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GOOD MORNING, PORTLAND! And I know, and I know, and I know that you got everything, but I got nothing here without you. LET'S GO TO PRESS.
Happy Earth Day, everyone! While there have been some big advances made in the last 50 years to protect our planet, there have been some significant failures as well. This article describes both.
As of yesterday there were 2,002 positive reported cases of COVID-19 in the state of Oregon, and 78 deaths. Just over 41,000 people have been tested.
Thousands of Oregonians are still without their unemployment checks thanks to an overloaded, antiquated system, and many think the state could've done a better job at setting expectations and communicating why they're unable to get people their money.
Mayor Ted Wheeler got dinged by three campaign finance violations for failing to identify big money donorsābut don't worry, our Alex Zielinski dug up the list of donors he neglected to mention. (Hee-hee-hee.)
It's going to be a tough budget season for Portland, as the city can expect a 13 percent reduction in revenue for the coming fiscal year. Our Alex Zielinski has more.
Harney County wants to be the first in Oregon to re-open parts of its economy. But what hasn't been said is that county leaders gutted the public health department there a year ago. https://t.co/6YHMzyQ6mh
ā Ryan Haas (@ryanjhaas) April 22, 2020
In case you missed it, the Multnomah County GOP is demanding that Governor Brown rescind her social distancing orders, because she's prioritizing human life over economic stability. WHAAAAAAT?
Though I hate to bring it up... wildfire season is on the way. And fires and stay-at-home measures don't exactly work well together. Here's more on what the state is doing to prepare.
Hey, it's tough time mentally for everyone. That's why I interviewed a local therapist for ideas on how YOU can find an online counselor!
IN NATIONAL NEWS:
Scientists have discovered that two people in California died of coronavirus in early Februaryāweeks before the first nationally recorded death in Seattle. This could indicate that our national death count of 40,000 has been vastly undercounted.
Not great news: According to the CDC, it's possible that a "second wave" of the virus may emerge this coming winter, and could be more difficult to manage than the first.
Trump has backed off slightly from his total immigration ban that he claims is due to the coronavirus, now saying it will be a 60 day ban on issuing green cards after big business complained about not being able to use foreign labor. This new plan is still undeniably racist, and hurts thousands of people.
U.S. is deporting infected migrants back to vulnerable countries as governments struggle to respond https://t.co/PB2gwj41o2
ā The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 22, 2020
National infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci revealed yesterday that there are currently no available drugsāincluding the one Trump has been constantly pushingāthat can effectively treat COVID-19.
California is expanding testing to asymptomatic people, and starting with those living and working in group facilities (including prisons and homeless shelters) and health care workers.
House members return to Washington today to pass a new $484 billion relief package designed to pad the previous small business loans that ran out of money almost instantlyāno thanks to big businesses like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and Potbelly who swooped in and drained the system dry. The package will also support further testing and health workers, thanks to Democrats who insisted on their inclusion.
Mayors in Georgia are rightly alarmed that their dangerously idiotic governor Brian Kemp is reopening the state this weekend, and are telling their cities to ignore the governor's orders.
The small gangs of anti-science protesters that have been marching to end self-distancing orders in various states is actually the product of (SURPRISE!) a big, well funded conservative action committee that is doing all sorts of damage to America.
Today in... "shooting down" boats??
President Trump said he told the Navy to "shoot down" any Iranian fast boats that harass U.S. naval ships. This comes a week after the Pentagon accused Iran of sending 11 boats to conduct āharassing approachesā to 6 American warships in the Persian Gulf. https://t.co/kFEAHTUkQ7
ā The New York Times (@nytimes) April 22, 2020
Joe Biden says he'll be selecting a panel to help him select a (probably female) Vice President for his presumptive presidential run in the fall.
OH, AND LET'S NOT ALLOW COVID TO TEMPT US TO IGNORE THIS BIG NEWS: The GOP-led Senate Intelligence Committee unanimously agreed that Russia absolutely tried to interfere in the 2016 election and helped Trump put us in our current terrible position.
Need a laugh? Get your tickets PRONTO for the live stream edition of the I, Anonymous show THIS FRIDAY April 24! Check out the details and the KILLER lineup of comedians here!
Now let's squint skyward at today's WEATHER: Expect a rainy Wednesday morning, with a high of 58!
And finally, Trump's speech makes so much more sense now!
Day of quarantine #74 pic.twitter.com/2YPf160x5T
ā Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) April 20, 2020