Friday, May 1st, 2020
Easing Restrictions, Biden Responds & New Travel Requirements
All the news you need in less than 10 min:
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Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want reading the latest happenings...
Some States Reopen, Others Add Restrictions
Starting today, millions more Americans will be able to eat at restaurants and shop in stores. Some businesses will partially reopen today in Alabama, Maine, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming, despite warnings from some health experts. They have different approaches, but all are lifting restrictions in phases. Meanwhile, other states, like Michigan, are extending stay-at-home orders. And in California, Gov. Newsom shut down beaches and state parks in Orange County. He did say the closures would be temporary.
More States Reopen Today: NY Times, WaPo, Reuters, CNN
Michigan Stay-at-Home Protests: NBC News, CNN
Orange County Beaches Close: NPR, LA Times
Most Americans Not Ready to Reopen: Politico/Morning Consult Poll
Latest Unemployment Numbers
Another 3.8 million Americans filed for unemployment last week. That brings the total number of jobless claims to 30 million in six weeks. That number is likely even higher. The Economic Policy Institute estimates for every 10 people who’ve said they’ve filed a jobless claim, three or four more tried to file, but couldn’t get through the overwhelmed system.
Read More: NBC News, USA Today
May Day/International Workers Day
Today is International Workers Day or May Day. It celebrates the working class. This year, some essential workers are taking the opportunity to protest, saying they haven’t been properly protected during the coronavirus crisis. Employees at Amazon, Whole Foods, Instacart, Walmart, Target, and a few other companies are reportedly planning to walk off the job.
Read More: CBS News, VICE
Potential SBA Loan Fraud
The Justice Department has found signs of fraud in a government loan program. A preliminary review reportedly turned up red flags in both approved and rejected applications. It’s not clear exactly what happened. Lawyers told Bloomberg it’s possible companies exaggerated things like their payroll costs, how many employees they had, or the nature of their business. Now, it’s under investigation.
Read More: Bloomberg
Biden Sexual Assault Allegation
For the first time, former Vice President Joe Biden will publicly address a sexual assault allegation against him. The allegation was made by a former aide in his Senate office, who said Biden assaulted her back in 1993. As you know, Biden is the presumptive Democratic nominee to take on President Trump in November. Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen women. When he was asked about the allegation against Biden, Trump suggested the claim may be unfounded, saying, “I’ve been falsely charged numerous times, and there is such a thing.”
Read More: The Hill, NY Times, NY Post
Greenhouse Gases Drop
A new report found worldwide carbon dioxide emissions are forecast to drop by about 8% this year. That’s significant since carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas most responsible for global warming. It’s still too early to know what that means for the world in the long term because environmentalists say we need to be dropping 8% every year this decade to limit global warming.
Read More: USA Today, FOX News, Full Report
Plans for the Moon
NASA is one step closer to getting more astronauts on the moon. It chose three companies to build lunar landing systems. The goal is they take humans to the moon by 2024. The companies are SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Dynetics. NASA is paying the three private companies nearly $1 billion for their work. All of them have different designs, giving NASA some variety to choose from.
Read More: CBS News, The Verge, Business Insider, NASA
Air Travel Changes
Air travel is down 95% from a year ago and the average domestic flight has only 17 passengers. However, there have been a few crowds, since they pack passengers into fewer planes. To make things safer, airlines are going to start requiring all passengers to wear face coverings. JetBlue was the first to announce the policy change earlier this week. Then, other major airlines followed. Delta and United will start making face coverings mandatory starting Monday. American Airlines will require them starting May 11.
Travel Industry Losses: AP, WSJ
More Airlines Require Masks: American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta, United
Airline Donates In-Flight Meals: Washington Post
Disney Face Masks
A new line of face masks features fan-favorite characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. The reusable masks are for kids or adults. They come in 4-packs that cost about $20. Disney plans to donate up to $1 million of the profits from mask sales. It’s also giving away a million masks to families in need.
Read More: CNN, Hollywood Reporter, Disney
Call to Unite Event
A star-studded 24-hour live stream starts tonight. A Call to Unite will feature more than 200 celebrities, activists, and leaders from around the world. Some people will share stories or offer prayers. Others will perform songs. The idea is to provide emotional support to anyone dealing with challenges during the pandemic. The live stream starts at 8 p.m. ET on Unite.us and on social media.
Read More: Forbes, Fox News, Call to Unite
Feel Good Friday: Broadway Star Serenades Frontline Workers
One Broadway star is celebrating frontline workers. Brian Stokes Mitchell is a Tony Award winner with one of the most celebrated voices on Broadway. But since theaters are shut down, he’s showcasing his talent from the windows of his apartment. He’s serenading crews of ambulances, fire engines, police cars, or medical workers from a nearby urgent care facility.
Read More: AP, CBS News