October 25, 2020 News Summary
US Politics and Economics
Four of Vice President Mike Pence’s closest advisors have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement made Saturday night by Pence. His chief of staff and political adviser who have quarantined themselves after receiving the diagnosis, NBC reports. On the other hand, spokesman Devin O'Malley announced that the Vice President and his wife, Karen, have tested negative, and “remain in good health.” CNN reports that the Vice President made numerous trips to states such as Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania last week, raising concerns about safety protocols, as the COVID-19’s death count surpasses 224k.
As of 8 am CST, 57.4 million Americans have cast their ballots, which is 41.7% of the total votes cast in 2016. Texas leads with 6.8 million ballots, and California and Florida follow with 6.5 million and 5.2 million ballots respectively. Currently, Washington, Montana, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Hawaii, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, and Vermont have over 50% of the number of ballots cast in 2016. In states that report party registration, Democrats lead with 49.5% of votes, compared to the Republicans at 27.5%. In total, 86 million mail ballots have been requested.
Texas Politics
Whereas the President will not visit Texas in the days before Nov. 3, the Biden campaign has heavily paid attention to and invested in the state. Presently, Trump leads in the state by 5 percentage points. According to an email from the Biden campaign to Texas lawmakers today, “Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s running mate and the California U.S. senator, will be visiting Texas on Friday.”
Health
According to CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, as of October 25, 2020, 12:15 PM, there are almost 8.55 million cases and 224.2k deaths nationwide. California leads with the most infections at a total of 892.8k, and Texas follows with 855k cases.
(KHOU) As COVID-19 cases continue to further increase, Houston ISD has shifted their food distribution to Saturday in order to help families affected by the virus. Betti Wiggins, an officer of HISD Nutrition Services, explains, “Because the need is not decreasing, so we have to make these available." Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has also announced the opening of a 37th testing site in Harris County at Harvest Time Church on Imperial Valley Drive in Houston. She urges families and teachers that go to in-person classes should regularly get tested in order to prevent the spread.
Southeast US Weather
(Atlantic) Hurricane Epsilon has degraded to a Tropical storm, sailing at 46 mph, and will likely continue next week. Outside of the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Zeta is almost stationary before moving into the gulf in the next few days. If the storm hits Louisiana, it will have been the third storm in 2020 to do so and cause serious damage.
(Pacific) There are presently no disturbances in the Pacific.
(Local) The high of the following 10 days will be around 78 degrees Fahrenheit with a low of 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Chances of rain between Monday and Wednesday will increase to 70%.
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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: Jade, Aiden, and Simon
Editor: VIA, Isabel, and Susanna
(All writers and editors are in middle to high school)