Dr. Grace Farris is chief of hospital medicine at Mount Sinai West in Manhattan. She also writes a monthly comics column in the Annals of Internal Medicine called "Dr Mom." You can find her on Instagram @coupdegracefarris . Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Very briefly, at the end of 2019 and the start of 2020, there were slightly more women on American nonfarm payrolls than men. That's no longer true. The historically disastrous April jobs report shows that the brunt of job losses fell on women. Women now account for around just under half — 49% — of American workers, and they accounted for 55% of the increase in job losses last month. One way of looking at why that matters that is to look at the gap that opened up between women's and men's unemployment last month. The below chart shows women's unemployment rate minus men's unemployment rate since 2007. Usually, the line bumps around near or just below zero — meaning men's unemployment is usually near or slightly higher than women's. But that spike on the far right shows how women's unemployment leapt to be 2.7 points higher than men's in April. Women had an unemployment rate of 16.2% to men's 13.5% last month. That's uncommon for a recession. The below chart is a longer view, and the

When Víkingur Ólafsson was about 5 years old, he already knew what he wanted to be. "It sounds crazy, but I always saw myself as a concert pianist," he says. "Even if I wasn't a good pianist." The Icelandic musician, who turned 36 last month, has become a very good pianist indeed. Whether playing baroque or contemporary music, Ólafsson's technique is formidable, but it's transparency combined with warmth that has defined his singular sound. He is sought after by the world's top orchestras and concert venues and has signed on with the swanky Deutsche Grammophon record label. After well-received albums of Philip Glass and J.S. Bach , his latest album, Debussy – Rameau , was released March 27. The recording unfolds almost like a classical mixtape, with Ólafsson juxtaposing tracks by two French composers, born almost two centuries apart, who both broke new ground in music. The pianist says he tried to create a conversation between Jean-Philippe Rameau , the baroque master who literally

The East State Street Kmart in Rockford and four Sears stores elsewhere in Illinois have been targeted by Sears Holdings to close in early September. The Kmart store on Sandy Hollow Road in Rockford closed in early April this year. A Kmart store formerly located at Riverside Boulevard and Forest Hills Road closed more than a decade ago and was replaced by a Sears Essentials store, which closed in 2011. While reporting a net loss of $424 million in its quarterly report this morning, Sears Holdings announced it had identified 100 unprofitable stores across the country, “72 of which will begin store closing sales in the near future. ” A list of 15 Kmart stores and 48 Sears stores was posted on the corporate website early this afternoon. The announcement included this statement: “We continue to evaluate our network of stores, which are a critical component in our transformation, and will make further adjustments as needed and as warranted.” It said a small group of stores was pulled from

Sears Hometown Stores in Sterling, Plano and Moline will be closing during the current business quarter, the company announced over the weekend. The websites for all three stores already are announcing “Store in liquidation” sales. They are among “90 to 100” underperforming Sears Hometown locations remaining after 21 stores were closed in the previous quarter, President and Chief Executive Officer Will Powell said in the quarterly earnings announcement. Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. , was spun off from Sears Holdings Corp. in 2012. Most of the 882 Sears Hometown locations are independently owned and operated, offering Sears brands like Kenmore and Craftsman as well as other national brands. The Sterling and Plano stores both are owned by Sean Austin, according to Plano Sears Hometown Store Manager Redell Morgan. He said the last day for the Plano store will be July 23. Morgan said he is the only full-time employee at the Plano location, which has six part-time employees. The

A vehicle produced in Belvidere has topped a new list of cars with the most American content. Fiat Chrysler ’s Jeep Cherokee came in at number one on the list created by Cars.com . The website looked at which cars were manufactured in America, had the most American parts, and support the most American factory jobs. Four of the top ten cars on the list are made by foreign-based companies. But Cars.com’s executive director, Joe Wiesenfelder, said, these days, all manufacturers are global. “And even what you consider an American brand might import vehicles from across the border," he said. "Whereas what might at one time been considered an import brand is building the cars here in the U.S.” Wiesenfelder sees the list as a service for someone who’s looking at what car to buy. “If they’re interested in contributing to the U.S. economy," he said, "they might see that it’s on the American-Made Index and say, ‘well, that’s one more count in its favor.’” Two other cars produced in Illinois made

Listen to this special Mississippi Blues Project session with David Bromberg here. David Bromberg dropped by the studios at WXPN in Philadelphia in April to talk about, and play, Mississippi Blues. Bromberg cited the influences of players such as Muddy […]

Below, from our session with David Bromberg, watch him perform “Kind-Hearted Woman,” and “Wee Midnight Hours.” You can listen to the full session

The legendary James Cotton is playing a free show at the TLA on South Street in Philadelphia on Friday, September 6. It’s the finale concert of the year long Mississippi Blues Project and will be hosted by Jonny Meister, host […]

Coronavirus has highlighted the digital divide among low-income as well as rural students. Schools that don’t send students home with laptops rushed them equipment so they could do their homework online. School administrators say some parents claim to have internet access, but it may only be through a phone plan. Districts have distributed hot spots for families without a plan or where service is undependable. Particularly in rural communities like Montmorency, reliable internet connectivity is a major hurdle. Montmorency is a K-8 district in Whiteside County with around 230 students. Alex Moore is the superintendent. “On a good day, I get four megabytes per second download speed, so I knew that was going to be an issue. About half of our families probably have decent internet,” said Moore. Even that “good day” download speed doesn’t meet the FCC’s minimum recommendation for e-learning. For many younger students, remote learning has to be pencil and paper. Schools like Somonauk set up

SHEILA Begbie, the SRU’s director of rugby development, has urged more clubs to apply to the Club Hardship Fund for help before the end-of-month deadline.

DAVE Rennie believes that Leinster deserve to be awarded the PRO14 title, and is convinced that such a solution would be better for player welfare and the integrity of the competition than dragging this season on into late summer or autumn.

The great North-South divide in rugby was never more in evidence than when the votes were counted for the chairmanship of World Rugby last week. Sir Bill Beaumont stayed in the job, beating Agustin Pichot by 28 votes to 23, but wow, what an outcome in terms of who actually supported the former England and British Lions captain.

Bennett, Hickenlooper request that BLM oil and gas lease sale be deferred Health clinics in Colorado serve a vital role for low income health care Western State University in Gunnison gets largest ever donation

Bull Draw Fire flares up in warmer, drier weather; smoke expected Engage Energy Conference brings together stakeholders in energy industry Transition from older, outdated energy sources to new ones a hot topic Governor Hickenlooper forms Federal PAC, signals possible Presidential run

Candidates for 3rd Congressional District disagree about Jordan Cove project Flare up in the Bull Draw Fire causes more closures of the Divide Road Changes to Endangered Species Act could impact oil and gas, recreation in Colorado Glance at high school football schedule this weekend

Colorado has fourth best economy in the country Statewide surplus expected this year and next The Purple State Update with the Colorado Sun Recycling, election security, Governor possibly running for President

Toxic algae confirmed in Blue Mesa Reservoir Boaters encouraged to stay away from Iola Basin, protect pets Paonia Elementary School wins prestigious award

Water Sheriff patrols Four Corners, water theft up during drought season Historic Leadville Opera House eligible for preservation grant Update on investigation of two bodies discovered outside Hotchkiss

Blue Mesa Reservoir at record low volume, toxic algae blooms confirmed Bull Draw Fire 95 percent contained, special techniques aid firefight Statewide expansion of Medicare greatly benefitted rural residents Victims of shooting outside of Hotchkiss identified, investigation ongoing

ICELAB comes to Delta County, promotes job growth and new business Amendment X would take hemp out of state constitution

Report indicates drought in Colorado is getting worse Flu season last year in the state was busiest ever The Purple State Update with the Colorado Sun Purple State talks Club 20 Debates, state economy and beer industry

Propositions 109, 110 would fund transportation in different ways Author returns to Paonia to read from debut novel National Parks in state, country hope to get funding from Congress

Montrose Police Chief calls it a career after 45 years in law enforcement Trial in deaths of two Norwood girls continues, one defendant incompetent Western Slope Resources Reporting Native cutthroat trout species making a comeback after reintroduction efforts

Delta County Candidate Forum brings together Republicans, Democrats Hunting, fishing and wildlife on BLM land generates big tax revenue Mesa County school district 51 names interim superintendent

Road work, closures scheduled next week for Red Mountain Pass Telluride climber makes history, skis down 4th largest mountain in world KDNK feature about nationwide opposition to Jordan Cove pipeline plan

The Purple State Update with the Colorado Sun First poll in governor's race, debates, and Governor Hickenlooper travels Amendment 73 proposes to raise taxes on high earners to pay for schools

Colorado voters aged 50 and older voice their concerns, issues Three Western Slope counties face additional transportaiton ballot measures Montrose Budget public meeting scheduled for Oct. 10

U.S. Forest Service plans to implement shuttle, fees at Hanging Lake Bull Draw Fire closure lifted, fire now 95 percent contained BLM, advocates battle over management of wild horse herds in West

7 states tentatively agree on Colorado river conservation, drought mitigation Biologists have some success in protecting endangered fish in Colorado River Gunnison Basin hopes for wet weather, prepare for dry winter just in case

Colorado voters looking for specific changes from Governor candidates Luke Runyon reports on stakes involved with Colorado River conservation First ski resort in Colorado to open this weekend after snow in mountains

The Purple State Update with the Colorado Sun Conservation plan calls for water to be taken from Blue Mesa Reservoir Lake Powell near disastrous low level; contingency plans established Preview of high school football schedule around listening area

WHETHER through shrewd planning, good fortune or a bit of both, Edinburgh managed to complete the bulk of their business for next season before rugby came grinding to a halt. When precisely play resumes is, of course, unknown and out of their control, but they are at least confident that they will be in good shape to hit the ground running.

Scottish Golf today revealed that no date has been set for the sport in this country to restart and stressed that lockdown restrictions will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Beith defensive mainstay Ryan Docherty has called today’s Macron Scottish Junior Cup clash against Kello Rovers “a great opportunity” as he and his team-mates prepare to go toe-to-toe with the rank outsiders for a place in this season’s semi-finals.

IN normal circumstances, Auchinleck Talbot manager Tommy Sloan would be popping Champagne bottles and celebrating his second league title victory in a row.

Twelve candidates take the stage for October's Democratic primary debate, which begins at 8 p.m. ET. NPR reporters are posting context and analysis in real time. Loading...

Rockford alderman and community activist John Beck has died. The 57-year-old Republican represented the city’s 12 th ward since 2001. He worked for the Rockford Park District as its Arts, Events, and Recreation Project Manager for the past 13 years. Beck also was known as a champion of accessibility and defender of the Americans With Disabilities Act. He served for 22 years as Development Director for RAMP, a Rockford-based organization offering services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He was a founding member of the Rockford Chariots wheelchair basketball association. And according to a news release from the Rockford Park District, Beck conducted assessments throughout the district “to insure the inclusion of people with disabilities in parks and recreation.” Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine said the “park district family” is heartbroken. “We will miss his quality service and we will miss his smile,” he wrote. “One thing we will not miss is his spirit

GLASGOW-BORN TV star John Barrowman has hit out at a fake account pretending to be him.

Channel 4 have launched a search for a couple who have cancelled their wedding due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hollywood actor Tom Hardy will read out more 'Bedtime Stories' for children's channel CBeebies.

Many of us have flocked to our TVs to binge-watch a range of shows during the lockdown.

No Folk?

A nice demonstration of Terji's capabilities from start to finish.

Shops are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our coverage of the Coronavirus crisis free because it’s so important that the people of Glasgow stay informed during this difficult time.

Banks and building socities have launched a range of offers on ISAs as the new tax year begins.

Five facts about...Bessie Johnston

RACHAEL Newton should have been on her way to Guernsey for this weekend’s VE Day commemoration, which has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.