promoearn: Here we go again

Monday, January 11

Supporters of President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 5, 2021.

House Democrats introduced a new impeachment article against Trump. Republicans force vote on 25th Amendment resolution. It's Monday's news.

House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump. A Capitol Police officer is being hailed a hero. And an active-duty Army officer is under investigation.

It's Ashley. We're 11 days into the new year and the news hasn't ceased to amaze me. Let's get to it.

But first, things are going to get chilly: The polar vortex is about to split again, and it could bring a "big" winter storm within the next week or two.

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A one-two punch to remove the president

Trump is facing an onslaught of removal efforts from Democrats, who are attempting to boot him from office for inspiring a group of rioters to storm the Capitol last week. Removing Trump from power can be done either through the 25th Amendment or impeachment, both of which are now in play:

Impeachment round two: House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment against Trump on Monday, accusing him of inciting the insurrection in the deadly Capitol riot that left five people dead. "There may well be a vote on impeachment on Wednesday," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters. If passed, the article could immediately be sent to the Senate.

25th Amendment: Democrats also introduced a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, but failed to get unanimous support, forcing a full House vote on Tuesday. The resolution calls on Pence and the Cabinet to declare that the "President is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office." Pence has not shown an interest in triggering the never-used section of the amendment.

So, what are Republicans saying? While a growing number of Republicans have denounced Trump's actions, there is not broad GOP support to remove Trump. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said it would be better if Democrats and Republicans worked together to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power from Trump to President-elect Joe Biden.

President Donald Trump golfs at Trump National Golf Club on December 13, 2020 in Sterling, Virginia.

Al Drago, Getty Images

Acting Homeland Security chief Chad Wolf resigns

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf abruptly announced his resignation Monday as his agency leads critical security planning for the upcoming inauguration. The announcement comes just days after he criticized Trump over the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Pete Gaynor, who runs the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will become the acting homeland security secretary.

What everyone's talking about

•	Trump's job approval rating has plummeted after the mob attack at the Capitol.
•	An active-duty Army Special Forces officer is under investigation for her presence at the Capitol during the riot.
•	Alabama vs. Ohio State highlights the regional disparity in college football.
•	Authorities in California are searching for six inmates who used a "homemade rope" to escape from a Merced County jJail.
•	Former Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton to join Biden for wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery after inauguration.

Not all heroes wear capes

A Capitol Police officer who drew an angry mob away from the entrance to the Senate floor Wednesday is being hailed as a hero. The officer has been identified by CNN as Eugene Goodman. In viral footage from the scene, Goodman notices an unobstructed hallway that leads to the Senate as he's being chased up stairs. Armed with a baton, he pushes the leader and coaxes the mob away from the Senate floor. "His name is USCP Officer Eugene Goodman. Remember his name. He almost certainly saved lives on Wednesday," tweeted CNN reporter Kristin Wilson.

More important updates on the Capitol riot:

•	Melania Trump breaks silence on riot, decries "salacious gossip" about herself.
•	'It could have been much, much worse': Video, witness accounts reveal darker intent of some Capitol rioters.
•	Former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund's request for National Guard backup was denied, he says.
•	Law enforcement and elected officials are bracing for the potential of more violence across the United States.

Trump supporters gesture to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Record low flu cases show how COVID-19 is more contagious, experts say

As COVID-19 raged last year, the seasonal flu all but vanished, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

•	During the 2019 flu season, 65,000 cases of influenza were reported nationwide.
•	During the 2020 flu season, 1,016 cases were reported.

Health experts said that high vaccination rates against the flu – combined with social distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing employed to stop the spread of the coronavirus – played a huge role in preventing influenza transmission . Though many experts are relieved to see public health measures working against flu spread, they said the numbers speak volumes about the transmissibility of COVID-19. Experts say one reason COVID-19 is more transmissible is because people can shed the virus days before exhibiting any symptoms, if they develop symptoms at all.

•	Dad/aunt/Facebook fri-enemy spreading COVID-19 conspiracies again? Help is here: Top scientists have created an online handbook to arm people with scientific facts and practical tips to fight COVID-19 misinformation that's threatening public trust in the vaccines.

Associate Director of Pharmacy Ariane Schieber measures a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as frontline workers received second doses Tuesday at Ohio State University's East Hospital.

Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch

Real quick

•	The Trump administration slapped sanctions on seven Ukrainian officials for their role in a Russian-backed campaign to interfere in the 2020 election.
•	"Sex and the City" is coming back! The show is being revived on HBO Max – but without Kim Cattrall.
•	What is Gab, the social network gaining popularity among conservatives?
•	Worker advocates say OSHA, the federal agency tasked with overseeing worker safety, went AWOL as COVID-19 hit meatpacking plants.
•	Marsha Zazula, a metal pioneer who co-discovered Metallica and Anthrax, has died.

Fewer than 4 in 10 Americans could pay for emergency $1,000 expense

Despite stimulus help, fewer than 4 in 10 Americans could pay for an unexpected $1,000 expense such as a medical bill or car repair, new data shows. Americans in the spring and summer of 2020 were able to set aside money in their savings accounts and pay down debt thanks to the financial boost from the government. But by the end of 2020, personal disposable income had fallen sharply from the boost given by the CARES Act, according to a new analysis of financial data from the Brookings Institution's Hamilton Project. That means millions of households entered the winter months with less financial flexibility, even as the pandemic rages across the U.S. and employers cut jobs in December.

A break from the news

•	💔 This family takes turns sleeping on the couch with their senior dog who can't walk upstairs.
•	🏡 From treehouses to tiny houses: Here are 50 wanderlust-worthy Airbnbs across the U.S.
•	💪 12 deals on workout clothes that will help you conquer your 2021 fitness goals.

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.