The Hill Articles: February 17, 2021

Federal prosecutors investigated Proud Boys ties to Roger Stone in 2019 case: CNN Texas mayor steps down after telling residents to stop complaining of the cold Malia Obama to join staff of Donald Glover’s Amazon project: reports Feds investigating Cuomo’s handling of nursing home outbreaks Texas deep freeze causes electricity prices to spike 10,000 percent Atlanta mayor urges fans not to travel to ‘made-for-TV’ NBA All-Star Game Overnight Defense: One-third of service members decline coronavirus vaccine | Biden to take executive action in response to Solar Winds hack | US, Japan reach cost sharing agreement Trump ‘won’t say yet’ if he’s running in 2024 Denver ethics board dismisses complaint over mayor’s Thanksgiving travel On The Money: Biden faces backlash from left on student loans | Where things stand on the COVID-19 relief measure | Retail sales rebound Nearly 5,000 National Guard troops to stay in DC over concerns of potential violence in March Jaguar going all electric, Land Rover going majority electric Federal agents seize more than 11 million fake N95 masks Study: Genetic mutation inherited from Neanderthals could help protect against severe COVID-19 cases State lawmakers propose bill to ban fracking in California by 2027 Florida authorities say two men pretended to be US Marshals to avoid wearing masks On The Trail: Trump threatens a Tea Party redux UK to conduct world’s first coronavirus human challenge study Federal court clears way for New York City to to release thousands of police disciplinary records Hillicon Valley: Biden to take ‘executive action’ to address SolarWinds breach | Facebook and Google respond to Australian proposed law | DOJ charges North Korean hackers with stealing $1.3 billion in cryptocurrency Poll: Voters split over whether Trump should be allowed to run in 2024 The Memo: Limbaugh’s divisive legacy Google to invest $75M in small businesses impacted by Coronavirus IRS says all stimulus payments have been sent How Biden’s ‘Buy American’ plan is different from Trump’s Many top NBA players apprehensive about promoting COVID-19 vaccines: report Overnight Health Care: Biden officials announce funding to track virus variants | Senate Dems unveil public option proposal | White House: Teacher vaccinations not required for schools to reopen Five questions hanging over Thursday’s GameStop hearing OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Five things to know about Texas’s strained electric grid | Biden honeymoon with green groups faces tests | Electric vehicles are poised to aid Biden in climate fight Five things to know about Texas’s strained electric grid Hassan to chair Senate emerging threats subcommittee Biden meets with labor, business on COVID-19 relief Florida restaurant goes viral with ‘face diapers not required’ sign Calling Moscow’s bluff Iowa bill would require schools to administer the Pledge of Allegiance daily House Democrats call on Biden to fill Postal Service Board vacancies to pave way for ousting DeJoy Tucker Carlson to produce video podcasts for Fox Nation Car commuters at higher risk of carcinogen exposure: study Is it worth taking out a loan for college in a pandemic — or ever? The case for Cormann: Why Australia must be US pick for OECD Capito asks White House to allow toxic chemicals rule to proceed Biden White House says it would consider study of slavery reparations Bette Midler: Texas freeze may be ‘payback’ for Cruz, Cornyn not recognizing ‘that #Joe won’ Major union that backed Biden in 2020 endorses Foy in Virginia governors race Quick fixes? What Biden can do to improve health care system now Harris says teachers should be given priority for COVID-19 vaccine iHeartMedia to acquire Triton Digital in effort to grow podcasts US, Japan extend cost-sharing pact for hosting American troops Minneapolis beefs up security ahead of former officer’s trial in George Floyd death Police clash with residents attempting to salvage discarded groceries following power outage The safe and equitable road forward on autonomous vehicles starts with proven technologies to save lives Hawaiian education committee passes bill directing COVID-19 relief money to teacher salaries Texas blackouts disproportionately affect low-income, nonwhite communities Biden speaks to Netanyahu for first time since taking office Romney’s plan to help families and promote work Trump to appear on conservative networks in wake of Limbaugh’s death Biden faces backlash from left on student loans Red Cross faces blood donation shortage thanks to winter weather South Carolina state House advances bill banning most abortions RNC launches ‘Committee on Election Integrity’ Ossoff named chairman of Senate investigations subcommittee Hundreds of Microsoft Team users reporting technical difficulties Pence pays tribute to Limbaugh: ‘Today America lost a Giant’ Fox News goes with wall-to-wall coverage of Limbaugh death A bold and comprehensive proposal to act on major crises facing America NY state legislator claims Cuomo threatened him: ‘He can destroy me’ SC GOP legislator tosses up amendments he wasn’t able to file amid abortion bill debate Black McDonald’s owner sues fast-food goliath over racial discrimination Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Texas Gov Abbott fire at each other over deadly winter storm, Green New Deal Simply the best: Why Rush Limbaugh was the GOAT of talk radio Biden should treat climate change as a health emergency Limbaugh critics resurface incendiary comments after his death Group of 25 prominent nonprofits urge Congress to pull war powers Feds issue lease for first wave energy research project in federal waters Fetterman on backing $15 minimum wage: ‘That’s a hill I would die on’ White House says teacher vaccinations not required for schools to reopen NYT podcast host says it’s ‘ironic’ Rubio is against childcare allowance The moral case for remaining in Afghanistan Ex-Sanders aide: Biden trying to find ‘most unsympathetic character’ to avoid cancelling student loan debt OAN, Newsmax, Gateway Pundit saw traffic spike in 2020 Jill Biden to give her first interview as first lady to Kelly Clarkson Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush Hager join investors in Washington Spirit ownership group DeSantis threatens to divert vaccines from communities criticizing distribution Trump hits GOP establishment in first post-presidency interview What America’s Thinking: February 17, 2021 FEMA sending generators, fuel to Texas amid power outages Obamas’ production company acquires 9/11 victims fund drama starring Michael Keaton Kentucky county GOP chair calls on McConnell to resign leadership spot over Trump criticism A realistic approach to democracy and human rights in China begins at home Facebook to restrict news content in Australia in response to proposed law Poll shows Biden with 50 percent approval down sharp partisan lines Disabled people who had trouble voting falls dramatically: report GOP lawmakers mourn death of Rush Limbaugh Hogan praises Kinzinger in Time profile: ‘Adam proved the measure of his courage’ Legal marijuana jobs booming, study finds Rick Perry: ‘Texans would be without electricity for longer’ to ‘keep the federal government out’ Biden to take ‘executive action’ to address SolarWinds breach Three-quarters of Americans confident COVID-19 vaccines will be available by summer’s end: poll Bush mourns Limbaugh: ‘He spoke his mind as a voice for millions’ Collins says GOP should move away from being about ‘just one person’ More people say Greene representative of Republican Party than Cheney: poll DOD says nearly one third of service members are declining COVID-19 vaccine Regina King to play Shirley Chisolm in new biopic Workers strike in 15 cities to demand $15/hour minimum wage Ex-Trump press secretary criticized for stirring up QAnon on Twitter Beware the new price bubbles? Not so fast Trump breaks media silence after Limbaugh’s death Pandemic response adds $24T to global debt, IIF says WWII veteran who raised millions for UK health workers targeted online before death At least 12 animals dead at San Antonio primate sanctuary after winter storm cuts off power Climate change is fueling recruitment into armed groups DOJ charges North Korean hackers with stealing $1.3 billion in cryptocurrency House subcommittee debates reparations bill for Black Americans ACLU, civil rights groups urge Biden to halt use of facial recognition technology Former FBI agent tied to Whitey Bulger wins release from prison Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively donate $1 million to food charities in US, Canada The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Biden navigates pressures from Dems Europe’s top human rights court calls for Navalny’s release Biden nominates Jennifer Abruzzo to serve as NLRB general counsel Biden pledges 600M COVID-19 vaccine doses will be available by July Ford vows to produce only electric passenger vehicles in Europe by 2030 Schumer, Warren push for $50K in student debt cancellation after Biden balks COVID-19 pork or more shots? The one-two punch to knock out high drug prices Grand jury upgrades charges for man seen chasing officer Eugene Goodman ‘I got no defense’ Ted Cruz admits in controversy over energy policies in California and Texas Rush Limbaugh dead at 70 Senate Democrats unveil health care proposal with public option Female generals’ promotions held back over fears of Trump’s response: report Biden officials announce funds to track virus variants Joe Biden should declare a food and nutrition war ‘Get off TV’: Critics blast Abbott over handling of Texas power outages following winter storm Woman charged in Capitol riot says she was Kansas City Proud Boys recruit Republican Party going off the rails? Senate Republicans target Democrats over school reopenings in new campaign Top Fed official sees low inflation running through 2022 Senate Intel leader demands answers on Florida water treatment center breach Stacey Abrams, H.E.R., Anderson .Paak, Kelly Rowland and more to join Obamas on ‘Black Renaissance’ How Democrats can ensure Trump never runs again CNN changes morning, afternoon lineups Texas utility: Power outages could last another week or more Los Angeles school district cuts 133 police officers, bans use of pepper spray on students Biden receives ashes at Georgetown for Ash Wednesday US to deliver $200 million to WHO, fulfilling contributions NY Attorney General sues Amazon over lack of COVID-19 protections Russia’s hack was bad — but if we don’t act fast, it will get much worse Japan launches vaccine drive months ahead of Olympics China requiring bloggers to obtain government credentials Trump demoted defense lawyer during impeachment trial: report CNN’s John Berman chides White House aide on reopening schools: ‘Not a trick question’ Majority expects coronavirus disruptions to linger into second half of 2021: poll Watch live: White House news briefing Emergency paid leave is just good business Rising: February 17, 2021 Graceland opening to fans for Elvis Week Milwaukee Bucks exec announces run for Johnson’s Senate seat Prince Philip hospitalized as a ‘precautionary measure’ after ‘feeling unwell’ Official reports of tranquil federal executions don’t match witness accounts: AP Google to pay News Corp to distribute content in global deal Democratic Senate campaign arm taps new staff leaders Graham’s ‘impeach Kamala’ drumbeat will lead Republicans to a 2022 defeat Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino demolished in Atlantic City Hot mic catches Kudlow saying ‘bull—-‘ on Fox News Son of prominent conservative Brent Bozell charged in Capitol riot Watchdog says HUD failures resulted in lead poisoning at one housing development: report Is a US-Pakistan reset possible? Gender pay gap narrows at US corporations Attorney: Ghislaine Maxwell ‘withering to a shell of her former self’ in jail Retail sales jump 5.3 percent in January, fueled by coronavirus aid Fauci: ‘Non-workable’ to get every teacher vaccinated to reopen schools First two FEMA mass vaccination sites open in California Epic Games takes fight against Apple to EU antitrust regulators Hazardous winter weather has killed 21, left millions in danger without power Polarization may win in media or politics, but our country loses Watch live: White House coronavirus response team holds briefing New York sues Amazon over worker pandemic safety issues Gunmen kidnap students, staff from school in Nigeria Watch live: House panel holds hearing on reparations Top Houston-area official: ‘We’re seeing … the winter version of Hurricane Harvey’ Ocasio-Cortez: ‘The case against student loan forgiveness is looking shakier by the day’ Washington priorities for driverless cars Save $50 on this endless supply of sanitizer that kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses Take 20% off this N95 mask with a purification system and supply of filters First vaccine doses sent to Gaza Strip How to reopen society: Issue vaccine ‘passports’ At least 20 dead as record-breaking winter storm sweeps across South, Midwest Texas mayor who said residents were owed ‘NOTHING’ amid outages, record cold resigns Pelosi’s ‘9/11-type’ commission to investigate Capitol riot could prove dangerous for Democrats Watch live: Blinken delivers remarks to UN Security Council Mellman: A Republican betrayal Library staffer fired after being accused of burning Trump, Coulter books We must fix our impeachment process Budowsky: Pass popular Biden’s popular COVID-19 bill Beto O’Rourke: ‘We are nearing a failed state in Texas’ due to Republican leaders Biden reassures child with COVID-19 fears: ‘I wouldn’t worry about it, baby’ Do you have range anxiety? The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden on COVID-19: Next year Americans will be ‘better off’ Riot probe to likely focus on McCarthy-Trump call Biden honeymoon with green groups faces tests Where things stand on the COVID-19 relief measure House gears up for first GameStop stock hearing Five things to watch in the New York City mayoral race Buttigieg sets goals for electric, automated freight vehicles Zero-emission vehicles can help transform the Postal Service Congress makes renewed push on self-driving cars bill Electric vehicles are poised to aid Biden in climate fight Don’t exclude the blind from the benefits of AV technology Advancing autonomous vehicle testing and deployment Driving toward a 2030 phaseout of gas cars in Washington state America’s electric vehicles need a boost Lobbying world