Governors and state lawmakers are prioritizing climate change as they write their state budgets, devoting money to lowering emissions and guarding against natural disasters such as flood and fire.
Bundy: Campaigning counts as court-ordered community service
Far-right activist Ammon Bundy says time he has spent campaigning to be Idaho's next governor should count toward his order to perform community service after being convicted of obstructing police during his arrest for trespassing at the state Capitol.
Mainstream Republicans seek to 'rescue' Idaho - from the GOP
Idaho's Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin wants to be the state's governor after next year's November elections. McGeachin, a far-right Republican known for her opposition to COVID-19 restrictions and association with anti-government figures, declared herself acting governor and tried to deploy National Guard troops to the Mexican border. Gov. Brad Little, a fellow Republican, repealed the order the next day, from Texas.
Idaho lieutenant governor bans vaccine mandates, tries to deploy National Guard during governor's 2-day trip
Idaho governor, lieutenant spar over COVID-19 vaccine
Idaho Gov. Brad Little says he will rescind an executive order involving COVID-19 vaccines by Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin.
Idaho National Guard boss shuns lt. governor border request
The commanding general of the Idaho National Guard told Republican Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin on Tuesday that she can't activate troops to send to the U.S.-Mexico border. Major General Michael J. Garshak in a letter to McGeachin says a call for help from border states earlier this year involved law enforcement, not National Guard troops. Republican Gov. Brad Little announced Monday he was going to the Texas-Mexico border to meet with nine other Republican governors on Wednesday over concerns on how President Joe Biden is handling border issues.
Military leaders endure heated hearing on Capitol Hill
The nation's top military generals endured a heated hearing on the Afghanistan withdrawal. Kris Van Cleave has the latest.
Top Pentagon leaders testify on Afghanistan withdrawal and aftermath
Top Pentagon leaders, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley, testified publicly before lawmakers for the first time since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. CBS News' Natalie Brand reports on their testimony, and then Mark Jacobson, former deputy NATO senior civilian representative for Afghanistan, joined CBSN to discuss the fallout.
Small Lifestyle Changes You Can Make Today to Achieve Clearer Skin
Patience makes perfect.
From Economy to First Class, Here's What Makes Each Type of Airline Ticket Different
Plus, how to choose the right class for your next trip in the skies.
AP Top Stories September 28 A
Here's the latest for Tuesday, September 28: Record daily virus deaths in Russia; Powerful blast in Sweden; New German parliament more diverse; Youth climate summit underway in Italy.
Panic buying leads to U.K. fuel shortage
The U.K. has a dire shortage of gas throughout the country; not because there's no supply, but because there aren't enough truck drivers to move it around. The Post-Brexit world is colliding with the COVID one and suddenly, as Holly Williams reports, there aren't enough goods or, more importantly, services to sustain this little island.
Hot to trot: Shetland ponies prove popular during pandemic
For hundreds of years, the inhabitants of the northernmost part of Scotland and the United Kingdom have bred small horses -- the Shetland pony. The animals, named after the unforgiving northern archipelago in the North Sea, have long drawn attention for their distinctive shape, size and rough hair. But during the coronavirus pandemic they saw their value soar to new highs, prompting hopes of another bumper year as the islands' annual sale approaches.
'You can't sue him': How legal immunity protects federal law enforcement officers
The Supreme Court will soon decide whether to hear Kevin Byrd's case, against a Homeland Security agent who held him at gunpoint.
Idaho COVID Insanity Shows How Much Worse the GOP Can Get
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Photos Getty ImagesAs the morgues and ICUs in Idaho overflow with COVID patients, Republican Governor Brad Little said he would fine businesses with over 100 employees if they enacted a mask mandate.It's an insane stance rooted in his desire not to give his challenger, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, any cause to attack him as she guns for his job.Dying people be damned, as Republicans turn against each other in contests up and down the ballot and across the coun
COVID surge pushes much of Idaho toward medical rationing
Idaho's public health officials say crisis standards of care are imminent for the state's most populated region as hospitals continue to be overrun with unvaccinated coronavirus patients.
Idaho hospitals nearly buckling in relentless COVID surge
Intensive care beds are full of unvaccinated coronavirus patients at a hospital in Boise, Idaho, and doctors are bracing for the need to conserve scarce resources for the patients most likely to survive.
'Tyranny of the minority': Idaho Supreme Court rules voter initiative law unconstitutional
The justices wrote that the law aims to "prevent a perceived, yet unsubstantiated fear of the 'tyranny of the majority.' " Their decision was unanimous.
EXPLAINER: Why it takes months to subdue some wildfires
At nearly every community meeting on firefighting efforts in the U.S. West, residents want to know why crews don't simply put out the flames to save their homes and the valuable forests surrounding them.
Governor of Idaho, home to one of U.S.' lowest vaccination rates, urges residents to get Covid shot
Republican Idaho Gov. Brad Little is urging state residents to get vaccinated against Covid to fuel the state's economy and keep schools open this fall.
Biden sees shortages to stop climate-change fueled wildfires
President Joe Biden is sounding the alarm about the need for more resources to fight a series of wildfires in Western states.
Seemingly safe GOP incumbents under attack from right-wing
Republican U.S. Sen. James Lankford would seem to have all the conservative credentials he'd need to coast to reelection in deep-red Oklahoma.
Boise breaks another heat record. Here's the latest on weather, fires, air quality
Were you outside at 7 a.m. Monday? You might have experienced a strange phenomenon.
Idaho Senate Republicans plan meetings on vaccine mandates. Little opposes intervention.
The Republican governor called possible involvement in the decisions of private business "government overreach."
Thousands of firefighters battle big blazes across the West
An army of firefighters is working in hot, dry and windy weather to contain blazes chewing through wilderness and burning homes across drought-stricken Western states.
Firefighters make progress against big fires in US West
Dozens of wildfires are burning across the torrid U.S. West, but fire agencies report progress Monday in corralling the flames and forecasters predict a gradual decrease in extreme temperatures.
Wildfires rage as US West grapples with heat wave, drought
Firefighters were working in extreme temperatures across the U.S. West and struggling to contain wildfires, the largest burning in California and Oregon, as another heat wave baked the region, straining power grids and forcing calls to conserve water. The largest wildfire of the year in California — the Beckwourth Complex — was raging along the Nevada state line and has burned about 134 square miles (348 square kilometers) as state regulators asked consumers to "conserve as much electricity as possible" to avoid any outages starting Monday afternoon. In Oregon, the Bootleg Fire exploded to 224 square miles (580 square kilometers) as it raced through heavy timber in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, near the Klamath County town of Sprague River.
California and other parts of the West broil and burn
Firefighters working in searing heat struggled to contain the largest wildfire in California this year while state power operators urged people to conserve energy after a huge wildfire in neighboring Oregon disrupted the flow of electricity from three major transmission lines.
California wildfire advances as heat wave blankets US West
Firefighters are struggling to contain an exploding Northern California wildfire under blazing temperatures as another heat wave hits the U.S. West this weekend.
Here's why Idaho hospitals can require the COVID-19 vaccine for employees
The issue came up earlier this year in the Legislature.
Idaho reveals details of governor's plan to send State Police troopers to Mexico border
The troopers will head to Arizona next week, the governor's office announced Thursday.
President Biden gathered West's governors to talk wildfires. Idaho's Little not invited
Little and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, who was also left out of the discussions, wrote an open letter to the president on Wednesday about the snub.
Idaho surveyed adults not vaccinated against COVID-19. Most said they won't get it.
About half of those surveyed said they "definitely" will not get the vaccine and weren't swayed by incentives.
Analysis: Idaho awash in enough cash to address a lot of issues — or start a lot of fights
The state's budget surplus is trending toward a record-shattering $800 million.
Gov. Little, Idaho tax dollars belong in Idaho, not on a fool's errand at Mexico border
Border enforcement is not your job, and it's not the best way to spend our money, writes the editorial board.
The Idaho Way: Redistricting is coming, ACHD's memorial business, post-COVID economy
The Idaho Way is a weekly roundup of opinions, commentary and your views from around the region brought to you by the opinion editor of the Idaho Statesman.
Gov. Brad Little says Idaho will send law enforcement to U.S.-Mexico border
Little said Idaho would support efforts by Texas and Arizona governors to secure the Southern border.
Deep-red Idaho sees growing clash between GOP and far right
Mainstream and far-right Republicans are battling for control of the party and the state in deeply conservative Idaho.
The Latest: Two-thirds of NY adults have at least one shot
The latest federal data shows that two-thirds of adults in New York state have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Idaho governor repeals "irresponsible" mask mandate ban issued while he was out of town
Idaho Governor Brad Little said the executive order signed by the lieutenant governor while he was away was "an irresponsible, self-serving political stunt."
Idaho governor repeals mask mandate ban issued by lieutenant while he was out of state
Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) on Friday repealed Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin's (R) executive order that banned statewide mask mandates one day earlier, calling her action an "an abuse of power."The big picture: While Little — who is expected to seek re-election — never issued a statewide mask mandate, some were put in place in counties, cities and schools. McGeachin, who recently announced her own gubernatorial campaign, issued the order on Thursday without informing Little's office.Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.McGeachin is " a member of the far-right who has worked to undermine Little's handling of the coronavirus pandemic," AP writes. What he's saying: "I have opposed a statewide mask mandate all along because I don't think top-down mandates change behavior the way personal choice does," Little said in a statement Friday."But, as your Governor, when it came to masks, I also didn't undermine separately elected officials who, under Idaho law, are given authorities to take measures they believe will protect the health and safety of the people they serve," he added."An executive order that was issued while I was out of state this week runs contrary to a basic conservative principle — the government closest to the people governs best.""The executive order usurps legislative powers. It replicates a bill that was debated considerably in the Legislature but failed, making law with the stroke of a pen. The action that took place while I was traveling this week is not gubernatorial. The action that took place was an irresponsible, self-serving political stunt."More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
The Latest: China reports 16 new confirmed coronavirus cases
China has reported 16 new confirmed coronavirus cases including two authorities said were believed to have been acquired locally.
Idaho's lieutenant governor banned mask mandates while the governor was out of state
With Little gone, Lt. Gov. McGeachin issues executive order banning Idaho mask mandates
McGeachin was acting governor on Thursday in Gov. Brad Little's absence.
Idaho lieutenant governor bans mask mandates
With the governor out of the state, Idaho's lieutenant governor issued an executive order Thursday banning mask mandates in schools and public buildings, saying the face-covering directives threatened people's freedom. Republican Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin is acting governor while Gov. Brad Little is at the Republican Governors Association conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Last week, McGeachin announced her run for governor, challenging the first-term incumbent Little.
The Latest: W Virginia steps up prizes for vaccination
West Virginia will step up its prizes for vaccines, enrolling all residents who have received a coronavirus shot into a lottery for the chance to win a college scholarship, an F-150 pickup truck or cash rewards.
New wolf killing laws trigger push to revive US protections
Wildlife advocates are pressing the Biden administration to revive U.S. government protections for gray wolves across the Northern Rockies after Republican lawmakers in Idaho and Montana made it much easier to kill the predators.
Nearly a dozen states want to ban critical race theory in schools
Republican state lawmakers are introducing bills that would direct what students can and cannot be taught about the role of slavery in American history and the ongoing effects of racism. Here's why.
Guest opinion: The Idaho House makes an end run around the people's Constitution
The pertinent provision of the constitution says, "neither house shall, without the concurrence of the other, adjourn for more than three days," writes Jim Jones.
Analysis: Bitter education fights were a staple of messy 2021 legislative session
From teacher pay to early learning to higher ed budgets, education often was in the spotlight.
The price of Idaho's vaccine hesitancy? COVID-19 'will be with us … permanently'
Vaccine demand has fallen so much that Idaho providers recently requested just 25% of the state's allotment.
Honor system, paper cards won't cut it for COVID vaccine verification, experts say. 'Vaccine passports' are coming.
Americans have long been expected to provide proof of vaccination in some circumstances. COVID-19 vaccines won't be any different, experts say.
Idaho Senate adjourns, House eyes 2021 return after state's longest legislative session
"Many have called this the worst legislative session ever," a Boise lawmaker said. "And it's hard to dispute that conclusion."
At least 11 states ending unemployment benefits early. Gig workers may be able to keep them
Around a dozen Republican-led states are exiting federal unemployment programs a few months early. There may be a workaround for some recipients.
'We want people working': Little takes Idaho out of federal pandemic unemployment programs
"Employers are telling me one of the big reasons they cannot recruit and retain some workers is because those employees are receiving more on unemployment than they would while working," Little said in a news release.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little signs four bills meant to limit governor's emergency powers
Little vetoed two similar bills last month, saying they limited the governor's ability to act quickly in an emergency.
Idaho governor signs bill to halt Biden moves on gun laws
Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation aimed at thwarting a half-dozen executive actions taken by President Joe Biden to combat gun violence.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation aimed at thwarting a half-dozen executive actions by President Joe Biden to combat gun violence. The new law came less than a week after a shooting at an eastern Idaho middle school injured two students and a custodian. It passed the Idaho House and Senate with veto-proof majorities and carried an emergency notice, meaning it went into effect with Little's signature.
3 injured in Idaho middle school shooting; suspect captured
Two students and a custodian were injured in a shooting at an eastern Idaho middle school.
detroitnews.com
Shooting at Idaho middle school injures 3; student captured
A shooting at an eastern Idaho middle school Thursday injured two students and a custodian, and a male student has been taken into custody, authorities said. The victims' injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, Jefferson County Sheriff Steve Anderson said.
GOP lawmaker: Three-Fifths Compromise was to end slavery
A Tennessee Republican has falsely declared that an 18th century policy designating a slave as three-fifths of a person was adopted for what he called "the purpose of ending slavery.".
Critics say Idaho bill would kill 90% of wolves. Hunters, wildlife experts have other worries
A viral TikTok video proclaimed Idaho plans to kill nearly all its wolves. That's not exactly the case, but some critics say that "if we go this direction with wildlife management, we're going to regret it."
Fact-Checking Idaho's Wolf Eradication Law
Proponents say wolves are destroying the livelihoods of ranchers and hunters. Opponents say the wolves are necessary to a healthy ecosystem.
outsideonline.com
Justice Department indicts 3 on hate crime charges in death of Ahmaud Arbery
The Justice Department brought federal hate crimes charges Wednesday in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, charging a father and son who armed themselves, chased and fatally shot the 25-year-old Black man after spotting him running in their Georgia neighborhood.
Bill to kill up to 90% of Idaho wolves heads to governor
The Idaho House on Tuesday approved legislation allowing the state to hire private contractors and expand methods to kill wolves roaming Idaho — a measure that could cut the wolf population by 90%.
Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors' emergency power
State lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to limit the emergency powers of governors — not just in the current coronavirus pandemic, but for any future emergencies.
The Latest: US 7th Fleet: 14,000 personnel fully vaccinated
The U.S. 7th Fleet that operates throughout the Indo-Pacific says more than 14,000 of its service members have received their full doses of the coronavirus vaccine, which it began administering on January 5.
Idaho Legislature shuts down due to COVID-19 outbreak
FILE- In this March 4, 2020, file photo, is the Idaho Statehouse in Boise, Idaho. The Idaho Legislature has voted to shut down for several weeks due to an outbreak of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler, File)BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Legislature voted Friday to shut down for several weeks due to an outbreak of COVID-19. Five of those who tested positive are Republicans and one is Democrat. ___This story has been updated to correct that six representatives have tested positive, not five.
States drawing up big wish lists for the COVID relief money
But that might run afoul of a provision in the relief package that bars the money from being used to pay for tax cuts. Last year's relief spending helped by sending money directly to governments, businesses and individuals. Further, investors who supply much of the tax revenue in states like New York and California, which announced a $15 billion surplus in January, had a good year because of the soaring stock market. And the job losses from the pandemic were deepest among lower-wage workers, who account for a smaller portion of tax revenue. An analysis by the Tax Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes "pro-growth" policies, found that 28 states brought in less revenue in 2020 than 2019.
The Latest: India vaccinates 2 million health workers
India's total positive cases since the start of the epidemic have reached 10.6 million, the second highest after the United States with 25.43 million cases. India started inoculating health workers on Jan. 16 in what is likely the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The FDA said Tuesday there have been reports of hospitalizations and death linked to the sanitizers reported to U.S. poison control centers and state health departments. The state's health agency on Tuesday said third-party administrators would take over ordering and distributing vaccine doses with a new state secretary in charge of logistics. On Tuesday, the CDC reported just over half of the 41 million doses distributed to states have been put in people's arms.
State capitols step up security amid new safety concerns
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)State capitols across the nation stepped up security Monday, deploying National Guard units, SWAT teams and extra police officers while several legislatures convened amid heightened safety concerns following last week's violence at the U.S. Capitol. Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee activated hundreds of National Guard troops to help state police keep order at the state Capitol. Oregon state police will conduct building security training for those who work at the state Capitol, including journalists, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Michigan lawmakers are to return to session Wednesday.
A child so sick they feared the worst, now they urge change
Cooper Wuthrich rests as he lays on a bed at the families truck stop Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in Montpelier, Idaho. Cooper Wuthrich's fever spiked as his joints and organs became inflamed, including his heart, putting his life at risk, his father said. Brad Little warned that car crash victims could need to be treated in hospital conference rooms if beds run out. "Luckily, it is a rare complication, but it's a complication that can get kids pretty sick pretty quickly," Truong said. In nearly two-thirds of cases, children went to intensive care units, and the average ICU stay was five days.
The Latest: Brazil is latest to ban flights from Britain
A demonstrator wears a face shield with a red handprint, mimicking blood, to protest Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the deadly coronavirus pandemic in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. ___NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dozens of Tennessee hospitals have stopped taking transfer patients because they are overwhelmed during one of the nation's worst recent outbreaks of COVID-19 cases. ___DENVER — Colorado has started vaccinating correctional workers as the state sees a surge of coronavirus cases in its prisons. ___BOSTON — Help is on the way for Massachusetts small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, with Gov. COVID-19 cases have been declining in New Mexico, but the economic fallout from the pandemic continues.
The Latest: California AG warns 2 strip clubs of violations
The increases come as millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer start rolling into U.S. hospitals on Monday. ___SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The U.S. has reached a record 3,309 daily coronavirus deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The increases come as millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer start rolling into hospitals on Monday. ___VATICAN CITY — Vatican citizens, employees and their families will begin to receive the coronavirus vaccine early next year, according to Vatican News. Italy has registered 1.8 million confirmed cases and more than 63,000 confirmed deaths, sixth highest in the world.
Overtaxed Idaho health facilities on brink of rationing care
Primary Health will turn three more facilities into COVID-19 clinics by Dec. 30 and has plans to change over more if needed. "I'm not at the hospitals," said Dr. David Peterman, a pediatrician and CEO of Primary Health Medical Group. Health care workers would have to choose who gets treatment and who doesn't. Nickolas Orr was one of two soldiers meeting patients in their cars outside the Primary Health clinic. Meanwhile, inside the Primary Health clinic, Thomas, the physician assistant, put on sterilized protective equipment as workers sanitized an exam room before the next patient.
Virus surge: Schools abandon classes, states retreat
"It should frighten all of us," Dr. David Peterman, CEO of Idaho's Primary Health Medical Group, said of the virus numbers. Reflecting what has largely been a divide between red and blue states, Republican Gov. In other states, officials have tightened restrictions, though not as much as when the virus first hit in the spring. Utah's governor put in place a statewide mask mandate, while Indiana's governor extended his state's mask rule for another month. Michigan's largest school district, Detroit, said it will suspend in-person classes next week for its roughly 50,000 students, joining other districts that have shifted to online-only classes.
Veterans Day in 2020: quiet parades, somber virtual events
The ceremony preceded a quiet 100-vehicle Veterans Day Parade, with no spectators, to maintain the 101-year tradition of veterans marching on Fifth Avenue. With infections raging again nationwide, several veterans homes are fighting new outbreaks. It planned to honor veterans throughout the day with gifts, treats, music and a virtual ceremony. On Veterans Day, the home is normally full of family members, community groups and officials who gather to thank the former members of the military for their service. Ninety-eight veterans have died from COVID-19 in Missouri's seven veterans homes since Sept. 1, and Gov.
As cases rise, states say they'll work with Biden on virus
Gary Herbert speaks as he joins state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn at a press conference at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, clarifying the state's mask mandate on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. Minnesota's per-capita new case counts are better than neighboring Wisconsin and the Dakotas, which have some of the country's highest transmission rates, but have still raised alarm with the state's health officials. In Idaho, where 1 of every 223 residents tested positive for the virus over the last week, Republican Gov. With Trump still not conceding the race, some Republican governors have greeted Biden's efforts in a more measured way. In Oklahoma, where cases also are on the rise, Republican Gov.
'So frustrating': Grave missteps seen in US virus response
State lawmakers who used federal COVID-19 aid to plug budget holes instead of beefing up testing and contact tracing. "The inconsistency of the response is what's been so frustrating," said Dr. Irwin Redlener of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University. The handling of the crisis has emerged as a central issue in the race between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has mocked Biden's mask-wearing and repeatedly assured the country that it is "rounding the corner" on the outbreak. Biden has hammered the president for downplaying the virus and undermining scientists.
US sets coronavirus infection record; deaths near 224,000
The United States is approaching a record for the number of new daily coronavirus cases in the latest ominous sign about the disease's grip on the nation. The total U.S. caseload reported on the site Friday was 83,757, topping the 77,362 cases reported on July 16. We've bought more hospital beds," said Dr. Robert Scoggins, a pulmonologist at the Kootenai Health hospital in Coeur d'Alene. Gary Herbert proclaimed Friday to be "a record day for Utah — but not a good one" as COVID-19 cases reached an all-time high for the state. The seven-day rolling average for new daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surpassed 61,140 Thursday, compared with 44,647 two weeks ago.
The Latest: New outbreak delays easing of rules in Melbourne
It is not appropriate for us to do that now."″Victoria reported seven new coronavirus cases on Sunday, with six linked to the latest outbreak, which involves 39 people across 11 households. Eight countries now have more than 1 million confirmed cases, and three are in Latin America. Argentina hit 1 million confirmed cases on Monday. ___OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has registered more than 1,800 newly confirmed coronavirus cases. ___ATHENS, Greece — Greece officials introduced mandatory wearing of masks everywhere Saturday, with the country reaching records for new daily coronavirus cases.
Some hospitals in crisis as US nears high for COVID-19 cases
We've bought more hospital beds," said Dr. Robert Scoggins, a pulmonologist at the Kootenai Health hospital in Coeur d'Alene. Gary Herbert proclaimed Friday to be "a record day for Utah — but not a good one" as COVID-19 cases reached an all-time high for the state. The seven-day rolling average for new daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surpassed 61,140 Thursday, compared with 44,647 two weeks ago. The tribe posted on its Twitter page that there were 391 active COVID-19 cases as of Thursday on the reservation, which has about 20,000 residents. The lockdown comes as South Dakota surpassed 9,000 active coronavirus cases on Thursday and reported an all-time high of 973 new cases in one day.
The Latest: New cases in India below 60,000 for 5th day
(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)NEW DELHI — India has reported below 60,000 new coronavirus cases for a fifth day as the promise of a free COVID-19 vaccine turned into a key state election issue. The latest numbers increased the state's confirmed cases to 100,525 and the total number of people who have died to 2,289. That number accounts for 17.5% of the 21,321 cases reported this week by the state's 254 counties. The announcement came Thursday as the state reported 932 newly confirmed coronavirus cases. Wednesday marked another record day for daily confirmed cases, with 827, and state health officials reported an additional 669 cases Thursday.
Virus spikes have officials looking to shore up hospitals
Seven of 10 intensive care beds were filled in Utah hospitals and about six in 10 in Montana. Due to competing demands, particularly from flu season, 71% of the state's hospital beds are occupied, the Nevada Hospital Association reported. State officials worry that hospital beds will fill up if trends continue. Minnesota reported 35 confirmed new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, tying a single-day record set on May 28. And the Iowa Department of Public Health reported 31 new deaths, the most confirmed in a 24-hour period since the beginning of the pandemic.
The Latest: Australia reports rare case of reinfection
(AP Photo/Andy Wong)MELBOURNE, Australia — Australian authorities say they're treating a COVID-19 case in the city of Melbourne as a rare reinfection. All remain in quarantine at a Christchurch hotel, and health officials say they expect more to test positive. ___DENVER — Colorado's governor says he won't impose new statewide restrictions for addressing what he calls an alarming acceleration of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Officials say coronavirus cases related to the university represent 61% of the total in Washtenaw County, compared to just 2% in August. ___NEW YORK — A new study shows that older workers are facing higher unemployment than midcareer workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Latest: California governor tests negative for virus
The governor's office said Newsom was tested on Wednesday after someone in the governor's office tested positive. The staff member who tested positive had not interacted with Newsom or anyone else who often sees the governor. ___HARTFORD, Conn. -- Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House coronavirus task force says she is concerned about the uptick in coronavirus cases in the Northeast. The virus has killed at least 5,416 people in Louisiana, according to the state health department. A cluster of fewer than 20 people tested positive for the virus at the Nashville Rescue Mission's facility for women and children, Brian Todd said.
The Latest: Key US senators test positive for virus
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday that they had tested positive for the virus. Michelle Lujan Grisham is taking a cautious approach to lifting health restrictions and reopening the economy. Parson and his wife, Teresa, tested positive on Sept. 23. Wim Rungwattanachinda said Thaksin tested positive again when he went to a hospital, and he was treated for about two weeks before being released. ___DES MOINES — Iowa posted more than 1,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day.
The Latest: South Korea's daily virus total drops slightly
It's the first time for South Korea's daily jump to fall to double digits since Aug. 13. But even before Sunday, South Korea's daily virus tally had been staying in the 100s for more than two weeks, after it once surpassed 400 in late August. Like other countries in Europe, the number of virus cases has spiked in recent days in Romania. ___TEL AVIV, Israel — Dozens of Israelis held a beach demonstration against a new lockdown prompted by a surge in coronavirus cases. ___NEW DELHI —India has maintained its surge in coronavirus cases, adding 93,337 new confirmed infections in the past 24 hours.
Governors want more say in habitat rule for at-risk wildlife
BOISE, Idaho Governors from 22 Western states and Pacific territories want a bigger say in how the Trump administration defines habitat for wildlife protected under the Endangered Species Act. The governors insist they are co-sovereigns with the federal government" and need an equal role in the decision. Once an imperiled species is listed under the act, federal officials designate critical habitat that it needs to survive. The U.S. Supreme Court called into question the definition of critical habitat in a 2018 ruling. Fish and Wildlife Service, for example, designated critical habitat earlier this year for slickspot peppergrass, a rare desert flower in southwestern Idaho, that protected about 65 square miles (170 square kilometers).
Anti-government activist Bundy arrested at Idaho Statehouse
BOISE, Idaho Authorities on Tuesday arrested anti-government activist Ammon Bundy at the Idaho Statehouse after he refused to leave a meeting room where a few hours earlier angry protesters forced out lawmakers. Bundy didn't respond to a reporter's shouted questions as he was wheeled into an elevator in a chair he apparently refused to get out of. At least two others were also arrested after police cleared the room, and they also refused to follow police commands to leave. Another person was taken into custody earlier in the same room where protesters shouted down lawmakers. The House State Affairs Committee voted 10-5 to kill the legislation that was a primary reason Republican Gov.
The Latest: India reimposes lockdown as cases near 1 million
Several Indian states imposed weekend curfews and locked down high-risk areas as the number of coronavirus cases surged past 900,000 on Tuesday. The latest figures released Tuesday show Bernalillo County, which includes the states most populous metro area, added another 65 confirmed cases. Utah has now recorded 226 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 and nearly 30,500 confirmed cases. ___JOHANNESBURG South Africa has surpassed the UK in its number of confirmed coronavirus cases. ___ATHENS, Greece The Greece government has ruled out a new lockdown after a rise in reported coronavirus infections since opening its borders.
Rights groups, athletes ask NCAA to move tourney from Idaho
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)BOISE, Idaho Groups that advocate for civil rights and womens rights have joined notable athletes in asking the NCAA to move 2021 mens basketball tournament games out of Idaho after the state passed a law banning transgender women from competing in womens sports. The first and second rounds of the men's tournament are scheduled for next March at Boise State University. Transgender athletes deserve the same dignity and respect entitled to all NCAA athletes. A girls or womens team will not be open to transgender students who identify as female. Backers said the law, called the Fairness in Womens Sports Act, is needed because transgender female athletes have physical advantages.
Far-right US politicians label lockdowns anti-constitutional
After Washington state Gov. From northern Idaho, where suspicion of government also runs deep, Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler demanded in a letter that Republican Gov. Little allowed restaurants to continue drive-through services and deliveries, but that didn't appease arch-conservative members of his party, like State Rep. Heather Scott, also from northern Idaho. "You have no authority to imprison any citizen in their home.''North Dakota's closure of businesses and schools ordered by Republican Gov. Politicians angry with lockdown orders had a meaningful impact on policy last week after Republican state lawmakers overturned Democratic Gov.
Idaho makes it harder to change gender on birth certificates
Thousands of rules touching on just about every aspect of daily life were set to expire earlier this year after lawmakers killed a bill reauthorizing them at the end of the legislative session in April. Republican Gov. Brad Little used his executive authority to give rules he wanted to keep temporary status on July 1.