April Showers: A stunning 20.5 million jobs were lost in April and the US unemployment rate hit 14.7 percent. It’s a devastating situation not seen since the Great Depression.

   In February, the unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, a 50-year low. 

   By comparison to current losses, 8.7 million jobs were lost during the Great Recession and unemployment peaked at 10 percent in October 2009.

  At the same time, stock markets around the world are rising on hopes of re-opening the world economy.

Spring Snow: That’s right, snow is forecast for the Northeast and New England later today. A big storm system is bringing the potential for wet snow and torrential rain along the I-95 corridor. Snowfall will range from a dusting to 8 inches in some while  northern New England could get up to a foot.

In Like Flynn: The Justice Department moved yesterday to drop the criminal case against former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who has twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian diplomats before Donald Trump took office.

  In a sign of dissent, the Justice Department lawyer who led the prosecution withdrew from the case. 

 Responding to the news, Trump told reporters that Flynn was “an innocent man.” An innocent man who admitted he was guilty.

  Flynn’s lies resulted in him being fired by President Trump and flipped as a witness by the FBI. The dismissal must be approved by the District of Columbia District Court. 

  The retired general has always had a friend in President Trump and Bill Barr’s Justice Department. The Justice filing said, “The Government is not persuaded that the January 24, 2017 interview was conducted with a legitimate investigative basis and therefore does not believe Mr. Flynn’s statements were material even if untrue.” It also says, “We do not believe that the Government can prove either the relevant false statements or their materiality beyond a reasonable doubt

  The dismissal has every look of a political favor. Asked by a CBS correspondent, “When history looks back on this decision, how do you think it will be written?”  Barr replied, “Well, history is written by the winners, so it largely depends on who’s writing the history.”

Most Foul: A father and son in Brunswick, Georgia have been charged with murder in the killing of a 24-year-old black jogger. Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son Travis McMichael, 34, were each charged with murder and aggravated assault. The two men had claimed that the victim, Ahmaud Arbery, fit the description of a robbery suspect.

  The incident happened two months ago and no one was charged, but a graphic video of the killing went viral spurring nationwide outrage.

New Rules: The White House and Centers for Disease Control are knocking heads about guidelines for re-opening the country.

  The CDC recommends using disposable dishes and utensils at restaurants, closing every other row of seats on public transportation, and maintaining segregated groups of children at school and summer camps, among other measures. 

  The White House objected, calling the rules overly restrictive, potentially infringing on religious rights, and economically damaging.

Block that Kick: The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to temporarily block the release of documents from former special counsel Robert Mueller’s grand jury to the House of Representatives. The plea relies on a technical question as to whether an impeachment can be considered a judicial proceeding after which grand jury material can be released.

Bridge to Nowhere: The Supreme Court threw out fraud convictions against two New Jersey officials who jammed traffic on the George Washington Bridge and a town on the New Jersey side to punish a local mayor on behalf of then-Gov. Chris Christie. The resulting uproar became known as the “Bridgegate” scandal. 

  Writing for a unanimous court, Justice Elena Kagan said that “not every corrupt act by state or local officials is a federal crime.” In reference to New Jersey, that’s pretty funny.

  Bridget Anne Kelly, who served as an aide to Christie, and Bill Baroni, the deputy director of the Port Authority, were convicted for their roles in the scandal and sentenced to 13 and 18 months in prison. They’ve been out on bond pending their appeal.

Shopped Out: Nieman Marcus, the luxury department store chain sometimes known as “Needless Markups,” has filed for bankruptcy.

  Nieman’s is the first major department store to file bankruptcy during the coronavirus pandemic. Lord & Taylor and JC Penney also are in trouble.

One Degree of Separation: A member of the US Navy who serves as one of President Trump’s personal valets tested positive for coronavirus, CNN reports. Trump, who is a self-described germaphobe, was tested again after he was told of the sailor’s illness. 

The Obit Page: Brian Howe, a former singer with the rock group Bad Company and with Ted Nugent, died of a heart attack at age 66. Howe joined Bad Company in the 1980s, replacing original member Paul Rodgers on lead vocals. With Howe as vocalist, the group went on to release the albums “Dangerous Age,” “Here Comes Trouble” and “Holy Water.” 

The Rich Are Different: There’s a chance that California might not allow the tech billionaire Elon Musk and his girlfriend Grimes to give their baby boy the name of their choice.

  California law says an approved name can only use the 26 letters of the English alphabet.

 First, let’s explain that Grimes’s name real name is Claire Boucher. And what the couple wants to name their baby is “X Æ A-12 Musk.”

  Grimes explained that the “X” stands for “the unknown variable” and “Æ” is a symbol for artificial intelligence that also translates to “love” in several languages. She added, “A-12 = precursor to SR-17 (our favorite aircraft). 

  In schoolyard language the name means, “Go ahead, punch me.”

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