CHARLIE BAKER

U.S. health officials say that while the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading in the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations.

Baker, a Republican, is currently more popular with Democrats than with Republicans.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker says he won’t seek a third term as governor of Massachusetts.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has signed an ordinance designed to divest the city from fossil fuels.

Michelle Wu has been sworn in as Boston’s first woman and first person of color elected mayor in the city’s history.

Across Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, nearly half a million residents were left without power due to the storm.

Across Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, nearly half a million residents were left without power due to the storm.

President Joe Biden’s most aggressive move yet to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is almost ready to see the light of day.

Dozens of Massachusetts State Police troopers have submitted paperwork to resign in response to the governor's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to a union that represents around 1,800 officers.

Dozens of Massachusetts State Police troopers have submitted paperwork to resign in response to the governor's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to a union that represents around 1,800 officers.

Under the governor's executive order, all executive department employees are required to show proof of vaccination by Oct. 17. Up to 20% of employees are not vaccinated.

In a story published September 27, 2021, about vaccine mandates for health care workers, The Associated Press erroneously reported that Dr. Jeff Smith was the CEO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The pandemic has contributed to a shortage in bus drivers, so Gov. Charlie Baker says 250 Guard members with commercial driver's licenses will be brought in to help.

Up to 250 personnel have been made available in the state to help with the staffing shortage.

Forecasters said Henri was expected to remain at or near hurricane strength when it makes landfall midafternoon Sunday.

Parts of the Northeast could begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Henri as soon as late Saturday, as the storm barrels toward the region.

Henri is now a hurricane.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) issued an executive order Thursday that requires executive department employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on or by Oct. 17. Why it matters: Baker's order comes as other Republican governors push back on vaccine and masks mandates. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.Democratic governors in Minnesota, Washington, California, Illinois and New York, among others, have mandated vaccination for state employees.

California Republicans see a chance of ousting embattled Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in a September recall election.

About 73 percent of the renters likeliest to be evicted are people of color and about 56 percent are women.

Lebanon has vaccinated a daily record of people against COVID-19, raising the total number of shots administered around the country against the virus to more than 1 million.

With COVID-19 cases declining and vaccinations increasing, governors across the U.S. are wrestling with decisions about when to declare an end to the emergency declarations they have issued and reissued throughout the pandemic.

Arizona’s state-run COVID-19 vaccination sites, which were touted as a national model, will be shutting down later this month.

The German government is following up on media reports that some coronavirus testing centers have overbilled authorities for the number of tests taken.

More cities and states are shrugging off lingering COVID-19 restrictions as vaccination rates rise and the number of infections falls.

The party has many very popular governors in blue states. Republicans hate them.

A number of states have embraced new federal guidelines that say fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks indoors or out in most situations.

President Joe Biden is highlighting new programs from ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft to provide free rides to and from vaccination sites as the pace of vaccination shots nationally declines.

Nations around the world are setting new records for COVID-19 deaths and coronavirus infections, and the disease is surging even in some countries that have kept the virus in check.

Eric Holcomb received his COVID-19 vaccine shot Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the opening of the state’s first mass vaccination clinic. Holcomb wore a face mask in the front passenger seat of an SUV while getting the shot of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the drive-through clinic. Ad___TORONTO — Canada is getting a fourth vaccine to prevent COVID-19, approving the Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose. Canada has pre-purchased 10 million Johnson & Johnson doses, with options to buy another 28 million. The U.S. approved the Johnson & Johnson vaccine last month.

Giving the vaccine to teachers and other school staff “will help protect our communities," Pennsylvania Gov. The Department of Health and Human Services has ordered all states to make teachers, school staff, bus drivers and child care workers eligible for shots. In Wisconsin, teachers will get priority when the state receives its first shipment of about 48,000 doses of the J&J vaccine, health authorities said. In Texas, where teachers have been battling to gain access to shots, state officials on Wednesday ordered vaccine providers to begin administering shots to school workers. “The more people we can get the safe and effective vaccine, the faster we can return to a sense of normalcy,” Michigan Gov.

Employees with the McKesson Corporation scan a box of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine while filling an order at their shipping facility in Shepherdsville, Ky., Monday, March 1, 2021. AdThe push to reopen comes as COVID-19 vaccine shipments to the states are ramping up. Johnson & Johnson shipped out nearly 4 million doses of its newly authorized, one-shot COVID-19 vaccine Sunday night to be delivered to states for use starting on Tuesday. The company will deliver about 16 million more doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June. White House vaccination coordinator Jeff Zients also acknowledged that scheduling of vaccination appointments “ remains too difficult in too many places."

The Justice Department said Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 it will appeal a judges ruling that found the federal governments eviction moratorium was unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)WASHINGTON – The Justice Department said Saturday it will appeal a judge’s ruling that found the federal government’s eviction moratorium was unconstitutional. “The CDC’s eviction moratorium, which Congress extended last December, protects many renters who cannot make their monthly payments due to job loss or health care expenses," he said. “By preventing people from becoming homeless or having to move into more-crowded housing, the moratorium helps to slow the spread of COVID-19.”AdThe CDC eviction moratorium was signed in September by President Donald Trump and extended by President Joe Biden until March 31. “The federal government cannot say that it has ever before invoked its power over interstate commerce to impose a residential eviction moratorium,” Barker wrote.

People line up for vaccines at a clinic in Central Falls, R.I., Saturday Feb. 20, 2021. Nearly a third of adults in the city have received at least one dose of vaccine, according to state data. Like Central Falls, it’s a tiny former industrial city that is overwhelmingly Latino. But the two cities’ fortunes could not be more different during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. And the vaccine rollout hasn’t been all smooth sailing in Central Falls.

(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)ALBANY, N.Y. – At the outset of the coronavirus pandemic, two Democratic governors on opposite ends of the country were hailed as heroes for their leadership in a crisis. The COVID-19 virus has been an especially painful illustration of that point. “New York and California are under a magnifying glass,” said Jared Leopold, former spokesman for the Democratic Governors Association. First, the state’s Democratic attorney general chastised the Cuomo administration for minimizing the death toll at nursing homes by excluding certain fatalities from the count. “Any of these Democratic governors are going to come off these initial highs they got that were better than Republican governors,” Stutzman, a Republican, argued.

He went on to say that by the end of July his administration can deliver 600 million doses for Americans. But “it's one thing to have a vaccine available, the problem was how to get to people's arms.”The Pfizer plant Biden toured, near Kalamazoo, produces one of the two federally approved COVID-19 shots. "I would’ve gotten there some way.”AdWhite House adviser Slavitt said the 6 million doses delayed won’t spoil and the vaccine is “safe and sound” under refrigeration. Slavitt said about 1.4 million doses were being shipped Friday as the work of clearing the backlog begins. The Virginia Department of Health reported that it was expecting delays on about 90% of its expected 120,000 doses this week and warned that delays could cascade into next week.

Making decisions about risks large or small in the pandemic era is fraught enough. But the storms and outages ravaging Texas and other states have added a whole new layer to the process. But the storms and outages that have hit a big swath of the U.S. over the past several days have added a whole new layer of complexity. They’re taking precautions while there, she said, including wearing two face masks each and keeping their distance from other people. Under normal circumstances, the family could stay with neighbors or family, but the pandemic has made that harder.

Coronavirus vaccination sites across the Northeastern U.S. are getting back up and running after a two-day snowstorm that also shut down public transport, closed schools and canceled flights. Some vaccination sites in New York City remained closed, but others, including those run by the public hospital system, were open Tuesday. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Coronavirus vaccination sites across the Northeast ramped back up Tuesday after a two-day snowstorm that also shut down public transport, closed schools and stranded travelers with canceled flights. Some vaccination sites in the city remained closed, but others, including those run by the public hospital system, were open Tuesday. Tom Wolf declared a disaster emergency after snowfall of up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) throughout central and eastern regions.

The winter weather prompted school districts to cancel in-person learning on Monday, and many COVID-19 vaccination sites were closed and rescheduling appointments. As much as 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow was predicted to fall in areas throughout the day Monday and overnight. 11:30 a.m.BOSTON — The second phase of Massachusetts’ coronavirus vaccine rollout is being disrupted by a winter storm that’s causing schedule changes and at least one vaccination location to shutdown. A winter storm warning remained in effect until Tuesday for much of the state. Most of the state remained under winter storm warnings or winter weather advisories that were expected to remain in effect through Tuesday morning.

(Peter Meecham/New Zealand Herald via AP)WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Travelers returning to New Zealand will face stricter rules at quarantine hotels as health authorities investigate how up to three people got infected with the coronavirus while isolating at Auckland’s Pullman Hotel. The record increase of 65 deaths is three more than the previous one-day record reported on Jan. 6, according to health department records. The university and county health department are asking students to limit leaving their residence to going to classes, getting food, work and other necessary in-person activities. The health department said in the news release that if the case counts continues to rise, stricter measures will have to be applied. The previous one-day record of 62 was reported Jan. 6, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

But if the U.S. Capitol — a shining symbol of democracy with a dedicated police force— can be overrun by a violent mob, could state capitols be next? In August, protesters temporarily derailed a special legislative session in Idaho. In Oregon, where Trump supporters burned a life-size puppet of Democratic Gov. “Pretty sure more #txlege members are going to start carrying inside the Capitol,” Republican state Rep. Briscoe Cain tweeted Thursday, a day after the Capitol grounds were abruptly shuttered as hundreds of Trump supporters demonstrated outside without any reported incidents. Mike Parson is planning for more than a thousand guests to gather Monday on the lawn of the state Capitol for his inaugural ceremony.

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)NEW YORK – The latest developments on the winter storm moving across the Northeast (all times local):7:45 p.m.Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced Wednesday he is banning tractor trailer and tandem trailers from all limited access highways, beginning at 9 p.m. due to the severe winter snow storm. ___2 p.m.PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island has closed all state-run coronavirus testing sites as the region braces for a major winter storm. A winter storm warning has been issued for Providence and Kent counties from 7 p.m. Wednesday through 1 p.m. Thursday. Meanwhile, New Jersey is poised to restrict commercial traffic from some highways because of the impending snow storm.

If approved, shots could begin within days for health care workers and people in nursing homes. Shots would then begin for health care workers and nursing home residents. ___CANBERRA, Australia — Australian researchers say they have abandoned development of a potential coronavirus vaccine because it produced false positive results on HIV tests. A health ministry statement says the government will first vaccinate health care workers, particularly those who deal with COVID-19 cases. ___HONOLULU — Hawaii expects to receive 80,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine in December for health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced Tuesday that all communities in the state will return to Phase 3, Step 1 of reopening beginning Sunday. A move back to Phase 3 Step 1 will close certain businesses including indoor performance and high contact indoor recreational facilities. When eating indoors at a restaurant, patrons will also now have to wear masks unless they are eating and drinking. "The days of most people doing most of the right things are probably not enough," Baker said. Kayrn Polito said, "These restrictions today are targeted ways we can fight back again the second surge of the virus.

Massachusetts governor announces reopening rollback Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced Tuesday the state will roll back some of its reopening measures beginning Sunday. He said new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are "showing disturbing trends." Watch his remarks.

Expanded unemployment benefits will cease by the end of the year, reducing much-needed income for as many as 12 million Americans. And millions of Americans are at risk of running out of benefits when two key federal pandemic relief programs expire. All states enabled extended benefits during the pandemic, but some have since ceased them because of an improvement in employment. Anyone who has exhausted their traditional state benefits should ask their state employment agency if extended benefits are available. The nonpartisan think tank estimates that 2.9 million of those running out of PEUC will be able to collect extended benefits in 2021.

As of Sunday, California has had nearly 1.2 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 19,000 deaths since the pandemic began. ___HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:—Fauci: US may see ‘surge upon surge’ of virus in coming weeks—U.K. ___ATHENS, Greece — Greek authorities announced 1,193 new coronavirus cases Sunday, a significantly lower daily figure than recently. Of the 115 infections reported Sunday, 24 were untraceable. South Korea on Thursday registered more than 500 new virus cases for the first time in eight months.

Pete Ricketts warned that he could impose tighter social-distancing restrictions before Thanksgiving if hospitalizations continue to rise. In Washington state, elective procedures such as joint and heart valve replacements and some cancer surgeries could be postponed to make room for coronavirus patients, said Washington State Hospital Association CEO Cassie Sauer. Even so, health officials are trying everything they can to slow the spread and address an even worse surge that many say is inevitable. New York Gov. New York state has averaged nearly 5,500 new cases per day over the past seven days.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is giving a COVID-19 update Friday. He was expected to speak about a plan to reopen field hospitals in the state amid rising COVID-19 cases. Back in the spring, five field hospitals were opened in Boston, Worcester, Lowell, Dartmouth and Hyannis to deal with a surge. How to watch Baker's update on plan to reopen field hospitalsWhat: Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker gives update on plan to reopen field hospitalsMassachusetts Governor Charlie Baker gives update on plan to reopen field hospitals Date: Friday, November 13, 2020Friday, November 13, 2020 Time: 12:30 p.m. "These field hospitals will be fully equipped with hospital beds, life-saving equipment, and medical supplies."

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2020, file photo, a worker wearing gloves, and other PPE holds a tablet computer as he waits to check people at a King County coronavirus testing site in Auburn, Wash., south of Seattle. The latest surge in U.S. coronavirus cases appears to be larger and more widespread than the two previous ones, and it is all but certain to get worse. But experts say there are also reasons to think the nation is better able to deal with the virus this time around. Several states posted records Tuesday, including over 12,600 new cases in Illinois, 10,800 in Texas and 7,000 in Wisconsin. Governors made increasingly desperate pleas for people to take the fight against the virus more seriously.

Newly confirmed infections per day are rising in 47 states, and deaths are up in 34. Health experts had warned that it was only a matter of time before deaths turned upward, given the record-breaking surge in cases engulfing the country. Deaths are a lagging indicator — that is, it generally takes a few weeks for people to sicken and die from the coronavirus. The virus is blamed for more than 8.6 million confirmed infections and over 225,000 deaths in the U.S., the highest such totals in the world. Deaths are still well below the U.S. peak of over 2,200 per day in late April.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll spoke on Wednesday about new restrictions on Halloween activities as the state faces a rise in COVID-19 cases. Salem typically attracts half a million visitors during October, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the city is asking visitors without plans to not visit. The new restrictions in the city include early business closures, road closures and parking restrictions. CBSN BostonParades, balls, and all large city events for Halloween were canceled back in August. Governor Baker spoke about Halloween, saying outdoor trick-or-treating, if done in small groups with face coverings and limited interactions, is "a lot safer" than hosting a house party.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said Tuesday the state is developing a plan to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine. The plan lays out the initial steps for a "robust, comprehensive and equitable" vaccine distribution system once one or more vaccines become available. Massachusetts is among the states that has recently seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases. High risk communities are those with over 8 cases per 100,000 residents during the last 14 days. "While we continue to plan for distribution of a vaccine, we can't take our eyes off the measures that we've been talking about for the last several months to keep people safe," Baker said Tuesday.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said Tuesday the state is developing a plan to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine. The plan lays out the initial steps for a "robust, comprehensive and equitable" vaccine distribution system once one or more vaccines become available. Massachusetts is among the states that has recently seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases. High risk communities are those with over 8 cases per 100,000 residents during the last 14 days. "While we continue to plan for distribution of a vaccine, we can't take our eyes off the measures that we've been talking about for the last several months to keep people safe," Baker said Tuesday.

The National Health Commission numbers released Tuesday reported a total of 30 new virus cases in the previous 24 hours nationwide. ___AUSTIN, Texas -- An ongoing wave of COVID-19 cases in the El Paso area prompted Gov. Since Friday, the state added 2,055 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases, an increase of 3.1%, to bring the total for the pandemic to 67,862. Conley says in a fresh update released Monday that Trump tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days using a newer 15-minute test. The project will produce 50 million swabs per month and is funded by a $51.2 million coronavirus relief grant announced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in August.

Jake Auchincloss has won a packed primary to become the Democratic nominee in the race to fill the U.S. House seat being vacated by Rep. Joe Kennedy III in Massachusetts. Nearly 1 million voters, skittish over the coronavirus pandemic, used the mail option for Tuesdays primary. He was elected to the Newton City Council in 2015. Kennedy opted not to seek reelection so he could challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Edward Markey in the Senate Democratic primary, but lost that bid Tuesday, becoming the first member of the Kennedy political dynasty to lose a congressional race in Massachusetts. The few other members of Massachusetts all-Democratic congressional delegation who had faced primary opponents Reps. Richard Neal, Stephen Lynch and Seth Moulton all breezed through Tuesdays runoff.

Casinos, gyms, movie theaters, and museums are among the businesses allowed to reopen in the state on Monday, under the third phase of Massachusetts Gov. “Pay attention #Massachusetts — #COVID19 is on the rise. Charlie Baker to consider rolling back his decision to move the state into the third phase of his reopening plan if case numbers don’t improve. Gina Raimondo on Wednesday delayed the next phase in the state’s reopening plan by another month. Baker and other state officials stress Massachusetts' key virus measures remain far below those in other states, and below where Massachusetts stood when he began the phased reopening in mid-May.

BOSTON (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday ordered Massachusetts authorities to allow gun shops to reopen after the governor deemed them non-essential businesses that needed to close to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock in Boston ruled that the restrictions ordered by Republican Governor Charlie Baker in response to the pandemic imposed an improper burden on the constitutional rights of citizens seeking to possess firearms. Several would-be gun purchasers, retailers and gun rights advocacy groups, including the Second Amendment Foundation, sued, arguing the orders amounted to an unconstitutional ban on acquiring firearms and ammunition for self-defense purposes. Woodlock ordered the state to allow firearms retailers to re-open by noon on Saturday under restrictions meant to promote cleanliness and social distancing. The case is one of several nationally seeking to keep gun shops open after states began directing the closure of businesses to reduce infections.

BOSTON (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday ordered Massachusetts authorities to allow gun shops to reopen after the governor deemed them non-essential businesses that needed to close to slow the spread of the coronavirus. U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock in Boston ruled that the restrictions ordered by Republican Governor Charlie Baker in response to the pandemic imposed an improper burden on the constitutional rights of citizens seeking to possess firearms. The judge said he would direct the state to allow firearm retailers to re-open by noon on Saturday under a series of restrictions meant to promote cleanliness and social distancing. Several would-be gun purchasers, retailers and gun rights advocacy groups, including the Second Amendment Foundation, sued, arguing the orders amounted to an unconstitutional ban on acquiring firearms and ammunition for self-defense purposes. He cited a major gun-rights ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008 holding that the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment guaranteed an individuals right to own guns for self-defense inside the home.

Then there are bars and restaurants that blur the distinction by serving culinary cocktails such as Aviary in Chicago or BarMini in Washington, D.C. There is one other thing independent bars and restaurants have in common: they are both facing extinction. According to the IRC and James Beard Foundation, only 9%of the $349 billion offered in the first round of PPP went to independent bars and restaurants. Bars and restaurants are fighting back by taking insurance firms such as Hartford Insurance to court in class action suits. And, lastly, through organizations like the IRC, independent bars and restaurants are hoping to establish a $120 billion dollar stabilization fund.

U.S. coronavirus-related deaths reached a somber milestone on Tuesday, surpassing the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. More than 58,300 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. That compares with the National Archives figure of 58,220 deaths from the Vietnam War, which lasted more than a decade. New York Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that his states stay-at-home advisory would not be lifted on May 4 but instead was extended until May 18.

4/19: Dr. Deborah Birx, Gov. Charlie Baker, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Suzanne Clark, King Abdullah II This week on "Face The Nation", there's a new dilemma dividing the country — is it worth risking the health — and potentially the lives — of Americans in order to jump start our paralyzed economy?

FILE PHOTO: A New England Patriots Boeing 767-300 jet with a shipment of over one million N95 masks from China, which will be used in Boston and New York to help fight the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), arrives at Logan Airport, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., April 2, 2020. Jim Davis/Pool via REUTERS(Reuters) - A truck emblazoned with the colors of the New England Patriots football team was out on the streets of New York on Friday, delivering 300,000 N95 masks to a makeshift hospital set up in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New York state recorded more than 500 coronavirus-related deaths in a single day on Friday, bringing the statewide total to nearly 3,000. The Patriots, who are based in Foxborough, Massachusetts, received a shipment of 1.7 million N95 masks from China earlier this week after the teams owner, Robert Kraft, and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker partnered to buy the much-needed supplies to help protect healthcare workers on the front lines. The NFL team said on Thursday it would send 1.4 million of the masks to hospitals in Massachusetts, with the remaining ones going to New York.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A call for help from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker prompted an unorthodox mission from the New England Patriots, who sent their team jet to China this week in order to retrieve 1.7 million N95 medical masks, the NFL side said on Thursday. A New England Patriots Boeing 767-300 jet with a shipment of over one million N95 masks from China, which will be used in Boston and New York to help fight the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), arrives at Logan Airport, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., April 2, 2020. It is an honour for our family to be a part of this humanitarian mission, team owner Robert Kraft said in a written statement. Another 300,000 purchased by Kraft will be sent to New York, the epicentre of the outbreak in the United States. As a life long NY Jets fan, hats off to Mr. Kraft and the team business and aviation professionals making this possible!

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is scheduled to hold a press conference Tuesday at noon ET the same time that non-essential businesses in the state are ordered to close their in-person operations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. How to watch Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker's press conference live todayWhat: Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito give an update on coronavirus with Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders and Commissioner of the Department of Public Health Dr. Monica Bharel. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito give an update on coronavirus with Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders and Commissioner of the Department of Public Health Dr. Monica Bharel.

John Moore | Getty ImagesThe state of Washington on Monday issued a stay at home order effective immediately, Gov. The "Stay order will be enforced by the Indiana State Police and local law enforcement, but not the National Guard. Indiana currently has 259 total positive cases of the coronavirus, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. Virginia currently has 254 reported cases of the coronavirus, according to the Virginia Department of Health. West Virginia has 16 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to data gathered by the state.

Massachusetts officials announced Friday that the world-famous Boston Marathon is postponed this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. The race that was set to take place Monday, April 20, is now scheduled for September 14. "Our priority right now is the health and safety of our runners we want to keep people safe," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said at a press conference Friday. "I know this is a change but it's certainly the right thing to do," said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. "As we've seen before, this marathon defines resilience," he said.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker speaks during the opening ceremony for the GE Healthcare Life Sciences headquarters in Marlborough, Mass., on June 23, 2016. The flaw affects some GE health-care Clinical Information Central Stations and Telemetry Servers, the regulator said Thursday. GE notified facilities about the vulnerability in November by mail, according to the FDA, and posted further guidance on fixing the problem to their website Thursday. The FDA said it is not aware of any "adverse events" related to the vulnerabilities and said a third-party cybersecurity firm found the problem. Manufacturers may issue patches to flawed medical devices, but unlike with consumer devices, pushing those patches to the devices is a much bigger challenge, if not impossible.

BOSTON (Reuters) - Massachusetts on Wednesday adopted the countrys toughest ban on the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, including menthol cigarettes, in response to a rise in youth vaping and an outbreak of vaping-related serious lung injuries. Bakers administration beginning in September had moved to temporarily ban on all vaping product sales. That ban will remain in effect until Dec. 11 while new vaping regulations are adopted in light of the first ban passed by a state legislature. The outbreak has coincided with the rising popularity of flavored vaping products among underage users, creating concerns about a new generation of Americans becoming addicted to nicotine products. U.S. President Donald Trumps administration in September said it would unveil a sweeping ban on most e-cigarette and vaping flavors.

Massachusetts on Wednesday adopted the country's toughest ban on the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, including menthol cigarettes, in response to a rise in youth vaping and an outbreak of vaping-related serious lung injuries. That ban willremain in effect until Dec. 11 while new vaping regulations are adopted in light of the first ban passed by a state legislature. The outbreak has coincided with the rising popularity of flavored vaping products among underage users, creating concerns about a new generation of Americans becoming addicted to nicotine products. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration in September said it would unveil a sweeping ban on most e-cigarette and vaping flavors. The Vapor Technology Association, a vaping industry trade group that unsuccessfully challenged Baker's earlier vaping sales ban in court, signaled its opposition in a statement issued when the Massachusetts Senate passed the legislative ban.

The Massachusetts Senate has approved legislation banning the sale of flavored tobacco products and levying a 75% excise tax on e-cigarettes as state officials aim to curb a spike in underage vaping. It also would impose a steep 75% tax on e-cigarettes and improve access to smoking cessation programs. Several states have enacted temporary measures to ban flavored e-cigarettes, but Massachusetts would be the first state to pass a permanent ban if signed into law by Republican Gov. The Trump administration announced plans in September to ban all flavored e-cigarettes, but federal officials have since wavered on those plans. Some Republican senators opposed the bill over concerns surrounding state tax revenue and the possible creation of an illicit market for flavored tobacco products that could be dangerous.

BOSTON (Reuters) - A Massachusetts judge on Monday declined to immediately halt a ban on the sale of vaping products adopted after an outbreak of e-cigarette-related lung injuries, but he said the state must redo the ban and get public comment this time. Lizzy Guyton, a spokeswoman for Baker, said his administration maintained the order was properly issued and was exploring next steps. Tony Abboud, VTAs executive director, said it regretted the ruling and would seek to block the ban, which the group has called an existential threat to the states $331 million nicotine vaping products sector. At least 1,479 e-cigarette-linked lung injury cases have been reported nationally to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Courts in New York, Oregon and Michigan have since put those states bans on hold following lawsuits.

BOSTON (Reuters) - A federal judge in Boston on Friday said she was leaning toward upholding a four-month ban on the sale of vaping products by Governor Charlie Baker, the toughest prohibition yet in a rapidly developing response to e-cigarettes and their potential link to a lung disease. A demonstrator vapes during a protest at the Massachusetts State House against the states four-month ban of all vaping product sales in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., October 3, 2019. Trade group Vapor Technology Association (VTA) is challenging Bakers Sept. 24 ban and wants a restraining order to pause the process. The VTA says Bakers ban, if left standing, will irreparably destroy Massachusetts $331 million nicotine vapor products industry and the livelihoods of the nearly 2,500 workers it employs. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Tuesday called on state lawmakers to pass a ban on most flavored e-cigarettes.

Photographs of hauls blossomed on internet vaping forums, drawing replies from other users making desperate offers to buy some of the stash. But a sudden swell of mysterious, sometimes deadly lung injuries linked to the habit has overshadowed that, disrupting a burgeoning industry. U.S. President Donald Trump said this month he planned to ban most flavored vaping products, saying he was concerned they were hooking children who had never previously smoked tobacco. He became worried when Michigan and New York responded by banning the sale of most flavored vaping products this month. Frank White had long sold vaping products at the Vault, his familys store in Northampton, Massachusetts.

BOSTON (Reuters) - Massachusetts on Tuesday imposed a four-month ban on sales of all vaping products, amid what officials called a national public health emergency that so far has been linked to nine deaths. The move goes beyond steps taken by New York and Michigan, which earlier this month banned the sale of flavored vaping products out of concern that they appeal to children. The four-month period is intended to give medical experts time to determine what aspect of vaping is causing the illnesses and to determine if new regulations could allow for safer vaping products, Baker said. The state has not banned the sale of vaping products. Californians are encouraged to stop vaping until health officials fully understand whats causing this public health crisis.E-cigarettes are now so popular that one in four 12th- graders has reported vaping a nicotine product during the previous 30 days.

REUTERS/Adnan Abisi/Illustration - RC154574D400BOSTON (Reuters) - Massachusetts on Tuesday imposed a four-month ban on sales of all vaping products, amid what officials called a national public health emergency that so far has been linked to nine deaths. The move goes further than New York state and Michigan, which earlier this month banned the sale of flavored vaping products, out of concern that those products appeal to children. The use of e-cigarettes and marijuana vaping products is exploding and we are seeing reports of serious lung illnesses, particularly in our young people, Baker told a news conference. The four-month period is intended to give medical experts time to determine what aspect of vaping is causing the illnesses and for the state to determine whether new regulations could allow for safer vaping products, Baker said. A mysterious lung disease linked to vaping has sickened at least 530 people in 38 states, and its toll is expected to rise, federal health officials told a congressional hearing on vaping on Tuesday.

The governor of Massachusetts on Tuesday declared a public health emergency and ordered a four-month ban on the sale of vaping products in the state. Republican Governor Charlie Baker's order appears to be the first of its kind in the nation, though at least two states, Michigan and New York, have moved to ban vaping flavors. The temporary Massachusetts ban, though, would apply to all vaping products and devices. His announcement came amid growing concern about the health effects of vaping products, including deaths. Three confirmed cases and two probable Massachusetts cases of vaping-associated pulmonary disease have already been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced a four-month ban on vaping after declaring a state health emergency. At a hearing on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced they expect hundreds of more cases of vaping-related illnesses to be announced this week. Her 18-year-old daughter, Piper, is one of 530 people in 38 states sickened by a mysterious illness related to vaping. With half of the cases occurring in people under 25, alarm bells are ringing from classrooms to Capitol Hill where Anne Schuchat of the CDC was testifying. But one congressman said Tuesday that was too weak, and that the government should simply say vaping can cause death.

Massachusetts on Tuesday imposed a four-month ban on sales of all vaping products, amid what officials called a national public health emergency that so far has been linked to nine deaths. The move goes further than New York and Michigan, which earlier this month banned the sale of flavored vaping products out of concern that those products appeal to children. "The use of e-cigarettes and marijuana vaping products is exploding and we are seeing reports of serious lung illnesses, particularly in our young people," Baker told a news conference. The four-month period is intended to give medical experts time to determine what aspect of vaping is causing the illnesses and for the state to determine whether new regulations could allow for safer vaping products, Baker said. The popularity of e-cigarettes has now grown to the point where one in four 12th-graders reported vaping a nicotine product during the previous 30 days.

A series of class action lawsuits stemming from the natural gas explosions in Massachusetts have been settled for $143 million, the utility blamed for the disaster and lawyers for the plaintiffs announced Monday. The explosions were blamed on an overpressurization of gas transmission lines during routine replacement. In April, the utility settled with the Figueroa family, of Lawrence. "I don't think anything can ever be fair to a community where so many people lost family members, lost homes, lost livelihoods," Republican Gov. ___This story has been corrected to show that Joe Hamrock is CEO of NiSource, not CEO of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.

His approval rating from Florida voters is enough to place him No. 10 among all the states 50 governors. The top two spots are held by Govs. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Larry Hogan of Maryland, both of whom are moderate Republicans whove been critical of President Donald Trump. Each has approval of at least 70% of his states voters and disapproval in the mid-teens.

Martha Coakley wins Democratic primary in Massachusetts Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has won the Democratic primary for governor. Coakley will carry her party’s nomination into the November general election against Republican Charlie Baker, who won the GOP primary.