Associated Press stories, Page 2259
As offerings dwindle, some churches fear for their future
NEW YORK — As in-person worship services are canceled or downsized amid the coronavirus outbreak, some churches across the U.S. are bracing for a painful drop in weekly contributions and possible cutbacks in programs and staff. One church leader, Bishop Paul Egensteiner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Metropolitan...
Election limbo as coronavirus outbreak upends U.S. primaries
ATLANTA — U.S. elections have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. At least 13 states have postponed voting and more delays are possible as health officials warn that social distancing and other measures to contain the virus might be in place for weeks, if not months. The states that have...
Coronavirus world glance: Nearly 5,000 new infections in a day in Spain
MADRID — Spain has recorded almost 5,000 new coronavirus infections in 24 hours as it climbed into third place in the global ranking of infections behind China and Italy. Health authorities said Saturday that virus infections have reached 24,926, up from 19,980 the day before. Total deaths were 1,326, up...
Trump’s ‘coup de grâce’? Coronavirus tests a divided America
LARGO, Fla. — As restaurants across the country stacked chairs on tables and shut their doors to try to contain the deadly coronavirus, what would be the final visitors streamed into the Conservative Grounds coffee shop in Largo, Fla. Fox News played on the televisions. Patrons posed for photos in...
Virus outbreak poses massive challenges for US charities
NEW YORK — With its global scope and its staying power, the coronavirus outbreak poses unprecedented challenges for charities and nonprofit groups that rely on donations. The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to the cancellation of nearly 2,700 blood drives. The Girl Scouts’ annual cookie sale...
Endangered gray wolf population on the rise in southwest US
THE EDGE OF THE GILA WILDERNESS, N.M. — A voice interrupted the crackle of the radio at basecamp: “Starting pursuit.” The rest of the team on the ground was anxious to hear those words after the low-flying helicopter crew had been working all morning to get close to one of...
AP Photos: Public places stand abandoned in time of virus
These are places meant for people. New York’s Grand Central Terminal — a common metaphor for “busy” in much of the English-speaking world — dotted with only scattered commuters. The Grand Place in Brussels at twilight, its cobblestones so devoid of foot traffic that the streetlight reflections sprawl for yards...
Singer, actor, ‘The Gambler’: Kenny Rogers dies at 81Video
Actor-singer Kenny Rogers, the smooth, Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on record and on TV, died Friday night. He was 81. He died at home in Sandy Springs,...
US tourists stranded abroad don’t know when they’ll return
Linda Scruggs and Mike Rustici trained for months to hike the winding trails leading to Machu Picchu’s complex of Inca ruins. So they were thrilled when their flight landed last Friday in the Peruvian capital. They managed to do part of their trek but now they are trapped in a...
Daring sleuth Miss Fisher is back in new Acorn TV movie
LOS ANGELES — The intrepid and daring Phryne Fisher, last seen in an internationally popular TV mystery series, is getting the welcome back she deserves in “Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears.” In the movie debuting Monday on the Acorn TV streaming service, star Essie Davis’ amateur sleuth plunges...
Business Fallout: Starbucks limits access, Target raises pay
Less than three months ago came the first reports of cases of pneumonia related to a virus first detected in Wuhan, China. The outbreak of the virus that causes COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruptions that have brought an unparalleled shock to the global economy. Following are developments Friday related to...
USA Swimming urges USOPC to ask for delay of Tokyo GamesVideo
DENVER — The head of USA Swimming urged the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to push for a 12-month postponement of the Tokyo Games, signaling the first fissure between powerful American factions attempting to maneuver the U.S. team through the coronavirus crisis. CEO Tim Hinchey sent a letter Friday to...
Pittsburgh native Matthew Driscoll gets extension as North Florida men’s basketball coachVideo
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — North Florida and men’s basketball coach Matthew Driscoll agreed to a three-year contract extension. Athletic director Lee Moon made the announcement Friday, saying Driscoll, a Pittsburgh native and Northgate graduate, “has established a standard for developing a championship-level culture both on and off the court.” “He has...
Illinois and New York join California in ordering lockdowns
Illinois and New York state joined California on Friday in ordering all residents to stay in their homes unless they have vital reasons to go out, restricting the movement of more than 70 million Americans in the most sweeping measures taken yet in the U.S. to contain the coronavirus. The...
Dow drops more than 900 points, ending worst week since 2008
Wall Street ended the week the same way it began: in full retreat from the coronavirus. Stocks fell sharply and the price of oil sank Friday as federal and state governments moved to shut down bigger and bigger swaths of the nation’s economy in the hope of limiting the spread...
Horse racing ‘living on borrowed time’ as it grapples with risks running during pandemicVideo
Horse racing is quickly learning it is not totally immune to the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on other sports, and now it’s grappling with the risks of continuing operations. The Louisiana Derby for now is still set for Saturday, the world’s richest day of races is scheduled to...
XFL cancels comeback season because of coronavirus pandemicVideo
NEW YORK — The XFL has canceled the remainder of its return season because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league played five games of a 10-game regular season in eight cities. It was a revival of the XFL that played one season in 2001. Commissioner Oliver Luck released a statement...
Internet service sagging amid coronavirus quarantine? Here’s what to do.
With so much of the U.S. workforce — and their families — cooped up at home to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, it’s not a huge surprise that home internet is showing the strain. If you’ve had a business videoconference stutter while your teenagers play Call of Duty...
Remains of missing Colorado boy found in Florida
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Human remains found in Florida are believed to be those of a Colorado boy reported missing in January by his stepmother, who was later arrested and charged with killing him, authorities said Friday. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said the remains of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch...
Marbles, obscure sports rule in coronavirus pandemicVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Welcome to the Marble Universe, where the rushing of glass balls down race tracks, around sandy beach corners or getting thumped by fidget spinners has suddenly become as captivating as any dunk contest. Losing your marbles looking for sports to watch during the coronavirus pandemic? Get in on...
Browns sign veteran safety Andrew SendejoVideo
The Cleveland Browns have added another veteran safety to their secondary, agreeing to terms with Andrew Sendejo on a one-year, $2.25 million contract. The 32-year-old Sendejo played for Minnesota and Philadelphia last season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Sendejo is the second safety locked up by the Browns in free agency this...
Placido Domingo resigns from opera union, donates $500,000
Superstar Plácido Domingo has resigned from the U.S. union that represents opera singers and will contribute $500,000 to sexual harassment eradication programs and a fund that helps opera employees in crisis, the union said Friday. The development came weeks after investigations by the American Guild of Musical Artists and Los...
Italy sees biggest day-to-day rise in coronavirus deaths
ROME — Italy has recorded its highest day-to-day-rise in the number of deaths of people infected with the new coronavirus. Civil Protection Chief Angelo Borrelli said Friday the country recorded 627 more deaths in the 24 hours since Italy surpassed China on Thursday as the nation with the most COVID-19-related...
The Grand Ole Opry to play on in an empty theater
The Grand Ole Opry, the longest running radio show in history, is playing on through the coronavirus outbreak by returning to its roots. The country music institution, which has been airing Saturday nights for 94 years, is set to broadcast live on television this week in front of an empty...
Quick flip as ‘Onward’ goes from movie theaters to homesVideo
Pixar’s “Onward” will go from the top movie at the box office straight to digital release, as Hollywood continued to shuffle its recent releases from theaters into the home due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Walt Disney Co. said Friday that “Onward” will be available for purchase on digital platforms...
