promoearn: A 'massive failure': Millions are still without power

Wednesday, February 17

Brett Archibald helps his son build an igloo as his son Avett, 8, peeks out of the igloo in the front yard of their home in Pflugerville, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. Electricity in the area had been out for about 24 hours.

A 'massive failure': Millions are still without power

Millions in the path of another winter storm, Trump era in Atlantic City to end with a blast and more news to start your Wednesday.

Good morning, Daily Briefing readers. More than 3 million people are still without power as the relentless winter storms go on and on. It's Jane, with Wednesday's news.

Yet another winter storm is forecast to blast more than 115 million Americans with snow and ice after at least 20 people have died. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been axed in cities, disproportionately affecting Black and Latino workers, new data reveal. Christians around the world are observing Ash Wednesday. And, find out why a growing number of Americans are hitting the road permanently — it's all about that #VanLife.

Here's today's news:

Brutal winter weather continuing, power outages dubbed 'massive failure'

An unrelenting winter weather pattern — one of the most merciless in years — showed no signs of letting up Wednesday as it left a trail of destruction, power outages and subzero temperatures across dozens of states . And more foul weather is on the way. Another winter storm with snow and ice was forecast to pummel portions of the South and Midwest on Wednesday. In all, 115 million Americans were in the path of the next storm, all the way from Texas to Massachusetts as of late Tuesday. At least 20 people have died as a result of the storms, including three killed in a tornado that tore through a North Carolina town. In Texas, nearly 3 million customers remained without power as of 5 a.m., according to poweroutage.us. "No matter which way you cut it, this is a massive failure for a grid and a state that holds up energy and electricity as a shining example," said Varun Rai, the director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. Oregon reported 165,000 without power and Kentucky just under 100,000.

•	Why is it so cold? How the polar vortex brings record low temperatures and winter storms
•	'Massive failure': Why are millions in Texas in the dark amid rolling blackouts, winter weather?
•	When the power goes out, here's what to do
•	If pipes are frozen, should you leave the faucet on? Here's how to thaw pipes
•	February is already the deadliest avalanche month in more than a decade. Here's what's fueling it

Cities have permanently lost 400K jobs since COVID-19. Will they come back?

The pandemic has wiped out about 400,000 jobs in large urban areas, according to estimates provided exclusively to USA TODAY by payroll processor Gusto published Wednesday. Gusto's data, an analysis of the 100,000 or so small businesses it serves, found that 175,000 jobs have shifted to the suburbs — through companies moving or stepping up hiring in those areas. The change has disproportionately hurt Black and Latino workers, who are more likely to live in urban areas, says the study, which recommends that Congress channel more federal aid to small businesses in larger cities. "Where cities were the center of gravity for the economy for as long as we can remember — we've lost that over the last year," says economist Adam Kamins of Moody's Analytics, who studies regional economies.

•	Joe Biden pushes teacher vaccinations; UK to urge 'vaccine ceasefires.' Latest COVID-19 updates
•	A next generation coronavirus vaccine is in the works. But initial funding was denied
•	Health officials say the coronavirus will likely become endemic in the next several years. What does that mean?
•	'Now is the time we should be spending': Biden pitches $1.9 trillion COVID relief
•	Exclusive: States to receive biggest boost yet in vaccine doses, White House tells governors
•	Mardi Gras celebrations toned down after last year's revelry may have led to COVID-19 spike in New Orleans

Trump era in Atlantic City to end with a blast

When the long-vacant shell of the Trump Plaza hotel tower is imploded Wednesday, it will also erase Atlantic City's last remaining link to the Donald Trump era . The casino-hotel, built in 1984 at a cost of $214 million, was the flamboyant developer's first venture in the city. Several other Trump buildings followed, and the Trump name glowed all over the skyline. But the glittering gaming halls, which were burdened by high debt, struggled and eventually failed as legal gambling spread to nearby states. Trump finally cut ties with his casino firm just days before its 2009 bankruptcy. "You can't take away the fact that he invested his money and got a lot of jobs for people," said Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. "But he stiffed a lot of people and was selfish."

Fencing surrounds the site of the former Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. The hotel tower of the former casino will be imploded Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

Chris LaChall/Courier-Post

Affected by pandemic, churches adapt for Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is affected by the coronavirus for the first time in 2021, as the world approaches the one-year anniversary of the pandemic. In response to the deadly virus, the Vatican enacted new guidance for Ash Wednesday back in January, asking priests to forego the usual methods of individual blessings and a smudge of ash on the forehead of each congregant. The ash symbolizes death and repentance for Christians who observe Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, when Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. Because of the pandemic, church leaders have come up with a variety of Ash Wednesday alternatives: Offering virtual or drive-through services; handing out DIY ash kits and to-go baggies of ash you can bring home – along with instructions and a prayer to bless them – or opting to have a smudge of ash placed on the back of the hand or sprinkled on top of the head.

•	Why Christians wear ashes for Ash Wednesday and give up their favorite things for Lent

More news you need to know:

•	Biden wants to put a Black woman on the Supreme Court. That's underscored a lack of diversity in lower courts
•	'Five days a week': Biden recommits to his goal for reopening K-8 schools
•	Gender expression in the pandemic: Listen to the 5 Things podcast 🎧
•	Charges dismissed against Amy Cooper, white woman who called 911 on Black bird-watcher
•	Stuck in traffic? Americans with longer commutes could be inhaling dangerously high levels of carcinogens, study says

Baseball's spring training begins

Major League Baseball's spring training camps open Wednesday, 11 months after the league was forced to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pitchers and catchers report to sites in Arizona and Florida against the backdrop of a still-dangerous pandemic in the first step toward a full 2021 season. Gone is the universal designated hitter, but the seven-inning doubleheaders and runners on second base to start extra innings are back this year. USA TODAY Sports' Gabe Lacques breaks down four storylines to follow as MLB enters Pandemic Season II . How will your favorite team fare this coming season? Our six-person panel of experts has aggregate win-loss projections for every team.

•	Photos: Every MLB team's spring training hat

#VanLife takes off as Americans hit the road 🚐

Frustrated with life in a cramped apartment amid the pandemic? A growing number of Americans are making a huge change from expensive rents and trying to practice social distancing in a big city. Empowered by new remote work arrangements and a desire to see the country at a time when conventional vacation travel is difficult, they're converting vans into campers to hit the road permanently. Read Nathan Bomey's report here.