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| Senators meet with Joe Manchin to negotiate on filibuster amid voting rights push – live | Senators meet with Joe Manchin to negotiate on filibuster amid voting rights push – live |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Manchin is a staunch supporter of the filibuster, and any changes are likely to keep it in place, while giving Democrats room to pass voting rights legislation | Manchin is a staunch supporter of the filibuster, and any changes are likely to keep it in place, while giving Democrats room to pass voting rights legislation |
| Joe Biden visited Kentucky to survey damage from the tornadoes that swept through the state on Friday, which killed at least 74 people. The president said the federal government would cover 100% of the costs related to the first 30 days of Kentucky’s tornado response. “I intend to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes – as long as it takes – to support your state, your local leaders, as you recover and rebuild,” Biden said in Dawson Springs this afternoon. “Because you will recover and you will rebuild.” | |
| Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is considering delaying passage of the Build Back Better Act to focus on voting rights legislation, according to multiple reports. Democrats had originally hoped to pass the Build Back Better Act before the end of the year, but negotiations over the $1.75tn spending package have dragged on, as centrist Joe Manchin has voiced criticism of the bill’s price tag. | |
| Manchin has been meeting with other Senate Democrats to discuss potential filibuster rule changes that would allow voting rights legislation to advance. Senate Republicans have repeatedly used the filibuster to block voting rights bills from moving forward. Potential ideas for filibuster reform include requiring senators to actually talk and hold the Senate floor while filibustering or designating voting rights as an issue not subject to the filibuster. | |
| Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to two counts of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. The change in Chauvin’s plea comes a year and a half after the former Minneapolis police officer murdered Floyd by keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes. | |
| The Omicron variant now represents 3% of all coronavirus cases in the US, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at a press briefing today. Dr Rochelle Walensky added that Omicron cases have now been reported in 36 US states. | |
| – Maanvi Singh and Joan E Greve | |
| The National Archives released a trove of 1,500 documents related the 1963 assassination of John F Kennedy. | The National Archives released a trove of 1,500 documents related the 1963 assassination of John F Kennedy. |
| From the AP: | From the AP: |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| Sam Levin and Johana Bhuiyan report: | Sam Levin and Johana Bhuiyan report: |
| The Los Angeles police department worked with a Polish firm that specializes in “strategic communications” to monitor social media and collect millions of tweets last year, including thousands related to Black Lives Matter and “defund the police”, according to records reviewed by the Guardian. | The Los Angeles police department worked with a Polish firm that specializes in “strategic communications” to monitor social media and collect millions of tweets last year, including thousands related to Black Lives Matter and “defund the police”, according to records reviewed by the Guardian. |
| Internal LAPD documents, obtained by the Brennan Center for Justice through public records requests, reveal that the department conducted a one-month trial of social media monitoring software from Edge NPD, a company that typically worked in advertising and marketing, had no prior experience contracting with law enforcement and was based thousands of miles away in Warsaw, Poland. | Internal LAPD documents, obtained by the Brennan Center for Justice through public records requests, reveal that the department conducted a one-month trial of social media monitoring software from Edge NPD, a company that typically worked in advertising and marketing, had no prior experience contracting with law enforcement and was based thousands of miles away in Warsaw, Poland. |
| During the trial in fall 2020, Edge NPD tracked tweets on roughly 200 keywords for LAPD, the records show. In the process, the software collected millions of tweets, according to Edge NPD’s CEO, Dobromir Cias. The data set included tens of thousands of tweets related to Black Lives Matter and racial justice protests, some of them from prominent Black activists outside LA and private civilians advocating for reforms, the files show. | During the trial in fall 2020, Edge NPD tracked tweets on roughly 200 keywords for LAPD, the records show. In the process, the software collected millions of tweets, according to Edge NPD’s CEO, Dobromir Cias. The data set included tens of thousands of tweets related to Black Lives Matter and racial justice protests, some of them from prominent Black activists outside LA and private civilians advocating for reforms, the files show. |
| The records suggest that LAPD was interested in using the company’s services in part to help the department respond to “negative narratives”. Cias told the Guardian the company also aimed to flag possible threats. | The records suggest that LAPD was interested in using the company’s services in part to help the department respond to “negative narratives”. Cias told the Guardian the company also aimed to flag possible threats. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| Guardian staff: | Guardian staff: |
| Joe Biden has nominated Caroline Kennedy, daughter of John F Kennedy, to be the US ambassador to Australia. | Joe Biden has nominated Caroline Kennedy, daughter of John F Kennedy, to be the US ambassador to Australia. |
| Kennedy, 63, a member of one of America’s most famous political families, has long been considered a leading candidate for a high-profile envoy position after she threw her support behind Biden’s presidential campaign. | Kennedy, 63, a member of one of America’s most famous political families, has long been considered a leading candidate for a high-profile envoy position after she threw her support behind Biden’s presidential campaign. |
| In a statement, Kennedy called Australia “a country that is as vital to our future security and prosperity.” | In a statement, Kennedy called Australia “a country that is as vital to our future security and prosperity.” |
| She added: “I look forward to collaborating with the government of Australia to strengthen our alliance, improve global health and increase vaccine access during this terrible pandemic and to address the urgent climate crisis. I am excited to get to know the Australian people, learn about their fascinating country and share with them what I love most about America.” | She added: “I look forward to collaborating with the government of Australia to strengthen our alliance, improve global health and increase vaccine access during this terrible pandemic and to address the urgent climate crisis. I am excited to get to know the Australian people, learn about their fascinating country and share with them what I love most about America.” |
| Kennedy previously served as US ambassador to Japan under Barack Obama, from 2013 to 2010. She was the first female US ambassador to Japan and in a statement announcing the new position in Australia, the White House lauded her work there. | Kennedy previously served as US ambassador to Japan under Barack Obama, from 2013 to 2010. She was the first female US ambassador to Japan and in a statement announcing the new position in Australia, the White House lauded her work there. |
| “She advanced the realignment of US Forces in Okinawa, promoted women’s empowerment in Japan, and increased student exchange between the US and Japan,” it said. “In 2017, she founded the International Poetry Exchange Project to virtually connect students in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and the Bronx through the power of the spoken word.” | “She advanced the realignment of US Forces in Okinawa, promoted women’s empowerment in Japan, and increased student exchange between the US and Japan,” it said. “In 2017, she founded the International Poetry Exchange Project to virtually connect students in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and the Bronx through the power of the spoken word.” |
| Last month Kennedy was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun, the highest Japanese honor for which foreigners are eligible. | Last month Kennedy was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun, the highest Japanese honor for which foreigners are eligible. |
| Kennedy was an important supporter of Biden in his campaign to be president. In a Boston Globe editorial to announce her endorsement, Kennedy praised Biden for his public service over his long career as a public servant and recalled him visiting Tokyo while she was ambassador. | Kennedy was an important supporter of Biden in his campaign to be president. In a Boston Globe editorial to announce her endorsement, Kennedy praised Biden for his public service over his long career as a public servant and recalled him visiting Tokyo while she was ambassador. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Joe Biden visited Kentucky to survey damage from the tornadoes that swept through the state on Friday, which killed at least 74 people. The president said the federal government would cover 100% of the costs related to the first 30 days of Kentucky’s tornado response. “I intend to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes – as long as it takes – to support your state, your local leaders, as you recover and rebuild,” Biden said in Dawson Springs this afternoon. “Because you will recover and you will rebuild.” | Joe Biden visited Kentucky to survey damage from the tornadoes that swept through the state on Friday, which killed at least 74 people. The president said the federal government would cover 100% of the costs related to the first 30 days of Kentucky’s tornado response. “I intend to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes – as long as it takes – to support your state, your local leaders, as you recover and rebuild,” Biden said in Dawson Springs this afternoon. “Because you will recover and you will rebuild.” |
| Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is considering delaying passage of the Build Back Better Act to focus on voting rights legislation, according to multiple reports. Democrats had originally hoped to pass the Build Back Better Act before the end of the year, but negotiations over the $1.75tn spending package have dragged on, as centrist Joe Manchin has voiced criticism of the bill’s price tag. | Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is considering delaying passage of the Build Back Better Act to focus on voting rights legislation, according to multiple reports. Democrats had originally hoped to pass the Build Back Better Act before the end of the year, but negotiations over the $1.75tn spending package have dragged on, as centrist Joe Manchin has voiced criticism of the bill’s price tag. |
| Manchin has been meeting with other Senate Democrats to discuss potential filibuster rule changes that would allow voting rights legislation to advance. Senate Republicans have repeatedly used the filibuster to block voting rights bills from moving forward. Potential ideas for filibuster reform include requiring senators to actually talk and hold the Senate floor while filibustering or designating voting rights as an issue not subject to the filibuster. | Manchin has been meeting with other Senate Democrats to discuss potential filibuster rule changes that would allow voting rights legislation to advance. Senate Republicans have repeatedly used the filibuster to block voting rights bills from moving forward. Potential ideas for filibuster reform include requiring senators to actually talk and hold the Senate floor while filibustering or designating voting rights as an issue not subject to the filibuster. |
| Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to two counts of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. The change in Chauvin’s plea comes a year and a half after the former Minneapolis police officer murdered Floyd by keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes. | Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to two counts of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. The change in Chauvin’s plea comes a year and a half after the former Minneapolis police officer murdered Floyd by keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes. |
| The Omicron variant now represents 3% of all coronavirus cases in the US, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at a press briefing today. Dr Rochelle Walensky added that Omicron cases have now been reported in 36 US states. | The Omicron variant now represents 3% of all coronavirus cases in the US, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at a press briefing today. Dr Rochelle Walensky added that Omicron cases have now been reported in 36 US states. |
| Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| After delivering his prepared remarks in Kentucky, a journalist asked Joe Biden about reports that Senate Democrats will shift focus to voting rights and delay passage of their Build Back Better Act until 2022. | After delivering his prepared remarks in Kentucky, a journalist asked Joe Biden about reports that Senate Democrats will shift focus to voting rights and delay passage of their Build Back Better Act until 2022. |
| “If we can get the congressional voting rights done, we should do it. If we can’t, we’ve got to keep going. There’s nothing domestically more important than voting rights,” Biden said, per the Washington Post. | “If we can get the congressional voting rights done, we should do it. If we can’t, we’ve got to keep going. There’s nothing domestically more important than voting rights,” Biden said, per the Washington Post. |
| Biden’s comments come as Democrats struggle to reach a final deal with centrist Senator Joe Manchin on their $1.75tn spending package, which they had originally hoped to pass before the end of the year. | Biden’s comments come as Democrats struggle to reach a final deal with centrist Senator Joe Manchin on their $1.75tn spending package, which they had originally hoped to pass before the end of the year. |
| Manchin has been meeting with other moderate Democratic senators to discuss potential filibuster rule changes to help voting rights legislation advance without Republican support. | Manchin has been meeting with other moderate Democratic senators to discuss potential filibuster rule changes to help voting rights legislation advance without Republican support. |
| Speaking in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, Joe Biden pledged to provide all federal assistance necessary to help the community rebuild after the deadly tornadoes last week. | Speaking in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, Joe Biden pledged to provide all federal assistance necessary to help the community rebuild after the deadly tornadoes last week. |
| “I intend to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes – as long as it takes – to support your state, your local leaders, as you recover and rebuild. Because you will recover and you will rebuild,” Biden said. | “I intend to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes – as long as it takes – to support your state, your local leaders, as you recover and rebuild. Because you will recover and you will rebuild,” Biden said. |
| Four Fema search and rescue teams have already been deployed to Kentucky, Biden noted, and the agency has also provided 61 generators for those without power. | Four Fema search and rescue teams have already been deployed to Kentucky, Biden noted, and the agency has also provided 61 generators for those without power. |
| The president also announced that the federal government would be covering 100% of the costs related to the first 30 days of tornado recovery in Kentucky. | The president also announced that the federal government would be covering 100% of the costs related to the first 30 days of tornado recovery in Kentucky. |
| “I promise you: you’re going to heal. We’re going to recover. You’re going to rebuild. You’re going to be stronger than you were before. We’re going to build back better than it was,” Biden said. | “I promise you: you’re going to heal. We’re going to recover. You’re going to rebuild. You’re going to be stronger than you were before. We’re going to build back better than it was,” Biden said. |
| Joe Biden is now speaking in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on his administration’s response to the tornadoes that swept through the state late Friday and early Saturday. | Joe Biden is now speaking in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on his administration’s response to the tornadoes that swept through the state late Friday and early Saturday. |
| The president was introduced by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who thanked Biden for his swift approval of the state’s major disaster declaration. | The president was introduced by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who thanked Biden for his swift approval of the state’s major disaster declaration. |
| The governor’s voice shook with emotion as he recounted how, as a child, he spent Christmases with family not too far from where he was speaking. | The governor’s voice shook with emotion as he recounted how, as a child, he spent Christmases with family not too far from where he was speaking. |
| “This town is part of who I am,” Beshear said. “To me, this was always a safe place. Bad things did not happen here – until Saturday.” | “This town is part of who I am,” Beshear said. “To me, this was always a safe place. Bad things did not happen here – until Saturday.” |
| One source told Politico that the negotiations between Joe Biden and Joe Manchin over the Build Back Better Act are not going well. | One source told Politico that the negotiations between Joe Biden and Joe Manchin over the Build Back Better Act are not going well. |
| “The talks between [Biden] and Manchin have been going very poorly. They are far apart,” the source said. | “The talks between [Biden] and Manchin have been going very poorly. They are far apart,” the source said. |
| Democrats’ hopes of passing the bill before Christmas are rapidly diminishing, meaning families likely will not get checks from the expanded child tax credit program next month. | Democrats’ hopes of passing the bill before Christmas are rapidly diminishing, meaning families likely will not get checks from the expanded child tax credit program next month. |
| Joe Manchin became ... a bit frustrated today when a journalist asked him to respond to the report that he has voiced criticism of the proposal to include the expanded child tax credit program in Democrats’ Build Back Better Act. | Joe Manchin became ... a bit frustrated today when a journalist asked him to respond to the report that he has voiced criticism of the proposal to include the expanded child tax credit program in Democrats’ Build Back Better Act. |
| “This is bullshit,” Manchin told a HuffPost reporter. “You’re bullshit.” | “This is bullshit,” Manchin told a HuffPost reporter. “You’re bullshit.” |
| It’s seeming increasingly unlikely that Congress will be able to pass the $1.75tn spending package before the end of the year, so families may not receive checks from the expanded child tax credit program next month. | It’s seeming increasingly unlikely that Congress will be able to pass the $1.75tn spending package before the end of the year, so families may not receive checks from the expanded child tax credit program next month. |
| Potential ideas for filibuster reform include requiring senators to actually talk and hold the Senate floor while filibustering (they don’t currently have to) or designating voting rights as an issue not subject to the filibuster. | Potential ideas for filibuster reform include requiring senators to actually talk and hold the Senate floor while filibustering (they don’t currently have to) or designating voting rights as an issue not subject to the filibuster. |
| Black leaders are expected to push the White House to be more vocal in its support for the voting rights measures. There is already widespread frustration that the White House is not putting enough political muscle behind the issue. | Black leaders are expected to push the White House to be more vocal in its support for the voting rights measures. There is already widespread frustration that the White House is not putting enough political muscle behind the issue. |
| There is a narrowing window to get the bills through Congress and doing so would be a major victory for Joe Biden to end his first year in office. “It’s absolutely critical that we pass federal voting rights protections by the end of the year. Anything short of that would be a failure for our democracy. Let’s get it done. The clock is ticking,” said Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP, after a meeting with senators on Wednesday. | There is a narrowing window to get the bills through Congress and doing so would be a major victory for Joe Biden to end his first year in office. “It’s absolutely critical that we pass federal voting rights protections by the end of the year. Anything short of that would be a failure for our democracy. Let’s get it done. The clock is ticking,” said Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP, after a meeting with senators on Wednesday. |
| The push to move forward on voting rights comes as a group of senators, including Angus King of Maine, Jon Tester of Montana, and Tim Kaine of Virginia, have been meeting with Joe Manchin to try and figure out a path forward on the filibuster. | The push to move forward on voting rights comes as a group of senators, including Angus King of Maine, Jon Tester of Montana, and Tim Kaine of Virginia, have been meeting with Joe Manchin to try and figure out a path forward on the filibuster. |
| It’s unclear if a deal might come together before the end of the year. Democrats have already signaled they expect negotiations to carry over into January. | It’s unclear if a deal might come together before the end of the year. Democrats have already signaled they expect negotiations to carry over into January. |
| Manchin is a staunch supporter of the filibuster rule, and any changes are likely to keep it in place, while giving Democrats room to pass voting rights legislation. | Manchin is a staunch supporter of the filibuster rule, and any changes are likely to keep it in place, while giving Democrats room to pass voting rights legislation. |
| Democrats made a similar carve-out this week for raising the debt ceiling, a move that prompted Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, to call for similar action on voting rights. | Democrats made a similar carve-out this week for raising the debt ceiling, a move that prompted Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, to call for similar action on voting rights. |
| As it becomes increasingly less likely that the Senate will be able to vote on the Build Back Better Act this month, majority leader Chuck Schumer is now hoping to take up a voting rights bill before Christmas. | As it becomes increasingly less likely that the Senate will be able to vote on the Build Back Better Act this month, majority leader Chuck Schumer is now hoping to take up a voting rights bill before Christmas. |
| NBC News reports: | NBC News reports: |
| The expanded child tax credit has reportedly become a sticking point in Democrats’ talks over the Build Back Better Act, as the party races to pass the $1.75tn spending package before the end of the year. | The expanded child tax credit has reportedly become a sticking point in Democrats’ talks over the Build Back Better Act, as the party races to pass the $1.75tn spending package before the end of the year. |
| The Washington Post reports: | The Washington Post reports: |
| When asked about the report, Manchin told reporters on Capitol Hill this afternoon, “I’m not opposed to the child tax credit.” | When asked about the report, Manchin told reporters on Capitol Hill this afternoon, “I’m not opposed to the child tax credit.” |
| However, as CNN notes, the centrist senator did not specify whether he would prefer the expanded child tax credit program to be taken out of the Build Back Better Act. | However, as CNN notes, the centrist senator did not specify whether he would prefer the expanded child tax credit program to be taken out of the Build Back Better Act. |
| Over on Capitol Hill, the Senate has passed the National Defense Authorization Act, sending the annual funding bill to Joe Biden’s desk for his signature. | Over on Capitol Hill, the Senate has passed the National Defense Authorization Act, sending the annual funding bill to Joe Biden’s desk for his signature. |
| The final Senate vote was 88 to 11, with three Republicans and eight Democrats opposing the legislation. | The final Senate vote was 88 to 11, with three Republicans and eight Democrats opposing the legislation. |
| The bill includes a 2.7% pay increase for troops, an overhaul of the military justice system aimed at combating sexual assaults and $300 million in aid to the Ukrainian Security Assistance Initiative, among other provisions. | The bill includes a 2.7% pay increase for troops, an overhaul of the military justice system aimed at combating sexual assaults and $300 million in aid to the Ukrainian Security Assistance Initiative, among other provisions. |
| One of the eight Democrats who voted against the bill was Kirsten Gillibrand, who has lobbied for years to overhaul the military justice system and felt that the final version of the bill did not go far enough to ensure justice for sexual assault survivors. | One of the eight Democrats who voted against the bill was Kirsten Gillibrand, who has lobbied for years to overhaul the military justice system and felt that the final version of the bill did not go far enough to ensure justice for sexual assault survivors. |
| “This bill represents a major setback on behalf of service members, women and survivors in particular,” Gilllibrand said in a statement last week. | “This bill represents a major setback on behalf of service members, women and survivors in particular,” Gilllibrand said in a statement last week. |
| “However, we will not stop seeking true military justice reforms for our brave service members and I will continue to call for an up or down floor vote.” | “However, we will not stop seeking true military justice reforms for our brave service members and I will continue to call for an up or down floor vote.” |
| Joe Biden is visiting the parts of Kentucky hardest hit by the record tornado that roared through last Friday night as one of dozens of twisters that left hundreds of miles of death and destruction. | Joe Biden is visiting the parts of Kentucky hardest hit by the record tornado that roared through last Friday night as one of dozens of twisters that left hundreds of miles of death and destruction. |
| The US president traveled to the state from the White House this morning and is in Mayfield, the small city of around 10,000 residents that was wrecked by the largest of the twisters, including the leveling of a candle factory by winds up to 200mph, where workers died. | The US president traveled to the state from the White House this morning and is in Mayfield, the small city of around 10,000 residents that was wrecked by the largest of the twisters, including the leveling of a candle factory by winds up to 200mph, where workers died. |
| “I have not seen this much damage from a tornado,” Biden said. He met with Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and told local officials: “Don’t hesitate to ask for anything” from the federal government. | “I have not seen this much damage from a tornado,” Biden said. He met with Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and told local officials: “Don’t hesitate to ask for anything” from the federal government. |
| Biden said at the weekend that he would not travel to the state immediately so as not to distract officials or get in the way of frantic rescue and recovery efforts. Federal officials went to the state, including from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). | Biden said at the weekend that he would not travel to the state immediately so as not to distract officials or get in the way of frantic rescue and recovery efforts. Federal officials went to the state, including from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). |
| The tornadoes killed at least 74 in Kentucky and another 14 people were killed in other states, including workers at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois. | The tornadoes killed at least 74 in Kentucky and another 14 people were killed in other states, including workers at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois. |
| Beshear said those killed in Kentucky included a dozen children and, in addition, more than 100 people remain unaccounted for and he expects the death toll to rise. | Beshear said those killed in Kentucky included a dozen children and, in addition, more than 100 people remain unaccounted for and he expects the death toll to rise. |
| Biden has repeatedly emphasized that there should be no politics in dealing with the aftermath. | Biden has repeatedly emphasized that there should be no politics in dealing with the aftermath. |
| “There’s no red tornadoes, there’s no blue tornadoes,” the president said. | “There’s no red tornadoes, there’s no blue tornadoes,” the president said. |
| New York City mayor-elect Eric Adams named Keechant Sewell, a Long Island police official, as the city’s next police commissioner, making her the first woman to lead the nation’s largest police force. | New York City mayor-elect Eric Adams named Keechant Sewell, a Long Island police official, as the city’s next police commissioner, making her the first woman to lead the nation’s largest police force. |
| Adams, himself a former New York police captain, introduced Sewell on Wednesday as his barrier-breaking choice for one of the most high-profile and powerful jobs in his upcoming administration, the Associated Press said. | Adams, himself a former New York police captain, introduced Sewell on Wednesday as his barrier-breaking choice for one of the most high-profile and powerful jobs in his upcoming administration, the Associated Press said. |
| The AP further reported: | The AP further reported: |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Joe Biden has arrived in Kentucky to survey the damage from the tornadoes that swept through the state on Friday, which killed at least 74 people. The president is taking an aerial tour of Mayfield, one of the communities that suffered the most damage from the storms, and receiving a briefing from local officials before delivering remarks this afternoon. | Joe Biden has arrived in Kentucky to survey the damage from the tornadoes that swept through the state on Friday, which killed at least 74 people. The president is taking an aerial tour of Mayfield, one of the communities that suffered the most damage from the storms, and receiving a briefing from local officials before delivering remarks this afternoon. |
| Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to two counts of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. The change in Chauvin’s plea comes a year and a half after the former Minneapolis police officer murdered Floyd by keeping his knee on the Black man’s neck for several minutes. | Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty to two counts of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. The change in Chauvin’s plea comes a year and a half after the former Minneapolis police officer murdered Floyd by keeping his knee on the Black man’s neck for several minutes. |
| The Omicron variant now represents 3% of all coronavirus cases in the US, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at a press briefing today. Dr Rochelle Walensky added that Omicron cases have now been reported in 36 US states. | The Omicron variant now represents 3% of all coronavirus cases in the US, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at a press briefing today. Dr Rochelle Walensky added that Omicron cases have now been reported in 36 US states. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |