December 12, 2020 News Summary
US Politics and Economics
In a 7-2 decision, the United States Supreme Court rejected a bid from Texas’ attorney general Ken Paxton seeking to challenge and overturn election results in four swing states: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, all of whom voted for Former Vice President Joe Biden. According to CNN, the courts said that Texas had not demonstrated that it had the right to bring the suit because it had not demonstrated a “judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.” Out of the 9 supreme court judges, two of them, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, said they would have allowed the case to be filed. The President tweeted “The Supreme Court really let us down. No Wisdom, No Courage!” and that the Supreme Court “had zero interest in the merits of the greatest voter fraud ever perpetrated on the United States of America”. With the case struck down, only a day separates today and December 14th, when the etlectoral college vote for president takes place.
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday, making Christmas Eve a federal holiday, meaning that all federal agencies will be closed on Thursday, December 24, 2020. While granting government employees time off during Christmas is customary, Trump is known to give unusually lengthy breaks for the Christmas holidays. In 2018, he gave employees a four-day weekend, and in 2019 he gave employees the day off despite the fact that it was in the middle of the week. Compare this to the previous presidents, who only gave a half day off to employees on Christmas when it was on a Friday. As this is Trump’s last Christmas in office, it will be interesting to see if and how Biden changes the Christmas policy when he assumes office.
Texas Politics
Gov. Abbott announced yesterday that Texas will participate in a federal program, the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, “to vaccinate residents and staff of long-term care facilities against COVID-19.” The vaccines included in this program will be provided to pharmacies beginning December 28, 2020. Abbott says, "The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program will help the State of Texas facilitate safe vaccinations among some of our most vulnerable populations, and it will help us protect residents and staff of long-term care facilities from COVID-19.”
Health
According to, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, as of December 12, 2020, 12:32 PM, there are 15.71 million cases nationwide and 294k deaths. Currently, California leads with 1.48 million cases, while Texas follows with 1.46 million cases.
(ABC13) U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee joined Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other city leaders to give an update on the vaccine distribution plans. Healthcare providers or workers inside the medical facility, along with nursing home residents and staff, will be the first to get the vaccine.
Southeast US Weather
(Atlantic) Two high tropical pressures are located just east of the Atlantic. The first is expected to be stationary for the next few hours, but the other is expected to move North towards Massschunts before moving east and possibly hitting the US.
(Pacific) A high pressure storm is located west of the coast of California, and is expected to move southwest towards Hawaii.
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Writers:
US Politics and Economics: Dylan, Miranda, Caleb, and Annabelle
Texas Politics: Stephanie, Vicki, and Megan
Health: Matthew, David, and Owen
Southeast US Weather: Simon
Editor: VIA
(All writers and editors are in middle to high school)