Trump ouster of inspectors general threatens coronavirus stimulus watchdog
President Donald Trump’s purge of several internal watchdogs at U.S. agencies could hobble anti-fraud oversight for the $3 trillion in federal relief measures aiding businesses, state governments and others hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. CDC reports 1,528,235 coronavirus cases, 91,664 deaths
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday reported 1,528,235 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 23,405 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 1,324 to 91,664.
Michigan hit with ‘500-year’ flooding in midst of COVID-19 pandemic
Rising floodwater, already as high as 5 feet (1.50 metres), submerged parts of the central Michigan town of Midland on Wednesday after days of heavy rain led to the failure of two dams and the evacuation of thousands of people.
New York City’s low-income, minority areas hit hardest by COVID-19, Cuomo says
New York City residents from low-income communities have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies at a higher-than-average rate, underscoring the disproportionate impact of the disease on people of color, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday.
Michigan Governor Whitmer faces mainstream backlash against shutdown
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is facing an increasingly mainstream backlash against her stay-at-home orders, with a growing number of local officials and business leaders arguing the restrictions have outlived their usefulness.
U.S. workplace safety agency steps up COVID-19 inspections
The U.S. Labor Department will expand inspections of businesses to reduce job-site hazards related to the new coronavirus as employees begin returning to work across the country, although the policy falls short of demands by worker advocates.
‘Life-threatening’ flood submerges central Michigan city after two dams breached
Flood waters as high as five feet submerged parts of the city of Midland in central Michigan on Wednesday after heavy rain caused a swollen river to overflow its banks and breach two nearby dams, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
New York City’s low-income, minority areas hit hardest by COVID-19: governor
New York City residents from low-income communities have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies at a higher-than-average rate, underscoring the disproportionate impact of the disease on people of color, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday.
San Francisco area roads busier, still far below normal as stay home orders remain
More people have been venturing out for work and play in recent weeks in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to traffic data, even as some of the strictest stay-at-home orders in the country remain in a region that is home to global tech companies li…
More than 1,100 former U.S. prosecutors slam attempt to drop Flynn charges
More than 1,100 former U.S. federal prosecutors on Wednesday blasted the attempt by Republican President Donald Trump’s Justice Department to dismiss a charge against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, saying the move puts Trump’s personal…