MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday announced a three-step timeline for lifting nearly all the state's COVID-19 restrictions by May 28 and dropping the statewide masking requirement no later than July 1, or once 70% of Minnesotans age 16 and older get their first dose of vaccine...

https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-government-and-politics-7296b993b30f2a880ca946e10af577bc

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Strong sales results from Coach's parent as well as from the maker of Wrangler and Lee jeans offer the latest evidence that shoppers' spending on fashion and accessories is rebounding to pre-pandemic levels...

https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-19e1a5b640cbc612cb75abade6b1efd2

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Legislation that temporarily extends for two more years telehealth services in Connecticut, which were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic so patients could safely meet with their physicians, awaits Gov...

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-bills-health-business-government-and-politics-2ede2b634a22b0463fe6c67978adf57e

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LONDON (AP) - Millions of British voters were casting ballots Thursday in local and regional elections, and the choices of Scottish voters in particular could have huge repercussions for the future of the United Kingdom...

https://apnews.com/article/europe-elections-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-1182123aeb4760b87096a19393215c28

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The New York Rangers were fined an extraordinary $250,000 by the NHL on Thursday for "demeaning" public comments about head of player safety George Parros. After the league's department of player safety fined but did not suspend Washington's Tom Wilson for his role in a scrum against the Rangers ...

https://apnews.com/article/washington-capitals-new-york-rangers-hockey-nhl-business-c045c2f7c3bbec7a792d7cd79cde2021

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Wisconsin Legislature's budget committee voted unanimously Thursday to expand a mental health center in Madison to reduce the number of inmates at the state's juvenile prisons...

https://apnews.com/article/wi-state-wire-madison-business-health-government-and-politics-38c590f8c33816738f1bc6d582b5b963

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The Biden administration's call to lift patent protections on COVID-19 vaccines to help poor parts of the world get more doses has drawn praise from some countries and health advocates. But it has run into resistance from the pharmaceutical industry and others, who say it won't help curb the ...

https://apnews.com/article/patents-coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-1e39ca2f2d67bf1574c13e9a924e8468

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LOS ANGELES (AP) - An Allegiant airliner returned safely to Los Angeles International Airport after the crew reported striking a bird Thursday morning, authorities said.Allegiant Air Flight 314, an Airbus A319 that was headed to Utah, landed without incident at 7:44 a...

https://apnews.com/article/birds-business-037355f37376a329c23a53cd50cabe45

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia could lift capacity limits and relax rules for social distancing next month if the rate of coronavirus infections continues to fall in the state, Gov. Ralph Northam said Thursday...

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut regulators on Thursday proposed a $30 million fine for Eversource and a $2.1 million fine for United Illuminating for what officials called the utilities' failures in their preparation and response to Tropical Storm Isaias, which left hundreds of thousands of homes...

https://apnews.com/article/connecticut-storms-environment-and-nature-business-government-and-politics-58239ecbd9ad15022c8a3d4eec3d52c9

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island doctor violated labor laws by failing to pay overtime to more than 100 employees, including medical secretaries, X-ray technicians and medical assistants, a federal judge ruled Thursday...

https://apnews.com/article/ri-state-wire-health-technology-business-f311369fd4be06f8beacf873f277999c

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia's former health commissioner described a culture of doctors for years writing more opioid prescriptions for their patients than necessary in a landmark trial in which local governments accuse three large drug distributors of fueling the U...

https://apnews.com/article/opioids-business-health-4b4ea3b47b6d1ede903504b4e2f63317

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NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks that traded heavily or had substantial price changes Thursday:Fastly Inc., down $15.75 to $42.31The cloud software developer gave investors a weak earnings forecast and said its chief financial officer is leaving...

https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-business-f43b65d25873038101427625848acd2b

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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers moved ahead Thursday with a plan to create a special commission that would look at the way the state's public K-12 schools are funded.The measure advanced, 37-5, despite opposition from some lawmakers who see it as a way for school lobbyists to secure more ...

https://apnews.com/article/ne-state-wire-nebraska-business-government-and-politics-4510c79ab95541a979bfc6e64990ac50

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The state of Vermont is getting $12 million in COVID-19 relief funds so communities can strengthen substance abuse programs, officials announced Thursday.In announcing the funds on the Statehouse steps in Montpelier, Democratic U...

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Stocks are closing higher Thursday, as gains by banks and technology companies led a broad rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a new high.Healthcare was hurt by news late Wednesday that the White House supports waiving intellectual property rights for coronavirus vaccines to help immunize ...

https://apnews.com/article/financial-markets-technology-health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-48fc18ed500dca0686b0c462cfa26362

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LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Virgin Orbit, the satellite launch company founded by Richard Branson, is targeting June for its next mission. The Long Beach, California-based company, which conducted its first successful launch last January, said Thursday it will launch satellites into orbit for the U...

https://apnews.com/article/business-f71b8e00cca1d7d60031af93df7c5000

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An investigation into a virtual charter school that has grown to become the largest public school in Oklahoma has been delayed due to inadequate transparency with public funds and a lack of cooperation by some employees, the state's multicounty grand jury said in a report issued...

https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-education-7a4b7420f613a83aca8e93d22ea805c0

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KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Park officials in Montana have made additional reservation tickets available this week for Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park after receiving complaints that the park was selling out too quickly...

https://apnews.com/article/travel-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-2e28eb5a7401f3b544a589b8c893e8c4

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MEXICO CITY (AP) - A decision to change cars to get closer to a station exit may have saved Erik Bravo, a 34-year-old financial adviser who survived the collapse of an elevated line in Mexico City's subway system that killed 25 people and injured around 80...

https://apnews.com/article/business-6357b45a4dbca622b176076730d3180e

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MEXICO CITY (AP) - With tourism shattered by the pandemic, critics say yet another cruise ship dock is the last thing that Mexico's Caribbean island of Cozumel needs. Cozumel already has three such docks, and before the pandemic it ranked as the world's busiest port of call for cruise ships...

https://apnews.com/article/mexico-lifestyle-travel-health-coronavirus-pandemic-c42c2956688da293b61f99c6ccb604e3

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ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Thursday she will not seek a second term, an election-year surprise that marks a sharp turnabout for the city's second Black woman executive who months ago was among those President Joe Biden considered for his running mate...

https://apnews.com/article/keisha-lance-bottoms-racial-injustice-atlanta-elections-health-1b82a76c4b947e02f47cc0fa0991d55f

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LOS ANGELES (AP) - Southern California air quality regulators are considering a rule that would curb diesel emissions from thousands of trucks that ferry goods from the growing number of massive warehouses in the region run by Amazon and other companies...

https://apnews.com/article/california-air-quality-business-health-environment-and-nature-117e4cdd6260d9ea7a5c10a40559bda5

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IN THE NEWS: TOP APP STORE EXEC TESTIFIES AT TRIAL APPLE TOP APP SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) - That closely-watched trial in California in which Apple is being sued over its App Store continues. Yesterday, a lawyer for Epic Games quizzed the man who runs the store for apps used on Apple's portable gear...

https://apnews.com/article/technology-78d677385fe29fd7c16027620da28904

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ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's prime minister was preparing to leave for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday to boost economic ties, the foreign ministry said.The two countries are expected to sign new agreements to bolster trade and economic links during Imran Khan's visit, which comes at the ...

https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-business-11d9e8d887901365ba6274db3b88eb2b

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwan's exports rose by double digits in April, boosted by demand for processor chips as global manufacturing revived. Exports increased 38.7% over a year earlier to $35 billion in April, the 10th straight month of gains, Ministry of Finance data showed Friday...

https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-technology-global-trade-business-d44d23ff89ecb220a13827cd4e89ad67

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TIGARD, Ore. (AP) - Police in the Portland suburb of Tigard have announced the expansion of their body-worn camera program. The Tigard Police Department says all its officers will have the cameras in the next month, KPTV reported...

https://apnews.com/article/or-state-wire-portland-technology-bf4fe71edcc8052ac6326e9bed4bb75f

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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The number of COVID-19 patients in hospital intensive care units reached alarming levels as Maine raced to vaccinate residents. More contagious COVID-19 variants are likely playing a role, officials said...

https://apnews.com/article/me-state-wire-maine-business-coronavirus-pandemic-health-4710b078a7fd3e1beb67d1623f2a2344

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HAYS, Kan. (AP) - A few years ago, Stuart Beckman drove 65 miles with a neighbor to attend a wedding in Saint Francis in the northwest corner of Kansas...

https://apnews.com/article/business-financial-markets-aquifers-technology-c068e5460c5c18951b12c17725927bd4

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Six of South Carolina's most influential lawmakers will get together soon to see if they can agree on a proposal to overhaul state-owned utility Santee Cooper.The conference committee is needed because the House and Senate passed different versions of a bill giving regulators ...

https://apnews.com/article/sc-state-wire-business-d02aab7a0b44b769d1697f37d4587f75

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