Officials end gray wolf protections.
Last Thursday, the Trump administration announced the disassembly of protections for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act in most of the U.S., according to the Associated Press. With the absence of these long-standing federal safeguards for the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act, states and tribes are now in charge of overseeing the population of the predator. This announcement follows a series of administration actions on the environment that appeal to key regions of rural voters. While wildlife advocates are disappointed in the resumption of wolf hunting, farmers and hunters welcomed the news. Wolves were almost wiped out across the U.S. during the 1930s, but in recent years, thanks to the protections put on the wolves, the population had grown to over 4,000.
U.S. hits its worst week yet for virus cases
With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, the U.S is experiencing its worst weeks yet, according to The New York Times. Last week, the country reported a record of more than 500,000 new cases of the virus. Throughout the nation, half of U.S counties saw new cases of COVID-19 hit their peak during the past month and a third of the counties have seen record numbers in the past week. Areas in the U.S., such as the Upper Midwest and the Mountain West, are breaking records of new cases almost daily, with some counties reporting up to 5% of the population testing positive. 21 states have reported the addition of more cases in the last week than in any other seven-day time period.
Actress Lori Loughlin reports to prison
Last Friday, “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin, known for her role as Aunt Becky, reported to a federal prison in California to begin serving her two-month sentence, according to the Associated Press. Loughlin was charged for her role in a college admission bribery scandal, along with her husband Mossimo Giannulli, who was sentenced to five months last August. The couple paid half a million dollars in bribes, funneled through a false charity operation, to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California. Loughlin is among 30 other prominent parents who also used the sham charity to offer bribes to colleges, including “Desperate Housewives” actor Felicity Huffman.
Cruise ships can set sail again
Federal health officials announced on Friday new rules that will allow for cruise ships to start sailing again in U.S. waters, according to the Associated Press. In mid-march, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) ordered cruise ships to stop sailing into U.S. ports due to several outbreaks of COVID-19. However, as of Saturday, under new guidelines, the no-sail order is being brought to an end. In order to resume carrying passengers, cruise companies must successfully demonstrate that they have procedures in place for testing, quarantining and isolating passengers and crew. In addition, all ships will be required to have a test lab on board before being allowed to set sail. The CDC is aware that while the no-sail order is officially raised, it will take time before cruise ships are back on the water.
