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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A new proposal filed earlier this month would allow state lawmakers to meet and vote remotely in emergency situations. Chicago Democrats Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Robert Martwick call it a launching point for discussions on how to meet going into 2021 amid the ongoing pandemic, according to a joint statement.…
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed into law a $900 billion pandemic relief package, ending days of drama over his refusal to accept the bipartisan deal. At stake was long-sought cash for businesses and individuals and funding to avoid a federal government shutdown. The massive bill includes $1.4 trillion for…
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Four fatal shootings Christmas Eve brought St. Louis homicide toll for the year within reach of its all-time annual record. Police say at least 257 people have been killed in St. Louis this year, 10 short of the record 267 set in 1993. But the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that because…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A recreational vehicle parked in the deserted streets of downtown Nashville exploded early Christmas morning, causing widespread communications outages that took down police emergency systems and grounded flights at the city’s airport. Police believe the blast was intentional but don’t yet know a motive or target. Metro Nashville Police Chief John…
ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) — Two eastern Missouri restaurants have filed a lawsuit challenging an emergency order that closes bars and restaurants at 11 p.m. to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Tony’s on Main in St. Charles and Shamrock’s Pub and Grill in St. Peters argued in court…
ATLANTA (AP) — The United States is going to require airline travelers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test first. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the new policy late Thursday. The U.S. is the latest country to announce travel restrictions because of a new variant of the coronavirus that is spreading…
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – Missouri’s tradition-bound Senate is installing an audio monitoring system in its committee hearing rooms so employees, lobbyists and the public can listen to debate in their homes or offices as the pandemic rages. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Senate Administrator Patrick Baker said the changes could mean fewer people in…
NEW YORK (AP) — Experts say the COVID-19 pandemic has helped revive the autopsy at many hospitals. The procedure has helped doctors this year understand what coronavirus does to patients’ organs and how they might better treat some of the disease’s more baffling symptoms. At the same time, hospital autopsies remain far less common and…
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis-area hospitals continue to be stretched thin while battling the coronavirus pandemic. Area health officials on Tuesday announced St. Louis hospital bed capacity is at 82%. Intensive care units are at 90% capacity. Cases continue to rise in the St. Louis area, and at least another 16 St. Louis County…
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is threatening to torpedo Congress’ massive pandemic relief package in the midst of a raging pandemic and deep economic uncertainty. He’s suddenly demanding changes fellow Republicans have opposed, like a huge jump in the $600 payments planned for most Americans. Trump assailed the bipartisan $900 billion package in a…