This year’s spring is earliest in over a century
Back in February (remember those carefree days?), Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring. What many didn’t realize: His prediction was foolproof — no matter what happened with the weather. This year’s vernal equinox will arrive at 11:50 p.m. March 19 — the earliest “first day of spring” any of us...
Life During Coronavirus: How Trib readers are coping
We want to hear from you — and so does everyone else. Share your stories about life in this coronavirus episode. Write to Director of Content John Allison at jallison@triblive.com. Please include your full name, neighborhood and phone number. Send photos, too, of what you are doing and seeing. Taking...
Coronavirus by the numbers: The number of cases locally, nationally and globally
The death toll in the United States as a result of the coronavirus reached at least 1,046 Thursday, according to the Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center. More than 69,000 people in the country have been infected by covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. More than 22,000...
Trump says U.S., Canada agree to close border to ‘non-essential traffic’
WASHINGTON — The U.S. and Canada have agreed to temporarily close their shared border to nonessential travel, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday as the two nations work to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Both countries are eager to choke off the spread of the virus but also maintain...
Trump asks lawmakers for $46B more to battle coronavirus
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has sent lawmakers a $46 billion emergency funding request to help the government fight the coronavirus and to reverse cuts proposed just last month to the Centers for Disease Control, the front-line agency in fighting the battle. The huge request, delivered overnight, would deliver more...
Virus cases hit 200,000 worldwide; borders jam up in EuropeVideo
BERLIN — Desperate travelers choked European border crossings Wednesday after countries implemented strict controls to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has now infected more than 201,000 people worldwide and killed more than 8,000. In releasing the new figures, Johns Hopkins University also said more than 82,000...
Amid virus, Congress’ leaders resist call for remote voting
WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders are resisting calls to let lawmakers vote remotely, a dispute pitting the scourge of the coronavirus against two centuries of tradition that underscores Washington’s struggle to adapt to recommendations that evolve daily about how to handle the pandemic. Advocates of the voting change cite the health...
Pennsylvania primary could be postponed due to coronavirus, though law remains murky
With presidential primaries on hold because of public health concerns in Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and Ohio, Pennsylvania’s primary scheduled for April 28 could well be the next postponed because of the coronavirus. As voters undeterred by the threat of exposure cast ballots Tuesday in special elections in three Pennsylvania...
With 3 more victories, Biden pulls further away from Sanders
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden swept to victory in Florida, Illinois and Arizona on Tuesday, increasingly pulling away with a Democratic presidential primary upended by the coronavirus and building pressure on Bernie Sanders to abandon his campaign. The former vice president’s third big night in as many weeks came amid tremendous...
Amazon to stop accepting nonessential products for shipment during coronavirus crisis
In attempt to slow the spreading of the novel coronavirus across the U.S., Amazon will block shipments of nonessential products. The move is in response to a significant increase in orders for necessities, according to Business Insider. Amazon on Tuesday told sellers and vendors that it would accept only shipments...
Urban coyotes eat lots of cats — and human garbage, study of their poop reveals
A study that “dissected” 3,100 pieces of coyote poop discovered domestic cats are a big part of what urban coyotes eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to the National Park Service. Human garbage was their chief source of food, however, the study found. The multi-year study focused on coyotes...
Ohio Democratic Party sues over delay of primary election
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Politicians of all stripes expressed frustration Tuesday after Ohio’s primary was postponed until June by the state’s elected officials amid concerns attendance at polling places would contribute to the coronavirus pandemic. The Ohio Democratic Party sued Tuesday afternoon over Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s decision to set...
In New York, making a life out of bottles and cans
NEW YORK — When the Brooklyn clothing factory where she worked closed its doors, Josefa Marín started picking up cans and bottles from trash cans to make ends meet. A decade later, the 50-year-old Mexican immigrant is handed hundreds of recyclables by bars and clubs and by concierges of private...
Millions in San Francisco area cope with virus restrictions
SAN FRANCISCO — Millions in the San Francisco Bay Area found empty highways, shuttered stores and vacant streets Tuesday as officials began enforcing an order for residents to stay at home and only leave for “essential” reasons in a desperate attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Miguel Aguirre,...
When Irish eyes are absent: Virus subdues St. Patrick’s Day
BOSTON — St. Patrick’s Day revelers across the world tried to salvage the holiday with makeshift celebrations after parades and parties were scrapped and residents were urged to hunker down at home to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. It was the first St. Patrick’s Day in more than...
Sen. Pat Toomey: Red tape hampers federal coronavirus response efforts, paid sick leave
The devil is in the details where coronavirus is concerned, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, said Tuesday. Red tape at the National Institutes of Health threatened to slow the certification of hospital-developed tests in Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley Republican said, until he asked Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the...
Blood donations at critical shortage because of coronavirus pandemic
Blood banks are asking healthy donors to turn out “in full force” as donations drop in the face of the spreading coronavirus. “If we don’t have enough blood to meet the sick patients’ needs, we’ll have another public health crisis on top of the pandemic,” said Kristen Lane, spokeswoman for...
Pa. health secretary: ‘Would not surprise us’ if coronavirus cases start increasingVideo
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said no hospitals are strained under the weight of the coronavirus right now, but she expects numbers to continue rising as the month goes on. “It would not surprise us if we do start to see increasing numbers – probably next week and...
Outer Banks closed to visitors as coronavirus pandemic spreads
The Outer Banks area of North Carolina closed to visitors starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, Dare County officials said in a news release. “While there are currently no individuals who have tested positive for covid-19 in Dare County, officials weighed the potential benefits...
As part of $850 billion coronavirus response, Trump wants checks sent to public in 2 weeks
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is asking Congress to unleash a torrent of emergency economic aid to help people through the financial pain of the coronavirus crisis, with sizable checks directly to Americans as part of the deal. Trump wants checks out to the public within two weeks, Treasury Secretary...
Here’s what a drive-by coronavirus test looks likeVideo
Want to see what a test for the coronavirus entails? Photojournalist Lauren Petracca of The Post and Courier newspaper in Charleston, S.C., can show you. It’s essentially the same as a test for the flu. Here’s a video of her getting tested at a drive-by center similar to the one...
More wipes, no jeans: Amazon limits shipments to warehouses
NEW YORK — Amazon, in an attempt to fill its warehouses with toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other items in high demand, said Tuesday that it will limit what suppliers can send to its warehouses for the next three weeks. Among the items that suppliers and third-party sellers can ship...
Trump moves to blunt coronavirus’ heavy impact on U.S. economy
WASHINGTON — Ahead of an expected surge in coronavirus cases, President Donald Trump on Tuesday moved to blunt the impact of the pandemic on the U.S. economy, fundamentally altered by a push for a nation to stay home. As the global markets fluctuated amid fears of a recession, the president...
Tell us your stories: What’s keeping you strong in the coronavirus pandemic?
While it’s time for social distancing, the Trib wants to hear from you – and share your stories about life in this public health emergency. • How are you keeping strong? • What are your fears? • What gives you hope? • What are you doing to help your family,...
Band Together Pittsburgh founders earn international Communitas Award for autism programsVideo
Music can be a stabilizing force and an anchor in one’s life. It’s certainly been that for Ron Esser of Frazer Township, whose longstanding love for live music — the blues in particular — led him to become the owner of Moondog’s and the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox. Esser and...
