Leaving but not forgotten: Trump is making dramatic moves

He may not be out in public, but President Donald Trump is still firing people. Thirty-six states are now requiring face masks in public. And in what feels like the best decision made by anyone in all of 2020, Michael B. Jordan is People's Sexiest Man Alive.

It's Lindsay with the headlines. Welcome to a very newsy Wednesday!

Trump's election fraud claims to take another turn?

As states prepare to finish certifying their vote counts, all eyes will be on President Donald Trump on Wednesday after the firing of Department of Homeland Security cybersecurity chief Christopher Krebs. Trump announced Krebs' dismissal on Twitter on Tuesday night, which the social media giant flagged with labels stating: "This claim about election fraud is disputed." Krebs' ouster follows the agency's declaration that the general election was the most secure in U.S. history. Trump continues to make unsubstantiated allegations of voting fraud while Trump's legal team pursues multiple legal challenges in battleground states. 

All eyes were on Michigan on Tuesday night:

The Wayne County Board of Canvassers in Michigan unanimously voted to certify the county's November election results late Tuesday – after the two Republican members of the board previously voted against certifying the results, which included votes in Detroit. Public commenters accused them of disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of voters – particularly African American voters – in initially refusing to certify the election.

• 'The lame duck is stirring': Trump stays mostly out of view after election but is working, taking steps to, in part, poke Biden
• Election updates: The news from Michigan, and more
• Fact check: What's true and what's false about the 2020 election

The biggest headlines to know today

• President-elect Joe Biden signaled Tuesday he intends to draw on longtime, loyal aides with deep government experience
• 'Operation Stolen Innocence': 170-plus people charged in Florida child sex trafficking network
• Dolly Parton donated $1 million to help fund promising Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
• Chuck Grassley, Senate's oldest Republican and third in line to president, tests positive for coronavirus
• 'We will never forget this year': Hurricane Iota roars through Caribbean coast just devastated by Eta
• Harvey Weinstein is 'being closely monitored' after coming down with a fever in prison

Coronavirus controls take effect across the country – but what about Congress?

As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths rise nationwide, some states are halting phased reopening plans or imposing new coronavirus-related restrictions starting Wednesday. Under rules announced by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in-person high school and college classes are suspended for three weeks along with eat-in dining at restaurants and bars. Casinos, movie theaters and some other businesses will temporarily close.  In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear intends to unveil measures aimed to curb the explosive rise of coronavirus infections in the commonwealth. Thirty-six states — plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico — now require people to wear face coverings in public statewide, according to a list maintained by AARP. Iowa, Utah and North Dakota joined the list in recent days, and Maine, Ohio and West Virginia strengthened their mandates last week. 

• Congress, we've got a problem: New COVID-19 infections are putting a spotlight on Congress’ loose guidelines. 6 lawmakers have tested positive in 5 days
• Fact check: What's true and what's false about coronavirus?
• Over 1 million children have been infected with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, new report finds
• Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak in your state

Well worth your time

• 'It's not real': In South Dakota, which has shunned masks and other COVID rules, some people die in denial, nurse says
• Are you tempted to sign up for 'Trumpcare' during open enrollment? Be careful, experts warn
• 'MasterChef Junior' star Ben Watkins dies at 14 after battling rare cancer: 'He was loved by so many'
• America Recovers: Browse USA TODAY's special publication, a tribute to those helping keep America going during COVID-19
• Need a photo break? Here's the day in pictures

FAA poised to clear Boeing 737 Max to fly again

The Federal Aviation Administration is expected Wednesday to clear Boeing's 737 Max to fly again after grounding the jet for nearly two years due to a pair of crashes that killed 346 people. False assumptions, mismanagement, rushed deadlines, miscommunication and outright deception led to the failure to catch the design flaws of the 737 Max that led to the crashes, a 238-page report from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released in September found. Regulators around the world grounded the Max in March 2019, after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jet. That happened less than five months after another Max, flown by Indonesia's Lion Air, plunged into the Java Sea. 

• Unions speak out: Southwest, American pilots say new Boeing 737 Max manual may lead to errors in emergencies
• Previous coverage: American Airlines will put 737 Max back on schedule Dec. 29. But are passengers ready to fly on it?
• Deeper job cuts at Boeing: Company reports $449M loss as the pandemic throttles air travel

Amazon launches its online pharmacy for medications and prescription refills

Filling you insulin and inhaler prescriptions may have just gotten a lot easier. Amazon.com opened an online pharmacy Tuesday that allows customers to order medication or prescription refills, and have them delivered to their front door in a couple of days. Shoppers have to set up a profile on Amazon’s website and have their doctors send prescriptions there. The company said it won’t ship medications that can be abused, including many opioids. Most insurance is accepted, Amazon said.

The Timberwolves are on the clock... It's time for the NBA draft!

After being delayed five months because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 NBA draft will take place Wednesday night (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) — virtually — as it takes a page from the NFL, WNBA and NHL drafts. The No. 1 pick is held by the Minnesota Timberwolves, projected to select Georgia guard Anthony Edwards after a long offseason to ponder their potentially franchise-altering choice. There's a chance for a trade to shake things up as several teams have their eyes on polarizing prospect LaMelo Ball. Memphis big man James Wiseman appears to be a lock for the No. 2 pick to the Golden State Warriors, as NBA team evaluators will have plenty of last-minute assessments heading into the draft. 

• Future NBA superstar? Anthony Edwards on working out in front of Michael Jordan, best advice he got from Warriors
• How LaMelo Ball went from misunderstood to can't-miss NBA draft pick
• Most pressurized pick: Selecting No. 1 overall, Minnesota's Gersson Rosas explains why the team isn't 'desperate' 

Contributing: The Associated Press