Delta slashes flights by 40% as virus cripples global travel
By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writer
Delta Air Lines will cut passenger-carrying capacity by 40% to deal with a nosedive in travel demand, and it is talking to the White House and Congress about assistance to get through the downturn. The cut in flying is the largest in Delta’s history, even larger than after the September 2001 terror attacks. CEO Ed Bastian said Friday the downturn in demand is unlike anything the company has ever seen. He says he’s optimistic about getting help from the White House and Congress. But he says Delta can’t wait for Washington to act, so it is preserving cash and cutting costs.

Stocks claw back some ground a day after historic plunge
By ALEX VEIGA and DAMIAN J. TROISE AP Business Writers
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks have clawed back some of their recent losses at the end of a brutal week of selling. The gains Friday came in another day of turbulent trading fueled by heightened fears of a global recession from the coronavirus. Thursday’s drop was the worst for the U.S. market since the Black Monday crash of 1987. An early surge in buying subsided around midday Friday, then regained momentum in the afternoon, leaving major indexes up about 6.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1,350 points. Markets added to their gains in late trading after President Donald Trump announced new efforts to expand testing for the coronavirus.

Movie theaters, for now, stay open nationwide
By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — With few exceptions, movie theaters across North America are remaining open while Broadway theaters, sports arenas and museums close their doors to help curtail the spread of the coronavirus. While Hollywood studios have canceled most upcoming films, this weekend is going forward with a slate of new releases and holdovers from recent weekends. The largest chains, AMC, Regal and Cinemark, are all operating, though some theaters are taking extra precautions. Aside from cleaning theaters and seats in between showings, the Alamo Drafthouse is requesting all parties leave empty seats to their sides. Larger theaters at some locations have been closed to adhere to bans on larger gatherings.

Governor orders Pennsylvania schools closed for 2 weeks
By MARC LEVY and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is ordering the closure of all schools in Pennsylvania for two weeks, as the state takes sweeping measures aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus. The order affecting more than 1.7 million school children came as confirmed cases in the state leaped to 33 from 22. Wolf a day earlier ordered all schools, day cares and other facilities closed in hard-hit Montgomery County, a Philadelphia suburb of more than 800,000 people. Meanwhile, a wave of school closings was already planned across Pennsylvania.

Police officer serving warrant is killed; fugitive arrested
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Authorities say a Philadelphia police officer was shot and killed as he served a homicide warrant at a home. Cpl. James O’Connor was shot around 5:45 a.m. Friday. Officials say he was shot in the shoulder above his bulletproof vest when officers entered the home. Two people in the home were shot and wounded by police, but they are expected to survive. The 46-year-old O’Connor came from a proud police family and had a son on the force. Several people were arrested, including 21-year-old fugitive suspect Hassan Elliott. Lawyers who had previously represented Elliott declined to comment.

Trump declares virus pandemic a national emergency
By ANDREW TAYLOR, ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN and LISA MASCARO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is announcing that he is declaring the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency. He is speaking to the American people from the Rose Garden as Washington struggles with providing Americans with relief and officials race to slow the spread of outbreak. Negotiations continue between the White House and Congress on an aid package, but there was no announcement of a breakthrough, as House Democrats prepare to vote on their own measure Friday.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Pennsylvania 17th District United States Congressman Connor Lamb was a guest of Frank Sparks’ on Teleforum Friday March 13, 2020.

News Director Pat Septak also joined in with the interview. The Trio started out the interview talking about legislation the the House of Representatives is working on to help with the Coronavirus. Congressman Lamb stated the house is working on releasing funds for testing and to also treat the virus. He stated that it will impact the whole United States and they also want to make sure that the person who might not be able to got to work or loses their job because of the impact of the Coronavirus will be taken care of. Lamb also gave tips to the listeners on how to take proper action to try and protect yourself. Some tips including disinfecting areas and washing your hands numerous times per day.

The trio then went onto to talk about Lamb’s introduction of Bipartisan Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act, the Freed Vets Act to Provide Student Loan Debt Forgiveness for Disabled Veteran’s and Funding for the Upper Ohio Navigation Project.

You can hear Congressman Lamb’s entire interview by pressing the play button below:

(Beaver County,Pa) In a recorded phone message received by Beaver County Radio from the Rochester School District all Beaver County Schools will be closed for a period of two weeks starting on Monday March 16, 2020 until March 29, 2020.

In the recorded message it stated that all school activities and buildings will be closed during this two week period in an effort to reduce the impact of the Corona Virus.

The message also stated that any further information would be forth coming from the  district Superintendent.

Stay tuned to Beaver County Radio for more information on this developing story.

Pelosi urges Trump, GOP on coronavirus aid package
By ANDREW TAYLOR, ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN and LISA MASCARO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will approve its coronavirus aid package and is imploring the Trump administration and congressional Republicans to “put families first” by backing the effort. Pelosi spoke at the Capitol ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned 3 p.m. new conference at the White House. Trump has not yet publicly backed the package as he prepares his own response. According to two people familiar with the planning, Trump is poised to invoke emergency powers to confront the crisis. It is still unclear, however, what mechanism Trump would use to free up additional federal resources for testing and treatment as well as for helping those struggling with the economic fallout.

NASCAR NASCAR and IndyCar both postpone racing over virus concerns and IndyCar both postpone racing over virus concerns

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
NASCAR and IndyCar have postponed their weekend schedules at Atlanta Motor Speedway and St. Petersburg, Florida, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. NASCAR also postponed next week’s race near Miami and IndyCar suspended the season through the end of April. The decision came less than 24 hours after both series said they would run this weekend without fans. The plan had been to restrict access to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel. There are no major sports scheduled anywhere in North America.