Neiman Marcus expected to file bankruptcy soon
April 21st, 20200 DALLAS — Neiman Marcus Group could seek bankruptcy protection as soon as this week, Reuters reported Sunday, citing "sources familiar with the matter." The Dallas-based luxury retailer first opened in Dallas in 1907, led by the Neiman and Marcus families. It has since expanded to include dozens of stores and outlets specializing...
Trump says he will suspend all immigration into U.S. over coronavirus
April 21st, 20200 WASHINGTON,D.C. - President Trump said on Monday he will suspend all immigration into the United States temporarily through an executive order in response to the coronavirus outbreak and to protect U.S. jobs. The move, which Trump announced on Twitter, effectively achieves one of his long-term policy goals of curbing immigration,...
Muslim organization endorses Biden, promises to continue engaging with possible president on important issues
April 16th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Emgage PAC, the first and largest Muslim American federal policial action committee, announced Thursday that it is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden for president. The PAC is the support and endorsement arm of Emgage, a well known organization working to promote Muslim American civil engagement, that has...
Midwest governors including Whitmer to coordinate reopening economies battered by the coronavirus
April 16th, 20200 The governors of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky have formed a partnership to work together on restarting the economies in their states, they said in a statement on Thursday. The states collectively account for about 16 percent of total economic output in the United States. “We are eager to...
Small business rescue program runs out of money after Thursday talks fail to reach an agreement for additional funding
April 16th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thousands of small business owners across the United States have been unable to secure funding as the federal government-backed loan program meant to save them and protect worker paychecks officially ran out of money Thursday morning, according to a report from ABC News. Talks resumed Thursday afternoon amid a...
Coronavirus hospitalizations continue to fall in New York, shutdown to last through at least May 15
April 16th, 20200 NEW YORK — The total number of hospitalizations for the novel coronavirus and related deaths in New York fell to their lowest levels in more than a week, adding to evidence that the hardest-hit state was controlling its spread, according to comments from Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday. The governor also extended an order closing...
Outdated regulations hamper charitable giving when the world needs it most
April 16th, 20200 Americans generously donate more than $427 billion annually to charities—a powerful driver of positive impact as communities across the country, including in Michigan, respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Charitable giving plays a vital role in supporting high-need communities, both at home and abroad. Religious faith often plays a role...
Trump halts World Health Organization funding, says administration will review its response to coronavirus pandemic
April 15th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. —President Trump said he would halt funding to the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic while his administration reviews its response to the global crisis on Tuesday. Trump told a White House news conference the WHO had “failed in its basic duty and it must be held...Trump suggests states re-open economies in three phases in newly released guidelines
April 14th, 20200 WASHINGTON — Parts of President Trump's guidelines for re-opening the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus pandemic surfaced on Thursday afternoon, revealing a three-phase plan that could allow some states to begin as early as this month to begin lifting limits meant to contain the spread of the virus. In the first phase, larger venues...
Bernie Sanders calls for unity, announces official endorsement for Joe Biden
April 13th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has officially announced his endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden for president, a move aimed at unifying a fractured Democratic Party. The announcement happened unexpectedly during the former VP's livecast, during...
As stimulus payments go out this week, IRS adds “Get My Payment” button and other tools to website
April 13th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments ($1,200 individual, $2,400 married) for those who don’t normally file a tax return. In addition, the website will have a “Get My Payment” option where individuals...
Vigilance urged as New York sees signs of coronavirus progress
April 9th, 20200 NEW YORK (Reuters) — Americans must resist the impulse to ease social-separation measures at the first glimpse of progress now being seen in the coronavirus battle, state government and public health leaders warned on Thursday, as the U.S. death toll surpassed 16,500. Calls for heightened vigilance, countering talk from the Trump...
Coronavirus deaths in the United States top 15,000 as New York finally sees signs of a flattening curve
April 9th, 20200 NEW YORK — United States deaths related to the coronavirus topped 15,700 on Thursday according to a Reuters tally, as the treasury prepared to issue stimulus checks and deposits to Americans sidelined from their jobs due to the ongoing pandemic and struggling to pay their bills. The numbers were released as U.S. officials warned...
Internal Revenue service speeds up check printing, delivery expected ahead of schedule for most taxpayers
April 9th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service has sped up its process for delivering coronavirus stimulus checks to Americans and is now targeting “early next week” for a large portion of its direct deposits for taxpayers, according to a report from FOX Business. The first checks were expected to be deposited as early as...
Trump says he would like to reopen the economy with a “big bang,” but advisors urge caution
April 8th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump said Wednesday that he would like to reopen the U.S. economy with a “big bang”, but added that the death toll from the coronavirus needs to be on the down slope before that can happen. Trump originally stated he would like to see key parts of the economy reopen in time for Easter Sunday this......
FBI launches website to inform the public about coronavirus-related scams
April 8th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned the general public about scammers preying on the pandemic, and has also launched a website dedicated solely to COVID-19 related scams. Some of the scams uncovered by the agency thus far include promises of free testing kits being delivered overnight to people's...
Latest CDC data shows children are significantly less likely to become ill from coronavirus than adults, though risk remains
April 7th, 20200 ATLANTA, GA — Children in the United States are significantly less likely to become seriously ill from cases related to the coronavirus than American adults, according to a preliminary report on the first major wave of cases in the country. Some have become very sick, however, and at least three have died, according to a report on......
Americans urged to wear masks outside as coronavirus pandemic worsens
April 6th, 20200 WASHINGTON/NEW YORK — On Thursday, the Trump administration looked set to join local officials in advising Americans to wear masks when venturing out during the still-exploding coronavirus pandemic, as the U.S. death toll rose by 1,000 in a single day for the first time. Speaking at a White House briefing, Deborah Birx, a member of...
African Americans more likely to die from coronavirus illness including in Michigan, early data shows
April 6th, 20200 African Americans in Michigan have accounted for 40 percent of the state's reported deaths according to data released by the state, despite Black people making up just 14.6 percent of the state's population. A fairly similar picture is being painted in Illinois, where African Americans make up about 30 percent of the state's cases and...
United States Congress passes $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill as overall number of cases tops China
April 2nd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill on Wednesday after days of bitter negotiations that led to compromise from both sides of the aisle and a 96-0 final vote. The vote happened as the United States passed China for having the most coronavirus cases in the world, with more...Frequently asked questions on stimulus checks, unemployment benefits and the coronavirus
April 2nd, 20200 A $2 trillion economic relief plan was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump to offer assistance to tens of millions of American households affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In it, stimulus payments to individuals are offered, as well as expanded unemployment coverage, student loan changes, different retirement account......
Democratic presidential front-runner Biden confirms he’s considering Whitmer for VP
April 2nd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former vice president Joe Biden confirmed this week that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a fellow Democrat, is one of the women he's considering as a potential running mate in his bid for the White House. Biden has already vowed to pick a woman for the position, and said Tuesday night he's been considering...
60 and older in the time of COVID-19? Read on
April 1st, 20200 By Jennifer Leach I know, 60-year-olds. You’re not old. In fact, we’ve found that, when people think “old”, they think of someone about 10 years older than they are right now. But, because we’ve been warned about the effects of the Coronavirus on people 60+, listen up. Because scammers follow the headlines and know......
Dingell, Tlaib reiterate calls to address humanitarian situation, ongoing military conflict on fifth anniversary of Yemen war
April 1st, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) issued a joint statement on March 30, calling for renewed action to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and to end the military conflict that has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. President Trump vetoed a measure to end U.S....
FDA authorizes use of new two-minute test kit for coronavirus
March 31st, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of Bodysphere Inc’s test that can detect the coronavirus in nearly two minutes, the privately held company said on Tuesday. The FDA has been rushing to approve tests on an emergency basis and last week approved Abbott......
