Associated Press stories, Page 2185
Virus concerns close Greenbrier resort in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia governor’s lavish resort, which served as a secret Cold War-era bunker for the federal government, closed Thursday over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs said on its website that it shut down at noon Thursday and plans to...
California governor: 60,000 homeless could get virus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As worries about the spread of the coronavirus confine millions of Californians to their homes, concern is growing about those who have no homes in which to shelter. Gov. Gavin Newsom estimates up to 60,000 homeless could end up infected. California has more than 150,000 homeless people,...
Conan O’Brien to return to air, with an iPhone from home
NEW YORK — With iPhones and Skype, Conan O’Brien is going back on the air. The late-night host said he will resume putting out new episodes of TBS’ “Conan” on March 30. His staff will remain at home, and the show will be cobbled together with O’Brien on an iPhone...
Mnuchin: Family of 4 could get $3K under virus relief planVideo
WASHINGTON — The first federal checks to families could be $3,000 for a family of four under the White House proposal to unleash $1 trillion to shore up households and the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus outbreak. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that the “checks in the mail” would...
Tulsi Gabbard ends long-shot 2020 bid, gives support to BidenVideo
WASHINGTON — Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is suspending her presidential campaign, ending a long-shot effort that saw her feuding with Hillary Clinton and raising fears among Democrats that she would mount a third-party 2020 bid. She’s offering her full support to former Vice President Joe Biden. She made the announcement...
‘Quarantine shaming’: U.S. navigates radical new social normsVideo
Ryan Winkle, the chairman of Arizona’s Asian Chamber of Commerce, didn’t see much downside to attending a small dinner at a local restaurant to bolster the business and bring together other leaders to discuss how to help Asian-American eateries devastated by the coronavirus. That was, at least, until he posted...
AP-NORC poll: Fear of virus infection spikes among Americans
CHICAGO — Concern among Americans that they or a loved one will be infected by the coronavirus rose dramatically in the past month, with two-thirds of the country now saying they’re at least somewhat concerned about contracting the covid-19 illness. That’s up from less than half who said so in...
Pa. prisons work to set up video chats for inmates, families
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s prisons are working to set up video conferences between inmates and family members now that visits have been suspended in an effort to keep the coronavirus from spreading to people inside the institutions. Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said this week that the service should be available soon...
Central banks deploy trillions to keep economy runningVideo
Airlines are warning they may need bailouts as the virus outbreak brings more countries into lockdown, while central banks are injecting trillions of dollars more into the financial system to grease the gears of the global economy. Business confidence is sliding, meanwhile, suggesting major economies are diving into recession. Amid...
Mideast airlines lose $7B as airports shut to combat virusVideo
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Seven Middle Eastern countries have suspended all commercial flights due to a fast-spreading new virus as the aviation industry’s largest trade association announced Thursday that airlines in the region have already lost more than $7 billion in revenue. The International Air Transport Association, which represents...
Chinese city Wuhan offers hope on coronavirus front; Italy nears stark warningVideo
BEIJING — Thursday was a day of contrasts on the front lines of the battle against the new coronavirus. In a sign of hope, the Chinese city of Wuhan reported no new homegrown infections, but in a stark warning for the world, Italy appeared set to surpass China’s death toll...
NBA tinkering with ideas in hopes play can resumeVideo
The NBA is considering an idea where some players would be quarantined or isolated for purposes of being able to compete against one another and provide basketball fans with some sort of diversion from the coronavirus pandemic. NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed that notion as one of several items under...
MLB could skip 2020 draftVideo
NEW YORK — MLB is considering skipping its amateur draft this year and putting off the next international signing period as a way to preserve cash while games are affected by the coronavirus, people familiar with the discussions told the Associated Press. Talks between management and the players’ association are...
Sick staff fueled outbreak in Seattle-area care centers
SEATTLE — Staff members who worked while sick at multiple long-term care facilities contributed to the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable elderly in the Seattle area, federal health officials said Wednesday. Thirty-five coronavirus deaths have been linked to Life Care Center in Kirkland. A report Wednesday from the U.S. Centers...
‘Wonderchicken’ fossil reveals ancestor of today’s birds
NEW YORK — A tiny fossil skull nicknamed “Wonderchicken” is giving scientists a rare glimpse at early ancestors of today’s birds. It may be the oldest known fossil from this group. With a face like those of today’s chicken-like birds and a back portion like that of living duck-like birds,...
Harry and Meghan urge ’empathy and kindness’ against virus
From finding ways to help others cope to sheltering in place to canceling events, here’s a look at some of the ways the entertainment industry is reacting to the spread of the coronavirus, which most people recover from but can cause severe illness in the elderly and those with preexisting...
Virus death toll spikes in Iran, with total now at 1,135
TEHRAN — Iran on Wednesday reported its single biggest jump in fatalities from the coronavirus as another 147 people died, raising the country’s overall death toll to 1,135. The nearly 15% spike in deaths — amid a total of 17,361 confirmed cases in Iran — marks the biggest 24-hour rise...
In Mexico, a cartel is taking over: Jalisco New Generation
MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s fastest-rising cartel, the Jalisco New Generation gang, has a reputation for ruthlessness and violence unlike any since the fall of the old Zetas cartel. In parts of the country it is fighting medieval-style battles, complete with fortified redoubts, to expand nationwide, from the outskirts of Mexico...
Alabama delays March 31 GOP Senate runoff to July 14
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama is postponing a closely watched Republican primary runoff between former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and a formidable rival because of the coronavirus, the governor announced Wednesday. The Senate runoff between Sessions and former football coach Tommy Tuberville will now be held on July 14 instead of...
US military’s role in response to virus outbreak is growing
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s role in responding to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States began to rapidly expand Wednesday as officials announced that two Navy hospital ships and two Army field hospitals were preparing to deploy to help overburdened regions. The latest moves are aimed at taking the pressure...
Stuck home? Planets, moon providing predawn entertainment
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Stuck at home this week? The planets and our moon are providing some early morning entertainment. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and a crescent moon will be clustered together in the southeastern sky just before daybreak. Mercury will peek above the horizon. All this is happening amid the...
Falcons agree to deal with OLB Dante FowlerVideo
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons and Dante Fowler agreed to a $48 million, three-year contract, reuniting the outside linebacker with one of his coaches in college. A person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press about the move Wednesday on condition of anonymity because most teams won’t announce signings...
Stocks drop as recession fears take hold; Dow loses 1,300
NEW YORK —Stocks tumbled more than 5% on Wall Street Wednesday, and the Dow erased virtually all its gains since President Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration. Even prices for investments seen as safe during downturns fell as the coronavirus outbreak chokes the economy and investors rush to raise cash. Markets have...
Tom Brady deal could make Bucs relevant; ticket demand spikesVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter free agency with expectations of signing Tom Brady and bolstering a defense that will be one of the keys to helping the six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback be successful with his new team. There has been no official announcement on Brady joining...
Kansas tops final AP Top 25 pollVideo
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas coach Bill Self spent much of the past week mulling ways to commemorate one of the more remarkable seasons in the school’s proud basketball history, one that began with off-the-court distractions too numerous to count and ended in the unprecedented cancellation of the NCAA Tournament. The...
