Presented by

the Boeing Company

1. 2nd vaccine shows early success

• For the second time this month, there’s promising news from a COVID-19 vaccine candidate: Moderna said Monday its shots provide strong protection, a dash of hope against the grim backdrop of coronavirus surges in the U.S. and around the world.
• Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company’s still ongoing study. A week ago, competitor Pfizer Inc. announced its own COVID-19 vaccine appeared similarly effective — news that puts both companies on track to seek permission within weeks for emergency use in the U.S.
• Dr. Stephen Hoge, Moderna’s president, welcomed the “really important milestone” but said having similar results from two different companies is what’s most reassuring.
• “That should give us all hope that actually a vaccine is going to be able to stop this pandemic and hopefully get us back to our lives,” Hoge said.
• If the Food and Drug Administration allows emergency use of Moderna’s or Pfizer’s candidates, there will be limited, rationed supplies before the end of the year. Both require people to get two shots, several weeks apart. Moderna expects to have about 20 million doses, earmarked for the U.S., by the end of 2020. Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech expect to have about 50 million doses globally by year’s end.
• Full story HERE.

2. What mandate? Biden’s agenda faces a divided Congress

• In his victory speech, delayed until Nov. 7 when Pennsylvania was called, Joe Biden said he wanted to reunite the country and “restore the soul of America.”
• That may be easier said than done, especially given the deep divisions in Congress.
• And, as well as Biden did nationally, down ballot Democrats took it on the chin, missing out on attempts to win Senate seats many thought were in the bag and losing several House seats to shrink their majority.
• Right now, Democrats have won 221 seats to Republicans’ 207, with seven seats not yet called. There will surely be recounts, but Republicans could cut the Democrats’ majority to within 12 seats, which would all but force Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bargain with the GOP.
• Of course, in the Senate, the majority will be decided by two runoff elections in Georgia. The only polling out of Georgia I can find shows the two GOP incumbents leading, but not by much.
• In any case, it’s hard to see a progressive agenda of universal health care, the Green New Deal and repealing the Trump tax cuts getting through this Congress.
• Biden could seek a repeat of Newt Gingrich’s era when the Republican House speaker served up legislative victories for President Bill Clinton, infuriating Democrats with conservative budget and welfare bills but helping Clinton win a second term.
• “Gingrich insisted the American people wanted it,” said Rick Tyler, a former Gingrich top aide who left the Republican Party in the Trump era. He said McConnell will move on Biden’s agenda when Biden has the nation behind him.
• “That’s how you do it. Let’s see if Biden can do it,” he said.
• Read more HERE.

A message from

the Boeing Company

• Boeing employs Alabamians to help build NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) – the world’s most powerful rocket.

• As part of the Artemis Missions, Boeing’s Huntsville facility plays an integral role in manufacturing and testing this deep space rocket.

• Alabama has a 60-year legacy of researching and developing cutting-edge spacecraft and technology.

3. Incoming Rep. Jerry Carl talks committees, staff, priorities

• Speaking of Congress, Alabama will have two new faces on the seven-member House delegation in Republicans Jerry Carl in AL-1 and Barry Moore in AL-2.
• ADN’s Mary Sell caught up with Carl last week as he was spending time in Washington for new member orientation.
• The congressman-to-be talked about the committee assignments he’s aiming to score, his process for hiring staff, the prospect of working with Democrats and key district issues he wants to focus on in the House.
• One of the most interesting parts of this interview is Carl’s reflection on past AL-1 congressmen and how their history of being “do-ers” instead of “show-ers” will guide his work.
• Full story HERE.

4. Also of note from the delegation

Sewell takes annual job fair online

• West Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell has moved her annual job fair this week online because of COVID-19. However, the job losses caused by the pandemic make the event even more important to Alabama’s 7th District, she said.
• “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I know so many jobs have been lost, and now more than ever our annual job fair is needed,” Sewell, D-Selma, said in a written statement. “For the past eight years, the job fair has been a space for job seekers in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District to connect directly with employers. We are very excited to continue our tradition with a robust 2020 virtual program.”
• The virtual job fair is Wednesday and Thursday and 10 industries will be represented, including automotive, manufacturing, hospitality, government agencies, law enforcement and construction.
• Read more HERE.

Aderholt to miss votes this week as a COVID-19 precaution

• North Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt said he will miss votes in D.C. this week after being in contact with someone with COVID-19.
• “A few days ago I was in close contact for several hours with someone who has since tested positive for COVID-19,” Aderholt, a Republican from Haleyville, said in a written statement sent Sunday evening. “While I did not have symptoms, upon learning that this person tested positive, I immediately went into quarantine. I subsequently had a rapid test and it came back negative, and I still have no symptoms.”
• Full story HERE.

5. AP Top 25

• The University of Alabama hasn’t played for two weeks but easily maintained its top ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 this week.
• Alabama is No. 1 for the second straight week, with 60 first-place votes. No. 2 Notre Dame received one first-place vote and No. 3 Ohio State got the other. The rest of the top eight was unchanged: Clemson is No. 4, followed by Texas A&M, Florida, Cincinnati and BYU.
• Auburn moved up a spot to No. 23 despite also not playing the last two weeks.
• Some teams that don’t often have success are enjoying the spotlight this year, including an undefeated No. 9 Indiana team that is barnstorming the Big Ten and No. 25 Tulsa, which is ranked for the first time in ten years.
• See the full poll HERE.

Headlines

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – 2nd coronavirus vaccine shows early success in U.S. tests

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – What mandate? Biden’s agenda faces a divided Congress

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Incoming Rep. Jerry Carl talks issues, working with Dems

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Congresswoman Terri Sewell hosts virtual job fair in 7th District

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Aderholt to miss votes this week as COVID-19 precaution

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – AP Top 25: Alabama remains on top despite two weeks off the field

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Alabama adds nearly 3,000 virus cases in single day

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Bedsole, Patton face off in HD49 special election

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – New report shows Alabama’s Black prison inmates murdered at higher rates than white inmates

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Troy dedicates building named for John Lewis

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – In the Weeds w/ Tommy Tuberville, Alabama’s next senator

ALABAMA DAILY NEWS – Weekend Digest – November 15, 2020

AL.COM – Alabama adds almost 2,000 new COVID-19 cases

AL.COM – BBVA’s US operations could be sold to PNC for $11 billion, reports state

AL.COM – TVA facing $900,000 fine for problems during 2015 reactor restart

AL.COM – Alabama study to look at suicides in patients cut off from opioids

AL.COM – Plea deal in horrific case of starved Alabama teen kept in basement sparks outrage

AL.COM – ‘I concede NOTHING!’ Trump tweets after saying Biden won in eyes of ‘FAKE NEWS MEDIA’

AL.COM – Columnist Kyle Whitmire: Thanksgiving won’t be cancelled

AL.COM – Contributor Cameron Smith: You’re a Republican. If Biden asked for your help, how would you answer?

AL.COM – Columnist Dana Hall McCain: Who lost the White House for the GOP?

Montgomery Advertiser – One dead in Prattville wreck

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – US Congressman Robert Aderholt will miss this week’s House vote after being exposed to COVID-19

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – Local non-profit helping families with food and bills this holiday season

WBRC Fox 6 Birmingham – In the Weeds w/ Tommy Tuberville, Alabama’s next senator

Tuscaloosa News – University of Alabama’s performing arts dream to become reality

Tuscaloosa News – Some rising stars learned their craft at the University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa News – Rookie firefighter stays busy in ‘dream job’

Decatur Daily – Jury with extra alternates to hear Stevens case as limit placed on ‘gruesome’ photos

Decatur Daily – East Limestone schools move to virtual after COVID spike, Decatur does not

Decatur Daily – Q&A: Tuberville on hiring staff, election results and socialism

Times Daily – DFA survey asks about downtown vision

Times Daily – Hospital officials warn a jump in local COVID cases possible

Times Daily – Convicted killer among 3 parole considerations

Anniston Star – 6-year-old celebrates victory over cancer with parade

Anniston Star – Nearly $1 million in street repairs due for West 15th, but some say direct aid to businesses better

Anniston Star – Q&A with Tommy Tuberville, Alabama’s next senator

YellowHammer News – COVID-19 vaccine delivery brings unique supply chain management challenges

YellowHammer News – State Sen. Elliott: Second COVID-19 shutdown order ‘unenforceable’ — ‘Who is going to go to the restaurant and say you’re closed down?’

YellowHammer News – Alabama Online Global Program gives new marketing tools to exporters

Gadsden Times – COVID cases force Hokes Bluff to switch to remote learning

Gadsden Times – Board weighs options regarding old Goodyear lease agreement

Gadsden Times – I-59 northbound closed from Reece City to Collinsville

Dothan Eagle – Troy dedicates building named for John Lewis

Dothan Eagle – UPDATE: Houston County Sheriff’s Office says two runaway juveniles found

Dothan Eagle – Syria’s longtime Foreign Minister al-Moallem dies at age 79

Opelika-Auburn News – Four arrested, charged with promoting prison contraband

Opelika-Auburn News – COVID-19 surge hits east Alabama

Opelika-Auburn News – Auburn University professors, provost at odds again over teaching plans

WSFA Montgomery – Montgomery airport prepares for Thanksgiving amid pandemic

WSFA Montgomery – State reporting increase in COVID-19 cases among students

WSFA Montgomery – Selma mayor’s home shot into Saturday evening

WAFF Huntsville – Protests continue in Albertville after confederate flag removed and put back up

WAFF Huntsville – Boaz City Schools make switch to virtual learning

WAFF Huntsville – WAFF 48 journalists, local leaders recognized for coverage in the Black community

WKRG Mobile – Conde Explorers cancel parade and ball for 2021 Mardi Gras season due to Covid concerns

WKRG Mobile – 15-year-old dies from ATV accident in Jackson County, Florida

WKRG Mobile – MPD: One in hospital after Eagle Drive shooting

WTVY Dothan – Dothan police nab suspected church thief

WTVY Dothan – Alert issued for missing Houston County man

WTVY Dothan – Marianna man charged with murdering his father

WASHINGTON POST – Iran’s oil exports, uranium stockpile surge as Trump administration’s ‘maximum pressure’ policy hits a wall

WASHINGTON POST – Trump campaign jettisons major parts of its legal challenge against Pennsylvania’s election results

WASHINGTON POST – With pandemic raging, Republicans say election results validate their approach

NEW YORK TIMES – Trump, Trying to Cling to Power, Fans Unrest and Conspiracies

NEW YORK TIMES – Covid-19: U.S. Records 1 Million New Cases in a Week

NEW YORK TIMES – With 11 Million Cases in the U.S., the Coronavirus Has Gotten Personal for Most People

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Stock Futures Rise on Vaccine Optimism

WALL STREET JOURNAL – Washington Lobbyists Know Biden Well—as Their Former Boss

WALL STREET JOURNAL – PNC Financial Services to Buy U.S. Arm of Spain’s BBVA for $11.6 Billion

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