Ricketts: Virus will force belt-tightening in state budget

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts warned Monday that the coronavirus pandemic will likely lead to state budget cuts and force lawmakers to water down two of his biggest priorities — a property tax bill for farmers and homeowners, and a new business incentive package.

Samaritan Healthcare ends 2021 in the black

COVID-19 repercussions cause backlog

MOSES LAKE — The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to make themselves felt, including financially.

Georgia colleges hold line on tuition, cut some summer fees

ATLANTA (AP) — Despite bleeding revenue after students went home because of COVID-19, Georgia's public universities and colleges will give those 330,000 students a break on costs for online summer classes and mostly hold the line on next year's costs.

New Mexico governor anticipates special legislative session

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the need for a special legislative session to revise a recently signed state budget, address public health needs and provide economic relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic, as local infections continued to climb on Thursday.

New Mexico governor anticipates special legislative session

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the need for a special legislative session to revise a recently signed state budget, address public health needs and provide economic relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic, as local infections continued to climb on Thursday.

Idaho lawmakers eye fast exit if coronavirus hits Statehouse

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. Brad Little and leaders in the Idaho House and Senate said Thursday they've made contingency plans for a hasty end to the legislative session should someone in the Statehouse get the new coronavirus.

Idaho lawmakers eye fast exit if coronavirus hits Statehouse

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. Brad Little and leaders in the Idaho House and Senate said Thursday they've made contingency plans for a hasty end to the legislative session should someone in the Statehouse get the new coronavirus.

EU leaders weigh massive virus economic recovery measures

BRUSSELS (AP) — The new coronavirus is devastating lives, health care systems and economies, and European Union leaders must work together, using every lever at their disposal, to rebuild and restore public faith in the EU project, the head of the bloc's parliament warned Thursday.

Riparian bill moves out of House Ag Committee

OLYMPIA – Four legislators have come together, in a bipartisan effort, to protect and restore Washington’s riparian areas – land located adjacent to rivers – with House Bill 1720. “We believed that the people engaged (and) involved in this effort can make decisions and do things and we believe that we can trust them to do those things and that we can work together and find solutions,” said Representative Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake), a primary sponsor of the bill. “That’s why there were four of us on there; two Democrats, two Republicans. We’re still there. We’re lockstep because we believe in the people.” ...

Design of new Quincy Valley Medical Center released

QUINCY — Cost estimates for the new Quincy Valley Medical Center should be available by mid-May. Preliminary exterior design drawings of the building were released late last week, and hospital officials will be hiring electrical and mechanical contractors. “It definitely feels real now,” said QVMC commissioner Anthony Fernandez during an April 24 meeting of the hospital district commission. Hospital district voters approved a construction bond for up to $55 million in August 2022.

Trump defends $2.5B coronavirus request; Dems say it's low

NEW DELHI (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the urgent $2.5 billion plan for

New lawsuit: Mississippi prison has 'abhorrent conditions'

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman is a violent, rat-infested place where inmates live in “abhorrent conditions” and their medical needs are routinely ignored, attorneys say in a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 152 prisoners

After criticism, Louisiana governor seeks $500 teacher raise

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Facing criticism that he broke a campaign promise to teachers, Gov. John Bel Edwards reversed course Thursday and proposed a reworked K-12 budget proposal that would include a direct $500 pay hike for public school teachers.

After criticism, Louisiana governor seeks $500 teacher raise

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Facing criticism that he broke a campaign promise to teachers, Gov. John Bel Edwards reversed course Thursday and proposed a reworked K-12 budget proposal that would include a direct $500 pay hike for public school teachers.

The Latest: Italy-bound cruise can't disembark in France

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.

Rotary Club raises funds to renovate skate park in Moses Lake

The Rotary Club of Moses Lake is currently raising funds for their annual community service project, with their eyes set on the skate park in Moses Lake this year. The club has currently raised about $31,000 for the project and are planning on launching a GoFundMe page to go towards their ultimate goal of raising $300,000 for the remodel.

Cathay Pacific cuts 8,500 jobs, shutters regional airline

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific Airways said Wednesday it would cut 8,500 jobs and shut a regional airline as it grapples with the plunge in air travel due to the pandemic.

Two protesters dead as supporters of Iraqi cleric rally

BAGHDAD (AP) — Confrontations between demonstrators and followers of a firebrand cleric left two protesters dead in southern Iraq on Friday, officials said, as thousands also took to Baghdad's streets in a show of support for the preacher ahead of elections next year.

Columbia Basin Herald moves to morning delivery

MOSES LAKE — Starting May 1, the Columbia Basin Herald is becoming a morning paper to better serve readers and advertisers.

Sudan reshuffles government, hoping to appease protesters

CAIRO (AP) — Sudan’s transitional government announced a major Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, hoping to defuse public discontent over economic collapse and other crises that have tested the country’s path toward democracy.