Booker says he will ask Amy Coney Barrett if she will recuse herself from presidential election-related cases

The Hill

2020-09-28 11:16:11

• Four new COVID-19 cases confirmed within Amherst County Schools

  AMHERST COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – Amherst County Schools have confirmed four new cases of COVID-19 at schools in the district. According to officials, there is one new case at Amherst County High School, one new case at Monelison Middle School and two new cases at Elon Elementary School, which is closed for in-person classes due to staffing issues related to COVID-19. Amherst County High School and Monelison Middle School will remain open at this time.Read Full StoryCovid-19SmartphonePublic HealthHigh School StudentsMonelison Middle SchoolElon Elementary SchoolWFXR NewsAppleAmherst County SchoolsIn-person ClassesStaffing IssuesSportsAMHERST COUNTY

• Woman gets COVID-19 vaccine, then virus. Doctors say it's impossible to get from the vaccination but offer other possibilities

  MARKESAN — A woman who received the COVID-19 vaccination at her Markesan, Wis. nursing home at the end of December is now sick with the virus and in the hospital. Doctors believe there are a few ways she could have gotten the virus, but the vaccine isn’t one of them.Read Full StoryVirusCovid-19VaccinationNursing HomePublic HealthFamily DoctorsHealth ProblemsKidney ProblemsHeart ProblemsHealth IssuesPfizerTMJ4 NewsCOVID PatientsSymptoms

• Shannon Beador Reacts To Tamra Judge’s Claim That She Has A Drinking Problem; Says Tamra And Vicki Gunvalson Attack Her Weekly

  Shannon Beador really annoyed me on this season of Real Housewives of Orange County. She has never been one of my favorites but listening to her cry about coronavirus really got under my skin. As much as I want to relate to how hard it is, crying about being away from your boyfriend for two weeks is just not a real problem in my mind. Especially at her age.Read Full StoryTamra JudgeKelly DoddCelebritiesReal HousewivesHollywood LifeTAMRABravoRHOCCryingIdkDrinkingOrange CountyLongtime AdversaryAlcoholic IssuesAttackShannon BeadorVicki Gunvalson

• Trump expected to issue pardons on last day as president while Senate set to reconvene

  President Trump plans to spend his last day in office on Tuesday issuing 100 pardons or commutations, a senior administration official and a senior White House official tell CBS News. Meanwhile, the Senate will reconvene that day for the first time since the House impeached Mr. Trump last week, and will begin confirmation hearings for some of President-elect Joe Biden's Cabinet nominees.It's not yet known who Mr. Trump plans on pardoning, although one source said the president isn't expected to pardon himself. Mr. Trump stayed out of the public eye on Monday, while first lady Melania Trump issued a farewell video. She did not directly reference the January 6 assault on the Capitol, but she did say, "Be passionate in everything you do, but always remember that violence is never the answer and will never be justified."In a break with tradition, Melania Trump did not give a tour to incoming first lady Jill Biden. The Trumps will be the first president and first lady to skip the incoming president's inauguration in more than 150 years.With the military focused on protecting the inauguration, Mr. Trump will not get the large military honors he wanted for his sendoff. He instead will have a scaled-back sendoff at 8 a.m. Wednesday before he heads to Mar-a-Lago.The Pentagon has authorized more than 25,000 National Guard troops to secure the inauguration, and the FBI is vetting all Guard members. The chief of the National Guard bureau Daniel Hokanson told CBS News' David Martin that he is "absolutely not" worried about the reliability of his troops.The FBI is also investigating the funding of the Capitol assault. Ninety people are facing federal charges, and that number is expected to go up as the FBI catches up to information sent into tip lines.Charges were also announced against a person allegedly affiliated with the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government group, as well as the militia group the Three Percenters.On Tuesday, the Senate will be holding confirmation hearings for five key Cabinet nominees: Janet Yellen at Treasury, Antony Blinken at State, Lloyd Austin at Defense, Alejandro Mayorkas at Homeland Security and Avril Haines as director of national intelligence.U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One on January 12, 2021 in Washington, DC.  Drew Angerer / Getty ImagesWoman investigated for allegedly stealing computer from Nancy Pelosi's office to give to Russia surrenders to authoritiesAn alleged Capitol rioter accused by a former partner of stealing a laptop or hard drive from Nancy Pelosi's office has surrendered to authorities, two sources confirmed to CBS News. The former partner of Riley Williams told authorities that she planned to give the device to a friend who would sell it to Russia's foreign intelligence service, a claim that authorities are investigating but have not yet confirmed. The former romantic partner, referred to as Witness 1, said the plan "fell through for unknown reasons," adding that Williams either still has the device or she destroyed it.The complaint does not offer additional evidence to support the theft allegations beyond the witness' allegations, but says the claim "remains under investigation." According to court documents, Williams appears multiple times in footage of the assault on the Capitol, including by a staircase near Pelosi's office. She is not currently facing any theft charges, and is instead accused of "Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority and Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds." Anti-government militia group suspects charged in U.S Capitol attackThe FBI is closing in on alleged members of anti-government militia groups tied to the assault on the Capitol. CBS News has learned the latest suspects are affiliated with the Three Percenters and the Oath Keepers. CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano to discuss the latest on the investigations into the riots.Republican Senator Roy Blunt says actions of Capitol rioters were "unpardonable"The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden will come exactly two weeks after an angry pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. But will it be safe on Wednesday?"CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell spoke exclusively with the senators in charge of the inauguration, Republican Roy Blunt of Missouri and Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. The senators discussed the significance of the inauguration after the violent assault, and how the country should regard those who stormed the Capitol.Unprecedented security effort in Washington, D.C., ahead of Biden inaugurationNew video shows rioters threaten members of Congress and Vice President Mike Pence during the assault on the Capitol. This comes as the level of security in Washington, D.C., is at an unprecedented level. Jeff Pegues has the latest.Trump expected to grant up to 100 pardons and commutations on last full day in officePresident Trump is expected to issue up to 100 pardons and commutations on Tuesday, a senior administration official and a senior White House official tell CBS News. Tuesday marks Mr. Trump's final full day in office. Neither source disclosed any of the recipients, although the president isn't currently expected to attempt to pardon himself, one source said. CNN first reported the expectation of up to 100 acts of clemency this week. The White House has invited guests to an 8 a.m. Wednesday sendoff ceremony for the president at Joint Base Andrews, four hours ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. — Ben Tracy and Fin Gomez Giuliani denies he was paid to lobby for pardonsRudy Giuliani, who has worked as President Trump's personal attorney, denied a New York Times report linking him to paying for pardons. "The claims that I asked for, or received, any compensation for a pardon for myself or anyone else is false, defamatory, and malicious," Giuliani tweeted.Giuliani on Monday also confirmed that he will not be joining Mr. Trump's impeachment legal team, because he spoke at the January 6 rally. "Due to the fact that I may be a witness, the rules of legal ethics would prohibit me from representing the president as trial counsel in the impeachment trial," he said in a statement to CBS News. — Sara Cook and Kristin BrownSource tells CBS News pipe bombs found at DNC, RNC did not require professional training to buildA law enforcement source tells CBS News that the pipe bombs did not require professional or military training to build and could have been fashioned from the internet. Both pipe bombs found near the RNC and DNC used kitchen timers. Investigators are focused on likelihood timers were incorrectly set, or the electrical connection was poorly executed.Pipe bombs have long been the most common type of IED in the U.S., according to data maintained by the U.S. bomb data center. The most common type of pipe bomb uses a fuse with some sort of energetic powder. Using a mechanical timer makes the devices recovered near the RNC and DNC somewhat more complex.Melania Trump delivers farewell message: "Violence is never the answer"In a nearly seven-minute-long video posted to her Twitter account, Melania Trump reflected on her four years as first lady, calling it the "greatest honor of my life" to serve in the role."The past four years have been unforgettable," she said. "As Donald and I conclude our time in the White House, I think of all of the people I have taken home in my heart, and their incredible stories of love, patriotism and determination."Trump honored members of the military and law enforcement, and looked back on her visits with children during her four years as first lady, including meetings with mothers and babies impacted by the opioid crisis, as well as the accomplishments of "Be Best," her initiative addressing issues facing children."When I think about these meaningful experiences, I'm humbled to have had the opportunity to represent a nation with such kind and generous people," she said.The first lady also extended gratitude to health care and front-line workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged Americans to take steps to protect others."Every life is precious and I ask all American to use caution and common sense to protect the vulnerable as millions of vaccines are now being delivered," she said.While Trump did not explicitly mention the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 perpetrated by a mob of the president's supporters, she did encourage Americans to remain peaceful. "Be passionate in everything you do, but always remember that violence is never the answer and will never be justified," she said.The first lady did not mention Dr. Jill Biden, who will become first lady Wednesday.Alleged member of "Three Percenter" group charged, official says more to comeA law enforcement official confirmed to CBS News that federal prosecutors are bringing charges against individuals allegedly associated with the groups known as the "Three Percenters" and the "Oath Keepers" for alleged involvement in the Capitol riots.Both are radical anti-government militia groups and the official said they recruit heavily among military and law enforcement. The official said the evidence goes to questions of coordination and premeditation.Among the first to face charges is Robert Gieswein, who is accused of assault on a federal officer; aiding and abetting destruction of federal property; obstruction of a federal proceeding; violent entry or disorderly conduct; and knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. Charges against more alleged members of the groups are coming.Gieswein is 24 years old and from Woodland Park, Colorado. An FBI agent wrote in an affidavit that Gieswein runs a private paramilitary training group called the Woodland Wild Dogs, and wore a patch for the group on his military-style vest during the January 6 assault. The affidavit said Gieswein wore distinctive military gear, including "a camouflage shirt underneath a reinforced military-style vest; an army-style helmet marked with orange tape and patches; goggles; and a black camouflage patterned backpack."According to the affidavit, he forcibly entered the Capitol through a broken window and carried a baseball bat once inside.White House sends out invitations to Trump farewell ceremonyThe White House has distributed invitations to President Trump's farewell ceremony at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning at Joint Base Andrews, before he departs for Florida on his last flight as president on Air Force One. It's unclear how many people have received invitations, but each person invited is allowed to bring five guests, despite the ongoing pandemic. Guests are asked on the invitation to wear a mask for the duration of the event. CBS News obtained a copy of the invitation. "The White House cordially invites you to a Ceremony featuring President Donald J. Trump at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 at 8:00 AM," the invitation reads. Mr. Trump is flying to Florida, where he will reside following his presidency. He is the first outgoing president in modern times not to attend the inauguration of his successor.Acting defense secretary says it's "normal" for Pentagon to vet National Guard troopsActing Defense Secretary Christopher Miller issued a statement Monday saying it's "normal" for the Pentagon to vet military support, and the Defense Department will vet National Guard members stationed in Washington, D.C.Miller said there is no intelligence suggesting that those members of the military present an "insider threat." More than 20,000 members of the National Guard are already in D.C. to save off any unrest surrounding the inauguration."As is normal for military support to large security events, the Department will vet National Guardsmen who are in Washington, D.C. While we have no intelligence indicating an insider threat, we are leaving no stone unturned in securing the capital," Miller said in a statement. "This type of vetting often takes place by law enforcement for significant security events. However, in this case the scope of military participation is unique. The D.C. National Guard is also providing additional training to service members as they arrive in D.C. that if they see or hear something that is not appropriate, they should report it to their chain of command."Miller said the Pentagon "appreciate[s] the support of the FBI in assisting with this task" and thanked the National Guard troops who have deployed to Washington.A perimeter surrounding the Capitol, National Mall and White House has effectively shut down downtown Washington ahead of Mr. Biden's inauguration Wednesday. David Martin and Kathryn WatsonWhat to expect from Biden's inaugural addressMr. Biden spent the weekend working through a major homework assignment: The first speech of his presidency, an inaugural address set to be delivered on the West Front of the United States Capitol amid an unprecedented crush of security at a time of deep divisions and uncertainty about the country's future.Aides are sharing little specific in advance, knowing from experience that the former vice president is likely to continue reworking his remarks up until shortly before the big moment. He's joined in the writing and thinking about the speech by family members, especially his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, plus his longtime senior counselor, Mike Donilon, and Vinay Reddy, the president-elect's speechwriting director who held a similar role during his vice presidency."This will be a moment where President-elect Biden will really work to try to turn the page on the divisiveness and the hatred over the last four years and really lay out a positive, optimistic vision for the country, and ... lay out a path forward that really calls on all of us to work together," incoming White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." The general themes of the most high-profile speech of Mr. Biden's decades-long political career are likely to be extended or loftier riffs on some of his more familiar lines over the course of his campaign and presidential transition. Statements that speak to unity or that attempt to buck-up a country withering from a pandemic, a reckoning on race relations and the violence that played out in the same spot from which the new president will speak.Garth Brooks to perform at inaugurationCountry superstar Garth Brooks will join the lineup of performers at Mr. Biden's inauguration Wednesday, he announced.Brooks told reporters in a Zoom press conference his decision to accept the invitation to perform was not political, but rather about "unity.""You must rise about red and blue. You must rise above Black and White," he said.Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga are also set to perform during the inauguration.All-clear given at CapitolCapitol Police announced on overhead loudspeakers that the lockdown at the complex has been lifted, roughly an hour after staffers were told to remain in place. "The external threat has concluded. Return to normal operations," the announcement said.D.C. Fire and EMS said the fire involved a homeless person's tent and was "quickly extinguished."Harris officially resigns Senate seatVice President-elect Kamala Harris formally notified California Governor Gavin Newsom she will resign from the Senate, effective at 12 p.m. EST on Monday. "As I assume my duty as vice president of the United States, I would like to thank the people of California for the honor of serving them in the U.S. Senate over the past four years," Harris wrote in a brief letter to Newsom obtained from an aide to the California Democrat.Newsom has already selected California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to serve the remaining two years of Harris's term.Secret Service, National Park Service close access to MLK Memorial through inaugurationThe Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is closed to the public through Thursday, the Secret Service and National Park Service announced on the holiday observing the civil rights icon's birthday.The memorial is the latest landmark in Washington, D.C., that will now be off-limits to the public as security in the nation's capital tightens ahead of the inauguration. The National Mall and the Washington Monument are also closed, while streets from the Capitol down to the White House are closed.Pence reached out to U.S. Capitol Police officer who led mob away from Senate chamberCBS News has confirmed that Vice President Mike Pence reached out to Eugene Goodman, an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police who was filmed leading violent rioters who broke into the Capitol building on January 6 away from the Senate chamber. It was not immediately clear whether the two have spoken.Goodman has been hailed as a hero for his actions January 6, in which he confronted the pro-Trump mob as they made their way closer to the Senate chamber, where members and Pence were debating before they were eventually evacuated. A group of lawmakers has also introduced legislation to award Goodman with the Congressional Gold Medal.Ben Tracy and Sara CookCapitol Police say fire under highway prompted lockdownCapitol Police said a nearby fire several blocks south of the Capitol prompted the security scare."In an abundance of caution following an external security threat under the bridge on I-295 at First and F Streets, SE, Acting Chief Pittman ordered a shutdown of the Capitol Complex," police said. "There are currently no fires on or within the Capitol campus. Members and staff were advised to shelter in place while the incident is being investigated."Capitol on lockdown due to "external security threat"The Capitol is on lockdown due to an "external security threat," according to a notice issued by Capitol Police. The West Front of the Capitol is evacuating."All buildings within the Capitol Complex: External security threat, no entry or exit is permitted, stay away from exterior windows, doors. If outside, seek cover," a text alert sent to staffers said. The announcement was also heard over loud speakers at the Capitol.Zak Hudak, Ariana Freeman and Arden FarhiNational Guard troops being vetted as they arrive to guard CapitolU.S. defense officials say they're worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing the inauguration, prompting the vetting of all 25,000 National Guard troops coming into Washington for the event.The massive undertaking reflects the extraordinary security concerns that have gripped Washington following the deadly January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump rioters. And it underscores fears that some of the very people assigned to protect the city over the next several days could present a threat to the incoming president and other VIPs in attendance.General Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told CBS News national security correspondent David Martin the Guard has been meeting with its troops as they arrive in D.C."In coordination with the Secret Service and the FBI, they're screening all the personnel that are coming in," Hokanson said."Cowboys for Trump" leader arrested over Capitol riotA New Mexico county official and founder of the group Cowboys for Trump who had vowed to return to Washington after last week's riot at the U.S. Capitol to "plant our flag" on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk has been arrested Sunday by the FBI.Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin was arrested on charges of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol.According to court documents, Griffin told investigators that he was "caught up" in the crowd, which pushed its way through the barricades and entered the restricted area of the U.S. Capitol, but he said he did not enter the building and instead remained on the U.S. Capitol steps.On Thursday, Griffin, said he planned to travel with firearms to Washington, D.C., for Biden's inauguration."I'm gonna be there on January 20 ... and I'm gonna take a stand for our country and for our freedoms," Griffin said during a meeting of the Otero County Board of Commissioners."I'm gonna leave either tonight or tomorrow. I've got a .357 Henry Big Boy rifle lever action that I've got in the trunk of my car and I've got a .357 single action revolver, the Colt Ruger Vaquero that I'll have underneath the front seat on my right side and I will embrace my Second Amendment," he said. How DHS plans to secure the Biden InaugurationOn "60 Minutes," correspondent Scott Pelley reported on the expansive operation to ensure President-elect Joseph R. Biden is sworn into office without incident.The event is designated a "National Special Security Event" and security coordination across multiple government jurisdictions at the local, state, and federal level is led by the Secret Service. The agency famous for protecting presidents falls under the auspice of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is absent of a Senate-confirmed secretary and whose former acting chief, Chad Wolf, resigned from the post last week.Among the agency's leadership who remains is Ken Cuccinelli. The acting deputy DHS secretary, also unconfirmed by the Senate, told Pelley the deployment of National Guard troops around the capital is a preemptive and preventative security measure."A lot of what you see, Scott, is confidence building," Cuccinelli said. "Secret Service's plan was already very resilient for any threat like January 6th and many times it."DncPoliticsPresidential ElectionThe SenateRepublican LawmakersCongressional HearingsHouse LawmakersWhite HouseCabinetPentagonFBIThe National GuardCBS News 'TreasuryAntony BlinkenMelania TrumpJoe BidenJill BidenJanet YellenLloyd AustinAlejandro MayorkasAvril HainesNancy PelosiCatherine HerridgeElaine QuijanoRoy BluntNorah O'donnellAmy KlobucharMike PenceGarth BrooksJennifer LopezEugene GoodmanKamala HarrisChad WolfAlex PadillaScott PelleyRudy GiulianiLady GagaMike DonilonDaniel R. HokansonGavin NewsomKen Cuccinelli

• Trump moves to lift some Covid-19-related travel restrictions, but Biden plans to block the order

  (CNN) — President Donald Trump on Monday lifted coronavirus-related travel restrictions for much of Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Brazil, effective on January 26 -- a move that President-elect Joe Biden's administration has promised to block.In an executive order issued Monday evening, Trump said he had been advised to lift restrictions on incoming travelers to the United States from the 26 European countries in the Schengen Zone, the UK, Ireland and Brazil but leave in place restrictions on travel from Iran and China."I agree with the Secretary that this action is the best way to continue protecting Americans from COVID-19 while enabling travel to resume safely," Trump wrote in the order, referring to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.Biden is set to take over the presidency on Wednesday and his incoming press secretary, Jen Psaki, said that his administration would not lift the restrictions."With the pandemic worsening, and more contagious variants emerging around the world, this is not the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel," Psaki said on Twitter. "On the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26. In fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19."Reuters was first to report the order.The expected easing of travel restrictions comes after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week it will require a negative Covid-19 test from all air passengers entering the United States -- a move it says may help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Air passengers will be required to get a test within three days before their flight to the United States departs, and to provide written documentation of their lab results, or documentation of having recovered from Covid-19, the agency said in a statement to CNN.CNN has reached out to the White House Coronavirus Task Force as to whether the panel approved the anticipated move. The combination of the testing program announced last week and lifting travel restrictions aligns with the interests of several airlines that have been in negotiations with the CDC and the White House. Earlier this month, a group of major airlines asked the Trump administration to broadly expand a program to test US-bound passengers and simultaneously lift travel restrictions. Airlines for America -- with members including American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines -- wrote to Vice President Mike Pence asking the administration to implement "a global program to require testing for travelers to the United States." Such a program would allow authorities to release restrictions on entering the US from the European Union, United Kingdom, and Brazil, the group wrote. Last month, the CDC announced that passengers arriving in the United States from the United Kingdom must test negative for Covid-19 before departure in response to a new coronavirus variant that is said to have originated in the UK and is potentially more transmissible. At least 72 cases of a variant first identified in the UK have been found in 10 US states, according to data posted last week by the CDC.Many of the countries impacted by Trump's order have their own recent requirements for American travelers looking to enter their borders. US travelers must have a negative Covid-19 test from within the prior 72 hours to travel into the United Kingdom or Ireland, and in conjunction with proof of a completed Declaration of Traveler's Health to enter Brazil. American travelers cannot enter countries in the Schengen Zone including Spain (barring special permission or requirements), Germany, France, Italy and Sweden.The potential travel restriction reversal would come as the Trump administration shifts on another element of the coronavirus response in the President's final days in office.The Department of Health and Human Services was expected to announce sweeping changes last week in vaccine rollout guidelines in an effort to boost the lagging number of vaccinations in the first month -- effectively adopting the approach proposed by Biden's incoming administration.Since then, hopes of a surge in Covid-19 vaccine shipments under a new policy to release second doses held in reserve appear to be evaporating -- with the revelation that those doses have already been distributed, contrary to recent indications by the Trump administration.A senior administration official told CNN that when the administration announced that it would be releasing reserved doses last Friday, many of those reserves had already been released into the system starting last year as production was ramping up.This story has been updated with further developments.CNN's Elizabeth Cohen, Jessica Firger, Eric Levenson, Kristen Holmes and Sara Murray contributed to this report.International TravelCovid-19BrazilPoliticsPresidential ElectionIranEuropean TravelCNNAmericansTwitterAdministrationReutersThe USCDCThe White HouseJoe BidenDonald TrumpAlex AzarJen PsakiMike PenceElizabeth CohenSara Murray

• Global Covid report: Biden camp rejects Trump changes to travel restrictions

  The Trump and Biden camps have clashed over future Covid travel restrictions with less than two days to go before the handover of power in Washington. It comes as an independent panel said Chinese officials could have applied public health measures more forcefully a year ago, and criticised the World Health Organization (WHO) for delays in declaring an international emergency.Read Full StoryUs CitizensTravel RestrictionsInternational TravelBrazilCovidPoliticsPresidential ElectionEuropean GovernmentsEuropean CountriesEuropean TravelReutersTwitterLiberianUNWHODonald TrumpJoe BidenJen PsakiHelen ClarkEllen Johnson SirleafSun YangRyan

• Reports of power outages continue as Hawaii experiences severe weather conditions

  HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiian Electric Company is continuing to receive numerous reports of power outages in several areas across the state. [Hawaii’s Weather Station – Latest in Hawaii weather]. The first outage stemming from a strong cold front nearing Hawaii was reported on Jan. 17 at approximately 7 p.m. with...Read Full StorySevere WeatherWeather StationExtreme WeatherPower OutagesSevere FloodingWeather ReportsHeavy FloodingHawaiian Electric CompanyKaimuki , KapahuluTantalusHonaunauHawaii WeatherPower Outage IssuesHeavy RainsOahu Residents

• Biden’s hefty to-do list starts with a flurry of orders

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has given himself an imposing to-do list for his earliest days as president and many promises to keep over the longer haul.Overshadowing everything at the very start is Biden’s effort to win congressional approval of a $1.9 trillion plan to combat the coronavirus and the economic misery it has caused.But climate change, immigration, health care and more will be competing for attention — and dollars. Altogether Biden has laid out an ambitious if not always detailed set of plans and promises across the range of public policy.Drawn from a review of his campaign statements and a recent memo from Ron Klain, who’ll be his chief of staff, here’s a sampling of measures to expect right away, around the corner and beyond:WEDNESDAY, after the inauguration, mostly by executive action:— Declaration that the U.S. is rejoining Paris climate accord.— Declaration that the U.S. is rejoining World Health Organization.— Ethical standards for his administration and an order prohibiting interference in the operations of the Justice Department from other parts of government. — Start of a process to restore 100 public health and environmental rules that the Obama administration created and President Donald Trump eliminated or weakened.— Start of a process to rejoin the deal restraining Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.— Executive action to end travel restrictions on people from a variety of Muslim-majority countries.— Executive action to protect from deportation people who came to the country illegally as children.— Executive action to make masks mandatory on federal property and when travelling out of state. Others will be asked to wear masks for 100 days.— Steps to extend pandemic-era restrictions on evictions and foreclosures.— Legislation to go to Congress proposing to repeal liability protections for gun manufacturers and tightening some other aspects of gun control.— Immigration legislation to go to Congress as part of an effort to offer a path to citizenship for 11 million people in the U.S. illegally and to codify protections for people who came illegally as children.— Education Department to be asked to extend the existing pause on student loan payments and interest for millions with student debt.___THURSDAY— Executive action laying out new steps to expand virus testing, protect workers and set new public health standards.___FRIDAY— Directive to agencies to take unspecified immediate action to deliver economic relief from the pandemic.___BY FEB. 1— Executive actions to strengthen “buy American” provisions.— Executive actions to address climate change.— First steps to expand access to health care, for low-income women, women of color and other segments of the population.— First steps to reunite families still separated at the Mexican border.___BEYOND (some may be tried sooner)— Ensure 100 million vaccines have been given before the end of his first 100 days.— Ensure 100 federally supported vaccination centers are up and running in his first month.— Expand use of the Defense Production Act to direct the manufacture of critical pandemic supplies. — Win passage of a $2 trillion climate package to get the U.S. to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.— Seek passage of a “Medicare-like public option” to compete alongside private insurance markets for working-age Americans; increase existing premium subsidies.— Eliminate certain corporate tax cuts where possible, by executive action, while doubling the levies U.S. firms pay on foreign profits.— Make a plan within 100 days to end homelessness.— Expand legal immigration slots.— Freeze deportations for 100 days, then restore the Obama-era principle of deporting foreigners who are seen as posing a national security threat or who have committed crimes in addition to the crime of illegal entry, thereby pulling back the broad deportation policy of the Trump years.— Halt financing of further construction of the wall along the Mexican border.— Within 100 days, establish a police oversight commission to combat institutional racism by then. — Reinstate federal guidance, issued by Obama and revoked by Trump, to protect transgender students’ access to sports, bathrooms and locker rooms in accordance with their gender identity.— Ensure taxes are not raised on anyone making under $400,000.— Restore Obama-era rules on campus sexual misconduct and a policy that aimed to cut federal money to for-profit colleges that left students with heavy debt they can’t pay back.— Support legislation to make two years of community college free and to make public colleges free for families with incomes below $125,000, with no repayment of student loans required for people who make less than $25,000 a year and, for others, no repayment rate above 5% of discretionary income.— Support increasing the national minimum wage to $15.— Try to win passage of a plan to spend $700 billion boosting manufacturing and research and development.— Establish a commission to study expanding the Supreme Court.Immigration LegislationIranDeportationPoliticsPresidential ElectionCampaign MoneyTrump CampaignGovernmentAPWorld Health OrganizationThe Justice DepartmentMuslimEducation DepartmentMexicanMedicareJoe BidenRon KlainDonald Trump

• Biden administration teases small taste of immigration plan

  Vice President-elect Kamala Harris gave a tease of the incoming Biden administration's sweeping immigration plan during an interview with Univision's Ilia Calderón. Harris said the administration plans to create 'greater efficiencies' to streamline the naturalization process, including decreasing the amount of time required to acquire U.S. citizenship from 13 years to eight years, offering certain members of the Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs automatic green cards and adding immigration judges to help eliminate backlogs on court hearings.Read Full StoryTeasesUnivisionImmigration ReformPoliticsPresidential ElectionU.S. ImmigrationPolicy ReformImmigrantsCongressHillNBC NewsICEPueblo Sin FronterasFox News 'Immigration JudgesJoe BidenKamala HarrisDonald TrumpThomas HomanRon Klain

• Live Updates: Congress gears up as hearings for Biden's Cabinet nominations set to begin today

  The first hearings for President-elect Joe Biden's Cabinet nominations are set to begin on Tuesday, just one day before his inauguration on Jan. 20. The action kicks off in the morning, with the Senate Finance Committee hosting Treasury secretary nominee Janet Yellen, the Senate Intelligence Committee holding a hearing for Director of National Intelligence pick Avril Haines, and Homeland Security secretary nominee Alejandro Mayorkas appearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.Read Full StoryInaugurationPoliticsPresidential ElectionCongressCabinet SecretaryState SecretaryTreasuryNational IntelligenceDefenseThe Senate CommerceTransportation CommitteeMobileHearingGearsTodayJoe BidenJanet YellenAvril HainesAlejandro MayorkasPete Buttigieg

• State prepares for phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccination plan

  SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Phase two of the COVID-19 vaccination plan in Massachusetts will start in February. At the top of the list to get the vaccine are those who are at high risk for having COVID-19 complications. That could mean people who smoke will be able to get the...Read Full StoryCovid-19VaccinationMercy Medical CenterPublic HealthCDCChronic DiseaseCancerChronic Kidney DiseaseInfectionsWGGB/WSHMWestern Mass NewsPneumoniaHealth IssuesCOVID-19 ComplicationsInflammation