AFN News July 16

 

ABC NEWS  JULY 16, 2020

1)              From ABC News, I am Daria Albinger.  A growing number of state officials are telling residents to mask up, get tested, and in some cases, both as COVID-19 cases continue to spread.  Alabama Governor Kay Ivery making face coverings mandatory in public places; “Last night we had 2,141 new cases.  That brings our total to 58,270 cases, and we have had 1,183 deaths.”

 2)              Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says it’s time for a federal mask mandatory; “A study conducted by Goldman Sachs concluded that a federal mask mandate, that everyone in the nation had a mandate like we have in Michigan, like they adopted in Alabama today, if everyone had that, we could save the US economy from taking a 5% hit to our GDP.” 

3)              Walmarts nationwide are now requiring masks.

4)              Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has tested positive.  “I want to use my story to remind Oklahomans that if you aren’t feeling well, we want you to get tested.”  But he is holding off on making masks mandatory. 

5)              And Louisiana’s Attorney General says the governor’s mask mandate and bar restrictions may violate the state constitution.

 6)              The family of George Floyd has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis and the four former police officers who had arrested Floyd just before he died.  “The City of Minneapolis has a history of policies and procedures, and deliberate indifference when it comes to the treatment of arrestees, especially black men”; Attorney Benjamin Crump. 

7)              Twitters says it’s looking into what may be a targeted attack; among those affected, presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, Kanye West, former President Obama and Bill Gates.

8)              Stocks closed higher today.  You are listening to ABC News.                    

 

10-1)   I’m Connell McShane.  This is the Fox Business report.

  “Stocks finishing higher on encouraging coronavirus vaccine news, with the Dow rising 228 points, the Nasdaq up 62, S&P 500 up 29.

10-2)   And the nation’s largest grocery store chain is making moves to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.  Kroger will be requiring customers on all locations to wear mask when shopping in stores, beginning on July 22.  Kroger’s employees are already required to wear face coverings.  The customers are able to wear a mask on alternative design.  Kroger is requesting that they use its ecommerce services like pickup or delivery.  Kroger joined other retailers like Walmart, Best Buy and Starbucks requiring their shoppers wear face coverings.

10-3)   And Chipotle is hiring the Burrito chain, adding 10,000 staffers as it opens more stores with drive-through lanes for digital orders.  The company says its digital sales have surged 80%.

That’s your Fox Business report.  I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.”

AFN News July 9

AFN NEWS

Thursday, July 9, 2020

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. The COVID-19 surge in the South and West is not being slowed. A record-breaking day for cases: hospitalizations, emergency room visits and deaths in Arizona, as Vice President Mike Pence visits the state. “We did hear in the briefing today for the need for personnel. We’ve already responded. Sixty-two medical personnel arrived this week in Tucson, but the governor conveyed to us an additional request for another 500 personnel.” Coronavirus cases increasing in almost 40 states. Hospitalizations are up in half of the states.

2) California Governor Gavin Newsom orders for at least three weeks a total closure of bars and indoor operations of restaurants, movie theaters, museums and other patron-based businesses. In Los Angeles and other high population counties. “These are 19 counties within the state, but these 19 counties represent over 70% of the population here in the state of California.”

3) Texas set a new record of more than 8,000 COVID-19 cases today. After a popular bar was busted for holding crowded gatherings in one of New Jersey’s largest cities, Governor Phil Murphy is once again urging people not to blow it. “Even one knucklehead bar can ruin it for everyone. It only takes one match to start a wildfire, and it only takes one infected bar-goer to invite, or ignite rather, a COCID-19 flare-up and then shuts everything else all back down.” As a precaution, New York City will not move forward with indoor dining on Monday.

4) Seattle police have torn down the city’s occupied protest zone and herded out protesters on Mayor’s orders. Police Chief Carmen Best, “Our job is to support peaceful demonstration, but what has happened here on these streets over the last two weeks, few weeks, that is, is lawless and is brutal and bottom line it is simply unacceptable.” Listening to ABC News.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks finishing mixed on its first trading day of the month and a quarter after the data showed that the labor market continued to improve last month. Payroll processor ADP’s private sector job reports showing that nearly 2.4 million jobs were created in June with 70% of new jobs in leisure, hospitality, trade and construction industries. The Dow falling 77 points, the NASDAQ up 96 for another record close, the S&P 500 up 16. // And Tesla hitting a milestone. It is now the most valuable car company in the world surpassing Japan’s Toyota. Here today, Toyota stocks are down around 12%, while shares of Tesla has soared more than 165 %. // And due to spiking coronavirus cases in several states throughout the country, Apple will temporarily re-close 30 of its retail stores in the U.S. bringing the nationwide total to 77. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you. *ADP = Automatic Data Processing

AFN News June 25

AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 25, 2020　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. New coronavirus cases in the U.S. increasing to their highest level in two months back to where they were at the peak. State leaders saying those testing positive are younger in their 20s and 30s. “People naturally want to do things. I am not even, if I was 25, I’d be probably with them. I mean, that’s just realistic. I can sit here and try to act like I wouldn’t, but I remember what it was like then.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

2) Florida and Texas, each posting record daily. New virus case totals 5500 each. Over 7,000 in California just today, a new record. Also many young people infected, possibly spreading it, says Governor Gavin Newsom. “It is incumbent upon us to recognize that as individuals, as communities, and as leaders within our households and our communities, to recognize that it is our behaviors that are leading to these numbers.”

3) A weekly forecast from the CDC estimates that U.S. COVID death will likely be between 130,000 and 150,000 by July 18th.

4) Rising COVID cases in the U.S. causing a slide here. Closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow lost over 700 points, the broad S&P lost 81, the NASDAQ down over 200 points.

5) A Georgia grand jury indicts three men charged with alleged murder of Black jogger Ahmaud Arbery, -- Gregory and Travis McMichael, and William Bryan.

6) Wisconsin’s Governor has activated the state’s National Guard after violent demonstrations. ABC’s Ryan Burrow. “Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announcing he has activated Wisconsin National Guard to support local law enforcement in Dane County hours after violent protesters destroyed windows and lights, and pulled down statues in Madison. The governor saying the demonstrations caused injuries and major damage. Among those injures, a state senator who says he was beaten by protesters for taking pictures.

7) Constructors in Charleston, South Carolina have removed the statue honoring former Vice President John C. Calhoun whose defense of slavery led to the nation toward the Civil War. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks ending sharply lower as investors worry about the increasing number of coronavirus cases in some states. Businesses have been especially hard hit by the pandemic like airlines, hotels and cruse operators were among the biggest losers, with the Dow falling 710 points, the NASDAQ down 222, S&P 500 down 81. // And Disney theme park workers are making a plea to postpone the parks reopening next month due to the rise of coronavirus cases in Florida. More than 7200 have signed a petition asking Disney and government officials to delay the Disney World reopening. // And German pharmaceutical and pesticides maker Bayer agreeing to pay over $10.5 billion to settle U.S. lawsuits, claiming that its widely used weed killer Roundup caused cancer. Bayer inheriting thousands of lawsuits against Roundup inventor Monsanto when it acquired the U.S. agricultural giant in 2018. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.

AFN News June 18

AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 18, 2020　

1) From ABC News, I’m Chuck Sivertsen. And now murder charges against Garrett Rolfe, the White Atlanta police officer who shot a Black man and suspected DUI Rayshard Brooks, in the back twice last Friday in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard says Brooks posed no threat to the officers who did nothing to save him. “After Mr. Brooks was shot, for some period of 2 minutes and 12 seconds, there was no medical attention applied to Mr. Brooks.” Brooks’ widow Tomika Miller says she is hurt to hear that officers kicked and stood on her husband body as he died. “I didn’t imagine being there, because I don’t know what I would have done it if I would have seen it for myself, but I felt everything that he felt, just by hearing what he went through.” Another officer involved has also been charged with aggravated assault.

2) Senate Republicans unveiling their proposals to reform law enforcement practices including new accountability, training and de-escalation measurers. The legislation includes incentives to limit chokeholds. Democrats now reacting to it. ABC’s Katherine Faulders. “Two key senate Democrats say that Senator Tim Scott‘s police reform bill is insufficient to meet the moment, but they do not say if they will oppose starting a debate on the bill next week. Senator Kamala Harris said the bill lacks substance and (quote) ‘Gives lip service to the problem.’ Harris said (quote) ‘What he is proposing would not save a life.” Senator Cory Booker echoed this same sentiment. These two are crucial to their caucus and finding common ground. They had worked with Senator Tim Scott before but it’s unclear what happens next.”

3) COVID cases hospitalizations increasing in 15 states. Nine states hit new highs yesterday, including Oklahoma where President Trump holds the rally Saturday.

4) Major Wall Street indexes mostly fell in another day of wobbly trading as markets eased off the accelerator following their big rally for about three days. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks finishing mixed with the Dow and S&P 500 snapping their three-session winning streak, while the NASDAQ booked its fourth consecutive gains. Investors juggling economic recovery optimism along with fears of the second wave of coronavirus cases. The Dow closing down 170 points, the NASDAQ up 15, S&P 500 down 11. // And Hertz is suspending a controversial stock offering as it’s being reviewed by the Securities and Exchange Commission despite filing for bankruptcy protection last month. Hertz filing to offer up to $500 million in shares, aiming to cash in on a surge in the stock’s popularity. // And banks across the U.S. apparently can’t spare a dime. Banks facing a shortage of coins during the coronavirus crisis prompting the Federal Reserve to ration distribution and work with the U.S. Mint to boost supply. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell believes the issue is just temporary. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.

AFN News June 11

AFN NEWS

Thursday, June 11, 2020　

1) From ABC News, I’m Daria Albinger. A challenge to Congress from George Floyd’s brother: he asked the House Judiciary Committee to end what he and so many other African Americans have been feeling for years. “I’m tired of pain, pain you feel when you watch something like this. When you watch your big brother, who you’ve looked up to your whole life, die, die, begging for his mom.” Philonise Floyd, one of the first to testify at a House hearing on proposed changes to police practices and accountability. Civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump who also represents the Floyd family telling the committee he believes police officers have unchecked authority. “If there is no accountability, Congresswoman Bass, it will keep happening and we pray that George Floyd is the last one, but if this great body doesn’t act, it’s gonna happen again and I predict it’s gonna happen in the next 30 days.” House Democrats have proposed sweeping police reform bills. The Republicans say they are working on their own measure. George Floyd died 16 days ago but the protest across the nation stemming from his death continue from New York City, Boston, to outside the White House.

2) As more places lift COVID-19 restrictions, House officials warn the White House the pandemic is still very much reality. “The U.S. is closing in on 2 million confirmed diagnosed cases of COVID-19. At least 111,000 Americans have died, but the outbreak in Government’s response is no longer front and center at the White House. Vice President Pence on Tuesday led a meeting of the coronavirus task force, but it’s been more than a month since the task force held a press briefing. They were daily occurrences during the early period of the outbreak. Dr. Anthony Fauci Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning, America” said even as the nation reopens, Americans should still wear masks, wash their hands often and practice social distancing. Karen Travers, ABC News, Washington.

3) The Federal Reserve today said it is going to leave interest rates unchanged for now. You’re listening to ABC News.

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I’m Liz Claman and this is the Fox Business Report.

Stocks finishing mixed even after the Federal Reserve pledged to hold interest rates at near zero for some time, and using the necessary tools to support the economy. The NASDAQ notching its third straight record close, and finishing above the 10,000 mark for the first time ever, with the Dow falling 282 points, the NASDAQ up 67, S&P 500 down 17. // And Tesla stocks hitting a new record high, jumping above $1,000 a share after CEO Elon Musk told staffers that it was time to bring the Tesla Semi commercial truck to volume production. The stock also receiving a boost from a bullish call by Wedbush and said that Tesla could have more room to run. // And Boeing is aiming to conduct a key certification test flight on its grounded 737 MAX jet in late June, according to Reuters. The plane has been grounded since March of 2019 after two fatal crashes. That’s your Fox Business Report. I’m Hilarie Barsky, invested in you.