MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On Thursday, Gov. Tim Walz announced that schools in Minnesota will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. Meanwhile, on the national level, federal officials say that 4.4 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, bringing the total number of out-of-work Americans to 26 million since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Here are the latest headlines in the COVID-19 pandemic:

• 7:47 p.m.: Gov. Tim Walz today signed four executive orders to strengthen Minnesota's response to COVID-19.
• 7:36 p.m.: The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party announced that the Party's State Convention will, for the first time in the 76 year history of the party will be moved online and conducted via a remote balloting system.
• 4:48 p.m.: Attorney General Ellison wins settlement with landlord who disconnected water during pandemic
• 4:31 p.m.: Essentia Health has expanded its testing criteria to include all patients who show symptoms of COVID-19, effective immediately.
• 4:14 p.m.: The DNR and Minnesota Department of Health collaborated to create new outdoor recreation guidelines for use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 4:02 p.m.: Due to an increase in available testing, CentraCare and Carris Health facilities will once again be able to offer curbside collection for COVID-19 testing.
• 3:45 p.m.: Gov. Tim Walz has unveiled a new website where Minnesotans can find a COVID-19 testing site near them.
• 2:02 p.m.: The 2020 X Games in Minneapolis have been canceled.
• 1:55 p.m.: The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) announced Friday their plans to modify or close more of its park amenities for the safety of park visitors due to COVID-19.
• 1:22 p.m.: Pearson's Candy donates 14,832 salted nut rolls to Red Cross to help fuel Minnesota health care workers, volunteers and those donating blood. The donation was made possible by a two-week long effort where Pearson's agreed to donate a nut roll for each nut roll sold.
• 12: 41 a.m.:  The Congressional Budget Office says the COVID-19 aid and coming recession will cause the deficit to reach $3.5 trillion this year.
• 12: 21 a.m.:  Ten meatpacking workers and three food processing workers have died of COVID-19, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers union.
• 11: 32 a.m.:  President Trump signs a $484 billion bill to aid employers and hospitals hurting from the pandemic's economic fallout.
• 11: 25 a.m.: St. Paul Public Schools say they've distributed more than 1 million meals since the start of the pandemic.
• 11:11 a.m.: Hiway Credit Union Foundation donates 21 hot spots for use in distance learning at St. Paul Public Schools.
• 11 a.m.: MDH reports an additional 243 cases and 21 deaths in Minnesota associated with COVID-19. 
• 10:56 a.m.: Xcel Energy is proposing about $25 million in relief for customers and businesses affected by the outbreak.
• 10:11 a.m.:According to researchers, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States has passed 50,000.
• 7:15 a.m.: A large-scale human trial of a potential COVID-19 vaccine has begun in England.
• 6 a.m.: Joe Biden predicts President Donald Trump will try to push back November's general election in an effort to help him win.
• 5:45 a.m.: The folks behind the Twin Cities Marathon are hosting a three-day virtual run this weekend to raise money to feed front-line health care workers.

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