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Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said Wednesday that she believed the county “can absolutely” meet a June 1 goal to fully reopen businesses, which would signal a major step toward economic recovery in Nevada. “I think that we can absolutely get there as long as people continue to get vaccinated and get tested to ensure that (the virus is) not spreading within our community,” she said in a briefing with reporters. Kirkpatrick also said that the county will consider whether to lift social distancing mandates starting in May. (Johnson, 4/14)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging all schools in the state to reopen, saying there are no health barriers to getting children back into classrooms and ending distance learning. Speaking Wednesday, he said: “Money is not an object now. It’s an excuse.” His wishes remain an expectation rather than a mandate because California’s decentralized education system lets the 1,200 school districts govern themselves. (4/14)

Pinellas County could soon repeal an order that requires face masks be worn inside public places. The Pinellas County Commission on Tuesday said it would hold a vote on May 11 following a public hearing to discuss the face mask ordinance. At that hearing, commissioners will decide to repeal or amend the order, which also puts certain restrictions on bars and restaurants. (4/14)

The ink is still drying on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s signature approving a landmark cannabis legalization bill, but questions are already being raised about possible conflicts between the new law and New Mexico’s medical marijuana program. Five medical cannabis producers wrote in a letter to state officials this week about concerns that the recently approved legalization could lead to a supply shortage for medical marijuana patients starting this summer. (Boyd, 4/14)

For 35 weeks, Tomeka Isaac had a normal pregnancy. As a 40-year-old Black woman, she was at high risk for preeclampsia, a complication characterized by high blood pressure that can cause organ damage. But she diligently went to every doctor’s appointment, and to her relief, was told her blood pressure was fine. (Critchfield, 4/15)