Were you too caught up in school and other activities last week to pay attention to the news? Do you want to be informed about current events? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what you missed last week.
1. Georgia Senate elections
On Tuesday, the people of Georgia voted for their senators. Reverend Raphael Warnock beat out the incumbent republican senator Kelly Loeffler, known for her relentless adherence to President Trump. Warnock makes history as Georgia’s first Black senator and the 11th Black senator to be elected in United States history. Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff pulled ahead of incumbent senator David Perdue, beating Perdue by a narrow margin. These two victories mean the Senate is now split between both parties, each party having 50 senators, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris leading the Senate. Senator Chuck Schumer will be the Senate majority leader, and Mitch McConnell the Senate minority leader.
2. Trump’s phone call with Georgia secretary of state
On January 2, President Trump held an hour-long phone call with Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger. The Washington Post released the recording of the call in which Trump repeatedly urged Raffensperger to alter the outcome of the state’s presidential vote by “finding 11,779 votes,” even though Trump claimed that he won by hundreds of thousands of votes. CNN’s Michael D’Antonio described Trump’s efforts as “deranged” and “desperate” and views Trump’s behavior as more like that of a “dictator than a president.”
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/03/opinions/donald-trump-phone-call-georgia-election-dantonio/index.html
3. University of Alabama wide receiver wins Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Trophy is presented to the player who is voted the nation’s most outstanding college football player. Smith is the first wide receiver to win this prestigious award since 1991, and the fourth wide receiver overall since the inception of the tradition in 1935. Smith is a senior at the University of Alabama and will likely be a very high pick in the NFL draft. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence came in second but trailed Smith by about half the number of votes. Don’t forget to watch Alabama’s national title game against Ohio State on January 11! https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/05/us/heisman-devonta-smith-alabama-spt-trnd/index.html
4. Proud Boys leader arrested for burning Black Lives Matter banner
The leader of the Proud Boys, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, was arrested Monday for burning a Black Lives Matter banner taken from a Black church last month during DC protests after a “Stop the Steal” rally. He was charged with Destruction of Property for the offense committed on December 12, 2020. He was also charged with Possession of High Capacity Feeding Device, as he held two high capacity firearm magazines at his time of arrest. He took responsibility for the act, stating “I’m damn proud I did.”
5. COVID-19 vaccine supply expected to increase in coming weeks
Once the vaccine is widely available, the CDC hopes that doctors’ offices and pharmacies will offer the vaccines. More good news about the vaccines is that cost will not be an obstacle. The vaccine doses will be purchased with US taxpayer dollars and will be given to American at no extra cost, with the expectation of administration fees. Lastly, it’s important to remember that the vaccine does not make one invincible to the virus. Even after people are vaccinated, it will be vital that people continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.
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