Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday and slashed its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point to nearly zero and announced it would purchase more Treasury securities to encourage lending to try to offset the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The central bank said the effects of the outbreak will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook. The central bank said it will keep rates at nearly zero until it feels confident the economy has weathered recent events. The Fed also said it has dropped its requirements that banks hold cash reserves in another move to encourage lending.

Biden, Sanders to debate against backdrop of global pandemic
By JULIE PACE AP Washington Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders are set to face off Sunday night in the first one-on-one debate of the Democratic primary. The debate comes as the nation and much of the world struggle to contain a global pandemic and mounting economic uncertainty. It’s Biden who will step on stage as the front-runner. That distinction seemed unlikely just a few weeks ago when Sanders was winning early contests. But more moderate Democrats have rapidly consolidated around Biden. Many in the party believe that the self-described democratic socialist would lose to President Donald Trump in November.

Business Fallout: Walmart limits hours, airlines cut flying
By The Associated Press undefined
WASHINGTON (AP) — A growing list of retailers are closing stores or limiting their operating hours as customers remain home amid the virus outbreak. Walmart is limiting store hours to ensure they can keep sought-after items such as hand sanitizer in stock. Other retailers are closing their stores including Urban Outfitters, Everlane and Patagonia. Meanwhile, the travel industry continues to reel from the outbreak. American Airlines said it’s sharply cutting back on international travel. The cruise industry has already agreed to halt outbound trips from the U.S. for 30 days. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin indicated the Trump administration is planning financial assistance for travel-related businesses.

US gas prices down 15 cents over past 3 weeks, to $2.39
CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline dropped 15 cents per gallon, to $2.39, over the past three weeks. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday that gas prices could continue to fall as demand shrinks amid the coronavirus pandemic. The price at the pump averages 12 cents lower than it was a year ago. The highest average price in the nation for regular-grade gas is $3.45 per gallon in Honolulu. The lowest average is $1.82 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The average price of diesel is $2.88, down a dime.

Pittsburgh, PA (March 15, 2020) – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) has confirmed that Jefferson Hospital is currently treating an adult patient with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19.)  The Network’s caregivers at Jefferson are following comprehensive safety protocols established by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in caring for the patient and in taking every step necessary to prevent illness exposure to others, including patients, visitors and caregivers.  Those precautions have been followed though every step of the patient’s care in the hospital.  A limited number of clinical staff are caring for the patient, and those caregivers are wearing advanced protective equipment at all times.  The hospital is currently limiting visitation with the patient, and all visitors are required to follow CDC-recommended precautions, including wearing protective face masks and gowns, and washing hands before and after the visitation.\

The Allegheny County Health Department is taking the lead in assessing who in the community the patient may have come in contact with.

There will be no further information provided on the patient at Jefferson at this time.

(Beaver Falls, PA) Breaking News  into the Beaver County Radio News Room!!

All Beaver County  Early Intervention Services, including transportation, for ages 3-5 years old in Beaver County have been suspended until further notice. If you need more information you can contact the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit at 724-774-7800 .

Large King of Prussia mall closes amid coronavirus concerns
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — One of the nation’s largest malls, in suburban Philadelphia, has closed amid a call from the governor for nonessential businesses to close to help stem the spread of the coronavirus as the number of cases in the state increased to at least 66. The security office of the King of Prussia mall said Sunday that the mall was closed until further notice. A notice on the owner’s site said nonessential tenants were expected to comply “effective immediately” with the governor’s recommendation. Suburban Delaware County officials said 11 jail inmates had been quarantined and 23 employees advised to self-quarantine after an employee tested positive.

6 new presumptive positive coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State health officials have announced six additional presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 47 cases, and the governor urged non-essential businesses in two more Philadelphia-area counties to shut down to help stem the spread of the virus. They included two cases in western Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County — the first reported there. Gov. Tom Wolf also extended to Chester and Bucks counties an earlier call to Montgomery and Delaware counties for non-essential businesses to to close. Essential businesses such as pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stores are to remain open. A “phased closure” of wine and spirit stores in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties was announced.

Americans brace for new life of no school and growing dread
By GILLIAN FLACCUS and JOCELYN GECKER Associated Press
Millions of Americans braced for the week ahead with no school for their children for weeks to come, no clue how to effectively work without child care, and a growing sense of dread about how to stay safe and sane amid the relentless spread of the coronavirus. The wave of school and business closures across the country has injected huge amounts of chaos into the lives of millions of Americans. There are more questions than answers: Are play dates for kids OK? How do you plan for the future with no idea what it holds? Health officials say one thing is certain: It is going to get worse before it gets better.