Montana Republican leaders call on governor to cut budget

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Republican leaders of the Legislature called on Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock Thursday to make cuts to the state budget, anticipating a loss of revenue due to the economic fallout from the COVI…

Nevada officials don't think COVID-19 uptick is '2nd wave'

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada health officials are closely monitoring a recent uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide, including the biggest one-day increase to date in the Reno area reported Thursday, but the sta…

White House eyes travel from Mexico as source of virus spike

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is exploring the possibility that travel from Mexico may be contributing to a new wave of coronavirus infections, rather than states’ moves toward reopening their economies.

Kentucky governor seeks vote to oust Davis bust from Capitol

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's governor called Thursday on a state commission to vote to remove a statue of Jefferson Davis from the state Capitol's Rotunda, a day after another statue of the Confederate presiden…

Trump says he'll pursue police use-of-force standard

DALLAS (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday he would pursue an executive order to encourage police departments to meet “current professional standards for the use of force," while accusing Democrats of broad…

Orange County will change mask order after official quit

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Days after his predecessor abruptly quit, Orange County's new interim health officer said Thursday that he will lift a requirement for residents to wear face coverings in public and instead…

Legislator's comments about black people, hygiene draw fury

A Republican lawmaker questioned on the Ohio Senate floor if “the colored population” is contracting coronavirus at disproportionate rates because they do not wash their hands “as well as other groups.”

Military chief: Wrong to walk with Trump past park protest

WASHINGTON (AP) — Army Gen. Mark Milley, the nation’s top military officer, added to the already extraordinary tension between the Pentagon and President Donald Trump on Thursday, declaring he'd been wrong to strid…

GA-Winners

Court backs Trump administration on virus safety at work

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration does not have to issue an emergency rule requiring employers to protect workers from the coronavirus, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

Republican lawmakers in Iowa push to limit absentee voting

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Barely a week after Iowa election officials reported a record primary turnout after mailing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters, Republican legislative leaders in the Senat…

African American reparation bill passes California Assembly

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A proposal to establish a task force to study and prepare recommendations for how to give reparations to African Americans passed the California Assembly on Thursday.

Nevada lawmakers to consider budget cuts amid coronavirus

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Members of the Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee were expected to convene Friday morning to consider Gov. Steve Sisolak’s proposal to cut $116 million in immediate spending from the s…

Utah to 'pause' on lifting virus restrictions as cases rise

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert instituted a “pause” on lifting any additional virus-related restrictions on Thursday as the state's rate of positive COVID-19 tests continues to skyrocket.

N.C. governor says he tested negative for COVID-19

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday that his test for COVID-19 came back negative.