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Cruise lines to require masks and testing, even for vaccinated guests

August 6, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Some major cruise lines will now require pre-boarding testing and masks to be worn in certain indoor areas — even for vaccinated guests.

“We have seen a number of ships report some isolated cases of COVID,” said Cruise Critic Editor-in-Chief Colleen McDaniel. “And what we’ve seen is these have been mostly among vaccinated passengers, and certainly the delta variant seems to be having an effect on that.”

Despite at least 95% of guests and crew being vaccinated, Carnival Vista, which departed out of Galveston, Texas, reported a “small number of positive cases” this week — prompting the cruise line to change their policy.

The positive cases are in isolation, but the new mask-wearing rule will begin immediately on the Vista.

Carnival’s policy will go into effect after Aug. 7 through Oct. 31 for other sailings.

“These new requirements are being implemented to protect our guests and crew while on board, and to continue to provide confidence to our homeports and destinations that we are doing our part to support their efforts to protect public health and safety,” Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said in a statement. “We expect these requirements will be temporary and appreciate the cooperation of our guests.”

Holland America and Princess Cruises, which are both owned by Carnival Corporation, announced the same new cruising requirements.

In addition to masking, all fully vaccinated guests will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of their embarkation.

“I think the requirements are going to continue to shift based on how we’re seeing the delta variant affect our day-to-day lives, both at home and also as we travel,” McDaniel said. “I think this is going to stick while we figure out how the delta variant is going to affect us, day to day.”

But some experts don’t believe the new rules will deter future passengers.

“What we have found is that cruise passengers want to cruise and that they want to cruise safely,” Cruise Critic Managing Editor Chris Faust told ABC News. “So no matter what they’re doing, they’re going to be following the cruise line protocols in order so that they can stay safe and feel like they’re having a great vacation.”

Dr. Anne Rimoin, an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, recommended people determine what their risk threshold is before deciding to take a cruise in light of the growing number of cases.

“You have to think very carefully,” she said. “Do you have someone in your household, who isn’t vaccinated, that is at risk? Do I have small children that could become infected if I get infected?”

She said to keep in mind how contagious the delta variant is, and that it is easier to get COVID now than it has ever been.

“Vaccinated or not, you have to think about your risk, you have to think about where you are, who you’re around and mask accordingly,” she explained.

COVID-19 live updates: Only two states don’t have high or substantial community transmission

August 6, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.

More than 615,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 and over 4.2 million people have died worldwide, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Just 58.4% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC last week, citing new science on the transmissibility of the delta variant, changed its mask guidance to now recommend everyone in areas with substantial or high levels of transmission — vaccinated or not — wear a face covering in public, indoor settings.

Here’s how the news is developing Friday. All times Eastern:

Aug 06, 7:42 am
United to require all US employees be vaccinated by September

All U.S.-based United employees will be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 by September and must upload their vaccination card to the company website, the airline announced Friday. The move is the strongest vaccination requirement a U.S. airline has taken so far.

“For those employees who are already vaccinated — and for those employees who get vaccinated and upload their records to Flying Together before September 20th — we’ll offer an additional day of pay,” Scott Kirby and Brett Hart, the CEO and president of United, wrote in a memo to employees.

Employees will have until five weeks after Sept. 20 or five weeks after the Food and Drug Administration fully authorizes a COVID-19 vaccine to upload their cards. All three vaccines in the U.S. are currently being used under emergency use authorization.

Aug 06, 4:31 am
Tokyo sees 4,515 new positive cases

There are 4,515 new positive coronavirus cases in Tokyo as of Friday, according to the city’s COVID-19 information website.

It’s a 152.7% increase since last Friday.

Of the new cases, 141 are severe and four have turned fatal.

Aug 06, 1:53 am
There are now 387 positive cases at the Tokyo Olympics

As of Friday, there are 387 positive COVID-19 cases at the Tokyo Olympics, according to the Tokyo 2020 coronavirus positive case list.

This is an increase of 29 positive cases since Thursday.

All of the cases are either Tokyo 2020 contractors, Games-concerned personnel or media.

“Of the 726 U.S. Olympic delegates in Japan on Aug. 5, no COVID tests were confirmed positive based on daily results,” the International Olympic Committee tweeted.

Aug 05, 8:53 pm
Hawaii issues vaccine rules for state, county employees

Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced Thursday that all state and county employees must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination by Aug. 16 — or be subject to weekly testing.

Those who don’t comply “could be subject to termination,” Ige said.

It is unclear how many state and county workers are already vaccinated.

The mandate comes as the number of cases and hospitalizations in the state are “trending up dramatically,” Ige said.

Maryland and Virginia announced similar measures earlier Thursday.

Aug 05, 4:12 pm
Delta ‘sweeping over Mississippi like a tsunami’: Official

Mississippi is facing “a phenomenal increase in daily reported cases of COVID, and this is entirely attributable to the delta variant, which is sweeping over Mississippi like a tsunami,” state health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Thursday.

Dobbs said 97% of new cases are among the unvaccinated, and that 89% of hospitalizations and 85% of deaths are unvaccinated.

Dobbs pleaded with the public to get vaccinated, stressing that the unvaccinated population is driving the current surge, but that vulnerable, vaccinated people are suffering the fallout.

“There is going to be some collateral damage, unfortunately, even folks who’ve done everything they can to protect themselves,” Dobbs said.

“The minority of folks who are vaccinated and hospitalized are overrepresented by the older and those with weaker immune system, so we’re seeing a pretty dramatic spillover effect from the transmission in the community to more vulnerable parts of our population,” he said.

Aug 05, 3:51 pm
New state employee vaccination rules issued in Virginia, Maryland

In Virginia, all 120,000 state employees must be vaccinated by Sept. 1, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday.

About 72% of employees are already vaccinated.

Anyone who chooses not to be vaccinated must get tested weekly, he said.

In Maryland, state employees at 48 state facilities must be vaccinated by Sept. 1, “or adhere to strict face covering requirements and submit to regular, ongoing COVID-19 testing,” Gov. Larry Hogan said.

The 48 facilities on the list include the Department of Health, Department of Juvenile Services, Department of Public Safety and Corrections and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Aug 05, 2:28 pm
Only 2 states not experiencing high or substantial community transmission

Nearly every state in the country is now experiencing case and hospitalization increases. Only two states — Vermont and Maine — are not reporting high or substantial community transmission, according to federal data.

The U.S. is now experiencing its steepest increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations since the winter. More than 61,000 patients are now hospitalized across the country with COVID-19, according to federal data. About one month ago, 12,000 patients were in U.S. hospitals.

Scoreboard roundup — 8/5/21

August 6, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit 8, Boston 1
LA Angels 5, Texas 0
Toronto 3, Cleveland 0
NY Yankees 5, Seattle 3
Kansas City 3, Chi White Sox 2
Minnesota 5, Houston 3

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Miami 4, NY Mets 2
Colorado 6, Chi Cubs 5
San Francisco 5, Arizona 4
Philadelphia 7, Washington 6
Cincinnati 7, Pittsburgh 4
Atlanta 8, St. Louis 4

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASON
Pittsburgh 16, Dallas 3

Tito Jackson releases new album, ‘Under Your Spell’; says his mom is the queen of his star-studded new video

August 6, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The Jackson 5‘s Tito Jackson released his latest solo album today, a star-studded collection of blues tunes titled Under Your Spell.

The album includes the lead single “Love One Another,” a song with an uplifting message that features Tito joined on lead vocals by his brother Marlon and blues artists Bobby Rush and Kenny Neal, plus Stevie Wonder on harmonica.

A companion music video for the song debuted Thursday packed with celebrity cameos, including Tito’s sister Janet, Smokey Robinson and Kim Kardashian West, but Tito tells ABC Audio that the queen of the clip is none other than his 91-year-old mom, Katherine.

“She kicks it out,” Tito says of the video, which begins with Katherine delivering a message imploring people to “stop the violence, killing, racism, and…to love one another.”

Also appearing in the “Love One Another” video are Tito’s brothers and band mates Marlon, Jackie and Jermaine, his sister La Toya, his children and various grandkids, nieces and nephews, as well as celebs like Magic Johnson, Chris Tucker, Kathy Sledge, Morris Day, Deniece Williams, Brian McKnight, Kim Fields, Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner.

Tito notes that by having so many well-known musicians, actors and other stars featured in the clip, he feels that the song’s positive has a better chance of reaching more people.

“The message of…’Love One Another’…[is] very much needed today,” he maintains. “And that’s what I felt when that was being produced…tell the people something that’s gonna stick and they know it’s true and they can practice. So, we got to love one another.”

Under Your Spell also includes contributions from George Benson, The O’Jays‘ Eddie Levert and more. The album is available now on CD, vinyl LP, digital formats and via streaming services.

American woe: The Guess Who’s Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings cancel 2021 US reunion tour

August 6, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Co-founding Guess Who members Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings were preparing to finally launch the often-postponed U.S. leg of their reunion tour in September, but unfortunately the Canadian duo has canceled the trek because of travel issues.

A message on the official Bachman Cummings Facebook page reads, “While Randy and Burton have been looking forward to reuniting for their fans throughout the United States, they extend their love and appreciation to all of the fans that were planning to come to these shows, and they cannot wait to see you all again when things are more predictable in terms of travel in and out of Canada.”

The stateside leg of the “Bachman Cummings: Together Again, Live in Concert” tour was to have featured 12 shows in the Midwest that spanned from a September 1 date in Fort Wayne, Indiana, through a September 18 performance at the Deadwood Jam 2021 in Deadwood, South Dakota.

As previously reported, the concerts would have featured Bachman and Cummings performing Guess Who songs, as well as material from Randy’s other famous band, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and from Burton’s solo career.

Here’s the full list of Bachman Cummings’ canceled U.S. shows:

9/1 — Fort Wayne, IN, Foellinger Theatre
9/2 — Akron, OH, The Goodyear Theater
9/4 — Prior Lake, MN, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
9/5 — Milwaukee, WI, The Riverside Theater
9/7 — Cincinnati, OH, PNC Pavilion
9/8 — Huber Heights, OH, The Rose Music Center at The Heights
9/10 — Rosemont, IL, Rosemont Theatre
9/11 — Green Bay, WI, Resch Center
9/13 — Kansas City, MO, Muriel Kauffman Theatre
9/15 — Omaha, NE, Orpheum Theater
9/16 — St. Charles, MO, The Family Arena
9/18 — Deadwood, SD, Deadwood Jam 2021

Joseph Gordon-Levitt reveals deeper meaning and inspiration behind ‘Mr. Corman’

August 6, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The new dramedy Mr. Corman is very personal for creator and star Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The Apple TV+ series debuts today, and he tells ABC Audio that he knows he’s been very lucky in life, and he wanted to imagine a character that perhaps didn’t have the same kind of advantages.

“I feel so grateful for so much in my life,” he says, naming his family, safety, and health as examples. “And when I think about it, I actually think that a lot of that just comes down to luck. And part of not taking my luck for granted.”

The lead character in the Mr. Corman is a teacher, and there’s a very specific reason for that — Gordon-Levitt wrote the character as an alternate universe version of himself.

“I always thought that teaching was something I would love to do,” the actor revealed. “I find teachers incredibly admirable. I wish that teachers were the heroes and valorized and celebrated in our world much more than entertainers.”

Another detail that is very intentional is the main character’s name, Mr. Corman, which Gordon-Levitt says was well thought out.

“Well, cor is also the word ancient word for heart,” he shares, adding that the character goes through highs and lows. “But I wanted the North Star to be that he’s got heart and that the show would have heart.”

“Because that’s to me, ultimately what I care about most when I’m watching something,” Gordon-Levitt admits. “I don’t care what genre it is I’m watching, if something feels like it’s got a genuine heart, then I’ll get drawn in.” (AUDIO IS ABC 1-ON-1)

The first two episodes of Mr. Corman are available to stream now on Apple TV+, with the remaining eight episodes dropping every Friday.

Police searching for multiple suspects after 15-year-old fatally shot in Virginia

August 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(PORTSMOUTH, Va.) — Police are on the hunt for several suspects after a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot in Virginia earlier this week, authorities said.

The Portsmouth Police Department released surveillance videos that capture the deadly shooting, which occurred Monday on Chowan Drive in Portsmouth, near Norfolk.

One video “depicts several suspects getting out of a black 4-door vehicle, shooting at the victim, and returning to the vehicle,” the department said Wednesday.

Police also shared a still of the car believed to be involved in the shooting.

Another surveillance video captured a barrage of shots that police say were fired at the victim.

Dozens of evidence markers were visible on the street at the crime scene following the shooting.

The 15-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital, where he later died of his injuries, according to Norfolk ABC affiliate WVEC.

Police did not share any further details on the shooting.

The boy is the fifth child under the age of 16 to be fatally shot in Portsmouth this year, according to WVEC.

Anyone with information is asked to call 757-393-8536.

Woman pulled from car, attacked by mob of dirt bike, ATV riders, officials say

August 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) — Police are investigating after a mob of ATV and dirt bike riders allegedly pulled a woman out of her car and beat her in a late-night attack in Providence, Rhode Island — the latest incident in what officials are saying is a spate of “out of control” violence.

The incident happened Tuesday night, officials from the mayor’s office said. Around 11:30 p.m., the 35-year-old victim had honked her horn at a group of ATV and dirt bike riders after they failed to move through two green lights, according to ABC Providence affiliate WLNE.

As she drove away, the group surrounded her car and several riders opened the driver’s side door, dragged her onto the street and began assaulting her, according to WLNE.

Cellphone video obtained by WLNE showed the woman on her knees in the street while an assailant repeatedly punched her.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said the woman was “shaken and injured” in the “awful incident.”

The ATV and dirt bike riders reportedly fled.

The victim hurt her head and knees but did not need to be hospitalized, according to the Providence Journal. The paper reported that the driver’s friend and the friend’s 8-year-old daughter were in the car at the time of the attack.

ABC News has reached out to the Providence Police Department for updates on the incident.

The assault is the latest in a string of violence that has plagued the capital city, including a drive-by shooting Sunday that fatally killed a 24-year-old woman, leading to calls for stronger enforcement.

On Friday, Providence City Council President John Igliozzi sent a letter to Gov. Dan McKee requesting that Rhode Island State Police troopers be deployed to the city to assist police in confronting the crime wave.

“As you know, the headlines regarding crime in the city of Providence over the last few weeks have been shocking — murders, drive-by shootings, stabbings, gang incidents and roving throngs of ATV and dirt bike riders terrorizing our neighborhoods,” Igliozzi wrote.

“This wave of violent crime is unacceptable, and we need to act immediately to restore public safety and make our city’s residents once again feel safe walking and sitting outside in their own neighborhoods,” the letter continued, which pointed to a lack of staffing in the police department as an issue.

“The gun violence, the physical attacks and reckless behavior of individuals in our city have resulted in grief, loss and fear in our community,” he said in a statement. “It is time for the city to take decisive action to put a stop to this senseless violence and better serve the people trying to make a home in the city of Providence.”

A meeting will be scheduled for early next week, Igliozzi said.

Providence officials have also been working for years to address people illegally riding ATVs on city streets, especially during the summer.

“We will continue to dedicate all our available resources to getting these illegal ATVs off our streets and to bring those responsible to justice,” Elorza said in a statement.

Police have seized and destroyed over 200 bikes since 2017, according to the mayor’s office.

“[We] will continue to pull over and arrest people who are using these bikes illegally,” the mayor said.

Widow of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill shares emotional message about her late husband

August 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Charlene & Dusty Hill in 2011; Gary Miller/FilmMagic

The widow of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill has penned a heartfelt message about the passing of her husband, including what happened during his final moments. The band has shared it on their official website.

Charlene “Chuck” Hill begins the note, titled “My Sweet Dusty,” by saying, “After 19 wonderful years of marriage that ended too soon, I’ve decided to step out into Dusty’s spotlight to thank all of his fans, colleagues and friends for the overwhelming outpouring of love for The Dust.”

She continues, “He was the kindest, most gentle and caring man a woman could ever Hope to find in a lifetime. Many don’t believe in fairy tale marriages but Dusty and I truly lived one! We were inseparable.”

Charlene then notes that after Dusty was forced to leave ZZ Top’s trek because of his health issues, “[t]he plan was for another round of physical therapy, with a different approach, to help his chronic bursitis. The plan was he would return to the second leg of the tour in September.”

Describing Dusty’s passing early in the morning on July 28, Charlene notes, “He woke me up and we talked and as he was sweetly chatting with me he suddenly stopped and he was gone in an instant.”

She also points out that Hill greatly loved and appreciated all of his fans.

Charlene finishes her message by paraphrasing a quote from the TV series This Is Us, which she calls her “last love letter” to her husband: “The single most extraordinary thing I have ever done in my life is fall in love with you. The single most extraordinary gift I have ever received in my life was for you to ask me to marry you…I will be with you again. Love you to infinity and back.”

Biden signs measure awarding Congressional Gold Medal to police who defended Capitol

August 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Nearly seven months to the day a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, President Joe Biden on Thursday signed a bill awarding Congress’ highest honor — the Congressional Gold Medal — to law enforcement officers he said defended democracy on Jan. 6.

“We cannot allow history to be rewritten. We cannot allow the heroism of these officers to be forgotten. We have to understand what happened — the honest and unvarnished truth. We have to face it,” Biden said in remarks in the White House Rose Garden, speaking to lawmakers, law enforcement officers and their families.

Biden said the Jan. 6 assault presented a dark test of “whether our democracy could survive, whether it could overcome lies and overcome the fury of a few who were seeking to thwart the will of the many.”

“While the attack on our values and our votes shocked and saddened the nation, democracy did survive,” Biden said firmly. “Truth defeated lies. We did overcome. That’s because of the women and men of the U.S. Capitol Police, Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement officials we honor today.”

Police officers fielded greetings from some of the lawmakers they protected, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Rule Committee Chair Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and other senators who co-sponsored the bill, for the afternoon ceremony.

Also present was the mother of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who lobbied Congress to pass legislation for a bipartisan select commission to investigate the attack, which Senate Republicans ultimately blocked. Biden offered his condolences to Sicknick’s family and families of other fallen officers in his remarks, including the children of fallen Capitol Police officer Billy Evans who was killed in a separate attack on the Capitol in April.

“I offer you, not only our condolences but recognize your courage. The courage of your children. And you have our most profound gratitude,” Biden said.

The bipartisan legislation authorizes the creation of four medals — one for the Capitol Police, one for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC, one for display by the Smithsonian to acknowledge other agencies that helped defend the building and a fourth at the Capitol.

Biden said the medals would serve as a reminder of the truth of the attack.

“My fellow Americans, we must all do our part to protect and to preserve our democracy. It requires people of goodwill and courage to stand up to the hate, the lies, the extremism that led to this vicious attack,” he said. “It requires all of us working together — Democrats Republicans, Independents, on behalf of the common good to restore decency, honor and respect for our system of government.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking ahead of Biden, recalled returning to the Senate chamber around 8 p.m. after the riot and witnessing American democracy persevere.

“We gathered in the Senate chamber, in the same chamber where the New Deal was struck and the Great Society was forged, in the same chamber where the Interstate Highway System was started and voting rights were won. And in that chamber, just before 1 a.m., as officers stood guard, the final vote was tallied,” she said.

“As those officers continued, even at that late hour, to secure our Capitol, they secured our democracy. So, let us never forget that. And let us always remember their courage,” she added.

The Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass the legislation without a recorded vote, a rarity in a polarized Washington. The House passed the bill back in June with 21 Republicans voting against it.

“I am still stunned by what happened in the House, where 21 members of the Republican caucus voted against this legislation,” Schumer said Tuesday. “The Senate is different.”

The event falls in the grim shadow of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department announcing this week that two officers who responded to the Jan. 6 riot died by suicide in July.

It also comes as the House select committee investigates the Capitol attack, holding its first hearing in which lawmakers heard dramatic, emotional accounts from officers who defended the building. They all detailed fearing for their lives the day as the Capitol building devolved into “a medieval battle,” as one officer described it.

Some 140 police officers suffered injuries during the attack and 15 were hospitalized.

In the months since, law enforcement suicide experts say the families of those who responded to the incident say they’ve behaved differently. Karen Solomon, who runs Blue H.E.L.P, a nonprofit that works on reducing the stigma of mental health issues in law enforcement, told ABC News, “We are still ignoring the needs of some of the victims of this event — the police officers.”

Metropolitan Police Department officers Michael Fanone, also present on Thursday and seen sharing a hug with Pelosi, is among the voices who have flatly rejected any attempts to rewrite history and downplay the attack as something the country should move on from.

“The indifference shown to my colleagues is disgraceful,” he said, slamming his fist on a congressional witness table last month. “I feel like I went to hell and back to protect them and the people in this room, but too many are now telling me that hell doesn’t exist or that hell actually wasn’t that bad.”

ABC News’ Luke Barr contributed to this report.

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