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NY: New York attorney general files suit to dissolve NRA
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, accused the nonprofit National Rifle Association of illegally diverting millions of dollars from its charitable mission for the personal use of the gun advocacy group’s leaders.
OH: More sensitive virus test determines Ohio governor does not have COVID-19
A rapid test before Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was scheduled to greet President Donald Trump in Cleveland determined he was positive for the virus. A second, more-proven test administered later in Columbus produced a negative result.
GA: Georgia sued over long voting lines
A federal lawsuit asks the courts to step in to prevent hours-long lines in Georgia’s presidential election. The legal action comes after coronavirus-related precinct closures, social-distancing requirements and difficulties operating voting machines led to lines in Georgia’s June 9 primary.
NV: Nevada businesses get liability protection from virus-related lawsuits
The Nevada bill grants legal immunity to most businesses, nonprofits and government agencies as long as they follow health standards set by local, state and federal authorities and don’t exhibit “gross negligence.”
HI: COVID-19 has overwhelmed Hawaii’s contact tracing system
Hawaii’s surge in COVID-19 cases has overwhelmed the state’s effort to trace close contacts of someone who has tested positive, nearly three months after state and local officials called for the Hawaii Department of Health to hire hundreds of additional public health contact tracers.
CO: Kanye West will appear on Colorado’s ballot for president
Rapper Kanye West, who is attempting to mount an independent presidential campaign, has been approved for Colorado’s Nov. 3 ballot. West received help from at least one Republican operative in the state.
KS: Kansas House speaker was hospitalized for COVID-19. Governor criticizes what he did next.
Kansas Republican House Speaker Ron Ryckman disclosed he had been hospitalized for the coronavirus, prompting Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to criticize his decision to attend a July meeting where Kelly and other officials were present without revealing his diagnosis.
MO: 4 test positive for virus as Missouri lawmakers resume work
Four people tested positive for the coronavirus following open testing at the Missouri Capitol in advance of lawmakers returning to work, the state health department announced. The agency offered free testing to lawmakers, staffers and others who work at the Capitol.
VA: Virginia health department wants to hire about 100 workers to enforce guidelines
Having received upward of 23,500 complaints about businesses failing to comply with Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s coronavirus regulations, the Virginia Department of Health wants 100 temporary workers to help respond.
LA: Judge sides with Louisiana governor, upholds virus rules
A Louisiana judge upheld Gov. John Bel Edwards’ statewide mask mandate and bar restrictions as legal and enforceable, rejecting claims from businessowners that the Democrat overstepped his legal authority in enacting the coronavirus rules.
MI: Michigan mandates masks for camps, day care
Children and staff at Michigan child care centers and camps will have to wear masks while riding a bus or walking down a hallway, with more stringent requirements for older children. The order takes effect next week in most of the state.
NM: New Mexico requires new case disclosure by business
Employers must now notify New Mexico within four hours of learning an employee tests positive for COVID-19. There have already been 600 cases where an employer found out about a positive case before the state did, delaying rapid response procedures.
VT: Vermont state employees told remote work will continue through end of year
Vermont Secretary of Administration Susanne Young announced to executive branch employees that they should plan to work from home until at least Dec. 31, 2020.
NC: North Carolina officials say university must do more to keep community safe
As thousands of college students celebrate their first weekend being back in town, local officials say the University of North Carolina must do more to keep students and the community safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Weekend video footage shows students congregating without masks.
MA: Some Massachusetts school districts move forward with remote-only plans for fall
In several Massachusetts school districts this week, school committees have voted to start the fall on a remote basis, with plans to re-evaluate later in the academic year whether it’s safe to bring students back amid the pandemic.
AZ: Arizona sets virus guidelines for school reopenings
The Arizona guidelines say schools can consider reopening for partial in-person learning once their county meets several COVID-19 case criteria as measured over two weeks. But they are just guidelines, and school districts won’t be required to reopen or forced to close if they are not met.
IA: High coronavirus rates won’t guarantee Iowa school waivers
Iowa school districts might not be granted a waiver from in-person teaching requirements even if they meet criteria Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds laid out last week, the governor said.
MN: Latest Minnesota COVID-19 data moves 27 counties to new school planning levels
New county-level COVID-19 data in Minnesota shows what a difference a week can make — with 27 counties seeing enough changes in the spread of the infectious disease to end up in different categories when it comes to their school reopening plans.
WI: University of Wisconsin System ordering more than 350,000 COVID-19 tests for fall semester
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced million — made available through the federal CARES Act — in assistance to the University of Wisconsin System to help cover the cost of testing, staffing to conduct tests and personal protective equipment.
PA: Pennsylvania’s public universities recruit students of color but fail them on campus
Students of color say Pennsylvania’s higher education system follows a tired formula to respond to racism instead of enacting the support they need.
WA: Washington governor announces phased plan to allow visits at long-term care facilities
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, said the state has come far enough in safeguarding long-term care facilities against the virus to begin a gradual process to open them to visitors.
IN: Two-thirds of Indiana’s coronavirus deaths were long-term care residents
More than two-thirds of Indiana’s coronavirus deaths were residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to new numbers released by the state health department. Twenty-four facilities reported 20 or more deaths, including seven with more than 30.
NJ: New details reveal how New Jersey veterans home became the worst during pandemic
The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Paramus now has reported more COVID-19 deaths than any other state-run veterans’ home in the United States. To date, 81 residents and one aide have died there. Newly released documents paint a picture of how the virus ran rampant there.
NH: Parents say New Hampshire lacks child care options to help them return to work
As parts of New Hampshire’s economy begin returning to something like business as usual, one key piece of the puzzle has been child care: Will parents be able to find someone to watch their kids when they go back to work?
DE: Delaware corrections officers say they were fired, not allowed to wear hijabs
Three former employees of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families have sued the organization, saying their religious garb led to discrimination and, ultimately, their firings.
MD: Cashless tolling to become permanent in Maryland
The tolls on Maryland’s bridges, tunnels and express lanes, which have not accepted cash fares since March as a coronavirus precaution, will be permanently automated from now on, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan announced.
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