniest states and has comparable solar power potential to Florida, averaging more than 200 sunny days a year. Yet, Kansas ranks 43rd in solar generation this year, with only 0.23% of the state’s electricity coming from solar.
CT: Connecticut teachers express concerns about proper ventilation in schools, funding inequities
Lack of proper ventilation, daily cleaning and access to personal protective equipment were among the most common issues raised by Connecticut teachers.
IN: Long lines as early voting begins in Indiana
The first day of early voting in Indiana brought out big crowds of Hoosiers looking to cast their ballots around the state.
NE: Nebraska governor, college football coach warn against casino gambling’s social costs
High-profile opponents of this year’s proposal to authorize the advent of casino gambling in Nebraska at horse-race tracks warned that it would result in social costs that far exceed anticipated revenue and permanently damage quality of life.
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