November 19, 2020 News Summary
US Politics and Economics
As the incumbent President continues to accuse states of voter fraud, confrontations between state officials and both his supporters and opposers continue to escalate. According to NYT, the Arizona Secretary of State has received multiple threats against her and her family, and wants Republican officials to stop “perpetuating misinformation.” The Secretary of State in Georgia claims he was pressured by Senator Lindsey Graham to find ways to disqualify presumably legal ballots. In Pennsylvania, where Biden had a lead of just over 1 percent, Republicans are pushing to audit ballots. Even still, Republicans in Michigan initially refused to certify results from Wayne County, a predominantly black county which also included the city of Detroit, but they were eventually forced to certify the results. Although almost all MSM outlets have called Biden president-elect, with even Biden himself taking measures to prepare for his own presidency, it remains unclear whether Trump will concede.
Texas Politics
As COVID cases skyrocket in Texas and many other states, officials contemplate the multiple academic tests for students and how they will be administered. According to Texas Tribune, 68 Texas House representatives have agreed to sign a letter asking for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to cancel the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam, or, at minimum, not use student scores to rate schools this year. Even if the test will be administered during the pandemic, the letter addresses this, saying it “should only serve as a diagnostic instrument to see where our students stand academically as opposed to an assessment instrument to determine district and campus sanctions.”
Health
According to, CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, as of November 19, 2020, 12:32 PM, there are 11.4 million cases nationwide and 249k deaths. Currently, Texas leads with almost 1.3 million cases, while California follows with 1.03 million cases.
(WashingtonPost) Pfizer has filed an emergency authorization of their COVID-19 vaccine tomorrow. Then, they will be working with the Food and Drug Administration to review and assess the vaccine. Moderna is also expected to file for an emergency authorization soon.
Southeast US Weather
(Atlantic) The third disturbance expected to hit several countries in Central American has gone off the radar, leaving the Atlantic with only one disturbance east of the US with a 20% chance of forming moving south.
(Pacific) Tropical cyclone Polo is expected to dissipate at 10 AM on Friday east of the central Pacific.
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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)