October 31, 2020 News Summary
US Politics and Economics
U.S. early voting continues at a record pace, with nearly 90 million votes as of 8 am this morning, two-thirds of the number of votes cast in 2016. Texas has officially become the first state to surpass 100% of the number of ballots cast in 2016, with its 9.7 million ballots making up 108% of the number cast in 2016. California still leads in the number of ballots cast, with 9.8 million, Texas is at 9.7m, and Florida is not far behind at 8.3 million votes. Texas has seen an increase of nearly 2 million registered voters, according to CNN, and 53% of them have cast a ballot. As for states that with party registration, Democrats lead with the most voters at 46%, compared to the Republicans with 30%. However, Republicans lead in in-person voting and are also expected to narrow the gap on election day by showing up in large numbers.
Texas Politics
A report from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) shows that the average pay raise for Texas teachers from the 2019 to 2020 school year is $3,800 to $5,200. According to Texas.Gov, the raise stems from a $1.1 billion annual investment in additional compensation beginning last year and “HB 3, which the Governor signed into law during the 86th Legislative Session.”
Health
According to CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, as of October 31, 2020, 12:32 PM, there are over 9.02 million cases and 229k deaths nationwide. California leads with the most cases at almost a total of 913k, and Texas follows by a total of 886.8k cases.
(CNN) The US reported 99,321 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the highest amount of cases daily for any country. Friday's number surpassed the previous daily record of 97,894 cases in India. Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine at George Washington University, told CNN Saturday that with an influx of cases, an increase in the death count will also occur.
Science and Technology
The Kuiper Belt, a distant region of the solar system, may help scientists understand the formation of the solar system. “These are objects that are in the graveyard of solar system formation,” explained Cornell University’s Jonathan Lunine, a Webb Interdisciplinary Scientist who will use James Webb Telescope to study some of these targets. “They’re in a place where they could last for billions of years, and there aren’t many places like that in our solar system. We’d love to know what they’re like.”
Southeast US Weather
The following information (written at 2 pm) is subject to changes.
(Atlantic) Tropical storm Zeta had dissipated last Thursday, while a new disturbance forms at the center of the Caribbean sea or south of Cuba. It is moving strongly at 15 mph towards the west, drawing attention from people in Jamaica, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
(Pacific) The disturbance located south of Mexico's southern coast will likely move west slowly at 5 knots with likely no chance of making landfall.
(Local) Today’s high is 72 degrees Fahrenheit and the low is 52 degrees Fahrenheit. During the night, there will be a full moon and clear skies. The week will have a high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Chances of rain are almost at zero until Saturday, November 14th with a few showers.
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Writers:
US Politics and Economics: Dylan, Miranda, and Caleb
Texas Politics: Stephanie, Vicki, and Megan
Health: Matthew, David, and Owen
Science and Technology: Bryan and Yiqi
Southeast US Weather: Jade, Aiden, and Simon
Editor: VIA
(All writers and editors are in middle to high school)