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NJ: National Guard will help embattled New Jersey nursing homes
More than 120 New Jersey National Guard soldiers will begin working at the state’s long-term care facilities this weekend to curb the crisis unfolding in those homes, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said.
OK: Oklahoma governor signs bill to reinstate notary requirement for absentee voting
GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt signed legislation to reinstate the requirement that Oklahoma absentee ballots be notarized. The legislation that reverses an Oklahoma Supreme Court order incited a fierce partisan battle in Oklahoma’s legislature.
WI: Governor announces free testing for all African Americans, Latinos and tribal members in Wisconsin
All African Americans, Latinos and tribal community members in Wisconsin will have access to free COVID-19 testing under a plan announced by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. The plan is an effort to combat the staggering racial and ethnic disparities Wisconsin and many other states are facing when it comes to COVID-19 cases and deaths.
MO: Pandemic compounding Missouri’s rural health care crisis
As hospitals brace for a potential uptick in COVID-19 cases with the state reopening, small Missouri communities are facing problems exacerbated by the rural health care crisis that was already taking place in the United States.
CA: California employers angered by governor’s workers compensation easing
California business groups are fuming about an executive order Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom handed down that makes it easier for people to file for workers compensation if they contract COVID-19.
OR: Oregon reopening starts May 15
Come May 15, Oregon will take its first steps along the tightrope of reopening public life, tentatively lifting its stay-at-home order and once again changing the rules of social and economic engagement across the state.
NV: Nevada governor moves up first phase of business reopenings
Nevada businesses will be allowed to start reopening nearly a week earlier than planned, Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak announced. Businesses that will be allowed to open with social distancing restrictions include dine-in restaurants, hair and nail salons, and retail stores, including those in open-air malls.
ME: Maine to triple its virus testing capacity
A top Maine official says that ramped-up testing could begin as soon as next week, and that the state could see an increase in new cases as a result.
NY: New York governor extends eviction prohibition
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he’s extending a statewide order prohibiting evictions for 60 days, ensuring that commercial and residential tenants cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent through Aug. 20. The Democrat said plans are in the works to give relief to landlords, too.
PA: Pennsylvania extends eviction, foreclosure protections through July 10
Evictions and foreclosures in Pennsylvania are on hold through July 10 under an executive order signed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
TX: Texas governor drops jail time for coronavirus violations
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott amended his executive order, eliminating jail time as punishment for violating coronavirus restrictions in Texas. The revision came in response to a state Supreme Court ruling that freed a Dallas salon owner accused of refusing to close her business.
MI: Michigan governor extends stay-at-home order
Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended Michigan’s stay-at-home order for two weeks. It is now in effect until May 28. Michiganders can’t leave their homes except to run critical errands, engage in safe outdoor activities or go to specified jobs.
RI: Rhode Island governor lifting stay-at-home order this weekend
Democratic Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo became the first governor in the region to lift a statewide stay-at-home order, effective Saturday. But she kept in place until May 22 a ban on social gatherings larger than five and continued only takeout restaurant service, curtailing for now even outdoor dining.
KY: Kentucky restaurants to reopen dining rooms
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky restaurants can reopen their dining rooms at a limited capacity May 22 as the state saw 208 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases above 6,000.
VA: Virginia company shifts to making medical gowns material
A Virginia manufacturing company has shifted part of its production to make personal protective equipment for health care workers. INDEVCO North America’s manufacturing operations in the state usually make coated paper, plastic and building materials.
NC: Some North Carolina students want regular grades; state says no
North Carolina high school seniors will not have the option to choose regular grades this semester instead of only pass or withdrawal grades.
MN: In lawsuit, Minnesota faith groups allege church, business closures violate constitution
In a federal lawsuit, the coalition calls Minnesota’s closures amid the pandemic a draconian scheme that devastates them and allows others to stay open.
AK: Census restarts door-to-door counting in rural Alaska
The U.S. Census Bureau says its teams will deliver to Alaska households without a physical address. They will observe social distancing and follow federal health and safety guidelines.
DE: Delaware gun sales break record
More people have tried to buy guns in Delaware during the coronavirus pandemic than any time before on record, according to FBI data.
HI: Hawaii lawmakers will return to work Monday, looking to cut B from the budget
The Hawaii legislature plans to reconvene in a State Capitol that’s closed to the public starting Monday. Lawmakers will seek to cut $1 billion from the state’s $8 billion general fund budget to address the impending budget crisis brought on by the coronavirus.
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