COVID-19

Public May Access Livestreams of Federal Court Proceedings

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 5:20pm

Washington – Media organizations and the public will be able to access certain criminal proceedings conducted by videoconference or teleconference for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis, according to new guidance to federal courts.

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Holy Week Restrictions Issued by DCHD

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 5:19pm

The Douglas County Health Department is responding to requests for alternative religious services during Holy Week.

“We know faith is an essential part of the American social fabric,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “Spiritual guidance can combine with social distancing and make for a memorable service.”

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Health Officials Stress Critical Role of Physical Distancing

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 5:18pm

It remains extremely important for Douglas County residents to maintain physical distancing and plan to stay home as much as possible while the community continues to address the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Nebraska Announces Record New Unemployment Claims

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 5:17pm

Lincoln – The U.S. Department of Labor reported another record-setting surge in the number of unemployment claims last week filed in Nebraska and nationally.

More than 40,000 people in Nebraska have filed claims in the last two weeks as businesses have closed and laid off workers.

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Staff, Visitors at All Nebraska Prisons Must Now Wear Masks

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 5:17pm

Lincoln – Prisons officials last Thursday announced all staff and visitors to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services building in Lincoln will be required to now wear masks as officials seek to slow the spread of COVID-19.

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Some Employers to Laid Off Staffers: Let’s Stay in Touch

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 4:00am

Washington – As millions of job cuts tear through the U.S. economy, a faint glimmer of light has emerged: Some employers are trying to maintain ties to the staffers they’re letting go so they can more quickly rehire them once the viral outbreak has passed.

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Nebraska State Patrol Watching For Crowds as Virus Spreads

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 3:00am

Lincoln – Nebraska State Patrol troopers have ramped up their efforts to ensure that residents are following the state’s new social distancing rules to fight the spread of coronavirus.

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‘It’s Tragicomedy:’ Small Business Relief Program Hits Snags

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 2:00am

New York – The federal government’s $349 billion relief program for small businesses got off to a rocky start last week as hundreds of thousands tried to apply for desperately needed loans.

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Pet Fostering Grows as Coronavirus Keeps Americans Home

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 1:00am

The Simeon family was heading back to Omaha from a Smoky Mountains vacation when Kim Simeon spotted a social media post from the Nebraska Humane Society, pleading with people to consider fostering a pet amid concerns about how the coronavirus would affect operations.

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Iowa Toughens Ban on Gatherings

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 12:00am

Iowa City, Iowa – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday expanded business closures to include malls, bowling alleys and playgrounds and instructed police to enforce her order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people as the coronavirus pandemic intensified across the state.