promoearn: A week for reopenings: Wisconsin free-for-all, parts of New York state

Friday, May 15

Activists stage a COVID-19 memorial event in Washington, DC near the U.S. Capitol building on May 13, 2020 honoring the over 80,000 people who have died from the virus in the U.S.

A week for reopenings: Wisconsin, now New York state

House could vote on a new coronavirus stimulus package, officials unveil the Space Force flag and more things to start your Friday morning.

TGIF, Daily Briefing readers! We made it through another week without being attacked by murder hornets.

It's Lindsay with today's news to know:

House to vote on new coronavirus stimulus package?

A Democrat-led $3 trillion coronavirus stimulus proposal could be brought to the House floor for a full vote as early as Friday . The more than $3 trillion Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act, would expand unemployment assistance, boost food stamps and increase emergency grants to small businesses trying to weather the COVID-19 pandemic that has slammed the economy and upended daily life in the U.S. But the bill is likely to get a cool reception in the GOP-controlled Senate, where leaders have said they want to let the first $2.4 trillion of stimulus spending take full effect before moving on another measure that would pile on to the nation's soaring debt. It would also include another round of direct payments.

•	There's a surprise tax break in the latest coronavirus stimulus payment plan
•	4 coronavirus stimulus packages. $2.4 trillion in funding. See what that means to the national debt

Epicenter of US COVID-19 outbreak, New York state, to begin reopening

Parts of New York state, which has been the U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, will begin reopening Friday — including a wide range of businesses, from construction and manufacturing to tennis courts and drive-in theaters . Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley regions of western and Upstate New York have met seven crucial criteria, including declining hospitalizations and ramped-up testing capacity. Yet, New York City is not among areas ready to reopen. "It's been a crisis and a painful one, but we are coming out the other side," Cuomo said. "This is the next big step in this historic journey."

•	New York Stock Exchange to begin phased reopening of trading floor after COVID-19 closure
•	New York woman beats coronavirus, celebrates 100th birthday: 'She really is remarkable'

More coronavirus headlines you need to know

•	Coronavirus updates: Parts of New York start to open up; 1-in-4 restaurants likely closed forever; Jersey Shore reopens Memorial Day weekend
•	Rural communities without a hospital struggle to fight rising coronavirus cases, deaths
•	You can catch coronavirus through your eyes. A virologist fears that's how he got it.
•	Dr. Deborah Birx wins praise for managing the White House's coronavirus message and Trump
•	Cellphone data shows that Americans respected stay-at-home orders but are starting to move again
•	Social distancing in US drops significantly from height of COVID-19 pandemic, poll finds
•	Wisconsin lawmakers say counties and cities are on their own after court ruling in coronavirus case
•	Whistleblower Rick Bright tells Congress he warned of coronavirus supply problems; Trump calls him 'disgruntled'
•	Ivanka Trump: I wear a mask near Donald Trump and 'everyone is instructed to do so as well'
•	One in 4 restaurants won't re-open after pandemic, study says
•	As businesses reopen amid coronavirus, what are workers' rights?

Sen. Richard Burr to give up committee chair amid FBI probe

Sen. Richard Burr on Friday will officially step down as chairman of the Intelligence Committee amid an FBI investigation into possible insider trading by Burr and three other senators. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Wednesday that Burr was stepping down after the FBI seized Burr's cellphone as part of its investigation into his sale of stocks ahead of the market crash prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. Sens. Burr, R-N.C.; Jim Inhofe, R-Okla.; Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga.; and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; their spouses or advisers sold stocks around the time lawmakers received briefings about the severity of the coronavirus, financial disclosure forms showed. The senators have denied any wrongdoing.

•	Timing questioned: Senators sold off stocks ahead of coronavirus market crash
•	DOJ launches inquiry of lawmakers' stock sales before market slide

Officials to present Trump with new Space Force flag

President Donald Trump will be presented with the United States Space Force Flag and sign an Armed Forces Day Proclamation in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon, according to his official schedule. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the Space Force's chief of space operations, Gen. John Raymond, will present the flag to Trump, which is derived from the seal unveiled earlier this year, a senior administration official told Fox News. The flag's debut comes as the new military branch has begun accepting applications for eligible active-duty personnel to transfer into the service. A Space Force spokesperson told Military.com on Wednesday the service has received over 2,000 applications to join.

•	There's a reason: Space is pitch black, so why will US Space Force members wear camo uniforms?
•	Watch: Gen. Raymond sworn in as Chief of Space Operations
•	Art imitating life: Carell's 'Space Force' Netflix show to blast off soon

More of today's headlines

•	'Get your damn story straight': What we know about Louisville woman Breonna Taylor's death
•	Pentagon looks to train, deploy combat units with 'social distancing protocols in place'
•	Lindsey Graham pushes back on Trump's call to have Obama testify about Russia, Flynn
•	Louisville woman gave birth outside hospital, used a COVID-19 face mask to tie off cord
•	Ivanka Trump pushes food distribution program
•	Mary-Kate Olsen files for divorce from French banker Olivier Sarkozy; filing rejected

Oprah, Jennifer Garner and more stars team up for virtual graduations

As graduation ceremonies across the country have been nixed or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, celebrities are coming together to give the Class of 2020 star-studded sendoffs . A multi-hour graduation ceremony hosted by Facebook and Instagram and featuring a commencement address by Oprah Winfrey will be live-streamed on Friday. Awkwafina, Jennifer Garner, Lil Nas X, Simone Biles and other stars will also join in to offer words of inspiration, and Miley Cyrus will give a performance of her hit "The Climb." Meanwhile, Her Campus, an online magazine dedicated to college women , is also throwing a virtual commencement ceremony on Friday that will feature appearances from Eva Longoria, Liam Payne, Jesse McCartney and more.

•	Oprah, Spielberg surprise college grads with heartfelt commencement speeches on John Krasinski's web show
•	Dear soon-to-be college grads: Quarantine sending you back home again? Here's what a USA TODAY reporter learned

In better news

Life is all about enjoying the little things. USA TODAY entertainment reporter Carly Mallenbaum reflects on her newfound joy of bird-watching during quarantine – and offers expert recommendations on how to optimize your birding experience. Tips like this also appear in the Staying Apart, Together newsletter, a note on mental health, coping, and staying entertained during this stressful time. It comes out Tuesdays and Saturdays, and you can sign up here to receive tomorrow's edition.