promoearn: 'The Electoral College has spoken'

Tuesday, December 15

President-elect Joe Biden announces his choice for several positions in his administration during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del., Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

A massive storm is heading for the East Coast. Joe Biden to name Pete Buttigieg transportation secretary. It's Tuesday's news.

The East Coast is gearing up for a white (week before) Christmas. Joe Biden is transporting "Mayor" Pete Buttigieg to the White House. And a lot of people are wondering: When can I get one of these nifty vaccines?

It's Ashley. Let's talk news, shall we?

But first, add this to the "naughty" list: Nearly 50 Georgia kids may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a photo op with Santa.

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Is Biden officially official now?

If President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College confirmation wasn't enough to solidify his victory (you know, along with winning the election in the first place), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recognized him as the president-elect during a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday. "The Electoral College has spoken," McConnell said, wanting to "congratulate the president-elect, Joe Biden" and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Noting Harris' historic win as the first female vice president, McConnell said, "Beyond our differences, all Americans can take pride that our nation has a female vice president for the very first time." After Monday's Electoral College vote, Republican lawmakers have slowly started to accept Biden as president-elect, though some lawmakers said they wanted to wait for Congress to certify the results Jan. 6.

•	The committee planning Biden's inauguration urges Americans not to travel to Washington for the event but to participate in the celebration virtually.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election win.

Patrick Semansky/AP

Hello winter, my old friend: A massive storm is heading for the East Coast

The biggest East Coast winter storm in years is on target to hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Wednesday, threatening up to 2 feet of snow. Some areas may pick up their heaviest snowfall in several years, rivaling December records, according to AccuWeather. Forecasters warn that the storm will hit hard and fast, causing major disruptions to travel and even transportation shutdowns, as well as shipping delays, school closings and power outages. Many cities will see more snow this week than they saw all last winter, the Weather Channel reported.

•	Heading out early for the holidays? Airlines issue travel waivers before East Coast snow.

What everyone's talking about

•	"Wonder Woman 1984" is a rousing, retro throwback to Christopher Reeve's "Superman." Read our entertainment writer Brian Truitt's review.
•	Florida men's basketball forward Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed on court, is now able to breathe on his own and speak.
•	A boy who was left in tears after a mall Santa said he wouldn't bring him a Nerf gun has since been flooded with toys.
•	Matthew McConaughey is talking politics again: "What I don't think we need is the illiberals."
•	Georgia Sens. Kelly Loeffler, David Perdue "adamantly oppose" any effort to rename the Atlanta Braves.

Hop in, Pete Buttigieg, we're going to the White House

President-elect Biden chose former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg as his transportation secretary, according to The Associated Press. Buttigieg, who competed with Biden for the presidential nomination before dropping out and endorsing him, would be the first openly gay Cabinet secretary if confirmed by the Senate. (Richard Grenell, who is gay, held a Cabinet-level position in the Trump administration but was never confirmed to his position by the Senate.) The Transportation Department distributes hundreds of billions of dollars in federal highway funding and regulates aviation, railroads and busing.

Pete Buttigieg endorses Joe Biden in Dallas on March 2, 2020.

Juan Figueroa, AP

What's better than a COVID-19 vaccine? Two vaccines

As the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines begin to roll out nationwide, the USA could have a second shot joining the party by the end of the week. Data released by the FDA on Tuesday confirmed that Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine appeared safe and highly effective, and an independent advisory committee will review the data Thursday. The vaccine is likely to be authorized later in the week.

COVID-19 vaccine trials report cases of brief facial paralysis, but don't worry – it's not as scary as it sounds. Four people in Pfizer-BioNTech trials and three people in the Moderna trials developed Bell's palsy, a common, not-severe condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles.

Nursing homes were supposed to be among the first to get vaccines, but that didn't happen. The rollout of the Pfizer vaccine brought confusion nationwide as it became clear most long-term care facilities and nursing homes were not taking part in the initial immunizations. Here's why.

We're all thinking it: When will I be able to get the vaccine? The quick answer: TBD. After distribution to health care workers and people in long-term care facilities (see link above), the vaccine will be available to other portions of the population, including those with underlying and chronic conditions that put them at a higher risk. We'll learn more when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meets Sunday.

Real quick

•	Canadian fashion magnate Peter Nygard was charged in a sex trafficking scheme, including minors.
•	Japan's "Twitter killer" was sentenced to death for the gruesome murders of nine people.
•	Anthony Fauci said that both the current president and the incoming one – as well as their vice presidents – should get the new COVID-19 vaccine.
•	Sandra Lee gave her final farewell to her New Castle home that she once shared with her ex-boyfriend, Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
•	Monarch butterflies won't get legal protection, despite meeting "endangered" criteria.

Is a coronavirus relief deal within reach?

Leaders in the House and Senate are set to meet Tuesday on COVID-19 relief and government funding as Congress faces yet another government shutdown deadline. What's slightly promising: A breakthrough could be near on an aid package. After months of impasse, a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a coronavirus rescue plan Monday, breaking apart a $908 billion proposal into two bills. One bill contains $748 billion of programs with broader support such as loan forgiveness for small businesses and unemployment insurance. The second, $160 billion bill includes thornier programs such as aid for state and local governments and liability protections for companies. Lawmakers have until Friday to reach a deal if they want to include the measures in a government funding package, probably one of the last bills to pass Congress this year.

A break from the news

•	🎁 Holiday shopping? Here are 50 gift cards people would actually love this year.
•	💰 Worried about another recession? Here's what the stock market predicts for 2021.
•	🚘 The 2021 Mustang Mach-E electric SUV is everything most of us could ask for.

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