Daily Headlines for November 25, 2020
We scan major news sources* and compile selected articles to keep you up-to-date on current issues affecting California business – the economy, health care, environment, transportation and more.
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**Happy Thanksgiving! Daily Headlines will not run on November 26 and 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.**
Today’s Top Story
COVID-19 Prevention Program Emergency Regulation Adopted
On November 19, 2020, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) voted to adopt a comprehensive and complex COVID-19 emergency regulation addressing a variety of issues related to COVID-19 in the workplace. As previously reported, the OSHSB, the standards-setting agency within the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), had released the draft regulation text last week.
COVID-19
45 California Counties Are Now in the Purple Tier
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced Tuesday four more counties have moved into the purple tier, bringing the total number of purple counties to 45. Two weeks ago, there were only 13 counties in this most restrictive level, which requires many indoor businesses, such as restaurants, movie theaters and museums, to close. SFGATE
CDC Likely to Recommend Shortening Coronavirus Quarantine Period
Federal health officials are likely to shorten their recommendation for how long people should quarantine to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus from the current 14 days to as few as seven. NPR
California County Hopes Mail-In Test Kits Help Curb Virus
A Southern California county will provide up to half a million mail-in test kits to residents before the end of the year in the hopes that more testing can help beat back the coronavirus. The Associated Press
Public Affairs/ Politics
How California Reached Historic Voter Turnout Despite Pandemic, Distrust
Californians faced the naysayers and voted in historic numbers this election. CalMatters interviewed 45 of 58 county registrars and found the mail vote experiment saw few glitches, little drama and might provide a blueprint for future elections across the country. CalMatters
Tobacco Industry Submits Signatures on California Referendum to Block Ban on Flavored Products Sales
A coalition representing the tobacco industry said Tuesday it has turned in more than 1 million signatures as it seeks to qualify a referendum for the November 2022 ballot aimed at overturning a law banning the retail sale of flavored tobacco products in California. Los Angeles Times
Pollsters Are Taking Lumps for Bad Calls in Battleground States. Here’s Why They’re Taking Victory Laps in California
Voters in key battleground states fooled pollsters again this presidential election, but in California they did just what the polls suggested they would. San Francisco Chronicle
Human Resources / Health & Safety
As Holidays Arrive, California Faces a Shortage of In-Home Caregivers
Californians who are looking for in-home care for elderly or disabled loved ones this holiday season may have a difficult time finding help. Capital Public Radio
Hospital Workers Called Exhausted as U.S. Records Highest Number of COVID Deaths Since May
The U.S. recorded the highest number of deaths from the coronavirus illness COVID-19 since May on Tuesday, and continues to average close to 200,000 new cases a day, with hospitals across the nation reporting exhausted health-care workers and steadily filling intensive-care units. MarketWatch
Economy
Will California’s Small Businesses Survive Another COVID-19 Surge Without More Help?
…When the coronavirus began its death march through the economy last spring, Congress’ $2.2-trillion CARES Act buoyed California’s small businesses like Go Kart World with billions of dollars in loans and grants. But rescue efforts are now faltering as the pandemic reaches catastrophic new heights. Los Angeles Times
Unchanged From Early Estimate, US Economy Grew 33.1% in Q3
The second of three estimates on U.S. growth for the July-September quarter was unchanged at a record pace of 33.1%. But a resurgence in the coronavirus is expected to slow growth sharply in the current quarter with some economists even raising the specter of a double-dip recession. The Associated Press
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Rise as COVID-19 Infections Surge
The number of Americans filing first-time claims for jobless benefits increased further last week, suggesting that an explosion in new COVID-19 infections and business restrictions were boosting layoffs and undermining the labor market recovery. Reuters
Slight Gain of 1.3% in October for Manufactured Goods
Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods showed a modest gain in October but much of the strength came from a big jump in orders for military equipment. The Associated Press
Environmental/Agriculture
Fresno County Remains Top Agriculture County in California, Report Shows
Fresno County is home to over 1.4 million acres of productive pasture and farmland. It remained the top ag county in the state and nation. ABC30
Bay Area’s Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Delayed Again to Dec. 16
Dungeness crab season is delayed yet again. On Tuesday, the state announced the commercial crab fishing season from Point Arena to the Mexican border would be pushed a second time to Dec. 16 to prevent endangered whales from getting entangled and injured in fishing gear. San Francisco Chronicle
International
U.S. Goods-Trade Gap Widens as Imports Rise to Highest in a Year
The U.S. merchandise-trade deficit widened in October as imports reached the highest in more than a year, outpacing a gain in the value of exports. Bloomberg
Global Trade Stages Rapid Recovery
Global trade flows bounced back strongly in the summer, marking the largest rise in two decades as air and sea transport channels reopened while demand for consumer goods surged. The Wall Street Journal
As Trump Exits, Rifts in Europe Widen Again
The Trump presidency forced European countries to come together and stand more on their own. Officials in France and Germany are already tussling about life after he departs. The New York Times
Infrastructure / Education
California State Parks Announces $37 Million in Proposition 68 Recreational Infrastructure Revenue Enhancement Allocations
The California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) on Tuesday announced $37 million in allocations to 30 agencies under the Proposition 68 Recreational Infrastructure Revenue Enhancement (RIRE) Grant Program. This non-competitive grant program provides funding to local government agencies that passed local ballot revenue enhancement measures between Nov. 1, 2012, through Nov. 30, 2018, aimed at improving and enhancing local or regional park infrastructure. RIRE funds are proportionally allocated based on the population of the voting area. Sierra Sun Times
Opinion/Editorial
Developing Initiatives for a Strong Economic Recovery for All
Governor’s task force report emphasizes a strong and resilient economy must have equity at its core – prioritizing communities that have been left behind. Julie A. Su in CalMatters
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