npr--2020-08-02--Birx Warns U.S. Coronavirus Epidemic Is In 'New Phase' As Cases And Deaths Climb

Birx Warns U.S. Coronavirus Epidemic Is In 'New Phase ' As Cases And Deaths Climb White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said on Sunday that the U.S. is in a `` new phase '' of the pandemic , urging people to follow public health guidance as cases continue to climb in many parts of the United States .
`` What we 're seeing today is different from March and April , '' Birx said on CNN 's State of the Union .
`` It is extraordinarily widespread — it 's into the rural as equal urban areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 4.6 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 154,000 deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Cases have skyrocketed in many Southern and Western states in recent months , and members of the White House 's coronavirus task force are warning of emerging hot spots in the Midwest .
The latest national ensemble forecast , published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , predicts the U.S. could record as many as 182,000 total deaths by Aug. 22 , just three weeks away .
Birx told CNN that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 's end depend on how states accelerate and maintain their mitigation efforts , particularly in the South and West .
`` Public health is called public health because it has a public component , and we need all of the public to help us get in control of this virus , '' she said , urging Americans to wear masks in public , practice social distancing and avoid crowded gatherings .
Birx emphasized that unlike the series of outbreaks in metro areas earlier this year , the virus is prevalent in both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in rural communities are `` not immune or protected '' from it .
`` And that 's why we keep saying no matter where you live in America , you need to wear a mask and socially distance , do the personal hygiene pieces , '' she said .
`` But more importantly , if you 're in multigenerational households and there 's an outbreak in your rural area or in your city , you need to really consider wearing a mask at home , assuming that you 're positive , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comorbidities . ''
She deferred to CDC guidance about school reopenings , though she said areas with high caseloads and active community spread should `` distance learn at this moment so we can get this epidemic under control . ''
Birx also defended the federal government 's handling of the pandemic , including her own .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Birx on ABC 's This Week on Sunday , accusing her and the president of spreading disinformation and saying she lacked confidence in Birx .
Birx said she respected Pelosi and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she condemned a July New York Times article that characterized her as delivering misleadingly optimistic reports about the spread of the virus .
`` I have never been called Pollyannaish , or nonscientific , or non-data-driven , '' Birx said .
`` And I will stake my 40-year career on those fundamental principles of utilizing data to really implement better programs to save more lives . ''
In response to a question about whether the federal government should `` reset '' its approach , Birx said she believed it did so about five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploded in the South , by shifting to a local framework .
She said they are providing governors with reports and recommendations tailored specifically to local conditions .
Adm. Brett Giroir , a physician who oversees the federal government 's testing response , also said on Sunday that public mitigation measures such as wearing masks and avoiding crowds can reduce the spread of the virus , as medical experts learn more about how to treat it .
Giroir told NBC 's Meet the Press that while there are some promising medical interventions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by President Trump — is not one of them .
After five randomized controlled trials , he said , there is no evidence that hydroxychloroquine is an effective treatment for the coronavirus .
In response to a question about whether mixed messaging could lead to misuse of the drug , he said most physicians are not likely to prescribe it .
`` I think most physicians and prescribers are evidence based and they 're not influenced by whatever 's on Twitter or anything else , and the evidence just does n't show that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giroir said .
`` I think we need to move on from that and talk about what is effective . ''
He cited other more promising medical treatments such as remdesivir and steroids , as well as ongoing work with immune plasma and vaccine development .
Wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings and indoor crowds can help reduce the outbreak and avoid the need for a complete shutdown , Giroir said , pointing to states like Arizona that have implemented such policies and are seeing a downward trajectory of cases .
He noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortality lags by several weeks .
According to the CDC , the U.S. recorded 58,947 new cases and 1,132 new deaths on Sunday .
New forecasts predict the number of weekly deaths to increase over the next month , with between 5,000 and 11,000 new deaths expected the week ending Aug. 22 .

Birx Warns U.S. Coronavirus Epidemic Is In 'New Phase' As Cases And Deaths Climb
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images Mario Tama/Getty Images
White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said on Sunday that the U.S. is in a "new phase" of the pandemic, urging people to follow public health guidance as cases continue to climb in many parts of the United States.
"What we're seeing today is different from March and April," Birx said on CNN's State of the Union. "It is extraordinarily widespread — it's into the rural as equal urban areas."
The U.S. has surpassed more than 4.6 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 154,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Cases have skyrocketed in many Southern and Western states in recent months, and members of the White House's coronavirus task force are warning of emerging hot spots in the Midwest.
The latest national ensemble forecast, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, predicts the U.S. could record as many as 182,000 total deaths by Aug. 22, just three weeks away.
Birx told CNN that projections for a death toll by the year's end depend on how states accelerate and maintain their mitigation efforts, particularly in the South and West.
"Public health is called public health because it has a public component, and we need all of the public to help us get in control of this virus," she said, urging Americans to wear masks in public, practice social distancing and avoid crowded gatherings.
Birx emphasized that unlike the series of outbreaks in metro areas earlier this year, the virus is prevalent in both urban and rural areas. She said people in rural communities are "not immune or protected" from it.
"And that's why we keep saying no matter where you live in America, you need to wear a mask and socially distance, do the personal hygiene pieces," she said. "But more importantly, if you're in multigenerational households and there's an outbreak in your rural area or in your city, you need to really consider wearing a mask at home, assuming that you're positive, if you have individuals in your household with comorbidities."
She deferred to CDC guidance about school reopenings, though she said areas with high caseloads and active community spread should "distance learn at this moment so we can get this epidemic under control."
Birx also defended the federal government's handling of the pandemic, including her own.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Birx on ABC's This Week on Sunday, accusing her and the president of spreading disinformation and saying she lacked confidence in Birx.
Birx said she respected Pelosi and her dedication to the American people, and she condemned a July New York Times article that characterized her as delivering misleadingly optimistic reports about the spread of the virus.
"I have never been called Pollyannaish, or nonscientific, or non-data-driven," Birx said. "And I will stake my 40-year career on those fundamental principles of utilizing data to really implement better programs to save more lives."
In response to a question about whether the federal government should "reset" its approach, Birx said she believed it did so about five or six weeks ago, as cases exploded in the South, by shifting to a local framework.
She said they are providing governors with reports and recommendations tailored specifically to local conditions.
Adm. Brett Giroir, a physician who oversees the federal government's testing response, also said on Sunday that public mitigation measures such as wearing masks and avoiding crowds can reduce the spread of the virus, as medical experts learn more about how to treat it.
Giroir told NBC's Meet the Press that while there are some promising medical interventions, hydroxychloroquine — an anti-malaria drug touted repeatedly by President Trump — is not one of them.
After five randomized controlled trials, he said, there is no evidence that hydroxychloroquine is an effective treatment for the coronavirus. In response to a question about whether mixed messaging could lead to misuse of the drug, he said most physicians are not likely to prescribe it.
"I think most physicians and prescribers are evidence based and they're not influenced by whatever's on Twitter or anything else, and the evidence just doesn't show that hydroxychloroquine is effective right now," Giroir said. "I think we need to move on from that and talk about what is effective."
He cited other more promising medical treatments such as remdesivir and steroids, as well as ongoing work with immune plasma and vaccine development.
Wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings and indoor crowds can help reduce the outbreak and avoid the need for a complete shutdown, Giroir said, pointing to states like Arizona that have implemented such policies and are seeing a downward trajectory of cases.
He noted that deaths will continue to increase because mortality lags by several weeks.
According to the CDC, the U.S. recorded 58,947 new cases and 1,132 new deaths on Sunday. New forecasts predict the number of weekly deaths to increase over the next month, with between 5,000 and 11,000 new deaths expected the week ending Aug. 22.


npr--2020-08-02--California's Apple Fire Destroys More Than 20,000 Acres

Multiple wildfires are spreading across California , forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the midst of a global pandemic .
As of Sunday morning , there are 15 separate fires raging throughout the state , according to Cal Fire .
The state 's three largest fires have already burned through more than 50,000 acres of land .
In Riverside County in Southern California , the Apple Fire was 12 % contained on Sunday morning with more than 12,000 acres burned , according to Cal Fire .
But by 1:30 p.m. EST , the acreage grew to 20,516 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , according to David Cruz , a public information officer for the agency .
Over 1,360 firefighters are fighting the Apple blaze , which began as two adjacent fires and was reported on Friday shortly after 5 p.m. PST , according to the Riverside County Fire Department .
Officials ordered evacuations for about 7,800 people and 2,500 homes .
No injuries have been reported , but one home and two outbuildings have been destroyed , the fire department tweeted .
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles tweeted that the `` hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locally breezy onshore winds '' could contribute to plume growth with the fires .
The National Weather Service in Southern California issued an excessive heat warning in response .
`` Warm temperatures early this morning , especially in the foothills will make for an early start to dangerous heat conditions .
It will be very warm again on Monday , and there is a chance that the heat advisory may have to be extended through Monday evening , '' the National Weather Service advisory read .
In Lassen County in Northern California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but has already burned more than 22,000 acres of land , while the Hog fire is 93 % contained after burning nearly 10,000 acres .
Three people were injured , 13 structures were destroyed and five structures damaged in the Gold Fire , according to the Record Searchlight .
Two structures were reported destroyed in the Hog Fire .
Evacuation centers for the Apple Fire have been set up at a local high school , where COVID-19 protocols will be enforced , Cruz said , while evacuations orders have been lifted for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The multiple blazes are hitting as the state continues to grapple with an average of 8,594 new cases per day , according to tracking by NPR .
Since January , there have been more than 506,000 cases — the most in the nation — and nearly 9,00 deaths from COVID-19 in the state .

California's Apple Fire Destroys More Than 20,000 Acres
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Multiple wildfires are spreading across California, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the midst of a global pandemic.
As of Sunday morning, there are 15 separate fires raging throughout the state, according to Cal Fire. The state's three largest fires have already burned through more than 50,000 acres of land.
In Riverside County in Southern California, the Apple Fire was 12% contained on Sunday morning with more than 12,000 acres burned, according to Cal Fire. But by 1:30 p.m. EST, the acreage grew to 20,516 and the containment went down to 1%, according to David Cruz, a public information officer for the agency.
Over 1,360 firefighters are fighting the Apple blaze, which began as two adjacent fires and was reported on Friday shortly after 5 p.m. PST, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Officials ordered evacuations for about 7,800 people and 2,500 homes. No injuries have been reported, but one home and two outbuildings have been destroyed, the fire department tweeted.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles tweeted that the "hot temperatures, very low humidities, and locally breezy onshore winds" could contribute to plume growth with the fires. The National Weather Service in Southern California issued an excessive heat warning in response.
"Warm temperatures early this morning, especially in the foothills will make for an early start to dangerous heat conditions. It will be very warm again on Monday, and there is a chance that the heat advisory may have to be extended through Monday evening," the National Weather Service advisory read.
In Lassen County in Northern California, the Gold Fire is 90% contained but has already burned more than 22,000 acres of land, while the Hog fire is 93% contained after burning nearly 10,000 acres. Three people were injured, 13 structures were destroyed and five structures damaged in the Gold Fire, according to the Record Searchlight. Two structures were reported destroyed in the Hog Fire.
Evacuation centers for the Apple Fire have been set up at a local high school, where COVID-19 protocols will be enforced, Cruz said, while evacuations orders have been lifted for the Gold Fire and the Hog Fire.
The multiple blazes are hitting as the state continues to grapple with an average of 8,594 new cases per day, according to tracking by NPR. Since January, there have been more than 506,000 cases — the most in the nation — and nearly 9,00 deaths from COVID-19 in the state.


npr--2020-08-02--Splashdown! SpaceX And NASA Astronauts Make History

Two NASA astronauts are back on Earth after their space capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico , off the coast of Pensacola , Fla .
The last time any NASA astronauts came home by splashing down was in 1975 — and back then , they were in an Apollo space vehicle .
This time , the astronauts were in a white , bell-shaped capsule owned by SpaceX .
The success of their test flight , to the International Space Station and back , is a milestone for SpaceX , the first private company to send people to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cargo to and from the station for years .
This flight with people on board was the final test for SpaceX 's crew system to be certified by NASA as `` operational '' for future astronaut missions .
That means the U.S. once again has its own ability to put people in orbit and return them safely .
Since retiring its space shuttles in 2011 , NASA has had to buy seats for its astronauts on Russian spaceships , but NASA can now rely on an American space taxi that takes off from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day for NASA and a great day for the United States of America , '' said NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine in a post-splashdown press conference .
`` We are entering a new era of human spaceflight where NASA is no longer the purchaser , owner , and operator of all of the hardware .
We are going to be a customer — one customer of many customers in a very robust commercial marketplace for human spaceflight to low Earth orbit . ''
NASA is already assigning astronauts to future SpaceX missions — including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ married to one of the just-returned astronauts , Bob Behnken .
In fact , she is expected ride in the exact same spacecraft next year , as the SpaceX capsules are designed to be reusable to bring down costs .
Behnken and his crewmate Doug Hurley blasted off in their SpaceX Dragon capsule on May 30 .
Their flight marked the first time people had been launched to orbit from U.S. soil in almost a decade , and they spent two months living and working on board the station .
Then they climbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had dubbed `` Endeavour , '' and undocked from the station on Saturday at 7:34 p.m .
ET .
They spent the night orbiting the Earth , and then a deorbit burn set their capsule on an irreversible course to reenter the atmosphere .
Video beamed down from the capsule showed the pair in their sleek black-and-white suits , monitoring their progress on large blue touch screens .
Meanwhile , at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne , Calif. , mission controllers wore masks at their workstations , due to COVID-19 .
SpaceX founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching the screens and speaking from time to time with SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell .
Off the coast of Pensacola , a recovery ship waited .
Though Tropical Storm Isaias was headed up the eastern coast of the state , mission managers had judged the weather in the Gulf of Mexico acceptable for the splashdown .
The two astronauts ' communications blacked out , as expected , for several nerve-wracking minutes during their fiery reentry .
But then they were back in contact , as the first views of their capsule appeared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at around 400 miles per hour before two parachutes emerged to slow it down .
Then , four white-and-reddish orange parachutes billowed out , slowing it down even more .
The two astronauts braced for impact as their capsule , bearing dark scorch marks , hit the calm seas with a big splash .
Two fast boats raced toward it , as its parachutes drifted down to the water .
Cheering and clapping could be heard in the background as Mission Control told the astronauts , `` welcome back to planet Earth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately , however , private boats full of curious onlookers encroached on the recovery effort , coming close to the floating capsule .
That 's a problem , as it could distract the workers and also put people at risk from dangerous chemicals .
`` That was not what we were anticipating , '' says Bridenstine , who said the U.S. Coast Guard had done an excellent job of clearing boats from the area for the water landing .
`` And then of course , after they landed , the boats just came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better job next time for sure .
I will tell you it 's a beautiful sunny day and a lot of boaters were out there , and they were certainly intrigued . ''
SpaceX 's Shotwell said that the onlookers had to be asked to move back as they got too close .
`` We 'll certainly be better prepared next time , '' she said , adding that more boats to patrol the area could be needed .
Despite the gawkers , the SpaceX capsule was hauled onto the recovery vessel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a medical checkup , they were taken back to shore by helicopter .
Their next stop is Houston , and Shotwell said that Musk was headed there to personally welcome them back .
Going forward , NASA wants to rely on commercial space taxis for routine flights to and from the orbiting outpost — while the government agency focuses on developing vehicles for a return to the moon .
The next SpaceX mission with astronauts on board is scheduled for September , and the four astronauts assigned to that mission were watching this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were together in the control center here in Houston watching the splashdown , '' says astronaut Shannon Walker , who said it was an emotional event to watch their colleagues come home safely and to see the spacecraft operate so well .
`` We 're very excited that it went as smoothly as it did . ''
Besides NASA astronauts , SpaceX has plans to take other paying customers to space , including on a trip around the moon and back .
`` The capsule worked beautifully .
The operations worked extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we 're on the right path to carry commercial passengers not too long from now , '' said Shotwell .
`` Based on the results so far , I 'm very comfortable . ''

Splashdown! SpaceX And NASA Astronauts Make History
Enlarge this image toggle caption NASA/Screenshot by NPR NASA/Screenshot by NPR
Updated at 6:40 p.m. ET
Two NASA astronauts are back on Earth after their space capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Pensacola, Fla.
The last time any NASA astronauts came home by splashing down was in 1975 — and back then, they were in an Apollo space vehicle. This time, the astronauts were in a white, bell-shaped capsule owned by SpaceX.
The success of their test flight, to the International Space Station and back, is a milestone for SpaceX, the first private company to send people to the outpost.
The company has been taking cargo to and from the station for years. This flight with people on board was the final test for SpaceX's crew system to be certified by NASA as "operational" for future astronaut missions.
That means the U.S. once again has its own ability to put people in orbit and return them safely. Since retiring its space shuttles in 2011, NASA has had to buy seats for its astronauts on Russian spaceships, but NASA can now rely on an American space taxi that takes off from Florida.
"This was a great day for NASA and a great day for the United States of America," said NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine in a post-splashdown press conference. "We are entering a new era of human spaceflight where NASA is no longer the purchaser, owner, and operator of all of the hardware. We are going to be a customer — one customer of many customers in a very robust commercial marketplace for human spaceflight to low Earth orbit."
NASA is already assigning astronauts to future SpaceX missions — including Megan McArthur, who happens to be married to one of the just-returned astronauts, Bob Behnken. In fact, she is expected to ride in the exact same spacecraft next year, as the SpaceX capsules are designed to be reusable to bring down costs.
Behnken and his crewmate Doug Hurley blasted off in their SpaceX Dragon capsule on May 30. Their flight marked the first time people had been launched to orbit from U.S. soil in almost a decade, and they spent two months living and working on board the station.
Then they climbed back into their SpaceX capsule, which they had dubbed "Endeavour," and undocked from the station on Saturday at 7:34 p.m. ET. They spent the night orbiting the Earth, and then a deorbit burn set their capsule on an irreversible course to reenter the atmosphere.
Video beamed down from the capsule showed the pair in their sleek black-and-white suits, monitoring their progress on large blue touch screens.
Meanwhile, at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, Calif., mission controllers wore masks at their workstations, due to COVID-19. SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk was there, watching the screens and speaking from time to time with SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell.
Off the coast of Pensacola, a recovery ship waited. Though Tropical Storm Isaias was headed up the eastern coast of the state, mission managers had judged the weather in the Gulf of Mexico acceptable for the splashdown.
The two astronauts' communications blacked out, as expected, for several nerve-wracking minutes during their fiery reentry. But then they were back in contact, as the first views of their capsule appeared on video. It dropped through the sky at around 400 miles per hour before two parachutes emerged to slow it down.
Then, four white-and-reddish orange parachutes billowed out, slowing it down even more. The two astronauts braced for impact as their capsule, bearing dark scorch marks, hit the calm seas with a big splash. Two fast boats raced toward it, as its parachutes drifted down to the water.
Cheering and clapping could be heard in the background as Mission Control told the astronauts, "welcome back to planet Earth and thanks for flying SpaceX."
Almost immediately, however, private boats full of curious onlookers encroached on the recovery effort, coming close to the floating capsule. That's a problem, as it could distract the workers and also put people at risk from dangerous chemicals.
"That was not what we were anticipating," says Bridenstine, who said the U.S. Coast Guard had done an excellent job of clearing boats from the area for the water landing. "And then of course, after they landed, the boats just came in. We need to do a better job next time for sure. I will tell you it's a beautiful sunny day and a lot of boaters were out there, and they were certainly intrigued."
SpaceX's Shotwell said that the onlookers had to be asked to move back as they got too close. "We'll certainly be better prepared next time," she said, adding that more boats to patrol the area could be needed.
Despite the gawkers, the SpaceX capsule was hauled onto the recovery vessel, and after the astronauts emerged and got a medical checkup, they were taken back to shore by helicopter. Their next stop is Houston, and Shotwell said that Musk was headed there to personally welcome them back.
Going forward, NASA wants to rely on commercial space taxis for routine flights to and from the orbiting outpost — while the government agency focuses on developing vehicles for a return to the moon.
The next SpaceX mission with astronauts on board is scheduled for September, and the four astronauts assigned to that mission were watching this historic homecoming with great interest.
"We were together in the control center here in Houston watching the splashdown," says astronaut Shannon Walker, who said it was an emotional event to watch their colleagues come home safely and to see the spacecraft operate so well. "We're very excited that it went as smoothly as it did."
Besides NASA astronauts, SpaceX has plans to take other paying customers to space, including on a trip around the moon and back.
"The capsule worked beautifully. The operations worked extremely well. So we certainly feel comfortable that we're on the right path to carry commercial passengers not too long from now," said Shotwell. "Based on the results so far, I'm very comfortable."


npr--2020-08-02--Tropical Storm Isaias Closes In On Florida

Tropical Storm Isaias is continuing its push toward Florida 's east coast on Sunday after battering the Bahamas with heavy rainfall and gusty winds .
Isaias , which was downgraded to a tropical storm after reaching hurricane status , is whipping up sustained winds of 65 miles per hour and could bring 1 to 7 inches of rainfall from Florida to New England in the coming week , according to the National Hurricane Center .
As of 11 a.m. on Sunday , the center of the storm was situated roughly 55 miles off the Florida coast .
The NHC expects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , South Carolina and North Carolina in the next 36 hours .
The NHC warned that `` dangerous storm surge '' was possible from the city of Edisto Beach , S.C. to Cape Fear , N.C .
The center said water could rise between 2 and 4 feet above ground level along that stretch of coast in the next 48 hours .
Storm surge along the coasts of Florida and Georgia could hit between 1 and 3 feet . ''
Isaias is expected to remain a tropical storm well into midweek as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NHC said that in addition to storm surge , much of the East Coast could see flash flooding and urban flooding as well as ocean swells and tornadoes .
In a news conference Saturday , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis warned of power outages from the storm 's strong winds .
The governor said Florida 's main utility company has 10,000 workers pre-positioned to restore power .
But because of the COVID-19 pandemic , it has been more difficult to get out-of-state crews to come into the state , meaning residents could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come back on .
DeSantis said nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been checked to make sure they have working generators on site .
Palm Beach county issued a voluntary evacuation order Thursday for mobile homes and in areas likely to flood .
DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for counties along the state 's Atlantic coast .
As the death toll from COVID-19 continue to rise in Florida , emergency management officials are encouraging people to stay at home or with family or friends and to consider shelters as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intend to adhere to new guidelines based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's social distancing standards , which could dramatically limit shelter capacity .

Tropical Storm Isaias Closes In On Florida
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Tropical Storm Isaias is continuing its push toward Florida's east coast on Sunday after battering the Bahamas with heavy rainfall and gusty winds.
Isaias, which was downgraded to a tropical storm after reaching hurricane status, is whipping up sustained winds of 65 miles per hour and could bring 1 to 7 inches of rainfall from Florida to New England in the coming week, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of 11 a.m. on Sunday, the center of the storm was situated roughly 55 miles off the Florida coast. The NHC expects the storm to affect the coasts of Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina in the next 36 hours.
The NHC warned that "dangerous storm surge" was possible from the city of Edisto Beach, S.C. to Cape Fear, N.C. The center said water could rise between 2 and 4 feet above ground level along that stretch of coast in the next 48 hours. Storm surge along the coasts of Florida and Georgia could hit between 1 and 3 feet."
Isaias is expected to remain a tropical storm well into midweek as it tracks up the East Coast. The NHC said that in addition to storm surge, much of the East Coast could see flash flooding and urban flooding as well as ocean swells and tornadoes.
In a news conference Saturday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned of power outages from the storm's strong winds. The governor said Florida's main utility company has 10,000 workers pre-positioned to restore power. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been more difficult to get out-of-state crews to come into the state, meaning residents could face longer waits for their power to come back on.
DeSantis said nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been checked to make sure they have working generators on site. Palm Beach county issued a voluntary evacuation order Thursday for mobile homes and in areas likely to flood. DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for counties along the state's Atlantic coast.
As the death toll from COVID-19 continue to rise in Florida, emergency management officials are encouraging people to stay at home or with family or friends and to consider shelters as a last resort. Many shelters say they intend to adhere to new guidelines based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's social distancing standards, which could dramatically limit shelter capacity.
Greg Allen contributed to this report.


npr--2020-08-02--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak Since the new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan , China , in December , the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 has spread rapidly within China and to neighboring countries and beyond .
The first confirmed coronavirus cases outside China occurred on Jan. 20 , in Japan , Thailand and South Korea .
On Jan. 21 , the first case in the U.S. was identified in Washington state .
On Jan. 24 , the first two European cases were confirmed in France .
By Feb. 1 , eight European nations had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month later that count had risen to 24 countries with at least 2,200 cases , most of them in Italy .
On March 11 , Italy eclipsed 10,000 cases and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic — the first since H1N1 in 2009 .
That 's also when China , the original epicenter , began seeing drops in daily counts of new cases .
March also saw exponential spread of the virus throughout the U.S. , with all 50 states reporting cases by March 17 .
This particular virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause severe symptoms in humans .
The other two strains cause Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 .

Coronavirus world map: We've now passed the 600 million mark for infections
Editor's note: This page is no longer being updated. The last update was Sept. 5, 2022. For current data about COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world, Johns Hopkins University and Our World in Data are useful resources.
In late January 2020 only a few dozen COVID-19 infections had been identified outside of China. A year later, the world tallied its first 100 million cases. It took the globe just 7 more months to pass the 200 million mark— then another 5 months to hit 300 million, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Now the virus has spread to every corner of the globe and has been blamed for more than 6 million deaths.
The United States, India and Brazil in that order have had the most COVID cases and the three nations collectively account for almost half of all recorded infections so far in the pandemic.
Explore the chart below to find a country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January 2020.
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Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time. The first chart compares each continent to each other, while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region.
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This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.


npr--2020-08-02--Americans, Go Home: Canadians Track U.S. Boaters Sneaking Across The Border

Americans , Go Home : Canadians Track U.S. Boaters Sneaking Across The Border Canadians are typically seen as pretty friendly people , and until the coronavirus pandemic , most were happy to welcome Americans .
But when the coronavirus began to quickly spread in March , the U.S. and Canada shut their shared border to all nonessential traffic .
Since then , Canada 's border patrol has effectively prevented caravans of Americans — and their RVs and their campers — from surging across the border as they normally do each summer .
But Americans can be crafty .
Some have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrol officers that they are on their way to Alaska .
This is known as the `` Alaska loophole . ''
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police fined several Americans who were hiking near Lake Louise in Alberta .
Lake Louise is not on the way to Alaska .
Fed up , Canada announced last week that it is cracking down on Americans who apparently do n't know which way is north .
The Americans are coming , the Americans are coming Foreigners are also arriving by boat , often on sailboats and luxury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbia 's protected inland waters and marine parks , which are home to pods of killer whales and abundant wildlife .
But the number of American pleasure craft arriving from Washington state has alarmed Canadians living just across the border .
For George Creek , a former insurance agent , whose home overlooks Nanaimo Harbor in British Columbia , it has been a call to action .
`` A number of us that are retired boaters and still members of the Council of BC Yacht Clubs started looking at the number of American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in spite of the prohibition by the federal government , '' says Creek , president of BC Marine Parks Forever .
And they can do so from their living rooms .
Under international maritime law , every passenger boat must be equipped with an automatic identification system that is to remain on at all times .
This allows for tracking boats in real time and helps prevent collisions in fog and bad weather .
Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can click to see what kind of vessels are sailing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country they are from .
And plenty are from the United States .
Creek estimates that right now some 30 to 40 American pleasure boats are cruising through British Columbia 's pristine waterways .
Lately , however , many have gone dark .
Creek says that the Americans have figured out that they are being tracked through their transponders .
`` They 're turning them off as they cross the border , '' says Creek .
`` We see them on the computer , and at a particular point a few minutes later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The maritime posse of retirees knows the boats did n't suddenly turn around , or sink .
That 's because Canadian boaters up and down the inland coast call and radio in the location of suspicious vessels , i.e.
, American boats .
They report sightings to the RCMP 's marine division , though it 's unclear if any arrests have been made .
`` The biggest petri dish in the world '' American yachts sneaking across the border makes Creek , and a lot of other Canadians , angry .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus has spread through the Lower 48 and what many Canadians view as Americans ' flagrant disregard for mask wearing and maintaining a safe social distance .
A poll conducted by Nanos Research found that eight in 10 Canadians want the border to remain closed to nonessential U.S. traffic because of fears of the coronavirus .
`` When I called the U.S. the biggest petri dish in the world , that was not just off the cuff , '' says Creek .
Creek is particularly concerned about the tiny isolated communities , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where boaters stop for fuel and food .
Many are home to First Nations people and have no medical facilities .
Canadian boaters recently got riled up after a large yacht from the U.S. stopped at one of the small outposts for supplies .
`` They wandered the dock , '' says Creek bitterly .
`` Three or four adults and the rest were teenagers with no social distancing , no masks , and went through the store as if they were just shopping at Walmart . ''
To boaters sneaking into Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coves , George Creek wants you to know : You are being watched .

Americans, Go Home: Canadians Track U.S. Boaters Sneaking Across The Border
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Goodnow/AFP via Getty Images Mark Goodnow/AFP via Getty Images
Canadians are typically seen as pretty friendly people, and until the coronavirus pandemic, most were happy to welcome Americans.
But when the coronavirus began to quickly spread in March, the U.S. and Canada shut their shared border to all nonessential traffic.
Since then, Canada's border patrol has effectively prevented caravans of Americans — and their RVs and their campers — from surging across the border as they normally do each summer.
But Americans can be crafty.
Some have managed to enter Canada by telling border patrol officers that they are on their way to Alaska. This is known as the "Alaska loophole."
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police fined several Americans who were hiking near Lake Louise in Alberta. Lake Louise is not on the way to Alaska.
Fed up, Canada announced last week that it is cracking down on Americans who apparently don't know which way is north.
The Americans are coming, the Americans are coming
Foreigners are also arriving by boat, often on sailboats and luxury yachts. Many seek refuge in British Columbia's protected inland waters and marine parks, which are home to pods of killer whales and abundant wildlife.
But the number of American pleasure craft arriving from Washington state has alarmed Canadians living just across the border.
For George Creek, a former insurance agent, whose home overlooks Nanaimo Harbor in British Columbia, it has been a call to action.
"A number of us that are retired boaters and still members of the Council of BC Yacht Clubs started looking at the number of American boats that were crossing our border, in spite of the prohibition by the federal government," says Creek, president of BC Marine Parks Forever.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Barbara Creek/George Creek Barbara Creek/George Creek
And they can do so from their living rooms.
Under international maritime law, every passenger ship must be equipped with an automatic identification system that is to remain on at all times. This allows for tracking ships in real time and helps prevent collisions in fog and bad weather.
Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can click to see what kind of vessels are sailing, where they've recently been and which country they are from.
And plenty are from the United States.
Creek estimates that right now some 30 to 40 American pleasure boats are cruising through British Columbia's pristine waterways.
Lately, however, many have gone dark. Creek says that the Americans have figured out that they are being tracked through their transponders.
"They're turning them off as they cross the border," says Creek. "We see them on the computer, and at a particular point a few minutes later, they're not there anymore."
The maritime posse of retirees knows the boats didn't suddenly turn around, or sink. That's because Canadian boaters up and down the inland coast call and radio in the location of suspicious vessels, i.e., American boats. They report sightings to the RCMP's marine division, though it's unclear if any arrests have been made.
"The biggest petri dish in the world"
American yachts sneaking across the border makes Creek, and a lot of other Canadians, angry.
There is widespread alarm at how fast the coronavirus has spread through the Lower 48 and what many Canadians view as Americans' flagrant disregard for mask wearing and maintaining a safe social distance.
A poll conducted by Nanos Research found that eight in 10 Canadians want the border to remain closed to nonessential U.S. traffic because of fears of the coronavirus.
"When I called the U.S. the biggest petri dish in the world, that was not just off the cuff," says Creek.
Creek is particularly concerned about the tiny isolated communities, such as Refuge Cove on Desolation Sound, where boaters stop for fuel and food. Many are home to First Nations people and have no medical facilities.
Canadian boaters recently got riled up after a large yacht from the U.S. stopped at one of the small outposts for supplies.
"They wandered the dock," says Creek bitterly. "Three or four adults and the rest were teenagers with no social distancing, no masks, and went through the store as if they were just shopping at Walmart."
To boaters sneaking into Canada to enjoy its marine parks and secluded coves, George Creek wants you to know: You are being watched.


npr--2020-08-02--Melania Trump To Oversee 'Renewal' Of White House Rose Garden

There are many rose gardens , but in Washington , D.C. , at least , there is only one capital-R capital-G Rose Garden .
`` It 's one of the few spaces at the White House that I think most Americans know , both by name and by sight , '' says Stewart McLaurin , president of the White House Historical Association .
`` You say 'the Rose Garden at the White House , ' and it brings back presidential daughter 's weddings and state dinners . ''
The Trump administration announced that it is undertaking a `` significant renewal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of the West Wing of the White House .
The work is being funded by private donations and is expected to be completed later this summer .
The project is being overseen by First Lady Melania Trump , much as one of her predecessors , Jackie Kennedy , helped design the garden as it exists today .
`` The very act of planting a garden involves hard work and hope in the possibility of a bright future , '' Melania Trump said in announcing the work .
McLaurin says President John F. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House where he could have events which are very familiar to us now . ''
At the time of the initial design in 1961 , there were flowers as well as vegetables in the space .
`` President Kennedy was the first to envision that row of steps that we are now familiar with , where the president will come out of the Oval Office and address people or participate in a ceremony , '' McLaurin says .
There had been other gardens at the site , at least as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lady Edith Wilson reworked the site to include roses .
When Kennedy became president , McLaurin says , he called on a family friend , Rachel Lambert `` Bunny '' Mellon , to help with the design .
`` They pirated some saucer magnolias from down by the Jefferson Memorial and brought those to the White House .
It 's just become a wonderful space . ''
McLaurin says there have been eight state dinners in the Rose Garden since the Johnson administration .
The most recent state dinner was hosted by President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made frequent use of the garden for bill signings , COVID-19 briefings and news conferences .
He is said to favor the outdoor lighting .
Chapman University political science professor Lori Cox Han , who has written about women and politics , says the Rose Garden project is a chance for the White House to highlight Melania Trump 's role .
`` This is an opportunity for her to do something that 's very traditional for a first lady , because Rose Gardens really are connected to first ladies , probably , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , '' Cox Han says .
`` This is an opportunity for her to get some attention for something that is probably mostly uncontroversial — although where the Trump presidency is concerned , everything seems to have some controversy , depending on who you 're talking to . ''
One goal for the renovation Melania Trump is overseeing includes making the garden compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act .
There will be drainage improvements and new lighting , as well as better connections for broadcast coverage of events there .
New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subtractions , as well , including a row of crabapple trees .
The White House also says there will be some new plantings as well , including more roses .

Melania Trump To Oversee 'Renewal' Of White House Rose Garden
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
There are many rose gardens, but in Washington, D.C., at least, there is only one capital-R capital-G Rose Garden.
"It's one of the few spaces at the White House that I think most Americans know, both by name and by sight," says Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association."You say 'the Rose Garden at the White House,' and it brings back presidential daughter's weddings and state dinners."
The Trump administration announced that it is undertaking a "significant renewal" of the Rose Garden, just outside of the West Wing of the White House.
The work is being funded by private donations and is expected to be completed later this summer. The project is being overseen by First Lady Melania Trump, much as one of her predecessors, Jackie Kennedy, helped design the garden as it exists today.
"The very act of planting a garden involves hard work and hope in the possibility of a bright future," Melania Trump said in announcing the work.
Beloved outdoor venue
McLaurin says President John F. Kennedy wanted "an outdoor room to the White House where he could have events which are very familiar to us now."
At the time of the initial design in 1961, there were flowers as well as vegetables in the space.
"President Kennedy was the first to envision that row of steps that we are now familiar with, where the president will come out of the Oval Office and address people or participate in a ceremony," McLaurin says.
There had been other gardens at the site, at least as far back as President Theodore Roosevelt. First Lady Edith Wilson reworked the site to include roses.
When Kennedy became president, McLaurin says, he called on a family friend, Rachel Lambert "Bunny" Mellon, to help with the design.
"They pirated some saucer magnolias from down by the Jefferson Memorial and brought those to the White House. It's just become a wonderful space."
McLaurin says there have been eight state dinners in the Rose Garden since the Johnson administration.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
The most recent state dinner was hosted by President Trump for his Australian counterpart. Trump has made frequent use of the garden for bill signings, COVID-19 briefings and news conferences. He is said to favor the outdoor lighting.
Chapman University political science professor Lori Cox Han, who has written about women and politics, says the Rose Garden project is a chance for the White House to highlight Melania Trump's role.
"This is an opportunity for her to do something that's very traditional for a first lady, because Rose Gardens really are connected to first ladies, probably, maybe even more than how presidents use them," Cox Han says.
"This is an opportunity for her to get some attention for something that is probably mostly uncontroversial — although where the Trump presidency is concerned, everything seems to have some controversy, depending on who you're talking to."
One goal for the renovation Melania Trump is overseeing includes making the garden compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. There will be drainage improvements and new lighting, as well as better connections for broadcast coverage of events there.
New walkways will be added, with some subtractions, as well, including a row of crabapple trees. The White House also says there will be some new plantings as well, including more roses.


npr--2020-08-03--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak


npr--2020-08-03--Tracking The Pandemic: Are Coronavirus Cases Rising Or Falling In Your State?

Tracking The Pandemic : Are Coronavirus Cases Rising Or Falling In Your State ?
More than 4 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the coronavirus and more than 150,000 have died .
Though growth in new cases slowed in late spring , by mid-June new cases began to trend upward nationally .
In the graphics below , explore the trend in new cases in your state to see whether cases are rising , falling or staying level .
You can view the data via a heat map ( immediately below ) , a curve chart and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case trends over the last three weeks .
Or to see states ' total cases and deaths on a map , click here .
The following chart displays states ' trends in new daily case counts , total cases , and per capita totals .
To compare state outbreaks , the trend lines for average new daily cases are graphed against each state 's total case count to date .
This highlights a state 's daily growth relative to the overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As cases slow , the curve levels or bends down .
In New York , site of the country 's largest outbreak , the state 's curve rose sharply before reaching over 170,000 total cases in April .
Since then , new cases have fallen from about 10,000 per day in mid-April to under 800 per day in mid July .
Conversely , Florida peaked around 1,200 new cases per day on average in April , only to surge again to nearly 12,000 per day in mid-July Coronavirus case totals are much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the spring , a large share of U.S. cases were centered around New York City .
As of mid July , other large , populous states such as California , Florida and Texas have reached high totals as well .
Some other states such as Arizona and Louisiana show a heavy burden of infection relative to their population size .
Explore the map below to see totals and per capita figures around the country for both cases and deaths .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state , week over week .
States marked in shades of red are showing growth , those in shades of green , are showing declines .
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies .
This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships .
In early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JHU team was able to reconcile the historical data .
On June 25 , New Jersey included 1,854 previously-unreported probable deaths in its totals , resulting in a spike in the state 's daily death numbers .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn contributed to and Carmel Wroth edited this story .

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
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Note: This page was last updated on Feb. 1, 2023. It will no longer be updated. For current data on COVID cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Feb. 1, there have been more than 101 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. and more than 1 million people have died of COVID-19. In the graphics below, explore the trends in your state.
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The above charts show average new cases per 100,000 people for each state over the last 12 months.
Note: Actual cases may be substantially higher, since many who test positive with at-home tests don't report their cases.
For additional data about COVID-19 in the U.S, including cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
To show trends, the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state, week over week for the last 28 days. States marked in shades of red have growing outbreaks; those in shades of green, are declining.
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Methodology
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the World Health Organization; national, state and local government health departments; 1point3acres; and local media reports.
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies. This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds. There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department's website. Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships.
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases, process testing backlogs or update their methodologies. The JHU team maintains a list of such changes.
This story was originally published on March 16, 2020. Elena Renken was a co-author on that version. Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story. Carmel Wroth edited this story.


npr--2020-08-03--California Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Most States Due To COVID-19

California Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Most States Due To COVID-19 This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
California 's progressive tax structure means state revenue does well in good economic times but suffers more than most other states when there 's a downturn .
In January , California was projecting a $ 5.6 billion surplus , but the pandemic quickly transformed that into a $ 54 billion deficit .
The Golden State tried a little bit of everything to help stanch the fiscal bleeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the state 's rainy-day fund and limited tax breaks for large and medium-sized businesses .
Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom also is asking for up to $ 14 billion in aid from Congress , arguing that `` the federal government has a moral , ethical and economic obligation to help support the states . ''
But if that relief does n't come through , it would mean furloughs for state workers and slashed funding for state universities and courts .
It would also mean a total of more than $ 12 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and community colleges , which would have to front those costs for now and hope the state can afford to pay them back next year .
Nicole Nixon is a politics reporter for CapRadio in Sacramento , Calif .

California Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Most States Due To COVID-19
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
California's progressive tax structure means state revenue does well in good economic times but suffers more than most other states when there's a downturn.
In January, California was projecting a $5.6 billion surplus, but the pandemic quickly transformed that into a $54 billion deficit. The Golden State tried a little bit of everything to help stanch the fiscal bleeding: lawmakers canceled new spending, drew from the state's rainy-day fund and limited tax breaks for large and medium-sized businesses.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom also is asking for up to $14 billion in aid from Congress, arguing that "the federal government has a moral, ethical and economic obligation to help support the states."
But if that relief doesn't come through, it would mean furloughs for state workers and slashed funding for state universities and courts. It would also mean a total of more than $12 billion in deferred payments to K-12 school districts and community colleges, which would have to front those costs for now and hope the state can afford to pay them back next year.
Nicole Nixon is a politics reporter for CapRadio in Sacramento, Calif.


npr--2020-08-03--Alabama Budget On Stronger Footing Than Other States During COVID-19

Alabama Budget On Stronger Footing Than Other States During COVID-19 This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
Like many states , Alabama 's unemployment rate skyrocketed and the economy sputtered after shutdowns prompted by the coronavirus pandemic .
Despite the economic turmoil , the state 's two budgets — the general fund and the education budget — are on reasonably good footing at the moment .
`` I wo n't say I was surprised , '' said state Rep. Steve Clouse , a Republican who chairs the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've gotten ourselves in better shape than most states . ''
Robust tax collections before the pandemic helped .
Since then , a jump in online sales tax revenue made up for a loss in other taxes .
The picture for Alabama 's education budget wo n't come into focus until later .
Alabama 's governor , like the federal government , pushed back the tax filing deadline until July 15 , and personal income taxes are a major source of funds for Alabama schools .
Alabama could still feel budget pressure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prolonged unemployment could increase costs to Medicaid , and the state is under a federal court order to increase staffing in its overcrowded and violent prisons .
Andrew Yeager is a reporter at WBHM in Birmingham , Ala .

Alabama Budget On Stronger Footing Than Other States During COVID-19
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
Like many states, Alabama's unemployment rate skyrocketed and the economy sputtered after shutdowns prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the economic turmoil, the state's two budgets — the general fund and the education budget — are on reasonably good footing at the moment.
"I won't say I was surprised," said state Rep. Steve Clouse, a Republican who chairs the House general fund budget committee. "We've gotten ourselves in better shape than most states."
Robust tax collections before the pandemic helped. Since then, a jump in online sales tax revenue made up for a loss in other taxes.
The picture for Alabama's education budget won't come into focus until later. Alabama's governor, like the federal government, pushed back the tax filing deadline until July 15, and personal income taxes are a major source of funds for Alabama schools.
Alabama could still feel budget pressure. Coronavirus cases in the state have been growing, prolonged unemployment could increase costs to Medicaid, and the state is under a federal court order to increase staffing in its overcrowded and violent prisons.
Andrew Yeager is a reporter at WBHM in Birmingham, Ala.


npr--2020-08-03--The Economy In Nebraska Fares Better Than Other States During COVID-19

The Economy In Nebraska Fares Better Than Other States During COVID-19 This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis @ @ @ @ @ budgets during the pandemic .

The Economy In Nebraska Fares Better Than Other States During COVID-19
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Updated at 11:37 a.m. ET Saturday
This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
Before the pandemic hit, Nebraska officials had ambitious plans for the state's roughly $5 billion annual budget, including adding $300 million to the state's cash reserves.
Then came the revenue dropoffs this spring, accentuated by the state's decision to follow the federal government in delaying the income tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15, transferring some expected receipts to the next fiscal year. Nevertheless, by late July lawmakers were surprised and relieved to see that the revenue reduction was not as large as some had anticipated.
State Sen. John Stinner, chair of the Appropriations Committee, at one point anticipated a revenue reduction on the order of $250 million. But after the forecasts were revised, Stinner said Nebraska would have only about $50 million less to spend than projected before the pandemic. That's nothing close to the kind of dropoff seen in other states.
Following the revised financial forecast, lawmakers passed budget adjustments that actually increased the biennial budget slightly. The largest increase, $55 million, set aside to help pay costs incurred from devastating flooding last year. Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts signed the budget, without exercising any of his line-item veto power.
Still, Stinner says, the state needs to be cautious about future spending, given the unpredictability of the coronavirus spread. Cases have been growing in Nebraska.
Fred Knapp is a reporter/producer for NET News — Nebraska Public Radio and Television.


npr--2020-08-03--Natural Resource Dependent, Wyoming's Budget Suffers During COVID-19

This page is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .

Natural Resource Dependent, Wyoming's Budget Suffers During COVID-19
This page is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
Wyoming is looking at a loss of more than $1 billion in revenue due to the downturn in the energy industry related to COVID-19.
The state gets more than than 60% of its revenue from taxes related to oil, natural gas, coal and more. Oil in particular saw prices plummet this spring, which led Wyoming's Republican Gov. Mark Gordon to cut nearly $250 million, or 10%, of its biennial budget in July — with more cuts on the way. The governor is also looking at K-12 education as well as state employee layoffs and furloughs.
Wyoming does have over $1 billion in reserves, but Gov. Gordon is concerned about spending too much out of that account early. The state is also a low tax state and lawmakers are reluctant to raise taxes until all other avenues are considered.
The governor has proposed getting rid of a range of sales tax exemptions and re-instating a food tax to help make up the shortfall. He says it will take a combination of cuts, revenue options reserves to get through the crisis.
Bob Beck is the news director at Wyoming Public Radio.


npr--2020-08-03--North Dakota Lawmakers Will Tap Into State Savings To Endure Through COVID-19

North Dakota Lawmakers Will Tap Into State Savings To Endure Through COVID-19 This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
North Dakota is facing significant belt-tightening as a result of low commodity prices .
The state 's economy is dependent on oil and agriculture , but farmers are receiving less money for what they grow and the drop in demand for oil has led to reduced oil production and idled wells .
Additionally , because of a judge 's order to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline while an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more oil will move by rail , making North Dakota oil less attractive to buyers .
When Republican Gov .
Doug Burgum issued his guidelines for state agencies to prepare their budget proposals for the 2021-2023 budget , he asked agencies to find between 5 % and 15 % reductions in spending .
`` We as legislators and politicians understand the bottom has dropped out , '' said Sen. Ray Holmberg , a Republican and chairman of the state 's Senate Appropriations Committee .
`` We have less revenue , no state interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as legislators we have the luxury of no choice . ''
Lawmakers will tap into a number of rainy day funds set aside for times like this .
Dave Thompson is the news director for Prairie Public Broadcasting in North Dakota .

North Dakota Lawmakers Will Tap Into State Savings To Endure Through COVID-19
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
North Dakota is facing significant belt-tightening as a result of low commodity prices.
The state's economy is dependent on oil and agriculture, but farmers are receiving less money for what they grow and the drop in demand for oil has led to reduced oil production and idled wells. Additionally, because of a judge's order to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline while an environmental impact statement is being completed, more oil will move by rail, making North Dakota oil less attractive to buyers.
When Republican Gov. Doug Burgum issued his guidelines for state agencies to prepare their budget proposals for the 2021-2023 budget, he asked agencies to find between 5% and 15% reductions in spending.
"We as legislators and politicians understand the bottom has dropped out," said Sen. Ray Holmberg, a Republican and chairman of the state's Senate Appropriations Committee. "We have less revenue, no state interest in raising taxes — and that means as legislators we have the luxury of no choice."
Lawmakers will tap into a number of rainy day funds set aside for times like this.
Dave Thompson is the news director for Prairie Public Broadcasting in North Dakota.


npr--2020-08-03--Louisiana Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Many States Due To COVID-19

Louisiana Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Many States Due To COVID-19 This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards , a Democrat , and state lawmakers started 2020 by expecting a multimillion-dollar budget surplus , but the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and plunging oil prices took a $ 900 million bite out of state revenue projections .
In Louisiana 's $ 34 billion state budget , lawmakers minimized cuts to agencies and programs by using hundreds of millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
They did need to make cutbacks to hospitals and colleges , which received large sums of direct federal aid but have incurred even larger expenses because of COVID-19 .
Edwards said the final budget was reasonable but expressed concern that Republicans , who make up the majority of the legislature , also passed extensive tax breaks for businesses , which could further minimize state revenue going forward .
`` We did an awful lot of work over the first four years to restore sanity to the fiscal situation in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his end-of-session news conference .
`` You do n't want to go back to the days we just came out of . ''
Republican legislative leaders said that if given time , the tax breaks will pay for themselves by stimulating the economy .
Paul Braun is the Capitol Access Reporter for WRKF and WWNO in Baton Rouge , La .

Louisiana Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Many States Due To COVID-19
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, and state lawmakers started 2020 by expecting a multimillion-dollar budget surplus, but the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and plunging oil prices took a $900 million bite out of state revenue projections.
In Louisiana's $34 billion state budget, lawmakers minimized cuts to agencies and programs by using hundreds of millions of one-time coronavirus relief dollars from the federal government. They did need to make cutbacks to hospitals and colleges, which received large sums of direct federal aid but have incurred even larger expenses because of COVID-19.
Edwards said the final budget was reasonable but expressed concern that Republicans, who make up the majority of the legislature, also passed extensive tax breaks for businesses, which could further minimize state revenue going forward.
"We did an awful lot of work over the first four years to restore sanity to the fiscal situation in the state of Louisiana," Edwards said at his end-of-session news conference. "You don't want to go back to the days we just came out of."
Republican legislative leaders said that if given time, the tax breaks will pay for themselves by stimulating the economy.
Paul Braun is the Capitol Access Reporter for WRKF and WWNO in Baton Rouge, La.


npr--2020-08-03--In Washington State, So Far It's State Workers Who Have Felt The Budget Squeeze

In Washington State , So Far It 's State Workers Who Have Felt The Budget Squeeze This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
In Washington state , tax collections are expected to tumble by $ 8.8 billion over the next three years .
For context , the state 's current two-year budget is about $ 53 billion .
In response , Democratic Gov .
Jay Inslee ordered furloughs for approximately 40,000 general government workers — something not seen in the state since the Great Recession .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher-earning state employees , mostly agency directors and managers .
In May , the governor 's budget office told state agencies to identify potential cuts of 15 % .
The picture that emerged from that exercise was bleak : slashed payments to providers of social services , state employee layoffs and 3,700 fewer course offerings at community and technical colleges — to name just a few examples .
`` If we actually had a budget like this , it would be horrifying , '' says David Schumacher , the governor 's budget director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address the budget is possible later this year .
Already , majority Democrats in the Legislature are signaling that an all-cuts budget is unlikely and that taxes are on the table .
Austin Jenkins is the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network .

In Washington State, So Far It's State Workers Who Have Felt The Budget Squeeze
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
In Washington state, tax collections are expected to tumble by $8.8 billion over the next three years. For context, the state's current two-year budget is about $53 billion.
In response, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee ordered furloughs for approximately 40,000 general government workers — something not seen in the state since the Great Recession. He also canceled planned pay raises for about 5,600 higher-earning state employees, mostly agency directors and managers.
In May, the governor's budget office told state agencies to identify potential cuts of 15%. The picture that emerged from that exercise was bleak: slashed payments to providers of social services, state employee layoffs and 3,700 fewer course offerings at community and technical colleges — to name just a few examples.
"If we actually had a budget like this, it would be horrifying," says David Schumacher, the governor's budget director. A special session to begin to address the budget is possible later this year. Already, majority Democrats in the Legislature are signaling that an all-cuts budget is unlikely and that taxes are on the table.
Austin Jenkins is the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network.


npr--2020-08-03--Vermont Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Most States Due To COVID-19

Vermont Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Most States Due To COVID-19 This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
In Vermont , elected officials say COVID-19 has forced some difficult questions about the role of state government in Vermonters ' lives .
But they are n't ready to answer them just yet .
Like other states , Vermont passed a three-month `` skinny budget '' that will keep the wheels of government churning through September .
In the meantime , the Democratic-controlled legislature and Republican Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out how to accommodate what analysts say will likely be a 14 % year-over-year drop in general fund revenues .
Scott favors an 8 % reduction in overall spending , spread out evenly across the whole of state government .
Lawmakers , however , say the coronavirus pandemic will only intensify demand for government services .
And they 're holding out hope that Congress will let states use federal coronavirus relief funds to backfill lost revenues .
While elected officials have deferred the difficult task of balancing the fiscal year 2021 state budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for public schools .
Despite a substantial drop in the revenues that support education spending , school budgets approved prior to the pandemic will remain in place .
And legislation approved in June relies on a projected $ 100 million in deficit spending to offset the revenue declines .
Peter Hirschfeld covers state government and the legislature for Vermont Public Radio .

Vermont Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Most States Due To COVID-19
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
In Vermont, elected officials say COVID-19 has forced some difficult questions about the role of state government in Vermonters' lives. But they aren't ready to answer them just yet.
Like other states, Vermont passed a three-month "skinny budget" that will keep the wheels of government churning through September.
In the meantime, the Democratic-controlled legislature and Republican Gov. Phil Scott will try to figure out how to accommodate what analysts say will likely be a 14% year-over-year drop in general fund revenues.
Scott favors an 8% reduction in overall spending, spread out evenly across the whole of state government. Lawmakers, however, say the coronavirus pandemic will only intensify demand for government services. And they're holding out hope that Congress will let states use federal coronavirus relief funds to backfill lost revenues.
While elected officials have deferred the difficult task of balancing the fiscal year 2021 state budget, they have settled on a spending plan for public schools.
Despite a substantial drop in the revenues that support education spending, school budgets approved prior to the pandemic will remain in place. And legislation approved in June relies on a projected $100 million in deficit spending to offset the revenue declines.
Peter Hirschfeld covers state government and the legislature for Vermont Public Radio.


npr--2020-08-03--Utah Lawmakers Use Savings To Limit Cuts To Education And Social Services

Utah Lawmakers Use Savings To Limit Cuts To Education And Social Services This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
State budget analysts predict that by the end of June 2021 , Utah 's tax revenue will be $ 850 million less than projected in February of this year .
To make up the difference , state lawmakers met in late June and made sweeping cuts to the budget .
Nearly all new funding that was approved during this year 's general legislative session was slashed , and colleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding reductions .
But lawmakers actually gave more money to K-12 public education — 1.3 % more than last year .
They also chose to keep new funding for mental health initiatives , like expanding mobile response teams in rural areas , and for growth in the state 's Medicaid program .
`` We 've done very well for education , '' says Republican state Rep. Brad Last .
`` The other things that really came through this budget demonstrate our commitment as a legislature : mental health and behavioral health and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were initially hesitant to dip into the state 's budget reserves , they reversed course and used rainy day funds to limit cuts to education and social services .
Sonja Hutson is a politics and government reporter at KUER in Salt Lake City , Utah .

Utah Lawmakers Use Savings To Limit Cuts To Education And Social Services
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
State budget analysts predict that by the end of June 2021, Utah's tax revenue will be $850 million less than projected in February of this year. To make up the difference, state lawmakers met in late June and made sweeping cuts to the budget. Nearly all new funding that was approved during this year's general legislative session was slashed, and colleges and universities are facing 2.5% state funding reductions.
But lawmakers actually gave more money to K-12 public education — 1.3% more than last year. They also chose to keep new funding for mental health initiatives, like expanding mobile response teams in rural areas, and for growth in the state's Medicaid program.
"We've done very well for education," says Republican state Rep. Brad Last. "The other things that really came through this budget demonstrate our commitment as a legislature: mental health and behavioral health and other social services issues."
Although lawmakers were initially hesitant to dip into the state's budget reserves, they reversed course and used rainy day funds to limit cuts to education and social services.
Sonja Hutson is a politics and government reporter at KUER in Salt Lake City, Utah.


npr--2020-08-03--In Texas, All State Agencies Asked To Pare Budgets Due To COVID-19

In Texas , All State Agencies Asked To Pare Budgets Due To COVID-19 This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
Texas state revenues have taken a serious beating , thanks largely to falling sales tax revenue since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
The past few months have seen year-over-year sales tax revenue declines .
Other revenue sources affected by COVID-19 , including taxes on motor fuel , hotel occupancy and alcoholic beverages , have also experienced double-digit drops .
The crash in oil prices sent oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % June 2020 , compared with June 2019 , with natural gas production receipts down 84 % .
`` The drops we 've seen in some of our revenue sources ... those are bigger drops than we 've ever seen , at least on a month-to-month basis , '' said Tom Currah , chief revenue estimator with the Texas comptroller 's office .
All state agencies have been asked to pare their budgets by 5 % for the two-year budget cycle .
That translates to about 8.5 % cuts in what 's left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the politics and government reporter for Houston Public Media .

In Texas, All State Agencies Asked To Pare Budgets Due To COVID-19
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
Texas state revenues have taken a serious beating, thanks largely to falling sales tax revenue since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
The past few months have seen year-over-year sales tax revenue declines. Other revenue sources affected by COVID-19, including taxes on motor fuel, hotel occupancy and alcoholic beverages, have also experienced double-digit drops.
The crash in oil prices sent oil production tax receipts down a whopping 77% June 2020, compared with June 2019, with natural gas production receipts down 84%.
"The drops we've seen in some of our revenue sources ... those are bigger drops than we've ever seen, at least on a month-to-month basis," said Tom Currah, chief revenue estimator with the Texas comptroller's office.
All state agencies have been asked to pare their budgets by 5% for the two-year budget cycle. That translates to about 8.5% cuts in what's left of the cycle.
Andrew Schneider is the politics and government reporter for Houston Public Media.


npr--2020-08-03--With A Strong Economy, South Carolina Weathers Pandemic Despite Falling Revenue

This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
South @ @ @ @ @ over the last two fiscal years has allowed the state to weather the pandemic with @ @ @ @ @ .
In April , the Board of Economic Advisers reduced its current anticipated revenue estimate @ @ @ @ @ began July 1 by $ 507 million , but state budget writers have the cushion @ @ @ @ @ in surplus funds from past years .
With the legislative session suspended by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ spending bill in March to keep state government operating at current levels until members return @ @ @ @ @ September to finalize the spending plan .
There are no indications yet of budget cuts @ @ @ @ @ universities are bracing for possible reductions .
Russ McKinney is a reporter and producer for @ @ @ @ @

With A Strong Economy, South Carolina Weathers Pandemic Despite Falling Revenue
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
South Carolina's exceptionally strong economy over the last two fiscal years has allowed the state to weather the pandemic with little budget disruptions to date.
In April, the Board of Economic Advisers reduced its current anticipated revenue estimate for the fiscal year that began July 1 by $507 million, but state budget writers have the cushion of nearly $2 billion in surplus funds from past years.
With the legislative session suspended by the pandemic, lawmakers approved a temporary spending bill in March to keep state government operating at current levels until members return to the state capital in September to finalize the spending plan.
There are no indications yet of budget cuts, but state colleges and universities are bracing for possible reductions.
Russ McKinney is a reporter and producer for South Carolina Public Radio.


npr--2020-08-03--When Oil Prices Plummeted, So Did Oklahoma's State Budget

When Oil Prices Plummeted , So Did Oklahoma 's State Budget This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
Oklahoma 's budget booms and busts with the energy sector .
And with oil prices plummeting amid the coronavirus crisis , the state budget is in shambles .
Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt says he projects the budget shortfall next year will likely be more than $ 1 billion .
He and his Republican colleagues in the state legislature fought over the budget for weeks during the early stages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceed on their own without the governor 's input .
The $ 7.7 billion budget they passed was vetoed by Stitt in May .
`` They can always override the veto ... that 's fine , '' Stitt said at the time .
`` They 'll have to answer to Oklahomans . ''
Lawmakers did override Stitt 's veto mere hours after he sent it to them .
The budget they passed leans heavily on the state 's rainy day fund and makes about 5 % in cuts to every facet of government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past , including a drop in higher education funding that kicked Oklahoma universities ' financial situation back to 20th century levels .
Robby Korth is an education reporter for StateImpact Oklahoma , a project of that state 's NPR member stations .

When Oil Prices Plummeted, So Did Oklahoma's State Budget
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
Oklahoma's budget booms and busts with the energy sector. And with oil prices plummeting amid the coronavirus crisis, the state budget is in shambles.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says he projects the budget shortfall next year will likely be more than $1 billion. He and his Republican colleagues in the state legislature fought over the budget for weeks during the early stages of the pandemic.
Then lawmakers decided to proceed on their own without the governor's input. The $7.7 billion budget they passed was vetoed by Stitt in May. "They can always override the veto ... that's fine," Stitt said at the time. "They'll have to answer to Oklahomans."
Lawmakers did override Stitt's veto mere hours after he sent it to them.
The budget they passed leans heavily on the state's rainy day fund and makes about 5% in cuts to every facet of government, compounding state budget problems of the past, including a drop in higher education funding that kicked Oklahoma universities' financial situation back to 20th century levels.
Robby Korth is an education reporter for StateImpact Oklahoma, a project of that state's NPR member stations.


npr--2020-08-03--Ohio Built Up Savings Over The Past Few Years. COVID-19 Will Wipe Out Much Of That

Ohio Built Up Savings Over The Past Few Years .
COVID-19 Will Wipe Out Much Of That This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states ' revenue and budgets during the pandemic .
In Ohio , Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine gained recognition from health officials around the U.S. for taking proactive steps in shutting down restaurants , stores and other businesses early in the coronavirus pandemic .
While state officials say the closures helped flatten the curve of a projected COVID-19 spread , the shutdown also triggered a steep drop in revenue from sales and commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gap by putting a freeze on new hires , contract services and travel , while also cutting more than $ 775 million in spending for the fiscal year that ended June 30 .
Higher education , K-12 schools and Medicaid , which take up the biggest portion of the state 's overall budget , saw the biggest cuts .
`` As many of our businesses and citizens of the state of Ohio are having to make difficult decisions , it is incumbent upon us in government to make those same decisions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he does plan to utilize Ohio 's $ 2.7 billion rainy day fund , which was replenished after the Great Recession .
Andy Chow is a state government reporter for The Statehouse News Bureau in Columbus , Ohio .

Ohio Built Up Savings Over The Past Few Years. COVID-19 Will Wipe Out Much Of That
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This story is part of an NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic.
In Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine gained recognition from health officials around the U.S. for taking proactive steps in shutting down restaurants, stores and other businesses early in the coronavirus pandemic. While state officials say the closures helped flatten the curve of a projected COVID-19 spread, the shutdown also triggered a steep drop in revenue from sales and commercial activity taxes.
The state has closed the gap by putting a freeze on new hires, contract services and travel, while also cutting more than $775 million in spending for the fiscal year that ended June 30. Higher education, K-12 schools and Medicaid, which take up the biggest portion of the state's overall budget, saw the biggest cuts.
"As many of our businesses and citizens of the state of Ohio are having to make difficult decisions, it is incumbent upon us in government to make those same decisions," DeWine said.
DeWine has said he does plan to utilize Ohio's $2.7 billion rainy day fund, which was replenished after the Great Recession.
Andy Chow is a state government reporter for The Statehouse News Bureau in Columbus, Ohio.