U.S. News

U.S. unemployment is nearing levels of the Great Depression of the 1930s, with one in 6 Americans of working age out of a job as the coronavirus pandemic essentially shut down the economy. About 4.4 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance last week alone, reported the U.S. Labor Department on Thursday.

A California federal judge determined Wednesday that churches in the state are prohibited from holding in-person services during the coronavirus pandemic, the Los Angeles Times reports. The case was brought by three Southern California churches who argued that the state’s lockdown rules were a violation of the First Amendment and the right to freedom of religion and assembly.

Sales of new U.S. single-family homes dropped by the most in more than 6-1/2 years in March and further declines are likely as the novel coronavirus outbreak batters the economy and throws millions of Americans out of work.

In a video interview on Saturday evening, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott encouraged Texans to put their faith in God, CBN News reports. Interviewed by Pastor Jack Graham during an online service at Prestonwood Baptist Church, the governor said: ‘We are all tested, we are all challenged. There is a solution that will support you and will always be there for you and that’s Jesus Christ, it’s God Almighty.’

The US COVID-19 death toll was 45,343 on Wednesday morning, Worldometers.info reports. The first known US fatality from coronavirus came on February 28 in Washington State. Currently, New York has the highest number of deaths with 19,693; Wyoming has the fewest with 6.

U.S. health regulators on Tuesday OK’d the first coronavirus test that allows people to collect their own sample at home, a new approach that could help expand testing options in most states.

President Donald Trump and congressional leaders have agreed on a new, nearly $500 billion stimulus package to help small businesses impacted by stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a Hill-HarrisX poll published on Monday, 74% of adults in America were concerned about losing personal freedoms to COVID-19. The survey also showed that 83% of respondents were concerned about infection from the coronavirus.

President Trump announced on Monday night that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he will be ordering a temporary suspension on immigration to the US. In a post on Twitter, the President said: ‘In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!’

U.S. crude oil futures plunged to a historic low of below $0 on Monday. Desperate traders paid to get rid of that fossil fuel amid a coronavirus-induced lack of global demand.

A federal judge in Kansas issued a temporary restraining order Saturday, giving churches exemption from Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order banning gatherings of more than 10 people. The governor’s order was issued on March 23 to slow the spread of COVID-19, but was not extended to houses of worship until just before Easter as the virus infection rate climbed to a projected peak.

A South Carolina federal judge has awarded an atheist group over $450,000 in attorney’s fees and expenses after it filed a lawsuit to block public prayer at high school graduations, Christian Headlines reports. The award follows a finding last year that there should be limits to student-led prayers at graduation ceremonies. Given on April 14, the award is in respect of legal action initiated by the American Humanist Association (AHA) against Greenville County Schools in 2013. The suit was on behalf of the parents of a pupil who objected to students leading prayer at a graduation ceremony.

President Donald Trump said Sunday negotiations with Democrats continue on another coronavirus relief package to replenish funding for small business loans, also known as the Paycheck Protection Program.

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser yesterday ordered a one-month extension of the state of emergency, as cases in the region grow at a rapid pace. Federal officials in the nation’s capital expect a New York-like epidemic in the District, Maryland and Virginia, one that could potentially cripple the government.

U.S. President Donald Trump has told governors that some could begin reopening their states by May 1 or earlier if they wanted despite ongoing coronavirus infections, according to audio recordings distributed Thursday.

Protests continue in the United States against the perceived ‘tyrannical’ lockdown orders to halt the coronavirus pandemic. In Richmond, Virginia, dozens of people gathered outside the state legislature Thursday in defiance of stay-at-home rules, which the governor instituted until June 10. ‘STOP the MADNESS! It’s just a COLD VIRUS! End the shutdown for the GOOD of U.S. all!’ read one sign.

The results of a new survey published on Monday show nearly half of adult Americans believe the Bible should influence laws, the Christian Post reports. Carried out by the Pew Research Center, the survey found 49% of respondents think the Bible should have “some” or a “great deal” of influence on national legislation. Of these, 28% thought the Bible should have precedence over the will of the people.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that some big decisions will be announced Thursday about how parts of the U.S. economy will begin to reopen after stay-at-home orders closed businesses and led to millions of lost jobs across the country.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear oral arguments by telephone for the first time since it first convened in 1790.

America’s top law enforcer has warned state and local government officials against targeting the faithful amid distancing and lockdown measures to combat the new coronavirus pandemic. Attorney General Bill Barr said his Department of Justice condemns cases such as in the U.S. State of Mississippi where worshipers were fined for attending drive-in church service.