Author: Joel Williams
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GA, SC, TN announce plans to reopen businesses
The governors of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee each announced Monday plans for businesses in their state to begin reopening after closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced that fitness and hygiene businesses could reopen as early as April 24, followed by restaurants and theaters on April 27. He…
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Florida closes schools for the year
On Saturday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 1. Florida became the 32nd state to close schools for the remainder of the academic year. Thirty-two states have closed schools for the remainder of the academic year: Alabama, Alaska,…
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Texas closes school for the year
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) closed schools for the remainder of the year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 4. Abbott said he made the decision with the consultation of doctors and health officials. Twenty-eight states have closed schools for the remainder of the academic year: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia,…
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White House releases guidance for reopening state and local economies
On Wednesday evening, the White House released the Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, offering guidance to state and local officials on a three-phase approach to reopening their economies. According to the document, the economic reopening can take place at either the state or county level based on an individual governor’s discretion. The plan has…
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Wisconsin extends stay-at-home order through May 26
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that the state’s stay-at-home order was extended through May 26. Executive Order #12 was put into place on March 24 with an expiration date of April 24. Forty-three states issued statewide stay-at-home orders. Seven of those orders are set to last until modified or rescinded by the governor, while…
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New York extends stay-at-home order through May 15
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that the state’s stay-at-home order was extended through May 15. Cuomo said that the order was helping to reduce the state’s hospitalization and intubation rates, but not enough to lift the order. According to Cuomo, New York’s rate of infections caused by sick individuals was down to 0.9…
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Senate to remain in recess until at least May 4
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced that the Senate would not reconvene until at least May 4. McConnell said he made the decision based on the advice of health experts and in consultation with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) On Monday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made a similar announcement about…
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SCOTUS will hear arguments by teleconference, live-streamed to the public
The Supreme Court of the United States announced it would hear arguments in May virtually for 13 cases that had been postponed from the March and April sittings. The court said that live audio of the arguments would be available to the public for the first time in court history. The 13 cases include several…
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2,756 major party candidates filed for 2020 Congress elections
As of April 13, 2,773 major party candidates have filed to run for the Senate and House of Representatives in 2020. So far, 402 candidates are filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to run for U.S. Senate in 2020. Of those, 333—173 Democrats and 160 Republicans—are from one of the two major political parties.…
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Oregon ends its school year
On Wednesday afternoon, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) ordered schools to remain closed for the rest of the academic year. Before the announcement, schools were scheduled to be closed through April 28. So far, 16 states have closed schools through the remainder of the academic year: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska,…