Dr. Fauci reacts to Brad Pitt's “SNL” portrayal

Dr. Anthony Fauci has seen his face on T-shirts, bobblehead dolls and even donuts — but you know you’ve become a pop culture icon when “Saturday Night Live” does a skit about you. And Fauci was pleased to see he wasn’t portrayed by just anybody — Brad Pitt played him on last Saturday’ episode.In an interview with Telemundo, the 79-year-old…

Nancy Pelosi endorses Joe Biden, praising “values and integrity”

Washington — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Joe Biden for president Monday, saying that his work helping the country recover from the 2008 recession and role in ushering the Affordable Care Act through Congress make him well-prepared to lead the country as it looks toward recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.”Elections are about the future,” Pelosi, a Democrat from California, said…

Nick Cordero's “Waitress” co-stars sing to support his COVID recovery

Nick Cordero’s former “Waitress” co-stars got together virtually to perform Cordero’s original song, “Live Your Life,” in support of the Broadway actor who’s been battling severe complications from COVID-19. Sara Bareilles, Keala Settle and Jessie Mueller are among the performers in the tribute. Cordero’s wife, Amanda Kloots, cried as she expressed gratitude for the emotional and heartfelt video to everyone involved…

COVID-19 and gun violence: Mayors fight double health crisis

A national gun safety advocacy group is offering up new guidelines for mayors now struggling to manage two public health crises at the same time — COVID-19 and gun violence. In guidelines released on Monday, Everytown for Gun Safety is urging mayors to prioritize gun violence intervention programs, which have seen success using outreach teams to stop violence before it…

Brad Pitt portrays Dr. Fauci on “Saturday Night Live”

Brad Pitt portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci in the second at-home episode of “Saturday Night Live,” that featured musical guest Miley Cyrus, an Adam Sandler cameo and plenty of disinfectant jokes.A bespectacled Pitt, speaking in Fauci’s raspy voice, tried to recast false assurances and misstatements pitched by President Donald Trump during the pandemic, for instance when Trump said there’d be a…

Claire Danes on “Homeland,” and the embarrassment of fame

Claire Danes, a former child actor and star of the Showtime series “Homeland,” has spent a lot of her life on a film set. “That must be really weird,” said correspondent Holly Williams. “It’s not weird for me, ’cause it’s been my whole life,” Danes replied. And she has been a working actor for three decades, known for performances that…

Wife of coronavirus victim finds heartbreaking goodbye note

A Connecticut woman who lost her 32-year-old husband to coronavirus complications said she later found a heart-wrenching goodbye note that he had left for his family. Jonathan Coelho died on Wednesday, after a 28-day battle in the hospital and 20 days on a ventilator, his wife Katie said on Facebook.Coelho, who worked at a courthouse in Danbury, tested positive for…

Cuomo rips McConnell for “really dumb” state bankruptcy idea

Washington — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo angrily denounced Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for suggesting states facing a budget crisis spurred by the coronavirus pandemic should declare bankruptcy, calling it one of the “really dumb ideas of all time.”Cuomo, a Democrat, has been pushing Congress to approve federal relief to cash-strapped state and local governments reeling from the coronavirus…

Mom dies of coronavirus before ever getting to hold her newborn

Wogene Debele was nine months pregnant with her fourth child when she contracted COVID-19 and was admitted to the hospital. Doctors were able to deliver her baby boy three weeks ago, but because of the virus, Debele had to be separated from him immediately.This week, she lost her battle with the coronavirus before ever getting the chance to hold her…

Calls for greater access to vote-by-mail increase amid pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic, which has led most states to shut down almost all aspects of social and economic life, is also raising questions about what life will look like by the time the general election rolls around in November. The public got a preview of what voting in the age of the coronavirus looks like during the Wisconsin primary election. Voters…

How to celebrate Earth Day digitally

Wednesday, April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, an annual global celebration in support of environmental protection. But this year, the coronavirus pandemic is making it difficult to get outside and honor the beauty of the planet. With the majority of the world’s population in some form of isolation, Earth Day events have been canceled. However, organizations are getting creative and…

Brad Pitt delivers the weather on Krasinski's “Some Good News”

Brad Pitt: Hollywood heartthrob. Oscar-winning actor. Weather man? The 56-year-old took on a new role Sunday when he appeared in an episode of John Krasinski’s digital show, “Some Good News.” Pitt served as the show’s guest weatherman — although his forecast was rather short.Krasinski created “Some Good News” to highlight positive news during the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, he threw…

Michelle Obama hosting virtual read-alongs for kids

Kids around the world are isolated at home, but soon, they’ll be able to spend their “Mondays with Michelle.” Former first lady Michelle Obama is hosting virtual read-alongs every Monday for the next four weeks. Each Monday, Mrs. Obama will choose a different children’s book to read live at 12:00 p.m. on the PBS KIDS and Penguin Random House social…

31-year-old Texas officer shot to death, two others wounded in “ambush”

An officer was killed and two others wounded in what police called an “ambush” shooting Saturday night in San Marcos, Texas. The suspect died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the San Marcos Police Department said. According to police, the officers responded to an assault/domestic disturbance call around 6 p.m. Saturday. Officers were then “ambushed” by a suspect…

This week on “Sunday Morning” (April 19)

CBS News Live Facebook Chat with Conor Knighton, Sunday, April 19 at 11 a.m. ET!Conor Knighton is headed on a virtual book tour to chat about “Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park.” Head to CBS Sunday Morning’s Facebook page, leave a question for Conor, and join us there beginning at 11 a.m. this Sunday for a…

“SNL” star pays rent for 160 to honor grandmother

“Saturday Night Live” star Michael Che says he will pay a month of rent for residents of the same New York City public housing building his late grandmother lived in. During last weekend’s episode of SNL, the “Weekend Update” co-host revealed she died from COVID-19. Che announced on his Instagram page late Wednesday that he was taking care of rent for…

Coronavirus updates: COVID-19 cases top 2 million worldwide

  22m agoMany small businesses say Paycheck Protection Program is deeply flawed Since the federal Paycheck Protection Program launched earlier this month, small businesses across the U.S. have tapped more than $300 billion in loans as they try to survive the devastating economic tempest caused by the coronavirus. It may not be enough. Numerous small business owners contacted by CBS…

Contact tracing for coronavirus: How it works and why it's difficult

Containing a viral outbreak has long relied on a time-consuming process known as contact tracing. Public health workers interview someone who has tested positive and investigate their lives, tracking down every single person who could have been exposed.Already, cities and states have announced plans to hire thousands of workers to help with the effort to trace contacts for coronavirus patients. …

Obama: “I am proud to endorse Joe Biden to be president”

Washington — Former President Barack Obama delivered his long-awaited endorsement of Joe Biden for president on Tuesday, recording an 12-minute video to throw his support behind his former vice president.Mr. Obama’s endorsement of his former vice president comes a day after Senator Bernie Sanders gave a full-throated endorsement of Biden’s presidential bid, ending speculation that the two rivals might remain…

Detroit's water problems pose threat during virus outbreak

Michigan officials say the city of Detroit has over 6,800 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 5% have died, making it one of the country’s hardest-hit areas. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan initiated the Coronavirus Water Restart Program in March to help control the spread of the virus, in a community where 36% of the population lives in poverty.  Access to…

Krasinski and Ortiz surprise hospital workers with season tickets

Actor John Krasinski and Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz surprised a group of hospital workers who are on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus with Red Sox tickets for life. The “Quiet Place” director hosted them during a new episode of his lighthearted YouTube show, “Some Good News.” Krasinski invited nurses and respiratory therapists from Beth Israel…

Coronavirus updates: Death toll nears 22,000 as U.S. marks solemn Easter

  26m agoIllinois governor says evidence of “bending the curve” on coronavirus Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said Sunday that there were 1,672 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 20,852 since the beginning of the pandemic, CBS Chicago reports. Another 43 people have died of the virus, for a total of 720 fatalities. “I’ve spoken about a bending…

Pittsburgh churches band together for a virtual Easter blessing

Pastor Alan Hannah of Allegheny Center Alliance Church in Pittsburgh had an idea after seeing virtual choir videos online due to the impact of coronavirus and its halt on public gatherings.”We aren’t meeting publicly, and as pastors we’re doing all we can to continue to minister while practicing social distancing and honoring our state officials.” Hannah said. The result: Parishioners from nearly…

Hobbies offer Americans a respite from social isolation amid pandemic

As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic keeps businesses closed and social distancing measures in place, Americans are turning to the hobbies they love to help deal with the self-isolation. Dr. Lisa Damour, a psychologist, said hobbies can be a “positive form of coping” that can help bolster self-esteem and help pass the time.”There’s a lot of benefits to hobbies, especially in…