QUICK HITS

1 Alabama extends mask

mandate: Breaking with other Southern Republican governors, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey extended her state’s mask order for another month but said the requirement will end for good in April. Following the recommendations of medical officials, Ivey said she will keep the mask order that was set to expire Friday in place until April 9.

Obesity linked to virus deaths: 2 Nearly 90% of global coronavirus deaths have occurred in nations — including the United States, Britain and Italy — in which more than half of the population is classified as overweight, according to a new report by the World Obesity Federation.

Barrett issues first opinion: 3 Justice Amy Coney Barrett issued her first signed majority opinion for the Supreme Court on Thursday, siding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the Sierra Club, which was seeking reports about potential harm to endangered species from power plants that use water to cool their equipment. Barrett’s 7-to-2 opinion said the government does not have to provide the Sierra Club the guidance it gave the EPA about a proposed rule in the matter.

Ruling in photo of slaves: A 4 judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a woman who said Harvard University illegally owned 160-year-old photos of her enslaved ancestors and refused to turn them over. Tamara Lanier of Norwich, Connecticut, said the subjects of the photo were her ancestors and that the photos were taken against their will.

Transgender athletes ban: 5

Mississippi is on track to become the first state this year to enact a law banning transgender athletes from competing on girls or women’s sports teams. Gov. Tate Reeves said Thursday that he will sign a bill that the Republicancontrolled Mississippi Legislature has passed.