Millions more people likely sought US jobless aid last week
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is set to provide its latest update on the waves of layoffs that have caused tens of millions of workers to lose their jobs in a U.S. economy still paralyzed by business shutdowns. The Labor Department will likely announce that millions more people filed for unemployment benefits last week, after 33 million sought aid in the previous seven weeks as the coronavirus forced employers across the country to close. Though most nonessential businesses remain shut down, most states have begun to ease restrictions for some categories of retail establishments despite concerns that it may be too soon to do so without causing new infections.

Some counties undeterred by Wolf’s threat; others back down
By MARC LEVY and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Several Pennsylvania counties say they are moving ahead with plans to defy the governor by lifting some pandemic restrictions. Others backed down Wednesday under Gov. Tom Wolf’s threat to withhold COVID-19 funding. Commissioners in many GOP-controlled counties where the Democratic governor has yet to ease any restrictions say they can manage the coronavirus threat and reopen safely. They say the prolonged shutdown threatens to destroy local economies, especially small businesses. Wolf says moving too fast risks jeopardizing the progress Pennsylvania has made against a virus that has sickened some 59,000 and killed nearly 4,000 statewide.

‘A pressure cooker’: Pa. governor aims to contain GOP revolt
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is struggling to fight against a Republican revolt over his stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns. Egged on by state GOP lawmakers, counties have threatened to defy his orders while at least a few business owners have reopened their doors despite his warnings. The Democratic governor has had to decide how far to go in enforcing the orders. The chief instigator behind the Republican strategy, President Donald Trump, is set to visit the state on Thursday. Behind the rhetoric is a political fight over who will be blamed for the state’s economic devastation if it is not repaired by Election Day.

Story by Mark Peterson

(Beaver County, PA) The Corona Virus has many  symptoms that are well known and documented like a high fever and breathing difficulties.  However, the Covid -19 pandemic also has has an undesirable side effect that isn’t quite as apparent, isolation.  For most people, being shut in and stuck in the house for weeks, as part of quarantine efforts to stop the spread of the disease, is merely an inconvenience.  But, for someone experiencing bouts of domestic violence, the stay at home orders can mean being trapped with an abuser and having the feeling like they have no options. In part two of a weekly three part series, Beaver County Radio spoke to Ann Murray from the Beaver County Women’s Center about this important issue, and the therapy services that Women’s Center has available to help people in crisis during this unique situation.

Again, The Women’s Center helpline continues to be available 24 hours a day and can help provide options and support to anyone involved with domestic violence. The number once again is 724-775-0131.  Next Thursday, in part three of our series about the effects of isolation and being forced to stay at home with a potential abuser,  Beaver County Radio will speak with Ann Murray from the Women’s Center of Beaver County about court advocacy services that are available through the organization. For more Information, a link to the Women’s Center of Beaver County is available at beavercountyradio.com.

Some counties continue on path to defy governor’s orders
By MARC LEVY and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania county plans to defy Gov. Tom Wolf and operate under looser shutdown guidelines being allowed elsewhere in the state. The Republican chairman of the Beaver County board said Wednesday that the county will reopen Friday. The Democratic governor had tapped 13 counties in western Pennsylvania for relief from the tightest pandemic restrictions starting Friday. But Beaver County is home to a severe outbreak in a nursing home and was not among them. Wolf is under pressure from Republicans to more quickly lift restrictions in more areas. He has threatened to block pandemic aid to counties that defy him.