The return to JFK is focused on the premium and business travelers between the east and west coast of the United States. It is a move that now allows the airline to provide air travel service from all three of the major New York airports.

“United’s return to JFK reflects not only our strong commitment to the New York City area, but also to increasing service to and from the places our customers want to fly,” said Ankit Gupta, Vice President of Domestic Network Planning and Scheduling. “With the addition of JFK, United now offers unmatched service, greater convenience, more choice and a best-in-class product for travelers throughout the New York City region as they return to the skies.”

This new service currently offers one round-trip flight, five days a week to each West Coast airport. United says that passengers can expect to see the number of flights double in the near future as the demand increases.

The premium cabins on these United Airlines flights feature flat-bed seats on all flights. This is similar to the current flight to Los Angeles and San Francisco from its hub in Newark.

According to the airline, amenities onboard the trans-con flights include the signature cooling gel pillow along with the Saks Fifth Avenue day blanket and pillow. Meal on the flights, offer seasonal menus crafted by renowned chefs and distinctive amenities.

These offering are available to travelers in United Business and United Premium Plus sections who enjoy a complimentary hot entrée, mixed nuts, salad and dessert, as well as complimentary alcoholic beverages.

The post United Airlines Returns to JFK offering Premium Air Travel to LAX and SFO appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

New York decided that they would make some changes to the parade today to keep large crowds from gathering and potentially spreading COVID-19.

As usual NBC will broadcast the 2020 Thanksgiving parade live and will also stream it online for viewers to watch on computers and mobile devices. The broadcast and online live stream will be from 9am to 12 noon eastern time.

Watch the live stream of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Online

As reported earlier, today’s parade will have all of its signature floats, performers and of course, Santa Claus. However, this year’s parade will not be open to public attendance.

“Under the unique challenges of these unparalleled times, we felt it was important to continue this cherished holiday tradition that has been the opening act to the holiday season for generations of families,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “While it will certainly look different in execution, this year’s Macy’s Parade celebration will once again serve its historical purpose – to bring joy into the hearts of millions across the nation.”

NBC is anticipating that more than 50 million will watch the parade on television or online. The 2020 parade route will not be the usual 2.5 mile route, but rather will be staged around the Herald Square area in Manhattan. Additionally, all participants will wear masks and maintain social distancing protocols.

The post Watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Live Stream online appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Hurricanes have devastated home in this area in recent years. As such, this project, and others like it, comes as great news to a large number of people.

Peoples Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) are behind the funding of the generous grant. Gulf Coast Housing Partnership (GCHP) received the grant and will head up the construction efforts.  

“We are so thankful for The Peoples Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas for their generosity,” said Kathy Laborde, president and CEO at GCHP.

“The Affordable Housing Program funds allow GCHP to continue our mission of providing quality affordable housing to residents along the Gulf Coast.”

The new homes will replace of 92 of 160 homes previously built in North Park Estates back in 1959. Since that time, the homes in the community have fallen into disrepair. Only 31 of the 92 being demolished in this rebuild were even habitable.

When the community was created in ’59 is was called the L.C. Jones public housing complex.

This first phase of a rebuild of the community is expected to have homes completed by the summer.

Last year a total of $17 million was awarded to affordable housing projects across the country by FHLB Dallas. Those with incomes in the bottom 20% in an area can get help with purchasing or rehabilitating a home.

Communities in Mississippi are receiving $4.6 million of that total. With that money, the state expects to see some 466 affordable homes built for families.

The Affordable Housing Program started 30 years ago. In that time, it has been responsible for helping over 53,000 families get into a home. This, thanks to over $300 million in funding.

The post Affordable Housing Community Underway in Gulfport appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

The donations are part of what the company is calling “a season of giving.”

A primary focus of the donations is charities that will be lending a hand to all of those in communities that have been hard hit by all of the natural disasters and other issues this year.

Amazon will provide the funding and donations to over a thousand charities in this global effort. This includes organizations in the U.S., U.K., Spain, Singapore, Japan, Italy, India, Germany, France, China, Canada, and Australia.

A number of celebrities are working with Amazon to help promote the effort to help those in the greatest of need. Gabrielle Union, Toronto Maple Leafs player Mitch Marner, and Singaporean actor and musician, Nathan Hartono are some of the first to lend their names to the cause.

“Charitable organizations around the world serve a vital role in their communities, and they’re facing new challenges—often with fewer resources—as we all continue to fight through a global pandemic,” said Jeff Wilke, CEO Worldwide Consumer.

“Amazon is proud to support over one thousand organizations by donating millions of the items they need to help their communities and, hopefully, deliver much-needed smiles along the way.”

How You Can Help through AmazonSmile and Alexa

At smile.amazon.com you can access AmazonSmile. Simply select your favorite charity from the list of over one million and shop on Amazon as usual. By doing this, .5 percent of your purchase will automatically be donated to your charity.

If you happen to have an Amazon Alexa in your house, you can also say “Alexa, I want to make a donation.” This will allow you to make a cash donation to the charity of your choice.

Alexa can also help you make a toy donation to Toys for Tots. Just say, “Alexa, donate to Toys for Tots.” When you do this, as an added bonus, Amazon will match all toy donations with a toy-for toy match.

The post Amazon to Donate Millions to Charities this Holiday Season appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Also, in conjunction with the holiday flotilla, visitors can enjoy the 16^th annual Enchanted Airlie event at nearby Airlie Gardens.

Both events are typically a big draw in the area, with people traveling in to enjoy the festivities. But like many events in 2020, some changes needed to be made to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.

Thankfully, organizers have been able to revise both events in order to alleviate any public health concerns, and comply with any local regulations.

“It’s important for us to do whatever we can to keep these North Carolina holiday traditions in place,” said Bill Baggett, co-owner of Blockade Runner Beach Resort and a founding supporter of the Flotilla.

As you’ll read below, this year, boat dock owners along the flotilla route will have an opportunity to be very involved in the parade.

“The Flotilla is happening with a little twist this year,” said Linda Brown, Committee Chair. “Instead of a boat-judging contest with 50,000 people on the shoreline, it’s going to be a dock judging competition from the water. We encourage all residents and businesses on the Flotilla route to decorate their docks with seasonal lighting. Floodlights and spotlights are not permitted as they will impair navigation on the waterways.”

From the boats, the dock decorations will be judged during the Friday and Saturday nights following Thanksgiving. On Sunday, the winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded.

“We invite our flotilla captains and all owners to decorate their boats and come and see the beautiful docks and homes from the water. See the holiday lights and place your votes for the People’s Choice Award,” said Brown.

Airlie Garden’s Enchanted Airlie

For those who are more of a ‘land-lover’ the nights of the Thanksgiving weekend can be enjoyed by strolling through 35-acres of night-time forest lit by over a million sparkling lights.

This all takes place during the Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie featuring walking trails, holiday displays, and seasonal music.

“Enchanted Airlie is a beloved tradition and we have worked hard to ensure that we continue that tradition in the safest way possible,” said Janine Powell, Director of Donor Relations. “Tickets will sell out in advance.”

Unfortunately, this year, Santa will not be at Airlie Gardens due to safety concerns. Another change this year, is that food and drinks will not be sold at the Gardens. Visitors are welcome to bring their own however, and don’t forget to bring a mask.

The post North Carolina Holiday Flotilla made Safe for COVID-19 appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Among the charity organizations getting the assistance are Feeding America, Foodshare, Massaro Community Farm, and the Connecticut Food Bank.

The Connecticut Food Bank works with local food retailers, growers, donors. They utilize their resources and volunteers to source food and distribute it to the people in need.

All of these charities are working within the local community to help the estimated 12 percent of the population (including 16 percent of children) who struggle to get the food they need.

The volunteers from Anthem helped to organize and package food for distribution to those in need.

In addition to providing volunteers, Anthem is donating close to $90,000 to help the hungry in the community. It total, the organization will contribute close to a million and a half dollars across the state.

“We are deeply committed to supporting causes that improve the lives of people in Connecticut, and in 2020, this commitment is more important to us than ever.” said Jill Hummel, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut.

“Nutritious food is essential to health, quality of life, avoiding chronic illness and reducing the need for costly medical treatment, and we want to end the lack of access to food that keeps many from achieving their best health.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the problem of hunger worse across many communities. At times like these, volunteers and charity organizations become more important than ever.

The post Anthem BCBS Volunteers help Fight Hunger in Connecticut appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Earlier this week, the airline announced the COVID-19 testing for passengers headed to Hawaii from its hub in San Francisco. This is a pilot program that may be expanded to other locations.

As an island, Hawaii has been virtually shut down to travel. An economically painful thing for an island state that relies so heavily on tourism.

All travelers, including residents returning home, to Hawaii have been subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. This is clearly not attractive to someone headed there for a vacation.

This new COVID-19 testing program from United may be just what the state’s tourism industry needs. If expanded, the program may help eliminate quarantine restrictions to other popular destinations.

But most importantly, the program by the airline will help stop the spread of the corona virus.

“Our new COVID testing program is another way we are helping customers meet their destinations’ entry requirements, safely and conveniently,” said Toby Enqvist, Chief Customer Officer at United.

“We’ll look to quickly expand customer testing to other destinations and U.S. airports later this year to complement our state-of-the-art cleaning and safety measures that include a mandatory mask policy, antimicrobial and electrostatic spraying and our hospital-grade HEPA air filtration systems.”

The testing program will begin on October 15 at the SFO airport. Passengers will have 2 COVID-19 testing options. A rapid test at the airport just before departure, or a mail-in test kit.

In a press release, the airline indicated that passengers will be able to schedule their rapid test online ahead of their travel date. At the airport, they will be tested for COVID-19 and can expect to receive their results in approximately 15 minutes.

For the mail-in option, United will send the passenger an option to receive a test kit 10 days prior to departure. The passenger would use the test kit at home and return it for analysis 72 hours prior to their flight. The kit should be sent via overnight mail, or can be dropped off to a drop box at the SFO airport.

United Airlines was the first carrier to offer this service in the US.

The post United Airlines to provide Rapid COVID-19 Tests before You Fly appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

With a local population of only about 24,000, Adelaide is a beautiful city that usually welcomes 300,000 visitors each day . It is well known for its wineries, for wine tastings, and branding.

In addition to its wineries, tourist attractions also include sporting events, the Adelaide zoo, the University of Adelaide and much more.

International flights are into the country are still largely banned from most areas. Additionally, interstate travel within Australia is also subject to many restrictions.

Those who are allowed to travel into the area are subject to a 14-day quarantine in most cases. This is another factor leading to a drop in tourism.  

What is happening in Adelaide city is not unique. Cities which garner a lot of revenue from tourism are in a similar situation.

The drop in tourism dollars creates a ripple effect throughout the local economy.

It begins at the tourist attractions, and then hits the nearby shops and restaurants. As the workers at these locations lose wages, the merchants that they frequent also start to lose revenue.

As this cycle continues, the financial decline in many areas can begin to impact local government and the public services which they provide.

In Adelaide, the government is working to re-vitalize the tourism industry. They are providing vouchers to would-be tourists to partially subsidize their accommodations.

It seems like a smart approach. The vouchers lower the cost for the visitor, thereby encouraging them to travel. At the same time, the government money is guaranteed to make its way directly back to the local economy through the hotels.

The post Tourism Decline causing Financial Strain for Cities Worldwide appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

Because of this, the city has announced an alternative plan for this year’s parade.

New York City officials have been working closely with the team at Macy’s to develop a plan. For the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade they have two goals. Keep the public safe, and maintain the spectacle and wonder that is this holiday tradition.

This week the city unveiled its plans.

The parade itself with still go on with all of its signature floats, performers and of course, Santa Claus. However, this year’s parade will not be open to public attendance. It will instead only be available for viewing on television.

“Under the unique challenges of these unparalleled times, we felt it was important to continue this cherished holiday tradition that has been the opening act to the holiday season for generations of families,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “While it will certainly look different in execution, this year’s Macy’s Parade celebration will once again serve its historical purpose – to bring joy into the hearts of millions across the nation.”

From 9am to 12 noon eastern on November 26, NBC will broadcast the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and stream it online.  

The network anticipates a viewing audience in excess of 50 million.

This year marks the 94th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The history of the parade began with collection of Macy’s employees who took to the streets in 1924 dressed as clowns, playing instruments and adorning floats.

The spectacular has grown from there into an American holiday tradition.

Other Changes to the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

To keep everyone in the parade safe, the Macy’s team has implemented some changes. These will operate in line with CDC guidelines, and local and state government protocols.

Part of this means that the parade with not follow its usual 2.5 mile route. Instead the event will be staged around the Herald Square area in Manhattan.

Participants in the parade will all wear masks and maintain social distancing protocols.

To reduce the number of participants this year, the Macy’s team will be utilizing specially designed vehicles to provide and anchor for the massive balloons. This is a task normally requiring up upwards of 100 people per balloon.

The post 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will Only be a Virtual Event appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.

At the height of the outbreak, the U.S. restricted international travelers coming into the country to a small number of specific airports. This was an attempt to provide better screening and tracking of individuals arriving from outside of the U.S. The goals was to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The prior restrictions limited arrivals to fifteen airports in the U.S. This applied to anyone traveling in from China, Iran, England, Ireland, Brazil and the Schengen region of Europe.

The government is now lifting that restriction on international travelers.

For some, this may sound pre-mature as COVID-19 is certainly still an issue. The change does not mean that the government is not concern about the spread of the virus. It means that they have had time to learn more about screening and monitoring. Now, they are simply implementing a more appropriate strategy.

The focus of and methods of international travel restrictions is changing, not being eliminated.

In a press release the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services wrote, “We now have a better understanding of COVID-19 transmission that indicates symptom-based screening has limited effectiveness because people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms or fever at the time of screening, or only mild symptoms.”

“Transmission of the virus may occur from passengers who have no symptoms or who have not yet developed symptoms of infection. Therefore, CDC is shifting its strategy and prioritizing other public health measures to reduce the risk of travel-related disease transmission.”

According to the agency, the new approach will be one that is more individual focused. It will also include educating the passengers and working with airports and airlines to control procedures to try to minimize lines and crowds.

The focus will also narrow in on travel from countries when spikes of the virus become prevalent.

The goal of the government remains protecting the health of the American people. It believes that this new approach is the more effective way of doing that.

The post International Travel Restrictions Lifted for Many U.S. Cities appeared first on CitizenNewsWire.