Texas judge blasts Hobby Lobby for ignoring stay-at-home order

Hobby Lobby is facing a multi-state backlash for keeping some of its stores open amid the spreading coronavirus, with a Texas official suggesting that the arts-and-craft retailer is endangering public health. The Oklahoma City-based company’s controversial stance comes as some of the nation’s biggest retail chains temporarily close or limit their hours of operations because of the pandemic, which has killed more than 6,500…

Meghan McCain: Essential workers should be paid double

“The View” co-hosts are continuing to anchor their show from their own separate quarantines and on Tuesday, the women discussed a hot topic on many people’s minds: Should essential workers like grocery store clerks and delivery drivers be treated like first responders? Meghan McCain had strong thoughts on the matter.McCain, who is pregnant, said she has been relying on Amazon…

Should the public wear face masks? Experts weigh new advice

As public health officials learn more about the novel coronavirus and how it spreads, some are taking another look at whether healthy people should consider wearing face masks when they go out in public. Since the outbreak began, the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that masks be reserved for medical workers, sick…

Uncertainty plagues Supreme Court amid coronavirus crisis

Washington — The Supreme Court’s docket this year has been marked by a slew of high-profile disputes, with rulings anticipated in blockbuster cases involving gun rights, abortion and immigration by the end of June. But set against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic roiling the nation, the rest of the court’s term has been thrust into uncertainty, including how it intends to…

Biden casts doubts on Democrats' July convention amid coronavirus crisis

Washington — Joe Biden cast doubt on the Democratic National Convention scheduled for July taking place as planned, suggesting the event may have to be rescheduled as the nation continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.In an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday night, Biden, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, was asked whether he could imagine the gathering of…

Pastor arrested after holding packed church service in Florida

A Florida pastor was arrested Monday at his home one day after his church was packed with worshippers, despite a local “safer-at-home” order that was designed to help curb the spread of coronavirus, reports CBS Tampa affiliate WTSP-TV. A live-stream of the service at The River at Tampa Bay Church showed its crowded main sanctuary.According to WTSP, the sheriff told church leaders they…

Performing arts online: Theatre for socially-distancing audiences

In lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic? Broadway and West End theatre, concert performances, opera and improv comedy are as close as your TV remote or laptop. Here is a selection of what is available to those staying close to home. Theatre James Corden’s Tony Award-winning performance in “One Man, Two Guvnors” will be presented online for free by the…

YouTube channel offers virtual rides on major Disney attractions

Coronavirus may have shuttered theme parks, but technology has stepped in to make sure that quarantined Americans still have a way to experience their favorite rides. A YouTube channel is bringing Disney World, Disney Land and Universal Studios rides to people’s homes with virtual reality — for free. The YouTube page “Virtual Disney World,” which is not affiliated with the Walt…

“Kindness 101”: Children write letters to heroes

Catskill, New York — It wasn’t exactly the most polished production.  This week, with the help of my God-given teaching assistants, I taught an online class, “Kindness 101”, from my office. But despite the low budget, we had high turnout. Tens of thousands of kids from across the country tuned in. One thing we talked about was heroism and how…

Texas attorney general says gun stores are “essential”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared Friday that gun stores can stay open amid the coronavirus pandemic even as many jurisdictions within the state have issued stay-at-home orders. Paxton’s nonbinding opinion says “municipal and county authorities may not use emergency powers to regulate or restrict the sale of firearms.”Texas, the second-largest state by population, has not declared a statewide stay-at-home order….

Virtual museum-going: A guide for socially-distanced art lovers

In lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic? Closed museums offer art lovers virtual opportunities to explore works from among the world’s leading collections online. Here’s a look. Exhibitions online “View of Bozen with a Painter” (1837) by Jules Coignet. National Gallery of Art With the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., closed, visitors at home can take in the…

Neil Diamond sings coronavirus PSA

Many celebrities are doing their part to warn others to follow social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus outbreak. Neil Diamond is joining in, too — and he found a creative way to do it. Diamond changed the lyrics to his iconic hit “Sweet Caroline” to create a PSA about the staying safe from the virus.The familiar pre-chorus — shouted by…

Stars streaming at-home concerts during coronavirus

Millions of Americans are self-isolating right now — including music stars. Several artists have live-streamed mini performances on social media, giving people who are currently holed up at home some live entertainment, just from a distance.On Monday, Global Citizen, an organization that focuses on combating global poverty, announced its “At Home Together” series. The organization, which holds an annual music…

Celebrities read children's books to kids stuck at home

As schools shutter their doors indefinitely due to the global coronavirus pandemic, children are forced adjust to learning at home and some kids may now become food insecure. A group of celebrities is hoping to ease both of these challenges for children across the U.S.Actresses Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams have teamed up with Save the Children and No Kid…

Gyms are live streaming workouts during the coronavirus outbreak

The majority of gym chains across the U.S. closed their doors this week to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Now, fitness centers including Orangetheory, Gold’s Gym, Blink Fitness, Crunch Fitness, LA Fitness, Life Time Fitness, Equinox, 24 Hour Fitness and others will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Working up a sweat and staying healthy while stuck at home can be difficult…

This week on “Sunday Morning” (March 22)

Guest Host: Lee Cowan in Los Angeles         FIRST THINGS FIRST: Coronavirus and flattening the curveDr. Jon LaPook on the part we must all play to reduce our exposure to the virus and minimize its spread to others.        COVER STORY: Coronavirus and the contagion of fearWhile stress and anxiety can drive us to take healthy…

Trump criticized for calling coronavirus a “Chinese virus”

President Trump used the term “Chinese virus” to refer to the novel coronavirus again on Wednesday, despite calls from global health officials to avoid labels associating the disease with a particular nation or ethnic group. Mr. Trump’s comments have drawn backlash and raised concerns about stigmatizing Asian-Americans.His rhetoric gained growing attention Tuesday after he used the phrase in a tweet about supporting…

Sanders names Jesse Jackson as special adviser to his campaign

Bernie Sanders has named Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. as a special adviser to his campaign. Jackson, who ran for president in 1984 and 1988 and is a prominent civil rights activist, endorsed Sanders in Michigan last weekend.”I’m humbled and proud to have Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. by my side in the fight to expand voting rights, create a single-payer health…

Sarah Palin raps “Baby Got Back” while dressed as a bear

For some viewers of “The Masked Singer,” one of last night’s performances was unbearable. The judges of the show were shocked when a singer in a bear costume was revealed to be former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.”The Masked Singer” is a reality competition show involving mystery celebrity guests singing in costume before a live audience and…

NFL releases gun violence PSA honoring slain Chicago teen

Jay-Z’s Team Roc and the NFL debuted a public service announcement on Wednesday that honors the life of Hadiya Pendleton, a young girl who was fatally shot in Chicago in 2013. Narrated by her mother, the more than two-minute announcement focuses on her life and tragic death. Pendleton was gunned down as she was spending time with friends at the city’s…

National security adviser says China “covered up” coronavirus

Washington — National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien suggested Wednesday that China “covered up” the initial outbreak of the coronavirus, delaying an effective global response by two months.During an event at the Heritage Foundation on Wednesday, O’Brien reiterated that the coronavirus did not originate in the United States but rather started “some time ago” in Wuhan, China. “Unfortunately, rather than using…

Biden, accused of trying to end 2nd Amendment: “You're full of sh**”

Detroit — Joe Biden had a heated exchange with a construction worker who accused him of trying to take Americans’ guns away during a campaign stop in Michigan, one of six states holding primaries on Tuesday. The former vice president was touring an assembly plant under construction for Fiat Chrysler, shaking hands with and praising the electrical workers union members who…

First drive-thru coronavirus testing facility in the U.S. opens in Seattle

In South Korea, officials have been able to test hundreds of people every day for coronavirus using fast food-style drive-thrus. Now, the technique is coming to Washington, which has the second-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. The University of Washington Medical Center in North Seattle can currently test 40 to 50 people per day using the method, CBS…