The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the U.S. economy, leaving scores of businesses in limbo and livelihoods in jeopardy. And Black businesses – many of which were already fighting to access capital – are struggling to weather this economic disaster COVID-19 has wrought. They are calling on the federal government to ensure that their companies aren’t […]
Posted inNews
Georgia budget writers ask agencies to ready cuts amid virus
Forecasting a major blow to the state’s economy and revenue collections due to the coronavirus pandemic, Georgia lawmakers in charge of the state budget sent a memo on Friday asking agencies to prepare for cuts of 14 percent across the board, totaling nearly $4 billion. The call for reductions comes as some retail stores and […]
Posted inElection Central
Top Georgia Democrats running for U.S. Senate spar in debate
Two of the top Georgia Democrats vying to take on Republican Sen. David Perdue in November took hard swipes at each other during a virtual debate Sunday as criticism of the official response to the coronavirus took center stage. Former Columbus mayor Teresa Tomlinson took an opening shot against former congressional candidate Jon Ossoff, citing […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Warmer weather and debate over restrictions drive Americans outside while coronavirus cases rise
From California to New York, more Americans are headed outside — some for recreation and others in protest. But as some states loosen or let go of their stay-at-home orders, researchers predict a higher death toll from coronavirus this summer than previously expected. By Sunday, more than 1.1 million people in the US have been […]
Posted inCOVID-19
White House blocks Dr. Fauci from testifying next week
The White House is blocking Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the administration’s coronavirus task force, from testifying before the Democratic-led House next week, according to a spokesman from a key House committee. “The Appropriations Committee sought Dr. Anthony Fauci as a witness at next week’s Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee hearing on COVID-19 response. We have […]
Posted inNews
Americans without bank accounts must wait for federal checks
As the coronavirus crisis took hold, Akeil Smith’s employer slashed her work as a home health aide to 25 hours per week. Her $15-an-hour salary no longer provided enough to pay her $700 monthly rent, and she had to visit food pantries for groceries. While millions of U.S. workers have already received a quick relief […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Coronavirus and other causes driving surge in US deaths
The U.S. has seen at least 66,000 more deaths than usual so far this year, according to government data, and the new coronavirus accounts for much — but not all — of the increase. Usually the nation sees about 1 million deaths by the end of April, meaning the rise is in the neighborhood of […]
Posted inCollege
NCAA’s top doctor: Testing crucial to having sports in fall
Widespread testing for coronavirus will be crucial to having college sports in the fall — especially contact sports such as football and basketball, the NCAA’s chief medical officer said Friday. Dr. Brian Hainline expressed cautious optimism that college sports could be played during the fall semester as long as leaders take a methodical approach. “It’s […]
Posted inAuto
Exclusive: Uber will soon require drivers and riders to wear face coverings in the US
As it anticipates a restart to its core rideshare business amid the pandemic, Uber plans to require drivers and riders to wear face masks or face coverings when using the platform in certain countries, including the United States, CNN Business has learned. Executives approved the new policy in a meeting this past week, according to […]
Posted inSpecial Coverage
Women, minorities shoulder front-line work during pandemic
As America tentatively emerges from weeks of lockdowns, it is becoming clear that the pandemic has taken its toll on workers who have been on the front lines all along. They have been packing and delivering supplies, caring for the sick and elderly, and keeping streets and buildings clean. They have also watched their co-workers […]
Posted inEntertainment
Kelly Rowland: ‘Coffee’ song, video is my ode to black women
Kelly Rowland says her new single “Coffee” and its accompanying music video is her “ode to the beauty of black women.” Rowland debuted the breezy R&B track and video featuring black women across a spectrum of shades and colors two weeks ago. “I just wanted it to be an expression of black beauty and the […]
Posted inElection Central
‘Everyone’s watching’: Biden’s VP audition process begins
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wore a T-shirt on television emblazoned with the words “that woman from Michigan,” a cheeky reference to President Donald Trump’s dismissal of her. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar joined her onetime nemesis, Pete Buttigieg, for a friendly virtual chat on a late-night show. And Stacey Abrams speaks of her political ambition to almost […]
Posted inCOVID-19
5-year-old coronavirus victim mourned at Detroit funeral
A handful of loved ones in a chapel on Detroit’s west side and hundreds of mourners participating online said goodbye Thursday to the daughter of a police officer and firefighter who is Michigan’s youngest victim in the coronavirus pandemic so far. The reality of the public health crisis that has claimed the lives of more […]
Posted inNews
Open or Closed: Atlanta businesses discuss reopening plans after Georgia governor’s executive order
Around the state, a number of businesses owners around the state are preparing their plans to reopen their doors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Atlanta, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has urged small business owners to keep the doors closed for a while longer and for residents to shelter in place until more […]
Posted inCOVID-19
The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds will fly over Atlanta on Saturday
Be ready to keep your eyes glued to the sky if you live in Baltimore, Washington DC or Atlanta. The US Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds are honoring first responders by conducting formation flights over those cities on Saturday, May 2. The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are the US military’s flight demonstration […]