Calls for greater access to vote-by-mail increase amid pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic, which has led most states to shut down almost all aspects of social and economic life, is also raising questions about what life will look like by the time the general election rolls around in November. The public got a preview of what voting in the age of the coronavirus looks like during the Wisconsin primary election. Voters…

How to celebrate Earth Day digitally

Wednesday, April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, an annual global celebration in support of environmental protection. But this year, the coronavirus pandemic is making it difficult to get outside and honor the beauty of the planet. With the majority of the world’s population in some form of isolation, Earth Day events have been canceled. However, organizations are getting creative and…

Brad Pitt delivers the weather on Krasinski's “Some Good News”

Brad Pitt: Hollywood heartthrob. Oscar-winning actor. Weather man? The 56-year-old took on a new role Sunday when he appeared in an episode of John Krasinski’s digital show, “Some Good News.” Pitt served as the show’s guest weatherman — although his forecast was rather short.Krasinski created “Some Good News” to highlight positive news during the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, he threw…

Michelle Obama hosting virtual read-alongs for kids

Kids around the world are isolated at home, but soon, they’ll be able to spend their “Mondays with Michelle.” Former first lady Michelle Obama is hosting virtual read-alongs every Monday for the next four weeks. Each Monday, Mrs. Obama will choose a different children’s book to read live at 12:00 p.m. on the PBS KIDS and Penguin Random House social…

31-year-old Texas officer shot to death, two others wounded in “ambush”

An officer was killed and two others wounded in what police called an “ambush” shooting Saturday night in San Marcos, Texas. The suspect died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the San Marcos Police Department said. According to police, the officers responded to an assault/domestic disturbance call around 6 p.m. Saturday. Officers were then “ambushed” by a suspect…

This week on “Sunday Morning” (April 19)

CBS News Live Facebook Chat with Conor Knighton, Sunday, April 19 at 11 a.m. ET!Conor Knighton is headed on a virtual book tour to chat about “Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park.” Head to CBS Sunday Morning’s Facebook page, leave a question for Conor, and join us there beginning at 11 a.m. this Sunday for a…

“SNL” star pays rent for 160 to honor grandmother

“Saturday Night Live” star Michael Che says he will pay a month of rent for residents of the same New York City public housing building his late grandmother lived in. During last weekend’s episode of SNL, the “Weekend Update” co-host revealed she died from COVID-19. Che announced on his Instagram page late Wednesday that he was taking care of rent for…

Coronavirus updates: COVID-19 cases top 2 million worldwide

  22m agoMany small businesses say Paycheck Protection Program is deeply flawed Since the federal Paycheck Protection Program launched earlier this month, small businesses across the U.S. have tapped more than $300 billion in loans as they try to survive the devastating economic tempest caused by the coronavirus. It may not be enough. Numerous small business owners contacted by CBS…

Contact tracing for coronavirus: How it works and why it's difficult

Containing a viral outbreak has long relied on a time-consuming process known as contact tracing. Public health workers interview someone who has tested positive and investigate their lives, tracking down every single person who could have been exposed.Already, cities and states have announced plans to hire thousands of workers to help with the effort to trace contacts for coronavirus patients. …

Obama: “I am proud to endorse Joe Biden to be president”

Washington — Former President Barack Obama delivered his long-awaited endorsement of Joe Biden for president on Tuesday, recording an 12-minute video to throw his support behind his former vice president.Mr. Obama’s endorsement of his former vice president comes a day after Senator Bernie Sanders gave a full-throated endorsement of Biden’s presidential bid, ending speculation that the two rivals might remain…

Detroit's water problems pose threat during virus outbreak

Michigan officials say the city of Detroit has over 6,800 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 5% have died, making it one of the country’s hardest-hit areas. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan initiated the Coronavirus Water Restart Program in March to help control the spread of the virus, in a community where 36% of the population lives in poverty.  Access to…

Krasinski and Ortiz surprise hospital workers with season tickets

Actor John Krasinski and Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz surprised a group of hospital workers who are on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus with Red Sox tickets for life. The “Quiet Place” director hosted them during a new episode of his lighthearted YouTube show, “Some Good News.” Krasinski invited nurses and respiratory therapists from Beth Israel…

Coronavirus updates: Death toll nears 22,000 as U.S. marks solemn Easter

  26m agoIllinois governor says evidence of “bending the curve” on coronavirus Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said Sunday that there were 1,672 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 20,852 since the beginning of the pandemic, CBS Chicago reports. Another 43 people have died of the virus, for a total of 720 fatalities. “I’ve spoken about a bending…

Pittsburgh churches band together for a virtual Easter blessing

Pastor Alan Hannah of Allegheny Center Alliance Church in Pittsburgh had an idea after seeing virtual choir videos online due to the impact of coronavirus and its halt on public gatherings.”We aren’t meeting publicly, and as pastors we’re doing all we can to continue to minister while practicing social distancing and honoring our state officials.” Hannah said. The result: Parishioners from nearly…

Hobbies offer Americans a respite from social isolation amid pandemic

As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic keeps businesses closed and social distancing measures in place, Americans are turning to the hobbies they love to help deal with the self-isolation. Dr. Lisa Damour, a psychologist, said hobbies can be a “positive form of coping” that can help bolster self-esteem and help pass the time.”There’s a lot of benefits to hobbies, especially in…

This week on “Sunday Morning” (April 12)

Host: Jane Pauley HEADLINES: Embracing science in the fight against COVID-19Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are working around-the-clock to find an effective treatment for coronavirus. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook talks about the friction that exists between conducting rigorous clinical trials versus what’s called empiric therapy – trying something out to see if it works – and the…

Coronavirus updates: British PM Boris Johnson leaves intensive care

  13m agoSome abortions in Texas can resume, despite federal appeals court decision A federal judge blocked parts of Texas’ temporary abortion ban on Thursday evening, allowing some procedures to resume despite a prior appeals court decision to uphold the ban amid the coronavirus pandemic. For more than two weeks, the vast majority of abortion services in Texas have been…

Coronavirus drugs: What we know, what we don't

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have been at the center of debate in recent weeks over which drugs should be used to treat COVID-19. Neither product has strong evidence to support use for this purpose, and small studies reported to date have either had significant flaws or failed to demonstrate effect.Nonetheless, the president can’t seem to stop pushing them, arguing that patients…

Doctor, husband killed execution-style by daughter's boyfriend

Prosecutors on Tuesday charged a teenager with fatally shooting a University of Wisconsin physician and her husband, who were the parents of his girlfriend, and leaving their bodies at the school’s arboretum. Khari Sanford, 18, was charged with two counts of party to the crime of first-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon.”This was a brutal execution,” Dane County…

Broadway stars unite for “Beautiful” online performance

Cast members and musicians from productions of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” around the world are bringing a special collaboration to online audiences to remind people they are not alone during this period of self-isolation. The performance, which premiered first on “CBS This Morning” Tuesday, features 80 members of the musical and will benefit The Actor’s Fund, a non-profit that…

Pastors describe spreading the gospel online during pandemic

For 40 years, Reverend Calvin Butts has preached in front of thousands at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, a landmark sanctuary in Harlem. But for the past three weeks, as the coronavirus outbreak has taken hold in New York City, preaching has been a solitary affair. “We decided to do virtual services after we heard the projections for the number…

Some … of many: Those we've lost to coronavirus

They are our friends, our neighbors; people of renown, and just regular people.  “Sunday Morning” takes a moment to remember just a few of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic: Wallace Roney  (1960-2020)The jazz trumpeter was mentored by Miles Davis, and joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He had played on more than 250 recordings, performing with such artists as Chick…

“Victory Gardens” for the war against COVID-19

This week the flowers at Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach, California are in full, dazzling bloom. It’s as if to remind us that, even in the middle of our upended lives, spring somehow arrived on time. But these days, only the bees seem to be interested in flowers. Right now, nurseries like this one across the country are selling out…

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…