Stocks pull lower after wavering earlier; crude oil climbs
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are falling in morning trading on Wall Street, putting the S&P 500 on track for its third down week in the last four. But the losses are much milder than what’s rocked investors the last couple months. The government reported that more than 700,000 jobs were lost last month, but investors were fully expecting to see dismal jobs numbers. The S&P 500 and other major U.S. stock indexes were down close to 1% after earlier flipping between gains and losses. Gains for oil moderated in the morning, which undercut an early-morning rally for energy stocks.

With parks closed, Disney starts furloughs in 2 weeks
By MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Walt Disney Co. officials announced they’ll start furloughing some workers in two weeks at its theme parks resorts in Florida and California. The company said late Thursday the first wave of furloughs will start April 19 and involve workers whose jobs aren’t necessary at this time. Anyone who’s furloughed will remain a Disney employee. The statement didn’t say how many of Walt Disney World’s 75,000 employees or Disneyland’s 31,000 workers would be furloughed. The company has been paying workers and providing health care benefits at its theme park resorts since the parks closed in mid-March due to coronavirus concerns.

Small biz rescue off to spotty start; some banks not ready
By KEN SWEET, JOYCE ROSENBERG and RYAN J. FOLEY The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — The federal government’s relief program for small businesses is off to a bumpy start, with few businesses able to apply and some big banks saying they’re not ready to process applications. Millions of small businesses are expected to apply for these desperately needed rescue loans from the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which was put in place to help them retain workers and pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic. Some large lenders like Wells Fargo, Huntington Bank and Bank of America said Friday that they are ready to go. Others like JPMorgan Chase said they wouldn’t accept applications, citing lack of guidance from the Treasury Department.

Child dies, several people hurt when fire roars through home
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A fast-moving fire has roared through an Ohio home, killing a child and injuring several other people. The fire in Zanesville was reported around 10:45 a.m. Thursday. A witness reported hearing an explosion moments before the two-story home was engulfed in flames. But authorities say the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Some children in the home reportedly escaped the flames by climbing out a second-story window. Authorities say some of those who escaped and two Muskingum County sheriff deputies were treated at hospitals for undisclosed injuries. The body of the child who died was found after the flames were extinguished.

‘Lean On Me,’ ‘Lovely Day’ singer Bill Withers dies at 81
By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer
Singer Bill Withers has died. He wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.”  According to a statement released from his family to The Associated Press, the 81-year-old died in Los Angeles from heart complications. “Lean On Me,” was performed at the presidential inaugurations of both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Lately, people have posted videos of their versions of the song as inspiration during the coronavirus pandemic.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Beaver County Commissioners Chairman Dan Camp said that the Beaver County’s court ordered reassessment is not being affected by the current events of the current situation surrounding the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Camp updated the listeners of 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, and 99.3 FM during his monthly appearance on “Ask the Commissioners” during Teleforum with Frank Sparks.

The question of if the reassessment will be affected by the Coronavirus was submitted via e-mail by a listener. You can hear Commissioner Camps comments below by pressing the play button:

 

White House moves toward promoting face masks to fight virus
By ZEKE MILLER and MIKE STOBBE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Social distancing, closed businesses, now face coverings? The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The recommendations are still being finalized and are expected to apply at least to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus. A person familiar with the discussion says officials would suggest that non-medical masks, T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover the nose and mouth when outside the home.

Dr. Fauci’s face will soon be on a bobblehead
By CARRIE ANTLFINGER Associated Press
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The United States’ top infectious disease specialist is getting his own bobblehead. The creation from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum features Dr. Anthony Fauci wearing a suit as he discusses the coronavirus pandemic. Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar says Fauci was picked because many people see the plain-speaking expert on the coronavirus as a hero right now. Sklar said the Milwaukee museum will donate $5 from every $25 Fauci bobblehead that’s sold to the American Hospital Association. The funds will go toward getting masks and other protective equipment for health care workers.

Deadline looms for Pennsylvania virus-shutdown waivers
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
Pennsylvania businesses are running out of time if they want an exemption from Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown order. Wolf has ordered all “non-life-sustaining” businesses to shutter their physical locations to help slow the spread of the coronavirus but established a waiver process for companies that believe they should be exempt. The deadline to apply is Friday. The state has received more than 34,000 waiver requests through Wednesday, approving about 5,600 and denying more than 8,600. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported Thursday that over 1,200 additional people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to over 7,000. There were 16 new deaths for a statewide toll of 90.

Pennsylvania Waives Spay/Neuter Requirement for Adoptions, Conserves PPE for Human Healthcare Professionals

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced today that in an effort to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE) for human healthcare workers, the Pennsylvania Dog Law that requires shelters and rescues to spay/neuter dogs and cats prior to adoption would be waived for pets adopted during active COVID-19 mitigation efforts in Pennsylvania.

“This waiver is not something we take lightly; but it’s a matter of weighing the costs,” said Agriculture Secretary Redding. “Waiving the requirement to spay or neuter prior to adoption allows us to conserve critical PPE supplies and also limit the risk of exposure for veterinarians.”

The waiver comes with a contingency: shelters must keep a list of adopters to follow up with post-pandemic and provide a copy of all contracts to the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. Once the pandemic is in the past, shelters would be required to follow up on all pets adopted during COVID-19 mitigation. Adoptive pet owners will have up to 120 days from the time of adoption – timeframe to be re-evaluated as necessary – to have the procedure completed and come into compliance.

With approval from the department, shelters and rescues can continue adopting pets out to Pennsylvanians even during Stay at Home orders. This is essential in order to ensure that shelters are not overly full of animals with short staff numbers. Shelters and rescues continuing to operate and adopt pets are advised to follow guidance for virtual, limited contact adoptions from the Humane Society of the United States. Rescues and shelters should also follow guidance issued from the department to protect their workforce and continue operations.

“The Humane Society of the United States has been monitoring state laws that impact the ability for shelters and rescues to adjust to COVID-19 and provide services to pet and their families,” said Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania State Director for The Humane Society of the United States. “We thank the Department of Agriculture for extending the timeframe to comply with spay/neuter laws to maximize social distancing and decrease the risks to animal shelter and veterinary staff, while reducing the use of PPE in non-essential procedures.”

Before adopting, Pennsylvanians should consider if they’re able to provide for all the pets’ needs during COVID-19 mitigation and follow the department’s Guidance to Pet Owners.

For information as it relates to agriculture during COVID-19 mitigation in Pennsylvania visit agriculture.pa.gov/COVID. For the most accurate, timely information related to Health in Pennsylvania, visit on.pa.gov/coronavirus.