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Thursday

Amid Health Care Worker Shortage, LA Mayor Presses For Faster Vaccine Rollout

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti visits a coronavirus vaccination site at the city's Lincoln Park on Wednesday. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

Amid Health Care Worker Shortage, LA Mayor Presses For Faster Vaccine Rollout

As the city's hospitals reach a breaking point, Mayor Eric Garcetti says Los Angeles needs more vaccine doses as soon as possible: "We can go as fast as you give us those vaccines."

Amid Health Care Worker Shortage, LA Mayor Presses For Faster Vaccine Rollout

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A 2020 Surprise: Fewer Absentee Ballot Rejections Than Expected

A West Bloomfield, Mich., Clerk's Office employee sorts absentee ballots by the precinct and ballot number on Oct. 31. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

2020 Election: Secure Your Vote

A 2020 Surprise: Fewer Absentee Ballot Rejections Than Expected

With many more people voting by mail this fall, election officials feared that millions of ballots would be rejected in the general election. Instead, rejection rates went down across the country.

Biden's Incoming Press Secretary: Briefings Won't Be A Platform For Right-Wing Spin

President-elect Joe Biden has named Jen Psaki to be his White House press secretary. Psaki was State Department spokeswoman and White House communications director during the Obama administration. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Biden Transition Updates

Biden's Incoming Press Secretary: Briefings Won't Be A Platform For Right-Wing Spin

In an interview with NPR's Morning Edition, Jen Psaki promises to restore the tradition of holding daily White House press briefings and to be "as fact-based as I can be."

Biden's Incoming Press Secretary: Briefings Won't Be A Platform For Right-Wing Spin

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DOJ National Security Boss Is Moving On — But Cyber, China Threats Aren't

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers listens during a virtual news conference at the Department of Justice on Oct. 28, 2020. Sarah Silbiger/AP hide caption

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Sarah Silbiger/AP

Law

DOJ National Security Boss Is Moving On — But Cyber, China Threats Aren't

John Demers looks back on his latest stretch in the Justice Department in an exclusive interview with NPR. Cyber threats from Russia and China will remain a big problem, he warns.

DOJ National Security Boss Is Moving On — But Cyber, China Threats Aren't

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How Will Climate And Health Policy Look Under Biden?

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden delivers remarks on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic at the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Delaware. Mark Makela/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Makela/Getty Images

Short Wave

How Will Climate And Health Policy Look Under Biden?

Today, something special...an episode of The NPR Politics Podcast we think you might appreciate. Our colleagues take a look at Joe Biden's approach to climate and health policy.

How Will Climate And Health Policy Look Under Biden?

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Wednesday

Trump Appointee Seeks Lasting Control Over Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia

U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack is seeking to retain control over networks such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty even after the incoming Biden administration replaces him. U.S. Agency for Global Media hide caption

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U.S. Agency for Global Media

Media

Trump Appointee Seeks Lasting Control Over Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia

The CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media is seeking to retain control over Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for at least two years — even though President-elect Biden has signaled he'll be replaced.

Census Missed Year-End Deadline For Delivering Numbers For House Seats

Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham holds up his mask with the words "2020 Census" as he testifies before a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on the census in July. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/AP

National

Census Missed Year-End Deadline For Delivering Numbers For House Seats

Behind schedule and struggling to fix irregularities in the count, the Census Bureau is working toward Jan. 9 as the next date in the process for releasing results, a bureau employee tells NPR.

Census Missed Year-End Deadline For Delivering Numbers For House Seats

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Senate GOP Rushes To Finish Defense Bill And Avoid Showdown On Relief Payments

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is attempting to avoid difficult political votes that could pit GOP senators against President Trump. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

The Coronavirus Crisis

Senate GOP Rushes To Finish Defense Bill And Avoid Showdown On Relief Payments

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the $2,000 relief checks have "no realistic path" in the Senate on their own. He has tied them to other provisions that Democrats blast as partisan.

Senate GOP Rushes To Finish Defense Bill And Avoid Showdown On Relief Payments

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GOP Sen. Hawley Will Object To Electoral College Certification

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., seen here during a Dec. 16 hearing, has said he plans to object to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory during the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6. Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images

Biden Transition Updates

GOP Sen. Hawley Will Object To Electoral College Certification

The move ensures there will be a debate and vote in both the House and the Senate and forces Republicans to go on the record as to whether they believe President Trump's allegations of election fraud.