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| CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
We’re trying something new for the foreseeable future: a daily update on what’s going on with the coronavirus, and what you need to know. What would you like us to focus on here? Let us know.
The first coronavirus death in the US was reported in Washington State on Saturday. The victim was a man in his 50s with underlying medical issues. In Kirkland, a suburb east of Seattle, there are concerns of an outbreak at an aged care facility — two people have tested positive and dozens of patients and staff have reported symptoms.
For important information and updates, check the CDC’s dedicated coronavirus site THE BIG STORY
The Trump-era Supreme Court is about to hear its first major abortion case
This week the court will hear arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo, which focuses on a Louisiana law regulating abortion clinics. The law, and others like it passed by anti-abortion politicians around the country, makes it extremely difficult for clinics to remain open; in Texas a similar law caused half the state’s clinics to close.
A similar law was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2016, with the judges reaffirming that it is unconstitutional for states to place an “undue burden” on access to abortion. The constitution hasn’t changed since then, but the Supreme Court has: President Trump has appointed two new judges since then, creating a solidly right-wing majority.
If the Supreme Court approves the law, “it would be a green light for states with anti-abortion legislatures to pass similar laws, closing down clinics and potentially making the procedure totally inaccessible in their states,” reports Ema O’Connor. “While it is theoretically possible the justices could use this case to entirely overturn Roe v. Wade and completely undo the national right to abortion, as some advocates fear, it is much more likely that the court would instead give states the ability to regulate abortion until Roe only exists on paper.” Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in her Manhattan office. Melanie Metz for BuzzFeed News SNAPSHOTS
A federal court sided with Trump, ruling his former White House lawyer is not required to testify before Congress. The US Court of Appeals for Washington, DC, overruled a lower court’s decision from late 2018.
HE HAD HIGH, HIGH HOPES
Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign is over The 38-year old mayor of South Bend, Indiana was the unexpected breakout star of the 2020 Democratic primary, and his narrow win in Iowa marked two major firsts: the first time a millennial has won a presidential nominating contest, and the first time a gay person has. He announced the end of his campaign on Sunday night.
Alex Wong / Getty Images RIP, TRADER JOE
Joe Coulombe, the founder of Trader Joe's, has died
He was 89 years old and passed away at home in California. He opened the first Trader Joe’s in 1967 and grew it into a beloved national brand — and one of the country’s best retail employers. The company is consistently ranked one of the best places to work, and is known for treating its front-line workers well, with solid pay and benefits.
And he gave us pancake bread: “Trader Joe’s is for overeducated and underpaid people, for all the classical musicians, museum curators, journalists,” he once told the LA Times, “that’s why we’ve always had good press, frankly!”
It’s true. But it’s also because of the pancake bread.
Tom
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