IS IT TRUE APRIL 16, 2020
Gov. Beshear: 4 More States Added to Partnership on Reopening Regional Economies
Gov. Beshear: 4 More States Added to Partnership on Reopening Regional Economies
More governors working together to be ready when novel coronavirus recedes
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 16, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that Kentucky is joining with Governors Tony Evers of Wisconsin, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan to closely coordinate plans to reopen the regional economies when the time is right.
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after the Governor announced he was working with Governors Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Mike DeWine of Ohio. The coordinated effort is aimed at looking beyond the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak now includes seven governors.
While each leader ultimately will make their own decision regarding their state’s plans, Gov. Beshear said the collaboration will lead to a more effective eventual opening of different parts of the economy.
“We owe much of our success in flattening the curve in Kentucky to the sacrifices our families are making. And while we continue to aggressively battle COVID-19, the moment we can begin to take action to reopen parts of our economy, we must do so in a way that ensures every sacrifice made is not squandered,†the Governor said. “I am proud to continue working with other governors to ensure reopening efforts are in the best interest of every Kentuckian.â€
Gov. Beshear said no decision has been made on the timing for reopening Kentucky’s economy, adding that he will rely on the expertise of public health leaders to make any determination.
As part of yesterday’s announcement Gov. Holcomb said: “While Hoosiers have been hunkered down to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, we’re not going it alone. We’re in this together – as Hoosiers – and alongside our neighbors in Ohio and Kentucky, where we have strong partners in Gov. DeWine and Gov. Beshear. I know we’re each looking forward to reopening our states for business as soon as it’s safe.â€
Gov. Beshear will continue regular calls and planning sessions with neighboring governors and other leaders during the coming weeks. As the action is taken, the governors will continue to provide updates.
Pro-Trump PAC Run By McMahon Pledged $18.5 million
Pro-Trump PAC Run By Linda McMahon Pledged $18.5 million The Same Day DeSantis Deemed WWE An “Essential Business” In Orlando last year
Linda McMahon left her position as Chief of the Small Business Administration to form the American First Action Super PAC.
ORLANDO WEEKLY
Earlier this week, it was discovered that the Governor’s office had declared WWE an “essential business†during the coronavirus pandemic, a label that allows the wrestling league to continue taping events at their Orlando studio.
The “essential†label didn’t make much sense to anyone, and in our first article, we speculated that either a massive campaign donation was promised or DeSantis thought spandex-clad guys wrassling counted as a church.
Well, we weren’t that far off.
On the same day that WWE was deemed an “essential business,†the American First Action political action committee, which is chaired by WWE owner Vince McMahon’s wife, Linda, announced a total of $18.5 million in television advertisement spending in the Orlando ($11.3 million) and Tampa ($7.1 million) media markets.
According to a press release from the super PAC, the money will be used for pro-Trump broadcast advertising from Labor Day through Election Day.
Obviously, having major Trump ties has its advantages. Under Florida’s original “stay-at-home order,†the wrestling entertainment company was not allowed to continue to operate. However, during a Monday press conference, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the WWE was given the special status after “some conversation†with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“I think initially there was a review that was done and they were not initially deemed an essential business,†said Demings. “With some conversation with the governor’s office regarding the governor’s order, they have deemed an essential business. Therefore, they were allowed to remain open.â€
What’s remarkable about this is that while every other professional sports league in existence has been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic, the WWE is now allowed to continue operating, even after two of its employees from the Orlando studio tested positive for coronavirus.
But the McMahon family has a long history with Donald Trump. Not only is Trump an actual WWE Hall of Famer, over the years the McMahons have been among the president’s largest campaign donors.
Not to mention, just last year Linda McMahon left her position as Chief of the Small Business Administration to form the American First Action super PAC.
“WWE’s current contract with NBCUniversal and Fox reportedly stipulates the promotion run live in 49 out of 52 weeks,†reports the publication. “Failure to do so could result in a breach of contract or some sort of the change in the deal. As a result, WWE would not receive all of its lofty, near-$400 million-per-year revenue between the two networks.â€
DeSantis, a governor who by all definition beat his GOP opponent in the last gubernatorial race because of Trump’s blessing, told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday that his decision to give the WWE special treatment was based on the fact that Florida residents are “starved†for new entertainment.
“I think if NASCAR does a race and can televise it without having a large crowd, I think that’s a good thing,†said DeSantis. “People are chomping at the bit,†he added.
Well, based on the fact that NASCAR’s CEO is a major Trump supporter, there’s a good chance we probably will see televised races pretty soon.
FOOTNOTE: This story originally appeared in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
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Indiana Election Commission Working to Find A Solution Thats Agreeable To Both Political Parties
Dear Clerks and Election Administrators,
As we continue to work through the COVID-19 crisis, we are working hard to keep each county informed as soon as we have reliable information.
We have been working with the Indiana Republican Party and the Indiana Democratic Party to find a solution that is agreeable to both. The two-state parties have reached an agreement, and the Indiana Election Commission will meet on Friday, April 17th at 12:00 noon. The following policies are expected to be adopted:
- Poll workers, Absentee Board members, and Watchers are not required to live in the county they are serving, so long as they are registered to vote in Indiana
- The Commission will emphasize that ALL public buildings (fire stations, school buildings, etc.) must be made available for use as a polling place for the June 2nd Primary if the county requests it
- The Secretary of State and the Indiana Election Division shall provide counties with training on mail handling and in-person voting procedures. Any deviations from the provided guideline must be approved by the county’s health officer.
- Limited early voting to take place from May 26 (the Tuesday after Memorial Day) to June 1. 2020.
- Primary Election held on June 2 shall be conducted in strict compliance with Indiana Election law, except as provided in a legally binding order
- County election boards by unanimous vote may adopt a resolution to establish more than one location for counting absentee ballots based on the number of active voters in the county (No more than one location per 50,000 active voters).
- County election boards by a unanimous vote may relocate a precinct polling location or a vote center location after giving best possible notice to the public and filing a copy of the notice with the Indiana Election Division
- The county election board may notify a voter that the voter’s absentee ballot application or absentee ballot security envelope is defective to allow the voter to cure the issue under current Indiana law. The Indiana Election Commission advises the uniform and non-discriminatory application of such a policy.
- All absentee ballot applications submitted after December 2nd 2019 and not later than May 21st 2020 (12 days before the June 2nd Primary) should be accepted whether an excuse is given, provided they are otherwise compliant with Indiana law (This a clarification of the March 25th IEC order).
Italic font designates a new language since my last email to you. You’ll be hearing from us soon regarding PPE that has been procured by the state on your behalf. We are attempting to purchase masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, e/PB/voting system/general surface cleaners and microfiber towels.
We’ll continue to update you with information as we receive it. There still could be multiple moving targets in this primary election, so your patience is appreciated as we navigate these waters together.
Thank you for everything you do.
Indiana Secretary of State
Teaching Your Child At Home: Expert Advice From USI Faculty Members
This article was written by Dr. Jill Raisor, Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Chair of the USI Teacher Education Department, Dr. Joy Howard, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, and Dr. Kelly Sparks, Associate Professor of Teacher Education.
Education has taken a drastic turn as a result of COVID-19! Many parents are facing the real challenge of juggling the tasks of working remotely while also serving as a “substitute†teacher for our own children. Several years ago, many of us laughed at Professor Robert Kelly’s interview on CNN when he tried to maintain focus on a live broadcast while his toddler and wife crept into his international workspace. Now, we suddenly have great empathy for Dr. Kelly because our living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens have become our offices too.
For a variety of reasons, schools and teachers across the nation are taking different approaches to e-learning, such as Google Classroom or SeeSaw or even worksheet packets. Regardless of your child’s social distancing educational format, parents everywhere are in a new role, even parents who have historically been homeschooling since the schedules and activities have necessarily changed. Below we offer a few tips, ideas, and resources that may help ease the transition for both you and your child(ren).
E-Learning Tips:
- Set a consistent schedule. Remember children need regular breaks just like adults do. (Video resource)
- Establish daily and weekly goals for e-learning while considering your children’s emotional and individual needs (Video resource)
- Stay in communication with your child’s school. Watch for updates. When is teacher available to answer questions? When are due dates?
- Search for resources to help. The Indiana Department of Education website is continuously updating available resources for educators and families.
Ideas to Conquer Boredom at Home:
- Read every day! Start a chapter book and read a chapter each day. Take advantage of some of the online resources as well (Examples: Faith Ringold reads her book Tar Beach and Storyline Online)
- Spend time outdoors: Go on walks, ride bikes, rollerblade
- Play board games
- Play games (Examples: toddlers and older children)
- Complete a puzzle
- Try a new recipe and cook or bake as a family
- FaceTime, Zoom, write a letter, email or call friends and family
- Try some fun, hands-on science activities at home
- Work with available mediums for art activities: sidewalk chalk, paint, clay
- Seek virtual field trips to Zoos, Museums, National Geographic, National Parks
- Exercise (Example: YMCA virtual work outs)
- Join in or start a neighborhood “Bear Hunt†initiative
Suggestions for Talking with Children about Coronavirus/COVID-19:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a guide
- Indiana Department of Education offers Remote Learning Resources for Educators and Families
- Try relaxation techniques and serve as a model for children coping with stress: Deep breathing techniques, yoga (Examples: free yoga and lesson plan ideas)
USI Juried Student Art Show To Virtually Showcase USI Student Artwork
The University of Southern Indiana’s 50th annual Juried Student Art Show is on display beginning Monday, April 13. Because the McCutchan Art Center/ Pace Galleries on the USI campus is currently closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the exhibition is being displayed online and can be viewed at the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries website.
Ninety students submitted 277 two-dimensional, three-dimensional, graphic design and photographic entries for the exhibition. The show’s juror this year, Jon Goebel ’00, chose 84 pieces by 55 artists to be included in show. Jon is a USI alum and is currently Associate Professor of Art at the University of Hawaii, Hilo. A statement about this selection process accompanies the exhibition and can also be viewed on the USI website listed above.
Awards for the exhibition will be posted to the website on Monday, April 20. Instead of an in-person ceremony, the USI Art and Design Department plans to create a video compilation of faculty announcing the award winners.
Artists selected for inclusion in the exhibition are Baylie Armstrong, Jordan Auker, Megan Baggett, Allie Boyd, Olivia Boze, Meleah Brock, Zachary Brown, Precious Burdette, Courtney Burke, Cole Collier, Emily Davis, Lisa Dayvolt, Austin Delano, Samuel DeVoy, Katherine Drake, Bridget Eckerle, Spence Farmer, Izzy Ferraro, Madison Genet, Emma Goodrich, Alexis Haag, Jonathan Hamilton, Sky Hartig, Jade Hatcher, Jody Henke, Ally Hinton, Cody Hostetler, Juanita Johnson, Hannah Jones, Anna Kauk, Noah Kress-Jones, Casey Lehman, Katie Lewis, Maddyson Lewton, Faith Long, Katherine Mathews, Viktoriia Mayatska, Casey McDaniel, Olivia Miller, Ashly Morris, Kameron Nosko, Kayla Powell, Gabrielle Pyle, Kim Rocca, Lisa Ryan-Howard, Anna Saylor, Justine Schopmeyer, Ashley Seyffarth, Alyssa Smith, ReOnna Smith, Olivia Supper, Ally Thomas, Kayne Witham, Grace Wolfinger and Chris York.
The official ending date of the exhibition is Wednesday, May 6. However, because of the online format, the exhibition will be accessible in perpetuity and will be moved to the past exhibition archives of the gallery’s website once the next exhibition opens.
For more information, contact Brett Anderson, Associate Professor of Art and Director of the McCutchen Art Center/Pace Galleries, at branderson3@usi.edu.
DISASTER PROGRAM GIVES HOOSIERS GREATER ACCESS TO FOOD ASSISTANCE AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Indiana residents who need help feeding their families during the COVID-19 pandemic will have greater access to assistance from food banks and pantries through a Disaster Household Distribution program approved by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
The disaster distribution program uses commodity foods from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is administered by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), and is effective from today through May 14, 2020. The goal is to increase access to food assistance to those in need. Priority will be given to Hoosiers who are suffering significant economic losses.
During the COVID-19 response, food banks and partner agencies have largely shifted to drive-through distributions. Through the DHD program, current TEFAP food banks will use the network of new and existing mobile pantries to distribute food packages to families in need. It is anticipated a total of 250 sites, including mobile pantries, will assist with food distribution throughout the state, primarily in rural areas. Marion County will use Indianapolis Public School buses, community centers and a drive-through location at Gleaners Food Bank to ensure that families have easy access to food resources.
Each household receiving food through this program can receive one prepackaged 25-pound box that includes a variety of foods, including, but not limited to, canned and packaged fruits, vegetables, soups, sauces, noodles, beans, nuts, juices and meats. If frozen and/or refrigerated storage is available at a site, those items also will be distributed.
Individuals should contact their local food bank or pantry to determine whether they are participating in the DHD program. For additional information, please visit wic.in.gov or find a food pantry near you by using Indiana’s food assistance map.