Author: Samuel Wonacott
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U.S. Small Business Administration relaunches Paycheck Protection Program
On Friday, January 8, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) would make another round of loans available to new and some existing borrowers on January 11. Congress allocated $284 billion to the program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which President Donald Trump (R) signed into law on December 27, 2020. The PPP, which Congress first authorized…
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In five elections since 1920, the winning presidential candidate's party has lost seats in the U.S. House
On Dec. 14, 2020, the Electoral College cast votes for president and vice president of the United States. Joe Biden (D) won 306 electoral votes, defeating President Donald Trump (R) who won 232. In the same 2020 election cycle, Biden's Democratic party lost 13 U.S. House seats (one race remains uncalled). How many times has…
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Jason Williams defeats Keva Landrum in Orleans Parish District Attorney race
Jason Williams (D) defeated Keva Landrum (D) in the December 5, 2020, general election for the Orleans Parish, Louisiana, District Attorney. Williams received 57.8% of the vote, while Landrum received 42.2%. Williams is an at-large member of the New Orleans City Council, a seat he won in 2014. Landrum served as a judge at the…
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States publish coronavirus vaccine distribution plans
All 50 states have released plans for distributing a coronavirus vaccine once one or more have been made available. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) set an October 16 deadline for states to submit first drafts of the plans. The CDC asked states to respond to a set of planning assumptions in…
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Traveling over Thanksgiving? Here are the states with restrictions on travel
Heading into Thanksgiving, 12 states plus the District of Columbia have active restrictions on travel intended to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Since the pandemic began, 26 states have issued restrictions on travel, and 14 have been rescinded. The states (plus D.C.) with active travel restrictions as of Nov. 23 are: Alaska Connecticut District of…
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Senator Rick Scott, other federal lawmakers test positive for coronavirus
On November 20, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fl.) announced he tested positive for COVID-19. On November 14, he announced he would quarantine himself after coming into contact with a person who tested positive for the virus. Scott was the 31st member of Congress to test positive for COVID-19, and the seventh to announce a positive test…
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Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) wins Wisconsin
As of Nov. 4, former Vice President Joe Biden (D) is the projected winner of the presidential election in Wisconsin. As of 4:00 p.m. E.T., 99% of the popular vote had been tabulated in the state, with Biden receiving 49.4% of the vote and former President Donald Trump (R) receiving 48.8% of the vote. Wisconsin…
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All 50 states have active declared emergencies related to the coronavirus pandemic
All 50 states are currently operating under active states of emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic, with several set to last until rescinded by the governor. Starting in late February, governors across the country declared states of emergency as coronavirus cases climbed. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) was the first governor in the country to…
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Virginia Supreme Court rules that Walmart must purchase electricity from Virginia Electric & Power Co.
On July 9, 2020, the Virginia State Supreme Court issued a ruling that affirmed the State Corporation Commission’s denial of Walmart’s petition to seek an alternative energy supplier to the state utility. Justice Arthur Kelsey penned the unanimous opinion of the court. In December 2017 Walmart sought permission to buy its electricity from a non-state…
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U.S. extends travel restrictions on Canada and Mexico through July 21
On June 16, 2020, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf announced the U.S. would extend travel restrictions in place at the Canadian and Mexican borders through July 21. The restrictions, initially put into place in late March in coordination with both countries, close the borders to nonessential travel. Essential travel, including for trade and commerce,…