Free Republic

Forgive me if already posted. I'm having a hard time not losing it.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) released new coronavirus guidance Thursday, as President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration approaches, insisting “schools need to be open.” State agencies are now prioritizing in-person instruction, reported Richmond.com, after months of the Trump administration urging states to reopen schools.

BP agents said they were seeking warrant for raid, humanitarian workers sayJust before Christmas Eve, Border Patrol agents on horseback surrounded No More Death's humanitarian aid station south of Tucson and told volunteers they were pursuing a warrant to raid the camp, the group said.If agents do conduct a raid, it would be the third incursion into the camp near Arivaca, Ariz., in five months, coming near the end of a spike in the number of remains found in southwestern Arizona—a likely sign that a larger number of people are attempting to cross illegally, and are dying in remote stretches...

ST. PETERSBURG — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday said bars and restaurants in Florida can open at full capacity as the state moved into the last phase of its reopening plan, which lifts all the state’s remaining coronavirus-related restrictions on businesses.

New cases of the novel coronavirus reached a record single-day high in Florida on Thursday, according to state's Department of Health. Its latest update, which confirmed 1,698 additional cases diagnosed over the last 24 hours, followed more than one week of reports that showed rising numbers.

President Donald Trump warned governors Friday that if they don't reopen the nation's houses of worship "right now," he will "override" them. Trump demanded the reopening in brief remarks announcing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at his direction, will issue new guidelines to smooth the process. "Today I am identifying houses of worship, churches, synagogues, and mosques, as essential places that provide essential services, Trump said at his appearance, during which he took no questions. "Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It's...

A few states are moving toward reopening their economies amid the coronavirus pandemic, but some local leaders don't want their residents to go along -- even as idled workers weigh the benefits of getting paychecks again. In Georgia and South Carolina, Republican governors announced they'll ease restrictions this week despite neither meeting White House recommendations of a two-week downward trend in cases before lifting measures in phases. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, saying workers and business owners need relief, said businesses including bowling alleys, body art studios and hair and nail salons can reopen this week. Theaters and restaurants can open...

Opponents of the shutdown have said they will drive around the now empty Capitol in Harrisburg honking their horns to call for a resumption of economic life.

At least four states may be able to loosen social distancing measures next month, an influential model tracking the coronavirus pandemic says. The model's new projections show that Vermont, West Virginia, Montana and Hawaii could open as early as May 4.

President Trump's guidelines on reopening the country leaves much up to governors, states and businesses as they look to find ways to restart their economies amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a copy of a White House "Opening Up America Again" document obtained by CBS News. The plan is expected to put much of the onus on states to develop sufficient testing and contact tracing systems. The 18-page document, which resembles a detailed PowerPoint presentation, lists basic "gating" criteria a state or region should reach before beginning to send people back to work and school. Mr. Trump relayed the guidelines...

President Donald Trump's plan to reopen the American economy after a near-total shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic consists of three graduated phases, according to a copy of the proposed actions obtained by ABC News... "Phase one" calls on employers to telework where possible, return to work in phases, minimize non-essential travel and make accommodations for the vulnerable populations within the workforce. It calls on all vulnerable individuals to "shelter in place," and when in public, all individuals should continue social distancing. Large venues, including churches and gyms, can open if they operate under “strict” social distancing and sanitation protocols....

For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion, some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors decision to open up the states, not that of the President of the United States & the Federal Government. Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect. It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly!

Five days after Golf Digest first reported that the Open Championship would be canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the R&A on Monday made it official. Originally scheduled for July 16-19 at Royal St. George’s in England, this year’s tournament will not be held, leaving just three men’s majors to be (hopefully) contested in 2020. “Our absolute priority is to protect the health and safety of the fans, players, officials, volunteers and staff involved in the Open,” R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said in a statement on Monday. “We care deeply about this historic championship and have made this...

HARTFORD >> Gun owners will see huge increases in permit fees that would raise millions of dollars to help the state combat its two-year, $3.6 billion deficit. As part of his budget, Malloy is proposing to increase the state portion of the pistol permit fee from $70 to $300. He also is proposing the cost of the initial 5-year pistol permit fee from $140 to $370.

The Obama administration’s strategy is to count on the fact that the public and the media will not take notice of each individual and incremental step they are taking to undermine immigration enforcement and grant de facto amnesty to as many illegal aliens as possible. This report exposes the strategy and the policy objectives behind it: http://www.fairus.org/publications/president-obama-s-record-of-dismantling-immigration-enforcement

The nation´s top immigration officer on Wednesday pushed back at claims the administration has an open-border policy, adding that it upsets him to deport illegal immigrants. Jeh Johnson, the secretary of Homeland Security, said that the U.S. is filling over a dozen jets a week with illegals and flying them back to Central America. "That´s what we´re doing on a daily, weekly basis. We have something like 15 to 18 flights of migrants a week, just to Central America that we send back, people who have come here. And so we don´t have open borders," he told reporters. "We have

The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow people to openly carry firearms without a permit and without training. A total of 34 organizations — including the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Oklahoma State Troopers Association, universities, chambers of commerce and hospitals — sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman in opposition to House Bill 3098 and House Joint Resolution 1009, a proposed ballot measure intended to make it harder to regulate guns. House Bill 3098 was approved 37-9. The joint resolution was not considered. Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, said the bill won't expand...

The presence of a gun rights group at the Texas State Capitol during President Obama’s visit to the SxSW festival elicited members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense to call for gun violence against the group. Among other incitements to violence, “Just shoot them all,” and “Shoot the a**bags,” they said. Moms Demand Action members posted, “Do[n]’t arrest them just shoot them, these people are crazy,” “Time to use an assault weapon on this trash,” “Just shoot them all…,” and “Mow them down.” Another added, “a**hats. no one has taken your guns. you are the ones causing problems. [P]lease...

Pro-gun group Open Carry Texas is planning to openly carry guns at this year's South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas -- and their demonstration on gun rights will coincide with President Barack Obama's keynote address at the event on Friday. Open Carry Texas has been bringing guns to the festival for the last two years, according to the Dallas Morning News. This year, members are planning to hold small info sessions during SXSW to "engage in conversation and education" about gun rights laws in the state and encourage young festivalgoers to "carry in lawful defense of themselves and others,"...