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State Health Commissioner: Indiana COVID-19 Cases To Peak 'Mid- To Late-April'

State Health Commissioner Kris Box says the peak of Indiana’s COVID-19 infections is still more than two weeks away. Box says it’s difficult to tell how many Hoosiers may become infected with the novel coronavirus. But she says, based on forecasting models from other states and other countries, that peak is likely after the governor’s “Stay-At-Home” order is currently set to expire. “We–we expect that peak to be, coming sometime mid- to late-April,” Box says. As of Friday, the state...

UPDATE: Elkhart Schools Superintendent Confirms District's 1st COVID-19 Case

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UPDATE: After Nine Days, Elkhart Couple Finally Gets Their COVID-19 Test Results

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

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BREAKING: 9 St. Joseph County, Indiana, Officers Quarantined

Late Friday the St. Joseph Co. Police Dept. released information indicating that 9 officers are now quarantined.

New Michigan COVID-19 Stats: In One Day Deaths Are Up 28%, Cases Up 53%

Elkhart City Council Approves COVID-19 Emergency Response Ordinance

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Image provided by CASA of St. Joseph County, IN

WATCH: 'Virtual' Swearing-In For New Court Appointed Advocates In St. Joseph County During COVID-19

The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Program in St. Joseph County is moving forward creatively in the era of COVID-19. A "virtual" swearing-in ceremony was held to get new volunteers into the program. The swearing-in ceremony would typical happen in person under more normal circumstances.

Photo Of The Week - 'Iceberg Swans'

Coronavirus Crisis Is Impacting Mental Health, Psychologists Say

Governors Say They'll Force Out-Of-State Visitors To Quarantine

By Greg Allen & Alex Nunes • 16 hours ago

People in coronavirus hotspots are being told not to travel to other parts of the country, for fear they'll bring the infection with them. Those who do so anyway might find themselves in a forced quarantine.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that he had authorized law enforcement officers to begin setting up checkpoints in the state's panhandle to screen people coming from the New Orleans area.

"There's a fear as New Orleans becomes more of a hotspot, that you could have an influx of people into the Florida panhandle from Louisiana," DeSantis said.

Trump, Invoking Cold War Authority, Enjoins GM To Build Ventilators

By Philip Ewing • 16 hours ago

President Trump ordered General Motors and health care vendor Ventec to begin producing ventilators on Friday, invoking a Cold War-era law that grants him such authority.

Trump, who complained earlier on Friday about what he called problems with GM and its CEO, Mary Barra, said in a statement that the automaker was taking too long to conclude the deal.

D.C. Mayor Says Lack Of Stimulus Funds 'Infuriating' While Staffer Dies Of COVID-19

By Brakkton Booker • 17 hours ago

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Friday that she had talked with President Trump about a "fix" to the relatively small amount of funding the city is slated to receive from the the landmark $2 trillion economic relief package.

The scale of the crisis in the city was underscored by the death of a member of Bowser's own administration Friday from COVID-19.

Head Of NYC Hospitals Says City Only Has Enough Ventilators To Last Through March

By Jason Breslow • 17 hours ago

New York City, already the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis inside the United States, is still days, if not weeks, from the peak of the outbreak there. The head of the city's hospital system says it has enough ventilators and protective equipment to survive through the end of the month. After that, New York will need massive help, and fast.

Guess What's Flying Off Shelves Now: Hair Dye

By Camila Domonoske • 17 hours ago

America is stocking up on food, thermometers — and hair dye.

The latest sales data from Nielsen shows how our lives have been affected by widespread social distancing and, in some areas, mandatory lockdowns, as the world tries to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

North Korea Seen Expanding Rocket Launch Facility It Once Promised To Dismantle

By Geoff Brumfiel • 17 hours ago

North Korea appears to be expanding a key rocket launch facility it once pledged to dismantle, according to new satellite imagery shared exclusively with NPR.

The imagery, taken by commercial company Planet and shared via the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, shows new roads under construction at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station.

With Schools Closed, Kids With Disabilities Are More Vulnerable Than Ever

By Elissa Nadworny • 17 hours ago

Updated at 9:31 a.m. ET

With school closed, Marla Murasko begins her morning getting her 14-year-old son, Jacob, dressed and ready for the day. They have a daily check-in: How are you doing? How are you feeling? Next, they consult the colorful, hourly schedule she has pinned on the fridge.

Pope Francis Delivers Special Prayer For End To Coronavirus Pandemic

By Sylvia Poggioli • 17 hours ago

As the death toll of the global coronavirus epidemic continues to rise, Pope Francis celebrated an extraordinary ritual Friday evening at the Vatican.

The pope prayed for an end of the epidemic and delivered his homily against the dramatic backdrop of an empty St. Peter's Square, glistening in the rain.

Fearing Shortages, People Are Planting More Vegetable Gardens

By editor • 17 hours ago

People still struggle to find food at grocery stores during this pandemic, but Jameson Altott is not as worried. He grows more than half the food for his family from his large garden at home, outside Pittsburgh.

"We are lucky to have preserved a lot of food and we still have canned fruits and vegetables and jams and berries in the freezer and meat in the freezer," Altott says.

'Call Your Friends': The Importance Of Maintaining Friendships During The Pandemic

By editor • 17 hours ago

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Nobody tells the WVPE story better than our loyal listener-members. This week some of them have taken to Twitter to show their support. Others have left us comments when they went online to financially support the fact-based journalism and amazing storytelling that informs, entertains and inspires them everyday on 88.1 WVPE. Let us know what you love about your local NPR station.

WATCH VIDEO: An Important Message From WVPE's Station Manager - 'Keep Safe, We're Here For You'

WVPE Station Manager, Anthony Hunt, talks about the vital role your local NPR station plays during this pandemic and how you can help the entire community during these unprecedented times by keeping public radio strong. Please watch his video message.

Your Local NPR Station Seeks WVPE 'Morning Edition' Host

There is no program that is probably more of a signature for a local NPR station than Morning Edition. When our long-time host, Michael Linville, stepped down from the position last month to join WVPE's underwriting team, it created a unique opportunity for a new voice to join our staff. Tony Krabill has stepped up to host Morning Edition in the interim and does a terrific job. But Tony is looking to set his alarm clock a little later than 3am moving forward. So if you're a morning person,...

NPR's 2020 Tiny Desk Contest Is Now Taking Entries

NPR has announced that the annual Tiny Desk Contest is now taking entries. In 2014, NPR launched the Tiny Desk Contest: a nationwide search to find the next great undiscovered musician to come play a Tiny Desk concert at NPR. Winners also go on tour with NPR Music, in partnership with NPR Member stations across the country. Previous winners have gone on to sign to major labels, perform across the world and even win Grammy awards. And while there is only one yearly grand prize winner, every...