COVID-19

Criminal Records Keep Owners of Small Business From PPP

Published by Scott Stewart on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 2:00am

Washington – Damon West was hoping the government’s coronavirus rescue package for small-business owners would help replace the income he’s lost now that he can’t travel the country as a keynote speaker.

Read more about Criminal Records Keep Owners of Small Business From PPP

Many Small Businesses Say Loans Won’t Get Them to Rehire

Published by Scott Stewart on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 1:00am

Washington – Some small businesses that obtained a highly-coveted government loan say they won’t be able to use it to bring all their laid-off workers back, even though that is what the program was designed to do.

Read more about Many Small Businesses Say Loans Won’t Get Them to Rehire

Ricketts Warns of ‘Civil Unrest’ if Meatpacking Plants Close

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 4:15pm

Lincoln – Gov. Pete Ricketts said last Thursday that he doesn’t plan to close any of the state’s meatpacking plants, despite a surge in COVID-19 cases in their surrounding communities that have turned them into the state’s biggest hot spots.

Read more about Ricketts Warns of ‘Civil Unrest’ if Meatpacking Plants Close

Stopping Coronavirus a Huge Challenge at U.S. Meat Plants

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 4:14pm

Daily reports of giant meat-processing plants closing because workers tested positive for the coronavirus have called into question whether slaughterhouses can remain virus-free.

According to experts, the answer may be no.

Read more about Stopping Coronavirus a Huge Challenge at U.S. Meat Plants

Nebraska Testing Website Draws 20,000 First Day Signups

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 3:30pm

Lincoln – A Nebraska website designed to ramp up testing for COVID-19 logged about 20,000 new registrations on its first day, and the data that residents submit could help determine which parts of the state get tested first, Gov. Pete Ricketts said last week.

Read more about Nebraska Testing Website Draws 20,000 First Day Signups

Reynolds: Tip From Ashton Kutcher Led To Testing Deal

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 3:05pm

Iowa City, Iowa – Iowa’s $26 million contract to increase coronavirus testing was reached after the governor acted on a tip from actor Ashton Kutcher, a revelation that has increased skepticism about the no-bid deal.

Read more about Reynolds: Tip From Ashton Kutcher Led To Testing Deal

Georgia Allows Close Contact Businesses to Start Reopening

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 7:37am

Savannah, Ga. – Some businesses took the first steps toward reopening in Georgia last Friday as the Republican governor eased a month-long shutdown amid experts’ warnings of a potential new surge in coronavirus infections and a potent objection from President Donald Trump.

Read more about Georgia Allows Close Contact Businesses to Start Reopening

State Troopers Sees Dramatic Uptick in Excessive Speeding

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 7:37am

Nebraska State Patrol troopers have seen a dramatic increase in excessive speeding violations over the last few weeks and would like to remind drivers to observe the posted speed limits.

Read more about State Troopers Sees Dramatic Uptick in Excessive Speeding

State Troopers Sees Dramatic Uptick in Excessive Speeding

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 7:37am

Nebraska State Patrol troopers have seen a dramatic increase in excessive speeding violations over the last few weeks and would like to remind drivers to observe the posted speed limits.

Read more about State Troopers Sees Dramatic Uptick in Excessive Speeding

Iowa Election Chief Pushes for Vote by Mail During Outbreak

Published by Scott Stewart on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 7:36am

Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa residents can avoid gathering at polling places for the June 2 primary election and instead vote by mail, said Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate.

The absentee voting period for mailed primary ballots began last Thursday. Pate said voting from home is the safest way to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.