The WHO report on COVID-19 describes the likely origins of the virus
A World Health Organization report, expected to be released Tuesday, says that transmission of COVID-19 from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a laboratory leak is “extremely unlikely” according to a draft copy made by the Associated Press. However, pinpointing the natural source of viruses is an endeavor that typically takes years and one that the WHO team of experts never intended. As the search for the origins of the virus continues, President Joe Biden has touted advances in vaccines available to fight COVID-19. On Monday, Biden said 90% of American adults will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines by April 19, beating his previous goal of nationwide approval by nearly two weeks. The US continues to lead the world in coronavirus cases with more than 30 million.
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Memorial service for officer killed in shootings in Boulder
First responders and supporters lined miles of overpasses along I-25 as the Colorado State Highway Patrol escorted Officer Eric Talley’s mother from New Mexico to Boulder for her son’s funeral. Talley became the first police officer to respond to frantic 911 calls during a fatal shootout at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, where he was one of ten killed in the attack. A funeral mass for Talley was held in Denver on Monday for close friends, family and colleagues. A public memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 a.m. It is streamed live on bouldercolorado.gov. Talley, 51, had seven children and has been with the Boulder Police Department since 2010.
More rain, possible flooding in the forecast for the flooded south
After a deadly and devastating weekend of flooding in parts of the south, another round of rain is forecast for the region on Tuesday and Wednesday. Over the weekend, the Nashville area was ravaged by billowing water, killing at least five people and forcing scores of people to flee their homes. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast along the Gulf Coast and are expected to expand north to Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky on Tuesday night, AccuWeather said. In contrast to weather systems in the past few weeks, which have produced dozens of tornadoes and widespread wind damage in the south, no widespread storms are expected, according to AccuWeather.
New York lawmakers could vote to legalize recreational marijuana
New York lawmakers could vote Tuesday to legalize recreational marijuana – which would make it the 15th state to approve the drug for recreational use. The vote comes after Senate and Assembly leaders announced on Saturday an agreement with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office on a plan to legalize and regulate cannabis products for adult use in the state. If the legislation is approved, retail marijuana sales would be taxed at 13%, with 9% going to the state and 4% to local and regional authorities. Criminal penalties for possession less than three ounces would be lifted, and those previously convicted would see their records automatically erased. The legislation is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled legislation, and Cuomo has pledged support as well.
Last punched tickets: Up to the last four in men’s and women’s tournaments
In the NCAA basketball tournaments for men and women, the last places in the Final Four will be filled with championship games on Tuesday evening. In the Indianapolis men’s race, two top seeds compete against two teams from the Pac-12 that no one expected to get this far. In the early game, the West Region final, USC will compete in sixth place against the undefeated overall seed Gonzaga (TBS, 4:15 p.m. ET). Later, UCLA No. 11, which played in the first four games, face Michigan in the East Region final. The winners will join the winning teams Houston and Baylor in the Final Four on Monday. In the Women’s San Antonio, South Carolina will face the Hemisfair Region number 6 in the early game (ESPN, 4:00 p.m. ET). In the later game, the two best seeds in the Alamo area, number 1, will be represented at Stanford and No. 2 Louisville facing each other. The winners will join UConn and first-time Final Four participant Arizona as regional winners.
Contributor: The Associated Press
