SPECTRUM NEWS 1 CORONAVIRUS BLOG

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — The NCAA Board of Directors is allowing each division of the association to decide independently by Aug. 21 whether it will be able to conduct championship events safely in fall sports such as soccer, volleyball and lower levels of football during the coronavirus pandemic.

The board had been considering what to do about fall championship events sponsored by the NCAA, but instead of making a broad decision across three divisions, it set parameters for each to make its own call.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Yesterday the first inmate housed within the Lexington Division of Community Corrections tested positive for coronavirus.

According to Public Information Officer Captain Matt LeMonds, the inmate began showing symptoms and received a test Monday. He was moved to medical isolation while other inmates in his unit were isolated.

MASON, Ohio — King's Island announced it's canceling both the Halloween Haunt and WinterFest celebrations this year due to coronavirus.

While those two celebrations are canceled, King's Island is hosting a Tricks and Treats Fall Fest beginning Sept. 26. The event will feature rides, food, entertainment and various activities that allow for social distancing and capacity management.

The holidays in New York are going to be less cheery and bright now that it’s curtain down for Radio City’s "Christmas Spectacular."

Madison Square Garden Entertainment, the parent company of the famed Music Hall, announced today that their yearly Christmas Show starring the Radio City Rockettes has been canceled due to the uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Making sure kids returning to classrooms have the personal protection they need is the mission of a new program announced by First Lady Britainy Beshear Tuesday.

"Coverings for Kids" lets Kentuckians donate facial coverings to local school districts.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — As cases rise in Lexington, the city is expanding its coronavirus testing opportunities and will soon have four free public testing sites.

The testing sites will be located at Southland Christian Church, 2349 Richmond Road; Consolidated Baptist Church, 1625 Russell Cave Road; Walgreen’s testing location at 2296 Executive Drive; and the City’s Mobile Neighborhood Testing program.

COVINGTON, Ky. — A former Olympian calls it the race to find a vaccine, literally.

“1984, the first-ever women’s Olympic marathon, pretty lucky girl,” said Julie Isphording.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Apple fans in Louisville will need to find a new place to go for their Apple-related needs. The city's sole Apple Store at the Oxmoor Center is closing indefinitely.

A statement on the store's website says it looks forward to resuming business as soon as it's safe to do so.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Scammers are looking to score big since people are turning more to online shopping. The COVID-19 lockdown closed stores and pushed people online for shopping and business and scammers took note.

“Instances of scams have gone way up. FBI recently came out and said that on their internet crime complaint center site, they’ve seen 4 times the amount of fraud reports they normally get,” said Dave Hatter, a cybersecurity consultant with InTrust IT.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — People are adjusting their pastimes during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving outdoor outfitters busy.

“When this whole thing started, I said a great way to social distance is to be on the water,” said Doug Peege, the president of Marine Sales and Service. “I didn’t think it would be this crazy.”

VERSAILLES, Ky. — The pandemic has changed almost every aspect of once everyday events, and weddings are no exception. A historic wedding venue in down Versailles is feeling the impact.

"I think there's not been a community or industry that hasn't been impacted by COVID-19, and I think the live event industry in particular has been hit really hard," said Jessica Kite, owner of The Galerie, the former Versailles United Methodist Church turned wedding venue.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Every morning, the sound of ringing bells fills the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda in honor of coronavirus victims.

Kandie Adkinson rings her father’s old school bell at 10 a.m. nearly every day at the Kentucky State Capitol to honor people dealing with the virus.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Jefferson County Board of Education approved its school plan for the 2020-21 school year on July 21. Students will officially start their year using online Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) beginning Aug. 25.

Students will receive instruction through NTI for the first six weeks, then the district will reassess the learning environment and make a decision on moving forward.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — We are now weeks away from the start of the new school year at colleges and universities across Kentucky.

When the pandemic hit in March, campuses closed down for the most part, except for some international students who were able to stay on campus. With the new semester looming, there will be students heading back to these campuses soon for the first time since March.

OWENSBORO, Ky. — Moonlite BBQ in Owensboro is one of the most well-known restaurants in Kentucky. But a legacy establishment like Moonlite is not immune to the harsh effects of a pandemic.

“Historically a buffet was a very inexpensive way to serve a lot of people. It kept your labor cost down," co-owner Patrick Bosley told Spectrum News 1.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Some restaurant owners in the Commonwealth say they are struggling to stay afloat.

It directly relates to the recent restrictions decreasing capacity and closures.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After opening in June and encouraging guests to wear masks, the Louisville Zoo is now requiring all to wear masks and socially distance. Guests can take off their masks when away from other visitors.

The Zoo has been in compliance with Gov. Andy Beshear's executive order to reduce visitor capacity in addition to other safety measures such as guest entry orientation, signs and daily health screenings and temperature checks for employees.

OWENSBORO, Ky. — While many cities around the U.S. have struggled to keep unemployment rates under control, Owensboro has seen a drop.

The small town’s economy runs on the success of many businesses deemed essential during the shut-down. While many businesses let people go, industries of agriculture and factory work were hiring. Agriculture is one of the main economic stimulants, producing everything from corn to tobacco.

COVINGTON, Ky. — Starting a business is no easy feat, but starting one during a pandemic and at the start of a recession isn't something that happens often.

“We are out front of what used to be a Carriage Manufacturing company. So this is where they made buggy horses, repaired them and this was in 1909,” said Chuck Patton. His business is under construction.

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — The coronavirus pandemic came at a weird time for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

“We are on the front end of a two year transition,” KYTC spokesman Chuck Wolfe said.

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – Elizabethtown's Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Regional Driver Licensing Office is reopen for business, Gov. Andy Beshear announced.

Now seven KYTC regional offices have either newly opened or reopened to handle licensing needs while following Beshear's Healthy at Work guidelines.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Western Kentucky University will offer students a normal housing experience in the fall.

Despite mandating other health and safety measures like masks and social distancing, WKU will offer students regular two-person housing come August. Vice President of Student Engagement, Mike Reagle, says this decision came after careful thought and the goal of providing students a holistic college experience.

FLORENCE, Ky. — Following two months of virus-related restrictions, baseball returned to the commonwealth.

For fans, teams and organizations, the long wait is coming to an end as they get ready for the Battle of the Bourbon Trail.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear (D) may commute the sentences of another 700 inmates soon due to the coronavirus.

Kentucky has already released around 1,200 inmates due to the coronavirus, giving those offenders shorter sentences to ease crowding.

KENTUCKY — As school districts throughout the commonwealth allow parents to decide whether their kids return to physical classrooms, Kentucky’s health department all but promised an all-out effort on coronavirus contact tracing before classes begin.

Mark Carter, executive advisor to the state’s health department, announced a “full force” effort Wednesday to bring contact tracing worker numbers up to 1,100 by the end of July. Many of these workers are expected to help school officials once a positive test is discovered within a building, but it will require effort from teachers as well.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Nearly 30 percent of respondents to a recent survey of Kentucky parents and families say they're struggling to find child care as different sectors of the economy begin to reopen. Additionally, more than half of the 1,570 survey respondents reported stress about sending their child back to child care as “moderate” to “extreme.”

The Prichard Committee, along with other national and state partners, has asked Congress for $50 billion in federal stimulus funding for child care. Preliminary estimates show Kentucky’s share of $50 billion could be approximately $958 million. This would invest in care for the children of essential workers, support providers with significant costs related to re-opening and re-hiring, and help ensure a robust child care system is sustainable coming out of the ongoing national emergency.

This story is reported by the Lexington Herald Leader, a Spectrum News partner.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Housing advocates are asking Gov. Andy Beshear not to lift a moratorium on evictions arguing that more than 220,000 households in the state and at least 1,500 renters in Lexington are at risk of being evicted.

KENTUCKY — As the commonwealth's coronavirus cases rise, Kentucky has been added to the list of states whose residents traveling to New Jersey or New York must quarantine for two weeks because of the virus.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Kentucky's addition to the travel advisory yesterday, which calls for travelers to quarantine for 14 days after arriving.

KENTON COUNTY, Ky. — Bars and restaurants are adjusting to a new reality Tuesday.

Governor Andy Beshear announced closing bars and limited capacity for restaurants just a day before.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) in Louisville and Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) in Danville are beginning their school years with at least six weeks of non-traditional instruction (NTI). Their school year will commence Aug. 24.

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) approved the plan KSB based on Jefferson County Health Department guidance, said KSB Principal Peggy Sinclair-Morris.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A number of fall sports will be postponed at Transylvania University this year, including men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball and field hockey.

The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC), which includes most Transylvania teams, announced it would postpone high contact risk fall sports and move forward with lower contact sports such as golf, tennis and cross country. The Southern Athletic Association, of which the field hockey team is a part, previously announced it would postpone field hockey competition until spring 2021.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After announcing a record-breaking number of new coronavirus cases just last week, Lexington announced a new one-day high with 116 cases. The city's total is now at 2,972 cases and 45 deaths.

Lexington's 15 highest one-day totals have all been in July, as follows:

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Evictions and criminal jury trials in Kentucky are set to resume within the next week, said the state Supreme Court. Civil jury trials won't resume until after Oct. 1, however.

Evictions will resume Saturday, Aug. 1; however, landlords must give 30 days' notice to vacate before filing an eviction action. Previously, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) banned evictions in March in response to the pandemic.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Governor Andy Beshear announced because of the growing concern with rising coronavirus cases in Kentucky, there will be a series of steps taken in the next two weeks.

First, all bars will close effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 28. Restaurants will be allowed to stay open but in-house dining capacity will be capped at 25 percent. Restaurants offering outdoor dining will be allowed to have that open for 100 percent capacity. The new rule will be in effect for two weeks.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — "If you're going out with your family, or with friends, and you just want to go out, you want to get out of the house, you're not going to come to a more safe place at this time," says Glenn Cox, General Manager of Bear and the Butcher

Cox says his staff at the restaurant are doing everything they can to ease customers' concerns about eating inside a restaurant’s dining area.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of the largest fitness chains in Kentucky, Planet Fitness, announced a new mask requirement beginning August 1.

Starting in August guests must wear a face covering the entire time while inside Planet Fitness facilities. Previously members and guests were not required to wear a face mask while working out. Staff members at Planet Fitness have been required to wear a face-covering since reopening on June 1. On Monday Planet Fitness CEO Chris Rondeau released a statement which said in part,

LOUISVILLE, KY. — Coronavirus cases are spiking in the commonwealth, but the death toll isn't going up at the same rate. While this is welcome news, it does leave many wondering why that is.

When coronavirus cases were first reported, the virus was a mystery. Scientists and health professionals were, and are, constantly adjusting and trying to fight it. Since those first cases, there have been several new developments that have improved patient outcomes.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentuckians can expect more actions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 today, said Gov. Andy Beshear (D).

This weekend, the commonwealth reported its second-highest daily total with 836 more positive cases. The highest one-day total was 979 cases July 19.

MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) — Across the world, scientists are racing to craft an effective coronavirus vaccine, with more than 160 candidates in various stages of development. Researchers in the U.K. and the U.S. recently published promising results, and government officials have projected that a vaccine will be available by the end of the year.

But with demand for vaccine doses spanning the entire world, the distribution will mean more time will pass before many Americans actually get their shot. So, when the first limited doses arrive, who gets dibs?

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Temperature checks have become routine if you want to enter a store or a restaurant. But, some businesses and school administrators are turning to a temperature scanning kiosk to help scan and record temperature readings.

“It takes the human element out. There won’t be someone standing there with a face mask and a shield taking temperatures and saying you’re ‘ok’. This will record that information,” said John Raque from RedTech7.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Since the pandemic started, many parents are working from home all while trying to care for their kids. Some worry this could lead to more women leaving the workforce, reversing years of progress.

Mary Kate Reed is a full-time working mom of three. At the start of the pandemic, her husband was also working from home. Since June though, he went back into the office. That means, for most of the day, she's at home with her three children trying to squeeze work in when she can.

MIDWAY, Ky. — With the number of COVID-19 cases rising in Kentucky, a church in Midway has decided to cancel in-person services until further notice to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Evan Rowe, the pastor at Midway Baptist Church says that being a close church community, there’s a responsibility in his title as the pastor to make the church a safe place for others.

SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. — While COVID-19 changes the educational landscape for kids, one program has found a way to communicate with elementary-age children about the virus.

Lash's Lessons, created by Jacki Clark, is a program based on Lash, a real-life gypsy horse that has been transformed into a character education program. His lessons focus on life skills, healthy choices, and friendship.

HARRISON COUNTY, Ky. — Thomas Ware is back to his work at the Ware Funeral Home after a whirlwind experience that resulted in him quarantining for nearly a week after falsely testing positive for COVID-19.

It was out of an abundance of caution for his family of seven and his co-workers that he got tested for coronavirus.

WASHINGTON, DC — The Food and Drug Administration has widened the list of hand sanitizers being recalled to more than 75, saying toxic levels of wood alcohol in them can cause injury and even death. Some of the recalled brands are found at Walmart, Costco, and other stores nationwide.

The FDA says there has been an increase in hand sanitizers labeled as containing ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, but have tested positive for methanol, wood alcohol.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — While coronavirus numbers reach new highs in the commonwealth, Lexington is reporting a one day high of 100 cases. The city's numbers are now at 2,711 cases with 42 deaths.

Previously, Lexington's highest one-day totals to date have been:

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Some Louisville veterans could soon lose their longtime house, Glenmary Home in Cherokee Triangle.

The boarding house for vets has offered a roof over the mens' heads for 41 years. However, COVID-19 has caused a loss in funding for caregiver Lena Lions to purchase the house.

COVINGTON, Ky. — A Northern Kentucky city is supporting businesses in their efforts to remain open.

The city of Covington is posting signs in area businesses to remind customers to continue wearing masks.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools will start the year with virtual learning, following a similar decision by Jefferson County Public Schools earlier this week.

The decision, made at a special school board meeting Thursday afternoon, comes as Kentucky records another near-record high in coronavirus cases with 611 reported in the state’s daily update.

COVINGTON, Ky. — A group of landlords have filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Andy Beshear (D) and three Northern Kentucky County Circuit Court Clerks.

This is about the moratorium put on evictions, a practice that some landlords say has led to tenants “abusing the system.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In the heart of Nulu, fans of food and spirits found Rye. A restaurant whose slogan was "Local Eats. American Spirits." Thursday the restaurant announced on its website and social media pages that Saturday, July 25 would be the last hurrah for the Market Street eatery.

In the announcement, the restaurant thanked its many fans who have supported them since they first opened in 2011.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky may need to come up with more than a billion dollars to cover the state’s budget shortfall in the new fiscal year, but on the bright side, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) says the commonwealth didn’t end the last fiscal year with a deficit.

“It means no cuts to education, health, public safety, or the judicial or legislative branch in the budget that we just ended,” Beshear said. “We would have been paying for that going forward.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Today, the University of Louisville released the results from Phase II of it's Co-Immunity Project, showing higher-than-expected rates of exposure to coronavirus in Jefferson County.

More specifically, those rates are four to six times higher than previously detected.

In recent months, the scientific world has seen a steady flow of research updating what we know about the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and how it affects humans. Because the virus is so new, researchers are still grappling with many questions about it. And because of the nature of the scientific process, no single study can completely answer those questions — instead, new research is constantly challenging our understanding of the pandemic.

Here, we explore some recent studies that have shed new light on the virus.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The menu board at Martin’s BBQ says “Welcome,” but manager Carly Barmore doesn’t know how long that invitation to dine in will last.

“There’s like a feeling of nervous anticipation,” Barmore said.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Jefferson County Board of Education made it official on Tuesday night. Students will start school this fall with at least six weeks of virtual learning, or Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI).

Teachers are reacting, some pleased. As Fayette County Schools decides how to start the new year, Math Intervention Teacher Laura Hartke is speaking out for herself and as an education advocate with the group KY 120 United. She applauds the all-online plan in place for Jefferson County kids.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — As coronavirus cases continue to rise in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear has taken additional measures to help reduce the spread.

On Monday, Beshear announced two actions in hopes of curbing the spread of COVID-19. Social gatherings now must be 10 or less people compared to the 50 or less prior. Also, anyone traveling from a state reporting a positive COVID-19 testing rate of 15 percent or higher to Kentucky is recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days once they enter the commonwealth.

HEBRON, Ky. — People returning from their vacations are learning about Kentucky's new travel advisory.

On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear took action requesting that anyone who is traveling to some of the states hardest hit by the pandemic to self-quarantine when they get home.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Childcare centers in Kentucky are in crisis mode.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lately, we've been hearing of more Kentucky kids testing positive for coronavirus. With the school year looming, some parents are wondering if they should be concerned about their kids catching it.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky. — As districts across the commonwealth unveil their back-to-school plans, Franklin County Public Schools released their own. The plan involves two phases, the first one including 100 percent virtual instruction beginning Aug. 26.

During Phase 1, which was approved by the school board Monday night, students will attend school on a normal schedule and receive instruction from teachers. The district hopes to make the instruction look as much like in person learning as it can.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced new limits on social gatherings and a travel advisory Monday as COVID-19 cases surged to new highs over the weekend.

The Democratic governor’s announcement comes after a record-breaking number of nearly 1,000 cases were reported Sunday, capping off a week of elevated daily case counts. Kentucky reported 258 new cases and one death Monday, though the number is much lower because many of the state’s testing centers were closed Sunday, Beshear said.

KENTUCKY — Schools around Kentucky are announcing their plans for reopening as the start of the school year draws closer. Here's what we know so far about plans for schools in the South Central and Northern parts of the commonwealth.

Warren County Public Schools is one of the many districts offering both virtual and in person learning come August. However, faculty and staff assure students and parents that distant learning will look much different in the fall than it did in the spring.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Sunday, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced that Kentucky had its highest one-day total of coronavirus cases reported with 979 new cases. However, two Louisville hospitals, Norton Healthcare and UofL Hospital, have yet to see a spike in hospitalizations related to the virus.

“There’s a lot more activity, and with activity, you are going to see more opportunities for transmission for sure,” said Dr. Paul Schulz, an infectious diseases specialist at Norton Healthcare.

ERLANGER, Ky. — An Erlanger woman's list of sewing items is long.

“I have sewn clothing, car seats,” said Vera Sizemore, who’s also sewn police vests and doll hats.

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The Scott County Detention Center is locked down for the next two weeks after the jailer posted on social media saying that his facility is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sunday marked Kentucky's highest single-day report of coronavirus cases after Gov. Andy Beshear announced 979 new cases. The Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness and University of Louisville Health both report that many of these cases are among young adults.

It's not just in Louisville but all over the state. Looking at the latest numbers from Sunday, the most coronavirus cases fall within the 20s age range with 4,288 cases. Those in their 30s had the next highest amount at 3,776.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville is temporarily pausing all men's and women's swimming voluntary activities after three members of the program tested positive for coronavirus.

The university did not provide any further information on those who tested positive; however, all three are quarantining.

KENTUCKY — State Sen. Max Wise (R-16) has been released from quarantine following two positive coronavirus tests.

Please find my statement below on being released from quarantine. A video statement will be released later. Thanks everyone. pic.twitter.com/wQ3vMM6u6u

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reported 979 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, a daily record that he said should be a “wake-up call” for the state’s citizens to abide by mask and social distancing restrictions to slow the spread of the virus.

The Democratic governor announced in a news release that there were 979 new cases reported Sunday, including 30 involving children 5 years old or younger.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The coronavirus pandemic shut down the sports world. But, with youth sports coming back, orthopedic experts warn of the injury risks athletes face.

“We are being hyper-vigilant as we attempt to return athletes to sports about the COVID risks, but one of the things we aren’t focusing on as much is the risk of general sports participation,” said Dr. Ryan Krupp, the executive medical director of orthopedics at Norton Healthcare.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kids over five are included in the mask mandate, which remains in effect until the Kentucky Supreme Court decides on the case.

As many parents know, getting kids to wear a mask is easier said than done. When child care centers reopened, University of Louisville Director of Child and Adolescent Services Amory Haley offered all kinds of advice for parents on getting kids adjusted to the new changes.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a unanimous decision on Friday, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued an order that keeps any executive orders made by Governor Andy Beshear in place, regardless of previous or future injunctions by lower state courts, pending their own review.

The 7-0 decision in favor of the order is an unusual decision according to Sam Marcosson, a constitutional law professor at the University of Louisville. He said it’s unusual because Kentucky’s Supreme Court doesn’t usually step in during ongoing litigation by lower courts. Normally it waits to make decisions when a case lands on their desk.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington couple is selling cloth face masks with Team Kentucky logos on them to show their support for the commonwealth during unprecedented times.

Chris Gancio and Susannah are a couple in Lexington who are trying to do their part as Team Kentucky given the new mandate requiring masks in public. Their business has been busy with new orders.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Governor Andy Beshear’s executive orders on masks and occupancy were upheld Friday afternoon though the debate is likely far from over. But even if these orders had been struck down would businesses have immediately gone back to operating the way they once did? Perhaps, but not all.

“We’ve changed so much over the last 12 years,” Jon Wettig recalls sitting against the performance stage inside Zanzabar on South Preston Street. Along with his brother Antz, the two have built one of the most rocking neighborhood venues and bars in Louisville. They were hitting on all cylinders this year and then without warning, in March, a pandemic pulled the plug on everything.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s highest court on Friday blocked lower courts from suspending the governor’s emergency orders related to the coronavirus pandemic pending its own review.

The state Supreme Court stepped into the dispute by issuing a stay on any orders halting enforcement of Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive actions. In doing so, the high court preempted a judge who was expected to sign an order blocking all of the governor’s COVID-19 orders.

KENTUCKY - Friday, the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) canceled the 2020 state marching band championships due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"I mean we were really sad, I am and the association is really sad, not to be able to offer this end of the season goal for bands, the directors and the students. And it's unfortunate we're just afraid facing the reality,” says John Stroube, President of the KMEA.

MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) — It all starts with a stick up the nose.

Well, actually, a sterilized swab — and in the more invasive cases, it reaches all the way to the nasopharynx, the upper area of the throat past the nasal cavity. That’s how clinicians typically collect specimens for COVID-19 testing, explains Jose Navidad, molecular and microbiology diagnostic manager at Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The pandemic is impacting every aspect of our lives, and for Kentucky cancer patients and survivors, that impact is felt doubly.

A survey conducted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) found an overwhelming number of cancer patients and survivors say their health care has been impacted.

BOONE COUNTY, Ky. — Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) has asked a Boone County judge to void all of Gov. Andy Beshear's (D) COVID-19 executive orders and prevent him from issuing any further ones.

Beshear responded to the move on Twitter.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Masks have become the most vital summer accessory. Governor Andy Beshear made it mandatory for people to wear a facial covering last week when he enacted an executive order.

So far, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has seen high rates of compliance.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The 2020-2021 school year will begin at home for Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) students on Tuesday, August 25 if Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio's plan is adopted by the school board.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Many Kentucky school districts are weighing multiple options on how to safely reopen schools in the fall.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville is conducting clinical trials on a potential new treatment for COVID-19's deadlier and more severe respiratory effects.

The treatment combats "cytokine storm," an unchecked overreaction of the body's immune system which can cause severe lung damage and make it difficult, if not impossible, for patients to breathe on their own. The treament is a new formulation of Aviptadil (RLF-100), produced by NeuroRx of Pennsylvania and Relief Therapeutics Holding, SA, of Geneva.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Nursing homes can reopen to in-person visits as soon as Wednesday, July 15 under Gov. Andy Beshear's (D) guidance. However, not all will. According to the guidelines, the long-term care facilities classified as nursing homes can reopen if there have been no coronavirus cases within 28 days.

That means facilities like the nursing home at Sayre Christian Village in Lexington have a little while longer to wait. A staff member tested positive there July 7 according to CEO Karen Venis. Residents are still visiting with loved ones virtually and through windows.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A historical house in Lexington is reopening after closing its doors because of the pandemic. With many changes in place, the non-profit needs all the help it can get to keep its doors open to the community.

The Mary Todd Lincoln House has been giving tours for almost 40 years, and temporarily closing was a challenge for the historical landmark.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As coronavirus cases increase within the state and across the nation, Kentucky’s largest school district is expected to provide parents with a clearer picture of what the upcoming school year will look like.

Superintendent Marty Pollio told reporters he will announce Thursday his recommendation for how to begin the fall semester. His initial plan included the potential of both in-person and online learning. He says growing fear among parents, staff and board members could mean changes to that plan.

KENTUCKY — Gov. Andy Beshear (D) filed a petition asking the Kentucky Supreme Court to uphold his COVID-19 executive orders recently challenged in court, going around the Court of Appeals system.

"The Commonwealth is in a life-and-death battle against COVID-19 — the gravest threat to public health in over a century," reads the petition. "The stakes could not be higher to Kentuckians."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While walking down Bardstown Road in the Highlands, you can find the doors to Encore Resale wide open. Owner Mark Estell said he does that to let people know it's open unlike many other businesses on the block.

"It looks like a ghost town right now," Estell said. "You walk up and down and nobody is on the streets."

OLDHAM COUNTY, Ky. — Oldham County has joined the growing list of school districts planning dual learning in the fall.

Superintendent Greg Schultz laid out the new plan to the school board Tuesday before the board voted unanimously to pass the item. Schultz told Spectrum News 1 the so-called "Virtual Learning Academy" would be far better than Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) models hastily implemented across the state in March as COVID-19 rapidly spread.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Nine-year-old David Turner Jr. from Louisville has a simple message when it comes to wearing masks in public.

“If people don’t wear masks, they’re not protected,” Turner said. “And if they have COVID, we can get COVID.”

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A 55-year-old man housed at the Kentucky State Reformatory is the fourth inmate to die in a Kentucky prison after contracting the coronavirus.

Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown said the man from Jefferson County died from a heart attack July 12, a day after testing positive for the coronavirus.

COVINGTON, Ky. — Many people have expressed that getting unemployment help hasn’t been easy.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As Americans start to return to their somewhat regular day-to-day routines, coronavirus case numbers are on the rise.

“A lot of the data points to the reopening of entertainment venues, bars, pubs, restaurants and beaches for being the primary culprit for the increase in cases,” Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness Assistant Director Connie Mendel said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While horses will race at Churchill Downs this September, the Kentucky Derby Museum's 34th annual Gala is canceled.

The decision to cancel was made by Museum Staff Leadership and the Kentucky Derby Museum Board of Directors, who agreed this was the most responsible move due to the ucertainty of COVID-19.